Systems and methods for removing material, e.g., linters, from seeds, e.g., ginned cottonseeds, are provided. The systems and methods involve rotating the seeds in a rotatable drum having a plurality of longitudinal brushes. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum and the plurality of longitudinal brushes urge the seeds against an interior surface of the drum that is lined with a brush insert. In this way, work is performed that removes the material from the exterior of the seeds. The material is removed using reduced pressure and the processed seeds are removed. The system may include a brush insert that is easily removed from the rotatable drum. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

A processing agent containing five specified kinds of components including esters and ethers as required components is used in the production or fabrication process of synthetic fibers such that superior spinning property is maintained and synthetic fibers with superior yarn quality and dyeing property can be obtained. Aqueous liquids of such processing agents, processing methods using such liquids and synthetic fibers obtained by such methods are also presented.

A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising first and second upper panels, a least one side panel, a lower panel, and a closure system. The panels are joined to define an upper wall and at least side wall, with the first and second upper panels defining a fill opening in the upper wall and a container defining an interior chamber. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is substantially prevented and an open configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is allowed.

Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a collapsible upper frame, a collapsible lower frame, and posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame. The posts include respective tracks. The example also includes a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts. The enclosure has a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume. The enclosure also has a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the tracks to secure the enclosure to the posts.

A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer.

A system includes an optical fiber and an interrogator to provide source light to the optical fiber. The system also includes a receiver coupled to the optical fiber. The receiver includes at least one fiber optic coupler that receives backscattered light and that produces optical interferometry signals from the backscattered light. The receiver also includes photo-detectors that produce an electrical signal for each of said optical interferometry signals. The system also includes at least one digitizer that digitizes the electrical signals. The system also includes at least one processing unit that calculates I/Q data from the digitized electrical signals, corrects the I/Q data based on ellipse fitting, determines phase values based on the corrected I/Q data, and determines distributed sensing parameter values based on the phase values.

A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, a touch sensor, and a lock controller. The lock controller may be configured to unlock the lock based upon the touch sensor, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas, switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior.

A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, and a lock controller. The lock controller determine whether the lock is manually unlocked, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, and determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas. The lock controller may also switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior.

A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.

A multi-spectral detection device is provided that includes a housing, a bezel spacer, a microphone, an end cap and electro-optical sensors mounted to the end cap. The housing has an inner chamber that holds sensor components. The bezel spacer has a first end and an opposed, second end. The first end of the bezel spacer extends from a first end of the housing. The bezel spacer has a central bezel passage leading to the inner chamber of the housing. The bezel spacer further has at least four side walls. Each side wall is positioned 90 degrees away from an adjacent side wall. A microphone is coupled to each side wall of the bezel spacer in such a manner that each microphone is faced 90 degrees with respect to an adjacent microphone to form a compact acoustic array. The end cap is coupled to the second end of the bezel spacer and the electro-optical sensors are mounted to the end cap.

Systems and methods for a pyrolytic oven for processing waste include multiple zones associated with multiple independently-controlled heating sources. The pyrolytic oven may have multiple sensors also associated with each zone. The pyrolytic oven may also include a fuel management system which adjusts a power level of each heating source for each zone independently based on a reading of the corresponding sensor.

A candle with an embedded item and methods for manufacturing same are disclosed. A method for manufacturing a candle having an embedded item can include providing a first set of items of a first value and a second set of items of a second value different from the first value, combining the two sets to create a third set, and distributing the items of the third set among a set of candles, one item per candle, where the presence, nature, or value of the item within the candle is obscured. The method can further include selling the candles for a first price, wherein, the presence of the embedded item, the nature of the embedded item, the value of the embedded item, or the value of the embedded item relative to the first price is not known to the purchaser. The embedded item can comprise an object redeemable for a prize.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for detecting defective sectors on a recording medium, the method including calculating a servo gain for each servo sector of a track of a recording medium of a storage device; determining whether the servo gain of each servo sector exceeds a threshold value; and upon determining that the servo gain of a servo sector exceeds the threshold value, determining data sectors included in the servo sector to be defective sectors.

Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region.

A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), and at least two other secondary atoms, the at least two other secondary atoms selected from: boron (B), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), tellurium (Te), holmium (Ho), lutetium (Lu), praseodymium (Pr), scandium (Sc), uranium (U), barium (Ba), chlorine (Cl), cesium (Cs), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu), fluorine (F), germanium (Ge), hydrogen (H), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), terbium (Tb), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), carbon (C), antimony (Sb), gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), neodymium (Nd), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), erbium (Er), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), palladium (Pd), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), thorium (Th), beryllium (Be), thulium (Tm), erbium (Er), ytterbium (Yb), promethium (Pm), neodymium (Nd cobalt (Co), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), or combinations thereof.

Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened.

A coating method is disclosed including disposing a coating composition into a fluidly communicating space defined by an internal surface of an article. The fluidly communicating space includes at least one aperture, which is sealed, forming an enclosed space. The internal surface and the coating composition are heated under autogenous pressure, coating the internal surface with the coating composition. The at least one aperture is unsealed, re-forming the fluidly communicating space. Another coating method is disclosed in which the coating composition is disposed into a reservoir which is connected in fluid communication with the enclosed space prior to heating under autogenous pressure, coating the internal surface with the coating composition. Yet another coating method is disclosed in which the coating composition and the article are disposed in a vessel, which is sealed, forming the enclosed space prior to heating under autogenous pressure, coating the internal surface with the coating composition.

Magnetic vascular grafts and methods for their use are provided herein.

Systems and methods for the formation of nanostructures, including carbon-based nanostructures, are generally described. In certain embodiments, substrate configurations and associated methods are described.

Methods for controlled microstructure creation utilize seeding of amorphous layers prior to annealing. Seed crystals are formed on an amorphous layer or layers. The material, size, and spacing of the seed crystals may be varied, and multiple seed layers and/or amorphous layers may be utilized. Thereafter, the resulting assembly is annealed to generate a crystalline microstructure. Via use of these methods, devices having desirable microstructural properties are enabled.

The disclosure relates to microwave cavity plasma reactor (MCPR) apparatus and associated tuning and process control methods that enable the microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPACVD) of a component such as diamond. Related methods enable the control of the microwave discharge position, size and shape, and enable efficient matching of the incident microwave power into the reactor prior to and during component deposition. Pre-deposition tuning processes provide a well matched reactor exhibiting a high plasma reactor coupling efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions, thus allowing operational input parameters to be modified during deposition while simultaneously maintaining the reactor in a well-matched state. Additional processes are directed to realtime process control during deposition, in particular based on identified independent process variables which can effectively control desired dependent process variables during deposition while still maintaining a well-matched power coupling reactor state.

Systems and methods for consistent data generation across an enterprise involves explosion of seed data received in at least one of two or more databases present across the enterprise based on an identified reference data field in the received seed data and a pre-defined pattern. A lightweight map of key-value pairs is created wherein the key is data in the reference data field of at least one data record and the value is a pointer to a transformed value of either the data in the reference data field or at least one data field other than the reference data field, the transformed value being based on the pre-defined pattern. Based on the exploded seed data, the map is continually appended for further data explosion such that consistent data is generated across the enterprise.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can obtain a first batch of content items to be clustered. A set of clusters can be generated by clustering respective binary hash codes for each content item in the first batch, wherein content items included in a cluster are visually similar to one another. A next batch of content items to be clustered can be obtained. One or more respective binary hash codes for the content items in the next batch can be assigned to a cluster in the set of clusters.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine a profile model for a page that is accessible through the social networking system, the profile model describing one or more modal characteristics of users of the social networking system that have fanned the page. A determination can be made that the page should be recommended to a first user of the social networking system based at least in part on the profile model. At least one page recommendation that references the page can be provided to the first user.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine respective geographic locations of a set of users associated with a page that is accessible through a social network. At least one centroid for the page can be generated based at least in part on the respective geographic locations of the set of users. At least one area of influence of the page can be determined based at least in part on the centroid. At least one page recommendation can be presented to one or more users in the set of users based at least in part on the area of influence of the

A distribution server comprising a processor and a database may receive data configured to modify at least one interface of at least one client device and distribution data. The distribution server may store the data in the database. The distribution server may determine each at least one client device to which the data is to be delivered based on the distribution data. The distribution server may synchronize the data in the database with each at least one client device to which the data is to be delivered.

Networking systems and methods for establishing and maintaining virtual computing clouds are disclosed. A networking system can comprise a server and various instances of a software agent, each agent being installed on a computing device participating in a virtual computing cloud. The server can maintain account setting for a user, wherein the settings can indicate which files on indicated computing devices are included in the virtual computing cloud. The networking system can selectively synchronize data between the computing devices automatically and in a secure manner, and can transmit data in real time to simulate local storage when synchronization of certain files is inappropriate in light of file incompatibility. As a result, the networking system can provide the user with a seamless, automatic system and method for accessing a total computing environment.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving filters and detection of operation thereof. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a fixture having mechanical components that hold a filter. Gas flow componentry operates with the fixture to eject particles from the filter by subjecting the filter to gas flow. A flow metering circuit meters the gas flow, and a particulate counter detects the ejected particles.

