Ergonomic Material-Handling Device
Lance E. Barsnick, David M. Zalk, Catherine M. Perry, Terry Biggs, Robert E. Tageson
U.S. Patent 6,779,803 B1
August 24, 2004
A handheld ergonomic material-handling device helps move heavy objects requiring mechanical assistance, such as large waste containers. The device allows users to move a heavy object while keeping their back, shoulders, wrists, and knees in a neutral posture, thereby reducing potential injury. One key feature of the device is handles with adjustable heights to fit a user’s back, wrists, and shoulders. Another key feature is the rounded shape of the handlebar, which keeps a user’s wrists in a neutral posture during manipulation of the device.

Magnetohydrodynamic Fluidic System
Abraham P. Lee, Mark G. Bachman
U.S. Patent 6,780,320 B2
August 24, 2004
This magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluidic system includes a reagent source containing a reagent fluid and a sample source containing a sample fluid and a constituent. A reactor is connected to the reagent and sample sources. The MHD pump uses a drive to move the reagent and sample fluids. This flow allows the reagent and sample fluids to form an interface causing the constituent to be separated from the sample fluid.

Apparatus for Improving Performance of Electrical Insulating Structures
Michael J. Wilson, David A. Goerz
U.S. Patent 6,783,401 B2
August 31, 2004
This apparatus removes the electrical field from the internal volume of high-voltage structures (for example, bushings, connectors, capacitors, and cables). The electrical field is removed from the inherently weak regions of the interconnect, such as between the center conductor and the solid dielectric, and is placed in the primary insulation. This is accomplished by providing a conductive surface on the inner surface of the principal solid dielectric insulator that surrounds the center conductor. The center conductor is connected to this conductive surface. The advantage of removing the electrical fields from the weaker dielectric region to a stronger area is improved reliability, increased component life and operating levels, reduced noise and losses, and a more compact design. This electrical field control approach is currently possible on many existing products at a modest cost. Several techniques are available to provide the level of electrical field control needed. Choosing the optimum technique depends on material, size, and surface accessibility. The simplest deposition method uses a standard electroless plating technique. Other metallization techniques include vapor and energetic deposition, plasma spraying, conductive painting, and other controlled coating methods.

Rolling Circle Amplification Detection of RNA and DNA
Allen T. Christian, Melissa S. Pattee, Cristina M. Attix, James D. Tucker
U.S. Patent 6,783,943 B2
August 31, 2004
Rolling circle amplification (RCA) has been useful for detecting point mutations in isolated nucleic acids, but its application in cytological preparations has been problematic. By pretreating cells with a combination of restrictive enzymes and exonucleases, we can demonstrate RCA in solution and in situ to detect gene copy number and single-base mutations. RCA is also useful for detecting and quantifying transcribed ribonucleic acid in individual cells, making it a versatile tool for cell-based assays.

Target Molecules Detection by Waveguiding in a Photonic Silicon Membrane
Sonia Letant, Anthony Van Buuren, Louis Terminello
U.S. Patent 6,785,432 B2
August 31, 2004
This waveguiding photonic silicon filter can bind and detect biological and chemical target molecules in liquid or gas samples. The filter has chemical or biological anchors covalently attached to its pore walls and selectively binds target molecules. Transmission curve engineering principles allow in situ and real-time measurements to detect the presence of various target molecules and determine the concentration of bound target.

Dielectrophoretic Concentration of Particles under Electrokinetic Flow
Robin R. Miles, Kerry A. Bettencourt, Christopher K. Fuller
U.S. Patent 6,787,018 B1
September 7, 2004
Dielectrophoresis is used to collect particles under the conditions of electrokinetically driven flow. Interdigitated electrodes are patterned on an inner surface of a microfluidic channel. A direct current voltage is applied across the ends to the channel, and an alternating current voltage is applied across the electrodes. Particles swept down the channel electrokinetically are trapped within the field established by the electrodes. The particles can be released when the voltage to the electrodes is released.

