Abstract: A modified in-line adsorber system capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard using a combination of burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings to increase the amount and rate of contact between the exhaust gas and the burn-off catalyst, and thereby reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst. For best effect, the open flow region of the adsorber is positioned along the exhaust stream between the engine and the burn-off catalyst as defined by the exhaust flow path of least resistance.

Abstract: An improved system for the control of combustion engine exhaust from a motor vehicle includes an adsorber for the adsorption of hydrocarbons concentrated in the exhaust stream at engine startup, the adsorber being of honeycomb shape which includes a peripheral channeled portion and a central channeled portion, the latter including an exhaust gas by-pass port parallel with the channels, with the through-channels in the central portion of the honeycomb having a relatively high resistance to exhaust gas flow compared to the channels traversing the peripheral portion. Systems with reduced secondary air requirements and providing more efficient burn-off of the adsorbed hydrocarbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified in-line adsorber system capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (REV) standard using a combination of burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings to increase the amount and rate of contact between the exhaust gas and the burn-off catalyst, and thereby reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst. For best effect, the open flow region of the adsorber is positioned along the exhaust stream between the engine and the burn-off catalyst as defined by the exhaust flow path of least resistance.

Abstract: Flow diverter methods and apparatus useful, for example, in adsorber systems capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard, are described, the adsorber systems incorporating a combination of a burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings, the flow diverter acting to control exhaust flow through the adsorber to both increase adsorption and reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in-line engine exhaust system. In general, the exhaust system is comprised of the following: (1) a honeycomb structure having an inlet and outlet end disposed in a housing and located in an exhaust gas stream downstream from an engine and possessing a first substantially unobstructed flow region, a second more obstructed flow region adjacent the first region; and, (2) a fluidics apparatus disposed in the exhaust stream proximate to the first region for creating a negative flow zone within the first region, which in turn results in diverting a portion of the exhaust gases away from the first region. More specifically, the fluidics apparatus includes a source diversion fluid, typically air, a conduit for delivering the diversion fluid and a diverter body for diverting the diversion fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for removing low molecular weight olefins from gases generated during the first five minutes of start-up of an internal combustion engine. The mixture is contacted with hydrophilic material to remove at least some of the water therefrom. The hydrophilic material can be molecular sieve having pores large enough for adsorption of water molecules and small enough to prevent molecules larger than water from being adsorbed, high surface area aluminas, precursors for high surface area aluminas, high surface area silicas, and combinations thereof. The mixture is then contacted with a downstream hydrocarbon-removing agent for removing the olefins. The hydrocarbon-removing agent can be at least one molecular sieve which can be pentasil zeolites, faujasite zeolites, mordenite, beta zeolites, carbon molecular sieve, metallophosphates, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for removing hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixture, which comprises selecting a plurality of agents which are effective for adsorbing hydrocarbons at predetermined temperatures, wherein for at least two of the adsorbing agents, the temperatures at which the maximum adsorption rates for the hydrocarbons occur, are different from one another, and contacting the adsorbing agents with the gaseous mixture at the predetermined temperatures to cause adsorption of the hydrocarbons. A multistage catalyst system for converting NO.sub.x, CO, and hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixture to innocuous products is disclosed, which comprises the above described system for removing hydrocarbons as one stage, and a main body catalyst stage for converting NO.sub.x, CO, and hydrocarbons to innocuous products, wherein the gaseous mixture passes from one stage to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel cells. More particularly, it relates to a fuel cell which produces electricity from the anaerobic oxidation of hydroxylic compounds, e.g. alcohols and sugars, in the presence of a quinone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogen peroxide production. More particularly, a novel process is disclosed that uses electromagnetic radiation a quinone autooxidation in a non-aqueous environment, i.e. ethylene glycol.

Abstract: An immunoassay for the measurement of free thyroid hormone, i.e., thyroxine or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, in a liquid sample in which the thyroid hormone is present in both free and combined states, which immunoassay comprises the steps of:A. combining the sample with a labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate which does not significantly interact with the thyroxine-binding globulin and thyroxine-binding prealbumin originally present in the sample and immobilized antibody which is specific for the thyroid hormone;B. incubating the resulting mixture;C. separating a solid phase from the liquid phase; andD. measuring the amount of labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate present in either phase by means of the activity of the label.

Abstract: The rheological properties of thixotropic, gel-like compositions employed in blood separation tubes are controlled by incorporating in the composition up to about five percent by weight, based on the amount of composition, of a disilazane.

Abstract: An improved radiometric assay of dialysates from equilibrium dialysis procedures which involves using immobilized antibody specific for a given hapten to separate free hapten (including radiolabeled hapten) from radiolabeled non-hapten breakdown products.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the use of fluorocarbon and silicone oil greases or gels to stimulate the growth of various microorganisms. More particularly, the instant invention contemplates the addition of a peroxide compound, preferably hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2), to fluorocarbon and silicone oil greases or gels to further stimulate the growth of anaerobes and facultative anaerobes in liquid or solid nutrient media.

Abstract: A deoxygenated, inert, oil-like fluid having an oxygen activity coefficient less than that of water may be used to provide anaerobic conditions for the transport and/or storage of anaerobic specimens.

Abstract: Method of determining the concentration of thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) in a fluid sample. The method comprises the steps of adding to the sample an excess amount of thyroxine (T.sub.4) and then analyzing the sample for T.sub.4 via immunoassay technique in the presence and absence of a blocking agent to establish a binding differential. The differential is then correlated with a standard curve which relates known TBG concentrations to binding differentials obtained in a similar manner.

Abstract: Method for determining the concentration of free (unbound) thyroid hormones (T.sub.3 or T.sub.4) in a fluid sample. The method comprises the steps of performing an immunoassay for total T.sub.3 or total T.sub.4 in the presence and absence of a blocking agent to establish a binding differential and then correlating that differential with a standard curve which relates known free thyroid hormone concentrations with binding differentials.

Abstract: The viscosity of a silica-silicone oil gel-like composition useful as a partitioning substance in blood collection tubes can be controlled by first preparing a mixture of a silicone oil and silica particles to form a mixture having a viscosity greater than about 200,000 centistokes, reacting the mixture in an evacuated environment at a temperature ranging from about 175.degree. to 550.degree.C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the viscosity below about 120,000 centistokes, and then adding a network former to the reaction mixture in a quantity sufficient to increase the viscosity to a range of about 200,000 to 600,000 centistokes, preferably to a range of about 350,000 to 450,000 centistokes.