Abstract: A network of fluid dispensers is configured such that a Host controller may exchange information with local dispensers, and where local dispensers may exchange information with each other. The information may be dispensing processes, information regarding quality and reliability, problems and/or helpful information, and applications. The information may be exchanged in real time during fluid dispensing where any issues may be shared and resolved quickly even in remote locales. The applications may be developed at a local dispenser or at the Host and then shared throughout the network. The operating systems may include application software development tools, and the applications may include: monitoring deliver schedules and materials inventories; automatic issuing of purchase orders; training broadcasts; implementing industry standards for validation and approval.

Abstract: A waterproof or water-resistant membrane cover for the acoustic transducer array of a sodar system. The membrane is placed over each transducer of the array. The membrane may be spaced from the array, with a structure such as a frame used to hold the membrane in place relative to the array.

Abstract: A single-shot spectral imager or imaging system which acquires multiplexed spatial and spectral data in a single snapshot with high optical collection efficiency and with the speed limited only by the readout time of the detector circuitry. The imager uses dispersive optics together with spatial light modulators to encode a mathematical transform onto the acquired spatial-spectral data. A multitude of encoded images is recorded simultaneously on a focal plane array and subsequently decoded to produce a spectral/spatial hypercube.

Abstract: A planar ultrawideband modular antenna for connection to a feed network. The antenna has a ground plane, and an array of antenna elements spaced from the ground plane, each antenna element comprising a pair of arms. A first fed arm is electrically coupled to the feed network. The grounded arm is directly electrically coupled to the ground plane. There are one or more conductors such as conductive vias electrically connecting the fed arm to the ground plane, and optionally there are one or more additional conductors electrically connecting the grounded arm to the ground plane.

Abstract: A Wireless Acoustic SPeaker mount, or WASP, is disclosed that serves as both a wireless speaker adapter and a speaker mount. Some embodiments include a separate transmitter that obtains wired acoustic signals from an acoustic source and transmits them wirelessly to the WASP. WASP's can include a digital and/or analog wireless receiver, digital-to-analog converter, amplifier, and/or equalizer or other sound quality adjuster. WASP's can rest on a horizontal surface or be mounted to or embedded within a wall, ceiling, or other structure. Speakers can rest on or attach to a WASP or be mounted inside of a WASP. In various embodiments the horizontal and/or vertical positioning of the speaker is adjustable, WASP's can be used outdoors, WASP's can extend a wireless transmission range by relaying signals to other WASP's, and the transmitter and WASP's can send on/off and other command signals to each other.

Abstract: An interstitial marker for the location of one of an organ, tumor and tumor bed within a mammalian body includes a plurality of rings having an inner diameter and a ribbon positioned within the inner diameters of the plurality of rings. The plurality of rings may be of the same material or different materials. The materials are visible under different imaging modalities. The ribbon similarly may be of a material visible under various imaging modalities. Tips are attached to the ribbon to hold the rings in place. Alternatively, one or more of the rings may be attached to the ribbon. A helical coil may also be used in connection with a central ribbon for improved imaging. A plurality of coils, of the same material or different materials, may be positioned on a ribbon for a marker.

Abstract: An adaptive spectral sensor, and methods of using the sensor. The sensor uses a programmable band pass transmission filter to produce both contrast signals, which discriminate specific target materials from background materials by comparing spectral signatures in hardware, and scene radiance spectra. The adaptive spectral sensor may measure one or more scene spectra and may form a spectral image. The sensor may automatically adjust to changing spectral, spatial and temporal conditions in the environment being monitored, by changing sensor resolution in those dimensions and by changing the detection band pass. The programmable band pass can be changed on-the-fly in real time to implement a variety of detection techniques in hardware or measure the spatial or spectral signatures of specific materials and scenes.

Abstract: A system and method of adaptively correcting the excitation or receive coefficients for a phased array antenna. For a transmitting antenna, a sensor located in the near field of the antenna is used to sense the antenna transmission. A reference signal that represents the sensor response to a desired antenna transmission that is accomplished with predetermined excitation coefficients is determined. The magnitudes and phases of the excitation coefficients are modified in a predetermined manner to create a modified antenna transmission. An actual signal that represents the sensor response to the modified antenna transmission is then determined. The excitation coefficients are then corrected using the differences between the reference signal and the actual signal, such that the modified antenna transmission becomes closer to the desired antenna transmission. The method and system also apply to a receiving antenna.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of carbon-based sorbents such as activated carbon for controlling vapor phase mercury emissions in coal-fired power plant flue gases or waste incineration flue gases. The invention features new methods that improve the performance of carbonaceous sorbents for mercury control compared to the previous methods. One method consists of injecting the sorbent (consisting of at least some carbonaceous material) into the flue gas where the flue gas temperature is at a value above about 1100° F. and below about 2000° F. The invention also consists of injecting the sorbent within or upstream of an economizer section in a coal-fired power boiler. Injecting the sorbent at the locations indicated above, rather than further downstream, provides increased residence time for contact between the flue gas and the sorbent resulting in increased mercury capture, improved sorbent utilization, and improved fly ash properties.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, bioremediation systems are provided that comprise electricigenic microbes that use electrons provided directly from the anode of an electrical bioremediation system to carry out reductive dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbon contaminants, including chlorinated solvents. The present invention also provides methods of performing in situ bioremediation of halogenated solvents in groundwater or soil through the use of the provided systems.

