Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration cycle wherein a compressor, a condenser, a depressurizing/expanding means and an evaporator are provided. The refrigeration cycle uses R1234 as a refrigerant, and has an oil separating means, which forcibly separates the refrigerant and oil one from the other, in a two-phase separation region wherein the refrigerant and the oil exist in a separated state without being dissolved with each other. The refrigerant and the oil can be forcibly separated suitably at a suitable position even when the refrigerant is changed to the new refrigerant R1234yf, and the refrigeration cycle can be operated at a high efficiency as a whole.

Abstract: To obtain a heat transfer tube for a heat exchanger or the like which can obtain predetermined heat transfer performance without increasing in-tube pressure loss. High ridges 22A having 10 to 20 rows with a predetermined height and low ridges 22B with a height lower than the high ridges 22A having 2 to 6 rows between the high ridges 22A and the high ridges 22A are provided on an inner face helically with respect to a tube axial direction.

Abstract: An air conditioning system of a vehicle includes a compressor and an evaporator, and an accumulator includes a canister having a chamber for receiving a refrigerant, an inlet tube coupled to the canister and the evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, a U-shaped pipe situated in the canister and having an inlet portion for receiving a gaseous component of the refrigerant, and having an outlet portion coupled to the compressor, and a filter device is attached to the inlet portion of the pipe for preventing debris from entering into the inlet portion of the pipe and for preventing the compressor from being damaged by the debris.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating circuit (10) adapted to circulate, in operation, a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, said refrigerating circuit (10) comprising a compressor stage (12), said compressor stage (12) having a suction side and a pressure side, and at least one heat dissipating heat exchanging unit (14) connected to said pressure side of said compressor stage (12) via a pressure line (24), said heat dissipating heat exchanging unit (14) having an inlet side (14a) and an outlet side (14b) and including a condenser/gas cooler unit (16), and a liquid refrigerant return line (26) connecting said outlet side of said heat dissipating heat exchanging unit (14) to said pressure line (24).

Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator (1), in which one of a plurality of blocks is a U-turn block portion (15), includes a plurality of refrigerant-distribution holes (4M, 5M), which communicate between first tank portions (6, 8) and second tank portions (7, 9), provided in the U-turn block portion (15) and in partition walls (4C, 5C) therein that partition the first tank portions (6, 8) and the second tank portions (7, 9) of top and bottom tanks (4, 5). For the refrigerant-distribution holes (4M, 5M), assuming the distance between the plurality of holes as b, the hole length in the hole-row direction as a, and the thickness of the partition wall as t, a/b is set to a/b??0.0697×t2+0.3274×t+0.4594, where t=1 to 2 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporator (1) comprising a sheet (2) and a microchannel tube (3) used in the cooling cycle, having channels (K) parallel to each other wherein the refrigerant flows.

Abstract: A method of natural gas liquefaction comprising first and second nitrogen refrigerant streams, each stream under-going a cycle of compression, cooling, expansion and heating, during which the first nitrogen stream is expanded to a first, intermediate pressure and the second nitrogen stream is expanded to a second, lower pressure, and the heating occurs in one or more heat exchangers in which at least one of the expanded nitrogen streams is in heat exchanging relationship with natural gas, wherein, in at least one of said one or more heat exchangers, the first and second expanded nitrogen streams are in a heat exchanging relationship with the natural gas and both the first and second compressed nitrogen streams.

Abstract: Jewelry apparatus, a setting for gemstones and a method of setting gemstones in jewelry. The setting includes a base that is formed by walls and a sunk surface between the top and bottom of the base walls. Within the base, the sunk surface is divided into cavities by braces that partially enclose each cavity. Each cavity is partially circumscribed by the braces for holding the gemstone within each cavity. Each cavity has a bottom opening formed in the sunk surface for the pavilion of the gemstone to pass through. Girdles of the gemstones lie above the braces and are close together through the openings between the braces of adjacent cavities. Light passes through the pavilion that protrudes through the bottom openings and between adjacent gemstones through openings between the cavities. The passage of light creates a carpet setting with improved appearance.

Abstract: An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37).

