Abstract:
A slab laser and its method of use for high power applications including the manufacture of semiconductors and deposition of diamond and/or diamond-like-carbon layers, among other materials. A lamp driven slab design with a face-to-face beam propagation scheme and an end reflection that redirects the amplified radiation back out the same input surface is utilized. A side-to-side amplifier configuration permitting very high average and peak powers having scalability is also disclosed. Cavity filters adjacent to pump lamps convert the normally unusable UV portion of the pump lamp spectrum into light in the absorption band of the slab laser, thereby increasing the overall pump efficiency. The angle of the end reflecting surface is changed to cause the exit beam to be at a different angle than the inlet beam, thereby eliminating the costly need to separate the beams external to the laser with the subsequent loss of power.
Abstract:
A Polygon Oscillating Piston Engine having multiple pistons on one of two oscillating disks. Each piston moves in a straight line along one of the sides of a polygon within a cylindrical chamber, while the oscillating disks move in an arc about a central shaft. The difference in the straight motion of the piston and angular motion of the oscillating disk is accommodated by a slip sleeve within the piston that slides on a peg or bar mounted to each disk. The engine can be configured to operate as an internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel, gasoline, or natural gas, or it can be configured as an expander to convert high pressure high temperature gas to rotary power. This engines compact design results in a high power-to-weight ratio.
Abstract:
An engine configuration that places multiple pistons on one or two oscillating discs. The engine can be configured to operate as an internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel, gasoline, or natural gas, or it can be configured as an expander to convert high pressure high temperature gas to rotary power. For any given set of choices of numbers of pistons and sizes of pistons, disks, and gears, there are disclosed dimensional constraints useful for more efficient functioning of the engine. This engine is especially suited as a driver for electrical power generation as it delivers high torque at low engine speeds, among other uses. Its compact design results in high power to weight ratios.
Abstract:
A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface. This provides a cheap, neat and thin connection through the dielectric layer or the stack of dielectric layers.
Abstract:
A method of determining in a subject a predisposition to, or increased risk for, developing a tendon, ligament, or other soft tissue injury or pathology, the method comprising the step of screening the subject for the presence of at least one polymorphism in at least one gene family selected from the group consisting of any one or more of: the matrix metallo-protease ( MMP ) family, the collagen family, including the COL5A1 and COL12A1 genes, the glycoprotein family, including the TNC and COMP genes, and derivatives thereof, which polymorphism is a polymorphism which results in a modified, augmented, or mitigated interaction with other members of the gene families mentioned herein, when compared to a wild-type interaction.
Abstract:
An innovative device and method for providing a laser system utilizing high efficiency diode lasers and optionally the high quality beam characteristics of a crystal gain medium single mode laser by utilizing an optical and mechanical method of forming the beam and directing it to the desired target.
Abstract:
A differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having a plurality of pressure chambers; a vacuum pump attached thereto and comprising at least three pump inlets, a first pumping section, a second pumping section downstream from the first pumping section, and a third pumping section downstream from the second pumping section, an outlet from a first, relatively low, pressure chamber being connected to a first pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump from the first chamber and pass through the first, second and third pumping sections towards a pump outlet, an outlet for a second, medium pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a second pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of said sections, only the second and third pumping sections towards the pump outlet, and an outlet for a third, highest pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a third pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of said sections, only at least part of the third pumping section towards the pump outlet; and a backing pump connected to the pump outlet such that, in use, at least 99% of the fluid mass pumped from the spectrometer passes through both the vacuum pump and the backing pump.
Abstract:
A method for determining whether a compound is an inhibitor of FPPS, the method comprising incubating the compound with IPP and GPP in the presence of FPPS and detecting the presence or absence of pyrophosphate.
Abstract:
Two methods of producing a ceramic reinforced Al-alloy metal-matrix composite are described. The first one comprises the steps of dispersing a ceramic phase (of titanium diboride) in a liquid aluminium or aluminium alloy, mixing the ceramic phase with a cryolite or other fluoride flux powder and melting the mixture together with the aluminium or aluminium alloy phase at a temperature of between 700 DEG and 1000 DEG C. In the second method, the fluoride flux is reduced in situ by either molten aluminium or its alloying elements (Mg, Ca) to yield TiB2 crystallites of different size and size distribution that can be predetermined by fixing the flux and alloy composition and the processing temperature.
Abstract:
A nuclear reactor adapted for generating energy and/or decontaminating nuclear fuel using a plurality of energy beam generating accelerator devices configured for inducing a photo-fission reaction in the nuclear fuel.