Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminates from aqueous industrial wastewater process streams, specifically industrial laundries to yield a less contaminated aqueous effluent for discharge to a sewer and reduce the sludge generated therefrom. A premixed medium/high molecular weight and medium/high charged cationic coagulant solution polymer and an inorganic aluminum species is added to the wastewater, and after at least a two second delay, a high molecular weight highly charged anionic flocculent is injected into the wastewater which reduces sludge generation, while maintaining or exceeding effluent quality. Also, no coagulant, flocculent or sludge aids are needed to attain the results and the sludge can be dewatered in a plate and frame press.

Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminates from aqueous industrial wastewater process streams, specifically industrial laundries to yield a less contaminated aqueous effluent for discharge to a sewer and reduce the sludge generated therefrom. A premixed medium/high molecular weight and medium/high charged cationic coagulant solution polymer and an inorganic aluminum species is added to the wastewater, and after at least a two second delay, a high molecular weight highly charged anionic flocculent is injected into the wastewater which reduces sludge generation, while maintaining or exceeding effluent quality. Also, no coagulant, flocculent or sludge aids are needed to attain the results and the sludge can be dewatered in a plate and frame press.

Abstract: A method of lending money includes receiving a loan application from a consumer. The consumer is a prior customer of a money transfer service provider. The method also includes using information indicative of the consumer's prior usage of services provided by or through the money transfer service provider to approve the loan application. The method further includes using a money transfer network to provide loan proceeds to the consumer or a designee of the consumer and/or transfer loan payments associated with the loan application. In some embodiments using information indicative of the consumer's prior usage of services provided by or through the money transfer service provider to approve the loan application includes approving the loan in the absence of a credit report on the consumer. The method also my include using the consumer's usage history of pre-paid accounts serviced by the money transfer service provider to approve the loan application.

Abstract: A method and system to provide a distributed local energy production system with high-voltage DC bus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a management unit to be interconnected via a network bus to a set of link modules, each link module coupled to a separate local energy production unit, each link module to include a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) step-up converter and a parameter monitoring unit to produce parameter data for the respective local energy production unit, and the local energy production units to be coupled to a high voltage power line to deliver produced electrical energy to a consumer of the energy; and the management unit to receive measured parameters from the link modules, and to send control signals to link modules to provide individual operational control of the local energy production units, the management unit to be coupled to one or more separate computers to provide the computers with access to the parameter data and control of the local energy production units.

Abstract: In basic research and drug discovery there is a need to provide protein reagents with high activity. In particular proteins that are used in assays must have a good shelf life and a consistent activity. As a system of measuring actin polymerization, pyrene labeled actin was developed in 1983 by Kouyama and Mihashi. However, prior to this disclosure, pyrene actin has been impossible to store for longer than one month because the activity would be lost due to protein denaturation and frozen pyrene actin immediately lost activity. This disclosure relates a method for stabilizing pyrene labeled actin for extended storage times and an optimal storage buffer thus creating a reproducible source of pyrene actin for various assays. Using the processes described herein, pyrene actin has been stored for greater than 3 years at 4° C. which makes it a viable product for retail.

Abstract: It is presently accepted that the mechanism of action for all anti-tumor tubulin ligands involves the perturbation of microtubule dynamics during the G2/M phase of cell division and subsequent entry into apoptosis (1). In this invention, we report a novel tubulin ligands which have a unique mechanism of action. These compounds, halogenated derivatives of acetamido benzoyl ethyl ester (HAABE), arrest cancer cells in S-phase and cause cell death by a combination of apoptosis (DNA ladder) and necrosis (DNA degradation) type mechanisms. Normal cells are not affected at the same concentrations of compound. The ligands bind covalently to tubulin in vitro and in vivo and shows potent cancericidal activity in tissue culture assays and in animal tumor models. These compounds target early S-phase at the G1/S transition rather than the G2/M phase and mitotic arrest.

Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminates from aqueous industrial wastewater process streams, to yield a less contaminated aqueous specifically in the area of soluble organic containing effluent for discharge. A premixed medium/high molecular weight and medium/high charged cationic coagulant solution polymer and a powered activated carbon (PAC) is injected into the wastewater, and after a delay on the order of about ten seconds or greater, a high molecular weight highly charged anionic flocculent polymer solution is injected into the wastewater which reduces oil and grease (FOG), (BOD). (COD), volatiles total suspended solids (TSS), and other contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems or methods include a linear machine with an elongate, axially-slidable core member (i.e., shaft). In one embodiment, the shaft includes at least one radial aperture to provide fluid (e.g., air) communication from an interior volume of a winding tube that contains one or more stationary windings, to either end of the shaft through a lumen that extends axially through the length of the shaft. The stationary windings are spaced apart to permit fluid to flow through a plurality of radial apertures in the winding tube. In particular, fluid circulation across the windings may provide sufficient cooling to increase the machine's maximum current rating. The fluid circulation may also provide pneumatic processing capabilities (e.g., vacuum hold, blow-off). In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may be used to insert tube-and-square paper separators into battery casings at high rates.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen fuel cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are provided. In some implementations, the electrochemical cell system includes a fuel cell and a fuel cartridge connected to the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes (i) a fuel cell housing having a first external surface and a first internal surface defining a first internal volume of the fuel cell housing, and (ii) a cathode, and anode, and an electrolyte disposed within the first internal volume. The fuel cartridge includes (i) a cartridge housing having a second external surface and a second internal surface defining a second internal volume of the cartridge housing, wherein the second internal volume includes a fuel; and (ii) a fuel consuming agent disposed on at least one of the first external surface and the second external surface.

Abstract: Vehicle includes a vehicular frame and a steering wheel connected to the vehicular frame, the steering wheel includes an annular frame and one or more user-manipulatable input devices arranged thereon. Each input device includes electronic components which initiate a change in the operation of a component of the vehicle or a display system based on the user's manipulation thereof. Types of input devices include a joy stick, trackball, directional pad or scroll wheel, as well as a universal stick actuator. A display system includes a display arranged to be visible to the driver, with the input device or devices being arranged to control the display system to alter the display upon being manipulated. The display system can be programmed to display menus on the display. Variation of the menus and selection of items on the menus may be implemented by the input device(s).

Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. There may be one and desirably two anode frames securing an anode current collector sheet sandwiched therebetween. There may be a cathode frame bonded to the anode frames. There is an anode current collector sheet within the anode assembly. There is a cathode current collector sheet, optionally with an attached metal mesh embedded within the cathode assembly to assure good electrical contact with the cathode. Alternatively, a cathode endplate with spring action is employed which can move in response to changes of volume or pressure within the cathode, thereby maintaining good contact. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The cell is durable and preferably rigid and resists electrolyte leakage.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen fuel cell.

Abstract: Batteries and methods of making batteries are disclosed. In some embodiments, a battery includes a housing, a positive electrode comprising a copper material in the housing, a negative electrode in the housing, a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolytic solution comprising soluble aluminum in the housing. A method of making a battery can include providing a positive electrode comprising a copper material into a housing, adding a material comprising aluminum to an electrolytic solution, and adding the electrolytic solution into the housing.

Abstract: A cathode having a groove extending about 10 to about 450 microns into a surface of the cathode. The cathode can also be roughened.

Abstract: Shaving systems and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a shaving system includes a first electrical power source, a razor, and a second electrical power source in the razor, wherein the first electrical power source is capable of charging the second electrical power source.

Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminates from aqueous industrial wastewater process streams, specifically industrial laundries to yield a less contaminated aqueous effluent for discharge to a sewer and reduce the sludge generated therefrom. A premixed medium/high molecular weight and medium/high charged cationic coagulant solution polymer and an inorganic aluminum species is injected into the wastewater, and after at least a two second delay, a high molecular weight highly charged anionic flocculent polymer solution is injected into the wastewater which reduces sludge generation, while maintaining or exceeding effluent quality. Also, no coagulant, flocculent or sludge aids are needed to attain the results and the sludge can be dewatered in a plate and frame press.

Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises preferably two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.

Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell. The opposing sides define a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises a single frame or two separate frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.

Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises a single plastic frame or two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.