Abstract: LTCC devices are produced from dielectric compositions comprising a mixture of precursor materials that, upon firing, forms a dielectric material comprising a matrix of titanates of alkaline earth metals, the matrix doped with at least one selected from rare-earth element, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and bismuth oxide.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel has been made based on high concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI gels of different compositions were fabricated by thermally inducing gelation of high-concentration suspensions of protein, and characterized for compressive strength and modulus, hydration swelling and drying properties, mechanical behavior change due to polysaccharide additives, and intrinsic pore network structure. The gels were shown to be compatible with bone cells and could be used as bone tissue scaffolds. In addition, WPI fibers were produced by electrospinning. Several additives could be incorporated into the WPI gels, including structural additives, growth factors, amino acids, etc. The WPI hydrogels can be made with glycerol to increase flexibility and stability.

Abstract: LTCC devices are produced from dielectric compositions comprising a mixture of precursor materials that, upon firing, forms a dielectric material comprising a matrix of titanates of alkaline earth metals, the matrix doped with at least one selected from rare-earth element, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and bismuth oxide.

Abstract: A signal repeater (200) includes a signal processing part (202) and a signal repeating part (204). The signal processing part includes a converter (300) configured to receive an input signal and to convert the input signal into quadrature signals, and a processor (302, 304, 306) configured to process the quadrature signals to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal, and to compare the one or more characteristics of the input signal and a plurality of predetermined characteristics to generate a comparison result. The signal repeating part (204) is configured to selectively repeat the input signal as a repeated signal in accordance with the comparison result.

Abstract: A signal repeater (200) includes a signal processing part (202) and a signal repeating part (204). The signal processing part includes a converter (300) configured to receive an input signal and to convert the input signal into quadrature signals, and a processor (302, 304, 306) configured to process the quadrature signals to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal, and to compare the one or more characteristics of the input signal and a plurality of predetermined characteristics to generate a comparison result. The signal repeating part (204) is configured to selectively repeat the input signal as a repeated signal in accordance with the comparison result.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel has been made based on high concentrations of whey protein isolate (WP1). WP1 gels of different compositions were fabricated by thermally inducing gelation of high-concentration suspensions of protein, and characterized for compressive strength and modulus, hydration swelling and drying properties, mechanical behavior change due to polysaccharide additives, and intrinsic pore network structure. The gels were shown to be compatible with bone cells and could be used as bone tissue scaffolds. In addition, WP1 fibers were produced by electrospinning. Several additives could be incorporated into the WPI gels, including structural additives, growth factors, amino acids, etc. The WP1 hydrogels can be made with glycerol to increase flexibility and stability.

Abstract: A reference-free direct digital lock-in system (RDDL 10) has a first input coupled to a periodic electrical signal and an output for outputting an indication of a magnitude of a desired periodic signal component. The RDDL also has a second input for receiving a signal (9) that specifies a reference period value, and operates to autonomously generate a lock-in reference signal having a specified period and a phase that is adjusted to maximize a magnitude of the outputted desired periodic signal component. In an embodiment of a measurement system that includes the RDDL 10 an optical source provides a chopped light beam having wavelengths within a predetermined range of wavelengths, and the periodic electrical signal is generated by at least one photodetector that is illuminated by the chopped light beam. In this embodiment the measurement system characterizes, for at least one wavelength of light that is generated by the optical source, a spectral response of the at least one photodetector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding particulate material from a hopper into a process stream at a controlled flow rate. A rotating wheel with spaced apart pockets is vibrated to densify the particulate material in the pockets. A stator contacts and covers a portion of the upper surface of the wheel and has a transfer station connected to discharge particular into the process stream. The wheel is driven in rotation at a controlled rate to control the particulate flow rate into the process stream. A conveying gas supply projects a jet of gas into the pockets for removing the particulate material and conveying it into the process stream. An aerating gas supply directs an upward flow of gas from the periphery of the wheel, through the particulate material being supplied to the wheel to fluidize the particulate material supplied to the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.