Abstract: Techniques for distributing a liquid in a liquid-gas system include flowing a liquid into a system of nozzles and basin of the liquid-gas contacting system; and operating the nozzles and basin system with a distribution sub-assembly configured to operate the nozzles under a plurality of liquid flow rates and maintaining a consistent spatial liquid distribution of the liquid within the distribution sub-assembly at the plurality of liquid flow rates.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for electro-optically inducing a force to fabricated samples and/or devices with laser light. The technique uses the interaction of the oscillating electric field of the laser beam in opposition with the electric field produced by an appropriate electric charge carrier to achieve a net repulsive (or attractive) force on the component holding the electric charge. In one embodiment, force is achieved when the field near the charge carrier is modulated at a subharmonic of the electric field oscillation frequency of the laser and the relative phases of the light field and electric charge carrier field are controlled to provide optimal repulsion/attraction. The effect is scalable by applying the technique to an array of charge carrier fields sequentially as well as using higher power lasers and higher carrier field voltages.

Abstract: A method of preserving a building or similar asset (16) from destruction by a bushfire is disclosed. The method includes the step of shortly prior to the arrival of the bushfire at the asset or building (16), spraying the exterior of said asset or building (16) with a water-based fire retardant (17) ejected from a nozzle (10) located above the asset or building (16) and mounted on a helicopter (1) carrying the water-based fire retardant (17).

Abstract: An assembly including a host device and an add-on module, in which the host device and the add-on module include features to provide a rugged electro-mechanical interface or connection between the host device and the add-on module. The host device includes a body that has an open or non-enclosed docking bay on a side, and the module is placed into the docking bay such that a top side of its body mates with the inner surfaces and features of the docking bay. The interface is rugged so that the assembly is useful in the field, and the interface provides a secure attachment that can withstand dropping. A hook is provided on the top side of the body of the module, and the hook feature's shape, when combined with the location of fasteners on the module body that mate with threaded holes in the docking bay, is designed to withstand dropping.

Abstract: A system for operating an interactive electronic multimedia puzzle, comprising a puzzle generation engine that receives a variety of audio, video, still graphic, or text-based content, divides content into portions, associates portions of content with puzzle tiles, and presents a puzzle comprising a shuffled arrangement of puzzle tiles to a user, and a method for operating an electronic multimedia puzzle with options which allow both cooperative and competitive social interaction between a plurality of puzzle-solving participants.

Abstract: An adjustable mandibular repositioning appliance including first and second connecting members and a link arm which is pivotable about an axis wherein protrusive positioning of the mandible is provided by relative positioning of the link arm along aid axis, to kits and couplings for making a readily adjustable mandibular appliance, to a system for providing a readily adjustable mandibular repositioning appliance and methods of use.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for electro-optically inducing a force to fabricated samples and/or devices with laser light. The technique uses the interaction of the oscillating electric field of the laser beam in opposition with the electric field produced by an appropriate electric charge carrier to achieve a net repulsive (or attractive) force on the component holding the electric charge. In one embodiment, force is achieved when the field near the charge carrier is modulated at a subharmonic of the electric field oscillation frequency of the laser and the relative phases of the light field and electric charge carrier field are controlled to provide optimal repulsion/attraction. The effect is scalable by applying the technique to an array of charge carrier fields sequentially as well as using higher power lasers and higher carrier field voltages.

Abstract: Techniques for distributing a liquid in a liquid-gas system include flowing a liquid into a system of nozzles and basin of the liquid-gas contacting system; and operating the nozzles and basin system with a distribution sub-assembly configured to operate the nozzles under a plurality of liquid flow rates and maintaining a consistent spatial liquid distribution of the liquid within the distribution sub-assembly at the plurality of liquid flow rates.

