Abstract: A motor (10) for a vehicle includes a stator assembly (14) and a rotor assembly (16). Bearing structure (20, 22) support the rotor assembly to permit rotation of the rotor assembly with respect to the stator assembly. A shaft (30) is threadedly engaged with the rotor assembly and is constructed and arranged such that rotation of the rotor assembly causes linear movement of the shaft. A perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based lubricant (38), having an thermal functionality upper temperature limit of over +200° C., lubricates at least the bearing structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning appliance with a motor-pump unit, comprising a pump head on which is positioned a piston subassembly, which carries a drive motor with the interposition of a planetary gearing, and has a plurality of pistons which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the motor-pump unit and each penetrate into a pumping chamber of the pump head, and also comprising a swash-plate unit which interacts with the pistons, the planetary gearing having a sun gear which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the motor shaft of the drive motor and is coupled to a ring gear via planet gears rotatably mounted on a planet gear carrier, the planet gear carrier being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the swash-plate unit.

Abstract: A packaged item of merchandise, the packaged item includes a cylindrical container of a standard size and configuration for accommodation in an existing multi-compartment beverage vending machine used for dispensing various types of canned liquid beverages. The cylindrical container is filled with non-beverage consumer items, instead of a liquid beverage, to permit merchandising the non-beverage consumer items in an existing multi-compartment beverage vending machine. The cylindrical container is made of a material of sufficient rigidity and stiffness to maintain its cylindrical configuration such as to enable the multi-compartment beverage vending machine to handle it in the same manner it handles canned liquid beverage containers.

Abstract: This invention is a system with carrier for transferring cargo containers between exposed-center-sill container cars and trucks, and docks and conveyors having recesses or wines to receive the carrier for lifting the container from underneath. The carrier has top and bottom frames with top and bottom arms respectively extending over and under the center sill of the car. The lower frame is supported on wheels which on the lower arms are in ring casters to fit under the car sill. Two wheels are mounted to rotate separately on a shaft, one each side of center across the ring of the caster. Only one wheel of each caster being powered for steering. The top arms extend over the center car sill and over the bottom arms of the carrier and fit between platforms on the railway car which supports the ends of the container to align. Air-lift bags on the top arms lift the containers off or set them in place on the car.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for mounting a rope 3 on a rope pulley (2) by winding the rope (3) at least partially around the rope pulley (2). According to the invention, the end of the rope (3) to be mounted is pressed into a rope groove of the rope pulley (2) by means of a special rope holder (4) attached to the rope pulley (2), and the rope (3) is guided over the rope pulley (2) by setting the rope pulley (2) into rotating motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a braking unit of a rope transport installation. The command signals of a first braking means are modulated, until the installation is stopped, by means of a first modulation circuit integrated in the control unit to automatically regulate the running speed of the rope according to a first predetermined deceleration setpoint curve activated by said braking order. The command signals of a second braking means are simultaneously modulated by means of a second modulation circuit integrated in the control unit to automatically regulate the running speed of the rope according to a second predetermined deceleration setpoint curve activated by said braking order, the instantaneous value of the second setpoint curve being at all times greater than the value of the first setpoint curve. The invention also relates to a braking unit of a rope transport installation enabling the method to be applied.

Abstract: A non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus includes an actuator-reception well which includes a minimum internal dimension which is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension of an actuator. The actuator-reception well includes a pair of opposed light transmissive regions. A light emitter is located adjacent to a first of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well. The light emitter projects a light beam. A light receiver/light sensitive switch is located adjacent to a second of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well. The light receiver/light sensitive switch is responsive to the light beam emitted by the light emitter that is broken by the actuator. Since the minimum internal dimension of the actuator-reception well is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension of an actuator, when the actuator is inserted into the actuator-reception well, the actuator does not physically contact the inside of the actuator-reception well.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Elevator car 93) guiding device for an elevator without a machine room and with a drive motor (5) mounted on a top side wall of the shaft, wherein the elevator car (3) is guided by means of opposed top and bottom guide elements (9) integral therewith and sliding or rolling on car guide rails (11), characterized in that at least the top car guide element (9) standing in the vertical projection of the drive motor (5) or of the bracket thereof is attached to the car (3) at a lower height than the opposite guide element (9), so as to enable the translation of the car (3) in the shaft (7) at a higher height where the upper part (29) of the car can stand opposite the drive motor (5) or the bracket thereof.

