Abstract: Braking device for roller skates, skateboards, or the like, having a roller support in which a roller is mounted axially movable between a first freely rotatable position and a second braked position. The braking device includes an actuatable brake unit is supported relative to the roller support and the brake actuation force is produced from the torque of the roller via a clutch unit having a downstream transmission unit, the clutch unit being open in the first position and closed in the second position.

Abstract: A game device includes a light control unit configured to change, in a game field in which an object is located, a position of a light source or a direction of radiation by light emitted from the light source based on a control command of a player, a shadow rendering unit configured to render a shadow of the object projected by light emitted from the light source onto a plane of projection defined in the game field; and a character control unit configured to move a character along the shadow of the object.

Abstract: A computing system is configured to execute a computer program on a server and to provide a video stream of the program output to a geographically remote client over a communication network. The computing system is further configured to provide executable content of the computer program to the client over the communication network in parallel with the video stream. When a sufficient amount of the executable content has been provided to the client execution of the computer program is transitioned from the server to the client. The transition optionally includes communicating a state of the computer program from the server to the client. The executable content can be provided to the client in an order that is determined based on the state of the computer program. Those parts of the executable content deemed most likely to be necessary to support game play on the client are given priority.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product to assign player-entries in an online card game. The method commences by receiving preference parameters corresponding to a player, then receiving a player command corresponding to the player to fold out of a current hand of a particular game. For alacrity of play and for supporting a large number of concurrently open tables for an online player to play a large number of games, the method proceeds to identify an open table that satisfies player preference parameters, and wherein the open table is an open table (e.g., with fewer player-entries than the open table's capacity). The preferred game and/or the player's preferred seating arrangement can be determined by using a second preference parameter. The method can respond to a fold-out command by the player and can open a new table on the basis of the player's preference parameters.

Abstract: Obtaining means obtains acceleration data from an input device. Swing detection means detects a swing of the input device in a real space when an acceleration represented by the acceleration data satisfies a predetermined condition. Type determination means determines a type of swing of the input device in the real space by using an acceleration in a predetermined axial direction among all the accelerations represented by the acceleration data obtained by the obtaining means after the detection by the swing detection means. Object moving means moves a predetermined object in a virtual game space according to the type determined by the type determination means. Display control means displays the virtual game space with the object therein on a display device.

Abstract: A child's interactive riding toy fashioned to simulate the appearance of an animal or other character such as a horse and including electronics for producing realistic animal sounds under certain conditions to enhance the riding experience and to improve the interaction between the child and an adult. The present toy is either attachable to the upper leg portion of a person to simulate the riding experience or it can be ridden or played with by a child when the toy is resting on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A trapdoor mechanism and method of providing a trapdoor mechanism for initiating descent into a slide ride is disclosed. Aspects of invention are directed to an trapdoor mechanism utilizes a folding and unfolding support structure so that the folding of the trap door provides a platform to stand on and the unfolding provides an opening into a slide. Embodiments of the trapdoor drop amusement mechanism utilize a downward and unfolding motion instead of rotary swing motion to remove the trap door from the ride path. A control device may be utilized to apply force to the trapdoor during its transit between the open position and closed position. This apparatus allows for less deck foot print area as no trap door swing thru or large shock absorber that is normally required to dissipate the large amount of energy stored in a heavy rotating trap.

Abstract: A cheering device includes an upper head portion resembling an upper jaw and head of an animal and a lower head portion resembling a lower jaw and head of an animal. Each of the upper and lower head portions has a back side having a hand receiving well therein. The lower head portion has a planar upper surface and the upper head portion has a planar lower surface. Each of the upper and lower portions may be positioned on a person's hands and the upper surface of the lower head portion struck against the lower surface of the upper head portion to create an audible sound.

