1. A catalyst system comprising:
a metal-based catalyst;
a photo-oxidation catalyst for cleaning the metal-based catalyst in the presence of light, the exposure to light enabling the photo-oxidation catalyst to substantially oxidize absorbed contaminants and reduce accumulation of the contaminants on the metal-based catalyst.
2. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the metal-based catalyst is selected from a group of noble and semi-noble metals comprising palladium, platinum, other metals of the platinum-group, and alloys thereof.
3. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst defines a lower surface portion; the metal-based catalyst defining an upper interfacing surface portion; and the upper interfacing surface portion of the metal-based catalyst abutting the lower surface portion of the photo-oxidation catalyst.
4. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst is selected from a group comprising anatase titania, rutile titania, and other metal oxides having substantially similar chemical and physical characteristics as a titania-type photo-oxidation catalysts.
5. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the contaminants are members of a group of pollutants comprising hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other sulfur bearing gases.
6. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the light is emitted from a remote radiation source.
7. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the light is selected from a region of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising near ultraviolet radiation and ultraviolet radiation.
8. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the light is visible light.
9. The catalyst system of claim 1, further comprising a light source operatively coupled to the photo-oxidation catalyst and metal-based catalyst, wherein the light output by the light source is focused on the metal-based catalyst and photo-oxidation catalyst.
10. The catalyst system of claim 9, wherein the light source is from a group of light probes and guides comprising a plurality of fluorescent lamps assembled to provide a beam output, fiber optics, and high intensity discharge lamps.
11. The catalyst system of claim 9, wherein the light source is solar radiation.
12. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst and metal-based catalyst comprise thin films.
13. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the metal-based catalyst is selected from a group of variously, geometrically shaped, thin films comprising a continuous thin film-type, a discontinuous thin film, and an island-configured thin film, or dispersed particulates on a support.
14. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the metal-based catalyst comprises a continuous thin film.
15. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst comprises anatase titania.
16. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the metal-based catalyst comprises palladium.
17. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the light comprises wavelengths from about 254 nanometers to about 385 nanometers.
18. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the light is collimated light.
19. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst during the exposure to the light and the reaction with ambient air enables the photo-oxidation catalyst to generate hydroxide radicals from water vapor during the reaction; the generated hydroxide radicals substantially oxidizing, firstly, the absorbed contaminants, and secondly, any surviving contaminants that migrate through the photo-oxidation catalyst to the metal-based catalyst.
20. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst and metal-based catalyst are used in a sensor.
21. The catalyst system of claim 20, wherein the sensor is selected from a group comprising hydrogen field effect transistor sensors, hydrogen thick film sensors, hydrogen thin film sensors, hydrogen fiber-optic sensors, and chromogenic hydrogen sensors.
22. The catalyst system of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises a chromogenic hydrogen sensor.
23. The catalyst system of claim 22, wherein the chromogenic hydrogen sensor comprises a thin-film metal oxide disposed over a substrate; and wherein the metal oxide is over coated with the palladium.
24. The catalyst system of claim 23, wherein the substrate comprises glass.
25. The catalyst system of claim 23, wherein the substrate comprises a polymer.
26. The catalyst system of claim 23, wherein the substrate comprises the end of a fiber-optic cable.
27. The catalyst system of claim 23, wherein the metal oxide is selected from a group comprising tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, nickel oxide, nickel hydroxide, vanadium oxide, ruthenium oxide, and suitably doped states of these oxides.
28. The catalyst system of claim 1, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst and metal-based catalyst are used in the reactive surface of a catalyst bed.
29. A hydrogen sensor comprising:
a composite of thin films, including:
a coating of titanium dioxide defining a top thin film;
a catalyst layer of palladium defining an intermediate thin film; and
a chemochromic layer of tungsten oxide defining a bottom thin film;
a glass substrate supporting the composite of thin films; and
a light source for probing the composite of thin films with light to facilitate a reaction with the ambient air and water vapor therein, causing photo-oxidation of contaminants on the composite of thin films.
30. The hydrogen sensor of claim 29, wherein the light source is an ultraviolet light source.
31. The hydrogen sensor of claim 29, wherein the oxidation of contaminants enables the hydrogen sensor to be operational for at least a period of one year during repeated exposures to hydrogen.
