The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

An underwater communication device (100) is provided with a voice interface (4), a transceiving unit, a voice quality converting unit and a body (1), etcetera. A bone conduction/throat microphone unit, assembled in the voice interface (4), converts the vocal cord vibrations of a diver to voice signals. The voice quality converting unit converts the voice signals to voice signals based on a clearer voice. A transmitting unit, assembled in the transceiving unit, transmits the converted voice signals to the outside. A receiving unit, assembled in the transceiving unit, receives voice data which is transmitted from the outside. A bone-conduction speaker unit, assembled in the voice interface (4), outputs vibrations corresponding to the voice data received by the receiving unit. Attachment equipment (1, 2, 3) are put on a diver in a state where the bone-conduction speaker unit is in attached to the diver. The receiving unit and the bone-conduction speaker unit are integrally attached to the body (1).

Provided is a display device of an electric vehicle that enables an occupant of an electric vehicle to more easily realize an effect of regeneration of braking energy. This display device of the electric vehicle calculates integrated cumulative value of the actual driving distance of the electric vehicle as a first distance, calculates, upon detecting regeneration of braking energy, integrated cumulative value of a drivable distance extended by the regeneration of the braking energy as a second distance, and displays both the first distance and the second distance on a display section.

The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable diagnostic module operable to receive, from a vehicle component, a signal regarding a warning and/or error and select a destination for the signal from a plurality of destinations, the plurality of destinations comprising one or more of a vehicle input/output system to present the warning and/or error to a vehicle occupant, an emergency service provider, an emergency responder, a manufacturer of the vehicle, a service facility located in proximity to a current vehicle location, and a remotely located diagnostic service to diagnose a cause of the warning and/or error signal.

An approach is provided to automate predictive vehicle maintenance. In the approach, a vehicle's information handling system receives vehicle data transmissions from a number of other vehicles in geographic proximity to the vehicle. Both the vehicle and the other vehicles correspond to various vehicle types that are used to identify those other vehicles that are similar to the vehicle. The sets of received vehicle data transmissions that are received to similar vehicles are analyzed with respect to a plurality of vehicle maintenance data corresponding to the vehicle. The analysis of the vehicle data transmissions resulting in predictive vehicle maintenance recommendations pertaining to the first vehicle.

A method and device for activating and deactivating a valet parking function for a motor vehicle is provided. An activated valet parking function prevents access to one or more lockable areas in the motor vehicle. The method including the steps of checking whether a freely operable control element has been actuated. If the actuation of a control element has been detected, the valet parking function is activated to prevent exclusively the access to the lockable area in the motor vehicle, particularly to a trunk.

A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system includes a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element, and a user/vehicle interface member, and a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.

An display system of an excavating machine includes: a vehicle condition detector detecting information related to a current position and a posture of the excavating machine having a work equipment including a bucket; a memory unit storing position information of a target surface indicating a target shape of an object to be worked; a display unit displaying the bucket and position information of a design surface and the target surface; and a processing unit calculating a position of a blade edge of the bucket based on the information related to the current position and the posture of the excavating machine, and, when at least part of the bucket enters a predetermined range in a periphery of the target surface in a direction orthogonal to the target surface, displaying a trajectory of the blade edge which is calculated based on the position of the blade edge and which exists in the predetermined range.

There is provided a driving support apparatus for a vehicle. When a height of a three-dimensional object extracted as a control subject is less than a set height, and as the height of the control subject becomes lower, a driving control unit increases the range of the braking control that is sequentially inhibited in the stepwise manner from the highest braking level to the lowest braking level.

Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure builds on integrating existing technology with new devices, methods, and systems to provide a complete vehicle ecosystem.

A collision avoidance system (CAS) is described that includes one or more sensor technologies, including, for example, an Ultra Wideband (UWB) sensing technology. The collision avoidance system is designed to reliably track the location and speed of vehicles and the distance between vehicles over a wide variety of track and terrain. The collision avoidance system may utilize information from a variety of sensor technologies to determine whether one or more vehicles violate speed and/or separation criteria, and may generate a warning.

A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.

An enhanced encryption keypad (100) capable of preventing illegal disassembly for an automated teller machine comprises a key panel (101) and a main control board (102). A removal detection protection circuit is disposed inside a main chip of the main control board (102), and at least one pin of the removal detection protection circuit is guided out from a surface (1021) of a side of the main control board (102) near the key panel to form a removal detection point (1022). The removal detection point (1022) has two opened signal contact points. The two opened signal contact points are conducted by a conductive adhesive (103) to activate the removal detection protection circuit. A conductive protection ring (1023) isolated from the removal detection point is disposed at the periphery of the removal detection point. The conductive protection ring (1023) is connected to the removal detection protection circuit inside the main control chip. A protection circle (1024) is disposed at the periphery of the conductive protection ring and the corresponding conductive adhesive. The present application effectively protects the encryption keypad from illegal attacks on the removal detection point from the side.