Abstract: An interchangeable hair doll for enabling a plurality of different hair styles, textures, and colors to be worn as releasably attached hair parts comprises a modified doll head and a plurality of discrete hair parts which employ a hook and loop fastener. The modified doll head includes a hair fastening surface defined by a layer of a hook component material which covers the entire scalp area of the head. Each individual hair part includes three discrete hair tracks permanently attached at one end to one side of a fastening strip in a bottom up, sequential orientation so as to obscure from view the side of the fastening strip to which the hair tracks are attached. The other side of the fastening strip defined by layer of a loop component material. The loop component enables the hair parts to be removably attached to any area of the hair fastening surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric swords and sparring instruments having improved mechanical properties and methods of making such swords and sparring instruments. In one embodiment, a polyurethane sword comprises a handle portion and a blade portion. In this embodiment, the polyurethane sword also comprises a flexible support member having a handle support portion and a blade support portion. In this embodiment, the polyurethane sword also comprises a polyurethane outer layer configured to encase the flexible support member from the handle support portion to the blade support portion. The handle portion comprises the handle support portion and the polyurethane outer layer encasing the handle support portion. Moreover, the blade portion comprises the blade support portion and the polyurethane outer layer encasing the blade support portion. In addition, the polyurethane outer layer may be composed of a machine perfused polyurethane mixture.

Abstract: A system and method of making a remarkably bright high-gain reflective beam-splitter is presented. Each non-glued together touching layer of the multilayered film of the beam splitter has front and back reflective surfaces that additively increase the brightness. The system can include tables, step-down shelves, cutting bars, gripper units, tension units, a frame, a hoist assembly, and dollies. Constructing the beam-splitter can use grippers that slip slightly, as a function of applied tensioning force, along the trimmed edges of the multilayered film. This slip gripping scheme can result in constructing substantially coplanar sheets of the multilayered film that touch each other face to face and result in removing most of the air between the sheets. The planar integrity of the multilayered film of the high-gain reflective beam-splitter can be maintained at almost any desired display angle even when the high-gain reflective beam-splitter is as large as a standard theatrical stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquid purification using regenerating heat exchange are disclosed. An apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a liquid receptacle, a heat exchanger, a heating mechanism, a compressor, and a condenser. While the liquid receptacle is able to receive a stream of liquid such as water, a heat exchanger pushes the liquid through the heat exchanger to increase temperature of the liquid. The heating mechanism is capable of facilitating phase transition of the liquid from liquid to vapor. The compressor is operable to guide the vapor and the condenser is configured to condense the vapor into liquid or purified liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of 1233xf comprising the continuous low temperature liquid phase reaction of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane and anhydrous HF, without the use of a catalyst, wherein the reaction takes place in one or more reaction vessels, each one in succession converting a portion of the original reactants fed to the lead reaction vessel and wherein the reactions are run in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plan and a process for regenerating degraded heat transfer oil. The plant includes a distillation column for separating heavy components. The distillation column has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having: a first inlet for receiving degraded oil, and a head having a first outlet for expelling light component vapor. The plant also includes a rectifier, for receiving the vapor, and having: an upper part having a second outlet for expelling light components; and a lower part having a third outlet for expelling regenerated oil. The distillation column further includes a fourth outlet for letting heavy components out in the lower part of the distillation column, a pressure transmitter at the first inlet, a pressure and temperature transmitter at the first outlet, temperature transmitters inside the distillation column, level switches, an automatic valve at the fourth outlet, and an electric resistance for maintaining the oil in a liquid state.

Abstract: A method and device for producing crystalline active ingredient particles. The active ingredient is crystallized from a supersaturated solution on the surface of particles of the active ingredient. A suspension of active ingredient particles is subjected to wet grinding in a supersaturated solution of the active ingredient in a first module. At least a part of the suspension is fed from the first module into the second module where it is cooled and simultaneously subjected to ultrasound. The suspension is fed back into the first module after cooling and being subjected to ultrasound. Active ingredient solution and optionally antisolvent are added to the suspension and active ingredient particles and liquid phase are extracted. A relative supersaturation of the active ingredient in the liquid phase of the suspension, relative to the entire liquid phase, is ?90%, and the extracted active ingredient particles comprise a mean particle size of 10-500 ?m.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a liquid-collection canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied. The canister includes a first space configured to collect the liquid from the tissue site and a filter having a frame and a non-planar filter element. The filter defines a second space within the canister separated from the first space by the filter element. The filter element substantially prevents liquid from passing from the first space into the second space. The filter element substantially allows gaseous communication between the first space and the second space when the second space is exposed to a reduced pressure.

