The invention relates to an apparatus for the visualisation of a print on an object, the apparatus comprising: a base comprising a heating element in thermal communication with a receptacle for storing an agent, a housing to provide a sealed chamber; and a port for applying a vacuum to, or releasing a vacuum from, the sealed chamber. The invention is particularly for the visualisation of a fingerprint such as a latent fingerprint. The invention also relates to a system incorporating the apparatus with a cartridge and agent, and associated methods and uses for visualising a print on an object.

Provided are a method and system for preparing a two-dimensional material by means of a gas-phase method. The method comprises a gas-phase etching step: reacting gas having an etching effect with an MAX phase material at a first predetermined temperature, and etching a component A in the MAX phase material to obtain a two-dimensional material containing MX. The method avoids requiring the steps such as repeated cleaning, ultrasonic and centrifugal separation, and drying in preparing MXene in a liquid-phase method, greatly simplifies a preparation process, reduces the preparation cost, can achieve industrial macro preparation of MXene, and lays a foundation for application of MXene in different fields.

A device for separating a gas, such as air, into components, includes a plurality of modules, each module having one or more polymeric membranes capable of gas separation. A set of valves, pipes, and manifolds together arrange the modules in one of two possible configurations. In a first configuration, the modules are arranged in parallel. In a second configuration, the modules are divided into two groups which are arranged in series. The device can be switched from parallel to series, or from series to parallel, simply by changing the positions of a small number of valves, typically three valves. The device can therefore produce gas either of higher purity, or moderate purity, depending on the settings of the valves.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the visualisation of a print on an object, the apparatus comprising: a base comprising a heating element in thermal communication with a receptacle for storing an agent, a housing to provide a sealed chamber; and a port for applying a vacuum to, or releasing a vacuum from, the sealed chamber. The invention is particularly for the visualisation of a fingerprint such as a latent fingerprint. The invention also relates to a system incorporating the apparatus with a cartridge and agent, and associated methods and uses for visualising a print on an object.

A fluorescent member includes: a wavelength converter including an incidence part on which a light of a light source is incident and an output part from which a converted light subjected to wavelength conversion as a result of excitation by an incident light is output; and a reflecting part provided in at least a portion of a surface of the wavelength converter. The wavelength converter is comprised of a material whereby a degree of scattering of the light of the light source incident via the incidence part and traveling toward the output part is smaller than in the case of a polycrystalline material.

A method for producing mesophase pitch includes the steps of flushing a vessel with an at least substantially inert gas to remove air and oxygen from the vessel; charging the vessel with a hydrocarbon feed; pressurizing the vessel to an initial increased pressure; heating the vessel to a pre-determined temperature; and maintaining the vessel at the pre-determined temperature for an amount of time operable to upgrade the hydrocarbon feed to a product comprising mesophase pitch.

A method for producing mesophase pitch includes the steps of flushing a vessel with an at least substantially inert gas to remove air and oxygen from the vessel; charging the vessel with a hydrocarbon feed; pressurizing the vessel to an initial increased pressure; heating the vessel to a pre-determined temperature; and maintaining the vessel at the pre-determined temperature for an amount of time operable to upgrade the hydrocarbon feed to a product comprising mesophase pitch.

The invention relates a method for storing a solution of methane and a C2-C30 hydrocarbon, the method comprising: mixing gaseous methane and a C2-C30 hydrocarbon to provide a mixture of methane and C2-C30 hydrocarbon, wherein the mixture comprises greater than or equal to about 50 mole percent of methane; maintaining the mixture of methane and C2-C30 hydrocarbon as a liquid solution at a pressure of 30 to 150 bar within a storage vessel, wherein the storage vessel comprises a porous adsorbent framework. The invention also relates to similar methods for storing hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The invention also relates to the use of a non-polar solvent such as a hydrocarbon for storing a non-polar gas in a porous adsorbent framework.

The invention relates a method for storing a solution of methane and a C2-C30 hydrocarbon, the method comprising: mixing gaseous methane and a C2-C30 hydrocarbon to provide a mixture of methane and C2-C30 hydrocarbon, wherein the mixture comprises greater than or equal to about 50 mole percent of methane; maintaining the mixture of methane and C2-C30 hydrocarbon as a liquid solution at a pressure of 30 to 150 bar within a storage vessel, wherein the storage vessel comprises a porous adsorbent framework. The invention also relates to similar methods for storing hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The invention also relates to the use of a non-polar solvent such as a hydrocarbon for storing a non-polar gas in a porous adsorbent framework.

A primer composition is provided having a primary explosive and an oxidizer system containing at least one tungsten oxide or one tungstate compound. The oxidizer system can by non-hydroscopic and non-toxic. The primer can include reducing agents, sensitizers, binders and gas producing agents. The primer composition generally is applicable to any application or device that employs ignition of a propellant, a fuel, a relay charge, a delay charge, or a booster charge, including, but not limited to, air bag gas generator systems, signaling devices, ejection seats, small, medium or large arms ammunition primers, and the like.