Abstract: A fuel cell system 110 containing fuel cells 120 contacted by hydrogen containing gaseous fuel, generating spent gaseous depleted fuel which is recirculated to a hydrogen separation system 143, preferably a heat exchanger 144 and condenser 148 to remove water 150, after which it is mixed with fresh fuel 116 and recirculated to the fuel cells 120.

Abstract: Automatic feeding machines are commonly used for filling blister packs with items of product such as pharmaceutical dosage forms. These machines are usually designed for the handling of a specific shape and sized product item. Handling of different shaped items requires expensive re-tooling of all the product item contact components. The invention allows a single feeding machine to be quickly configured for use to handling a wide variety of item sizes/shapes. A machine (21) has a tray (36) defining a series of tapered channels (40) and a container (22) slideably mounted above the tray. A wall of the container and the channels together define apertures into each channel through which items of product pass out of the container. Sliding movement of the container across the planar tray surface (38), along and over the channels, allows the size of the apertures to be adjusted depending upon the size of the item of product to be handled, using the same components.

Abstract: A fuel cell generator including a housing defining a plurality of chambers including a generator chamber having first and second generator sections. A plurality of elongated fuel cells extend through the first and second generator sections. An oxidant supply supplies oxidant to at least one of the chambers within the housing in order to provide oxidant to one end of each of the fuel cells. A fuel distribution plenum extends transversely to the elongated fuel cells and is located between the first and second generator sections. The fuel distribution plenum distributes fuel to the first and second generator sections in opposing directions within the generator chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for an anode side gas flow heater for a fuel cell generator that comprises a recirculating anode gas flow 28, at least one burner 24, and an energy source 22. The energy source heats the burner, the anode gas flow passes over the at least one burner and is heated, and the heated anode gas flow is then passed through the anode side of the fuel cell generator 4, where the fuel cell generator is heated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies are characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded siRNA molecule that is capable of silencing gene expression as well as inducing an immune response. The molecule comprises a sense strand and an antisense strand, wherein the antisense strand comprises a first nucleotide sequence that is specifically complementary to mRNA transcribed from a target gene, and the sense strand comprises a second nucleotide sequence that is substantially or perfectly complementary to the antisense strand with the exception that the second nucleotide sequence comprises at least one immunostimulatory motif comprising two or more non-complementary nucleotides. Such a molecule may be utilized in a method of treating or preventing a disease or condition (such as a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or cancer) in a subject.

Abstract: Automatic feeding machines are commonly used for filling blister packs with items of product such as pharmaceutical dosage forms. These machines are usually designed for the handling of a specific shape and sized product item. Handling of different shaped items requires expensive re-tooling of all the product item contact components. The invention allows a single feeding machine to be quickly configured for use to handling a wide variety of item sizes/shapes. A machine (21) has a tray (36) defining a series of tapered channels (40) and a container (22) slideably mounted above the tray. A wall of the container and the channels together define apertures into each channel through which items of product pass out of the container. Sliding movement of the container across the planar tray surface (38), along and over the channels, allows the size of the apertures to be adjusted depending upon the size of the item of product to be handled, using the same components.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present comprises an air inlet 2, a series of fuel cells 6, a new fuel inlet 14, a fuel distributor 16, a recirculation plenum 19, and an exhaust 12. Fresh fuel from the fuel distributor 16 enters the fuel cell stack in a middle-third section of the fuel cell stack, and the fresh fuel is divided into an exhaust fuel 12 flow and a recirculation fuel flow 18. The exhaust fuel flow passes along a first portion of the series of fuel cells to the exhaust, and the recirculation fuel flow passes along a second portion of the series of fuel cells to the recirculation plenum and mixes with new fuel from the new fuel inlet in the fuel distributor. The recirculation plenum is located at an opposite end of the fuel cell stack from the exhaust, and the fuel-cell stack is of a seal-less design.

Abstract: The invention in at least one embodiment includes a device having a hub, a housing, a cannula, and a needle where the relative positions of the hub and the housing controls the relative positions of the cannula and the needle. In at least one embodiment, the housing includes a pathway in which a pin on the hub travels through to allow for selection of the insertion depth of the needle relative to the cannula.

Abstract: A method of forming a waveguide, the method comprising the steps of: forming a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; and delaminating the multilayer stack between at least two of the light guiding layers to form a waveguide between the light guiding layers; in which the patterned region has converging sides and the waveguide is tapered, the multilayer stack having increased transmissivity at a region corresponding to a selected thickness of the waveguide. A tapered waveguide is also disclosed, comprising: a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; the multilayer stack defining a channel between at least a first waveguiding layer and a second waveguiding layer; the channel having a diminishing thickness in a first direction; and at least one of the first waveguiding layer and the second waveguiding layer having a region of increased transmissivity adjacent a selected thickness of the core. Methods for the use of the tapered waveguide as an optical coupler or spectrometer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a waveguide is disclosed, as well as the waveguide itself. A multilayer stack of light guiding layers is formed, and the multilayer stack is delaminated between light guiding layers to form a waveguide between the light guiding layers. The multilayer stack is delaminated in a patterned region between light guiding layers. Here a new approach is described, wherein hollow microchannels forming a Bragg waveguide assembly are fabricated by controlled formation of thin film delamination buckles within a multilayer stack. A hollow waveguide is formed by alternating layers of the multilayer stack forming light guiding surfaces. The hollow waveguide is formed between layers that delaminate from each other, as for example under applied stress to one or more of the layers. The multi-layer stack may be formed of alternating layers of low and high index of refraction materials, as for example forming omni-directional dielectric reflectors.