Abstract: A system for separating components of a composition according to density. The system includes a torque generating device, a separation device, and a housing. The separation device separates the composition into different components according to density. The housing accommodates the separation device. The housing includes a base having an interface that transfers torque from the torque generating device to the separation device, a cover, and a conduit for introducing the composition into the separation device without opening the cover.

Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing.

Abstract: A filter module according to the present invention comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, said housing enclosing a tubular, elongate filter element defining a longitudinal axis and a cleaning head connected by means of a conduit to a coaxially arranged and rotatably mounted pipe, said cleaning head being resiliently biased towards the internal surface of said tubular, elongate filter element. Moreover, said cleaning head has an opening of adjustable size facing said internal surface of said filter element and providing fluid communication between the interior of said housing and the interior of said pipe. The filter module further comprises means for creating a pressure difference between the interior of said housing and the interior of said pipe so as to cause a fluid flow from the interior of said housing to the interior of said pipe as well as means for effecting a rotation of said pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to textiles, reservoirs, or films which may be switchably rendered hydrophilic or hydrophobic for liquid wicking, repelling, moving, holding, absorbing, drying, wetting, dispensing, and other means of electrically manipulation of liquids.

Abstract: Nonwoven filter media with an alpha value greater than about 13 generally includes a plurality of large diameter fibers, a plurality of ultrafine diameter fibers, and a binder. The large diameter fibers have an average diameter of greater than about 6 microns and make up more than about 60% by weight of the fiber web. The ultrafine diameter fibers have an average diameter of less than about 1 micron. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a filter media.

Abstract: A conduit carrying gaseous matter has a device inside it forming a low-lying sump for separating and collecting non-gaseous matter. The device fits within a flexible section of the conduit and includes a barrier plate oriented generally horizontally to longitudinally divide a length of the conduit into a gas-carrying passageway (above the barrier plate and a sump (below the barrier plate, a spacer extending from a lower surface of the barrier plate, and first and second frame members extending from an upper surface of the barrier plate at spaced-apart locations. The spacer and the frame member contact inner surfaces of the conduit to positively position the barrier plate within the conduit, and the frame members are oriented obliquely to one another to urge the flexible section of the conduit into a bent shape having a lowest portion defining the sump.

Abstract: An apparatus for recycling exhaust gas includes a vessel containing a reversible ammonia sorber material which is exothermic when sorbing (“loading”) ammonia and which is endothermic when releasing (“unloading”) ammonia. A first valve selectively couples a source of exhaust gas including ammonia to a first port of the vessel, a second valve selectively couples a vacuum pump to the vessel, and a third valve selectively coupling a second port of the vessel to an output. A controller opens and closes the first valve, the second valve and the third valve to implement a loading phase, an intermediate venting phase and an unloading phase for the vessel.

Abstract: A method of pretreating a natural gas stream for a floating liquefied natural gas plant is described. A natural gas feed stream is introduced into an amine absorption unit and a temperature swing adsorption unit located on a ship. The temperature swing adsorption unit has a dehydration cycle and a CO2 removal cycle. The amount of motion of the ship, or the level of CO2 in the natural gas feed stream with reduced contaminants, or both, is monitored. If the amount of motion of the ship or the level of CO2 in the natural gas feed stream with reduced contaminants exceeds a predetermined value, temperature swing adsorption unit is switched from the dehydration cycle to the CO2 removal cycle.

Abstract: The degradation of an absorbent solution comprising organic compounds provided with an amine function in aqueous solution is reduced considerably in the presence of a small amount of degradation-inhibiting additives belonging to the class of derivatives of pyrimidine or of triazine, at least one substituent of which contains a sulfur atom. The absorbent solution is employed for deacidifying a gaseous effluent.

