Abstract: The invention provides energy recovery or heat pump system comprising a plurality of Shape-Memory Alloy (SMAs) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements arranged to define a core and housed in an immersion chamber. A first fluid can be introduced into the chamber provides a first temperature change to activate the core from a first state to a second state and a second fluid is introduced at a second temperature to activate the core from the second state to the first state. A controlled gas is inserted into the chamber between the first fluid and the second fluid. The advantage of the invention is that increased efficiency and power production from the SMA/NTE engine is achieved, or increased CoP within the SMA/NTE heat pump. By eliminating energy destruction via the mixing of fluids, the power production cycle can either operate faster, which means the same quantity of SMA/NTE material can produce more power, or a lower number of NTE strands can be used to create the same power that allow mixing to occur.

Abstract: A resource management system is disclosed for managing deployment of one or more mobile drive apparatus in a transport hub. The system can include a data input module configured to receive data from one or more data sources, said data relating to the transport hub. The system can include a process director coupled to the data input module and configured to: analyse the data received via the data input module and determine whether one or more threshold criteria has been met. The system can include a resource communication module coupled to the process director. The resource communication module can be configured to issue a command instruction to one or more mobile drive apparatus when the process director has determined that the one or more threshold criteria has been met.

Abstract: A method for screening a user temperature, the method comprising: detecting a user's face in a first image using a first camera operating within a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; aligning the detected user's face to a second image of the user's face detected using a second camera operating within a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which is different from the visible spectrum; determining the user's temperature based on the second image aligned to the first image; and determining if the user's temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus is disclosed for use at a transport hub. The apparatus can include one or more drive motors configured to drive the apparatus from a first location to a second location within the transport hub. The apparatus can include a wireless communication module and antenna configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system and receive command instructions from the resource management system. The apparatus can include a control processor coupled to the one or more drive motors and coupled to the wireless communication module and antenna. The control processor can be configured to control the one or more drive motors to move the apparatus from the first location to the second location within the transport hub in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automatic task management and allocation in an airport. The method comprises receiving, at a receiving module, event data, wherein the event data comprises flight data and staff data, and wherein the staff data further comprises staff location data of a plurality of staff members; and storing, at a storage module, airport mapping data. The method then continues with a processor updating a current state of the airport based on the received event data, wherein the current state of the airport comprises a service level and comparing the service level to a threshold range. A resource allocation module may then send a task alert to one or more of the plurality of staff members if the service level is determined to be outside of the threshold range and subsequently clear the task alert if the service level is subsequently determined to be within the threshold range.

Abstract: A computer processing device for determining whether to allow or deny access to a database associated with the device is provided. The device is configured to determine the origin of data signed with a first key by comparing the key to one or more keys stored in a further database to identify the source of the data; search the database to determine one or more access rules associated with the source of the data, wherein the access rules define whether write access to the database is allowed or denied for the data; and allow or deny write access to the database based on the determined rule or rules.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for use at a transport hub, having: a drive means configured to drive the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the hub; a wireless communication module configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system (301), and receive command instructions from the resource management system (301); and a control means coupled to the drive means and coupled to the wireless communication module. The control means is configured to control the drive means to move the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the transport hub, in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system (301) via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A method for separating motile organisms from other organisms. The method comprises controlling a fluid delivery unit to provide a fluid flow to a sample separating device (302). The fluid flow has a sample introduction flow velocity set so that a sample may be introduced into a sample introduction zone of the device. The sample introduction flow velocity is sufficiently high such that an organism in the sample is unable to exit the sample introduction zone. The method comprises controlling the fluid delivery unit to reduce the fluid flow velocity from the sample introduction flow velocity to an operational flow velocity lower than the sample introduction flow velocity (303). The operational flow velocity is selected such that motile organisms in the sample are able to swim against the fluid flow and enter a sample collection zone of the device.

