Abstract: A vehicular power system, a vehicle and a method of providing auxiliary power to a vehicle using an auxiliary power unit that uses a molten metal anode solid oxide fuel cell rather than an internal combustion engine. The auxiliary power unit includes a container with numerous fuel cells disposed within it such that when the metal anode is heated, the metal converts to a molten state that can be electrochemically cycled between oxidized and reduced states by oxygen and a fuel present in the molten metal, respectively. The auxiliary power unit further includes a furnace that selectively provides heat to the fuel cells in order to place the anode into its molten metal state. Seals may provide fluid isolation between the molten metal within the container and the ambient environment.

Abstract: Perfectly spherical, smooth and uniform microcapsules, which may contain living cells, are produced having a diameter less than 700 .mu.m by employing an electrostatic droplet generator. A droplet is suspended from a pointed source, such as a needle, and is charged with high static voltage. A collecting vessel or ring device is charged with opposing polarity and attracts the droplet. When a voltage potential threshold is passed, the droplet moves from the source to the collecting vessel. The voltage pulse height, pulse frequency and length, and extrusion rate of the droplets are adjustable so that predetermined sizes of droplets may be repeatedly generated and collected.

Abstract: Living tissue or cells, for example, islets of Langerhans, are microencapsulated for implantation in the body for long term treatment of diabetes or other disease requiring organ transplantation. The microcapsules take the form of a biocompatible semi-permeable hydrogel membrane which permits the passage of materials and oxygen to the cells and metabolic products from the cells while retaining the cells encapsulated. The biocompatible semi-permeable membrane has an outer negatively-charged surface, which imparts to the microcapsules the ability to maintain long term effectiveness.

Abstract: Perfectly spherical, smooth and uniform microcapsules, which may contain living cells, are produced having a diameter less than 700 .mu.m, e.g. 150 to about 500 microns, by employing an electrostatic droplet generator. A droplet is suspended from a pointed source, such as a needle, and is charged with high static voltage. A collecting vessel or ring device is charged with opposing polarity and attracts the droplet When a voltage potential threshold is passed, the droplet moves from the source to the collecting vessel. The voltage pulse height, pulse frequency and length, and extrusion rate of the droplet are adjustable so that predetermined sizes of droplets may be repeatedly generated and collected.

Abstract: Living tissue or cells, for example, islets of Langerhans, are microencapsulated for implantation in the body for long term treatment of diabetes or other disease requiring organ transplantation. The microcapsules take the form of a biocompatible semi-permeable hydrogel membrane which permits the passage of materials and oxygen to the cells and metabolic products from the cells while retaining the cells encapsulated. The biocompatible semi-permeable membrane has an outer negatively-charged surface, which imparts to the microcapsules the ability to maintain long term effectiveness.

Abstract: Living tissue or cells, for example, islets of Langerhans, are microencapsulated for implantation in the body for long term treatment of diabetes or other disease requiring organ transplantation. The microcapsules take the form of a biocompatible semi-permeable hydrogel membrane based on polylysine which permits the passage of materials and oxygen to the cells and metabolic products from the cells while retaining the cells encapsulated. The biocompatible semi-permeable membrane has an outer negatively-charged surface, which, combined with a controlled thickness of polylysine of molecular weight from 10,000 to 30,000 daltons, imparts to the microcapsules the ability to maintain long term effectiveness.

Abstract: A slow release injectable insulin composition is provided which is able to control blood sugar levels over extended periods of time. The albumin is partially cross-linked using a concentration of glutaraldehyde which is less than 3.75% v/w of the albumin to form a matrix enclosing the insulin. The composition conveniently is provided in the form of microbeads.