(19)

(11)

EP 1 233 927 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/35 (21) Application number: 00980528.4 (22) Date of filing: 17.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B81C 1/00, B82B 1/00, B82B 3/00, B01D 63/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0031/749 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/6321 (25.05.2001 Gazette 2001/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 17.11.1999 US 166049 P (71) Applicant: The Regents of the University of California Oakland, CA 94607-5200 (US)	(72) Inventors: HANSFORD, Derek Columbus, OH 43204 (US) FERRARI, Mauro Dublin, OH 43017 (US) (74) Representative: Kyle, Diana et al Elkington and FifeProspect House8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)