A configurable light timer adapted to receive data to control the operation of the configurable light timer is disclosed. The configurable light timer comprises a control circuit; an input portion coupled to receive a portable memory device by way of a connector on the configurable light timer, wherein the portable memory device stores data to be used by the configurable light timer and is adapted to be removed after the data is downloaded; and a memory coupled to receive the data stored on the portable memory device; wherein control circuit accesses the data from the memory after the data is downloaded and the portable memory device is removed. A method of receiving data to control the operation of the configurable light timer is also disclosed.

A communication process between two constitutive elements of the network of electricity distribution in a domestic or industrial premise including circuit breakers, electrical modules, switches, electrical plugs and light connection devices. The process including the following steps: assignment by a protocol such as DHCP, BootP or RARP of a first IP address to a first element of the power distribution network, assignment of a second IP address to a second element, and establishment of a communication between the first and second elements of the power distribution network.

A method and system for tracking a body's bio-readings and environmental information in which such bio-readings are generated is disclosed. Conventional bio-reading sensor technology may be used in combination with technology for receiving information from electronic tags associated with items in a body's environment. Such technology may include RFID smart tags associated with items in an environment. Such smart tags store information describing the item associated with the smart tag. An RFID smart tag reader may be provided for retrieving item description information stored in such smart tags. The combination of bio-reading data and environmental data provide a power tool in evaluating behavioral and environmental variables that affect a body's bio-readings.

The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unit with integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and a method for same. Using a scan, push button or untrained channel mode, a user may enter into a wireless bidirectional interface mode of a trainable transceiver. The interface mode allows a user to select a sub-set of modes that include diagnostics, flash and vehicle interface. Each mode provides the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly in a bidirectional manner with another remote device.

The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to developing a method of measuring the amount of producible oil and the producible oil saturation in shale-oil reservoirs using sample source rock. Further, the physical and chemical properties and amounts of producible oil in shale-oil reservoir samples may be determined. First and second solvents are applied to a sample source rock to extract petroleum from the sample source rock. The extracted source rock, the twice-extracted source rock, and the first and second extracted petroleum may be analyzed to determine the characteristics and properties of the reservoir rock.

Described herein are particular embodiments relating to a microfluidic device that may be utilized for cell sensing, counting, and/or sorting. Particular aspects relate to a microfabricated device that is capable of differentiating single cell types from dense cell populations. One particular embodiment relates a device and methods of using the same for sensing, counting, and/or sorting leukocytes from whole, undiluted blood samples.

A biosensor and method of making are disclosed. The biosensor is configured to detect a target and may include a peptide immobilized on a sensing component, the sensing component having an anode and a cathode. The immobilized peptide may comprise an antimicrobial peptide binding motif for the target. The sensing component has an electrical conductivity that changes in response to binding of the immobilized peptide to the target. The immobilized peptide may bind one or more targets selected from the list consisting of: bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, pathogens, protozoa, fungi, viruses, and cancerous cells. The biosensor may have a display with a readout that is responsive to changes in electrical conductivity of the sensing component. The display unit may be wirelessly coupled to the sensing component. A resonant circuit with an inductive coil may be electrically coupled to the sensing component. A planar coil antenna may be disposed in proximity to the resonant circuit, the planar coil antenna being configured to provide power to the sensing component.

Microfluidic devices having a protein renaturation component and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium with a first flow path and a protein renaturation component in fluid communication with the separation medium and having a second flow path. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays.

A method for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes the following steps. Provide a sample of the liquefied petroleum gas, and one main component group of the liquefied petroleum gas includes at least one sub component group. Analyze the sample of the liquefied petroleum gas so as to obtain a first measured THC corresponding to the main component group and a second measured THC corresponding to the sub component group. Obtain a regressed THC according to the second measured THC and a predetermined relationship of THC. Obtain a result of THC according to the first measured THC, the regressed THC, and a predetermined range of THC. The predetermined range of THC corresponds to the main component group. The device for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes an inlet, a multiposition valve, a first column, a second column, an analyzing apparatus, and a computing unit.

