Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel assembly (10) which has an outer rim assembly (26), an inner vehicle hub connection member (11), a compartment located between the outer rim assembly (26) and the inner hub connection member (11) which has a plurality of spring elements (21, 22) wherein at least some of the spring elements (21, 22) are attached to the outer rim assembly (26) and/or the inner hub connection member (11) characterised in that the spring elements (21, 22) are oriented in opposed or counteracting orientations.

Abstract: A metal oxide substrate (e.g. barium strontium titanate 34) is immersed in a liquid ambient (e.g. 12 molar concentration hydrochloric acid 30) and illuminated with radiation (e.g. collimated visible/ultraviolet radiation 24) produced by a radiation source (e.g. a 200 Watt mercury zenon arc lamp 20). A window 26 which is substantially transparent to the collimated radiation 24 allows the radiated energy to reach the metal oxide substrate 34. An etch mask 32 may be positioned between the radiation source 20 and the substrate 34. The metal oxide substrate 34 and liquid ambient 30 are maintained at a nominal temperature (e.g. 25.degree. C.). Without illumination, the metal oxide is not appreciably etched by the liquid ambient. Upon illumination the etch rate is substantially increased.

Abstract: A wheel for lessening rolling resistance and other forces that retard the rolling of the wheel consisting of a circular wheel rim, a hub member positioned concentrically within the wheel rim and a spoke arrangement connecting the wheel rim with the hub member for storing and releasing externally applied energy to provide propulsive torque to the wheel. The spoke arrangement is formed from a single strand of wire that is wound around the hub and is extended to the rim to form spoke loop portions. As the wheel is rolled over a supporting surface, each spoke loop portion is flexed as the portion of the wheel adjacent thereto engages the roadway. As that portion of the wheel approaches a point where it breaks contact with the roadway the spoke portion closest thereto unflexes imparting a torque on the wheel in the direction in which it is being rolled.