Abstract: An optimized disc brake includes two fixed mountings and one free mounting, and an assembly space optimized brake carrier and corresponding brake lining for a reaction side of the disc brake are provided.

Abstract: A caliper for a fixed twin rotor disc brake includes a relatively fixed body, two yokes movable axially with respect to the body, formations defined on the yokes for receiving four brake pads for respective application to rotor sides, and an actuator adapted to urge the yokes relatively axially. One of the yokes is operable to urge two of the four brake pads in a first axial direction, the other of the yokes is operable to urge the other two of the four brake pads in a second, opposite axial direction. The four brake pads are positioned on a first side of the actuator in the first axial direction.

Abstract: An electromechanically or pneumatically operable disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle, includes a brake caliper, which straddles a brake disc, a brake application device arranged in the brake caliper, and at least one electromechanically drivable adjusting device for adjusting a clearance between the brake pads and the brake disc. In order to operate the adjusting device, an electric motor is actively connected to the assigned brake pistons. The disc brake is designed such that the brake pistons are connected to the respective brake pad via spring elements that can be displaced in a direction of displacement.

Abstract: A brake unit of a rotating drive apparatus includes a piston arranged around a vertically extending rotation shaft body in a non-contact state actionably in the vertical direction, a fixed plate arranged below the piston, and a frictional plate arranged between the piston and the fixed plate rotatably together with the rotation shaft body as well as slidably along the rotation shaft body. The brake unit generates a brake torque by downwardly actuating the piston so as to press the friction plate onto the fixed plate with the piston and the brake unit cancels the braking by upwardly actuating the piston. The brake unit also includes coil springs raising the frictional plate during canceling the braking, to a position between the piston and the faxed plate in a non-contact state with either of them.

Abstract: An electrically operated brake device in which braking force differences between electrically operated brakes are reduced to prevent unstable vehicle traveling during braking. Motors 13 of electrically operated brakes are returned to standard positions during the stop of a vehicle and the motor 13 of each of the brakes is driven for a predetermined amount, pressing a brake pad 17 against a disc rotor 18 to produce a braking force. An electric current value of each motor 13 in the above operation is measured and differences between the values are calculated. Electric current of each motor is increased or decreased so that there is no current difference between the motors 13. Based on a drive amount of each motor in this operation, standard positions of the motors are determined and updated. Repeating the above operations reduces braking force differences between the brakes.

Abstract: A floating-caliper disc brake of a motor vehicle has a component fixed to the vehicle, in particular a brake support member, and a floating caliper (2) that is displaceably mounted on the component fixed to the vehicle by way of at least two pin guides (10, 20). A first pin guide (10) includes a carrier pin (11), among others, for the transmission of brake circumferential forces. A second pin guide pin (20) includes a guide pin (21, 21?, 41) for positioning the floating caliper (2) perpendicular to its direction of displacement. To improve the floating-caliper guide, among others when high brake circumferential forces prevail, it the second pin guide (20) constitutes a multipart guide pin (21, 21?, 41), with a pin (22, 22?, 42), an elastic sleeve (23, 45, 50, 55) encompassing the pin (22, 22?, 42), and with a sliding bushing (28, 28?, 38) encompassing the elastic sleeve (23, 45, 50, 55).

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing pollutants from braking mechanisms are provided. The systems can include a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing. A method can include providing the a providing a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing, creating a first air flow using the forward motion of the vehicle to move the pollutants from said housing to said collector, and capturing the brake dust in said collector.

Abstract: Presented is a vibration damper that includes an outer cylinder that includes a lateral surface, a pin-shaped fastening element that includes a stop surface, and a mounting coupled to the lateral surface. The mounting defines a through-hole that is configured to receive the pin-shaped fastening means and extends circumferentially with respect to the lateral surface. The mounting includes a formation that extends in a radial direction with respect to the cylinder. The formation cooperates with the outer cylinder to form a socket for the stop surface. The stop surface rests against the mounting in an axial direction of the pin-shaped fastening element.