Abstract: When fusing glass members 104, 105 together by irradiating a glass layer 203 with a laser beam L2 along a region R to be fused, a crystallized area 108 formed in the glass layer 203 is taken as an irradiation-initiating point and an irradiation-ending point. Since the crystallized area 108 exhibits a laser absorptance lower than that of the glass layer 203 here, the glass layer 203 is gradually heated when the laser beam L2 is moved along the region R to be fused from the irradiation-initiating point, while the glass layer 203 is gradually cooled when the laser beam L2 is moved along the region R to be fused to the irradiation-ending point. This can prevent residual stresses from occurring in a part including the irradiation-initiating point and irradiation-ending point of the laser beam L2.

Abstract: In a known method for drawing a tubular quartz glass strand, SiO2-containing starting material is fed to a melting crucible, softened therein into a viscous quartz glass mass (27), and said mass is pulled vertically downward as a cylindrical quartz glass strand (5; 33) through a die (4; 34) provided in the bottom region of the melting crucible (1), said die having a gap-shaped outlet (25; 36), which is defined by a bottom opening and a die inside part, and thereafter the quartz glass cylinder is cut to length.

Abstract: A method of scoring and/or separating a brittle material is described comprising heating a surface of the brittle material along a predetermined path with a laser, then quenching the heated surface with a stream of cooling liquid, such as water, formed by a nozzle. The portion of the cooling stream impinging on the surface of the brittle material is a substantially columnar flow.

Abstract: A method and a knitting machine for producing a knitted product composed of fibre material fed by a roller pair (11c) are described. The stitches are formed as usual by knitting elements (3) being raised out of a non-knitting position into a fibre take-up position, while at the same time previously formed stitches are being knocked over, and being withdrawn again after the fibre material (6) is inserted. The presence of fibre material is monitored by means of a sensor (22), which when there is no fibre material present emits an error signal, as a result of which the knitting elements are prevented from being raised further into the fibre take-up position. According to the invention, when the error signal occurs, the knitting elements (3) are withdrawn from an intermediate position again without the previously formed stitches being knocked over and without the fibre material being taken up.

Abstract: A washing machine contains a friction damper device for a washing unit comprising a tub, a washing drum which is rotationally mounted in the tub and a drive for the washing drum. The washing unit is supported in an elastic manner by at least one damper counter to a lower frame part of the housing. In order to prevent the vibratory behavior of the oscillating unit from being influenced above the rotational speed of the resonance, the friction in the damper above the rotational speed of the resonance can be reduced. As a result, at least one friction covering which interacts directly on a piston rod of the damper is pretensed by an energy store counter to the piston rod and can be displaced away from the piston rod by activating an actuator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tub section for a washing machine, wherein the tub section has a bearing housing of a bearing. The method includes manufacturing a first pre-product having the bearing housing and a plastic cover covering a side surface of the bearing housing; manufacturing a plastic second pre-product; and joining the first pre-product and the second pre-product to form the tub section. The plastic cover of the first pre-product has a greater material strength than the second pre-product and the plastic cover of the first pre-product and the plastic second pre-product include the same base product.

Abstract: A lock adapted for being assembled to an electronic device having a transmitting element is provided. The lock includes a first locking stand, a second locking stand, and a driving element. The first locking stand has a key inserting opening and a first rotating element located opposite to each other. The second locking stand disposed at a housing of the electronic device has an accommodating space and a second rotating element located opposite to each other, where the first locking stand is disposed in the accommodating space detachably. The second rotating element is assembled to the driving element, and the driving element is connected to the transmitting element. The first rotating element is forced to rotate when the first locking stand is disposed in the accommodating space, such that the second rotating element drives the driving element to rotate. Consequently, the driving element drives the transmitting element to move.

Abstract: A tamper inhibiting device is provided for adapting to a lock for a door. The lock has a housing configured to attach to the door. The lock also has a locking component being receivable in the housing. The housing has a lip extending from an edge of the housing. The tamper inhibiting device includes a first portion being substantially planar and having a first edge and a second opposing edge between two distal ends. The first portion has an elongate opening between the first and second distal ends. The tamper inhibiting device also includes a second portion being substantially planar and extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion from the first edge of the first portion. The opening is adjacent the first edge of the first portion such that the lip of the housing juxtaposes the second portion when the tamper inhibiting device attaches to the lock.

