Abstract: This lithium electrochemical device includes a stack of layers suitable for constituting a micro-battery deposited on a substrate and encapsulated using a protective cap sealed onto the substrate. It includes two collectors of the current generated by the micro-battery and at least one insulating layer inert as regards lithium. The collectors and the insulating layer or layers are deposited on the substrate. The protective cap is sealed onto the substrate using the layers constituting the current collectors and the insulating layer or layers. The cap has layers of the same nature, positioned in the same order in line with their respective layers deposited on the substrate, so that when the cap is sealed onto the substrate, the respective layers deposited on the cap and on the substrate come into contact with each other to provide the actual seal of the cap on the substrate.

Abstract: This material suitable for constituting an electrolyte for a fuel cell has a hydrophobic matrix comprising carbon, fluorine, oxygen and hydrogen, and silicon.

Abstract: To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid electrolyte, to a process for its manufacture and also to devices comprising it. The electrolyte of the invention is an amorphous solid of formula SivOwCxHyLiz, in which v, w, x, y and z are atomic percentages with 0?v?40, 5?w?50, x>12, 10?y?40, 1?z?70, and 95%?v+w+x+y+z?100%. The electrolyte of the invention finds application in the field of electronics and microbatteries in particular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conserving battery energy used in transmitting signals carrying data from a downhole location, using a transmission system where a predetermined set of data is to be transmitted once during a predetermined period. The method can comprise the steps of: transmitting at least one signal during said period to transmit the set of data; selecting the time of transmission of said at least one signal; and representing at least some of the data to be transmitted in terms of the time of transmission of said at least one signal.

Abstract: A new anode configuration (20) is proposed for a lithium microbattery (10). The anode (20) preferably consists of nanotubes or of nanowires (24) such that the empty space (26) left between the different components (24) provides compensation for the inherent swelling upon discharging the microbattery (10). With the absence of stresses on the electrolyte (18), the lifetime of the battery (10) may be increased.

Abstract: A first preferred embodiment includes a flow cytometer with a fluidic system to draw a sample fluid into an interrogation zone, a light source to emit light toward the sample fluid in the interrogation zone, an optic system to collect and detect at least one of a scattered light and a fluorescent light from the interrogation zone, and a processor. The flow cytometer, if properly boxed and labeled, complies with the parcel post requirements of the United States Postal Service. A second preferred embodiment includes the method of supplying a flow cytometer by shipping the flow cytometer via the United States Postal Service. A third preferred embodiment includes the method of servicing a flow cytometer by receiving the flow cytometer from a user via the United States Postal Service and servicing the flow cytometer.

Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a lubricant control valve that includes a stem seated at least partially in the center housing where the stem has one or more orifices for controlling lubricant flow. The exemplary center housing also includes a lubricant filter positioned adjacent the stem of the lubricant control valve. The lubricant filter is optionally replaceable, for example, being accessible by removal of the stem from the center housing. Various other exemplary devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes compressor and/or turbine end housing(s) and removable compressor and/or turbine shroud portion(s) configured in relation to the compressor and/or turbine wheel(s) such that either or both of the wheels can be removed, after removal of the respective shroud portion(s), without having to remove the respective end housing(s). Additionally or alternatively, a turbocharger includes removable and replaceable compressor and/or turbine seal(s) supported by removable compressor and/or turbine seal plate(s).

Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a filter well for receiving a lubricant filter unit. An exemplary filter unit, for attachment to a center housing of a turbocharger, includes an attachment mechanism to attach the filter unit to the center housing, a filter for filtering lubricant and a lubricant flow path where the lubricant flow path commences at a peripheral surface of the filter unit, passes through the filter and ends at a bore surface of the filter unit. Various other exemplary devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Product or service information in the form of selected wireless e-commerce content is transmitted from a server to a mobile device, such as mobile telephone or personal digital assistant. The e-commerce content is transmitted either in response to an explicit user request for communication of the e-commerce content, or, in the alternative, is “pushed” to the mobile device as permitted by a user but in the absence of a specific request. The e-commerce content received at the mobile device is presented to a user by the mobile device in textual or graphical format in conjunction with an indication of a communication needed to consummate an e-commerce transaction. If the user desires to purchase the good or service represented by the e-commerce content, the user initiates the communication indicated by the e-commerce content.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of substituted tartaric acid resolving agents from resolution process liquors comprising organic solvents, wherein the substituted tartaric acid derivatives are neutralised by adding a base, extracted into an aqueous phase and crystallised from the aqueous phase by addition of a mineral acid in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Methods of subsea communication in which a cathodic protection anode (13) is used as a transmitting antenna. The signals are received at a second location by means of two electrodes (22, 23, 32, 33) which are spaced by different distances from the transmitting antenna.

