Abstract: A ventilator control optimizer allowing the control of a ventilator without the need for manual input. The ventilator control optimizer analyzes trends in indoor environmental conditions (dew point, relative humidity, etc.) and makes decisions based on these trends. The ventilator control optimizer is able to change ventilator fan speeds depending on the detected trends. This will prevent the ventilator from operating under conditions which might aggravate the humidity problem indoors. The ventilator control optimizer also allows auxiliary systems (dehumidifier, etc.) to be controlled automatically to deal with high humidity conditions.

Abstract: A device for determining an analyte in a sample of liquid comprises an analysis apparatus configured to analyze a sample of liquid applied to an analytical area of a test element. The device comprises further an apparatus configured to prepare a surface of the analytical area by conferring hydrophilic properties to the surface. Analytes in test samples are determined by methods employing the device.

Abstract: A surface modifier comprising an organosilicone compound represented by General Formula (A) and/or General Formula (B): F—(CF2)q—(OC3F6)m—(OC2F4)n—(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)rSi(X?)3-a(R1)a (A) and F—(CF2)q—(OC3F6)m—(OC2F4)n—(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r(X?)2-a(R1)aSiO(F—(CF2)q—(OC3F6)m—(OC2F4)n—(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r(X?)1-a(R1)aSiO)zF—(CF2)q—(OC3F6)m—(OC2F4)n—(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r(X?)2-a(R1)aSi (B) wherein q is an integer from 1 to 3; m, n, and o are independently integers from 0 to 200; p is 1 or 2; X is O or a bivalent organic group; r is an integer from 2 to 20; R1 is a C1-22 linear or branched hydrocarbon group; a is an integer from 0 to 2; X? is hydrolysable group; and z is an integer from 0 to 10 when a is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle includes a housing including a front panel extending in a vertical direction. A cup holder assembly is in a cup holder-receiving volume within the housing. The cup holder-receiving volume is at least partially bounded by a partitioning panel having a horizontal portion extending toward the front panel. An interior panel is spaced rearward of the front panel. The interior panel extends in a vertical direction. An electrical component is mounted to at least one of the interior panel and the front panel and located between the interior panel and the front panel. A rib structure extends beyond the horizontal portion of the partitioning panel toward the front panel and that is located between the cup holder assembly and the electrical component. The rib structure is arranged and configured to direct liquid falling from the horizontal portion of the partitioning panel away from the electrical component.

Abstract: Computational systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to predict at least one of residual stresses and distortion in quenched aluminum castings. Residual stresses and distortion may be predicted through incorporating thermal strains induced during quenching with the nonlinear constitutive behavior of quenched microstructures of a quenched aluminum casting, wherein thermal strains arise generally from non-uniform transient temperature distribution of the casting during quenching. The transient temperature distribution of the aluminum casting during quenching may be calculated based on heat transfer coefficients specific to one or more nodes, elements and/or zones on the surfaces of the aluminum casting. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the quenched aluminum casting may be modeled as functions of temperatures, strain rates, and microstructure variations. A material constitutive model accounts for not only strain hardening and creep, but also precipitate hardening.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit at its lower end that provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

Abstract: A spiral microchannel particle separator includes an inlet for receiving a solution containing particles, at least two outlets, and a microchannel arranged in a plurality of loops. Particles within a solution flowing through the spiral microchannel experience a lift force FL and a Dean drag force FD. The spiral radius of curvature R and the hydraulic diameter Dh of the spiral microchannel are such that for a flow rate U of the solution, the lift force FL and a Dean drag force FD are approximately equal and act in opposite directions for particles of a first size. The particles of the first size are focused in a single stream located at an equilibrium position near an inner wall of the microchannel. In another embodiment, a straight microchannel particle separator separates particles by modulating shear rates via high aspect ratios that focuses particles of a first size along two first walls.

Abstract: A liquid container with an upper opening and a tube-shaped withdrawal chimney is disclosed. The withdrawal chimney extends into the container through the upper opening which has a liquid-permeable zone in the form of a finely-porous flow resistance element in its lower end region such that liquid exchange can take place between the withdrawal chimney and the container inner space which surrounds it via the flow resistance element. A venting groove formed by a radial recess of the casing wall of the withdrawal chimney in its upper region may be provided to ensure adequate venting of the space above the liquid level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to energy generating modules. More particularly, embodiments relate generally to energy generating modules that comprise energy generating devices and pluralities of modular panels comprising fuel chambers. The modular panels respectively comprise one or more multi-functional inter-panel coupling ports positioned to facilitate multi-purpose modular interconnection of complementary modular panels and exhibit a degree of structural rigidity sufficient to contribute to immobilization of interconnected complementary modular panels relative to each other. The complementary modular panels are interconnected via the multi-functional inter-panel coupling ports to form an enclosure such that the fuel chambers of the interconnected complementary modular panels are disposed between an exterior of the enclosure and an interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a thermal image of a coated substrate to determine the presence of defects includes determining a defect temperature range based on a color of the coated substrate and the maximum temperature of the coated substrate in the thermal image. Thereafter, the thermal image is processed by determining a signal value of a pixel of interest based on a temperature of the pixel of interest, temperatures of pixels in a kernel of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest, and the color of the coated substrate. The signal value of the pixel of interest is then compared to the lower temperature threshold of the defect temperature range, wherein the pixel of interest is a defect location when the signal value of the pixel of interest is greater than or equal to the lower temperature threshold.