Abstract: In a torque converter, by devising a structure of a stator support mechanism, an axial dimension of a radially inner portion of the torque converter and surroundings thereof is reduced. The torque converter (1) includes a front cover (2), an impeller (3), a turbine (4), a stator (5) that regulates fluid flow from the turbine (4) to the impeller (3), and a stator support mechanism (6) that supports the stator (5) to be rotatable only in one direction relative to a fixed shaft. The stator support mechanism (6) includes an annular retainer (61) arranged on an engine side of a stator hub (52), an annular outer race (64) arranged at a radially inner portion of the stator hub (52), an annular first thrust bearing (66) arranged on a transmission side of the stator hub (52), and an annular second thrust bearing (67) arranged on the engine side of the stator hub (52) and at a radially outer portion of the outer race (64).

Abstract: An automatic clutch mechanism that allows the feel of gear shifting to be readily transmitted to a rider through a pedal. The automatic clutch mechanism shifts gears while disengaging a clutch in conjunction with one pedal operation. A transmission effects a gear shift in conjunction with a pedal operation. The clutch includes an elastic member, and an engaging portion for bringing the transmission and an engine into engagement with each other by the elastic reaction force of the elastic member. The elastic member has a gradient-decreasing range in which the gradient of a change in elastic load with respect to deformation of the elastic member decreases as the deformation increases. The gradient-decreasing range is included in the use range of the elastic member determined by operation of the clutch.

Abstract: A first clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. A generator has a generator shaft associated with the first clutch assembly. A second clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. A transmission has a transmission shaft directly or indirectly associated with the second clutch assembly. A third clutch assembly has an active state for transmitting rotational energy and an inactive state for not transmitting rotational energy. An engine has an engine shaft associated with the third clutch assembly. A controller establishes an operational mode of the vehicle by controlling the states of the first clutch assembly, the second clutch assembly, and the third clutch assembly.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: A retaining device or snap-ring for retaining a mating hub and drum within a transmission is provided. The device is insertable into a groove along the inner circumference of a circular flange and includes a main outer loop, an opening for dividing the snap-ring into two deflectable curvilinear portions and at least partially defined by a tabular extension projecting from each curvilinear member. The tabular extensions provide sufficient surface area for applying deflective or compressive force to the snap-ring and are contoured to facilitate use of a deflection tool. The snap-ring further comprises an externally-projecting secondary loop for reducing deflection force, or an internally-projecting secondary loop for increasing deflection force. The snap-ring may be used within a double-flange hub having a plurality of slots for facilitating insertion of the secondary loop and the tabular extensions within the flange groove.

Abstract: A travelator conveyor is arranged such that an upper surface of a comb plate is at substantially the same level as a conveying surface. The conveyor includes a plurality of belt drums arranged parallel to one another transversely to a transport direction of the conveyor and a plurality of mutually parallel endless belt loops passing over the plurality of belt drums to define a moving conveying surface. The conveyor comb plate has a plurality of parallel spaced teeth between which some of the plurality of belt loops are arranged to pass. An upper surface of a first belt drum arranged at the end of the conveyor is at a lower level than an upper surface of a second belt drum such that upper portions of the belt loops passing between the comb plate teeth extend at an inclined angle with respect to the conveying surface.

Abstract: Method for compensating the length of a movable handrail (10) in a passenger conveyor (2) having a passenger transportation belt (4) defining at least one passenger transportation surface (8), the handrail (10) is traveling along a closed handrail path which extends through an exposed path (12) along the passenger transportation belt (4), around a turnaround means (14), through a return path (16) and around a further turnaround means (18), and which hand rail path defines a handrail plane which is substantially perpendicular to the passenger transportation surface, the method comprising the following steps: (i) turning the handrail (10) out of the handrail plane; (ii) directing the handrail (10) through a compensation means (38); and (iii) turning the handrail (10) back into the handrail plane.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus formed so as to selectively move a to-be-conveyed object support table (3) installed on a conveying traveler body (1) to a lifted position by pushing up the support table by cam rails (40) laid down in the specific section of a conveying route, wherein the holding function of the to-be-conveyed object support table (3) at the lifted position is increased to enhance safety. A to-be-latched portion (33) reciprocatingly moving in a roughly horizontal direction according to a standing/falling motion of the crosslink mechanisms (12) and latches (34) for locking automatically engaged with the to-be-latched portion (33) when the to-be-conveyed object support table (3) is lifted to a predetermined position are installed on the conveying traveler body (1) sides of the crosslink mechanisms (12) liftably supporting the to-be-conveyed object support table (3).

