Abstract: A portable apparatus for sanitizing and recovering mail and other materials is disclosed. The apparatus is employed after a known or suspected biological attack or contamination event, such as anthrax. Multiple X-ray sources penetrate mail and other materials, and destroy the biological agents. The apparatus is taken to the location of the biological problem, as opposed to shipping contaminated materials to a fixed facility for recovery. Many safety and practical advantages result from this approach to bio-terrorism or to biological contamination events. The design of this apparatus leads to a self-cleaning feature. Airflow control prevents escape of toxic biological materials into the environment.

Abstract: A pressurized chuck for semiconductor process and measurement equipment. The chuck is designed to eliminate backside wafer contamination. The pressurized chuck uses a combination of positive pressure under the wafer and clamps above the wafer edge. Wafers are held flat and stable. Preexisting particles on the wafer backside cause no problems with high spots. With a small modification, this chuck can provide an inert gas environment around the wafer.

Abstract: A concrete receptacle assembly includes a frame that supports a series of cells that are used to receive waste concrete and mold the waste concrete into synthetic riprap blocks. The cells are defined by a series of angled partitions that are mounted within the frame, with the angled partitions defining the shape of the synthetic riprap blocks produced. In operation, the waste concrete is distributed into the cells, where it is allowed to cure for a predetermined period of time. Once cured, the concrete receptacle assembly is upended such that the synthetic riprap blocks will be dislodged from the cell. Once the synthetic riprap blocks have been extracted, the concrete receptacle assembly is prepped for the next cycle of production.

Abstract: Photoreleasable compounds comprising a caging moiety linked to an effector moiety represented by structural formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; O(CH2)n—Y; N(COZ)(CH2)mY; or N[(CH2)mY′[(CH2)NY]; R2 and R3 are independently selected from: hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; or R2 and R3 together are cycloalkyl; R4 is hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; phenyl or substituted phenyl; (CH2)nY; or (CH2)mO(CH2)nY; wherein m and n are independently between 1 and 10; Y and Y′ are independently selected from hydrogen, CO2H or salts thereof or OPO32−, Z is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; and, X is an effector moiety or a group capable of being coupled or converted to an effector moiety, which are capable of releasing the effector moiety on irradiation, typically by flash irradiation with UV light.

Abstract: Nucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) are detected or measured by following the dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme form of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK), and nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) are detected or measured by following the phosphorylation of NDPK to its phosphoenzyme form. A typical process involves (a) causing NDP in sample to bind to NDPK phosphoenzyme, or causing NTP in sample to phosphorylate NDPK and (b) detecting a change in a characteristic of the enzyme which differs between its phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms. This may be aided by labelling the enzyme. Quantitative data can be obtained. Both in vivo and in vitro measurements can be made.

Abstract: According to the invention, conventional ultrasonic treatment apparatus employing relatively large tanks with bottom-mounted ultrasonic transducers for simultaneously processing a large plurality of disc-shaped workpieces are replaced with at least one ultrasonic treating apparatus adapted for treating a single workpiece and comprised of a relatively small tank with a sidewall-mounted ultrasonic transducer. The tank may be provided with a movable partition for adjustably partitioning the tank or vessel into two sub-chambers, the partition being comprised of a material which is partially reflective and partially transmissive of ultrasonic (i.e., acoustic) energy supplied to a liquid within the tank via the ultrasonic transducer. A reflector is provided within the tank for reflecting the acoustic energy either back to the movable partition or to a material which acts as an absorber of acoustic energy.

Abstract: A breach filling apparatus for plugging a hole in a wall that includes an air supply assembly, a converting assembly connected to the air supply assembly for converting air pressure to lineal movement, a component storage assembly for storing fluid components of a foaming material therein and expelling the components upon lineal movement by the converting assembly, and a plugging assembly for plugging a hole through a wall structure. The plugging assembly comprises an inflatable flexible bladder having an outer wall defining an interior space for receiving the fluid components and expanding in size from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition. The plugging assembly has a mixing tube in fluid communication with the storage assembly and extends into the interior space of the flexible bladder with a plurality of apertures for expelling the components into the interior space of the flexible bladder.

Abstract: Transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions are provided. The transparent elastomeric compositions can be covulcanized with rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber or natural rubber. The colorable rubber compositions have sufficient properties to function as a reinforcing member in an automobile tire. Preferably, both the transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions include at least one copolymer of a C4 to C7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene, silica and a coupling agent.

Abstract: According to the invention, conventional ultrasonic treatment apparatus employing relatively large tanks with bottom-mounted ultrasonic transducers for simultaneously processing a large plurality of disc-shaped workpieces are replaced with at least one ultrasonic treating apparatus adapted for treating a single workpiece and comprised of a relatively small tank with a sidewall-mounted ultrasonic transducer. The tank may be provided with a movable partition for adjustably partitioning the tank or vessel into two sub-chambers, the partition being comprised of a material which is partially reflective and partially transmissive of ultrasonic (i.e., acoustic) energy supplied to a liquid within the tank via the ultrasonic transducer. A reflector is provided within the tank for reflecting the acoustic energy either back to the movable partition or to a material which acts as an absorber of acoustic energy.