Abstract: A laser comprises an end pump light source and a gain medium having a first end, a second end, and four sides comprising a first, a second, a third, and a fourth side. The end pump light source is optically coupled to the first end and pumps the gain medium. The first side and the third side are tapered inwardly from the first end to the first end to the second end at a taper angle ? relative to a longitudinal lasing axis and have a polished finish capable of reflecting light inside the gain medium. The second side and the fourth side are substantially parallel to the longitudinal lasing axis have a ground blasted finish. The first side is also tilted inwardly at a slant angle ? from the fourth side to the second side. A laser beam R0 exits the second end of the gain medium.

Abstract: A silo has more than one discharge passage, and each passage has the ability to increase or decrease its respective flow rates. The silo and each portion of the silo that feeds into each individual discharge passage can measure a feature of the solid being dispensed, such as its moisture content or its temperature. A computer controller is then used to take this feedback and adjust the rate of flow from each discharge passage so that the flows from each passage are kept the same despite the variation in moisture, temperature or any other characteristic of the flowing solid. A method to utilize this device is also taught.

Abstract: A cooling device may include a fluid inlet manifold, a case body, and a fluid outlet manifold that are formed of a molded polymer composite material. The fluid inlet manifold may include a fluid inlet channel and a fluid inlet reservoir. The case body may include a plurality of cooling channels extending from a first surface of the case body to a second surface of the case body. The cooling channels may fluidly couple the first surface of the case body to the fluid inlet reservoir. The fluid outlet manifold may further include a fluid outlet channel and a fluid outlet reservoir. The cooling channels may fluidly couple the second surface of the case body to the fluid outlet reservoir. The fluid inlet channel, cooling channels, and fluid outlet channels may include a cross-section topology.

Abstract: Ampoules for dispensing flowable substances and metering systems incorporating the same are described herein. An ampoule for a flowable substance includes an ampoule body comprising an interior space for receiving the flowable substance and an inner circumferential surface having a guide region and a sealing region. A piston may be disposed in the interior space of the ampoule body such that the piston is slidably displaceable along a direction of displacement. The piston includes a one sealing element for forming a seal with the inner circumferential surface in a contact zone on the outer circumference of the sealing element. The sealing element has as first compression state when the contact zone is in the guide region and a second compression state when the contact zone is in the sealing region. A second blocking device prevents movement of the contact zone from the sealing region to the guide region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the optical lock system may include an electronic control unit, a lock housing including a lock chamber, and an optical key including a multilayer photonic structure. The multilayer photonic structure may produce a unique intensity profile and includes a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric. A light source may transmit a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber. A photo detector may receive an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure and may transmit the unique intensity profile to the electronic control unit which may execute machine readable instructions to: compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master.

Abstract: Medicinal fluid delivery systems and methods for priming the same are disclosed. The systems may be configured to measure an electro-transmissive quality of a medicinal fluid when: medicinal fluid is dispensed into a fluid delivery path, a proximal end of the fluid delivery path is in contact with a first electrode, and the distal end of the fluid delivery path is in contact with a second electrode. Methods for priming medicinal fluid delivery systems may include dispensing a medicinal fluid through a fluid delivery path, sensing an electro-transmissive quality of the medicinal fluid, and determining that the fluid delivery path is full based on the electro-transmissive quality.

Abstract: A jet impingement heat exchanger includes an inlet jet, a target layer, a second layer, a transition channel, and a fluid outlet. The target layer includes an impingement region and a plurality of target layer microchannels that radially extend from the impingement region. The jet of coolant fluid impinges the target layer at the impingement region and flows through the radially-extending target layer microchannels toward a perimeter of the target layer. The second layer includes a plurality of radially-extending second layer microchannels. The transition channel is positioned between the target layer and the second layer to fluidly couple the second layer to the target layer. The coolant fluid flows through the transition channel and the plurality of radially-extending second layer microchannels. The fluid outlet fluidly is coupled to the second layer. Jet impingement exchangers may be incorporated into a power electronics module having a power electronics device.

Abstract: A primer coating is provided for use on polymeric substrates to enhance adhesion of liquid toner to the substrates for printing in an electrophotographic printing device. The primer coating includes a dispersion of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic or methacrylic acid and a compatible adhesion enhancer comprising a hydrogenated rosin or rosin ester dispersion. The coating may also include additives such as wetting agents, antiblocking agents, matting agents, and waxes. The primer coating may be applied to a variety of polymeric substrates including polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: System and method of providing improved signal compression using frame decimation through frame simplification and generating an encoded bitstream of video frames therefrom are disclosed. The encoding method comprises zeroing a difference frame generated by an encoder by using a feedback loop that injects a reconstructed frame, generated by the encoder of the difference frame, as a next frame of the video frames to be processed by the encoder. The encoding system comprises an input configured to provide a stream of video frames; a first process configured to generate a difference frame, and a second process configured to generate a reconstructed frame. A feedback loop of the system is configured to inject a generated reconstructed frame from the second process of a generated difference frame from the first process as a next frame of the video frames in the stream to be processed into the encoded bitstream by the encoding system.