Abstract: A substrate (e.g., metal or non-metal sheet) can have multiple textures on a surface of the substrate. The various textures can be impressed or applied on the surface of the substrate by passing the substrate between multiple pairs of work rolls that each include at least one textured work roll for transferring a texture of the work roll onto the surface of the substrate. The pairs of work rolls apply the various textures on the surface of the substrate while maintaining a thickness of the substrate (e.g., with substantially no reduction in a thickness of the substrate). A single pass of the substrate between the pairs of work rolls can allow various different textures, patterns, or features to be applied to the surface of the substrate while the thickness of the substrate remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A substrate (e.g., metal or non-metal sheet) can have multiple textures on a surface of the substrate. The various textures can be impressed or applied on the surface of the substrate by passing the substrate between multiple pairs of work rolls that each include at least one textured work roll for transferring a texture of the work roll onto the surface of the substrate. The pairs of work rolls apply the various textures on the surface of the substrate while maintaining a thickness of the substrate (e.g., with substantially no reduction in a thickness of the substrate). A single pass of the substrate between the pairs of work rolls can allow various different textures, patterns, or features to be applied to the surface of the substrate while the thickness of the substrate remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A portal, system and method for screening an object for a target substance is provided. The portal includes an inflatable bladder expandable to form a test space for receiving the object and a plurality of nozzles positioned about the inflatable bladder. The nozzles are in fluid communication with a fluid source for directing air over the object whereby samples are removed from the object for examination. A collector is operatively connected to the inflatable bladder for collecting the samples removed from the object. A detector is operatively connected to the collector for examining the removed samples for the presence of the target substance. At least one preconcentrator may be operatively connected to the collector for concentrating the samples collected thereby.

Abstract: Portable handheld real-time tracking and communications devices include; a controller module, communications module including global positioning and mesh network radio module, data transfer and storage module, and a user interface module enclosed in a water-resistant enclosure. Real-time tracking and communications devices can be used by protective force, security and first responder personnel to provide situational awareness allowing for enhance coordination and effectiveness in rapid response situations. Such devices communicate to other authorized devices via mobile ad-hoc wireless networks, and do not require fixed infrastructure for their operation.

Abstract: There is provided a method of texturing a metal sheet or strip (8), which method comprises a plurality of sequential texturing passes each of which is performed by passing the sheet or strip (8) between at least one pair of rollers (7), wherein at least one of each pair of rollers (7) has a textured pattern on the surface thereof and the textured patterns are transferred to the sheet or strip (8) during each texturing pass, and wherein the textured surface on the sheet or strip (8) resulting from each pass overlaps with that from the one or more other passes to form a final textured pattern. There is also provided an apparatus for texturing a metal sheet or strip (8).

Abstract: A method of reducing particle generation from the thin coating deposited on the internal surfaces of a deposition chamber which undergoes temperature variation greater than 100.degree. C. comprising maintaining the temperature variation of the internal surfaces low enough during the process cycle to keep thermal expansion stresses between the coating and the surfaces under 500 MPa. For titanium nitride deposited on stainless steel, this means keeping temperature variations under approximately 70.degree. C. in a chamber that may be heated to over 350.degree. C. during a typical processing operation. Preferably, a supplemental heater is mounted behind the upper shield and controlled by a temperature sensitive element which provides feedback control based on the temperature of the upper shield.

Abstract: A method of electrochemically roughening an aluminum metal sheet for use as a lithographic plate support comprises subjecting the sheet in an electrolyte to an alternating current treatment. Treatment is performed in the presence of at least one added component, present in the sheet or in the electrolyte, selected from Hg, Ga, In, Sn, Bi, Tl, Cd, Pb, Zn and Sb. The added component accelerates the electrograining, so that only 35-75 kCoulombs per square meter of electricity is required.

Abstract: An aluminum cell comprises an electrolysis region with a top reservoir and a sump below. Circulation of electrolyte is by convection. The cell is designed to continue operation past the point at which the electrolyte becomes saturated, and an aluminum hydroxide precipitate settles out by gravity in a stagnant lower region of the sump. The anode is preferably of an aluminum alloy containing magnesium, with tin present in the alloy or in the electrolyte. Batteries comprising stacks of such cells are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns batteries with aluminium alloy anodes, and generally aqueous alkaline electrolytes and cathodes. The anode in an alloy of Al with an activating element selected from Cd, Sn, Bi, Sb, In, Be, B, Se, Te, P, As, C, Re, Pd, Nb, Si and Zn. When the anode is polarized at a suitable electro-negative potential, typically from -1.8V to -2.3V relative to a Hg/HgO reference electrode, the anode operates in a new state, herein called a hyper-active state, in which the battery operates at a higher voltage and/or hydrogen gas is generated at a higher rate than in conventional aluminium batteries. The hyper-active state is maintained by control of anode potential (typically around -2.0V at a low current densities) and electrolyte hydrodynamics.

Abstract: An aluminum battery comprises an aqueous alkaline electrolyte and an anode which is an alloy of aluminum containing magnesium and/or calcium. Tin is present in the electrolyte (as stannate at a concentration of 0.001 to 0.01 M) and/or in the anode (at a concentration of at least 0.005%). The batteries operate at high coulombic efficiency at both high and low current densities. Preferred conditions of operation comprise drawing current at an average current density of 5 to 400 mA/cm.sup.2 of anode surface for at least one hour, and introducing seed crystals into the electrolyte to aid precipitation of aluminum values from the electrolyte.

Abstract: A high amp-hour aluminium battery comprises a cathode, an alkaline electrolyte and at least one massive aluminium anode plate. The electrolyte contains dissolved indium. The anode is an alloy of aluminium with manganese and with one or both of magnesium and calcium and optionally gallium. When operated at a current density below 400 mA/cm.sup.2 particularly in the presence of seed crystals, the battery remains viable during and after aluminium hydroxide precipitation in the electrolyte.