Abstract: Methods, compositions, and apparatuses are provided herein that utilize polystyrene from recycled products to make a high strength composite concrete that can be used for subgrade utility vaults, utility trenches, etc. Polystyrene is a widely-used plastic that can be collected and then densified at particular parameters including temperature to transform the polystyrene to a usable form. Then, the densified polystyrene is combined with other resin materials and dry materials to form a high-strength concrete material. The amount of densified polystyrene that is combined with the other materials is critical to control shrinkage and expansion of the concrete material during manufacturing.

Abstract: A lightweight composite concrete cover is provided for subgrade trenches and vaults. The lightweight cover comprises at least one low density layer that has a low density filler material such as polyethylene terephthalate beads. The low density layer substantially reduces the overall weight of the cover, and the remaining layers provide sufficient structure for the cover to pass rigorous load and chemical exposure testing. In addition, a method of manufacturing a lightweight cover is provided that promotes the combination of different layers of the cover and the cross linking of polymer chains between layers of the cover. The lightweight cover has substantial weight savings and also meets rigorous testing standards such that a worker can manually remove the cover, transportation costs are realized, and worker safety is improved.

Abstract: A method for creating a password on an electronic computing device is disclosed. On the electronic computing device, a first password is obtained. The first password comprises a string of one or more characters. A first character is appended to the first password to form a second password. A hash function is applied to the second password to generate a first hashed password. The first hashed password comprises a first bit string. A determination is made as to whether the first hashed password includes a predefined sequence of bits. When it is determined that the first hashed password includes the predefined sequence of bits, the second password is designated as an auditable password.

Abstract: A secure hash, such as a Hash-based Message Authentication Code (“HMAC”), is generated using a piece of secret information (e.g., a secret key) and a piece of public information specific to each escrow key (e.g., a certificate hash or public key). Using the secret key ensures that escrow key validation data can only be generated by knowing the secret key, which prevents an attacker from generating the appropriate escrow key validation data. Using the certificate hash as the public data ties each escrow key validation data to a particular certificate, thereby preventing the attacker from simply copying the validation data from another escrow key. Any escrow key that is found to be invalid may be removed from the file container and a system audit log may be generated so that a company, individual, or other entity can be aware of the possible attempt at a security breach.

Abstract: A secure hash, such as a Hash-based Message Authentication Code (“HMAC”), is generated using a piece of secret information (e.g., a secret key) and a piece of public information specific to each escrow key (e.g., a certificate hash or public key). Using the secret key ensures that escrow key validation data can only be generated by knowing the secret key, which prevents an attacker from generating the appropriate escrow key validation data. Using the certificate hash as the public data ties each escrow key validation data to a particular certificate, thereby preventing the attacker from simply copying the validation data from another escrow key. Any escrow key that is found to be invalid may be removed from the file container and a system audit log may be generated so that a company, individual, or other entity can be aware of the possible attempt at a security breach.

Abstract: A method for creating a password on an electronic computing device is disclosed. On the electronic computing device, a first password is obtained. The first password comprises a string of one or more characters. A first character is appended to the first password to form a second password. A hash function is applied to the second password to generate a first hashed password. The first hashed password comprises a first bit string. A determination is made as to whether the first hashed password includes a predefined sequence of bits. When it is determined that the first hashed password includes the predefined sequence of bits, the second password is designated as an auditable password.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater includes a heat pump which generates a hot refrigerant and a water tank for water to be heated. The water tank includes a surrounding wall which is preferably cylindrical and a bottom portion. An inner sleeve is located in the bottom portion of the water tank, and is spaced from the bottom portion and an adjacent portion of the surrounding wall of the water tank, whereby a passageway is provided about the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve also includes an opening at a bottom thereof. A circulation system puts the heated refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with the water in the passageway, causing heating of the water therein and, due to natural convection, movement of the heated water to a higher position in the water tank and a resultant flow of cooler water into the passageway through the bottom opening of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A method for disposing of radioactive material in a disposal area, which is accessible from the surface through a wellbore which contains a wellbore fluid. The method comprises the steps of: encapsulating the radioactive material within a container, placing the container in the wellbore, passing the container through the wellbore to the disposal area, and equalizing the differential pressure between the wellbore pressure and internal pressure within the container as the capsule descends within the wellbore, prior to the differential pressure reaching a magnitude which would exceed a design collapse rating of the container.