Abstract: Disclosed is a waste processing plant and method of processing waste biomass. The plant includes a waste receiving apparatus for receiving biomass waste and processing it into a liquid stream before passing it to, anaerobic hydrolysis tanks for hydrolysis, acidification and acetylation of the stream, before passing it to, a heat exchanger for raising the temperature of the stream to a pasteurization temperature, pasteurization tanks for holding the stream at the pasteurization temperature to ensure adequate pasteurization before passing it to, and anaerobic methanogenesis tanks for anaerobic digestion of a portion of the stream into biogas. Also included is a centrifugation apparatus to separate oil from the stream, wherein at least a portion of the stream which is downstream of the hydrolysis tank(s) and upstream of the methanogenesis tank(s), and which has a temperature of above 68° C., is centrifuged by the centrifugation apparatus to remove a portion of the oil.

Abstract: Adapting automatic software update behavior for virtual desktop infrastructure deployed endpoints includes detecting a request for services of a threat management facility for an enterprise network that originates from a compute instance embodied as a virtual machine instantiated from a versioned software template, and updating software on the compute instance based on a determination of availability of updated software for the compute instance and an update pause parameter indicating that updating software for virtual machines instantiated from the versioned software template is permitted for the compute instance.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of separating polyunsaturated fatty acids containing lipids from a lipids containing biomass.

Abstract: A method of ensuring an electrical connector for a medical device is disinfected or sterilized is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving the medical connector in a blocked state, wherein a component of the medical connector comprises a shape-memory alloy (SMA); and heating the medical connector to a sufficient temperature to change a shape of the SMA to an unblocked state. A medical connector comprising the SMA material is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using a two-step serial centrifugation process in extracting nutritive oil from a fermentation broth, this novel method prevents oil yield losses while preserving product quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolated polyunsaturated fatty acids containing lipids from a lipids containing biomass.

Abstract: An oral care device (8) adapted to generate an RF field for performing an oral cleaning function. The device includes a cleaning unit (10) for receipt in the mouth which includes a conductor arrangement (18, 19) which is driven with a drive signal to generate an RF field which cleans surfaces in the mouth. Means is further provided for sensing an electrical or electromagnetic signal arising from interaction of the RF energy with bodies in the mouth, for performing a sensing function with the same RF system components used for generating the RF field for cleaning or treatment.

Abstract: A flow cell with a first section and a second section, and a gasket sealing between the first and second sections. A chamber is defined in the flow cell, having a perimeter with a narrower end and a rounded wider end. An inlet passage, outlet passage, and a sensor are arranged in fluid communication with the chamber. The inlet passage directs fluid into the chamber proximal its narrow end at an angle of between about 45° and 75° relative to the plane of gasket and the outlet passage directs fluid flow out of the wider end of the chamber at an angle between about 45° and 75° relative to the plane of gasket, the inlet passage and outlet passage being angled in opposite directions. The flow cell is useful for monitoring levels of chemicals in an industrial process stream, such as lactose levels in a dairy process stream.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: A breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance device is provided for home use. The device is for providing support and guidance during the training of breathing exercises. The device takes account of external data which relates to one or more of: the environmental conditions in which the device is being used; activity information in respect of the user; physiological sensor data about the user which is not related to breathing characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from a lipids containing biomass. The main characteristics of the method are that a suspension of cells containing PUFAs is obtained and the cells are optionally lysed. The suspension is concentrated and then incubated for at least an hour at a controlled temperature while adding a specific range of base equivalents to biomass and maintaining a moderate pH. The isolation of lipid may be performed in the absence of organic solvents and without the addition of salt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vital sign monitoring system. The system comprises a segmented electrode forming an in-plane electrode array, wherein the electrode comprise a skin contacting skin adhering contact layer mounted on an electrode backing material, a deformation sensor arranged for identifying deformation information of the electrode, a signal processor arranged to receive a vital sign signal from the electrode and process the deformation information to remove artefacts from the vital sign signal, wherein the electrode comprises multiple electrode segments and wherein the signal processor is arranged to select that electrode segment that has a lowest deformation of all electrode segments of the electrode.

Abstract: An energy conversion system comprises a generator which generates electrical power in response to movement, wherein the generator comprises first and second elements which generate energy in an energy generation mode. In some examples, these can be brought into and out of contact with each other by a drive mechanism so that the energy conversion system has an (e.g.) intermittent charging mode in which the first and second 5 elements are brought into contact by the drive mechanism and an energy generation mode in which the first and second elements are out of contact. The relative speed, the spacing between, or the relative orientations or positions of the first and second elements are controlled during the energy generation mode to decrease the variation in output power or voltage of the generator. This system controls the physical positions or the motion of the 10 elements of the generator during the energy generation mode in order to implement a more constant power or voltage generation.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for reducing emulsion during the process of obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by maintaining the level of carbohydrate at less than 15 g/Kg in the fermentation broth. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for reducing or eliminating emulsion during the process of obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by washing the fermentation broth with at least 1× amount of water. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for sensing layer removal from a surface. A head has an abrasive portion for contacting the surface and a conducting portion inside the head. This device has a sensor design which provides self-generation of a sensor signal with no power supply to the device head. This simplifies the design of the sensor head, and means it can have a design which is easy to clean with no parts which are easily damaged. In one set of examples, the device is a skin treatment device.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using a two-step serial centrifugation process in extracting nutritive oil from a fermentation broth, this novel method prevents oil yield losses while preserving product quality.