Abstract: A computer processing device for determining whether to allow or deny access to a database associated with the device is provided. The device is configured to determine the origin of data signed with a first key by comparing the key to one or more keys stored in a further database to identify the source of the data; search the database to determine one or more access rules associated with the source of the data, wherein the access rules define whether write access to the database is allowed or denied for the data; and allow or deny write access to the database based on the determined rule or rules.

Abstract: A method and system for identity document verification issues a decentralised identifier for a passenger which is then used by a passport issuing authority to digitally sign passport data including enhanced biometric data including an image of the bearer. A copy of the signed data is provided to the bearer. Prior to travel the bearer submits APIS data and their decentralised identifier to the authorities at the arrival destination. This data is verified in advance and the bearer issued with authority to use a pre-authorised section at immigration. On arrival an image of the bearer is acquired and matched with records of pre-approved traveler. If a match is made, the bearer is permitted to pass through automatic border control gates. The matching process may use machine learning to reduce the set of pre-approved passengers used in the match based on predicted time of arrival at immigration.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for use at a transport hub, having: a drive means configured to drive the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the hub; a wireless communication module configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system (301), and receive command instructions from the resource management system (301); and a control means coupled to the drive means and coupled to the wireless communication module. The control means is configured to control the drive means to move the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the transport hub, in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system (301) via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A computer processing device for determining whether to allow or deny access to a database associated with the device is provided. The device is configured to determine the origin of data signed with a first key by comparing the key to one or more keys stored in a further database to identify the source of the data; search the database to determine one or more access rules associated with the source of the data, wherein the access rules define whether write access to the database is allowed or denied for the data; and allow or deny write access to the database based on the determined rule or rules.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A sealing element for positioning radially outwardly of aerofoil blades of a gas turbine engine is provided. A radially inner surface region of the sealing element includes a seal structure having one or more inwardly projecting walls formed by additive layer, powder fed, laser weld deposition. The walls form a plurality of curved profile shapes which are arranged in a repeating pattern across the radially inner surface region. None of the walls intersects with any other wall. The curved profile shapes have no radii of curvature less than 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A system includes an elongate catheter having a self-expanding frame disposed at the distal end of the catheter. The frame includes a plurality of longitudinal struts defined by parallel slots. The frame may be constrained into a radially compressed configuration for delivery to a treatment site. A helical balloon is mounted about the frame. Upon release from the constraining mechanism, the frame returns to a heat-set radially expanded configuration to initiate dilation of a treatment site in a patient. Inflating the balloon around the expanded frame further expands the initial radial dilation of the site. Proximal and distal ends of the slots are unobstructed by the balloon to permit flow of a fluid through the slots and through a lumen defined by an interior surface of the balloon when the frame is in the radially expanded configuration.

Abstract: A portable control system for use by an agent in the travel industry and the like is disclosed. A reader reads user data from a user identity document and also reads further user data from a token associated with a product or service. A display is provided for displaying a field of view for the agent. In response to the agent positioning the user identity document and token within the field of view, the reader reads the user data from the document and reads the further user data from the token and compares the user data and further user data.

Abstract: A sealing element for positioning radially outwardly of aerofoil blades of a gas turbine engine is provided. A radially inner surface region of the sealing element includes a seal structure having one or more inwardly projecting walls formed by additive layer, powder fed, laser weld deposition. The walls form a plurality of curved profile shapes which are arranged in a repeating pattern across the radially inner surface region. None of the walls intersects with any other wall. The curved profile shapes have no radii of curvature less than 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A method for loading a prosthesis onto a delivery system includes passing a distal end of a delivery system through a first open end and a second open end of a reducing member. The method includes seating the prosthesis in a piston member of a cap by contacting a first end of the prosthesis with a first surface of the piston member and by contacting a portion of a side of the prosthesis with at least one side wall extending from the periphery of the first surface. Additionally, the method includes inserting the distal end of the delivery system into a center of the prosthesis and an opening defined by the piston member. And the method includes advancing the cap towards a reducing member such that a portion of the prosthesis seated in the piston member advances along an inner surface of the conical wall of the reducing member.