32. A method for cleaning a metal-based catalyst, comprising:
providing a photo-oxidation catalyst adjacent the metal-based catalyst; and
exposing the photo-oxidation catalyst to light to oxidize absorbed contaminants on the metal-based catalyst.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the light is ultraviolet light.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the metal-based catalyst is selected from a group of noble and semi-noble metals comprising palladium, platinum, other metals of the platinum-group, and alloys thereof.
35. The catalyst system of claim 32, wherein the photo-oxidation catalyst is selected from a group comprising anatase titania, rutile titania, and other metal oxides having substantially similar chemical and physical characteristics as a titania-type photo-oxidation catalysts.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A device for applying a medical element comprising:
a housing defining a longitudinal axis having a channel being disposed therethrough, said housing having a proximal and a distal opening;
at least one sensing device mounted to the housing adjacent said distal opening thereof;
a signaling device mounted in said housing, the signaling device including a controller operatively connected to control the sensing device; and
an alarm mounted in said housing, operatively connected to be controlled by the controller;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to interrogate an external surface of a bone location for one or more variables of cortical and cancellous bone of the bone location as the at least one sensing device is moved over the external surface of the bone location;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to generate a signal based upon the one or more variables of the cortical and cancellous bone of the bone location when positioned along the external surface of the bone location;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to output the signal to the signaling device;
wherein said signaling device is configured and adapted to provide an identification of a homogenous bone region and to activate and deactivate the alarm accordingly; and
wherein the channel of the housing is configured and adapted so that a medical element can be applied to the homogenous bone location coaxially from said proximal opening through said channel and through said distal opening without removal of the device from the homogenous bone region.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensing device includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensing device includes at least one ultrasonic transducer element disposed around said distal opening.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is cylindrical.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said alarm is disposed on an outer surface of said housing.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said alarm is configured and adapted to emit an audible alarm.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said alarm is configured and adapted to emit a visual alarm.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said one or more variables of the bone location are selected from the group consisting of bone mineral density data, bone thickness data, bone histology data, bone disease data, bone degeneration data, bone water content data, bone blood content data, bone marrow content data, bone cartilage composition data, and any combinations thereof.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel of the housing is configured and adapted so that the medical element can be applied to the homogenous bone region coaxially from said proximal opening through said channel and through said distal opening without removal of the device from the homogenous bone region to form a pedicular channel.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the channel of the housing is configured and adapted to accommodate a medical element that is a drill bit.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a filter coupled to said at least one sensing device for removing noise from said signal.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the alarm includes a vibration device for providing a tactile indication that said homogenous location has been determined.
13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensing devices positioned adjacent said distal opening.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel of the housing is configured and adapted to accommodate a medical element that is a Kirschner wire.
15. A device for applying a medical element comprising:
a housing defining a longitudinal axis having a channel being disposed therethrough, said housing having a proximal and a distal opening;
at least one sensing device mounted to the housing adjacent said distal opening thereof;
a signaling device mounted in said housing, the signaling device including a controller operatively connected to control the sensing device; and
an alarm mounted in said housing, operatively connected to be controlled by the controller;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to interrogate an external surface of a bone location for one or more variables of cortical and cancellous bone of the bone location as the at least one sensing device is moved over the external surface of the bone location;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to generate a signal based upon the one or more variables of the cortical and cancellous bone of the bone location when positioned along the external surface of the bone location;
wherein said at least one sensing device is configured and adapted to output the signal to said signaling device;
wherein said signaling device is configured and adapted to provide an identification of a homogenous bone region and to activate and deactivate the alarm accordingly;
wherein the channel of the housing is configured and adapted so that a medical element can be applied to the homogenous bone region coaxially from said proximal opening through said channel and through said distal opening without removal of the device from the homogenous bone region; and
wherein said housing includes a surface treatment, said surface treatment being disposed in or on an inner surface of said channel.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said surface treatment increases a surface hardness of said inner surface of said channel.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein said surface treatment comprises a sleeve adapted to protect said inner surface.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein said surface treatment comprises a plurality of material deposits in or on said inner surface of said channel.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein said material deposits are a plurality of ceramic andor metal particles.
20. The device of claim 17, wherein said sleeve is one of a ceramic sleeve or a metal sleeve.