Abstract: A sensor system comprising a housing, a movement apparatus to change an orientation of a directional sensor disposed inside the housing, and an indicator apparatus to present the orientation of the directional sensor to a viewer that is outside of the housing. The directional sensor may be a camera, and the indicator apparatus may indicate a field of view of the camera to the viewer that is outside of the housing.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an object, a filament is fed to an extrusion head. The filament has a semi-crystalline polymeric reinforcement portion and a polymeric matrix portion. The temperature of the filament is raised in the extrusion head above the melting point of the matrix portion but below the melting point of the reinforcement portion so that the matrix portion of the filament melts within the extrusion head, thereby forming a partially molten filament within the extrusion head. The reinforcement portion of the partially molten filament remains in a semi-crystalline state as it is extruded from the extrusion head. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion head and the substrate as the partially molten filament is extruded onto the substrate in order to form an extruded line on the substrate. The matrix portion of the extruded line solidifies after the extruded line has been formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An additive layer manufacturing method for producing a shaped article, comprising providing a powdered thermoplastic polymer material (7, 8) having a re-solidification temperature at most 10% below its melting temperature on the Celsius scale, depositing successive layers of the powdered polymer material (7, 8) and selectively sintering each layer prior to deposition of the subsequent layer so as to form the article, wherein during its production the article is maintained at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and significantly below the re-solidification temperature of the polymer.

Abstract: Single chain insulin analogs are provided having high potency and specificity for the insulin receptor. As disclosed herein optimally sized linking moieties can be used to link human insulin A and B chains, or analogs or derivatives thereof, wherein the carboxy terminus of the B25 amino acid of the B chain is linked to the amino terminus of the A1 amino acid of the A chain via the intervening linking moiety. In on embodiment the linking moiety comprises a polyethylene glycol of 6-16 monomer units and in an alternative embodiment the linking moiety comprises a non-native amino acid sequence derived form the IGF-1 C-peptide and comprising at least 8 amino acids and no more than 12 amino acid in length. Also disclosed are prodrug and conjugate derivatives of the single chain insulin analogs.

Abstract: Single chain insulin analogs are provided having high potency and specificity for the insulin receptor. As disclosed herein optimally sized linking moieties can be used to link human insulin A and B chains, or analogs or derivatives thereof, wherein the carboxy terminus of the B25 amino acid of the B chain is linked to the amino terminus of the A1 amino acid of the A chain via the intervening linking moiety. In on embodiment the linking moiety comprises a polyethylene glycol of 6-16 monomer units and in an alternative embodiment the linking moiety comprises a non-native amino acid sequence derived form the IGF-1 C-peptide and comprising at least 8 amino acids and no more than 12 amino acid in length. Also disclosed are prodrug and conjugate derivatives of the single chain insulin analogs.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has a plurality of interconnected hollow spheroids. Each hollow spheroid is truncated to form at least two ports which are fluidly connected to respective ports of adjacent hollow spheroids. Adjacent hollow spheroids have overlapping radii at the connected ports.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a freeform metal structure by wire feed additive manufacturing, wherein a metal wire end is moved along an area of deposition and is melted by a heat source, the melting being deposited on the metal structure as a metallic build-up material, wherein during the cooling process build-up material is subjected to at least one pulsed magnetic field effecting plastic deformation of the build-up material.

Abstract: A method of quality assurance of an additive manufacturing build process. An additive manufacturing system is operated to perform a build process by building a part on a build platform, the part being built by forming a series of layers of metallic material on the build platform. The metallic material melts and solidifies during the build process thereby bonding the part to the build platform and creating thermally induced stress in the part which tends to distort the build platform. During the build process, a parameter is measured which is related to the thermally induced stress in the part to generate measurement data. The measurement data is stored and analysed to determine whether a defect has formed during the build process. A warning is generated if the analysis of the stored measurement data concludes that a defect has formed during the build process. The warning includes an indication of a position in the part.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aircraft wing rib comprising a structural rib section to which a wing skin can be attached; and a suction conduit to which, in use, a negative pressure can be applied so as to cause air to be drawn through suction holes provided in the outer surface of the wing skin. There is also disclosed an aircraft wing including such a wing rib.

