Abstract: A solid aluminum-fiber composite comprising: (i) an aluminum-containing matrix comprising elemental aluminum; (ii) coated or uncoated fibers embedded within said aluminum-containing matrix, wherein said fibers have a different composition than said aluminum-containing matrix and impart additional strength to said aluminum-containing matrix as compared to said aluminum-containing matrix in the absence of said fibers embedded therein; and (iii) an intermetallic layer present as an interface between each of said fibers and the aluminum-containing matrix, wherein said intermetallic layer has a composition different from said aluminum-containing matrix and said fibers, and said intermetallic layer contains at least one element that is also present in the aluminum-containing matrix and at least one element present in the fibers, whether from the coated or interior portion of the fibers. Methods of producing the above-described composite are also described.

Abstract: Combined high voltage discharging and grounding device with a discharging unit with a first electric contact and a first counter-contact as well as a grounding unit with a second electric contact and a second counter contact. The first electric contact and the second electric contact are provided on a movable member which is movable by way of a drive along a path of movement from an open position to a close position. An electric contact between the first electric contact and the first counter-contact is established in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position of the movable member when closing the discharging and grounding device in an operating state of the discharging and grounding device while the second electric contact is electrically still disconnected from the second counter contact.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of aluminum-based alloys having improved intergranular corrosion resistance. Methods of making and using the disclosed alloy embodiments also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of thermomagnetically processing an aluminum alloy entails heat treating an aluminum alloy, and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least about 2 Tesla to the aluminum alloy during the heat treating. The heat treating and the application of the high field strength magnetic field are carried out for a treatment time sufficient to achieve a predetermined standard strength of the aluminum alloy, and the treatment time is reduced by at least about 50% compared to heat treating the aluminum alloy without the magnetic field.

Abstract: A cast alloy includes aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of at least one material selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The cast alloy has a strengthening Al11X3 intermetallic phase in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, wherein X is at least one of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The Al11X3 intermetallic phase has a microstructure that includes at least one of lath features and rod morphological features. The morphological features have an average thickness of no more than 700 um and an average spacing of no more than 10 um, the microstructure further comprising an eutectic microconstituent that comprises more than about 10 volume percent of the microstructure.

Abstract: Embodiments of surface-hardened aluminum-rare earth alloys and methods of making the alloys are disclosed. In some embodiments, the alloy comprises aluminum and 4 wt % to 60 wt % of a rare earth component X having a maximum solid solubility of ?0.5 wt % in aluminum. The surface-hardened alloy component has an alloy bulk portion and a hardened alloy surface portion. At least a portion of the hardened alloy surface portion has a Vickers hardness that is at least 30% greater than a Vickers hardness of the alloy bulk portion.

Abstract: A weighing device for weighing a load, such as an infant, is disclosed. The weighing device can include a device casing having a placement side configured to retain the load and an underside. Four weight sensors can be coupled to the underside of the device casing. The four weight sensors can be configured to generate a signal corresponding to a weight of the load. A first foot assembly can be coupled to one of the four weight sensors. The first foot assembly can include a first assembly end coupled to the first weight sensor and a second assembly end extending beyond the device casing. The placement side can include at least two retaining walls and a receiving surface.

Abstract: Described herein are additive manufacturing methods and products made using such methods. The alloy compositions described herein are specifically selected for the additive manufacturing methods and provide products that exhibit superior mechanical properties as compared to their cast counterparts. Using the compositions and methods described herein, products that do not exhibit substantial coarsening, such as at elevated temperatures, can be obtained. The products further exhibit uniform microstructures along the print axis, thus contributing to improved strength and performance. Additives also can be used in the alloys described herein.

Abstract: Combined high voltage discharging and grounding device with a discharging unit with a first electric contact and a first counter-contact as well as a grounding unit with a second electric contact and a second counter contact. The first electric contact and the second electric contact are provided on a movable member which is movable by way of a drive along a path of movement from an open position to a close position. An electric contact between the first electric contact and the first counter-contact is established in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position of the movable member when closing the discharging and grounding device in an operating state of the discharging and grounding device while the second electric contact is electrically still disconnected from the second counter contact.

