Abstract: A well plate (1) for holding samples of a bodily fluid during analysis thereof, typically in an analytical apparatus, includes a plate (2) having a plurality of first wells (3) extending downwardly therefrom for holding a sample during optical analysis of the sample, and a plurality of second wells (4) for holding samples during mechanical analysis of the samples. A plurality of holding wells (8) are provided for initially receiving and holding samples of the bodily fluid to be analysed so that samples of relatively accurate size can be pipetted from the holding wells (8) to the first and second wells (3,4).

Abstract: A shower rod assembly includes an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end. A first mounting bracket is engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket is coupleable with the second end. An end connector has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is engageable with the second mounting bracket and the first portion is insertable into the second end of the arcuate rod. An extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.

Abstract: A vessel with powered display portion, powered by heat differential from a liquid in the vessel, and a thermoelectric generator. Heat from the liquid is used to generate electricity using a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with the liquid, and a heat sink or radiator. Cold liquid in the vessel can also be used to generate electricity, by the difference in temperature outside the vessel. The powered display may be made of flexible material and can include LEDs, OLEDS, LCD, luminous tubing, fiber optics, or other light emitting structures.

Abstract: A magnetic flux shield is described for employment within a hybrid permanent magnet/induction motor, allowing for both synchronous and asynchronous operation. A hybrid rotor comprises coaxially nested Halbach cylinders each with an attached induction rotor and a magnetic flux shield. This hybrid rotor rotates about an armature residing in the space between the induction rotors. The armature comprises independent field winding circuits that may be configured by a controller for either polyphase asynchronous or synchronous operation. At start up or where high torque is required, multiphase current urges rotation of the induction rotor. At a predetermined operational speed a magnetic flux shield releases and allows synchronous operation for greater energy efficiency.

Abstract: A vessel with powered display portion, powered by heat differential from a liquid in the vessel, and a thermoelectric generator. Heat from the liquid is used to generate electricity using a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with the liquid, and a heat sink or radiator. Cold liquid in the vessel can also be used to generate electricity, by the difference in temperature outside the vessel. The powered display may be made of flexible material and can include LEDs, OLEDS, LCD, luminous tubing, fiber optics, or other light emitting structures.

Abstract: A motor includes two magnetically coupled, coaxially-nested Halbach cylinder rotors, one of which passes through a toroidal series of at least two stator coils while the other is attached to an axle or other means of transferring mechanical power. An embodiment is described comprising an additional third Halbach cylinder rotor in which a circumferential arrangement of permanent magnets is mounted rotatably and proximally outside the stator coils, coaxial with the stator coils. Adjacent stator coils are configured so as to produce opposing magnetic fields upon energizing of the motor. Alternating the current to the stator coils induces movement in the rotor. Commutation can occur brushlessly, or the motor can be configured to function without commutation by varying the frequency of the alternating current, and can be configured to operate by either DC or AC current. Alternatively, the rotor may be driven to generate an electric current in the stator.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing retains a rotatable shaft in a selected position by magnetic coupling between a circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays. Each magnetic coupling completes a magnetic circuit. The magnet arrays focus magnetic flux towards the circular magnet to facilitate magnetic coupling. Magnet arrays configured in Halbach series may be employed. Magnet arrays configured as electromagnets may also be employed. The shaft may be attached either to the circular magnet or the magnet arrays. Shaft rotation does not affect the magnetic circuit, but axial displacement of the shaft disrupts the magnetic circuit and increases magnetic reluctance. Increasing magnetic reluctance inhibits axial displacement. The shaft thereby supports a load while rotating freely, constrained to a selected position by forces of magnetic reluctance. A centering bearing may be employed to maintain gap distance between circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber tip, the method including, roughening at least part of an end portion of the optical fiber; and, etching the roughed end portion to thereby form an optical fiber tip.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes first and second vanes with respective first and second face portions. First and second axial widths of a circumferential feed area are respectively defined between the first and second face portions and the outer feed surface of the die body. In further examples, methods include the steps of selectively adjusting the first axial width and the second axial width of the circumferential feed area by respectively adjusting the first and second vane relative to the mask. In further examples, a honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a plurality of mask segments that each includes an inner peripheral surface portion. Each of the plurality of mask segments are independently adjustable along a respective radial axis.

Abstract: An adjustable head and shoulder support apparatus for use with a mobile phone includes a mobile device case having opposing top and bottom ends and configured to hold the mobile phone, the case including a rear face. The apparatus includes a support arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the rear face proximate the top end and a second end opposed from the first end. The support arm is pivotally movable between a stowed configuration adjacent the rear face and an extended configuration displaced from the rear face. The rear face of the case defines a recess that includes an upper portion having a generally circular configuration and a lower portion in communication with the upper portion. The support arm is nested in the lower portion of the recess at the stowed configuration and is displaced from the lower portion of the recess at the extended configuration.

