Abstract: Described are methods of removing one or more heavy metals from water. A source of calcium carbonate is added to the water, which is treated to cause coprecipitation of calcium carbonate and the one or more heavy metals. Then, the coprecipitated calcium carbonate and one or more heavy metals are separated from the water.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for creating a thermally insulating bridge between spaced apart panes of a multiple pane window unit comprises in one embodiment, a solid fiber-stabilized aerogel insulation material, hardened with a desiccant-impregnated hot melt adhesive. The spacer defines a thermally insulated space between the panes. Several embodiments of the insulating spacer of the present invention are disclosed. Insulated glass units using the disclosed insulating spacers and windows employing these insulated glass units have significantly better thermal performance than prior art insulated glass units and windows.

Abstract: A glass retrofitting system with an adaptor is configured to mount a glass member to a wall or window frame. The glass member may be an upgraded insulated glass unit to replace an existing glass in a wall or window frame. The adaptor may include a mating portion (or an anchor member) which fits into an existing glazing pocket of the existing window or wall frame. The width of the existing glazing pocket may not be wide enough to accommodate the upgraded insulated glass unit. Thus, the adaptor may form a new glazing pocket suitable to hold the upgraded insulated glass unit, and the insulated glass unit may be mounted or installed into the new glazing pocket formed by the adaptor. The adaptor may be formed of low thermal conductivity material, or of a single piece or a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for creating a thermally insulating bridge between spaced apart panes of a multiple pane window unit comprises in one embodiment, a solid fiber-stabilized aerogel insulation material, hardened with a desiccant-impregnated hot melt adhesive. The spacer defines a thermally insulated space between the panes. Several embodiments of the insulating spacer of the present invention are disclosed. Insulated glass units using the disclosed insulating spacers and windows employing these insulated glass units have significantly better thermal performance than prior art insulated glass units and windows.

Abstract: A one-piece handlebar for bicycles composed of one or more composite materials. The handlebar may be configured as a curved drop style handlebar, bent, or swept forward style, or other configuration, for road or off-road use. The handlebar may be provided with different finishes and include a brake lever attachment area provided with a very rough textured finish. The handlebar may have two sets of indentations or cable troughs for the shifter and brake cables to be run recessed along the handlebar and not interfere with the riders hands. The handlebar may be hollow, with the wall thickness varied with more composite material in higher stress areas of the handlebar.