Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass composition formulated to provide the controlled release of certain transition metal ions to regulate the cellular hypoxia pathway and the use of these hypoxia-pathway regulating glasses in medicine and in biomedical research, including in the repair, restoration or regeneration of diseased or damaged tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a porous glass construct with interconnected porosity, the resulting porous construct and its use as a macroporous scaffold in bone repair and regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioactive glass coatings. In particular, the present invention relates to bioactive glass coatings for Ti6Al4V alloys and chrome cobalt alloys, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass coating is matched to that of the alloy. Such coatings have a particular application in the field of medical prosthetics. The bioactive glass comprises (in mol %) 35-53 SiO2; 2-11 Na20; at least 2% of each of CaO, MgO and K20; 0-15 ZnO; 0-2 B202 and 0-9 P205.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glass compositions for use in formation of polycarboxylate cements and polycarboxylate cements comprising these glasses, wherein the glasses comprise SiO2 and MgO, with a molar percentage of SiO2 not exceeding 60% and a molar percentage of MgO being greater than 20%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous inorganic/organic hybrid nanoscale composite comprising an enzymatically biodegradable organic polymer and a sol-gel derived silica network, its production and use as a macroporous scaffold in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive glass comprising strontium and silicon dioxide, processes for the production of the bioactive glass and the use of the bioactive glass in medicine.

Abstract: The invention in one aspect relates to a decorating system which includes at least a decorating medium receptacle for use in an upright position with a roller-type applicator, in which the receptacle has a container which receives decorating medium, and a removable or integral rolling platform positioned within the receptacle and. forming a roller-type applicator support means. The system may also comprise a decorating medium storage vessel and/or a decorating implement holder. The invention provides an easy to use decorating system when painting, wallpapering and/or performing other decorating tasks.

Abstract: Compressor fan blades have an isotropic core and composite fiber layers in an epoxy matrix. The fibers on opposite broad surfaces of the blade extend at an angle of between 25° and 35° to the blade length. The fibers on opposites sides of the blade are inclined in opposite senses such that extension force applied to the blade as it rotates produces opposing forces in the composite layers that resist untwisting of the blade. The thickness of the fiber layers varies from the leading edge to the trailing edge, being thicker towards the leading edge.

Abstract: A device for assembling a banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band comprises a frame, a base to support the stack while assembling, a press plate that is movable toward and away from the base to compress the stack under a constant force, band folding means to fold the band around the compressed stack such that the ends of the band overlap and welding means for welding the overlapped ends of the band. A method for assembling the banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band is also described. The device can be used to fit a plurality of compression bands around the assembled stack.

Abstract: A device for assembling a banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band comprises a frame, a base to support the stack while assembling, a press plate that is movable toward and away from the base to compress the stack under a constant force, band folding means to fold the band around the compressed stack such that the ends of the band overlap and welding means for welding the overlapped ends of the band. A method for assembling the banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band is also described. The device can be used to fit a plurality of compression bands around the assembled stack.

Abstract: A dispenser for a safety throw rope is made from a rigid hollow body that defines a cavity having a bung hole at one end and a looped hollow handle portion at another end spaced from the bung hole. A length of rope is received in the cavity and is coupled to a closure assembly for closing the bung hole. The other end of the rope is looped around the handle portion inside the cavity and coupled to the handle portion so that the body may be thrown and the rope will pay out of the bung hole in a rescue situation.

Abstract: A whistle has a mouthpiece which is cushioned to minimize damage to the whistle and improve the comfort and safety of a user. The cushioning material is preferably injection moulded into a sleeve which locates between ridges integrally moulded with the whistle body. The body also has a plurality of projections for mating with the cushioning material. A web in an air inlet passage strengthens the mouthpiece to prevent collapse or fracture of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A method of etching an oxide layer in a plasma etching reactor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate including the oxide layer into the plasma etching reactor and flowing an etching gas that includes a fluorocarbon gas, a nitrogen reactant gas, an oxygen reactant gas, an inert carrier gas, and a hydrogen-containing additive gas into the plasma etching reactor. The method further includes etching an opening at least partially through the oxide layer using a plasma that is formed from the etching gas.

Abstract: An improved process is described for forming one or more vias through an insulation layer by plasma etching to an underlying metal layer without depositing etch residues, including metal sputtered from the underlying metal layer, onto the sidewalls of the vias, which comprises, in one embodiment, using in the gaseous etchant one or more 3-6 carbon fluorinated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.x H.sub.y F.sub.z, wherein x is 3 to 6, y is 0 to 3, and z is 2x-y when the fluorinated hydrocarbon is cyclic and z is 2x-y+2 when the fluorinated hydrocarbon is noncyclic. One or more other fluorine-containing gases may also be used as long as the 3-6 carbon fluorinated hydrocarbons comprise at least 10 volume % of the fluorine-containing gas mixture. The fluorinated hydrocarbon gas or fluorine-containing gas mixture also may be mixed with up to 90 volume % total of one or more inert gases to control the taper of the via walls.

Abstract: A gas mixer and distributor has an array of parallel gas mixing and distributing tubes which extend from a first chamber through successive second and third chambers. Respective coaxial tubular sections surround the tubes and communicate between the second and third chambers. Openings in the walls of the tubes communicate from the third chamber into the tubes. The first gas is fed into the first chamber for distribution into the first ends of the tube. The second gas is fed into the second chamber and passes through the annular passages formed by tubular sections over the tubes into the third chamber. The annular passages provide indirect heat exchange between the first and second gases to produce uniform temperature and density of the second gas in the third chamber before passing into the tubes through the tube wall openings.