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and feeding blow molded preforms which are elongated generally cylindrical plastic objects, one end of which is a threaded neck portion for the ultimate blow molded container, and the other end of which extends from the opposed end of the cylindrical object as a narrower and heavier tubular portion which during the blow molding operation will be softened and enlarged into the ultimate container, the preform further including an encircling handling disc between the said threaded neck portion and tubular portion which has a larger diameter than the remaining portions of the preform, the disc serving to facilitate handling of the preforms. First and second conveying belts are provided having input and output ends for cooperatively conveying such objects toward a downstream processing line. The belts are mounted so that their respective conveying surfaces are movable in a common parallel direction.

Abstract: A non-contact conveying device (10) using superconducting magnetic levitation capable of stably conveying an object (11), including: a conveying table (12) having a bottom with permanent magnets (16-19) to convey the object (11); a conveying guide unit (13) having superconductors (20) immediately below the respective magnets (16-19); distance sensors (21) on the conveying guide unit (13) for detecting a distance between the conveying table (12) and the conveying guide unit (13); damping coils (25) in the conveying guide unit (13) for generating a magnetic field upon energization thereof to damp vibration of the conveying table (12); and a control device (27) for detecting vibration of the conveying table (12) by signals from the distance sensors (21) and for controlling current applied to the damping coils (25). If disturbance occurs on the object (11) conveyed contactlessly by the superconducting magnetic levitation, the vibration is stopped within a short period of time.

Abstract: An operator control device for an electric heating apparatus comprises a control element, which rotatably and removably rests on a mounting surface and is held by a magnetic retaining force. The control element has a bottom side facing the mounting surface while the mounting surface has a planar top side facing the control element. The bottom side is embodied in a flat manner in a first sub-area to keep the control element in a stable basic position, an effect that is supported by the magnetic retaining force. Said first sub-area is surrounded by an adjacent second sub-area that encompasses a receding curvature such that the control element can be tilted from the basic position while the contact to the mounting surface is maintained. Detection sensors are provided for detecting the position of the control element in the basic position or another position in order to trigger a control function.

Abstract: A steering column switch, especially for a motor vehicle, contains a switch lever, which is activated transversely and which has a magnetic signal transmitter, to which several stationary magnetic-field sensors coupled to an evaluation unit are allocated for determining the switch positions of the switch lever. The switch lever supports a rotary switch and the signal transmitter and also the magnetic-field sensors are used for determining the switch positions of the rotary switch.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a transistor and a method of manufacturing the transistor that includes carbon nano-tubes. The physical behavior of the carbon nano-tubes, particularly a bending action that alters a normally linear configuration, is affected by elements of the transistor, such as a space between the carbon nano-tube and a conductor. The space is formed by removing a spacer. A dimension of the spacer between the carbon nano-tube and the conductor is efficiently controlled by adjusting its width. An operation voltage of the transistor relates to the physical behavior of the carbon nano-tubes, and thus to the dimensions of the spacer.

Abstract: Advantage is taken of the fact that each switching state change (i.e., each throw) of a double throw switch requires a pair of controlled input signals to be applied to the switching element that controls that throw. By sharing input leads among several switches and by arranging the leads with respect to each switch throw element such that for any pair of leads only one switch throw element will activate, it is possible to reduce the total number of leads for the combined switch package. In one embodiment, all of the switches in a switching device are packaged as a single device.

Abstract: It is to provide an EL sheet and a member for lighting a push-button switch capable of emitting light stably and sufficiently for a long period of time without trouble such as non-light emission phenomena and generation of black dot, even if the EL element is subjected to, for example, a drawing process to form into a three dimensional shape. A laminated EL sheet is formed that comprises a counter electrode layer 15, dielectric layer 14, light-emitting layer 13, transparent electrode layer 11. An adhesive layer 12 made of adhesive having excellent adhesiveness to the electroconductive polymer is disposed between the transparent electrode layer 11 made of an electroconductive polymer and the light-emitting layer 13. As for the adhesives having excellent adhesiveness, polyester, acrylic, cyanoacrylate, polyolefin, ethylene-vinyl acetate or ethylene ethyl acrylate type adhesive is used. The dielectric layer is made of fluoro type, polyester type or acrylic type resin binder.

