Abstract: A planar fuel cell system comprising at least two fuel cells which are electrically connected in series in a plane via horizontally overlapping connecting lugs and comprise an anode current collector on the anode side and comprise a cathode current collector on the cathode side is provided. The current collectors are electrically connected to the connecting lugs and a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the current path is led around the polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell system is designed with a printed circuit board technique and as a composite of a first, anode-side printed circuit board and a second, cathode-side printed circuit board, and the current collectors and connecting lugs are designed as strip conductors of these printed circuit boards. Methods of manufacturing the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A system for supplying a consuming appliance with electric energy, including at least one fuel supply unit in the form of a gas evolution cell which liberates a gaseous fuel on passage of an electric current and at least one fuel cell unit in which the gaseous fuel liberated can be reacted with an oxidant to generate electric power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate (1) on which it is arranged, in addition to at least one cathode (4), one anode (6), and a separator/electrolyte layer (5) in the form of layers or films that are pre-formed from an electrochemically active or activatable material and optionally a polymer matrix and/or other auxiliary substances, in a corresponding sequence on the substrate (1). The layer thickness of each electrode layer is 10 ?m. The inventive battery also comprises at least one current diverter (7) and at least one battery contact (2, 2a, 2b) that are respectively in electrical contact with an electrode. Said battery is characterised in that it comprises at least one first covering layer (8, 16, 17, 21) consisting of a first, electrically insulating material that is stable in relation to the used electrolyte and electrode material and has been deposited from the gas phase or in the form of a liquid or viscous paste.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly alkaline solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly alkaline solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a concentration of radioisotope below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for release to a sanitary sewer as defined in applicable federal regulations.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method and apparatus is provided for chemically reducing waste. The apparatus includes a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication therewith, a heater in thermal communication with the vessel, a substantially alkaline-resistant magnetic stir rod adapted to be positioned within the vessel, and a magnetic stirrer adapted to produce a rotating magnetic field within the vessel capable of spinning a magnetic stir rod positioned therein. The apparatus further includes a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel and a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel. An electronic controller is connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor and is adapted to maintain the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A surgical irrigating fluid composition, especially for endoscopic surgery, is provided comprising a rinsing fluid and nitrous oxide added as a marker to the rinsing fluid in an amount which is detectable in the expired breath from a mammal, especially man, that is subjected to the surgery.

Abstract: Method, article of manufacture and apparatus for communicating between a first system and a second system. One embodiment provides a method for communicating between a first system and a second system each having an associated database, in which at least one of the systems is configured to prevent the other of the two systems from directly accessing its respective database. Interfaces are implemented at each of the system, wherein the interfaces extract data from the respective databases of the respective systems as well as from incoming messages from the other system. In one embodiment, the message contains information about a defect found in an application being developed in the second system. Encoding and decoding techniques may be used by the systems to generate and communicate the messages between one another.

Abstract: A surgical irrigating fluid composition, especially for endoscopic surgery, is provided comprising a rinsing fluid and nitrous oxide added as a marker to the rinsing fluid in an amount which is detectable in the expired breath from a mammal, especially man, that is subjected to the surgery.

Abstract: A magnetron sputtering cathode for use in a vacuum deposition process is disclosed wherein the cathode is coated on its sides with an electrically insulating material such as alumina to prevent arcing, and wherein the first end surface of the cathode supports a material to be sputtered. The bottom of the cathode may also be coated with an electrically insulating coating or may be resting upon an insulating platform.

Abstract: A sputtering anode is disclosed wherein the anode is in the form of a container or vessel; and, wherein the conducting surface communicating with a cathode is the inside surface of the container or vessel. The anode can be mounted outside of a coating chamber having its opening communicating with the chamber or alternatively may be mounted within the chamber. The anode may be an inlet port for receiving inert gas for use in forming the plasma and for pressurizing the anode.

