Abstract: A system for producing a localised concentration of energy from an input shockwave includes an amplifier arranged to manipulate one or more of the speed, pressure or shape of an input shockwave. The amplifier comprises a body of a first material, the body defining a cavity for manipulating the input shockwave to produce a manipulated shockwave. The cavity comprises an input for receiving the input shockwave incident upon the amplifier; and an output for outputting a manipulated shock-wave. The system further comprises a target configured to contain fuel, with the amplifier and the target being configured such that the manipulated shockwave is arranged to be output from the amplifier to be incident on the target.

Abstract: A component for exposing fluid to an input shockwave includes a body defining an input face arranged to receive the input shockwave, a chamber recessed in the input face for containing fluid, a fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the component, and an intermediate volume defined in the input face. The intermediate volume is provided at least partially between the fluid inlet and the chamber. The intermediate volume is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and to the chamber for supplying fluid from the fluid inlet to the chamber. A portion of the input face is configured to sealingly abut against a further element for enclosing the intermediate volume .

Abstract: A component for manipulating an input shockwave. The component includes a body comprising a first material. The body defines a cavity for manipulating the input shockwave so to produce a manipulated shockwave. The cavity comprises an input for receiving the input shockwave incident upon the component and an output for outputting the manipulated shockwave from the cavity. The cavity contains a second material having a shock-impedance that is lower than a shock-impedance of the first material.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple beverage products from a solution is presented. The method comprises providing the solution in a first container, with the solution having a concentration of a dissolved component. A portion of the solution is provided to a second container, and the portion of the solution in the second container is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The permeate has a lower concentration of the dissolved component and the retentate has a higher concentration of the dissolved component. The permeate is fed back into the first container to form a mixture of solution and permeate in the first container. A portion of the mixture is circulated with a portion of the retentate in the second container, forming a combination. The combination is then separated. The process may be repeated with the permeate from the combination separation being fed back to the first container, while the retentate from the separation of the combination is fed back into the second container.

Abstract: A method for energy and chemical species utility management having an integrated software system and infrastructure arrangements configured to manage one or more levels of utilities operation, arranged in co-operative fashion to achieve collective goals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible sheet structure having improved conformability yet remaining strong and robust. The structure is made up of a plurality of modules that allow relative rotation in both an axis parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when laid flat. This allows the density of the sheet to be locally or globally changed so that improved conformability around complex shapes is provided. There is also disclosed a means for locking and unlocking the modules of the sheet using a locking material in each connection that is activated by the external addition of energy (e.g. heat energy).

Abstract: A melt stream flow path is formed in the fixed part (20) of an injection moulding tool (12). A sonotrode (38) is arranged for direct contact with moulding material passing through the flow path in use, for directly vibrating the material and thus improving the melt flow characteristics of the moulding material as material is being injected into the tool (12). The sonotrode 38 extends directly into the flow path, or forms part of the wall of the flow path. An extrusion apparatus (50, 80) is also provided with a sonotrode (38) extending directly into a flow path, or forming part of the wall of a flow path formed in a modified die block.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple beverage products from a solution is presented. The method comprises providing the solution in a first container, with the solution having a concentration of a dissolved component. A portion of the solution is provided to a second container, and the portion of the solution in the second container is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The permeate has a lower concentration of the dissolved component and the retentate has a higher concentration of the dissolved component. The permeate is fed back into the first container to form a mixture of solution and permeate in the first container. A portion of the mixture is circulated with a portion of the retentate in the second container, forming a combination. The combination is then separated. The process may be repeated with the permeate from the combination separation being fed back to the first container, while the retentate from the separation of the combination is fed back into the second container.

Abstract: A system and method for desalinating a feed solution containing a high level of sparingly soluble solutes, such as calcium sulfate, in which a high percentage of the water content of the feed solution is recovered as purified water. The method and system comprise introducing a sufficient quantity of nucleation crystals on the low pressure side of a first-pass membrane separation unit so that the sparingly soluble solutes precipitate on the suspended nucleation crystals, instead of on the surface of the first-pass semi-permeable membrane barrier. The permeate from the first-pass membrane separation unit is then sent to the high pressure side of a second-pass membrane separation unit. The second-pass semi-permeable membrane barrier rejects additional dissolved solutes, some of which can be recycled back to the first-pass membrane, so that permeate with a low level of dissolved solutes is produced on the low pressure side of the second-pass membrane barrier.

Abstract: A process 10 for removing acid gas components such as CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S and/or COS from a gas stream includes feeding the gas stream into an absorption zone 54, and passing a suitable physical solvent at elevated pressure and reduced temperature counter-currently through the zone. Acid gas components are thus absorbed from the gas stream into the solvent. The absorption zone is maintained at substantially isothermal condition.