Abstract: A new breach filling device for plugging a hole in a structure, such as, for example, a boat. The inventive device includes a container having a plurality of reservoirs therein for holding components of a foaming material in the reservoirs. A flexible inflatable bladder has an interior space. A conduit system is for fluidly connecting the reservoirs of the container with the interior space of the inflatable bladder. The conduit system is designed to convey the components of the foaming material separately between the container and the inflatable bladder. The conduit system is designed to discharge the components into the interior space of the bladder such that mixing of the components occurs in the interior space and the foaming material forms a foamed material in the interior space for inflating the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A system for hydrodynamically loading objects into a manufacturing system is disclosed. The system comprises a receptacle for retaining fluid, the receptacle having an aperture for egress to a manufacturing system. At least one cassette is supported within the receptacle for retaining a plurality of objects and positioning one of the objects in a loading location in alignment with the aperture. At least one nozzle is also disposed within the receptacle for ejecting fluid and urging objects in the loading location into the aperture.

Abstract: A object processing system is disclosed. The object processing system includes processing modules for performing process steps on objects, and hydrodynamic transport chutes coupled between the processing modules for transporting the object in a substantially touchless manner between the processing modules. Each substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport chute includes a transfer slot formed between two walls. Formed in the walls and directed into the transfer slot are support nozzles angled towards the output side of the transfer slot for creating fluid flow and fluid bearings in the transfer slot and urging objects through the transfer slot. In addition, induction nozzles are formed in the walls near the input side of the transfer slot for inducing objects into the input side of the transfer slot. A base supports the first and second walls and is grooved in substantial alignment with the transfer slot for receiving and bottom-centering objects in the transfer slot.

Abstract: A new breach filling device for plugging a hole in a structure, in particular, in a boat. The inventive device includes a container having a reservoir for holding a foaming material therein and a flexible inflatable bladder having an interior space. The interior space of the inflatable bladder is in fluid communication with the reservoir of the container to permit passage of foaming material from the reservoir of the container into interior space of the inflatable bladder. The foaming material forms a foamed material in the interior space of the inflatable bladder such that the foamed material inflates the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring or detecting inorganic phosphate ion in a sample. In the method, a sample is reacted with a phosphate-binding protein containing (i) an inorganic phosphate ion binding site and (ii) a detectable label that produces a signal whose amplitude changes detectably upon the binding of inorganic phosphate ion to the binding site, under conditions effective to allow binding of phosphate in the sample to the binding site. From a change in signal, the level of inorganic phosphate ion is measured or detected. Also disclosed are phosphate binding proteins for use in the method.

Abstract: A separator (10) for separating a heavier liquid from a lighter liquid is disclosed which is intended to operate between a fuel tank (12) and a fuel pump connected to the fuel outlet (24) of the separator (10). The separator includes a float (30) which is light enough to float on the heavier liquid and which is heavy enough to sink in the lighter liquid. The float controls opening and closing of a valve (44, 46) through which heavier liquid is disclosed from the separator. As heavier liquid accumulates, the float lifts to open the valve (44, 46). A plate (34) subjected to a force caused by fuel flowing into the separator through the inlet (16) prevents the float opening the valve whilst the separator is in sub-atmospheric pressure. The plate can be replaced by a diaphragm which is subject on one side to atmospheric pressure and on the other side to the pressure in the separator.

Abstract: Apparatus for the thermal conversion of solids containing hydrocarbons. In one embodiment for solids which can be converted entirely to vapour, pieces of the solids are continually fed into a molten lead bath in an oxygen free atmosphere in an elongated conversion chamber. An auger partially immersed in the lead bath carries the floating pieces along in the molten lead bath until they are gradually converted to hydrocarbon vapour which rises upwardly to a condenser. In another embodiment for solids which can be converted to a vapour, particulate matter and residual solids, the lead bath extends further into a separation chamber with an inclined retaining skirt extending between the conversion chamber and the separation chamber, The auger forces the particulate matter and residual solids remaining after vaporization down under the inclined skirt, but the hydrocarbon vapour is prevented from escaping into the separation chamber.

Abstract: An etching system having a first member for unrolling and fastening a protective film on one side of a continuous strip of metal and a second member for smoothly stripping the protective film from the continuous strip of metal after the continuous strip of metal and the protective film have passed between sets of spray jets that are located on opposite sides of the continuous strip of metal. Further etching and rinsing stations are provided for completing the etching process to enable mass production of television aperture masks having a plurality of openings which have a dimension on the order of or less than the thickness of the mask material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravity molding articles such as battery straps or the like in open or non-pressurized molds. The apparatus uses an upwardly inclined molding head including a molten metal reservoir and a nozzle discharge end positioned adjacent the mold for delivering molten metal into the mold. Delivery of molten metal can be from a molten lead vat through a siphon conduit and stop-cock valve at the mold head. At the end of each pour, upon closing of the stop-cock valve, a small amount of molten metal is withdrawn from the heated reservoir into a suction system to decrease the level of the reservoir slightly below the lower lip of the nozzle end and thereby prevent dripping from the nozzle end between pours. At the beginning of each pour, the molten metal is released from the suction system back into the reservoir for use in the pour.

Abstract: A bottom gating mold system which is particularly adapted for molding relatively flat and generally elongated and/or wide metal objects such as battery plates or grids.