Abstract: The invention in at least one embodiment includes a device having a hub, a housing, a cannula, and a needle where the relative positions of the hub and the housing controls the relative positions of the cannula and the needle. In at least one embodiment, the housing includes a pathway in which a pin on the hub travels through to allow for selection of the insertion depth of the needle relative to the cannula.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) array having test circuitry includes a thin film transistor array body having a plurality of pixels. Test circuitry is integrally formed with the body. The test circuitry includes a power supply for supplying power via the test circuitry to the body; and a plurality of wireless switches to activate selected pixels.

Abstract: A smart mandrel for use with a container forming machine to form a Bliss style container having one or more structural columns in a side or end of the container. In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel has a frame, a female profile mechanism having a female forming tool fixedly supported by the frame, a male profile mechanism having a male forming tool slidably supported by the frame, an engaging mechanism to hold a side blank against the female forming tool and an actuating mechanism that moves the male forming tool into engagement with the female forming tool to form a column in the side blank. A mandrel carriage moves the formed side blank into engagement with a Bliss style body blank to form the desired container. The engaging mechanism comprises one or more suction cups and the actuating mechanism is a linear actuator having a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode is disposed in the second passage, an evaporator, fluidly communicating with the first passage, for evaporating an aqueous mixture including at least one oxidizable component to form a gaseous feed, and a controller, communicating with the fuel cell for receiving an anode corrosion indication, and configured to effect deliver the gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous stream flowing through the first passage in response to the anode corrosion indication within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A multifunctional container for storing, transporting, displaying and selling a wide range of goods has a bottom wall, a pair of opposing end walls and a pair of opposing side walls that can be formed into a variety of different container configurations. The container of the present invention has integrally formed structural columns for superior stacking strength and resistance to distortion. The columns are formed by providing column fold lines in extension members that are integrally formed with the panels that define the end walls and then pressing the fold lines between a folding arm having a protrusion and a cooperatively configured mandrel. The container can have integral cover flaps, corner panels, dividers and/or partitions. The container utilizes areas of a blank that would normally be discarded as waste. By slitting, scoring and folding these areas, various features can be formed to enhance flexibility and functionality of the container.

Abstract: A fuel cell generator including a housing defining a plurality of chambers including a generator chamber having first and second generator sections. A plurality of elongated fuel cells extend through the first and second generator sections. An oxidant supply supplies oxidant to at least one of the chambers within the housing in order to provide oxidant to one end of each of the fuel cells. A fuel distribution plenum extends transversely to the elongated fuel cells and is located between the first and second generator sections. The fuel distribution plenum distributes fuel to the first and second generator sections in opposing directions within the generator chamber.

Abstract: The feed apparatus for feeding container blanks into a container forming machine comprises a hopper at or near its first end for holding a plurality of blanks, a selecting mechanism for selecting one of the blanks, a moving mechanism to move the blanks toward the elevated second end and then the machine and a transferring mechanism for rotating the blank from its angled direction to a substantially vertical direction for placement at the machine's receiving station. Preferably, the moving mechanism comprises a pair of parallel chains interconnected by a shaft having a gripping mechanism configured to securely grip the blank. A pivot mechanism pivots the shaft and the gripping mechanism, which is selectively opened to grip the blank below the hopper and release the blank at the machine. Laminating, folding and compressing components are provided to add adhesive, fold and then compress sections of the blank before reaching the machine.

Abstract: A smart mandrel for use with a container forming machine to form a Bliss style container having one or more structural columns in a side or end of the container. In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel has a frame, a female profile mechanism having a female forming tool fixedly supported by the frame, a male profile mechanism having a male forming tool slidably supported by the frame, an engaging mechanism to hold a side blank against the female forming tool and an actuating mechanism that moves the male forming tool into engagement with the female forming tool to form a column in the side blank. A mandrel carriage moves the formed side blank into engagement with a Bliss style body blank to form the desired container. The engaging mechanism comprises one or more suction cups and the actuating mechanism is a linear actuator having a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for an anode side gas flow heater for a fuel cell generator that comprises a recirculating anode gas flow 28, at least one burner 24, and an energy source 22. The energy source heats the burner, the anode gas flow passes over the at least one burner and is heated, and the heated anode gas flow is then passed through the anode side of the fuel cell generator 4, where the fuel cell generator is heated.