Methods of designing zeolite materials for adsorption of CO2. Zeolite materials and processes for CO2 adsorption using zeolite materials.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting parameter. The method includes: acquiring at least one intake air quality parameter of an air intake area of an air purifier and at least one output air quality parameter of an air discharging area of the air purifier; determining a purification parameter corresponding to the intake air quality parameter of the air intake area and the output air quality parameter of the air discharging area; and outputting the purification parameter.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for metal-organic materials (MOMs), systems that exhibit permanent porosity and using hydrophobic MOMs to separate components in a gas, methods of separating CO2 from a gas, and the like.

Systems and methods for selectively extracting hydrogen gas dissolved in oil are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a selectively permeable membrane provided at a point of contact between oil and a sensor chamber. The selectively permeable membrane has a hydrogen specificity and a thickness selected to minimize detection of further gasses dissolved in the oil by a hydrogen gas sensor cross-sensitive to the further gasses. The selectively permeable membrane can include polyimide. The further gasses include carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene. The system can include a further membrane and a porous metal disc. The porous metal disc is bound to the selectively permeable membrane by using the further membrane as an adhesive layer and by applying pressure and temperature. The porous metal disc supports the selectively permeable membrane and the further membrane against pressure of the oil when exposed to a vacuum. The further membrane includes fluorohydrocarbons.

A method for producing ozone is disclosed. The ozone is separated by an adsorbent separation system from a mixture of oxygen and ozone. The adsorbent separation system operates by adsorbing ozone at higher pressures, then desorbing the ozone at normal pressures. Increased ozone concentrations result from these steps while the oxygen component can be recovered and used in producing the mixture of oxygen and ozone.

A carbon dioxide capture and release method of forming a MOF matrix material including at least one metal-organic-framework crystal that includes at least one metal ion or metal ion cluster coordinated to polydentate organic ligands. The method includes forming a positive moisture swing CO2 host by application of at least a portion of the MOF matrix material to at least a portion of a good, and exposing the good to a feed gas. The method also includes altering the absorption and desorption of CO2 in the CO2 host through a swing absorption/desorption process of moisture content, where an equilibrium pressure of CO2 over the CO2 host is based at least in part on the moisture content. The metal-organic-framework crystal can be UIO-66 including Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by terephthalate acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by amino-terephthalic acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by nitro-terephthalic acid ligands.

A clamping device for mounting a sink to a counter, includes a clamp having a clamp body and a binding tab, a binding post for insertion through a first opening in the clamp body and into a hole in a surface of the sink adjacent to a clamped article, the clamp and binding tab connected to the post and extending away therefrom at least partially over an edge of the clamped article, and a clamp screw for insertion through a second opening in the clamp body and against a solid portion of the binding tab interposed between the clamp screw and the edge of the clamped article.

A method of ultrasonically bonding semiconductor elements includes the steps of: (a) aligning surfaces of a plurality of first conductive structures of a first semiconductor element to respective surfaces of a plurality of second conductive structures of a second semiconductor element; (b) ultrasonically forming tack bonds between ones of the first conductive structures and respective ones of the second conductive structures; and (c) forming completed bonds between the first conductive structures and the second conductive structures.

A method of forming a ferroelectric memory cell. The method comprises forming an electrode material exhibiting a desired dominant crystallographic orientation. A hafnium-based material is formed over the electrode material and the hafnium-based material is crystallized to induce formation of a ferroelectric material having a desired crystallographic orientation. Additional methods are also described, as are semiconductor device structures including the ferroelectric material.

A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor is disclosed. The method of manufacturing the thin film transistor includes: manufacturing a substrate; forming an oxide semiconductor layer on the substrate; forming a pattern including an active layer through a patterning process; forming a source and drain metal layer on the active layer; and forming a pattern including a source electrode and a drain electrode through a patterning process, an opening being formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode at a position corresponding to a region of the active layer used as a channel, wherein the step of forming the pattern including the source electrode and the drain electrode through a patterning process includes: removing a portion of the source and drain metal layer corresponding to the position of the opening through dry etching. The method may also be used to manufacturing a thin film transistor.