Abstract: Issuing a debit card associated with only non-personally identifying information includes communicating among an input device, a network coupling, and a card dispenser. The input device is configured to receive a new account request. The new account request includes only non-personally identifiable information. The network coupling is configured to send the new account request to an acquirer processor and to receive an approval response from the acquirer processor. The card dispenser is configured to dispense a debit card to the user based on the approval response received from the acquirer processor. The debit card includes only non-personally identifiable information. The non-personally identifiable information includes the account number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial alkaline compositions suitable for use in medical and dental treatment. The compositions comprise a polyalkylene glycol or C3-C6 polyol compound and calcium hydroxide or components that generate calcium hydroxide in situ. The use of the compositions as dental medicaments, obturants, liners, oral disinfectants and bone cements is also described.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes first and second vanes with respective first and second face portions. First and second axial widths of a circumferential feed area are respectively defined between the first and second face portions and the outer feed surface of the die body. In further examples, methods include the steps of selectively adjusting the first axial width and the second axial width of the circumferential feed area by respectively adjusting the first and second vane relative to the mask. In further examples, a honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a plurality of mask segments that each includes an inner peripheral surface portion. Each of the plurality of mask segments are independently adjustable along a respective radial axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bi-stable coupling for controlling the depth of a tool insertion, such as drilling, and similar processes. The bi-stable coupling can be used to penetrate (e.g., drill or push) through a material layer of unknown thickness without plunging the tool into the adjacent layer. In accordance with the invention, in a first state, force is applied to the tool to initiate penetration and a reactive force maintains the device in the first state during penetration and when tool penetrates the material, the reactive force is diminished enabling the device to transition to a second state in which the tool becomes retracted. In medical applications, the invention allows for drilling through bone of unknown thickness without plunging into the adjacent soft tissue.

Abstract: An elastic strain sensor can be incorporated into an artificial skin that can sense flexing by the underlying support structure of the skin to detect and track motion of the support structure. The unidirectional elastic strain sensor can be formed by filling two or more channels in an elastic substrate material with a conductive liquid. At the ends of the channels, a loop port connects the channels to form a serpentine channel. The channels extend along the direction of strain and the loop portions have sufficiently large cross-sectional area in the direction transverse to the direction of strain that the sensor is unidirectional. The resistance is measured at the ends of the serpentine channel and can be used to determine the strain on the sensor. Additional channels can be added to increase the sensitivity of the sensor. The sensors can be stacked on top of each other to increase the sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for all electric power steering apparatus comprises an input shaft which carries a worm gear and is supported relative to the housing at one end by a first bearing assembly and at the other by a second bearing assembly, an output shaft which carries a wheel gear which is fixed relative to a housing and which meshes with a worm gear on the input shaft, and a spring assembly which acts between the housing and the first bearing assembly, and the spring assembly applying a biasing force onto the second bearing in a first direction away from the neutral position so as to ensure that the worm and wheel are fully engaged.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a camera phone to a weapon scope is provided. The attachment assembly includes a camera phone mount having at least one camera phone clamp for the selective retention of a camera phone in the camera phone mount, the camera phone mount rotatably and slidably coupled to a mount bracket. A scope mount assembly is coupled to a portion of a weapon scope, the scope mount assembly being slidably received by a portion of the mount bracket, wherein the camera phone mount is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position has a camera lens of the camera phone in alignment the view through the scope, and the second position has the camera lens of the camera phone outside of alignment from the view through the scope.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes first and second vanes with respective first and second face portions. First and second axial widths of a circumferential feed area are respectively defined between the first and second face portions and the outer feed surface of the die body. In further examples, methods include the steps of selectively adjusting the first axial width and the second axial width of the circumferential feed area by respectively adjusting the first and second vane relative to the mask. In further examples, a honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a plurality of mask segments that each includes an inner peripheral surface portion. Each of the plurality of mask segments are independently adjustable along a respective radial axis.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed involving coils. For example, energy may be transferred between transmitting and receiving coils. The transmitting coil may be in a first device, while the receiving coil may be in a second device. In embodiments, the transmitting coil may be shaped in a way as to direct a magnetic field toward a receiving device. Similarly, the receiving device may be shaped in a way that is directed towards the device having the transmitting coil.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a camera phone to a weapon scope is provided. The attachment assembly includes a camera phone mount having at least one camera phone clamp for the selective retention of a camera phone in the camera phone mount, the camera phone mount rotatably and slidably coupled to a mount bracket. A scope mount assembly is coupled to a portion of a weapon scope, the scope mount assembly being slidably received by a portion of the mount bracket, wherein the camera phone mount is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position has a camera lens of the camera phone in alignment the view through the scope, and the second position has the camera lens of the camera phone outside of alignment from the view through the scope.