A two step lateral flow assay method for identifying IgE antibodies in a sample comprises applying a sample to a sample port of a device, wherein the device is adapted to deliver the sample to a lateral flow matrix having a plurality of IgE antigen species immobilized at respective positions at a first location; allowing the sample to travel along the lateral flow matrix through the immobilized plurality of IgE antigen species to a second location downstream of the first location; and, after a predetermined period of time, applying liquid buffer to the lateral flow matrix to mobilize labeled reagent which is adapted to bind anti-IgE antibody and which is dried on the lateral flow matrix at a location upstream of the sample port delivery of the sample to the lateral flow matrix, and allowing labeled reagent mobilized by the liquid buffer to travel along the lateral flow matrix through the immobilized plurality of IgE antigen species and bind with any IgE antibody bound to the immobilized IgE antigen species, and to travel to a second location downstream of the first location where the mobilized labeled reagent causes a visible change to occur at the second location.

Methods and systems for selectively capturing analytes, such as cells, e.g., circulating tumor cells (CTCs), from fluid samples are disclosed. The methods include contacting the sample with an analyte binding moiety that selectively binds to the analytes; optionally separating first components of the sample including a majority of the analytes bound to the binding moieties from second components of the sample using size-based separation, e.g., in a microfluidic channel; adding to the first components of the sample a plurality of binding agents under conditions that enable a plurality of the binding agents to be linked to the analyte binding moieties to form multivalent tagging agents bound to the analyte; passing the first components of the sample past a surface to which is attached a plurality of capture agents that selectively bind to the binding agents; and capturing the analytes by providing conditions that enable the multivalent tagging agents bound to the analytes to bind to one or more of the capture agents.

A first set of antibodies are bonded to a substrate, and are exposed to and bonded with target antigens. A second set of antibodies are bonded to nanoparticles, and the nanoparticle labeled antibodies are exposed to the targeted antigens. An electromagnetic write-head magnetizes the nanoparticles, and then a read-sensor detects the freshly magnetized nanoparticles. The substrate comprises a flexible film or a Peltier material to allow selective heating and cooling of the antigens and antibodies. Nanoparticles of different magnetic properties may be selectively paired with antibodies associated with different antigens to allow different antigens to be detected upon a single scan by the read-sensor.

A testing cartridge for metering of a sample to be tested. The testing cartridge includes a casing defining a casing opening and a sliding member defining a sliding member opening. The casing opening or the sliding member opening can define a specified volume, wherein the casing opening and the sliding member opening collectively define a sample application region dimensioned to accommodate receiving an amount of sample exceeding the specified volume. The sliding member is movable transversely to the casing opening by having the sliding member and the casing traverse across each other's respective openings to remove excess sample from the received amount of sample and retain the specified volume from the received amount of sample.

An apparatus for measuring a volume of fluid includes at least one emitter configured to project a signal toward a predetermined position of a sample container, at least one receiver configured to receive the signal after the signal interacts with the sample container and a fluid transfer device in communication with the receiver and sample container. A change in the signal received by the receiver indicates when the fluid has dropped below the predetermined position. The apparatus determines a volume of fluid that the fluid transfer device has removed from the sample container when the receiver detects that the fluid has dropped below the predetermined position.

An instrument is configured to receive a staple cartridge to staple tissue and expel a fluid from within a container in the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has an upper deck including staple apertures and orifices formed therein. The orifices are in fluid communication with the containers. The staple cartridge includes staple drivers having a driver body to translate a staple and a container protrusion to expel the fluid out the orifices. The fluid may be expelled while driving the staples out through the staple apertures. The container may be vertically compressible container or, in one alternative, may be a container having a channel and a sealant that is configured to be pierced as the fluid is expelled. Some configurations for the fluid include a hemostatic agent, thrombin, a gel, or a medicament. The containers may also be formed as reservoirs defined within the upper deck and/or cartridge body.

An apparatus for endosurgical use includes an instrument having an end effector and a staple cartridge insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes staples, staple apertures, a resistive member, and a medical fluid. When coupled to a power source, the medical fluid is vaporized by the resistive member and expelled out the staple apertures onto the stapled tissue. The power source may be contained within the instrument. In one configuration, a resistive strip with strip contacts may electrically couple to a conductor in the end effector. The medical fluid may also be divided into a plurality of sealant pads corresponding to the staple apertures, and the medical fluid may be a depolymerizable cyanoacrylate, a sprayable thermoplastic urethane, or any vaporizable medicament or pharmaceutical. The staple drivers may include one or more apertures to permit the medical fluid to pass through or around the staple drivers.

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a spontaneous joining unit and a deformative joining unit. The spontaneous joining unit overlaps a first substrate and a second substrate and spontaneously joins mutual center portions of respective joint faces of the first substrate and the second substrate. The deformative joining unit deforms at least one peripheral portion of the respective joint faces of the first substrate and second substrate joined by the spontaneous joining unit toward the other peripheral portion and joins the mutual peripheral portions of the respective joint faces.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge, an anvil, a buttress member, and a buttress mount. In particular, the staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil includes an anvil member and a shaft extending therefrom. The anvil member defines a plurality of staple pockets for deforming the surgical staples. The anvil is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. The buttress member is concentrically aligned with the plurality of staple pockets defined in the anvil member. The buttress mount is detachably secured with the shaft of the anvil. The buttress mount includes at least one support member radially extending outward to secure the buttress member to the anvil member.

