Abstract: A method of making a polyolefin nanocomposite including, mixing a zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH), and a zirconocene complex in a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture. Prior to the mixing the zirconocene complex is not supported on the zinc-aluminum LDH. The method further includes sonicating the first mixture for at least one hour to form a homogeneous slurry. The method further includes degassing the homogenous slurry and adding at least one olefin gas to form a second mixture. The method further includes adding an aluminoxane catalyst to the second mixture and reacting for at least 10 minutes to form a reaction mixture including the polyolefin nanocomposite. The method further includes separating the polyolefin nanocomposite from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A device, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for distributing content to a plurality of nodes on a computer network are disclosed. The method includes dividing the content into a plurality of information groups, each of the information groups including a mutually exclusive subset of information pieces of the content, encoding the information pieces included in each of the plurality of information groups based on a combination of the information pieces included in the respective information group and a plurality of coefficients associated with the information pieces included in the respective information group, and distributing the encoded information pieces to the plurality of nodes on the computer network, wherein each of the information pieces is encoded into one of three types of information pieces.

Abstract: A two-phase liquid-gas flow system for testing electrical submersible pumps (ESP) includes an oil pump, a water pump, an oil storage tank, a water storage tank, a pressurized air system, an air pressure regulator (PR), and a transparent test section with the ESP. The pressurized air system includes air storage tanks, compressors, and air flow meters (AFM). The oil pump and the water pump supply oil and water from the oil storage tank and the water storage tank through an oil flow meter and a water flow meter, respectively, to the transparent test section. The air storage tanks are in fluid communication with the PR by valves, which channel air through the PR and the AFMs to the transparent test section. A camera is provided to capture photos and videos of flow patterns of the working fluid in the transparent test section.

Abstract: A two or particularly three-phase process, and corresponding apparatus, desulfurizes sour hydrocarbon gas, e.g., natural gas, generally better than known, using a fixed-bed, two-phase processes in terms of the amount of H2S scavenged and the breakthrough time of H2S. The three-phase process is effective in scavenging H2S at ambient temperature and pressure, using a copper salt catalyst impregnated on alumina or other generally inert support, which is regenerable.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus having a hot liquid block, a thermoelectric module (TEM), a condensation surface, a feed liquid chamber having a feed chamber inlet, a feed chamber outlet, and a membrane disposed on at least one side of the feed liquid chamber. One side of the membrane faces to the condensation surface. A water gap of 1 mm to 20 cm separates the condensation surface and the membrane. A permeate outlet in fluid communication with the water gap. A heating unit in fluid communication with the feed liquid chamber and the hot liquid block. A cooling unit in fluid communication with the permeate outlet. A multi-stage distillation apparatus with a plurality of distillation apparatuses. A process of distilling water, by feeding a liquid into the distillation apparatus through the hot block inlet and collecting distilled water from the permeate outlet.

Abstract: A decentralized control of decoupled plants which each include a motor and a load. A controller is connected in series with each decoupled plant. An adder is configured to receive a set point signal and a negative feedback signal from the plant output and generate an error signal. Each controller receives a set of tuning parameters, modifies the error signal based on a tuning parameter space vector and generates drive signals which actuate the motor, operate the load, and generate the plant output in accordance with a frequency domain assessment function. A compensator samples the error signals and the plant outputs, Fourier transforms the error signals, generates the tuning parameter space vector, based on a frequency domain assessment function, obtains the set of tuning parameters from the tuning parameter space vector, and transmits the frequency domain assessment function and the set of tuning parameters to each controller.

Abstract: A system for hydraulic fracturing in a shale layer of a geological formation is described. The system includes a borehole which extends between surface of geological formation and shale layer, and a horizontal fracturing pipe which extends perpendicularly from borehole into the shale layer. The horizontal fracturing pipe includes a number of periodic perforations. The system includes a pump and a fracturing fluid to be injected by the pump into borehole and horizontal fracturing pipe. The fracturing fluid is injected through periodic perforations and stimulates fractures in shale layer. The system includes a pressure sensor and a fluid meter. The pressure sensor measures pressure of fracturing fluid in horizontal fracturing pipe. A computing device determines the spacing distance of the perforations based on a percentage of interference between the perforation and a net present value of production.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer having a structure as shown in Formula (I): where x is from 20 to 70, y is from 20 to 30, z is from 1.0 to 10, and p is from 1.0 to 10. A method of making the polymer is also provided. The polymer composition may be used as a wellbore fluid. Also provided is a method of treating a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The method includes introducing the polymer-containing wellbore fluid into a high permeability zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation such that it blocks at least a portion of the high permeability zone of the hydrocarbon bearing formation, stimulating the hydrocarbon bearing formation thereby creating pathways for hydrocarbon production, and recovering hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active electrode include a solid support; a porous oxide layer containing transition metal oxide nanoparticles present on a surface of the solid support and has a mean pore size of 2 to 30 nm; and at least one of noble metal nanoneedles and noble metal nanorings present on the porous oxide layer. The noble metal nanoneedles have an average length of 350-800 nm, a flat end with an average width in a range of 100-150 nm, and a pointed end. The noble metal nanorings have a thickness of 50-300 nm and are present in the form of annular clusters having various elliptical shapes with an average diameter in a range of 35-60 nm.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system (BTMS) for an electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The BTMS includes a refrigerant circuit having an evaporator, a chiller, one or more condensers, a compressor, an ejector, a primary directional control valve (DCV), a secondary DCV, an ejector DCV, a compressor input and output DCVs, a reference DCV, throttling valves, and controller to cool or heat the battery and passenger cabin. A coolant circuit having the battery, battery cooler, a battery output DCV, and a battery input DCV is communicated with the refrigerant circuit via the chiller. The battery input and output DCVs are coupled to the battery cooler and coupled to each other to isolate the refrigerant circuit. The controller controls the DCVs based on an optimal battery temperature range, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, passenger cabin temperature, and optimal passenger cabin temperature range.

