Abstract: A combined perforating and fracking tool, and method for using same, for perforating a hydrocarbon well casing and for subsequently fracturing the formation while maintaining the tool in situ. The combined perforating and fracking tool comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a series of connected cylinders arranged to be disposed in a well casing, each of the cylinders comprising a cooperating piston whereby a magnification of hydraulic force is generated. The series of pistons operate to actuate a punch assembly disposed at a downhole end of the series of connected cylinders to perforate the casing. A fluid injection port, in operation with at least one sealing member disposed at each end of the series of connected cylinders, allows fluid to be diverted into the formation through the perforations created in the well casing to induce fracturing in the formation.

Abstract: A tool for both perforating a well casing in a hydrocarbon formation and for subsequently fracturing the formation. The tool allows not only perforation and fracking, but in a preferred embodiment allows both perforation of the casing and fracking of the formation without having to further reposition the tool within the wellbore. The tool comprises a cylindrical member having thereon an upper and lower seal member and a longitudinal bore therein, and a cooperating piston which operates a punch to perforate the well casing. A flushing port is provided immediately uphole of the upper seal member, which port when said tool is lowered downhole allows fluid flowing up a longitudinal channel to flush an annular region immediately uphole of said upper seal, thereby greatly reducing the incidence of sand impaction and thereby better allow the tool to be moved uphole for further perforation and fluid injection into the formation.

Abstract: Provided is an aircraft having a spherical body which generates buoyancy or which may generate buoyancy when filled with gas, wherein the aircraft further comprises four actuation units arranged on the surface of the body for movement of the aircraft in a translation and/or rotation through air, and at least one camera arranged on or in the surface of the body. Further provided is a method for providing optical information to a person in the environment of a flying aircraft, a method for providing optical information about an object and/or surveying of an object, a method for transmission of acoustic information and a method for observing or tracking an object.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.

Abstract: Methods of measurement of biometric indicators in a mammalian subject are described. Biometric indicators of interest include hematocrit, plasma volume, volume of distribution, and glomerular filtration rate. The methods are especially applicable to subjects with rapid blood loss and to subjects with unstable hematocrits. Hematocrit may be measured by administering an injectate with a dynamic fluorescent marker and a static fluorescent marker, or a single static marker with two fluorescent tags, into the vascular system of the subject, and monitoring the emission intensities of the markers or fluorescent tags over a period of time. Hematocrit may then be calculated using a calibrated spectrometric analyzer by determining the raw ratio of the markers at T0, calculating the apparent hematocrit, and applying a correction factor.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate of a mammalian subject comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the vascular system of the mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the glomerular filtration rate.

Abstract: A powder press for producing a metal powder compact comprises an upper punch arrangement and a lower punch arrangement (1) which accommodates the die arrangement (3) which forms the mold cavity (8) into which the metal powder is filled, whereupon the pressing process is carried out. The lower punch arrangement (1) is equipped with a plate (2) on which the die arrangement (3) is placed and to which plate (2) cross pressing devices (4) are fastened. Each cross pressing device (4) is equipped with a cross pressing punch (5) that can be linearly driven by a drive unit and that can be pressed into and retracted out of the mold cavity (8) in the cross pressing direction through an opening (6) in the die (7) which is essentially perpendicular to the pressing direction.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.

Abstract: Interconnect apparatus and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method for forming a solderable connection to a conductive surface may include forming one or more solderable metal regions on the conductive surface, for example an aluminum surface. The method may comprise applying a solder layer to the one or more solderable metal regions to form one or more soldered metal regions. The method may further comprise depositing one or more solderable metal regions on the conductive surface by plasma deposition. In other examples, the one or more solderable metal regions may be sputtered. Additionally, the method may comprise applying a flux to the one or more solderable metal regions prior to applying the solder layer to the one or more solderable metal regions. An interconnect ribbon may be soldered to at least one of the solder layer or the solderable metal regions. Associated interconnect apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method (300) of texturing silicon surfaces (116) such to reduce reflectivity of a silicon wafer (110) for use in solar cells. The method (300) includes filling (330, 340) a vessel (122) with a volume of an etching solution (124) so as to cover the silicon surface 116) of a wafer or substrate (112). The etching solution (124) is made up of a catalytic nanomaterial (140) and an oxidant-etchant solution (146). The catalytic nanomaterial (140) may include gold or silver nanoparticles or noble metal nanoparticles, each of which may be a colloidal solution. The oxidant-etchant solution (146) includes an etching agent (142), such as hydrofluoric acid, and an oxidizing agent (144), such as hydrogen peroxide. Etching (350) is performed for a period of time including agitating or stirring the etching solution (124). The etch time may be selected such that the etched silicon surface (116) has a reflectivity of less than about 15 percent such as 1 to 10 percent in a 350 to 1000 nanometer wavelength range.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate of a mammalian subject comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the vascular system of the mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the glomerular filtration rate.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may include fabricating an n-type silicon substrate and introducing n-type dopant to one or more first and second regions of the substrate so that the second region is more heavily doped than the first region. The substrate may be subjected to a single high-temperature anneal cycle to form a selective front surface field layer. Oxygen may be introduced during the single anneal cycle to form in situ front and back passivating oxide layers. Fire-through of front and back contacts as well as metallization with contact connections may be performed in a single co-firing operation. The firing of the back contact may form a p+ emitter layer at the interface of the substrate and back contacts, thus forming a p-n junction at the interface of the emitter layer and the substrate. Associated solar cells are also provided.

Abstract: A powder press for producing a metal powder compact comprises an upper punch arrangement and a lower punch arrangement (1) which accommodates the die arrangement (3) which forms the mold cavity (8) into which the metal powder is filled, whereupon the pressing process is carried out. The lower punch arrangement (1) is equipped with a plate (2) on which the die arrangement (3) is placed and to which plate (2) cross pressing devices (4) are fastened. Each cross pressing device (4) is equipped with a cross pressing punch (5) that can be linearly driven by a drive unit and that can be pressed into and retracted out of the mold cavity (8) in the cross pressing direction through an opening (6) in the die (7) which is essentially perpendicular to the pressing direction.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.