Abstract: An absorbent according to the present invention absorbs CO2 or H2S contained in flue gas emitted from a power generating plant such as a thermal plant, and contains three or more amine compounds selected from linear or cyclic amine compounds having a primary amino group, and linear or cyclic amine compounds having a secondary amino group. By way of a synergetic effect of the mixture of these compounds, the absorption speed of CO2 or H2S absorption is improved. A small amount of CO2 contained in a large amount of boiler flue gas can be absorbed efficiently.

Abstract: An asymmetric gas separation membrane made of an aromatic polyimide mainly containing repeating units having an ether bond which is heated at a temperature near a softening point (Ts) of the aromatic polyimide, and a method for separating methanol from a methanol-containing mixed organic vapor by allowing methanol to selectively permeate the asymmetric gas separation membrane using the membrane.

Abstract: A device includes a desiccant and an enclosure having an interior surrounding the desiccant. The enclosure may include a moisture vapor permeable membrane with a moisture permeability sufficient to pass moisture from outside the enclosure to the desiccant. The device may further include a functional device within the enclosure having processing circuitry to perform at least one function associated with the desiccant.

Abstract: A composite porous fibrous dehumidifying material comprised of a plurality of fibers whose surface has immobilized thereon a reversible hydrogel material. The composite porous fibrous structure can be used as a dehumidifying material for reducing energy consumption in air conditioning/climate control units. Preferred fibrous materials are electrically conductive materials, such a graphitic fibers.

Abstract: A plasma reactor for abating hazardous materials by decomposing various hazardous materials in a front end part of a vacuum pump is provided. A plasma reactor for abating hazardous materials includes a ground electrode part, an insulator, and a driving electrode. The ground electrode part includes a first ground electrode located in a front end part of the vacuum pump and having a tubular shape, including a first end part facing the vacuum pump and a second end part at an opposite side thereof, and a second ground electrode connected to a side of the first ground electrode and having a tubular shape and transferring the process gas. The insulator is connectedly installed to the second end part. The driving electrode is fixed to an outer surface of the insulator, a driving voltage is applied while being connected to a power supply, and low pressure plasma is generated inside of the first ground electrode due to a voltage difference from the ground electrode part.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reducing agent supply device and an exhaust gas denitrification system using the same. The reducing agent supply device includes a reducing agent supply unit for supplying a reducing agent to a selective supply unit, a water supply unit for supplying water to the selective supply unit, the selective supply unit for selectively supplying any one of the reducing agent and water supplied from the reducing agent supply unit and the water supply unit to a spray unit, and the spray unit for spraying the reducing agent or water supplied from the selective supply unit, wherein the selective supply unit supplies water to the spray unit when the spray unit is blocked due to solidification of the reducing agent which remains behind therein because of a process in which the spray unit continuously sprays the reducing agent or a temporary malfunction of the device, thereby preventing blockage of the spray unit. Also an exhaust gas denitrification system using the device is provided.