Abstract: A microgrid system is described. The microgrid system includes a Hodrick-Prescott filter configured to generate a filtered power based on an electrical power that is generated from an renewable energy. The microgrid system further includes a battery configured to output a battery power based on the electrical power and the filtered power. Also, the microgrid system includes a state of charge (SoC) control module configured to control charging and discharging of the battery by applying a feedback control on the output battery power.

Abstract: A method for producing a submicron-/nano-jute carbon/epoxy composite anti-corrosion coating is described. The method includes heating a jute stick, grinding the jute stick to form a first powder; pyrolyzing the first powder to form a pyrolyzed carbon; grinding the pyrolyzed carbon to form a second powder; ball milling the second powder under the wet conditions to form a submicron-/nano-jutecarbon; mixing the submicron-/nano-jutecarbon, and an epoxy resin to form a first mixture; mixing a hardener with the first mixture to form a second mixture, and coating the second mixture on a mild steel substrate and curing to form the submicron-/nano-jutecarbon/epoxy composite anti-corrosion coating.

Abstract: A twin pneumatic hammer is provided. The twin pneumatic hammer includes a first hammer head connected to a first pneumatic cylinder mounted on a first caliper arm, and a second hammer head connected to a second pneumatic cylinder mounted on a second caliper arm. The second hammer head is positioned opposite to the first hammer head. The first and second caliper arms are slidably coupled to a sliding track of a caliper base such that a distance between the first and second caliper arms may be adjusted. A plurality of tubing connects the first and the second pneumatic cylinders to a source of compressed air. An air controller is connected to the source of compressed air and performs a simultaneous impact stroke of the first and second hammer heads by controlling the release of compressed air into the plurality of tubing.

Abstract: A method of adsorbing chloride ions from an aqueous solution with a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite including iron nanoparticles, aluminum nanoparticles and guar gum. The nanocomposite is in the form of extruded cylindrical particles in which the iron nanoparticles and the aluminum nanoparticles are dispersed in a matrix of the guar gum.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the foamability of a test solution. The method includes forming foam in a vertical measurement column including an open top end and a fritted plate proximal to a bottom end by passing a gas stream through the fitted plate and through the test solution present in the vertical measurement column at a gas volume rate (GVR) and a gas flow rate (GFR). The foam travels upwards in the vertical measurement column while the gas stream is passing through the test solution. The method further includes measuring the viscosity of the foam with a vibration viscometer disposed proximal to the top end of the vertical measurement column, and further recording a plurality of vibration viscometer measurement results and storing the results (a surfactant amount Csurf, the GVR, and the GFR) in memory to determine one or more foam properties of the test solution.

Abstract: The perovskite solar cell (PSC) includes a first layer containing a conducting material coated glass plate as a substrate, a second layer containing copper doped nickel oxide, a third layer containing a perovskite, a fourth layer containing nitrogen (N)-doped graphene quantum dots, a fifth layer containing phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester and a top layer including conductive layer. A method for producing the perovskite solar cell is also discussed.

Abstract: A method for producing a chromium nitride (CrN) thin film is provided. The method includes reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering chromium onto a substrate in the presence of a gaseous mixture including nitrogen and argon to form the CrN thin film, where a ratio of the nitrogen gas to the argon gas is 1:2 to 1:10, and where the CrN thin film has an average thickness of 500 to 1500 nm. The CrN film as prepared by the method of the present disclosure can be used in sensors for cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: A body area network (BAN) architecture including a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) BAN node devices, a control node device, and a remote node device is described. The plurality of UWB BAN node devices measures real-time physiological data of a patient and transmits the physiological data to the control node device using UWB signals. The control node device encodes the UWB signals using an spectral amplitude coding-optical code division multiple access (SAC-OCDMA) encoder, modulates the encoded UWB signals using an on-off keying (OOK) scheme, combines the modulated UWB signals into an optical signal using an optical coupler, and transmits the combined optical signal through a free space optical (FSO) link to the remote node device. The remote node device decodes the combined optical signal using an SAC-OCDMA decoder, converts the decoded optical signal into an electrical signal, and analyzes the physiological data based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: Polymer/carbon nanotube composites made up of melamine, aldehyde, diaminoalkane monomeric units and carbon nanotubes having activated carbonyl groups. A method for removing heavy metals, such as Pb(II) from an aqueous solution or an industrial wastewater sample with these composites is introduced. A process of synthesizing the polymer/carbon nanotube composites is also described.

Abstract: The perovskite solar cell (PSC) includes a first layer containing a conducting material coated glass plate as a substrate, a second layer containing copper doped nickel oxide, a third layer containing a perovskite, a fourth layer containing nitrogen (N)-doped graphene quantum dots, a fifth layer containing phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester and a top layer including conductive layer. A method for producing the perovskite solar cell is also discussed.