Detection and Treatment of Chemical Weapons and/or Biological Pathogens
Raymond P. Mariella, Jr.
U.S. Patent 6,787,104 B1
September 7, 2004
A system for detecting and treating chemical weapons or biological pathogens uses a detector assembly, an electrostatic precipitator or scrubber, a circulation system, and a control. The precipitator or scrubber is activated in response to a signal from the detector when it detects chemical weapons or biological pathogens.

High Energy Laser Beam Dump
John Halpin
U.S. Patent 6,792,017 B2
September 14, 2004
The laser beam dump is positioned in a housing. An absorbing glass-plate means is operatively connected to the housing. A heat-sync means for extracting heat from the absorbing glass-plate means is operatively connected to the housing and the absorbing glass-plate means.

Multi-Stage Combustion Using Nitrogen-Enriched Air
Larry E. Fischer, Brian L. Anderson
U.S. Patent 6,790,030 B2
September 14, 2004
Multistage combustion technology is combined with nitrogen-enriched air technology to control combustion temperature, extend the maintenance and lifetime cycles of materials in contact with combustion products, and reduce pollutants while maintaining relatively high combustion and thermal-cycle efficiencies. The first stage of combustion operates fuel rich as most of the combustion heat is released with the burning of nitrogen-enriched air. Part of the energy in the combustion gases is used to perform work or to provide heat. The cooled combustion gases are reheated by additional stages of combustion until the last stage is at or near stoichiometric conditions. Additional energy is extracted from each stage to result in relatively high thermal-cycle efficiency. The air is enriched with nitrogen using air-separation technologies, such as diffusion, permeable membrane, absorption, and cryogenics. The combustion method can be used with many types of combustion equipment, including boilers, burners, turbines, and internal combustion engines. Many types of fuel can be used with this method, including hydrogen and carbon-based fuels.

DC Attenuation Meter
Douglas L. Hargrove
U.S. Patent 6,791,337 B2
September 14, 2004
A portable, handheld meter measures direct current (dc) attenuation in low-impedance electrical signal cables and attenuators. A dc voltage is applied to the signal input of the cable and to feedback from the control circuit through the signal cable and attenuators. The control circuit adjusts the applied voltage to the cable until the feedback voltage equals the reference voltage. The units of applied voltage required at the cable input equals the system attenuation value of the cable and attenuators, which makes this meter unique. The meter may be used to calibrate data-signal cables, attenuators, and cable-attenuator assemblies.

Differentially-Driven MEMS Spatial Light Modulator
Eddy A. Stappaerts
U.S. Patent 6,791,735 B2
September 14, 2004
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) spatial light modulator (SLM) and an electrostatic actuator associated with a pixel in an SLM. The actuator has three electrodes: a lower electrode, an upper electrode fixed with respect to the lower electrode, and a center electrode suspended and actuable between the upper and lower electrodes. The center electrode is capable of resiliently biasing to restore the center electrode to a nonactuated first equilibrium position. A mirror is operably connected to the center electrode. A first voltage source provides a first bias voltage across the lower and center electrodes, and a second voltage source provides a second bias voltage across the upper and center electrodes. The first and second bias voltages determine the nonactuated first equilibrium position of the center electrode. A third voltage source provides a variable driver voltage across one of the lower–center and upper–center electrode pairs, in series with the corresponding first or second bias voltage, to actuate the center electrode to a dynamic second equilibrium position.

High Average Power Scaling of Optical Parametric Amplification through Cascaded Difference-Frequency Generators
Igor Jovanovic, Brian J. Comaskey
U.S. Patent 6,791,743 B2
September 14, 2004
A first pump pulse and a signal pulse are injected into a first optical parametric amplifier. This method produces a first amplified signal pulse. At least one additional pump pulse and the first amplified signal pulse are injected into at least one additional optical parametric amplifier, producing a higher power coherent optical pulse.

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