Abstract: A nebuliser comprises an outlet aperture and a liquid capillary. A method of operating the nebuliser comprises supplying a gas to the outlet aperture, measuring a flow rate of the gas supplied to the outlet aperture, and determining a position of the liquid capillary relative to the outlet aperture based on the measured flow rate.

Abstract: A low temperature method for converting poly(hydrocarbyne) into diamond-like carbon is based on removing pendant hydrogen using chemical or electrochemical means.

Abstract: The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and/or used in combination with a cochlear implant hearing system.

Abstract: A novel optical design based on a faceted conical or curved reflector centered within an upward facing circular array of light emitting diodes (LED) and protected by a transparent cover.

Abstract: The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and/or used in combination with a cochlear implant hearing system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and/or used in combination with a cochlear implant hearing system.

Abstract: A novel optical design based on a faceted conical or curved reflector centered within an upward facing circular array of light emitting diodes (LED) and protected by a transparent cover.

Abstract: The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and/or used in combination with a coehlear implant hearing system.

Abstract: An optical gain apparatus has a pump source providing pump energy at a pump wavelength to a gain medium that generates optical energy at a signal wavelength. To minimize disturbance from signal wavelengths appearing in a coupling path between the pump source and the gain medium, an optical attenuator is located in the coupling path that provides a significant degree of attenuation to signal wavelengths, while providing negligible attenuation of pump wavelengths. The attenuator may comprise a grating structure, such as a long period grating or a blazed grating. It may also comprise an angled coupling fiber that is oriented to reflect signal wavelengths out of the coupling path. The end of such a fiber would typically be formed into a microlens, such as a wedge-shaped lens or a biconic lens, and would preferably be coated with a material that is highly reflective at the signal wavelength, but anti-reflective at the pump wavelength. The microlens may also be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the fiber.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo container adapted to provide blast attenuation in the event of an explosion within the container comprises panels (2,3) of blast resistant material joined together by joint means (4,5) which are adapted to provide a relatively rigid joint udner normal handling conditions, but which provide a relatively flexible hinged joint capable of transmitting tensile loads between the panels under blast conditions. Additional reinforcement may be provided by a lattice of high tensile strength straps 6 substantially surrounding the container.