Abstract: A fastener for securing a drywall work piece to a metal substrate. The fastener includes an elongated flat body carrying a securing member and having a driving head disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated flat body. The driving head defines a bore therein surrounded by a downwardly directed flange having a distal cutting edge which cuts the top paper laminate of the drywall allowing the head to countersink into the drywall without damaging the top paper laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing a copper/nickel substrate by annealing nickel-coated copper. After the nickel deposition step, a dielectric, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), may be deposited onto the substrate by methods known in the art such as sol-gel or vacuum deposition. This invention further relates to thin film composites. These composites comprise a pre-annealed nickel-coated copper substrate and a dielectric such as PZT.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a propulsion device and method of use of the propulsion device that propels at least one user equipped with at least one friction-reducing device. The propulsion device typically comprises a motor, a drive train, and a traction device attached or incorporated into a frame. At least one user is secured to the device by straps that engage the user at a waist level or shoulder level interface. The user may direct the propulsion device by acting upon the handlebars that are adjustably attached to the frame of the propulsion device. Moreover, multiple users using multiple propulsion devices can engage in social group or competitive activities. The propulsion device offers the versatility of being able to traverse numerous forms of terrain while using a variety of friction-reducing devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanostructured BaTiO3 film, plate or array that has from 1,000 to 10,000 times the storage capacity of conventional capacitors. The barium titanates are of the formula BaaTibOc wherein a and b are independently between 0.75 and 1.25 and c is 2.5 to about 5.0. The barium titanates may further be doped with a material, “M”, selected from Au, is Au, Cu, Ni3Al, Ru or InSn. The resulting titanate may be represented by the formula MdBaaTibOc wherein d is about 0.01 to 0.25, a is about 0.75 to about 1.25, b is about 0.75 to about 1.25 and c is about 2.5 to about 5.0. X-ray diffraction results illustrate that the crystal structure of the thin films changed from predominantly cubic to tetragonal phase and crystallite size increased with increasing concentration of “M”.

Abstract: A loyalty- and incentive-based program for assisting higher-education financing is disclosed. A user performs predetermined loyalty-based activities, such as purchasing goods or services from associated merchants. In exchange, the user receives points that are redeemable only to assist one or more individuals other than the user pay for higher-education costs, such as tuition, books, and supplies. The user redeems the points to assist these other individuals pay for their higher education.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanostructured BaTiO3 film, plate or array that has from 1,000 to 10,000 times the storage capacity of conventional capacitors. The barium titanates are of the formula BaaTibOc wherein a and b are independently between 0.75 and 1.25 and c is 2.5 to about 5.0. The barium titanates may further be doped with a material, “M”, selected from Au, is Au, Cu, Ni3Al, Ru or InSn. The resulting titanate may be represented by the formula MdBaaTibOc wherein d is about 0.01 to 0.25, a is about 0.75 to about 1.25, b is about 0.75 to about 1.25 and c is about 2.5 to about 5.0. X-ray diffraction results illustrate that the crystal structure of the thin films changed from predominantly cubic to tetragonal phase and crystallite size increased with increasing concentration of “M”.

Abstract: A fastener for use in securing wallboard such as drywall to a supporting structure includes a shank having a bugle head at one end and a tapered point at an opposite end, an annular ring flange and anti-clockwise threads disposed on the shank adjacent the head portion to auger and recompact particulate material which exhausts from the tapping threads during insertion of the fastener, and to tuck the outer sheeting layer evenly beneath the bugle head of the fastener.