Abstract: An interlock circuit on a mowing vehicle or tractor deactivates the engine if a signal from a single backup sensor is interrupted. The mowing vehicle or tractor has an engine, an electric power source to provide electric current to a magneto and an ignition, a transmission connected to the engine and having forward, neutral and reverse operations, a controllable tool drive (PTO) connected to the engine for powering an accessory, and a single backup sensor to provide a signal if no object is detected behind the vehicle. A reverse sensing switch is movable between a first position if the transmission is in forward or neutral, and a second position if the transmission is in reverse. A PTO switch is movable between an on condition for activating the PTO and an off position for deactivating the PTO.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane and to a method for the production thereof. Starting from a catalyst layer, which is homogeneously deposited on the polymer membrane (3), the catalyst layer is subdivided into a number of catalyst segments (1a, 1b) by microstructuring so that adjacent fuel cell units of a planar fuel cell arrangement can be realized in the smallest possible space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a planar fuel cell system comprising at least two fuel cells which are electrically mounted in series by means of horizontally overlapping connecting lugs (8 and 8?, 18 and 18?) and/or strip conductors (40), and a polymer electrolyte membrane (3). According to the invention, the current path is guided around the polymer electrolyte membrane, the fuel cell system is embodied as an arrangement of two printed circuit boards, according to printed circuit board technique, and the current collectors and connecting lugs arc embodied as strip conductors of said printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro cell system (1) with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (2) which in each case is covered on the cathode-side and anode-side with a current collector foil (3, 4). The current collector foils in each case comprise at least one gas-permeable opening (5, 6). On at least one of the current collector foils (3, 4) on a side facing the MEA (2) there are arranged diffusion channels (7, 8) These replace e.g. porous or fleece-like gas diffusion layers and thus alone ensure the micro-diffusion of gas on the MEA (2) The diffusion channels for this are connected to the gas-permeable opening (5, 6) for leading through gas, and the webs (9, 10) of the diffusion channels are provided with an electrically conductive surface (11, 12) for contacting the MEA.

Abstract: A surgical irrigating fluid composition, especially for endoscopic surgery, is provided comprising a rinsing fluid and nitrous oxide added as a marker to the rinsing fluid in an amount which is detectable in the expired breath from a mammal, especially man, that is subjected to the surgery.

Abstract: Use of a gas or gas precursor for the manufacture of a monitoring agent for a diganostic method for monitoring cardiac output in a mammal, including man, wherein said monitoring agent is a diagnostically acceptable gas in the gaseous state adapted for intravenous use, said gas being of such a nature, and being used in such an amount, that it is detectable via the expired breath from the mammal in question. An especially preferable gas is nitrous oxide. Monitoring agent for such a diagnostic method as well as such a diagnostic method.

Abstract: Use of a gas or gas precursor for the manufacture of a monitoring agent for a diagnostic method for monitoring fallopian tube abnormalities in a female mammal, including man, wherein said monitoring agent is diagnostically acceptable gas in the gaseous state or dissolved in a diagnostically acceptable liquid as a true solution, said gas being of such a nature, and being used in such an amount, that is detectable via the expired breath from the mammal in question. An especially preferable gas in nitrous oxide. Said use is preferably for the detection of infertility of the mammal.

Abstract: Method, article of manufacture and apparatus for communicating between a first system and a second system. One embodiment provides a method for communicating between a first system and a second system each having an associated database, in which at least one of the systems is configured to prevent the other of the two systems from directly accessing its respective database. Interfaces are implemented at each of the system, wherein the interfaces extract data from the respective databases of the respective systems as well as from incoming messages from the other system. In one embodiment, the message contains information about a defect found in an application being developed in the second system. Encoding and decoding techniques may be used by the systems to generate and communicate the messages between one another.

Abstract: A high performance terminal input/output subsystem for connecting a multiplicity of user devices to a multi-user computer includes a single-board host adapter which is mounted in a single bus slot in the host computer card cage and provides the communication between the subsystem and the host computer. One or more multiple terminal, intelligent cluster controllers is remotely located from and coupled to the host adapter by means of a coaxial cable. The cluster controllers are multidropped from the coaxial cable in daisy chain fashion. Communication between the host adapter and cluster controllers utilizes a high speed communication line employing a 2.5 Mbit/second baseband, token-passing, serial bus, local area network protocol. Each cluster controller provides local terminal connections for 8 or 16 user devices.