Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of chemically derivatized nanocellulose, comprising the step of a. contacting a precursor cellulosic material with a chemically derivatizing composition to form a liquid reaction mixture, and b. chemically reacting the formed liquid reaction mixture, and c. subjecting the formed liquid reaction mixture to microfluidisation, wherein the steps b. and c. are carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of chemically derivatized nanocellulose, comprising the step of a. contacting a precursor cellulosic material with a chemically derivatizing composition to form a liquid reaction mixture, and b. chemically reacting the formed liquid reaction mixture, and c. subjecting the formed liquid reaction mixture to microfluidisation, wherein the steps b. and c. are carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: A process for the production of a non-derivatized nanocellulose material from a cellulosic fibrous material, comprising the steps of providing a suspension of cellulosic fibrous material in a continuous phase of a non-aqueous process liquid comprising a swelling agent and a processing solvent; forming a suspension of swollen cellulosic fibrous material in a continuous phase of non-aqueous process liquid; forming a suspension of cellulosic fibrous material in a continuous phase of processing solvent; forming a dispersion of non-derivatized nanocellulose material in a continuous phase of a processing solvent; isolating the non-derivatized nanocellulose material, characterized in that the swelling agent is a low-transition-temperature mixture (LTTM) and in particular a deep eutectic solvent and said low-transition-temperature mixture and in particular said deep eutectic solvent is soluble in the processing solvent and wherein the processing solvent is non-solubilizing for the cellulosic fibrous material and the

Abstract: An optical IQ modulator (10) comprising•a modulator input port (11);•a modulator output port (12);•a plurality of optical branches (13) connected in parallel therebetween;•each optical branch (13) comprising an optical interferometer (1), each optical interferometer (1) comprising•an optical splitter (2);•an optical combiner (3); and,•a plurality of optical paths (4) connected therebetween:•at least one electrode (7) arranged in close proximity to an optical path (4) for altering the phase of an optical signal passing along the path (4);•the optical splitter (2) being in being in optical communication with the modulator input port (11) and being adapted to split light received from the modulator input port (11) into the plurality of optical paths (4);•the optical combiner (3) having an optical output port (5) in optical communication with the modulator output port (12), the optical combiner (3) being adapted to combine the optical signals from the plurality of optical paths (4) at the output port (5);•at leas

Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug disposal kit includes a container for receiving pharmaceutical drugs. Water is added to the container to create an aqueous solution with the pharmaceutical drugs, and a constituent in the container makes the solution a basic aqueous solution. A visual and/or taste deterrent is disposed in the container, and an adsorbent or absorbent is also disposed in the container to provide at least partial solidification of the solution. A binding agent is also disposed in the container to bind the ingredients of the pharmaceutical drug, the deterrent, and the adsorbent/absorbent, thereby changing the physical state of the pharmaceutical drugs into a substance that is undesirable to consume, and which enables safe disposal of the pharmaceutical drugs.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide polarization modulator includes cladding layers, and a waveguide core sandwiched between the cladding layers, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the cladding layers. The modulator further includes primary electrodes arranged on the opposite side of one cladding layer to the core and a secondary electrode arranged on the opposite side of another cladding layer to the core. The electrodes are arranged to provide an electric field having field components in perpendicular directions within the waveguide core so as to modulate the refractive index such that electromagnetic radiation propagating through the core is converted from a first polarization state to a second polarization state. The modulator further includes a grading layer sandwiched between the cladding layers and the core, the grading layer having an effective refractive index intermediate between that of the waveguide core and the cladding layer.

Abstract: A tuneable electro-optic modulator (1) comprising first and second spaced apart output optical waveguides (2, 3), each output optical waveguide comprising a coupled portion (12) optically coupled to a corresponding coupled portion (13) of the other output optical waveguide, the coupled portions defining a coupling region (14) therebetween; an optical source adapted to symmetrically provide an optical signal to the first and second output optical waveguides; a portion of each of the output optical waveguides having a signal electrode (6, 7) thereon; the modulator further comprising a central optical waveguide (15), at least a portion of which is arranged in the coupling region, the central optical waveguide having a tuning electrode (16) thereon.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide polarisation modulator includes cladding layers, and a waveguide core sandwiched between the cladding layers, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the cladding layers. The modulator further includes primary electrodes arranged on the opposite side of one cladding layer to the core and a secondary electrode arranged on the opposite side of another cladding layer to the core. The electrodes are arranged to provide an electric field having field components in perpendicular directions within the waveguide core so as to modulate the refractive index such that electromagnetic radiation propagating through the core is converted from a first polarisation state to a second polarisation state. The modulator further includes a grading layer sandwiched between the cladding layers and the core, the grading layer having an effective refractive index intermediate between that of the waveguide core and the cladding layer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug disposal kit includes a container for receiving pharmaceutical drugs. Water is added to the container to create an aqueous solution with the pharmaceutical drugs, and a constituent in the container makes the solution a basic aqueous solution. A visual and/or taste deterrent is disposed in the container, and an adsorbent or absorbent is also disposed in the container to provide at least partial solidification of the solution. A binding agent is also disposed in the container to bind the ingredients of the pharmaceutical drug, the deterrent, and the adsorbent/absorbent, thereby changing the physical state of the pharmaceutical drugs into a substance that is undesirable to consume, and which enables safe disposal of the pharmaceutical drugs.