Abstract: A security device can be secured to a pedal vehicle to prevent the vehicle being pedalled. The security device includes a receiving means and a securing means. The receiving means may include a through-hole means for receiving part of a frame and a pedal crank arm of the vehicle and may have an open configuration in which the frame part and a part of the crank can be placed in the through-hole means, and a closed configuration in which a frame part and crank arm are held in the through-hole means against relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device (5, 6) comprising a first locking system (7) equipped with a control handle (12), intended to be actuated by an operator, characterized in that it includes a second locking system (8) connected to the first (7) by linking means (9) designed to actuate the second locking system (8) because of the actuation of the first (7), the first locking system (7) being actuated alternately between a locked state and an unlocked state by movement of the handle (12) over the totality of a defined course, the linking means (9) having sequencing means designed to actuate the second locking system (8), between a locked state and an unlocked state thereof respectively, during the displacement of the handle (12) over only part of the travel of the latter.

Abstract: A locking arrangement comprising: (a) a handle assembly; (b) a primary locking mechanism comprising: (i) a locking bar movable between an extended latching position and a retracted release position, whereby when the locking bar is in the retracted release position the handle assembly is movable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition; and (ii) an actuator means which acts upon the locking bar to move the locking bar between the extended latching position and the retracted release position; (c) a secondary locking mechanism which acts independently upon the locking bar to move the locking bar between the extended latching position and the retracted release position; and (d) at least one biased catch means to releasably retain the locking bar in either the extended latching position or the retracted release position.

Abstract: A code lock is revealed. The code lock includes a housing, a return base, a plurality of locking seats, a fixed seat, a moveable seat, a code seat, a plurality of code members and a housing base arranged sequentially from top to bottom. A press button corresponding to each locking seat is disposed on the housing and each locking seat has at least one tooth that locks with a hook of the return base when the press button is pressed to push the locking seat. A stopping block is arranged at the bottom of each locking seat while the code member is set with a code post correspondingly. Moreover, the moveable seat includes a code area and a non-code area for mounting the code member and the code seat has a plurality of C-shaped holes corresponding to the code members. Thereby a simple-structured and easy-operated code lock is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating and/or pre-treating liquid manure or biogas plant reject for eliminating harmful substances, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and odor molecules. Process tanks (5), which include inlet means (4) for supplying a process tank (5) with a substance to be treated, outlet means for passing a post-treatment matter out of the tank, and air inlet means (2) for supplying the process tank with air required by a biological process, are used for conducting a biological treatment on the matter to be treated. The process tanks (5) are first provided with a microbe population adapted for treating the matter to be treated. The matter to be treated is supplied gradually into the first process tank and thence further into a subsequent process tank, such that the microbe population initially provided in the process tanks displaces in a step-by-step manner the original microbe population present in the matter to be treated.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of manure to novel fertilizer and/or soil builder products useful as input for organic farming operations. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel. The dryer vessel receives the manure for contact with the turbine exhaust gases to convert the manure to a dry material, which is passed to the processing unit where it is formed into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final dry fertilizer product. The method comprises drying, heating and converting the manure to form novel self binding fertilizer and soil builder type products for organic farming and other uses.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a composition for inhibiting urease and nitrification, which may be in liquid or solid form and which comprises at least one compound for inhibiting urease, of phosphoramide type, combined with an essential oil of Allium preferably originating from Allium sativum. This composition may be used in combination with a urea-based fertilizer for the manufacture of fertilizing compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an organo-mineral fertilizer from vinasse, filter cake and generally boiler ashes, as byproducts of the sugar and/or alcohol manufacture and, optionally, complemented with fertilizer sources composed of macronutrients (primary and secondary) and micronutrients. The process comprises, in a preferred form of the invention, the steps of: concentrating the vinasse until about 65% of solids (p/p); mixing and dissolving the fertilizer elements in the concentrated vinasse; mixing and drying the filter cake and ashes in a hot gas stream obtained by burning bagasse or fine straw; impregnating this dry mixture with the concentrated vinasse mixture and the added fertilizer agents; and, finally, drying and granulating the final formulated mixture. The end product is a granular solid containing N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg and micronutrients, according to the previously programmed formulation.