Abstract: A system for operating an interactive electronic multimedia puzzle, comprising a puzzle generation engine that receives a variety of audio, video, still graphic, or text-based content, divides content into portions, associates portions of content with puzzle tiles, and presents a puzzle comprising a shuffled arrangement of puzzle tiles to a user, and a method for operating an electronic multimedia puzzle with options which allow both cooperative and competitive social interaction between a plurality of puzzle-solving participants.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for travelling over a ground surface, the apparatus including detection means for detecting an area of the ground surface (or sub-ground surface) which has had a deposition of excreta, and treatment means for treating the area with at least one substance. The apparatus may preferably be automated. In a preferred embodiment, the excreta being detected may be cattle urine and the substance(s) used to treat the area of deposition of urine may be a nitrate inhibitor and/or a urease inhibitor.

Abstract: A device for creating a void space in living tissue includes a handle from which a shaft extends. A tip is moveably attached to the distal end of the shaft. The angular position of the tip is controlled by the rotation of a knob mounted to the handle. The knob is mounted to the handle to project beyond opposed side surfaces of the handle and a surface that bridge between the side surfaces.

Abstract: An aircraft radio system comprising a plurality of radios interconnected by a digital communications network, each radio having a transceiver and a dedicated processor platform, the aircraft radio system being configured to cause the dedicated processor platforms to constitute a virtual processing environment for the aircraft radio system. There is also an aircraft radio system comprising a plurality of discrete radios interconnected by a digital communications network, each radio having a transceiver, a dedicated processor platform and a server configured to support communications over the network using PPPoE, Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet, to provide a common digital interface between an aircraft domain and the radios for plural types of communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.

Abstract: A method of generating steam by heating water in a steam generator comprising a plurality of steam generating channels, wherein water is supplied at a constant rate to each steam generating channel through respective water supply lines, and wherein a sufficient pressure drop is provided across each water supply line in order to prevent flow reversal in the plurality of steam generating channels.

Abstract: Enhancing growth of algae in an algaculture facility includes contacting a growth medium with a gas including carbon dioxide, transferring some of the carbon dioxide to the growth medium to yield an enriched growth medium, and providing the enriched growth medium to the algaculture facility. The concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the enriched growth medium exceeds the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the growth medium, where dissolved carbon dioxide includes ions formed by the reaction of carbon dioxide with a species in solution. The growth medium may be obtained from the algaculture facility, and may be filtered or otherwise processed before or after contacting the growth medium with the gas. Providing the enriched growth medium to the algaculture facility increases the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the bulk growth medium of the algaculture facility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localisation information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localisation information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localisation information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localisation information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus that is particularly suited to spraying of suspensions, for example liquid suspended fertilizers. The apparatus includes a tank with an arrangement configured to create fluid circulation within the tank, thereby reducing settling of solids out of suspension. The apparatus also creates a mixing flow in a region below an opening, such that particulates can be introduced through the opening into the mixing flow.

Abstract: An aircraft radio system comprising a plurality of radios interconnected by a digital communications network, each radio having a transceiver and a dedicated processor platform, the aircraft radio system being configured to cause the dedicated processor platforms to constitute a virtual processing environment for the aircraft radio system. There is also an aircraft radio system comprising a plurality of discrete radios interconnected by a digital communications network, each radio having a transceiver, a dedicated processor platform and a server configured to support communications over the network using PPPoE, Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet, to provide a common digital interface between an aircraft domain and the radios for plural types of communication.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus that is particularly suited to spraying of suspensions, for example liquid suspended fertilizers. The apparatus includes a tank with an inlet configured to create fluid circulation within the tank, thereby reducing settling of solids out of suspension. A mixing unit improves the mixing of particulates with fluids as they are added to the tank. Spray outlets are arranged in a flow loop and only a proportion of fluid passing through the flow loop is sprayed with the remaining fluid returning to the tank for recirculation. Pressure-actuated closures may be used to prevent spraying until pressure has built up sufficiently.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot having an array of suction cups includes an air control valve connected to each suction cup. Each valve can be individually operated so that specific zones of suction cups may be activated while others are dormant. The dormant suction cups are closed to the sub-atmospheric pressure, so that leakage of air through unused suction cups is avoided, while only the suction cups of the selected zone perform the picking of the work products. This allows the end effector to provide accurate and constant sub-atmospheric pressure to the work products during the picking process.