Abstract: A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbons are buoyantly supported in the photic zone. The ribbons may be economically produced in plural coextensive layers, with one layer providing buoyancy and the other layer being structured to enhance biological growth. The system may be tailored for use in desired applications by selecting the surface area structure, ribbon spacing and density, and other parameters. The system may be used to remove nutrients and/or toxic materials from water.

Abstract: A structure is provided for promoting growth of aquatic species for aquaculture operations and other purposes. The aquatic structure may have a buoyant member, a flexible sheet, and flexible strips (such as fronds, ribbons or filaments). The flexible materials are suspended from the buoyant member. The flexible materials may have high surface area structures for promoting growth of autotrophic (including algae) and heterotrophic organisms (such as bacteria) in photic and heterotrophic sections, respectively. The autotrophs and the bacteria are food, and the dispersed flexible strips provide an attractive habitat for the larger feeding organisms such as fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Ballast devices may be used, if desired, to secure the aquatic structure to the benthos. The ballast devices may be formed of flexible material. The flexible ballast devices may be filled with granular material after the apparatus is transported to the job site.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant synthetic aquatic structure may be used to treat a body of water by removing nutrients and other materials from the water. According to another aspect of the invention, the synthetic structure may be used to promote and/or control the growth of aquatic species in a body of water. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a denser-than-water ballast portion is suspended from buoyant material to stabilize and orient the synthetic structure. A high surface area structure for promoting biological growth may be provided. The ballast portion does not sink to the bottom of the body of water. Consequently, the high surface area structure may be maintained in the photic zone.

Abstract: One or more horizontal, sheet-like dividers are used to subdivide a water tank into multiple flow zones. The water flows downwardly through the zones in a controlled manner. Strips of high surface area material may be used to promote the photosynthetic production of oxygen. Since oxygen is produced in the water, a low water flow rate can be employed. The dividers are transparent to allow light to reach the areas where photosynthetic production is desired. The strips may also be used to promote natural feed production and biofiltration. The invention may be used to achieve a satisfactory feed-to-conversion ratio (FCR) with relatively low energy consumption and improved space utilization. In a preferred embodiment, oxygen and mineral content can be controlled by sensors and feedback loops. If desired, accumulated sediment may be filtered or digested and the treated water may be recycled.

Abstract: A structure is provided for promoting growth of aquatic species for aquaculture operations and other purposes. The aquatic structure may have a buoyant member, a flexible sheet, and flexible strips (such as fronds, ribbons or filaments). The flexible materials are suspended from the buoyant member. The flexible materials may have high surface area structures for promoting growth of autotrophic (including algae) and heterotrophic organisms (such as bacteria) in photic and heterotrophic sections, respectively. The autotrophs and the bacteria are food, and the dispersed flexible strips provide an attractive habitat for the larger feeding organisms such as fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Ballast devices may be used, if desired, to secure the aquatic structure to the benthos. The ballast devices may be formed of flexible material. The flexible ballast devices may be filled with granular material after the apparatus is transported to the job site.

Abstract: A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbons are buoyantly supported in the photic zone. The ribbons may be economically produced in plural coextensive layers, with one layer providing buoyancy and the other layer being structured to enhance biological growth. The system may be tailored for use in desired applications by selecting the surface area structure, ribbon spacing and density, and other parameters. The system may be used to remove nutrients and/or toxic materials from water. The invention may be used to simultaneously promote aerobic and anaerobic reactions to control water quality. The invention also relates to artificial plants, including seagrass mats, for aquariums. The artificial plants may be flexible and buoyant.

Abstract: A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbons are buoyantly supported in the photic zone. The ribbons may be economically produced in plural coextensive layers, with one layer providing buoyancy and the other layer being structured to enhance biological growth. The system may be tailored for use in desired applications by selecting the surface area structure, ribbon spacing and density, and other parameters. The system may be used to remove nutrients and/or toxic materials from water. The invention may be used to simultaneously promote aerobic and anaerobic reactions to control water quality.

Abstract: A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbons are buoyantly supported in the photic zone. The ribbons may be economically produced in plural coextensive layers, with one layer providing buoyancy and the other layer being structured to enhance biological growth. The system may be tailored for use in desired applications by selecting the surface area structure, ribbon spacing and density, and other parameters. The system may be used to remove nutrients and/or toxic materials from water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the environmentally safe disposal of material by combustion using a hot body having a plurality of open pores.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device useful for liquid chromatography includes a radial distribution plate having a patterned aperture therethrough which pattern is designed to ensure that every annulus of the distribution plate having a given area has the same uniform pressure when fluid flows therethrough. The radial distribution of a fluid throughout the aperture is created by a backpressure means adjacent the downstream surface of the radial distribution plate.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve apparatus comprises a cylindrical structure having opposite, outwardly facing faces. A plurality of two-position valves are located in the structure at regular angular intervals at positions about the axis of the cylindrical structure. The valves are subject to mechanical actuation by axial displacement. A spindle co-axial with the axis has a passageway for the flow of air toward each axial end of the spindle. A pair of pawls are carried by the spindle, one on each side of the faces, for limited axial displacement and rotatable with respect to the cylindrical structure about the axis. The pawls are angularly displaced from each other so that when one pawl is aligned with a valve, the other pawl is angularly and axially misaligned. Resilient means (spring 6) urge the pawls axially away from the faces.