Abstract: An autonomous power source comprises a power harvester mounted on a movable structure. The power harvester includes a coil, a magnet, and a low-friction ferrofluidic bearing in contact with the magnet, arranged such that the magnet and coil move with respect to each other when the structure is in motion such that an electrical current is produced in the coil. This current is converted to power and stored in an energy storage system and is thus available to power electronic circuitry. The magnet and bearing are preferably enclosed within a closed linear or circular tube, with the coil mounted around the exterior of the tube. The power harvester and battery are combined with one or more sensors and a wireless transmitter to form a tire pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: An autonomous power source comprises a power harvester mounted on a movable structure. The power harvester includes a coil, a magnet, and a low-friction ferrofluidic bearing in contact with the magnet, arranged such that the magnet and coil move with respect to each other when the structure is in motion such that an electrical current is produced in the coil. This current is converted to power and stored in an energy storage system and is thus available to power electronic circuitry. The magnet and bearing are preferably enclosed within a closed linear or circular tube, with the coil mounted around the exterior of the tube. The power harvester and battery are combined with one or more sensors and a wireless transmitter to form a tire pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for locatable alarms which increase the awareness of and locatability of objects, even for sight or hearing impaired individuals. The apparatus emits preferably a plurality of intermittent complex multiple frequency encoded noises at ear intensities less than 150 dbA, when measured at 10 cm from the source, which enhance listeners' conscious or subconscious abilities to estimate both the distance to the object from the listeners and at least two relative angles between the listeners and the object. The plurality of intermittent complex multiple frequency encoded noises include noise having at least in part primary frequency less than about 1.1 KHz and noise having primary frequency in the range of from about 4 KHz through about 12 KHz.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic combustor and systems for the boilerless stoichiometric production of a working fluid such as steam from a fuel-mixture comprised of a carbonaceous fuel and a diluent such as water mixed in a thermally self-extinguishing mass ratio. Production of the steam is by a controlled substantially stoichiometric process utilizing a combustor to provide steam over a wide range of heat release rates, temperatures and pressures for steam flooding an oil bearing formation. Even though formation characteristics change during a steam flooding operation, output steam of the combustor may be kept at a constant heat release rate by dividing the total amount of water passing through combustor between a first portion which is included in the fuel-mixture and a second portion which is injected into the heated products of combustion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic combustor and systems for the boilerless stoichiometric production of a working fluid such as steam from a burn-mixture comprised of a carbonaceous fuel and a diluent. In a preferred burn-mixture, the diluent includes a first portion taken from an emulsion of the fuel and water mixed in a thermally self-extinguishing mass ratio, and a second portion taken in an amount from combustion products of a mixture previously combusted to heat the resulting burn-mixture so it combusts in the presence of a catalyst at an adiabatic flame temperature between upper and lower stability limits of the catalyst. Production of the steam is by a controlled substantially stoichiometric process utilizing a combustor to provide steam over a wide range of heat release rates, temperatures and pressures for steam flooding an oil bearing formation.

Abstract: Novel membranes having two or more coatings of polyelectrolytes with at least one oppositely charged adjacent pair of coatings separated by a neutral layer to reduce charge neutralization, their method of preparation, and use for rejecting ionically charged solutes.

Abstract: Novel membranes having one coating or layer of a cationic polyelectrolyte, the method of preparation, and use for rejecting ionically charged solutes.

Abstract: Oil-dispersed poly(vinylimidazoline) and poly(2-vinylimidazolinium) bisulfate flocculant compositions and process for in situ preparation of same.