A method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file,... Show moreA method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file, identified by a descriptor including at least one metadata term and a mathematical identifier that uniquely identifies the content file in one of the server computers, is selected for searching. Other server computers are searched to find one or more matching content files; one that has a descriptor with a mathematical identifier matching the mathematical identifier of the first content file. The descriptors of the matching content files are returned to the searching server computer and used to expand the local descriptor. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A method for detecting a mass density image of an object. An x-ray beam is transmitted through the object and a transmitted beam is emitted... Show moreA method for detecting a mass density image of an object. An x-ray beam is transmitted through the object and a transmitted beam is emitted from the object. The transmitted beam is directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. A diffracted beam is emitted from the crystal analyzer onto a detector and digitized. A first image of the object is detected from the diffracted beam emitted from the crystal analyzer when positioned at a first angular position. A second image of the object is detected from the diffracted beam emitted from the crystal analyzer when positioned at a second angular position. The first image and the second image are combined mathematically to derive a mass density image of the object. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
To provide a compact ozone generator, films of polymeric material are employed as dielectrics in combination with flat, planar electrodes to... Show moreTo provide a compact ozone generator, films of polymeric material are employed as dielectrics in combination with flat, planar electrodes to produce ozone by silient electrical discharge in an oxygen containing gas stream. The electrodes and dielectrics are cooled by the gas stream which is recycled across the electrodes and dielectrics and through an external heat exchanger. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
A biosensor comprising a substrate material, at least one antibody covalently immobilized on the substrate material, and a pair of metal... Show moreA biosensor comprising a substrate material, at least one antibody covalently immobilized on the substrate material, and a pair of metal contact electrodes for measuring the impedance of the biosensor. A process for producing a biosensor in accordance with this invention as well as a process for utilizing the biosensor are also disclosed. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology Sponsorship: United States of America United States Patent Show less
An electrode configuration for use in association with a heat transfer member provided in a thermal energy transfer system. Separate multiple... Show moreAn electrode configuration for use in association with a heat transfer member provided in a thermal energy transfer system. Separate multiple electrical conductors are each received on a respective first surface alteration. Each of the multiple conductors is connected to a different terminal of a multiphase alternating power source so that an electric traveling wave moves in a longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member so as to induce pumping of at least the liquid phase in the longitudinal direction to thereby enhance the thermal energy transfer characteristics of the thermal energy transfer system. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned heat transfer members are provided inside of an outer conduit. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
Hafnium base alloy containing between about 15 and about 35 weight percent tantalum and between about 2 and about 20 weight percent iridium.... Show moreHafnium base alloy containing between about 15 and about 35 weight percent tantalum and between about 2 and about 20 weight percent iridium. The alloy may also contain aluminum, silicon or chromium as additional alloying agents. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
A self-regulating Class E/resonant power converter includes a power switching device which is gated on at each transition between negative and... Show moreA self-regulating Class E/resonant power converter includes a power switching device which is gated on at each transition between negative and positive half cycles of the load current by drive signals generated by a drive circuit, the rate at which the drive signals are generated being controlled by a zero crossing detector which monitors the load current and adjusts the frequency of the drive signals in correspondence with changes in the time between successive negative-to-positive zero crossings of the load current such that the power switching device continues to be switched on at substantially zero voltage, zero slope conditions to maintain the power converter operating at the optimal Class E frequency. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A magnetic transducing system where a liquid-state lubricating film forms a surface layer of the record medium and the thickness of the film ... Show moreA magnetic transducing system where a liquid-state lubricating film forms a surface layer of the record medium and the thickness of the film (which is susceptible to shear forces due to pressure contact with the transducer head) is selected to be within a critical thickness range correlated with system parameters so as to essentially minimize both wear on the transducer head and transfer of liquid to the record contact face of the head. The process of forming the liquid-state lubricating film is selected to avoid any disturbance of the molecular structure of the magnetizable layer of the record medium; and in particular the binder (preferably a cross linked polymer formulation without any constituents added for lubricating purposes) has the liquid-state lubricating film applied thereto without the assistance of swelling agents or other process steps which might be injurious to the integrity of the magnetizable layer. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
Communication and Process Migration Protocols instituted in an independent layer of a virtual machine environment allow for heterogeneous or... Show moreCommunication and Process Migration Protocols instituted in an independent layer of a virtual machine environment allow for heterogeneous or homogeneous process migration. The protocols manage message traffic for processes communicating in the virtual machine environment. The protocols manage message traffic for migrating processes so that no message traffic is lost during migration, and proper message order is maintained for the migrating process. In addition to correctness of migration operations, low overhead and high efficiency is achieved for supporting scalable, point-to-point communications. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less