Abstract: A lid includes: a brim sealing channel at a periphery of the lid; an outer sipping sidewall positioned within a circumference of the brim sealing channel and extending above the brim sealing channel; a sipping topwall adjacent to the outer sipping sidewall; a sipping port in the sipping topwall; and a central recess within the circumference of the brim sealing channel and proximate to the sipping topwall, wherein the central recess has an overhang and a bottomwall; and a rotatable closure tab includes: a central portion; a flanged-shaped structure at a first side of the central portion; a tab sidewall supported by the flanged-shaped structure; a tab topwall extending outwardly from the tab sidewall and away from the flanged-shaped structure; a sealing depression in the tab topwall; and a retention rim extending radially from the central portion and positioned between the overhang and bottomwall of the central recess.

Abstract: An alloy for structural direct-writing additive manufacturing comprising a base element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni) and a combination thereof, and a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of cerium (Ce), lanthanide (La) and a combination thereof, and a eutectic intermetallic present in said alloy in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to 7.5 wt. %. The invention is also directed to a method of structural direct-write additive manufacturing using the above-described alloy, as well as 3D objects produced by the method. The invention is also directed to methods of producing the above-described alloy.

Abstract: A lid for securing to the brim of a container, the lid including a container closure having a disk shaped member with a periphery for mating with the brim of the container. The periphery includes annular inner and outer side walls with at least one annular rib disposed on each of the inner and outer side walls. The ribs of the annular walls form a gripping area to secure the lid to the container for preventing leaks and accidental spillage. A top wall interconnects the inner and outer side walls and includes visual cues for viewing the brim of the container when the lid is affixed to the brim. The lid additionally includes a pronounced wedge shaped sipping spout projecting upwards from the container closure. The container closure includes a circular indented channel for stacking one lid covered cup over another with additional stability provided by the sipping spout.

Abstract: A method of thermomagnetically processing an aluminum alloy entails heat treating an aluminum alloy, and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least about 2 Tesla to the aluminum alloy during the heat treating. The heat treating and the application of the high field strength magnetic field are carried out for a treatment time sufficient to achieve a predetermined standard strength of the aluminum alloy, and the treatment time is reduced by at least about 50% compared to heat treating the aluminum alloy without the magnetic field.

Abstract: A lid includes: a brim sealing channel at a periphery of the lid; an outer sipping sidewall positioned within a circumference of the brim sealing channel and extending above the brim sealing channel; a sipping topwall adjacent to the outer sipping sidewall; a sipping port in the sipping topwall; and a central recess within the circumference of the brim sealing channel and proximate to the sipping topwall, wherein the central recess has an overhang and a bottomwall; and a rotatable closure tab includes: a central portion; a flanged-shaped structure at a first side of the central portion; a tab sidewall supported by the flanged-shaped structure; a tab topwall extending outwardly from the tab sidewall and away from the flanged-shaped structure; a sealing depression in the tab topwall; and a retention rim extending radially from the central portion and positioned between the overhang and bottomwall of the central recess.

Abstract: A lid includes: a brim sealing channel at a periphery of the lid; an outer sipping sidewall positioned within a circumference of the brim sealing channel and extending above the brim sealing channel; a sipping topwall adjacent to the outer sipping sidewall; a sipping port in the sipping topwall; and a central recess within the circumference of the brim sealing channel and proximate to the sipping topwall, wherein the central recess has an overhang and a bottomwall; and a rotatable closure tab includes: a central portion; a flanged-shaped structure at a first side of the central portion; a tab sidewall supported by the flanged-shaped structure; a tab topwall extending outwardly from the tab sidewall and away from the flanged-shaped structure; a sealing depression in the tab topwall; and a retention rim extending radially from the central portion and positioned between the overhang and bottomwall of the central recess.

Abstract: A cast alloy includes aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of at least one material selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The cast alloy has a strengthening Al11X3 intermetallic phase in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, wherein X is at least one of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The Al11X3 intermetallic phase has a microstructure that includes at least one of lath features and rod morphological features. The morphological features have an average thickness of no more than 700 um and an average spacing of no more than 10 um, the microstructure further comprising an eutectic microconstituent that comprises more than about 10 volume percent of the microstructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely rebooting an electronic device may have an first port adapted to interface with a first communications line capable of transmitting and receiving both data and power, an second port adapted to interface with a second communications line capable of transmitting and receiving both data and power, at least two status light emitting diodes, and at least one power port capable of receiving power from an external power supply module. The apparatus uses an auto-ping, traffic monitor, and heartbeat methodology to manage the operable state of a PSE, PD, or Ethernet traffic. If either one is deemed to have become non-functional or otherwise fall below set operating standards, the apparatus sends a signal to reboot the particular device in question. This removes the need for a manual reboot of a particular device such as a peripheral device in an electronic system.