Abstract: Cold thermal chemical vapor deposition coatings, articles, and processes are disclosed. Specifically, a cold thermal chemical vapor deposition process includes positioning an article, heating a precursor gas to at least a decomposition temperature of the precursor gas to produce a deposition gas, introducing the deposition gas to a coating vessel, and depositing a coating from the deposition gas onto the article within the coating vessel. The article remains at a temperature below the decomposition temperature throughout the introducing and depositing of the deposition gas. The coating on the article has a gradient formed by the depositing of the coating having no flow for a period of time. The coated article includes a thermally-sensitive substrate (the thermally-sensitive substrate capable of being modified by a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius) and a coating the thermally-sensitive substrate.

Abstract: A curved expandable interbody device for placement between vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure, and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the curved expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae and actuating the screw mechanism, wherein the deployment tool can lock to the curved expandable interbody device and pivot relative to the curved expandable interbody device.

Abstract: A launcher for a zipline trolley system comprises a body, first and second arms, first and second connectors, first and second pads, and an actuating portion. The first and second arms extend from the body. The first and second connectors are pivotably connected to the first and second arms, respectively. The first and second pads are connected to the first and second connectors, respectively. The actuating portion comprises a sliding member and first and second pull arms. The first and second pull arms are connected to the first and second connectors, respectively. When the launcher is in a first configuration, the first and second pads are adapted to hold the trolley in place. Movement of the sliding member away from the body causes pivotable movement of the first and second connectors and a transition of the launcher to a second configuration to release the trolley.

Abstract: A Ti—Zr alloy in powder form is described. Sintered pellets containing the Ti—Zr alloy powder of the present invention, as well as capacitor anodes, are further described.

Abstract: A portable sunshade assembly comprising: an in-use top flexible sheet spaced away from an in-use bottom flexible sheet wherein during use in an extended configuration the top and bottom flexible sheets comprise respective surfaces and are arranged to define a space there-between to provide a plurality of passages located between the first and second sheets to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side of the top and bottom flexible sheets to a second side of the top and bottom flexible sheets.

Abstract: Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes an axial turbine with an axially arranged series of rotor sections and an external sheath providing structural support for the axial turbine, wherein the sheath is made from dense silicon nitride. Each rotor section includes an outer ring and rotor blades and the outer rings of the rotor sections connect to form a rotating outer casing, wherein the rotor sections are made from reaction bonded silicon nitride.

Abstract: Plants are grown by using a nutrient film over a trough of nutrient solution. The film is opaque and includes apertures for holding plants. The film is rolled out for growing the pants and rolled up for plant harvesting.

Abstract: A Ti—Zr alloy in powder form is described. Sintered pellets containing the Ti—Zr alloy powder of the present invention, as well as capacitor anodes, are further described.

Abstract: A portable sunshade assembly comprising: an in-use top flexible sheet spaced away from an in-use bottom flexible sheet wherein during use in an extended configuration the top and bottom flexible sheets comprise respective surfaces and are arranged to define a space there-between to provide a plurality of passages located between the first and second sheets to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side of the top and bottom flexible sheets to a second side of the top and bottom flexible sheets.

Abstract: A steerable toy car apparatus for providing an engaging toy for children includes a body having a front cutout channel, a back cutout channel, a front crossmember, and a back crossmember. A front left wheel and a front right wheel have a front steering bracket and are coupled to the front crossmember. A back left wheel and a back right when have a back steering bracket and are coupled to the back crossmember. A front wheel pod and a back wheel pod are coupled to the front steering bracket and the back steering bracket, respectively. Connection cables are coupled to the body and the front wheel pod and the back wheel pod. The body pivots to turn each of the front left wheel, the front right wheel, the back left wheel, and the back right wheel.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes an axial turbine with an axially arranged series of rotor sections and an external sheath providing structural support for the axial turbine, wherein the sheath is made from dense silicon nitride. Each rotor section includes an outer ring and rotor blades and the outer rings of the rotor sections connect to form a rotating outer casing, wherein the rotor sections are made from reaction bonded silicon nitride.

Abstract: A method for use in performing impedance measurements on a subject. The method includes, in a processing system, determining at least one first impedance value, measured at a site using a first electrode configuration, determining at least one second impedance value, measured at the site using a second electrode configuration, and determining the presence, absence or degree of an anomaly using the first and second impedance values.

Abstract: Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

Abstract: Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

Abstract: A method for use in performing impedance measurements on a subject. The method includes, in a processing system, determining at least one first impedance value, measured at a site using a first electrode configuration, determining at least one second impedance value, measured at the site using a second electrode configuration, and determining the presence, absence or degree of an anomaly using the first and second impedance values.

Abstract: Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.

Abstract: A link apparatus includes a tubular member that retains 90% of ultimate tensile strength at a temperature of up to 625°. Two conical adapters are mechanically joined to respective ends of the tubular member. Two rod ends include a threaded shank and a socket. One threaded shank is threaded into a right hand threaded base of one conical adapter, and the other threaded shank is threaded into a left hand threaded base of the other conical adapter. Each of the sockets have a bearing assembly disposed therein including an outer race, a ball disposed therein, and a low-friction liner disposed between the outer race and ball for mitigating moment loading on the tubular member. The cross-sectional area of the tubular member is about equal to the cross sectional area of the rod ends. The tubular member is tensionable by rotation relative to the rod ends.

Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.