Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component includes forming a mould assembly including an initial mould unit, providing a seed crystal including a primary growth direction, determining an optimal angular orientation of the unit, rotating the unit to dispose the unit's optimal angular orientation, encasing the unit in a refractory material, and forming a refractory mould unit having a component mould including a mould wall defining a mould cavity, and a seed holder. In the optimal angular orientation, the seed crystal's primary growth direction is angled away from the wall, thereby forming a converging disposition with the wall in a of the wall's first region facing the central sprue and a diverging disposition with the wall in the wall's second region facing a mould heater. The method includes receiving the seed crystal within the seed holder and filling the mould cavity with molten castable material to form the component.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of pests. In one aspect the system comprises an imaging system including: a housing including one or more pest entrances; a pest attractant arranged within the housing; a pest detection surface; an image capture device, said image capture device being configured to capture one or more images of the pest detection surface; and a triggering sensor arrangement for detecting a target pest that is on or about to enter the pest detection surface, said triggering sensor arrangement being configured to provide a trigger-signal if the presence of an object is detected, the image capture device being configured to take an image of the pest detection surface in response to the trigger-signal.

Abstract: A method of combusting hydrogen gas in an engine cylinder to initiate a diffusion combustion process, the engine cylinder having a cylinder piston which is driven by means of a crankshaft between bottom dead centre (BDC) and top dead centre (TDC) to perform a compression stroke. The method comprises delivering a pilot injection of hydrogen gas into a combustion chamber during the compression stroke so that the pilot injection of hydrogen pre-mixes with the air and forms an ignitable air/hydrogen gas mixture in the vicinity of an engine cylinder spark plug; generating a spark with a spark plug to ignite the ignitable air/hydrogen gas mixture to generate a primary combustion event which results in a fuel burn and a cloud of primary gas; and delivering a main injection of hydrogen gas directly into the burning cloud of primary gas so that the main injection of hydrogen gas ignites in the compression stroke to deliver a secondary combustion event.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component includes forming a mould assembly including an initial mould unit, providing a seed crystal including a primary growth direction, determining an optimal angular orientation of the unit, rotating the unit to dispose the unit's optimal angular orientation, encasing the unit in a refractory material, and forming a refractory mould unit having a component mould including a mould wall defining a mould cavity, and a seed holder. In the optimal angular orientation, the seed crystal's primary growth direction is angled away from the wall, thereby forming a converging disposition with the wall in a of the wall's first region facing the central sprue and a diverging disposition with the wall in the wall's second region facing a mould heater. The method includes receiving the seed crystal within the seed holder and filling the mould cavity with molten castable material to form the component.

Abstract: A floss machine includes a base, a head assembly, and a controller. The head assembly is associated with the base and includes a head unit, a heating element, and a motor. The head unit is rotatably coupled with the base and defines a sugar reservoir. The heating element is associated with the head unit and is configured to selectively heat the sugar reservoir. The motor is operably coupled to the head unit to facilitate selective rotation of the head unit relative to the base. The controller is electrically coupled with the heating element and the motor and is configured to operate the head assembly in one of a floss production mode and a standby mode.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of pests, the system comprising: at least one remote camera system, each of the at least one remote camera system comprising an image capture device coupled to a processor and a wireless transmitter, each of the at least one remote camera system having a pest detection surface and being configured to: capture one or more image of the pest detection surface; process the captured one or more image to recognise the potential presence of a target pest on the pest detection surface; and transmit data from the captured one or more image in response to recognising the potential presence of one or more target pests; and a server configured to: receive the transmitted data; process the transmitted data to verify the potential presence of the target pest on the pest detection surface; and provide an output indicating the verification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic flow process for making polymers, polymers made by such processes, and methods of using such polymers. In such process, a novel reagent delivery setup is used in conjunction with microfluidic reaction technology to synthesize anionic polymerization reaction products from superheated monomer orders of magnitude faster than is possible in batch and continuous syntheses. The aforementioned process does not require the cryogenic temperatures which are required for such syntheses in batch or bulk continuous. Thus the aforementioned process is more economically efficient and reduces the environmental impact of linear polymer production.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical system for use in a direct anterior approach orthopaedic surgical hip replacement procedure on a patient's femur includes a proximal guide instrument for guiding a flexible insertion instrument to install a cement restrictor component. A method of installing a cement restrictor component during performance of a direct anterior approach orthopaedic surgical hip replacement procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making a reaction product using carbon dioxide produced at a bioprocessing facility. The bioprocessing facility involves fermenting a fermentable composition to generate at least one target biochemical and carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide is reacted with at least one reactant to form at least one reaction product.