A corner device (10) having a main body (12) for carrying information or an ornamental pattern on an upper surface and locating formation (14) extending from one end of the main body. The locating formation locates and aligns the corner device with respect to an article before attaching the corner device to the article. The locating formation is shaped to receive the legs of a staple on either side thereof. The device also includes a folding area adapted to allow the main body to be folded over the locating formation once the corner device has been attached to the article, thereby to display the information or ornamental pattern.

A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.

The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus and the application of variable compression to tissue. More specifically, the presently disclosed surgical fastener applying apparatus act to limit the flow of blood through tissue immediately adjacent a cut-line formed therein to effectuate hemostasis, while maximizing the flow of blood through tissue more removed from the cut-line to limit unnecessary necrosis. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener applying apparatus is disclosed having a tool assembly coupled to a distal end thereof with first and second jaws respectively including an anvil and a surgical fastener cartridge. The surgical fastener cartridge includes, among other things, angled pushers that engage surgical fasteners of varying lengths.

A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.

A tilt anvil assembly is disclosed which includes a center rod and a head assembly pivotally mounted to the center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post and an anvil plate. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod in discrete steps between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position via a plurality of partially tilted positions. The head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.

A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

An apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers for receiving an associated plurality of staples, each formed with a shape memory that allows the staple to adopt a straightened configuration, when placed in a stapler, and a deployed configuration for suturing when released from the stapler; and a sleeve moveable relative to the chambers between a first position, in which the staples are trapped by the sleeve within the chambers in the straightened configuration, and a second position, whereby the staples are freed to adopt the deployed configuration, wherein the sleeve is adapted to move between the first and second positions by rotating relative to the chambers.

The invention relates to a fastener driving tool comprising a tank (5) for storing a fuel, in particular liquefied petroleum gas, a combustion chamber (2) connected to the tank (5), wherein the combustion chamber (2) has a movable piston for powering a driving plunger, and a metering device (4) arranged between the tank (5) and the combustion chamber (2) wherein a defined quantity of fuel can be transported by means of the metering device (4) from a metering space (12) into the combustion chamber (2), wherein the metering device (4) comprises a thermomechanical element (15) by means of which the defined amount can be varied as a function of a temperature.

Devices for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue include a sheath and a staple push rod. The sheath has a distal end configured to be pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the sheath and is slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to abut a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. The stakes are biased to assume a bow-like shape such that an intermediate portion of a staple extends tautly between the first stake and the second stake when the stakes are extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed. Various embodiments have a tissue-piercing feature.

Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof. In one aspect, a method of acquiring and fixating tissue is disclosed that includes inserting a surgical device having first and second jaws and a tissue acquisition member into a body lumen, positioning the device in a first position in which the jaws extend substantially parallel to a tissue surface, drawing tissue through the jaws by moving the tissue acquisition member away from the jaws, and driving at least one fastener through the tissue disposed between the jaws.

The subject invention pertains to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors that exhibit an IC50 of below 10−4M against MMP and have substantially no activity against non-MMP metalloproteinase-related events. The MMP inhibitors of the invention have reduced side-effects, especially with respect to joint pain.

The present invention relates to shaped bodies made of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites and comprising a core zone and at least one covering layer which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is higher than that of the core zone. The covering layer is an SiC-rich covering layer and is divided into segments which are separated from the adjacent segments by gaps or bridging zones of a material which is different from the material of the segments. The invention also relates to a process for producing such shaped bodies by infiltration of an intermediate body with molten silicon and their use for friction disks, in vehicle construction or as protective plates.

A fullerene derivative, with a solubility in n-hexane of not lower that 0.1 mg/ml at 25° C., includes a fullerene skeleton and three or more organic groups attached to the fullerene skeleton, where each of the organic groups is represented by the general formula (III): —CH2—X (R2)(R3)(R4) (III) where X represents an element belonging to the group 14 in the periodic table; and R2, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group, alkoxy group or amino group.

The novel metallocenes of the formula I in which, preferably, M1 is Zr or Hf, R1 and R2 are alkyl or halogen, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, R5 and R6 are alkyl or haloalkyl, —(CR8R9)m—R7—(CR8R9)n— is a single- or multi-membered chain in which R7 may also be a (substituted) hetero atom, m+n is zero or 1, and R10 is hydrogen, form, together with aluminoxanes as cocatalysts, a very effective catalyst system for the preparation of polyolefins of high stereospecificity and high melting point.