Abstract: An impact resistance spreading helmet is disclosed. The helmet includes a frontal section configured to interface with the forehead of an individual and extend upward over the cranium; a medial section for extending over a portion of the cranium rearward of the frontal section; an occipital section for extending rearward from the medial section and configured to cover a portion of the neck of the individual; a first compressible structure disposed between the frontal section and the medial section; and a second compressible structure disposed between the medial section and the occipital section. The interface between the frontal section and the first compressible structure is disposed at an angle vertical to a force direction perpendicular to the frontal section above the forehead of the individual.

Abstract: A method of controlling spread pattern of a particulate material broadcasted by a spinner spreader involves permitting particulate material to flow through a plurality of sluices situated in a particulate material path between a bin and a rotatable disc of a spinner spreader. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. The radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from at least one of sluices is delivered is adjusted by longitudinally translating the at least one independently moveable sluice independent of all other sluices of the plurality of sluices to change position of the at least one independently moveable sluice relative to the rotating disc thereby changing the spread pattern of the particulate material broadcasted by the rotatable disc.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for treating a subject are described herein. In some embodiments, an applicator for selectively affecting a subject's subcutaneous tissue is provided. The applicator can include: a housing; a treatment cup mounted in the housing, wherein the treatment cup defines a tissue-receiving cavity and includes a temperature-controlled surface; at least one thermal device coupled to the treatment cup and configured to receive energy via a flexible connector coupled to the applicator and to cool the temperature-controlled surface; an at least one vacuum port coupled to the treatment cup and configured to provide a vacuum to draw the subject's tissue into the tissue-receiving cavity and against at least a portion of a treatment area of the temperature-controlled surface to selectively damage and/or reduce the subject's subcutaneous tissue.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument heat exchanger components are provided that can include a conduit in thermal communication with at least one thermally discrete mass, the discrete mass being configured as a cold source to be coupled to a member to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Variable temperature analytical instrument components are also provided that can include: a first mass to be maintained at a first temperature; a first conduit in fluid communication with the first mass; and a second mass thermally connected to the first conduit, the second mass having a different temperature than the first mass. Methods for varying the temperature within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include thermally coupling at least a portion of an exhaust fluid conduit with a first mass and using the first mass as a cold source.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

Abstract: A product distribution system for sectional control in an air boom spreader has a solid product metering assembly having: a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor for conveying the product from the container to the air system, the first and second endless conveyors substantially parallel to each other, the first conveyor driven independently of the second conveyor; and, a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft, the first shaft parallel to, separated from and driven independently of the second shaft, the second shaft parallel to and separated from the third shaft, the first shaft driving the first conveyor, the second shaft driving the third shaft to drive the second conveyor.

Abstract: A product distribution system for sectional control in an air boom spreader has a solid product metering assembly having: a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor for conveying the product from the container to the air system, the first and second endless conveyors substantially parallel to each other, the first conveyor driven independently of the second conveyor; and, a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft, the first shaft parallel to, separated from and driven independently of the second shaft, the second shaft parallel to and separated from the third shaft, the first shaft driving the first conveyor, the second shaft driving the third shaft to drive the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particulate material has a bin for holding particulate material, a rotatable disc for broadcasting the particulate material to a ground surface, a conveyor for conveying the particulate material in a particulate material path from the hopper to the rotatable disc, and a plurality of sluices situated in the particulate material path between the bin and the rotatable disc. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. At least one of the sluices is independently moveable to adjust the radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from the at least one independently moveable sluice is delivered.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: An impact resistance spreading helmet is disclosed. The helmet includes a frontal section configured to interface with the forehead of an individual and extend upward over the cranium; a medial section for extending over a portion of the cranium rearward of the frontal section; an occipital section for extending rearward from the medial section and configured to cover a portion of the neck of the individual; a first compressible structure disposed between the frontal section and the medial section; and a second compressible structure disposed between the medial section and the occipital section. The interface between the frontal section and the first compressible structure is disposed at an angle vertical to a force direction perpendicular to the frontal section above the forehead of the individual.

Abstract: Instrumental analysis systems are provided that can include: an analytical attachment axially aligned with a sample upon a sample stage; structure supporting both the attachment and the sample stage; and at least one band affixed to the analytical attachment and aligned symmetrically about the axis of the attachment. Methods for analyzing samples are provided. The methods can include: providing at least one band supported by a structure; firmly affixing an analytical attachment to the band, and axially aligning the attachment with a sample; and providing a temperature gradient between the band and the sample while maintaining axial alignment of the objective and the sample.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: at least one heat or cold source configured to generate a temperature; and discrete instrument portions individually thermally coupled to the at least one source. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include providing a plurality of thermal coupling between a plurality of discrete heat or cold sources to a plurality of discrete portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: A self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

Abstract: Cryogenic analytical systems are provided that can include: a cryogenic fluid source; one or more analysis components; at least one cryogenic thermal conduit operably coupled between the cryogenic fluid source and the one or more analysis components; and a pressure control component operably engaged with the cryofluid source. Methods for performing cryogenic analysis are provided. The methods can include adjusting the pressure of cryofluid within a cryogenic fluid source to configure one or more analysis components with a cryogenic temperature. Methods for configuring a cryogenic analytical system to perform cryogenic analysis are also provided. The methods can include: increasing the pressure within a cryogenic fluid source to rapidly cool one or more analysis components to a first temperature; and decreasing the pressure within the cryogenic fluid source to reduce the first temperature of the one or more analysis components.

Abstract: A self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

Abstract: Cryogenic analysis systems are provided that can include: a cryogenic fluid source component; an analysis component; and a thermal connection assembly operably engaged with both the cryogenic fluid source component and the analysis component to provide disengagement or engagement of the cryogenic fluid source component to/from the analysis component while maintaining the cooling status of the cryogenic fluid source component. Methods for performing sample analysis under cryogenic conditions are provided, the methods comprising: providing an analysis component; providing a cryogenic fluid source component having cryogenic fluid in a cold state; operably engaging the analysis component and the cryogenic fluid source component; preparing a sample for analysis within the analysis component; and while maintaining the cryogenic fluid in the cold state, disengaging the cryogenic fluid source component from the analysis component.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particulate material has a bin for holding particulate material, a rotatable disc for broadcasting the particulate material to a ground surface, a conveyor for conveying the particulate material in a particulate material path from the hopper to the rotatable disc, and a plurality of sluices situated in the particulate material path between the bin and the rotatable disc. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. At least one of the sluices is independently moveable to adjust the radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from the at least one independently moveable sluice is delivered.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

Abstract: A thermal management battery packaging material includes a phase-change layer including a phase-change composition, wherein the phase-change composition comprises a combination of a phase-change material and a polymer; and a battery packaging layer disposed on a side of the phase-change layer.