Abstract: A continuum arm robot segment that has a proximal end section and a distal end section. The continuum arm robot segment has at least one vertebra between the proximal end section and the distal end section, the vertebra being linked to the proximal end section and to the distal end section by linkages, wherein the proximal end section, the distal end section and the at least one vertebra are configured to have hollow cores to provide a passage within the continuum arm robot segment. The continuum arm robot segment also has at least two tendons that are connected to the distal end section and pass through the at least one vertebra and the proximal end section. The at least two tendons are routed helically so that they undergo substantially at least a 360° rotation between the proximal end section and the distal end section.

Abstract: A continuum arm robot system comprising at least a first continuum arm robot and a second continuum arm robot, each continuum arm robot being controlled by its own actuator pack, and each actuator pack being coupled to a single control computer, wherein at least the second continuum arm robot comprises a releasable connection mechanism to engage in gripping the first continuum arm robot in a workspace, so as to link the at least two continuum arm robots into a single redundant robotic system with at least the second continuum arm robot providing support for the first continuum arm robot.

Abstract: A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

Abstract: A control system for a compliant robotic system including at least two compliant robots having actuator packs, the control system including: an individual local control system associated with each actuator pack, the local control system providing control signals to the actuator causing movement within the robots, an overall control system controlling the overall motion of robots when proximate within a workspace, the overall control signal providing signals to the actuators associated with the robots, so as to cause linked movement of the continuum arm robots, and wherein each individual control system is provided with a clock synchronized with the other, and wherein the overall control system is provided with a redundancy control system that limits the motion of the compliant robots within certain degrees of freedom, so that the motion of the at least two complaint robots does not conflict when operating under the overall control system.

Abstract: A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

Abstract: A rigid link for a flexible robot, the rigid link including a rigid link body having a hollow core, the rigid link with at least two arms having proximal and distal ends, the arms are connected to the rigid link body, and wherein the arms being deployable between a closed configuration in which the proximal and distal ends of the arms are positioned proximate to the rigid link body and open configuration in which the arms are moved so that the distal ends of the arms are positioned away from the body of the rigid link.

Abstract: A continuum arm robot system comprising at least a first continuum arm robot and a second continuum arm robot, each continuum arm robot being controlled by its own actuator pack, and each actuator pack being coupled to a single control computer, wherein at least the second continuum arm robot comprises a releasable connection mechanism to engage in gripping the first continuum arm robot in a workspace, so as to link the at least two continuum arm robots into a single redundant robotic system with at least the second continuum arm robot providing support for the first continuum arm robot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the sector of the industry for extracting and processing natural rubber, and other components, from plant material. In particular, the invention relates to a process for extracting resin and rubber from guayule and/or guayule type plants, which comprises harvesting, preserving and mechanically and chemically treating the parts of the plant, applicable both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale, characterized by significantly high quantity yields and high quality of the extracted products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the sector of the industry for extracting and processing natural rubber, and other components, from plant material. In particular, the invention relates to a process for extracting resin and rubber from guayule and/or guayule type plants, which comprises harvesting, preserving and mechanically and chemically treating the parts of the plant, applicable both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale, characterized by significantly high quantity yields and high quality of the extracted products.

Abstract: Copolymers of acrylamide or methacrylamide, suitably modified with appropriate percentages of units deriving from comonomers of a hydrophobic nature and comonomers containing a positively charged ionic group, which are capable of effectively reducing the water permeability of a porous medium.

Abstract: Copolymers of acrylamide or methacrylamide, suitably modified with appropriate percentages of units deriving from comonomers of a hydrophobic nature and comonomers containing a positively charged ionic group, which are capable of effectively reducing the water permeability of a porous medium.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a heterogeneous catalyst containing rhecnium as active component and C)an inert carrier medium. characterized in that said inert carrier is previously treated with a silanizing compound containing chlorine, before the laying of the active component on the carrier, and the activation of the heterogeneous catalyst takes place by means of thermal treatment followed by a rapid final cooling. The catalyst is particularly active in metathesis reactions of olefins.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst is described, active in the metathesis reaction of olefins comprising alumina as inert carrier and a rhenium compound as active component, characterized in that rhenium is present in an amount of less than 5% by weight with respect to the total preferably from 1 to 4% by weight, and the inert carrier is impregnated with at least one inorganic halide selected from FeCl3, CuCl2, TiCl4, RuCl3, ZnCl2 and NH4Cl, and/or the corresponding bromides or iodides and, subsequently, treated at a high temperature.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a heterogeneous catalyst containing rhenium as active component and an inert carrier, characterized in that said inert carrier is previously subjected to thermal treatment before the supporting of the active component and the activation of the heterogeneous catalyst is effected by means of thermal treatment followed by a rapid final cooling. The catalyst is particularly active in the metathesis reaction of olefins.