Abstract: A combination sliding push button switch is disclosed. The combination switch comprises a sliding button switch (101) coupled to a housing (102). The sliding switch button includes a finger (202) that slideably couples the sliding switch button to the housing and the finger has an actuator portion that selectively engages a second switch 108 as a function of a sliding action of the sliding switch button relative to the housing. The sliding switch button moves with a push-button motion in direction perpendicular to the sliding action in order to engage a popple dome switch 106 when the sliding switch button is positioned in a first sliding position 300 relative to the housing.

Abstract: A key button comprising an inscription surface, a base part and a cap part which can be releasably placed onto the base part, characterized in that the inscription surface is divided into a first partial surface for an interchangeable inscription and a second partial surface for a permanent inscription, wherein a surface of the cap part covers the first partial surface when the cap part is placed onto the base part.

Abstract: An electric control switch with a push-button comprises an electric contact having a first and a second electric state and an operating push-button having a first operating means designed to move due to the action of the external operating force. The operating push-button comprises a second operating means moving due to the action of an internal operating force to move the electric contact or contacts from the first electric state to the second electric state. The control switch comprises disconnection means between the first operating means and the electric contact or contacts. Said means comprise means for moving the electric contact or contacts from the first electric state to the second electric state and vice-versa at a speed the maximum value whereof is predetermined.

Abstract: A small and thin lateral pushing type push switch of the one- or two-step operation type in which excellent operation properties of a dome-like metal plate serving as a movable contact can be obtained is provided. The push switch has a presser having: an inclined portion 9a which converts an operating force in the moving direction of a push button, to a force in the operation direction of a dome-like metal plate; a flexible hinge portion which allows the inclined portion to be moved in the operation direction of the dome-like metal plate; and a pressing portion which presses down the dome-like metal plate. The dome-like metal plate is disposed in two stages in the operation direction of the metal plate.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed having a switch housing defining a housing interior and an access opening that extends through a wall of the housing to the housing exterior. An actuator assembly including a shaft constrained by said housing moves along a path from a normal position to an actuated position as well as a momentary position. The shaft has an actuating portion which extends outwardly from the housing interior through the access opening. A shaft body inside the housing including a generally planar contact support hat supports a number of switch contacts. A housing base positions a number of terminals having conductive surfaces for biased engagement with selected switch contacts to form an electrical path between terminals when the actuator assembly is in one of either the normal, actuated or momentary positions.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a cover with a housing therein, a base coupled to the cover so as to form a receiving space, a circuit board received in the receiving space, and a slide button mounted to the cover. A bottom of the housing defines a first cutout and a second cutout therein. The circuit board includes a switch mounted thereon. The slide button includes an operating portion, an activating portion, and a positioning portion. The operating portion is slideably received in the housing for being operated to slide the operating portion in the housing. The activating portion extends from the operating portion through the first cutout. The positioning portion connects to the activating portion, and is spaced apart from the operating portion. The positioning portion is insertable through the second cutout and is blockable by the bottom from disengaging from the second cutout.

Abstract: Disclosed relates to an apparatus for producing tire oil from waste tires, which does not incinerate the waste tires but produce tire oil from the waste tires. The apparatus of the invention pyrolyzes waste tires at comparatively low temperature by supplying oxygen of small quantity. Accordingly, the apparatus for producing tire oil from waste tires does not contaminate environment but utilizes the waste tires efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation installation comprising a system of columns (1, 3) and means for conveying a flow (7, 9) that is to be separated into one column (1) in said system. According to the invention, at least one segment (A, D) of one column contains structured packings comprising packs having a non-modified interface if, in the operating segment, the rate ratio is below a rate ratio threshold, said rate ratio being the ratio between the real reflux rate and the minimum reflux rate of the segment, and/or the charge ratio is above a charge ratio threshold, said charge ratio being the ratio between a falling flow of liquid and the section of the segment. Moreover, at least one segment (C, G) of a column, which is designed to operate with a rate ratio above the rate ratio threshold and/or with a charge ratio below the charge ratio threshold, contains structured packings comprising packs having at least one modified interface.

