Abstract: A data communication system includes a plurality of nodes arranged in layers. The system may include at least one sensor node configured to sense a condition and transmit the sensed condition within a first data signal in a wireless short range mode. The system may include a second-layer node configured to transmit a sensed condition within a data signal in a wireless low-power long range communication mode. The system include a first-layer node configured to receive the data signals having the sensed condition, and retransmit the sensed condition in the wireless low-power long range communication mode. The system may further include a networked gateway configured to receive the sensed condition and transmit the sensed condition according to internet protocol.

Abstract: There is provided a culture bag for use in a photobioreactor. The bag can comprise at least one wall having at least one inlet disposed at a first end portion of the at least one wall or adjacently thereto. The at least one wall defines an internal chamber for receiving a culture medium. The bag also comprises at least one injector for injecting a gas inside the bag, the at least one injector being disposed at a second end portion of the at least one wall or adjacently thereto. The bag also comprises at least one outlet for harvesting a content of the bag, the at least one outlet being disposed at the second end portion of the at least one wall or adjacently thereto. The bag can be translucent or transparent and be effective for holding and sealingly maintaining the culture medium inside the bag and inside the photobioreactor. There is also provided a photobioreactor and a photobioreator modular system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a nanocomposite based on magnesium and another element or compound known to absorb hydrogen and hardly miscible when ground with magnesium or its hydride, such as vanadium, titanium or niobium. The method is characterised in that it consists in submitting magnesium or a compound based on magnesium known to absorb hydrogen to hydrogenation to obtain the corresponding hydride in powder form. Said resulting powder hydride is then mixed with the other element or compound or a hydride of said other element or compound and the resulting mixture is subjected to intense mechanical grinding until the corresponding nanocomposite is obtained in the form of a hydride. Finally, if necessary, the resulting nanocomposite is subjected to hydrogen desorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the solvent content from a biodegradable polymer in a composition or a preparation. The process comprises drying the biopolymer composition by submitting it to microwaves for a time to achieve removal of the solvent at desired levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a piece based on one or several metal hydrides capable of reversibly absorbing hydrogen. Said piece is in the form of a thin and dense band, having a thickness preferably not more than 1 mm and porosity preferably less than 20%. The piece is obtained by rolling a powder of selected hydride(s), with or without additional component(s), such as binders or heat-transfer elements. Said piece can easily be produced on an industrial scale. By its very nature, it is particularly adapted for use as a base element in a tank for storing and transporting hydrogen. It can also be used in a Ni-MH typre battery for storing and transporting energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical bridging material in the form of a dispersion containing particles of an oxidation-resistant electrically conductive material and a dispersing medium, the particles having an average particle size ranging from about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 5 mm. Such a bridging material is useful for establishing electrical conductivity between two electrically conductive surfaces, at least one of the surfaces being covered with an oxide film. Alternatively, the particles can be used as a component of an electrical bridging member adapted to be disposed between the two electrically conductive surfaces for establishing electrical conductivity therebetween.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of forming a single crystal of a ceramic, semiconductive or magnetic material. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of (a) compacting a nanocrystalline powder comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.05 to 20 &mgr;m and each formed of an agglomerate of grains with each grain comprising a nanocrystal of a ceramic, semiconductive or magnetic material; and (b) sintering the compacted powder obtained in step (a) at a temperature sufficient to cause an exaggerated growth of at least one of the grains, thereby obtaining at least one single crystal of aforesaid material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic material in powder form comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 30 &mgr;m and each formed of an agglomerate of grains with each grain comprising a nanocrystal of a ceramic material of formula (I): Si3-xAlxOyNz, wherein 0≦x≦3, 0≦y≦6 and 0≦z≦4, with the proviso that when x is 0 or 3, y cannot be 0. The ceramic material in powder form according to the invention is suitable for use in the production of ceramic bodies by powder metallurgy, as well as in the formation of heat-resistant coatings by thermal deposition. The ceramic bodies and coatings obtained have improved resistance to thermal shocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refractory hard metal in powder form comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 30 &mgr;m and each formed of an agglomerate of grains with each grain comprising a nanocrystal of a refractory hard metal of the formula (I): AxByXz wherein A is a transition metal, B is a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten and cobalt, X is boron or carbon, x ranges from 0.1 to 3, y ranges from 0 to 3 and z ranges from 1 to 6. The refractory hard metal in powder form according to the invention is suitable for use in the manufacture