Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.

Abstract: Devices for automatic fishing line release during a cast using the acceleration and deceleration of the rod to automatically release the fishing line. In one embodiment, the device is in an under-the-rod position. In another embodiment, the devices is in an over-the-rod position. In other embodiments, the over or under the rod function is determined by manufacturer or user adjustments or changes.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.

Abstract: Devices for automatic fishing line release during a cast using the acceleration and deceleration of the rod to automatically release the fishing line. In one embodiment, the device is in an under-the-rod position. In another embodiment, the devices is in an over-the-rod position. In other embodiments, the over or under the rod function is determined by manufacturer or user adjustments or changes.

Abstract: A conductivity detector detects the electrical conductivity of a fluid under analysis for determining chemical or physical properties of the fluid that are related its electrical properties. Such conductivity detectors may find use in, for example, hemodialysis systems for analyzing the effectiveness of the hemodialysis treatment. In an aspect, to improve accuracy of the conductivity measurements, the detector utilizes four-wire resistance measurement methods. In another aspect, to avoid fouling or contamination of the electrodes, the detector utilizes capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) methods so that the electrodes are physically unconnected to the fluid contained in a fluid chamber. In a possible further aspect, the fluid chamber may be a disposable component removable from the electrodes. The conductivity detector can include other features such as calibration circuits and features for electrically isolating the fluid under detection from the fluid in the rest of the system.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.

Abstract: A conductivity detector detects the electrical conductivity of a fluid under analysis for determining chemical or physical properties of the fluid that are related its electrical properties. Such conductivity detectors may find use in, for example, hemodialysis systems for analyzing the effectiveness of the hemodialysis treatment. In an aspect, to improve accuracy of the conductivity measurements, the detector utilizes four-wire resistance measurement methods. In another aspect, to avoid fouling or contamination of the electrodes, the detector utilizes capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) methods so that the electrodes are physically unconnected to the fluid contained in a fluid chamber. In a possible further aspect, the fluid chamber may be a disposable component removable from the electrodes. The conductivity detector can include other features such as calibration circuits and features for electrically isolating the fluid under detection from the fluid in the rest of the system.

Abstract: Polymer coated aerogel comprising aerogel substrate comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating. In an embodiment, the polymer coated aerogel is comprised of a porosity and has a compressive modulus greater than the compressive modulus of the aerogel substrate.

Abstract: A method for increasing the compressive modulus of aerogels comprising: providing aerogel substrate comprising a bubble matrix in a chamber; providing monomer to the chamber, the monomer comprising vapor phase monomer which polymerizes substantially free of polymerization byproducts; depositing monomer from the vapor phase onto the surface of the aerogel substrate under deposition conditions effective to produce a vapor pressure sufficient to cause the vapor phase monomer to penetrate into the bubble matrix and deposit onto the surface of the aerogel substrate, producing a substantially uniform monomer film; and, polymerizing the substantially uniform monomer film under polymerization conditions effective to produce polymer coated aerogel comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating substantially free of polymerization byproducts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and/or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient's peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.

Abstract: Methods for producing oxygen from metal oxides bearing minerals, e.g. ilmenite, the process including producing a slurry of the minerals and hot sulfuric acid, the acid and minerals reacting to form sulfates of the metal, adding water to the slurry to dissolve the minerals into an aqueous solution, separating the first aqueous solution from unreacted minerals from the slurry, and electrolyzing the aqueous solution to produce the metal and oxygen; and in one aspect, a process for producing a slurry with ferrous sulfate therein by reacting ilmenite and hot sulfuric acid, adding water to the slurry to dissolve the ferrous sulfate into an aqueous solution, separating the aqueous solution from the slurry, and electrolyzing the aqueous solution to produce iron and oxygen. In one aspect, these process are suitable for producing oxygen in outer space, e.g. on the moon or Mars.

Abstract: A three step process for preparing 2-hydroxybenzenesulfonamide from 2,4-dichlorophenol by treatment with chlorosulfonic acid followed by amination to form the dichlorohydroxysulfonamide and finally dehalogenation.

Abstract: A modified sulfur cement formulation, comprising the polymeric reaction puct of sulfur with a cyclopentadiene oligomer-dicyclopentadiene containing modifier in which the cyclopentadiene oligomer content of said modifier is at least 37 wt. %, the sulfur cement product having a softening point ranging up to 116.degree. C.

Abstract: A modified sulfur cement formulation, comprising the polymeric reaction product of sulfur with a cyclopentadiene oligomer--dicyclopentadiene containing modifier in which the cyclopentadiene oligomer content of said modifier is at least 37 wt. %.

Abstract: A modified sulfur cement comprising the polymeric reaction product of elemental sulfur and a cyclopentadiene oligomer containing reactant.Cement compositions can be formulated by blending an aggregate material with the modified sulfur cement.

Abstract: Spent asphaltic concrete is recycled by crushing, heating and admixing with sulfur at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A pressurized roller-colloid mill in which the conventional rotor and stator of a colloid mill are preceded by one or more adjustable-thrust roller bearing assemblies disposed in a series relationship. A product to be refined in the form of a slurry is pumped into the feeding port of the mill to pass between the rollers and the inner and outer raceways of one or more roller bearing assemblies, then to the gap between conventional rotor and stator elements of a colloid mill. The multiple rollers and their cooperating raceways constitute working surface areas far in excess of conventional colloid mill rotors and stators. Gang mounting of the rotor of the mill and the inner raceways of the roller bearing assemblies upon a common axially movable shaft permits gap adjustment for the enhancement of milling action. A relief valve at the outlet of the mill cooperates with the adjustable gap to provide an output of product of any desired particle size down to the low micron range.

Abstract: A composite structural material is prepared by admixing (1) sulfur plasticized by reaction with dicyclopentadiene, or dicyclopentadiene and styrene, (2) asbestos fibers wetted with dipentene and (3) silica flour, maintaining the mixture at about 120 to 150.degree. C for about 0.5 to 5 minutes and casting the resulting product under a pressure of about 500 to 1500 psi. Additional strength is obtained by curing at elevated temperature prior to casting.