Abstract: A composite for providing shielding against cosmic radiation, consisting essentially of carbon nanotubes, a biopolymer of lignin and a halogen as dopant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for automatically updating a widget on desktop. The system includes a receiving module that receives widget data from a desktop application and a version determination module that determines if the widget being launched is the most current. In addition, the system includes a download module that downloads at least one component for the widget if a newer version is available. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for automatically updating a widget on desktop. The method operates by receiving widget data from a desktop application, determining if the widget being launched is the most current, and downloading at least one component for the widget if a newer version is available.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for placing a widget onto a remote device. The system includes a widget module that indicates when the widget is to be acquired, and a transmission module that transmits widget data to a desktop application. In addition, the system includes a download module that downloads at least one component for the widget and a load module that loads the widget on the remote device. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for placing a widget onto a remote device. The method operates by indicating that the widget is to be acquired and transmitting widget data to a desktop application. Then, the method operates by downloading at least one component for the widget, and loading the widget on the remote device.

Abstract: A video recording and playback device has a control track recorder for recording a control track signal including timing edges recorded on a tape or other storage medium together with the video program. A decoder is coupled to the control track signal and to the tape drive for switching among a forward play mode, a forward skip mode and a rewind mode, as a function of play, skip and rewind codes inserted into the control track as phase variations of edges other than those used for timing, or preferably as pulses with sloping edges distinct from the timing edges. In addition to selectively skipping sections of the video program preceded by a skip code and followed by a play code, such as commercial breaks, the device permits user editing of play and skip codes and selective multiple replays of sections of the video program preceded by a play code and followed by a rewind code.

Abstract: A video recording and playback device has a control track recorder for recording a control track signal including timing edges recorded on a tape or other storage medium together with the video program. A decoder is coupled to the control track signal and to the tape drive for switching among a forward play mode, a forward skip mode and a rewind mode, as a function of play, skip and rewind codes inserted into the control track as phase variations of edges other than those used for timing, or preferably as pulses with sloping edges distinct from the timing edges. In addition to selectively skipping sections of the video program preceded by a skip code and followed by a play code, such as commercial breaks, the device permits user editing of play and skip codes and selective multiple replays of sections of the video program preceded by a play code and followed by a rewind code.