Abstract: A pneumatic golf disc retriever is provided for retrieval of a Frisbee golf disc. The retriever is extendable to a length of 2-meters for determining a present infraction in violation of the disc-golf 2 meter rule. The retriever includes a telescoping extendable shaft which rapidly extends for retrieving a golf disc and similarly retracts for storing and carrying along a golf course. The pneumatic retriever further includes a pneumatic actuator disposed on a proximal end, a suction cup disposed on a distal end, and a stretchable tubing connecting therebetween. The suction cup can further be attached by a hinge.

Abstract: A device for generating an electrical signal with a wide band arbitrary waveform includes at least two continuous wave lasers each being adapted to produce light at a different wavelength. The device also includes at least one pulse generator adapted to convert the light from the lasers into optical pulse trains and a plurality of optical modulators. Each modulator is adapted to receive an optical pulse train at at least one wavelength and modulate the optical pulse train in response to an electromagnetic signal. An optically dispersive element is adapted to receive the optical pulse trains from the modulators and to introduce a wavelength dependent delay between the optical pulse trains. The device further includes a photodetector for receiving the modulated dispersed optical pulse trains and producing an analogue electrical signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A device for generating an electrical signal with a wide band arbitrary waveform comprising (i) at least two continuous wave lasers each being adapted to produce light at a different wavelength; (ii) at least one pulse generator adapted to convert the light from the lasers into optical pulse trains; (iii) a plurality of optical modulators, each modulator being adapted to receive an optical pulse train at least one wavelength and modulate the optical pulse train in response to an electromagnetic signal; (iv) an optically dispersive element adapted to receive the optical pulse trains from the modulators and to introduce a wavelength dependent delay between the optical pulse trains; and, (v) a photodetector for receiving the modulated dispersed optical pulse trains and producing an analogue electrical signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A device for digitising an electrical signal comprising (A) at least two continuous wave lasers each being adapted to produce light at a different wavelength; (B) a dispersive optical chopper adapted to chop the output of each of the lasers into optical pulse trains, introduce a predetermined delay between each of the optical pulse trains and to combine the optical pulse trains into a single optical path; (C) a modulator having an input port adapted to receive the output of the dispersive optical chopper, an output port and at least one optical path extending therebetween, the modulator being adapted to receive a microwave signal and to modulate the amplitude of the optical signal in the optical path in response to the microwave signal; (D) an optical splitter for splitting the signal received from the output port of the modulator into a plurality of wavelength dependent signal paths; and (E) a plurality of analogue to digital converters each connected at least one wavelength dependent signal path for convert

Abstract: A tuneable electro-optic modulator (1) comprising first and second spaced apart output optical waveguides (2, 3), each output optical waveguide comprising a coupled portion (12) optically coupled to a corresponding coupled portion (13) of the other output optical waveguide, the coupled portions defining a coupling region (14) therebetween; an optical source adapted to symmetrically provide an optical signal to the first and second output optical waveguides; a portion of each of the output optical waveguides having a signal electrode (6, 7) thereon; the modulator further comprising a central optical waveguide (15), at least a portion of which is arranged in the coupling region, the central optical waveguide having a tuning electrode (16) thereon.

Abstract: A method for servicing a well comprises providing at least one trailer, providing at least one towing vehicle, providing servicing equipment, supporting the equipment with the trailer, and moving the towing vehicle, so as to move the trailer along with the equipment. The combination gross weight rating or combination gross vehicle weight of the trailer and the towing vehicle may be less than 26,001 pounds or less than less than the commercial drivers license threshold, under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulations.

Abstract: A method for servicing a well comprises providing at least one trailer, providing at least one towing vehicle, providing servicing equipment, supporting the equipment with the trailer, and moving the towing vehicle, so as to move the trailer along with the equipment. The combination gross weight rating or combination gross vehicle weight of the trailer and the towing vehicle may be less than 26,001 pounds or less than less than the commercial drivers license threshold, under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulations.

Abstract: A four arm linearized Mach Zehnder modulator comprising first and second primary electro-optic waveguides; first and second secondary electro-optic waveguides, each secondary electro-optic waveguide being arranged adjacent to a primary electro-optic waveguide; an RF electrode having a stub extending therefrom, the stub having a first foot portion extending partially along the first primary electro-optic waveguide and a second foot portion extending at least partially along the first secondary electro-optic waveguide; an RF ground electrode having a stub extending therefrom, the stub having a first foot portion extending partially along the second primary electro-optic waveguide and a second foot portion extending at least partially along the second secondary electro-optic waveguide; an optical source for providing an optical signal to the waveguides; the RF electrodes being arranged such that when a voltage is applied between the RF electrode and RF ground electrode the magnitudes of the phase shifts experie

Abstract: A metrology system includes a positioning system that produces linear and rotational motion between an imaging system and the wafer. The imaging system produces signals representing the image of the wafer in the field of view of the imaging system. A control system receives and processes the image signals, and generates corrected signals that compensate for rotational movement between the imaging system and the wafer. In response to the corrected signals, a monitor displays an image with the orientation of features on the wafer within the field of view unaffected by the rotational movement.

Abstract: A seat cover adapted to removably cover a seat in an automobile includes a cover body being formed from one layer of non-woven material which may be made from spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) fibers. The cover body has a longitudinal direction and a pair of ends. The cover body defines a pair of pockets adapted to receive portions of the seat with the pockets disposed at opposite ends of the cover body.

Abstract: Density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates, and cement compositions comprising such additives, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cement composition comprising: a cement component; a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; and a base fluid.