Abstract: The present invention disclosures a covering for placement on a surface, such as a wall on the inside of a house, for reduction or prevention of a singularity or a plurality of emissions, such as harmful emissions, released from the surface. The covering comprises a trapping agent and a carrier for retaining and supporting the trapping agent, such that the trapping agent can trap the singularity or plurality of emissions without being released from the carrier. The trapping agent is a substantially irreversible trapping agent independently selected from one or several of the group consisting of absorbing agents and adsorbing agents, such that the trapping agent is capable of fully or partly trapping the singularity or plurality of emissions substantially irreversibly by absorption or adsorption, or a combination of absorption and adsorption. The covering may further comprise a semi-permeable barrier. Methods for use and manufacturing of the covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A preparation method of a perfluorinated polymer hollow fiber membrane comprises: evenly mixing a first mixture that is mixed by a perfluorinated polymer, PS, a polymer additive, and a composite pore-forming agent; evenly mixing a second mixture that is mixed by the first mixture and an organic liquid; under 300° C.-350° C., processing the second mixture with a melt to spin by a twin-screw extruder; extruding a hollow fiber by a hollow fiber spinneret; dipping the hollow fiber membrane into deionized water for 48 hours; putting the hollow fiber membrane aired into a concentrated sulfuric acid to process with a sulfonation; washing the hollow fiber membrane by deionized water; and drying the hollow fiber membrane; in such a manner that the hydrophilic perfluorinated polymer hollow fiber membrane is obtained.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves (CMS) membranes having improved thermal and/or mechanical properties are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a carbon molecular sieve membrane for separating a first and one or more second gases from a feed mixture of the first gas and one or more second gases comprises a hollow filamentary carbon core and a thermally stabilized polymer precursor disposed on at least an outer portion of the core. In some embodiments, the thermally stabilized polymer precursor is created by the process of placing in a reaction vessel the carbon molecular sieve membrane comprising an unmodified aromatic imide polymer, filling the reaction vessel with a modifying agent, and changing the temperature of the reaction vessel at a temperature ramp up rate and ramp down rate for a period of time so that the modifying agent alters the unmodified aromatic imide polymer to form a thermally stabilized polymer precursor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of at least one mineral filler functionalized by at least one group comprising at least one sulfur atom for chemically stabilizing a polymer matrix and/or for increasing the durability thereof. The present invention also concerns a membrane such as an ion exchange membrane and in particular a proton exchange membrane thus stabilized, its method of preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane surface modification method. The method is applicable to a variety of hydrophobic membranes by doping selected inorganic particles. One act of the method involves the in-situ embedment of the inorganic particles onto the membrane surface by dispersing the particles in a non-solvent bath for polymer precipitation. Further membrane surface modification can be achieved by hydrothermally growing new inorganic phase on the embedded particles. The embedment of particles is for the subsequent phase growth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water-treatment separating membrane includes forming an aqueous amine solution layer on a porous support, and forming a polyamide active layer by dropping droplets of an organic solution including an acyl halide compound on the aqueous amine solution layer. A water-treatment separating membrane manufactured by the same also is provided.

Abstract: A method of making a polybenzoxazole (PBO) membrane from a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane is provided. These membranes are useful in the separation of gas mixtures and liquid mixtures. The PBO membrane is made by fabricating a self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer membrane comprising both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups; cross-linking the polymer to form a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane by heating the membrane at 250° to 300° C. under an inert atmosphere; and thermal heating the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane at a temperature from about 350° to 500° C. under an inert atmosphere to convert the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane into a PBO membrane. A membrane coating step may be added by coating the selective layer surface of the PBO membrane with a thin layer of high permeability material.

Abstract: To provide a reverse osmosis membrane where both salt rejection rate and water permeability required for wastewater treatment are achieved in a high level in spite of using the materials having excellent resistance to chemicals (resistance to alkali and to chlorine). A reverse osmosis membrane for wastewater treatment comprising a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) polymer containing a constituting component represented by the following formula [I], characterized in that, in a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum where water molecules in the membrane are measured using the reverse osmosis membrane in a water-containing state, the relation between the chemical shift A (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bound water and the chemical shift B (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bulk water satisfies (B?0.36)?A<(B?0.30): wherein X is H or a univalent cationic species and n is an integer of 10 to 50.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing nanoparticles, which comprises maintaining a minute space of 1 mm or less between two processing surfaces capable of approaching to and separating from each other and being rotating relative to each other, allowing the minute space maintained between the two processing surfaces to serve as a flow path of a processed fluid thereby forming a forced thin film of the processed fluid and separating nanoparticles in the forced thin film.