Abstract: An electrode support structure assembly in a body in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings includes a plug defining a longitudinal axis. The plug includes a lumen extending in an axial direction and including an axial distal end and a distal tip adjacent to the axial distal end of the lumen and including a first channel. The assembly further includes a cap disposed around at least a portion of the plug and including a plurality of apertures and an interior. The assembly further includes a plurality of support members, each support member comprising a distal portion. The cap is configured to constrain relative movement of the distal portions of the plurality of support members with respect to the cap, and the first channel of the plug and at least one of the plurality of support members are configured to direct a fluid after exiting the lumen of the plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic flow process for making monomers, monomers made by such processes, and methods of using such monomers. In such process, microfluidic reaction technology is used to synthesize cyanation reaction products orders of magnitude faster than is possible in batch and continuous syntheses. The aforementioned process does require strictly regulated, highly toxic cyanogen chloride. Thus the aforementioned process is more economically efficient and reduces the environmental impact of thermosetting resin monomer production, and produces thermosetting resin monomers in greater purity than obtained through typical processes.

Abstract: An electrode support structure assembly in a body in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings includes a plug defining a longitudinal axis. The plug includes a lumen extending in an axial direction and including an axial distal end and a distal tip adjacent to the axial distal end of the lumen and including a first channel. The assembly further includes a cap disposed around at least a portion of the plug and including a plurality of apertures and an interior. The assembly further includes a plurality of support members, each support member comprising a distal portion. The cap is configured to constrain relative movement of the distal portions of the plurality of support members with respect to the cap, and the first channel of the plug and at least one of the plurality of support members are configured to direct a fluid after exiting the lumen of the plug.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for concentrating a solids stream recovered from one or more process streams derived from a beer in a biorefinery by exposing the recovered solids stream to an evaporator system to remove moisture therefrom and form a concentrated, recovered solids stream.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a pest attractant or repellent into a surrounding environment, comprising: a main reservoir for storing a fluid; a control volume coupled to the main reservoir, a first flow restrictor arranged to regulate a flow of the fluid between the main reservoir and the control volume; a second flow restrictor arranged to regulate a flow of the fluid out of the control volume; and, an evaporation medium positioned at or downstream of the first flow restrictor, wherein at least one of the first and the second flow restrictors is a controllable flow restrictor, and wherein the system further comprises electronically controllable actuation means for actuating the controllable flow restrictor.

Abstract: A single-use special-purpose disposable vertically operated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) cartridge that automatically performs extraction of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) or Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) using focused ultrasound and its associated transient cavitation pressure followed by automatic purification and distribution to a plurality of PCR thermocycling vials. The cartridge utilizes a novel optical system that allows reading of the PCR binary expansion of Double-Stranded DNA (dsDNA) at early cycles usually considered unreadable background noises resulting in not only exceptionally fast sample preparation but very quick data confirming positive or negative samples in as little as 10 cycles. The PCR vials contain lyophilized, pellets comprising all the necessary chemicals for PCR. This process requires no ancillary equipment such as microfuges, or pipettes. Once the DNA or RNA containing sample and the processing fluid are added to the cartridge, all else is automatic.

Abstract: An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

Abstract: A defrost cycle control assembly includes a first sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a top portion of an outdoor heat exchanger of a heat pump, a second sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a bottom portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a third sensor that is configured to measure an ambient temperature. Further, the defrost cycle control assembly includes a controller that is configured to initiate a defrost cycle of the heat pump based on the temperature adjacent the top portion and the ambient temperature when said temperatures indicate formation of frost at the top portion of the outdoor heat exchanger where the first sensor is disposed. The controller is configured to terminate the defrost cycle when the temperature at the bottom portion reaches a termination temperature which indicates that the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger has melted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic flow process for making polymers, polymers made by such processes, and methods of using such polymers. In such process, a novel reagent delivery setup is used in conjunction with microfluidic reaction technology to synthesize anionic polymerization reaction products from superheated monomer orders of magnitude faster than is possible in batch and continuous syntheses. The aforementioned process does not require the cryogenic temperatures which are required for such syntheses in batch or bulk continuous. Thus the aforementioned process is more economically efficient and reduces the environmental impact of linear polymer production.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for concentrating a solids stream recovered from one or more process streams derived from a beer in a biorefinery by exposing the recovered solids stream to an evaporator system to remove moisture therefrom and form a concentrated, recovered solids stream.

Abstract: An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.