In various embodiments, exfoliated carbon nanotubes are described in the present disclosure. The carbon nanotubes maintain their exfoliated state, even when not dispersed in a medium such as a polymer or a liquid solution. Methods for making the exfoliated carbon nanotubes include suspending carbon nanotubes in a solution containing a nanocrystalline material, precipitating exfoliated carbon nanot...

The present invention relates to a portable device for the detection of analytes, in particular toxic substances, comprising at least a whole-cell biosensor with cells immobilized onto a transparent and inert matrix that allows the maintenance of cell vitality. The matrix comprises a mixture of collagen and/or its enzyme degradation derivatives, a proteoglycan and a mixture of vinyl polymer and an...

The present invention concerns an intervertebral disc prosthesis (1 ) interposable between two vertebral bodies (A, B), characterized in that it comprises at least one upper arm (20, 20') extending essentially longitudinally, at least one lower arm (30, 30') extending essentially longitudinally, and a junction intermediate element (50), interposed between said at least one upper arm (20, 20') and ...

A filling valve (1) for hot filling plastic bottles, which allows to meet all the requirements determined by the typical particularities of hot filling applications in the most effective manner possible, while allowing to maintain the same basic configuration also for cold processing plain liquids without needing recirculation, e.g. plain water. The filing valve (1) comprises: - a valve body (2) d...

A beverage vending machine (1) having a' cabinet (2) closed by a door (5); a 'supporting surface (10) housed inside the cabinet (2); a number of containers (11) for soluble material, located on the supporting surface (10); and a number of heating devices (44), each of which is incorporated in a locking member (34) for locking the container (11) to the supporting surface (10), and has an electric r...

In an electric steering lock (1) for vehicles, an element (6) for angular locking of a steering shaft (3) is displaced by a driving group (8) between a forward operational position, in which it holds the steering shaft (3) in an angular position, and a retracted resting position in which it allows a free rotation of the steering shaft (32); the driving group (8) being provided with an electric mot...

A bar conveyor belt, comprising two parallel longitudinal chains (6) and a plurality of bars (2) forming the conveying surface and fixed at their ends to the successive links (4) of the two chains (6), each chain link consisting of a metal plate bent in the form of a U with its arms (16, 18) disposed to define a space intended to partially house that adjacent link (4) positioned upstream with refe...