Abstract: A subsea navigation system comprising a plurality of spaced antenna means (4) provided on a subsea structure (1, 2) arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation. A detection means (7) is provided on a subsea vehicle (3) for receiving and analysing the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the antenna means (4) allowing the subsea vehicle (3) to navigate relative to the subsea structure (1, 2). Each of the antenna means (4) comprises a cathodic protection anode provided on the subsea structure (1, 2).

Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly comprising an enclosed casing 1 with a movable piston 31 and filters 32,33 therein. The preferred assembly has a casing 1 with a dirty water inlet 5, a first outlet 6 for clean filtered water and a second outlet 7 for the removal of sludge from the casing. The filter assembly is constructed and arranged to provide, in its normal operating mode, a liquid flow path through the filter 32,33 in a first direction between the dirty water inlet 5 and the clean water outlet 6 and, in a cleaning mode, to provide a liquid flow path in a second direction between the dirty water inlet 5 and the sludge outlet 7. In the cleaning mode, the movable member 31 compresses the filters 32,33 during the liquid flow in the second direction and contaminant is released therefrom for removal from the filter assembly via the second outlet 7. In an alternative embodiment, the sludge outlet 7 is omitted and sludge is removed from the casing via the outlet 6.

Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly has an enclosed casing with a movable member/piston and a filter therein, the casing having an inlet and a first outlet for liquid supplied thereto and a second outlet for removing liquid containing contaminant from the casing. The filter assembly is constructed and arranged to provide, in a normal operating mode, a liquid flow path through the filter in a first direction between the inlet and the outlet and, in a cleaning mode, to provide a liquid flow path in a second direction between the inlet and the second outlet. The movable member compresses the filter during the liquid flow in the second direction and contaminant is released therefrom for removal from the filter assembly via the second outlet.

Abstract: A pond pump having a housing (1) enclosing a synchronous motor (9) with a drive shaft (40) on which an impeller (20) is loosely fitted so that, on start up, the shaft (40) can rotate relative to the impeller (20) until a pair of diametrically opposed keyways (43) on the shaft engage and entrain keyways (27) on the impeller (20) to rotate it continuously in one direction. If the drive shaft initially rotates in the opposite direction, pegs (25) on the rear face of the impeller (20) engage with a detent (60) located behind the impeller (20) to stop said rotation until the motor (9) restarts and rotates the drive shaft (43) in said first direction. One end of the drive shaft (40) is received in a first bearing (50) mounted in the housing (1), the other end of said shaft being received in a blind bore (28) in the impeller (20) which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the shaft (40).

Abstract: An electro-magnetically controlled pet door having a door (1) pivotally mounted in a door aperture (17) of a frame (2) and an electrically controlled catch mechanism normally preventing opening of the door in at least one direction that is released when a magnet (30) carried by an animal approaching the door is sensed by two or more reed switches (23,24) on or in the frame mounted and connected electrically in parallel. The switches (23,24) are disposed in an array extending circumferentially of said door aperture and have normally open contacts and magnetic biasing means (26,27) are associated with the reed switches and positioned laterally thereof to increase their sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and system for curing reactive materials. The system includes a generator capable of generating radiation, a power supply operatively coupled to the generator, and an emitter adapted to emit the generated radiation onto the material. The system also includes a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the material and generating corresponding temperature data and a controller adapted to control the power level of radiation emitted. The controller is configured to receive the temperature data signals and detect a variation in the rate of change in the temperature of the material being cured. The controller is also configured to adjust the power level of radiation emitted upon detecting a variation in the rate of change in the temperature of the material being cured.

Abstract: A method and system for curing reactive material. The system includes a generator capable of generating radiation, a power supply operatively coupled to the generator, and an emitter adapted to emit the generated radiation onto the material. The system also includes a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the material a controller adapted to control the power level of radiation emitted. The system also preferably includes a masking unit for shaping the emitted radiation to substantially match the profile dimensions of the reactive material. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating radiation within the absorption spectrum of the reactive material; shaping the generated radiation to substantially match the dimensions of the reactive material; and emitting said shaped radiation onto the reactive material.