Abstract: A smoking and drinking apparatus includes a body member defining an air chamber. A drink reservoir is situated in the air chamber defining a liquid impermeable drink chamber. The drink reservoir is inwardly displaced from the body member to form an air chamber therebetween. A bezel is mounted to the upper edge of the body member that defines a bore in communication with the inner reservoir. The bezel includes an inhalation port through which air is selectively inhaled from the air chamber and an exhalation port through which air is selectively exhaled by a user into the air chamber. The inhalation port is configured to receive a cigarette into the air chamber. A lighting element is positioned in the air chamber for lighting the cigarette when energized. A filter and fan assembly are positioned in the air chamber to filter and exhaust air from the air chamber.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing and heat treatment. A substrate is secured to a fixture and an additive manufacturing system is operated to perform a build process by building a part on the substrate secured to the fixture, the part being built by forming a series of layers of metallic material on the substrate, the metallic material melting and solidifying during the build process thereby bonding the part to the substrate and creating thermally induced stress in the part. The part, the substrate and the fixture are moved together from the additive manufacturing system to a heat treatment system, wherein the substrate remains secured to the fixture and the part remains bonded to the substrate as they are moved. The heat treatment system is operated to perform a heat treatment process by heating the part, the substrate and the fixture together thereby relieving the thermally induced stress in the part, the substrate remaining secured to the fixture during the heat treatment process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a component (60) to be joined to another component (55). The method comprises growing an array of projections (56, 57) on a bond region of the component (55) in a series of layers, each layer being grown by directing energy and/or material from a head to selected parts of the bond region. The joint may be used to join a pair of structural components, for instance in an aerospace application. For instance the joint may be used to join a reinforcing plate, floating rib foot, or stringer to a panel such as a wing or fuselage cover. Alternatively the joint may be used to join adjacent layers in a laminate structure.

Abstract: A method of joining a first component to a second component, the method comprising preparing the first component by forming an array of elongate projections on a bond surface of the component, each projection having a centerline, a tip, and a base. The centerline at the tip of each projection is oriented at an angle with respect to the normal to the bond surface at its base, and the angular orientation of the tip centerlines varies across the array of projections. Next, the first component and a flexible layer are brought together so as to embed the projections in the flexible layer before hardening the flexible layer to form the second component. Also, a joint so formed.

Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of plies of fiber-reinforced composite material, each ply having a ply orientation defined by a principal stiffness direction of the ply. The structure has a first region and a second region, each region comprising N1 primary plies, N4 cross plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the primary plies, N2 positive-angled bias plies with a ply orientation at a positive acute angle to the primary plies, and N3 negative-angled bias plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the positive-angled bias plies. The ply orientation of the primary plies in each region is more closely aligned with a primary axis of the structure than the cross plies or the bias plies. N1=N4 in the first region but not in the second N region, and N2=N3 in the second region but not in the first region. In each of the two regions, one ply set is balanced and the other ply set is un-balanced.

Abstract: A joint including: a first component and a second component; the first component includes a bond region and an array of projections extending from the bond region, wherein the projections are embedded in the second component.

Abstract: A method of forming a hybrid component comprising at least two metallic parts, the method comprising preparing a first metallic part by forming at least one macroscopic interfacing feature on an interfacing surface of the part; positioning the first part in a mould tool; introducing a metallic powder into the mould tool and around the interfacing feature(s); and consolidating the metallic powder by a Hot-Isostatic Pressing (HIP) process to form a second metallic part which encapsulates the interfacing feature(s) to provide a mechanical connection between the first and second parts of the component. Also, a hybrid component so formed. The metallic parts may have substantially different material properties.

Abstract: A method of joining a first component to a second component, the method comprising forming an array of projections extending from a bond surface of the first component, the projections having a plurality of different profiles; and embedding the array of projections in the second component formed of a plurality of laminate plies, wherein each projection profile is adapted to best transfer load into a respective one of the laminate plies. The resultant joint is able to transfer load more progressively between the two components leading to improved tensile strength.

Abstract: Single chain insulin analogs are provided having high potency and specificity for the insulin receptor. As disclosed herein optimally sized linking moieties can be used to link human insulin A and B chains, or analogs or derivatives thereof, wherein the carboxy terminus of the B25 amino acid of the B chain is linked to the amino terminus of the A1 amino acid of the A chain via the intervening linking moiety. In on embodiment the linking moiety comprises a polyethylene glycol of 6-16 monomer units and in an alternative embodiment the linking moiety comprises a non-native amino acid sequence derived form the IGF-1 C-peptide and comprising at least 8 amino acids and no more than 12 amino acid in length. Also disclosed are prodrug and conjugate derivatives of the single chain insulin analogs.

Abstract: A substrate for an additive manufacturing process, the substrate having a build surface for fusing to a part being formed on the substrate by the additive manufacturing process, wherein the substrate is configured to provide relatively high stiffness in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build surface, whilst having a low longitudinal stiffness in the plane of the build surface. Also, a method of forming the substrate, a system including the substrate, and use of the system for creating a part by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Single chain insulin analogs are provided having high potency and specificity for the insulin receptor. As disclosed herein optimally sized linking moieties can be used to link human insulin A and B chains, or analogs or derivatives thereof, wherein the carboxy terminus of the B25 amino acid of the B chain is linked to the amino terminus of the A1 amino acid of the A chain via the intervening linking moiety. In on embodiment the linking moiety comprises a polyethylene glycol of 6-16 monomer units and in an alternative embodiment the linking moiety comprises a non-native amino acid sequence derived form the IGF-1 C-peptide and comprising at least 8 amino acids and no more than 12 amino acid in length. Also disclosed are prodrug and conjugate derivatives of the single chain insulin analogs.