Abstract: A mobile energy carrier with which energy in the form of materials from zones distributed widely throughout the world, for example with a large amount of solar energy, wind energy or other CO2-neutral energy, for example the equator, can be transported to zones where there is a high energy requirement, for example Europe.

Abstract: A forming method includes using at least one forming tool to form a material of a workpiece and using a lubricant between the material and the at least one forming tool. The lubricant has a viscosity that is modifiable by applying or varying a field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a circular cylindrical body (10) comprising a workable mass, having at least one helical internal cavity extending in the interior of the body. The body (10) is initially produced with a straight internal recess, for example by means of extrusion. Afterwards the body is cut to a defined length. The body (10) that has been cut to length is then subjected to a rolling process by means of a friction surface arrangement (23) while being supported over the entire length thereof on a support means (16). The rolling process takes place in multiple steps, wherein a rolling movement using a first axis of rotation (25) is performed in a first step, and a rolling movement using a second axis of rotation (26) that is different from the first axis of rotation is used in a second step. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A cluster-type multistage rolling mill includes: a top inner housing housing a top roll group; a bottom inner housing housing a bottom roll group; an entry-side outer housing provided at entry sides of the inner housings and having an opening portion which a strip is allowed to pass through; a delivery-side outer housing provided at delivery sides of the inner housings and having an opening portion which the strip is allowed to pass through; sets of pass line adjusters provided in upper portions of the opening portions, and pressing an entry-side pressing portion and a delivery-side pressing portion of the top inner housing, respectively; and sets of roll gap controlling cylinders provided in lower portions of the opening portions, and pressing an entry-side pressing portion and a delivery-side pressing portion of the bottom inner housing, respectively.

Abstract: A method for flattening steel strip by cold rolling the strip by passing it through at least two cold rolling mill stands each having work rolls. A first of the mill stands has work rolls having local rigidity K significantly different from a second mill stand, wherein the local rigidity K is calculated in Kgf/mm/mm accordance with an equation. Also a six high mill for flattening steel strip has an entry side where the strip enters the mill and an exit side where the strip exits the mill. The mill comprises a pair of driven backup rolls disposed on the entry side of the mill, a pair of horizontal support rolls disposed on the exit side of the mill and a pair of small diameter work rolls, the work rolls having an entry side face and an exit side face. The work rolls are disposed between the pair of backup rolls and the pair of support rolls.

Abstract: When manufacturing a ring and a pendant from a single metal plate, the number of the twist is determined so that a predetermined feature pattern may occurs regardless size on the surface of a male ring and a female ring. The feature pattern depends on the method of the laminating of two or more metal plates, the kind of metal plate, thickness, etc. for example. The number of times of twist concerned is determined based on these information.

Abstract: A forging method including extruding a billet to form a ring shaped hollow workpiece; reducing a cross section of the workpiece; and forging the workpiece in a closed die having a first split die including a plurality of first die segments and a second split die including a plurality of second die segments by sequentially advancing pairs of opposing die segments from the first split die and second split die towards each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of pressing jaws for hydraulic or electric pressing tools for pressing fittings onto pipes or for the press connection of electric cables, two pressing jaws connected to one another in an articulated manner forming a pair of pressing jaws, the pressing jaws being biased into their open position by a tension spring which spans a free space between the two pressing jaws, and in each case one end of the tension spring being accommodated in an accommodating opening which opens out into a narrow peripheral side of the pressing jaw, this narrow peripheral side being directed toward the free space, and, in order to secure the tension spring, a tension-spring end engaging around a pin-like securing part, which securing part is disposed at that end of the accommodating opening which is directed away from the free space.

