Abstract:
The present invention provides a miniature quadrupole mass spectrometer array (100) for the separation of ions, comprising a first pair of parallel, planar, nonmagnetic conducting rods (130) each having an axis of symmetry, a second pair of planar, nonmagnetic conducting rods (130) each having an axis of symmetry parrallel to said first pair of rods and disposed such that a line perpendicular to each of said first axes of symmetry and a line perpendicular to each of said second axes of symmetry bisect each other and form a generally 90 degree angle. A nonconductive top positioning plate (120) is positioned generally perpendicular to the first and second pairs of rods (130) and has an aperture for ion entrance (205) along an axis equidistant from each axis of each of the parallel rods (130), a nonconductive bottom positioning plate (145) is generally parallel to the top positioning plate (120) and has an aperture for ion exit (162) centered on an axis equidistant from each axis of symmetry of each of the parallel rods (162), means for maintaining a direct current voltage between the first and second pairs of rods, and means for applying a radio frequency voltage to the first and second pairs of rods.
Abstract:
A sensor for use in detecting the presence of sugars and related molecules in aqueous solutions. The sensor is composed of a metal complex that binds to the targeted sugar or other molecule in aqueous solution with the result being the release of a proton. Measurement of proton release from the sensor provides an indirect indication of target molecule concentration. The metal complexes may be attached to support structures to provide both anchoring and positioning of the metal ions to increase selectivity of sugar/metal complex interactions. Detection systems in which pH is used as an indication of proton release are disclosed. Methods for monitoring the concentrations of sugars and related molecules using the metal complex sensors are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Alloys which form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate appreciably less than 10 K/s comprise beryllium in the range of from 2 to 47 atomic percent and at least one early transition metal in the range of from 30 to 75 % and at least one late transition metal in the range of from 5 to 62 %. A preferred group of metallic glass alloys has the formula: (Zr1-xTix)a(Cu1-yNiy)bBec. Generally, a is in the range from 30 to 75 % and the lower limit increases with increasing x. When x is in the range of from 0 to 0.15, b is in the range of from 5 to 62 %, and c is in the range of from 6 to 47 %. The value of c lies between 2 to 47 % depending on correlated value ranges for x and b within the broad range 0
Abstract:
An integral adsorbent-heat exchanger device is provided which is useful in ammonia refrigerant heat pump system. The integral apparatus (10) comprises a tube (13) with fins (11) having the activated carbon (14) filled in the spaces between the fins (11).
Abstract:
Oligonucleotides and processes for their use for specific recognition of a target sequence in double-stranded nucleix acid through the formation of a triple helix. The oligonucleotides contain nebularine and bind to one of the strands of the target sequence. The oligonucleotides can be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents through incorporation of an appropriate moiety in one or more nucleotides in the triple helix forming oligonucleotide.
Abstract:
A synthetic polymer (24) is provided for endocapsular lens (18) replacement in an eye (10). The polymer, which is injected into the lens capsule (16) after removal of the lens, comprises an oxygen-stabilized photosensitive prepolymer. An example of such a prepolymer comprises polyether with urethane linkages with one or both ends capped with a functional group containing at least one double bond, such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, or a styrene. The polymerization reaction is initiated with a photoinitiator such as dimethoxyphenylacetophenone and is quenched in the presence of oxygen. Contrary to the prior art polymers, the time of curing is on the order of only a minute or so. The viscosity and thickness of the polymer formed may be tailored to achieve a desired index of refraction of between about 1.3 and 1.6.
Abstract:
All-optical logic gates in which binary words are encoded using wavelength. A method and apparatus for processing information in this wavelength encoded format is provided. The processing may occur entirely in the optical domain. This approach is modular and enables construction of logic gates using custom waveguide chips that can be mass-produced in a manner similar to that of conventional electronic digital chips. Specific gates, such as AND, OR, EXOR, or NAND, may be "programmed" into a given chip during its fabrication to encode the desired truth table. The ouptut states of the chip are determined by ultrafast mixing of binary encoded wavelengths in a semiconductor optical amplifier. The result is a new wavelength having a relationship to the input wavelengths determined entirely by the desired truth table.
Abstract:
Dewpoint/frostpoint hygrometer (1) using surface moisture-sensitive sensor as part of an RF oscillator circuit with feedback control of the sensor temperature to maintain equilibrium at sensor surface between ambient water vapor and condensed water/ice. The invention is preferably implemented using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (32) and RF oscillator (36) in RF oscillator circuit (35) configured to generate a condensation-dependent output signal, a temperature sensor (60) to measure temperature of the SAW device and distinguish between condensation-dependent and temperature-dependent signals, a temperature regulating device such as thermoelectric cooler (30) that controls temperature of the SAW device, and a feedback control system (5) with voltage-sensing circuit (64) and current amplifier (22) configured to keep condensation-dependent signal nearly constant over time in the presence of time-varying humidity, as corrected for temperature. This response effects to heat or cool the surface moisture-sensitive device, thereby shifting equilibrium with respect to evaporation and condensation on surface of device. The equilibrium temperature under feedback control is a measure of dewpoint or frostpoint.