of electrodes by thermal deposition or powder metallurgy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inert electrode material in powder form comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.11 to 100 &mgr;m and each formed of an agglomerate of grains of a ceramic material and grains of a metal or alloy with each grain of ceramic material comprising a nanocrystal of the ceramic material and each grain of metal or alloy comprising a nanocrystal of the metal or alloy. Alternatively, each particle can be formed of an agglomerate of grains with each grain comprising a nanocrystal of a single phase ceramic material, a metal or an alloy. The electrode material in powder form according to the invention is useful for the manufacture of inert electrodes having improved thermal shock and corrosion resistance properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grain refining agent for cast aluminum or magnesium products, comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 30 &mgr;m and each formed of an agglomerate of grains with each grain comprising a nanocrystal of a transition metal boride or carbide of the formula: MeaXb (I) wherein Me is a transition metal, X is boron or carbon, a ranges from 1 to 10 and b ranges from 1 to 20. The grain refining agent according to the invention does not require to be formed into a master alloy prior to being added to the molten aluminum or magnesium to be cast.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel varistors based on zinc oxide and a method for making same, which consists in using as base products nanocrystalline powders obtained by high-intensity mechanical grinding and in subjecting the mixture resulting from said nanocrystalline powders a consolidating treatment such as sintering, in suitably selected temperature and time conditions so as to retain the smallest possible grain size of ZnO. The resulting varistors have a very fine homogeneous microstructure and an average grain size characteristically not more than 3 mu m, i.e. five times smaller than standard materials. Said novel varistors have a larger number of grain boundaries per length unit and therefore a much higher breakdown voltage. Said voltage is characteristically higher than 10 kV/cm and can reach 17 kV/cm which is almost one order of magnitude above the breakdown voltage of standard varistors.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the titration and circulation of gases to determine metal hydride storing properties, with improved response time, greater dynamic range in terms of the usable amount of powder and the maximum pressure accessible and increased sensitivity. The invention also concerns a circulating apparatus considerably reducing the time for analysing and determining the properties of absorbent and adsorbent materials during a large number of adsorption-desorption cycles. Both sets of apparatus are provided with a reference tube inside their oven, near the sample-holder. Said sample-holder tube and reference tube are connected on either side of the differential pressure sensor, thereby considerably enhancing the overall performance of the titration system.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for producing gaseous hydrogen by subjecting a metal or a metal hydride to a chemical reaction. In this method, the metal or metal hydride subjected to the chemical reaction is nanocrystalline. Indeed, it has been found that when, instead of using conventional metal hydrides (Mg-based or others), use is made of a metal or metal hydride that is or has been subjected to intensive mechanical deformations, such as a metastable nanocrystalline metal hydride, then the chemical reaction, especially hydrolysis, will take place much more readily, at a much higher rate and, most of the time, up to completion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanocrystalline composite useful for hydrogen storage, which provides optimum hydrogenation conditions along with high hydrogen storage capacity. This composite is the combination of at least one high temperature metal hydride such as Mg or Mg.sub.2 Ni, which has a high hydrogen storage capacity by weight but requires high temperatures for hydrogen absorption and desorption, with at least one low temperature metal hydride such as FeTi, LaNi.sub.5, Nb, Mn or Pd, which has a low hydrogen storage capacity by weight but does not require high temperatures for hydrogen absorption and desorption. The high and low temperature metal hydrides are in direct contact with each other and each in the form of a nanocrystalline powder or layer. This composite is particularly useful as a hydrogen supply source for hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing a nanocrystalline powder of an alloy of at least two metals by an intensive mechanical grinding step performed upon powders of the metals which make up the alloy. The grinding is performed at atmospheric pressure under an inert atmosphere, and is carried out at a temperature in the range of 100.degree.-400.degree. C. In this manner, one obtains crystallites of the alloy having a grain size lower than 100 nm by grinding for a period of time lower by about an order of magnitude than the time necessary to achieve this grain size by a similar grinding step carried out at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An alloy of formula:Ti.sub.30+x Ru.sub.15+y Fe.sub.25+z O.sub.30+t M.sub.uwherein M represent at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, manganese, vanadium, tungsten, antimony, platinum and lead; x is an integer ranging between -30 and +50; y is an integer ranging between -10 and +35; z is an integer ranging between -25 and +70; t is an integer ranging between -28 and +10; and u is an integer ranging between 0 and +50; x, y, z, t and u being selected so that: x+y+z+t+u=0. This alloy, especially when it has a nanocrystalline structure, is useful for the manufacture cathodes for the electro-chemical synthesis of sodium chlorate. These cathodes have an over-potential of hydrogen lower than the one of the soft-steel cathodes presently in use.