Abstract: A magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker includes a base having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of flanges on the upper side of the base, each flange having an arm that extends away from the base and engages with the vessel so that the arms retain the vessel to the base; and a magnet on the lower side of the base that magnetically attaches the base to the platform, thereby releasably retaining the vessel to the platform. Each flange may be repositioned at a common distance from the center of the base to accommodate different sizes of vessel.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A handheld shaker assembly for mixing a container of fluid includes a cylindrical holder that may insertably receive the container of fluid. A tubular housing is operationally coupled to the cylindrical holder. A motor is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. A primary gear is operationally coupled to the motor so the motor rotates the primary gear. A secondary gear is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The secondary gear engages the primary gear so the primary gear rotates the secondary gear. A cam shaft is operationally coupled to the secondary gear so the secondary gear rotates the cam shaft. A first and second linkage are operationally coupled to the cam shaft so the cam shaft moves the first and second linkage. The second linkage engages the cylindrical holder so the second linkage moves the cylindrical holder. An actuator is coupled to the tubular housing to actuate the motor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint from a plurality of premixed compositions at the point of sale wherein the apparatus is cleaned during the paint production. The premixed compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant-thickening agent composition, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The dispersant-thickening agent, when supplied in a cleaning amount, effectively cleans the nozzles and valves, used to supply the premixed compositions to a receiving reservoir for the desired aqueous paint.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for transfer of particulate material, such as biomass feedstocks, into and out of pressurized reactors. Improved sluice devices have an L-shaped sluice chamber having an upper, vertical component in communication with a horizontal loading chamber and a lower component in communication with a vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Piston valves seal the sluice inlet and outlet by axial displacement across the vertical component of the sluice chamber and across the vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Relative to other methods for reactor unloading, these devices consume less steam and significantly reduce furfural content of unloaded, pretreated biomass. An optional hybrid plug/sluice method of biomass feeding using the devices permits biomass loading at sluice pressures intermediate between atmospheric and reactor pressure, thereby reducing “pump cycle” time and increasing biomass throughput capacity.

Abstract: A fluid distribution device is presented for the collection and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the device includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The rough distribution tray includes an overflow weir with an upper liquid retention baffle.

Abstract: A catalyst retainer includes an inner particle retention device having apertures and a first non-apertured section; and an outer particle retention device having apertures and a second non-apertured section. The inner and the outer particle retention devices are spaced apart to define a particle retaining space of the retainer. The first non-apertured section and the second non-apertured section define a blanked-off section of the particle retaining space, and the blanked-off section is spaced from an end of the particle retaining space. The catalyst retainer also includes a louver with at least a portion located between the blanked-off section and the end of the particle retaining space. The louver extends into the particle retaining space at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the inner particle retention device. The louver introduces the fluid to the top catalyst free surface in a more uniform manner and hence prevents particle movement and attrition.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatuses for producing a reaction product and enabling the reaction product to be removed from a reactor operating at an elevated pressure, while simultaneously maintaining the gas pressure and retaining the catalyst inside the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for making microparticles having an exterior surface that includes preparing a self-assembled arrangement of microparticles; contacting the self-assembled microparticles with a patch-forming agent resulting in a microparticle/patch-forming agent assembly having proximal regions between adjacent microparticles and/or proximal regions between a microparticle and another substrate, wherein the patch-forming agent is present in the proximal region; and condensing the patch-forming agent such that a pattern of a plurality of discrete patches of patch-forming agent are formed on the exterior surfaces of the microparticles at the proximal regions. A synthetic microsphere having an exterior spherical surface, wherein the exterior spherical surface comprises a first material and a plurality of discrete, uniformly-dimensioned, patches of a second bioactive material arranged in an orderly array over more than one hemisphere of the microsphere.

Abstract: A modular chemical production system includes multiple modules for performing a chemical reaction, particularly of radiochemical compounds, from a remote location. One embodiment comprises a reaction vessel including a moveable heat source with the position thereof relative to the reaction vessel being controllable from a remote position. Alternatively the heat source may be fixed in location and the reaction vial is moveable into and out of the heat source. The reaction vessel has one or more sealing plugs, the positioning of which in relationship to the reaction vessel is controllable from a remote position. Also the one or more reaction vessel sealing plugs can include one or more conduits there through for delivery of reactants, gases at atmospheric or an elevated pressure, inert gases, drawing a vacuum and removal of reaction end products to and from the reaction vial, the reaction vial with sealing plug in position being operable at elevated pressures.