Abstract: Silver nanoprisms having a unimodal size distribution are disclosed. The size of the nanoprisms can be controlled by adjusting the pH during irradiation of silver nanocrystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for detoxifying a composition containing heavy metal having a simple and downsized structure with improved reaction efficiency and reduced energy cost and a method of detoxification.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including: (a) a semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor is silicon or silicon carbide, and where the layer has a thickness from 1 to 1000 ?m; (b) a TiO2 layer on the semiconductor layer, where the layer may include an alkaline earth oxide MO up to an amount where the layer is MtiO3, and where the layer has a thickness from 5 nm to 1 mm; (c) a grid of inert metal on the TiO2 layer, arranged so as to be able to apply a electric field across the TiO2 layer; and (d) an ohmic contact on the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plurality of radio-frequency power supplies for supplying radio-frequency powers having frequencies different from each other, a common feeding line for superposing radio-frequency powers supplied respectively from the plurality of radio-frequency power supplies and feeding the superposed radio-frequency power to a same radio-frequency electrode, a radio-frequency power extracting device for extracting radio-frequency powers having predetermined frequencies from radio-frequency powers fed via the feeding line, and a radio-frequency voltage detector for measuring voltages of the radio-frequency powers having the predetermined frequencies extracted by the radio-frequency power extracting device.

Abstract: A new method of surface engineering of materials employs ion sputtering from a limited area, or sputter zone, of the surface of said materials, and the deposition of the sputtered matter upon a separate or other limited area, or deposition zone, of the surface of the same or simultaneously surface engineered second material, while the sputter and deposition zones are moving synchronously and simultaneously relative to the surface subjected to surface engineering. When the surfaces of two materials are simultaneously engineered, the flux of particles ejected from the sputter zone of the first material are directed to and deposited upon the surface of the deposition zone of the second material, and vice versa; hence, two different materials each possessing both sputter and deposition zones are subjected to surface engineering at the same time resulting in an exchange of surface layers. The new method is named Trans-Zone Sputtering.

Abstract: A magnetron assembly including one or more magnetrons each forming a closed plasma loop on the sputtering face of the target. The target may include multiple strip targets on which respective strip magnetrons roll and are partially supported on a common support plate through a spring mechanism. The strip magnetron may be a two-level folded magnetron in which each magnetron forms a folded plasma loop extending between lateral sides of the strip target and its ends meet in the middle of the target. The magnets forming the magnetron may be arranged in a pattern having generally uniform straight portions joined by curved portion in which extra magnet positions are available near the corners to steer the plasma track. Multiple magnetrons, possibly flexible, may be resiliently supported on a scanned support plate and individually partially supported by rollers on the back of one or more targets.

Abstract: An electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen-containing molecule, such as H2O, CO2, or a combination thereof, to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule, such as H2, CO, or a combination thereof. An electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode. The anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith. In one embodiment, the anode may be fabricated to include an electron-conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto. This perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially (Pr(1-x)Lax)(z-y)A?yBO(3-?), wherein 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.5, and 0.8?z?1.1. In another embodiment, the cathode includes an electron-conducting phase that contains nickel oxide intermixed with magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A hydrogel for an intravenous amperometric biosensor is formed on an electrode from a matrix of chitosan and a cross-linking agent, such as genipin to immobilize a reactive agent such as glucose oxidase. The matrix may also function as a rate-limiting layer to selectively control diffusion to the reactive agent. A method for forming the hydrogel on an electrode for immobilizing a reactive agent may include dissolving chitosan in an acidic solution, adding the reactive agent, applying solution to the electrode surface, curing the solution to a solid film, and immersing the same in a genipin buffer.

Abstract: Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped wish such membranes are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a gel for use in electrophoresis, which method comprises: (a) providing a mixture comprising a solvent, agarose or a derivative thereof, one or more vinyl monomers, and a polymerisation initiator, the initiator forming a redox system with agarose or the derivative thereof; (b) exposing the mixture to polymerisation conditions to graft-polymerise the one or more monomers onto the agarose or derivative thereof; and (c) allowing the mixture to form a gel.