Abstract: Disclosed are high and low impedance systems and methods for the generation and use of constant intensity electric fields for a variety of applications. Electric fields may be generated through gas, liquid, or solid phase materials for a variety of purposes on a subject material itself, or on materials, particles, or objects mixed, dissolved, suspended, or otherwise entrained in such materials, or on both. A number of systems and methods involve certain device geometries, parallel alignment of the electric field vector with the material under treatment, separation of the high impedance electrodes from the material under treatment, voltage or current sourcing linear and quasilinear voltage ramp input waveforms, and the employment of a high impedance dielectric coating on one side of conductive substrates of electrodes that function as barriers to electronic and ionic current.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating time variant and invariant electric fields (E-fields) for various applications. Generating the E-field utilizes high impedance dielectric materials having a collection of three imperative material properties: high permittivity (?), high volume resistivity (?) and high maximum allowable E-field stress (?) and physical geometries that take advantage of the manner in which E-fields are divided or distributed in series capacitance networks. The generated E-field can act upon a subject material, including a gas, liquid or solid, wherein the material is stationary or in motion. The method allows an E-field of given intensity to be set up in the subject material with a significantly lower applied voltage ?a, or conversely, a significantly higher E-field intensity with a given applied voltage ?a.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating time variant and invariant electric fields (E-fields) for various applications. Generating the E-field utilizes high impedance dielectric materials having a collection of three imperative material properties: high permittivity (?), high volume resistivity (?) and high maximum allowable E-field stress (?) and physical geometries that take advantage of the manner in which E-fields are divided or distributed in series capacitance networks. The generated E-field can act upon a subject material, including a gas, liquid or solid, wherein the material is stationary or in motion. The method allows an E-field of given intensity to be set up in the subject material with a significantly lower applied voltage ?a, or conversely, a significantly higher E-field intensity with a given applied voltage ?a.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating time variant and invariant electric fields (E-fields) for various applications. Generating the E-field utilizes high impedance dielectric materials having a collection of three imperative material properties: high permittivity (?), high volume resistivity (?) and high maximum allowable E-field stress (?) and physical geometries that take advantage of the manner in which E-fields are divided or distributed in series capacitance networks. The generated E-field can act upon a subject material, including a gas, liquid or solid, wherein the material is stationary or in motion. The method allows an E-field of given intensity to be set up in the subject material with a significantly lower applied voltage ?a, or conversely, a significantly higher E-field intensity with a given applied voltage ?a.

Abstract: A thermal cycle and mass flow circuit designed for the purpose of drying materials. Binary fluid ejector desiccation represents a new thermodynamic bi-cycle in the field of desiccation (drying). The binary fluid ejector desiccation comprises binary-fluid ejector gas-phase fluid compression and transport, a thermodynamic cycle where phase change energy from the evaporation process is captured, re-circulated and reused as an energy source for the evaporation process itself, and for one method of use, a mass flow circuit that exploits the fluid constituents from the desiccating material as the refrigerant component of the binary working fluid. Methods of use are taught where direct or indirect heat transfer occurs between the working fluid(s) and the material being desiccated.

Abstract: A binary-fluid oscillating-jet pressure exchange ejector and binary-fluid ejector refrigeration cycle as a method of use are disclosed. The ejector includes a high aspect ratio jet nozzle geometry, spatial domain jet modulation, serpentine jet stream morphology and distinct fluid pathway geometry capable of equilibrating or otherwise processing dissimilar fluids. As a method of use, the binary fluid ejector provides a means to substantially optimize the binary fluid set selected or otherwise formulated for employment in a binary-fluid ejector refrigeration cycle exclusively to favor refrigeration thermal performance (COP), without compromising the performance of the ejector itself.

Abstract: A three-dimensional real-time differential gradiometric magnetometer (DGM) array, system and method of use. The DGM exploits differential and gradiometric parametrics of an induced magnetic field anomaly surrounding an object interacting with an applied magnetic field. The DGM integrates differential magnetic field measurement with gradiometric magnetic field measurement into a single system. The DGM detects, locates and maps objects, while simultaneously measuring the distance between the DGM detection array and the object, axial orientation, apparent magnetic mass and magnetic moment. The DGM employs a signal processing technique to nullify source noise from the earth's magnetic field, external radio frequency transmissions and electromagnetic noise. A linear geometric architecture comprising a plurality of magnetometers forming the array enables the DGM to collect information directly in the spatial domain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating time variant and invariant electric fields (E-fields) for various applications. Generating the E-field utilizes high impedance dielectric materials having a collection of three imperative material properties: high permittivity (?), high volume resistivity (?) and high maximum allowable E-field stress (?) and physical geometries that take advantage of the manner in which E-fields are divided or distributed in series capacitance networks. The generated E-field can act upon a subject material, including a gas, liquid or solid, wherein the material is stationary or in motion. The method allows an E-field of given intensity to be set up in the subject material with a significantly lower applied voltage (?a, or conversely, a significantly higher E-field intensity with a given applied voltage (?a.

Abstract: A device to aid elderly or disabled persons to gain a standing position from a seated one is provided that is made up of a platform and a handle that can be easily transported and placed in front of a chair or other seating device to help a person in rising from a chair or lowering oneself into a chair. The handle is made of a U-shaped tube that is pivotally attached at one end to the rear of the platform. The pivotal attachment allows the front end of the handle to be lifted to a position that can be easily reached by a seated person when the invention is placed in front of the chair. The pivoting attachment also allows the handle to be folded down to a flat position in relation to the platform which makes it easy to move and store the invention.

Abstract: A water purifying system having a condenser made of two superposed sheets of hydrophobic plastic film bonded together to form a tortuous steam path through the condenser. As steam enters the condenser it is cooled by the ambient air, condensed into water and then removed from the condenser.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having a first, generally, horizontal, endless belt conveyor and a second, generally horizontal, endless belt conveyor extending perpendicular to the first conveyor and with its trailing end overlapped with the leading end of the first conveyor to carry articles away from the first conveyor. Each conveyor has several laterally spaced belts. Where the conveyors overlap their belts are interleaved to transfer articles properly from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The second conveyor has a top piece just below the upper course of travel for its belt with an opening having round-tipped, tapered teeth at the front to prevent the strings or the like on a laundry article being conveyed from getting tangled in the drive roller at the leading end of this conveyor.