Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of Cytomegalovirus and measuring antigenicity through detection and quantification of a pentameric complex by an indirect sandwich ELISA assay which ensures an appropriate concentration of this critical glycoprotein complex is present in the vaccine.

Abstract: A point absorber wave energy converter is described. The converter uses a surface piercing float operably coupled to a water column tube extending downwardly from the surface piercing float, the tube being open at its bottom and being configured to accommodate a column of sea water therein. Air is trapped above that column within a plenum, the plenum being configured such that operably relative movement between the point absorber and the internal water column expands and compresses the trapped volume of air. That movement can be used to pump air through an open or a closed circuit power take off system. The open circuit power take-off system as described is suitable for other oscillating water column wave energy converters including both floating offshore and fixed shoreline installations.

Abstract: A shield apparatus for protecting a person from exposure to a waste material. The shield apparatus includes a body portion and a lip portion. The body portion has a front side and a back side, and is defined by a curved top edge opposite a straight bottom edge, and a straight left edge and a straight right edge joining the curved top edge and the straight bottom edge. The lip portion has a top side and a back side and is defined by a straight front edge opposite a straight back edge, and a straight left edge and a straight right edge joining the straight front edge and the straight back edge. The shield apparatus also includes a handle attached to the front side of the body portion.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (100) is provided which comprises a heaving buoy point absorber (122) having a surface piercing float (120) operably coupled to an adjustable reference mass (125) defining a volume for accommodating sea water therein. The surface piercing float and the adjustable reference mass are configured to move together in response to passing waves. A chamber (105) provided within the surface piercing float is in fluid communication with the sea for trapping a volume of air above an enclosed column of water. The height of the enclosed column of water varies as the point absorber reacts against its surface via an adjustable air-spring. A power take off (140) is configured for being driven by a stream of vented air in communication with the chamber as the heaving buoy point absorber reacts against a trapped volume of air. A control mechanism is configured for tuning one or more operating characteristics of the heaving buoy point absorber.

Abstract: A shield apparatus for protecting a person from exposure to a waste material. The shield apparatus includes a body portion and a lip portion. The body portion has a front side and a back side, and is defined by a curved top edge opposite a straight bottom edge, and a straight left edge and a straight right edge joining the curved top edge and the straight bottom edge. The lip portion has a top side and a back side and is defined by a straight front edge opposite a straight back edge, and a straight left edge and a straight right edge joining the straight front edge and the straight back edge. The shield apparatus also includes a handle attached to the front side of the body portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for exposing particles in a gas in order to cause the charge on the particles to change, the apparatus comprising a chamber having a conductive wall with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. An electrode with an exposed tip is in the chamber, the electrode being held at a different potential from the ground potential. The electrode is connected to a source of voltage sufficient to cause a corona discharge to occur forming ions in the chamber, and creating a region with a high electric field intensity and another region in which the electric field intensity is lower. The inlet and outlet define a gas flow path from the inlet to the outlet such that the gas flow path passes mainly through the region with the lower electric field intensity.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (100) is provided which comprises a heaving buoy point absorber (122) having a surface piercing float (120) operably coupled to an adjustable reference mass (125) defining a volume for accommodating sea water therein. The surface piercing float and the adjustable reference mass are configured to move together in response to passing waves. A chamber (105) provided within the surface piercing float is in fluid communication with the sea for trapping a volume of air above an enclosed column of water. The height of the enclosed column of water varies as the point absorber reacts against its surface via an adjustable air-spring. A power take off (140) is configured for being driven by a stream of vented air in communication with the chamber as the heaving buoy point absorber reacts against a trapped volume of air. A control mechanism is configured for tuning one or more operating characteristics of the heaving buoy point absorber.

Abstract: A method for establishing a calibrating standard for wafer inspection includes depositing solid ionized particles of a known size range with an aerosol onto a wafer. The method also includes depositing particles onto a wafer in a deposition chamber by using an aerosol stream and the solid particles suspended in a gas; ionizing the aerosol stream with a negative or positive charge polarity or both by passing the aerosol stream through a non-radioactive ionizer to produce charged particles and supplying such aerosol stream to the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system is described. The system comprises a wave energy absorber for absorbing wave energy. At least one switched reluctance machine is driven by the wave energy absorber for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. The switched reluctance machine has a generating mode and a motoring mode. A sensing means is provided for sensing an operating parameter generated by the wave energy absorber. A control means is co-operable with the sensing means for controlling the mode of the switched reluctance machine in response to the sensed operating parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for exposing particles in a gas in order to cause the charge on the particles to change, the apparatus comprising a chamber with an inlet for the gas to enter and an outlet for the gas to exit. The chamber is surrounded by an enclosure with a conductive wall, the wall being held at a ground potential. An electrode with an exposed tip is in contact with the gas in the chamber, the electrode being held at a different potential from the ground potential. The electrode is connected to a source of voltage sufficient to cause a corona discharge to occur forming ions in the chamber, and creating a region of space with a high electric field intensity and another region of space in which the electric field intensity is lower. The inlet and outlet define a gas flow path from the inlet to the outlet such that the gas flow path passes mainly through the region with the lower electric field intensity.

Abstract: A method for establishing a calibrating standard for wafer inspection includes depositing solid ionized particles of a known size range with an aerosol onto a wafer. The method also includes depositing particles onto a wafer in a deposition chamber by using an aerosol stream and the solid particles suspended in a gas; ionizing the aerosol stream with a negative or positive charge polarity or both by passing the aerosol stream through a non-radioactive ionizer to produce charged particles and supplying such aerosol stream to the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A point absorber wave energy apparatus is provided. The point absorber wave energy apparatus includes first and second devices. The first device being a surface float. The second device a submerged body. Linkages are provided between the first and second devices so that energy resulting from relative motion between the two devices is extracted. The apparatus may be tuned to the prevailing sea conditions.