Abstract: Improved methods for producing colloidal dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles in substantially non-polar solvents are disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and, optionally, one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected.

Abstract: An improved process for producing substantially non-polar doped or un-doped cerium oxide nanoparticle dispersions is disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected. The promoter functions to speed the transfer of nanoparticles to the low-polarity phase. The promoter accelerates the phase separation, and also provides improved colloidal stability of the final substantially non-polar colloidal dispersion.

Abstract: Improved methods for producing colloidal dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles in substantially non-polar solvents are disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and, optionally, one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for signal processing through the manipulation of a time-domain signal by using a conversion into the frequency domain comprising: forming (102) a plurality of overlapping time segments representing an input signal; applying a first window function to each of the overlapping time segments time segments and converting (103) the windowed overlapping time segments into respective frequency segments; converting (104) each of the respective frequency segments to respective time segments; and applying a composite window function to each of the respective time segments and combining (105) the windowed respective time segments to produce an output signal. The method is particularly useful for applications requiring the manipulation of a time signal in the frequency domain, for example in manipulating signal to noise ratios.

Abstract: A device, for use in the electrochemical analysis of an analyte in a small volume liquid sample, having a non-conducting substrate (1); a conductive layer, deposited on the substrate, in two parts (2a, 2b), defining a non-conducting gap (8) therebetween; an analyte-specific reagent (5) coated on the conductive layer, on one side of the gap; a reference electrode (3) on the conductive layer, on the other side of the gap; a spacer layer (4) deposited over the conductive layer; a monofilament mesh (6) coated with a surfactant or chaotropic agent, the mesh being laid over the reagent, the reference electrode and the spacer layer; and a second non-conductive layer (7) adhered to the mesh layer, but not coextensive therewith, thereby providing a sample application area (9) on the mesh.

Abstract: An electrode comprises a non-conductive substrate and a conductive layer comprising, in a bonded matrix, graphite particles coated with a noble metal, and carbon particles, wherein the graphite particles are up to 20 &mgr;m is size and have a surface area of 1-50 m2/g. This electrode is capable of measuring low levels of analyte, e.g. glucose in sweat when convined with a layer containing glucose oxidase.

Abstract: A method for the production of electrodes, especially microelectrodes, in which the (micro) electrode consists essentially of an electrically-insulating material through which apertures are formed to reveal the electrically-conducting material, is characterized in that aperture as formed by the use of a light-hardened (photopolymerizing) resist or light-softened (photoinduced breaking of bonds) resist.