Abstract: Calibration methods and apparatuses for a shape sensing optical fiber are disclosed. Strain is sensed in an optical fiber that is associated with a kinematic chain, and information derived from the sensed strain is used to determine a calibration relationship between the fiber and the kinematic chain. The strain may be sensed at a plurality of angles between two links in the kinematic chain. The strain may be sensed in a segment of the optical fiber that is associated with a joint in the kinematic chain as the joint sweeps through an arc. The strain may be sensed for the optical fiber in a known, predefined bend shape. The calibration information is stored in memory for later use during operation of the kinematic chain, so that shape information from the optical fiber can be used to accurately indicate the shape or pose of the kinematic chain.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a rotational angle sensor having a rotor (12) coupled to a rotating shaft (10) in a manner which is faithful to the rotational angle, a stator (16), and a scanning means (14) arranged on the stator (16). The scanning means (14) scans a material measure of the rotor (12) and generates measured angle values associated with the rotational angle position of the rotor (12). A laser gyroscope (18) measures the angular velocity of the shaft (10). The signals from the laser gyroscope (18) which are dependent on the angular velocity of the shaft (10) are integrated over time with respect to the rotational angle. The measured angle values from the scanning means (14) are compared with reference angle values, and correction variables are formed from the differences. During measurement of the rotational angle, the measured angle values are corrected using the correction variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a particle sensor in the exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine, the particle sensor comprising an interdigital electrode for determining the particles contained in the exhaust gas and a heater for regenerating said particle sensor and an engine management system being associated with the internal combustion engine. Provision is thereby made for a probe control unit to be connected to said particle sensor, for the probe control unit to be disposed in a separate assembly between said particle sensor and the engine management system and for said probe control unit to be connected to said engine management system via a digital bus or an analog interface. The invention relates further to a corresponding method. Device and method allow for the autonomous operation of a particle sensor without the engine management system having to be configured for the operation of said particle sensor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte gas in a gas stream with a sensor are described. The analyte gas sensor may include a mass-sensitive resonator and a diffusion barrier. The mass-sensitive resonator may be coated with an absorptive material which is reactive with an analyte gas, such as NOx. The diffusion barrier may be positioned to limit a gas flow with the analyte gas towards the absorptive material, and a ratio of the diffusion time of the gas flow through the diffusion barrier to the reaction time of the analyte gas with the absorptive material may be from about 0.1 to about 100.

Abstract: An all-differential resonant nanosensor apparatus for detecting multiple gasses and method of fabricating the same. The nanosensor apparatus generally includes a sensing loop, a reference loop, and a mixer. A sensing self assembled monolayer (SAM) or an ultrathin solid monolayer may be deposited on a sensing resonant beam associated with the sensing loop to detect the presence of the gas. A reference self assembled monolayer or an ultrathin solid film may be deposited on a reference resonant beam that possess similar visco-elastic properties (e.g., temperature, humidity and aging) as the sensing monolayer with no sensing properties. A differential reading electronic circuit may be interconnected with each resonant beam pair for signal processing. A drift-free frequency signal per each gas may be obtained by subtracting the frequency response from the sensing loop and the reference loop.

Abstract: A method for estimating cathode inlet and cathode outlet relative humidity (RH) of a fuel cell stack. The method uses a model to estimate the high frequency resistance (HFR) of the fuel cell stack based on water specie balance, and also measures stack HFR. The HFR values from the estimated HFR and the measured HFR are compared, and an error between the HFR values is determined. An online regression algorithm is then utilized to minimize the error and the solution of the regression is the RH profile in the stack including the cathode inlet and outlet relative humidities.

Abstract: A gas charge container includes a sample holder which holds a needle-shaped material, a deutrium gas supply portion which charges a deutrium gas into the needle-shaped material held by the sample holder, and a heating portion which heats the needle-shaped material held by the sample holder. The needle-shaped material is cooled by blocking the heat generated by the heating portion after the needle-shaped material is heated by the heating portion.

Abstract: A low-voltage thin-film field-effect transistor is formed by forming a gate, forming a dielectric layer on the surface of the gate, forming a source region and a drain region, and forming a semiconductor layer adjacent the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is formed as a native oxide layer by oxidizing the surface of the gate. The semiconductor layer is deposited by spray pyrolysis. The dielectric layer may be functionalized with a self-assembling monolayer dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may be formed as a self-assembling monolayer, without first forming a native oxide (or other) dielectric layer.