A method of forming image sensor packages may include performing a molding process. Mold material may be formed either on a transparent substrate in between image sensor dies, or on a removable panel in between transparent substrates attached to image sensor dies. Redistribution layers may be formed before or after the molding process. Mold material may be formed after forming redistribution layers so that the mold material covers the redistribution layers. In these cases, holes may be formed in the mold material to expose solder pads on the redistribution layers. Alternatively, redistribution layers may be formed after the molding process and the redistribution layers may extend over the mold material. Image sensor dies may be attached to a glass or notched glass substrate with dam structures. The methods of forming image sensor packages may result in hermetic image sensor packages that prevent exterior materials from reaching the image sensor.

Manufacturing methods of JFET-type compact three-dimensional memory (3D-MC) are disclosed. In a memory level stacked above the substrate, an x-line extends from a memory array to an above-substrate decoding stage. A JFET-type transistor is formed on the x-line as a decoding device for the above-substrate decoding stage, where the overlap portion of the x-line with the control-line (c-line) is semi-conductive.

A method is provided for making smooth crystalline semiconductor thin-films and hole and electron transport films for solar cells and other electronic devices. Such semiconductor films have an average roughness of 3.4 nm thus allowing for effective deposition of additional semiconductor film layers such as perovskites for tandem solar cell structures which require extremely smooth surfaces for high quality device fabrication.

A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end. The band is tensioned to the aforementioned predetermined level and is secured to the second side of the frame, so that the band establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band.

Embodiments of a loop clip used with a golf bag and methods to manufacture a golf bag are generally described herein. Other embodiments of the loop clip may be described and claimed.

Methods and systems for preserving tissues in situ using critical point drying are disclosed. Such methods and systems are particularly applicable to the preservation of a deceased body, such as a deceased person or animal, with or without removal of internal tissues or organs. A fixative can be perfused through the vascular system of the body while blood is removed from the body. The exterior of the body can also be immersed in a bath of fixative. The fixative in the vascular system and the bath can be replaced by subsequent washes of buffer, de-ionized water, and/or alcohol. The alcohol-infused and fixated body can be disposed in a pressure chamber and subjected to a critical point drying process using carbon dioxide. After the critical point drying process, the body is in a preserved state.

A method of treating a carbon structure is provided. The method may include the step of infiltrating the carbon structure with a ceramic preparation comprising yttrium oxides and zirconium oxides. The carbon structure may be densified by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and heat treated to form yttrium oxycarbides and/or carbides and zirconium oxycarbides and/or carbides. Heat treating the carbon structure may comprise a temperature ranging from 1000° C. to 1600° C.

A method for forming a vehicular brake rotor involving loading a shaped metal substrate with a mixture of metal alloying components and ceramic particles in a dieheating the contents of the die while applying pressure to melt at least one of the metal components of the alloying mixture whereby to densify the contents of the die and form a ceramic particle-containing metal matrix composite coating on the metallic substrate; and cooling the resulting coated product.

A plate assembly for a multi-disk brake system is provided. The plate assembly includes at least one of a pressure plate or an end plate and a floating plate wear liner mounted against the at least one of the pressure plate or the end plate. The floating plate wear liner is configured to contact a contact surface of an adjacent rotatable friction disk in response to the multi-disk brake system being actuated.

A metal matrix composite article that includes at least first and second regions, first and second reinforcement materials, a metal matrix composite material occupying the second region of the body and comprising a metal matrix material and the second reinforcement component, a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material. The article further includes a transition region located proximate an outer surface of the preform that includes a distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform.

The present disclosure provides a fibrous preform, comprising an annulus having at least one of an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion, the outer diameter portion extending radially inward from an outer diameter of the fibrous preform and the inner diameter portion extending radially outward from an inner diameter of the fibrous preform. In various embodiments, the fibrous preform further comprises a medial diameter portion disposed between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, wherein the medial diameter portion comprises a first needling profile, and the at least one of the outer diameter portion or the inner diameter portion comprises a second needling profile. In various embodiments, the first needling profile is less than the second needling profile.

A chemically-modified mixed fuel includes methane gas from at least two methane-production sources and can be utilized in any process that incorporates a Kellogg Primary Reformer. A method for producing the chemically-modified mixed fuel described herein includes providing a first methane-containing gas from a first methane-production source, providing a second methane-containing gas from a second methane-production source and blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas at a suitable pressure to form a chemically-modified mixed fuel. In some cases, at least one additional methane-containing gas can be provided from at least one additional methane-production source and blended with the chemically-modified fuel.