Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: A photoelectrocatalytic oxidizing device having a photoanode being constructed from a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode. Alternatively, the photoanode is a composite electrode comprising a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode coated with a thin film of sintered nanoporous TiO2. The device is useful in methods for treating an aqueous solution such as groundwater, wastewater, drinking water, ballast water, aquarium water, and aquaculture water to reduce amounts of a contaminant. The method being directed at reducing the amount and concentration of contaminants in an aqueous solution comprising providing an aqueous solution comprising at least one contaminant, and, photoelectrocatalytically oxidizing the contaminant, wherein the contaminant is oxidized by a free radical produced by a photoanode constructed from an anatase polymorph of Ti, a rutile polymorph of Ti, or a nanoporous film of TiO2.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a delivery system are disclosed. The apparatus may comprise an adapter. The adapter may comprise an input, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The adapter may be configured to receive a portion of a delivery system. The adapter may be configured to impart translational motion to the delivery system. The adapter may be configured to impart translational motion to a catheter. The adapter may be configured to be actuated by a motorized device or a drill. The adapter may be configured to actuate multiple delivery systems. The adapter may be configured to at least partially compress a portion of an article such as a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyzer including an electrode including a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a gas through electrolysis by contacting an aqueous solution with an electrode connected to an electrical power source, wherein the electrode includes a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a delivery system are disclosed. The apparatus may comprise an adapter. The adapter may comprise an input, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The adapter may be configured to receive a portion of a delivery system. The adapter may be configured to impart translational motion to the delivery system. The adapter may be configured to impart translational motion to a catheter. The adapter may be configured to be actuated by a motorized device or a drill. The adapter may be configured to actuate multiple delivery systems. The adapter may be configured to at least partially compress a portion of an article such as a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyzer including an electrode including a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a gas through electrolysis by contacting an aqueous solution with an electrode connected to an electrical power source, wherein the electrode includes a nanoporous oxide-coated conducting material.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrically conductive material between the anode and the cathode coated with a nanoporous oxide coating. Gaps or spaces are filled with an electrolyte. The electrochemical device may be used to power an electronic card.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide deionization device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof for deionizing a water supply (such as a hard water supply), for desalinating a salt water supply, and for treating a bacteria-containing water supply. The device contains two composite electrodes each constructed from a conductive backing electrode and a composite oxide layer being an insulating oxide or a non-insulating oxide and an intermediate porous layer. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide composite electrode and ultracapacitor device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof. The composite electrode being constructed from a conductive backing electrode and an composite layer. Preferably, the ultracapacitor device is configured in a stacked, coiled or button cell configurations and includes composite electrodes. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers. Preferably, the insulating oxide is Al2O3, MgAl2O4, SiO2 or TiO2. Preferably, the backing electrode is carbon paper sputter-coated with a film of Au.

Abstract: A photoelectrocatalytic oxidizing device having a photoanode being constructed from a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode. Alternatively, the photoanode is a composite electrode comprising a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode coated with a thin film of sintered nanoporous TiO2. The device is useful in methods for treating an aqueous solution such as groundwater, wastewater, drinking water, ballast water, aquarium water, and aquaculture water to reduce amounts of a contaminant. The method being directed at reducing the amount and concentration of contaminants in an aqueous solution comprising providing an aqueous solution comprising at least one contaminant, and, photoelectrocatalytically oxidizing the contaminant, wherein the contaminant is oxidized by a free radical produced by a photoanode constructed from an anatase polymorph of Ti, a rutile polymorph of Ti, or a nanoporous film of TiO2.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity utilizing a light-powered microbial fuel cell that includes a light-admitting reaction chamber containing a biological catalyst, such as a photosynthetic bacteria, in a growth medium, an anode and cathode disposed upon or within the reaction chamber, and a conductive material in electrical communication between the anode and cathode. The anode includes an oxidation catalyst, while the cathode includes a reduction catalyst that is accessible to oxygen gas. Preferably, the devices and methods utilize a single light-admitting chamber within which both cathodic and anodic reactions take place.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an article made by the steps comprising providing either a plastic or glass substrate member, pre-heating the substrate member, providing a first liquid sol comprising water, methanol, and nanoparticulate SiO2, coating the pretreated substrate member with a barrier layer of the first liquid sol, evaporating the water and methanol from the barrier layer at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to evaporate the water and methanol and insufficient to significantly thermally sinter the nanoparticulate SiO2, providing a second liquid sol comprising water, methanol, nanoparticulate TiO2, coating the barrier-coated substrate member with a top layer of the second liquid sol, and, evaporating the water and methanol from the top layer at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to evaporate the water and methanol and insufficient to significantly thermally sinter the nanoparticulate SiO2 and TiO2 to produce barrier and top coated substrate member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A photoelectrocatalytic oxidizing device having a photoanode being constructed from an anatase or rutile polymorph of Ti as the support electrode. Alternatively, the photoanode is a composite electrode comprising an anatase or rutile polymorph of Ti as the support electrode coated with a thin film of sintered nanoporous TiO2 derived from a stable, dispersed suspension of nanoparticulate TiO2. The device being useful for removing ammonia, protein and other contaminants from water in aquariums and aquacultures thereof. The device being cylindrical in shape and having a flow-through configuration.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide composite electrode and ultracapacitor device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof. The composite electrode being constructed from a conductive backing electrode and an composite layer. Preferably, the ultracapacitor device is configured in a stacked, coiled or button cell configurations and includes composite electrodes. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers. Preferably, the insulating oxide is Al2O3, MgAl2O4, SiO2 or TiO2. Preferably, the backing electrode is carbon paper sputter-coated with a film of Au.

Abstract: A cartridge for a water treatment system, effective to assist in the removal of contaminants by photocatalytic oxidation and by adsorption, includes a plurality of stacked disks, preferably made of a UV light transmissive material, which disks define circuitous flow paths for water being treated. In a preferred embodiment, the disk surfaces contacted by the water are provided with a coating of a catalyst, such as TiO2, activated by a UV light source positioned in the center of the cartridge.