Abstract: A gas probe for sampling gas molecules from a fluid. A housing includes an orifice and is adapted to be arranged in gas communication with a test gas sensor. The probe includes a stack of layers, whereby gas sample molecules have to pass through all layers of the stack in order reach the sensor. The stack includes at least a first membrane layer, a first spacer layer, a first filter layer and a second spacer layer. The housing includes an inlet for introducing blocking gas molecules into the second spacer layer and an outlet for discharging blocking gas molecules out of the first spacer layer. The gas probe is connectable to a control unit for controlling the blocking gas flow into the second spacer layer.

Abstract: A leak detector detects the presence or absence of a trace amount of leak from a test piece by using helium gas. The leak detector has a guide pipe and a mass spectrometer. The guide pipe is disposed by insertion into an evacuation pipe which is communicated from a vacuum chamber, in which the test piece is disposed, to a vacuum pump. The guide pipe includes an opening portion which opens in a line of flow inside the evacuation pipe. The mass spectrometer for detecting helium is connected to the guide pipe through a gate valve.

Abstract: A leak detection system has: a test chamber connected to a vacuum pump; a filling device for filling a test piece with helium gas; a transfer device for transferring the test piece between a ready-for-detection position in which the test piece is ready to be carried into the test chamber and a filling-operation position in which the operation of filling helium gas by the filling device is performed; a carrying device for carrying the test piece from the ready-for-detection position to a detection position inside the test chamber; a sealing device for hermetically sealing the test chamber in a state in which the helium-gas-filled test piece is in the detection position; and a leak detector for detecting helium to be leaked out of the test piece when, after having sealed the test chamber by the sealing device, the test chamber is evacuated by the vacuum pump to a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic measures. Specifically, it contemplates a method for assessing whether gastric bypass therapy was successful in a subject, a method of predicting whether gastric bypass therapy will be beneficial for a subject in need thereof, and a method of diagnosing whether a supportive therapy accompanying gastric bypass has beneficial effects on a subject in need thereof. Further provided are diagnostic methods for diabetes and body lean mass. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for identifying a treatment against diabetes and/or obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to anti-angiogenesis therapy based in determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of the subject and comparing the amount to a suitable reference amount. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring subjects being on anti-angiogenesis therapy based on determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a first and second sample of a subject and comparing the amount in the first sample with the second sample. Thereby, it can be assessed whether a subject is susceptible to a continuation of the therapy or not. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of a cardiovascular event as a consequence of anti-angiogenesis therapy. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention describes a microengineered SFC system for rapidly and efficiently separating the constituents of a complex mixture. The SFC system includes a microchannel that is microfabricated from a suitable substrate so that it forms a chromatographic column for separation of chemicals. The surface area of the microchannel of the column is sufficiently small as to permit use of miniature and relatively inexpensive pumps, and the thermal mass of the microengineered column is sufficiently low as to permit rapid temperature cycling using a miniature, low power and inexpensive heating element. At least a portion of this microchannel is packed with suitable sorbent materials or includes surfaces which are suitably coated with sorbent, or both, so as to retain and elute analyte under certain conditions. As a result analyte passing within this microchannel undergoes chromatographic separation.

Abstract: A device for the accommodation of a solid in a measuring cell (24), in which the release of the solid can be determined in a solution medium flowing through the measuring cell (24), has an insert (1) which can be introduced into the measuring cell (24) and which has a recess for the accommodation of a pressed disc (31). The recess for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31) is arranged on a side (16) of the insert (1) which faces the inflowing solution medium. A wall surface (32) of the insert (1) which surrounds the recess for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31) is tilted in the flow direction, so that the inflowing solution medium is transported laterally away from the pressed disc (31). The insert (1) has a housing (2) with a hole (3) through it, a sleeve (4) for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31), which can be accommodated in the hole (3), and a closure device (10). The housing (2) and the closure device (10) essentially consist of a plastic material and the sleeve (4) consists of metal.

Abstract: This invention consists of a process for detecting contamination in a batch comprising at least one wooden container (1), intended for aging an alcoholic beverage.