Abstract: A birdfeeder having a one-touch removable base portion and a stationary upper main body portion is provided. The one-touch removable base portion serves as the bottom of the birdfeeder and may have a generally circular housing wherein a spring tensioned pin moves from a closed First Position A to an open Second Position B within the circular housing of the base portion. The components of the one-touch removable base portion are protected from the outside elements by being located underneath the bottom of the birdfeeder. A first end of the movable pin extends outside the generally circular housing of the base portion and locks the removable base portion housing into the stationary upper main body portion of the birdfeeder. The birdfeeder further has a movable exterior guard which selectively either allows access to a feeding port or blocks access to the feeding port.

Abstract: A semisubmersible floating offshore structure. The hull is defined by individual modular buoyant columns. A separate buoyant pontoon is provided at the lower end of each column. Topside structural framing between the columns retains the columns in their spaced relationship. A truss section is attached to the pontoons and a heave plate is attached to the lower portion of the truss section.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an alkali metal-ion secondary cell having a carbonaceous anode and an electrolyte, comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in an organic electrolyte solvent. Intercalation and de-intercalation during repeated charge/discharge cycle of the secondary cell using a conventional electrolyte solvent causes continual exposure of bare surfaces of the carbonaceous material to the electrolyte, resulting in continual consumption of electrolyte in the formation of new passivation films on the bared or partially covered surfaces, adversely affecting the performance and capacity of the cell. An improvement on the conventional electrolyte involves the addition of fluorinated organic solvent to the conventional electrolyte and results in a more stable passivation film, much less consumption of electrolyte and better performance and cell capacity.

Abstract: The present invention describes a simple technique that provides a biologically relevant measure of the inhibitory effect of cyclosporine in vivo. This ability to measure response to cyclosporine may improve prediction of the efficacy of immunosuppressive treatment in patients and may allow optimal immunosuppression in individual patients.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a new method of forming spinel-related .lambda.-Li.sub.2-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, solely by electrochemical means with air-stable orthorhombic LiMnO.sub.2 as the starting material. This spinel-related material is hydroscopic, metastable and is typically made by chemical means, followed by electrochemical conversion of spinel-type LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Also disclosed are new secondary lithium ion electrochemical cells employing as initial active cathode material a compound of formula LiMnO.sub.2, having a specific orthorhombic crystal structure.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a new method of forming spinel-related .lambda.-Li.sub.2-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, solely by electrochemical means with air-stable orthorhombic LiMnO.sub.2 as the starting material. This spinel-related material is hydroscopic, metastable and is typically made by chemical means, followed by electrochemical conversion of spinel-type LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Also disclosed are new secondary lithium ion electrochemical cells employing as initial active cathode material a compound of formula LiMnO.sub.2, having a specific orthorhombic crystal structure.

Abstract: A conventional electrolyte for a secondary cell having a carbonaceous anode is comprised of an alkali metal salt dissolved in an organic electrolyte solvent. Intercalation and de-intercalation during repeated discharge/charge cycles of the secondary cell using a conventional electrolyte solvent causes continual exposure of bare surfaces of the carbonaceous material to the electrolyte, resulting in continual consumption of electrolyte in the formation of new passivation films on the bared or partially covered surfaces, adversely affecting the performance and capacity of the cell. In accordance with the present invention, the organic electrolyte solvent comprises chloroethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate. The chloroethylene carbonate is capable of forming a very stable passivation film on the anode. The performance and capacity of the secondary cell is improved substantially by the addition of the halogenated organic solvent.

Abstract: A conventional electrolyte for a secondary cell having a carbonaceous anode is comprised of an alkali metal salt dissolved in an organic electrolyte solvent. Intercalation and de-intercalation during repeated discharge/charge cycles of the secondary cell using a conventional electrolyte solvent causes continual exposure of bare surfaces of the carbonaceous material to the electrolyte, resulting in continual consumption of electrolyte in the formation of new passivation films on the bared or partially covered surfaces, adversely affecting the performance and capacity of the cell. In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the organic electrolyte solvent is replaced with a chloroethylene carbonate solvent capable of forming a very stable passivation film. The performance and capacity of the secondary cell is improved substantially by the addition of the halogenated organic solvent to propylene carbonate.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a new method of forming spinel-related .lambda.-Li.sub.2-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, solely by electrochemical means with air-stable orthorhombic LiMnO.sub.2 as the starting material. This spinel-related material is hydroscopic, metastable and is typically made by chemical means, followed by electrochemical conversion of spinel-type LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Also disclosed are new secondary lithium ion electrochemical cells employing as initial active cathode material a compound of formula LiMnO.sub.2, having a specific orthorhombic crystal structure.

Abstract: A general purpose sand anchor, including: a paddle shaped anchor base, curved like the face of a spade shovel, for use as a hand-held shovel for digging the hole into which it will be placed; a line, with one end joined to the anchor base at the center of its wider part and the other end joined to the anchor base at the end of its narrower part; a hook, which attaches to an object to be secured, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the center of the wider part of the anchor base; and a handle, which is used to remove the anchor base from the sand, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the end of the narrower part of the anchor base.

Abstract: A new and improved swimming simulator includes a base support assembly and a pair of arm exercising assemblies attached to the base support assembly. A pair of leg exercising assemblies is attached to the base support assembly. Each of the leg exercising assemblies includes a leg-supporting member pivotally connected to a first portion of the base support assembly. Each of the leg exercising assemblies also includes an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly which supports a portion of the leg-supporting member and which is connected to the base support assembly. A bench assembly is attached to the base support assembly and includes a bendable top member, a spring assembly located under the bendable top member and supported by the base support assembly, and a horizontal support member supporting the bendable top member. A user lies down on the bench assembly.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a novel compound of molecular formula Li.sub.2 Cr.sub.x Mn.sub.2-x O.sub.4, wherein 0<X<2. This compound may be used as the active cathode material in secondary lithium ion cells. Secondary lithium ion cells including such cathodes are also described.

Abstract: An insulative window shade assembly of the roll-up type for windows or like openings comprises a flexible sheet of shade material essentially of the size in area of the window or other opening to be insulated. The flexible sheet of material in its inoperative position is contained in a header or casing mounted at the top of the opening and extending across the width of the opening. The casing contains a spring-actuated roller upon which the sheet of shade material is wound with the leading edge protruding through a longitudinal slot or opening in the casing. The system further provides two side guides or channels mounted at the sides of the window or opening, and in which the channels contain a pile fabric to seal the sides of the flexible sheet when unrolled to the operative or insulative position.