Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: A headless, flexible, two-part, semi-flexible trocar is formed from two semi-circular sections to form a hollow tubular body having a flared proximal end and a tapered distal end. The sections may temporarily move with respect to one another to increase the diameter of the tubular structure. A top portion protruding beyond the body may readily be trimmed as desired to allow a greater range of motion for an optical or surgical instrument within the body cavity. A valve/fulcrum within the tubular structure helps control the optical or surgical instruments. When tissue needs to be removed from the body cavity, the stem of the trocar may be expanded to allow passage of the tissue being removed, which stretches the incision. The insufflation gas is injected into the body cavity at a point other than through the trocar, which further optimizes intraoperative optics while minimizing tissue trauma.

Abstract: An expandable trocar includes a trocar body defining a hollow trocar stem having a cross-sectional inside area, and an outwardly projecting rib disposed on an outside surface of the trocar body. The trocar body is constructed to expand the cross-sectional inside area of the hollow trocar stem upon an application of an expanding force. The trocar body is formed of a resilient material such that when the expanding force is removed, the trocar body retracts the cross-sectional inside area.

Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems including at least one mobile computing device and methods of using the same for (1) in a secure first mode, collecting confidential information from a user and transmitting said information to a secured storage device and (2) in a second mode, providing the user with secondary content (such as entertainment, informational and/or educational content), where once the device transitions from the secure first mode to the second mode, all confidential information on the device is deleted. In some further embodiments, non-confidential data relating to the secondary content may be collected and transmitted to a storage device. The mobile computing system may have a software platform for laying on top of the native operating system of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and processes for forming PAOs. In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for forming a PAO comprising polymerizing C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers in the presence of hydrogen, a C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbon, e.g., a C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon, and a catalyst system in a reaction vessel, wherein the C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon has about the same number of carbon atoms as the C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers. The C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon optionally is derived from a crude PAO product formed by the process of the invention. The invention is also directed to reaction systems for performing the processes of the invention, to processes for controlling PAO viscosity based on residence time, and to the removal of spent catalyst using a solid adsorbent particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing fly ash comprising a heated refractory-lined vessel having a series of spaced angled rows of swirl-inducing nozzles which cause cyclonic and/or turbulent air flow of the fly ash when introduced in the vessel, thus increasing the residence time of airborne particles. Also disclosed is a method of fly ash beneficiation using the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of laparoscopically introducing a piece of surgical mesh into the abdominal cavity of a patient through a small incision. The mesh is tightly rolled after having traction sutures placed therein and being hydrated. The surgical mesh is pulled into a prelubricated insertion tube having been ligated adjacent its proximal end. A grasper is used to pull mesh into the tube. The tube/mesh is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Once inside the abdomen, the insertion tube is split to release the surgical mesh that may then be used in the surgery. Also provided is an insertion tube having a thinned or otherwise weakened region extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A ripcord extending along the insertion tube from its ligated, proximal end to beyond the distal end is utilized to spilt the insertion tube to facilitate freeing the surgical mesh from within.

Abstract: A final polymer product is formed using a two-stage process and system. In the first stage, a catalyst system is used to polymerize an alpha-olefin monomer to form an effluent. In the second stage, additional alpha-olefin monomer is supplied and is polymerized in the presence of the effluent from the first stage. The second stage produces the final polymer product, which may have a lower molecular weight and viscosity than the polymer formed in the first stage. The final polymer product may be used as a base stock for lubricant compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and processes for forming PAOs. In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for forming a PAO comprising polymerizing C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers in the presence of hydrogen, a C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbon, e.g., a C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon, and a catalyst system in a reaction vessel, wherein the C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon has about the same number of carbon atoms as the C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers. The C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon optionally is derived from a crude PAO product formed by the process of the invention. The invention is also directed to reaction systems for performing the processes of the invention, to processes for controlling PAO viscosity based on residence time, and to the removal of spent catalyst using a solid adsorbent particles.

Abstract: A final polymer product is formed using a two-stage process and system. In the first stage, a catalyst system is used to polymerize an alpha-olefin monomer to form an effluent. In the second stage, additional alpha-olefin monomer is supplied and is polymerized in the presence of the effluent from the first stage. The second stage produces the final polymer product, which may have a lower molecular weight and viscosity than the polymer foamed in the first stage. The final polymer product may be used as a base stock for lubricant compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and processes for forming PAOs. In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for forming a PAO comprising polymerizing C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers in the presence of hydrogen, a C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbon, e.g., a C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon, and a catalyst system in a reaction vessel, wherein the C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon has about the same number of carbon atoms as the C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers. The C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon optionally is derived from a crude PAO product formed by the process of the invention. The invention is also directed to reaction systems for performing the processes of the invention, to processes for controlling PAO viscosity based on residence time, and to the removal of spent catalyst using a solid adsorbent particles.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of residual catalyst comprising one or more 1-halo-2-methylpropanes and a Group 13 metal catalyst from a crude polyolefins product, the process comprising contacting the crude organic product with a solid adsorbent in an adsorbent system. Also provided is a co-catalyst system for polymerizing alpha olefins.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and processes for forming PAOs. In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for forming a PAO comprising polymerizing C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers in the presence of hydrogen, a C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbon, e.g., a C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon, and a catalyst system in a reaction vessel, wherein the C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon has about the same number of carbon atoms as the C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers. The C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon optionally is derived from a crude PAO product formed by the process of the invention. The invention is also directed to reaction systems for performing the processes of the invention, to processes for controlling PAO viscosity based on residence time, and to the removal of spent catalyst using a solid adsorbent particles.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of residual catalyst comprising one or more alkylhalide, alkoxyhalide, metal halide, metal oxyhalide, alkyl metal, alkoxy metal, boron compound and coordinated metal compound wherein the metal is a Group III, Group IV, Group V, Group VI and/or Group VIII metal, from a crude organic product (e.g., polyolefins, alkylated aromatic compounds, alkylated amines, etc.) comprising the residual catalyst is provided, the process comprising contacting the crude organic product with a solid adsorbent in an adsorbent system.

Abstract: A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises provides, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and an area-type illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) through said imaging window into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the 3D imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object motion are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible LEDs, simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) LEDs.

Abstract: A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at a POS. The method comprises providing, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and an area-type illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) through said imaging window into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the 3D imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object motion are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible LEDs, simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) LEDs.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of residual catalyst comprising one or more alkylhalide, alkoxyhalide, metal halide, metal oxyhalide, alkyl metal, alkoxy metal, boron compound and coordinated metal compound wherein the metal is a Group III, Group IV, Group V, Group VI and/or Group VIII metal, from a crude organic product (e.g., polyolefins, alkylated aromatic compounds, alkylated amines, etc.) comprising the residual catalyst is provided, the process comprising contacting the crude organic product with a solid adsorbent in an adsorbent system.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in point of sale (POS) environments. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging stations disposed in the system housing, for projecting a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing a series of area-type digital images of an object intersecting therewith during system operation.