Abstract: Processes for preparing crosslinked polymers using biomass derived materials, such as aldaric acids and derivatives, are provided. The polymers can be used as hydrogels.

Abstract: A disc stabilization system comprises a spinning disc with a disc surface deflectable by shock. The disc surface is in contact with a gas layer adjacent the disc surface. When the suspension system is subjected to a mechanical shock, the disc can deflect. The amplitude and duration of the deflection due to mechanical shock is limited by a wing feature. The wing feature includes an aerodynamic surface that interacts with the gas layer to generate an aerodynamic force on the disc surface. A strut supports the wing feature over the disc surface in a position such that the aerodynamic force increases as the disc surface deflects toward the aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: A method for extending the capabilities of an arbitrary web server operating in a client-server environment (e.g., the Internet). When a client makes a request to the web server, the request may include an address for a code module needed to service the request. If the code module is not available at the web server, the web server uses the address to request the code module from another location. The code module is then served to the web server and installed. The web server then responds to the original client request using the installed code module. In an alternative embodiment, the code module is uploaded to the target server from the client.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of nanotechnology. Specifically the invention describes a method for cutting a multiplicity of nano-structures to uniform dimensions of length, length and width, or area, or to a specific distribution of lengths or area using various cutting techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a measure of the chromatic dispersion of a fibre bragg grating, the method comprising: disposing the grating in a reflection arm of an interferometer; inputting probe laser light into the interferometer; stepping the wavelength of the light across the reflection bandwidth of the grating, while at each step modulating the wavelength by a wavelength modulation less than the size of the respective step, and thereby producing a resulting phase modulation; and demodulating the phase modulation and determining therefrom a measure of the chromatic dispersion.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: A mixture of a polyester, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET, and a second polymer which is polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide or copolymer of acrylamide or methacrylamide when extrusion compounded exhibits a lower residual acetaldehyde content than does PET alone when similarly treated. The invention pertains to any polyester used in the manufacture of bottles or containers which in turn are used to store consumer materials, especially food, beverages and most especially water.

Abstract: An InfiniBand switch (401) includes a forwarding table (415), a plurality of DLIDs (410) and a set of forwarding instructions (415) in the forwarding table, where each of the plurality of DLIDs corresponds to one of a plurality of routing trees (330, 332, 334, 336) and one of a plurality of end nodes (114) in a network (100, 200, 300, 400).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for electronically distributing facsimile messages directly to users according to recipient preferences. The method comprises the steps of receiving a message from a transmitting facsimile via a telephone network, automatically parsing the message to extract a recipient direct dial telephone number from the message, receiving a fax payload from the transmitting facsimile in a fax server, determining an e-mail address and at least one recipient fax preference from the direct dial telephone number, processing the fax payload in the fax server according to the recipient fax preference, and directing the processed fax message according to the recipient fax preference. In one embodiment of the present invention, method further comprises the steps of reading a grayscale transform from a memory accessible to the fax server, and applying the grayscale transform to the fax payload.

Abstract: A goggle, for use, for example, in paintball, comprises a lens 12, a body structure 14 for the lens and a strap 16. The body structure defines an ocular chamber 34 that covers the wearer's eyes, and an exhalation chamber 36 that covers the wearer's nose and mouth. An inlet plenum channel 42 leads from an inlet chamber 44 in the front of the goggle 10 up to the lower edge of the lens 12, and a fan 46 in the plenum channel 42 blows air from the inlet upwards across the inner surface of the lens 12. Air exhaled by the wearer leaves the exhalation chamber through outlet apertures 56 in the bottom of the mask, and is therefore directed away from the duct inlet chamber 44.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a hydrophilic membrane to provide by the process of pervaporation through the membrane water suitable for agricultural irrigation, industrial use, hydrating or rehydrating of food or agricultural or pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also relates to a water purification apparatus which includes the hydrophilic membrane, comprising one or more layers of hydrophilic polymers, to purify water which may contain suspended or dissolved impurities and solids, including but not limited to seawater, brackish water and other kinds of polluted water.

Abstract: An impeller assembly includes an impeller which has a pair of plate means adapted for individual connection to a drive shaft for rotation by the drive shaft about an axis, and vane means disposed intermediate the pair of plate means and adapted for rotation with the pair of plate means. The impeller assembly further includes means for applying force parallel to the axis of the impeller to the impeller so as to clamp the pair of plate means and intermediate vane means together.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to thermography and, in particular, to a method of using infrared thermography to monitor physiological and molecular events that elicit a thermogenic response in animals (including humans), plants, tissues, cells and cell-free systems. The present method can be used for screening, identifying, and ranking drug candidates for multiple diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: A method of positioning a grooved grinding wheel relative to a disc-like circular workpiece for edge grinding the workpiece using the groove in the wheel includes the steps of mounting the workpiece for rotation about a first axis, mounting the grinding wheel for rotation about a second parallel axis, effecting relative movement between the workpiece and the wheel to engage the rim of the wheel within the groove and performing a preliminary grind. The position of the wheel is axially adjusted in accordance with the measurements made on the profile of the rim produced by the preliminary grind, and the rim is ground again with a second preliminary grind with the grinding wheel located at the axially shifted position. The steps of grinding and measuring the periphery of the workpiece are repeated until the rim profile possesses the desired accuracy. The final position of the grooved grinding wheel is then utilized for grinding future wafers.

Abstract: A transport container with a removable cover which is repeatedly removable and refastenable to the transport container. The transport container is sized to accommodate a plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder. Each of the plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder comprises a tube which is open at least one end thereof and the at least one open end of the tube is sealed with a removable cap once a suitable quantity of the loose granular charge of gunpowder is loaded therein. Each individual premeasured charge of gunpowder is loaded with gunpowder which has a relatively low moisture content to facilitate reliable and substantially complete ignition of all of the gunpowder ignition, upon detonation of a firearm.