Abstract: A network of fluid dispenser systems is disclosed where a Host/Server is a virtual controller for a number of fluid dispensers systems. The virtual controller may exchange information with local dispenser systems, that incorporate virtual controlling functions. The information may be dispensing processes, information regarding quality and reliability, problems and/or helpful information, and applications. An application may include synchronizing multiple dispensing syringe assemblies. The information may be exchanged in real time during fluid dispensing where any issues may be shared and resolved quickly even in remote locales. Information may be distributed among the disparate locations.

Abstract: A method of detecting precipitation with a sodar apparatus that transmits sound beams into the atmosphere, detects echoes returned from the atmosphere, from the echoes determines a Doppler-shifted spectrum comprising the relative strength of the echoes at various Doppler-shifted frequencies, and estimates wind speed and direction. The method includes automatically estimating the presence of precipitation based on the Doppler-shifted spectrum.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is disclosed where a backoff distance is determined and implemented to prevent leakage while dispensing sequentially an accurate, precise amount of fluid substantially independent of the fluid remaining in a syringe-type dispenser. The fluid characteristics of the fluid, e.g. viscosity, surface tension, etc. affect the backoff distance that may be determined heuristically for fluid type, amount of fluid remaining in the syringe and amount to be dispensed. Once the fluid characteristics are known, the dispensing may be accomplished automatically with a processor loading new drive and backoff steps to a motor controller.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically making payments for recyclable items deposited at reverse vending machines.

Abstract: A method for regulating execution of an application program includes a process for preparing the application and a process for executing the application. The preparation process divides the application program into related segments and encrypts instructions of at least one segment, positions encrypted instructions in at least two discontiguous regions within an executable file, and associates header information with at least one discontiguous region. The execution process initiates execution of the protected application when at least a portion of the application instructions are available to the computer only in encrypted form. Also provided are systems and methods to allow debugging of code extensions to protected applications without sacrificing protection of the application. A Secure Debugger allows extension developers to examine memory and set breakpoints in their own extensions, without permitting them to view information in the rest of the protected application.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for securing communications in a wireless network by utilizing the inherent randomness of propagation errors to enable legitimate users to dynamically create a shared symmetric secret key. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system with two computers each having a wireless network adapter. The sending node encodes the frames, transmits the frames, determines if the frames were correctly received, retransmits the frames if they were not correctly received, stores the frames that were not retransmitted, and uses the stored frames to generate a secret key. The receiving node receives the encoded frames, determines if the frames were retransmitted, stores at least one of the frames that was not retransmitted, and uses the stored frames to generate the same secret key as the receiving node.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a phased-array antenna that involves transmitting a signal from a transmitting element, and sequentially receiving the transmitted signal at two receiving elements each spaced a first distance from the transmitting element. This step is then repeated one or more times, but transmitting from a different transmitting element in each repetition of the step, until each element being calibrated has received at least one transmission. Then, the first distance is changed to a second distance, and the steps are repeated one or more times to gather additional measurements. These measurements allow the determination from the received signals of two separate element mutual coupling ratios, one ratio for one subset of the elements being calibrated and the other for a second subset comprising the remaining elements being calibrated.

Abstract: A surface relief structure consisting of a random distribution of surface features with varying feature profile and depth, is described. The texture serves to suppress the reflection of electromagnetic waves in the optical region of the spectrum without dispersing any portion of the spectrum by diffraction. Processes for fabricating the random distribution anti-reflecting textures in common materials are also described. The disclosed textures are particularly useful as anti-reflecting covers for displays, and as directly molded anti-reflecting surfaces in eyeglass lenses. Other applications such as covers for artwork, and improved solar cells are made practical by the invention.

Abstract: A knife assembly includes a knife blade and a mounting assembly having a knife blade support portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the mounting assembly. The knife blade support portion is constructed and arranged to position a cutting edge of the knife blade distal to a leading edge of the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly also has a counter knife portion disposed at the leading edge of the mounting assembly that defines a set back distance with the knife blade. The set back distance is constructed and arranged to provide a travel path for a wafer.

Abstract: A housing for a phased array monostatic sodar system with a transducer array that emits and receives multiple generally conical main beams of sound along different primary axes. The housing includes one or more upwardly-directed sidewalls that define a volume between them that is open to the atmosphere at the top, to emit and receive the beams, and an upper lip at the top of at least one wall, defining a curved perimeter at the top of at least some of the volume that closely conforms to the shape of at least one main beam at the location of the lip.