Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector that includes jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a control circuit, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to determine an impedance signal based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes, detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the determined impedance signal, determine a position of the detected media based on the received signals, and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, this invention relates to a method that includes contacting a PHA with an aprotic catalyst to form an ester. The ester has only one monomer unit from the PHA. In certain embodiments, this invention relates to a method that includes treating a PHA-containing non-lyophilized biomass to form an ester, and removing at least some of the ester from the biomass.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed. In general, the methods include forming a pyrrolidone from a PHA, such as poly 4-hydroxybutyrate or a 4-hydroxybutyrate containing polymer. The methods can include, for example, treating (e.g., heating) the PHA to form a pyrrolidone. The methods can include, for example, treating a biomass containing the PHA to form a pyrrolidone. The methods can include, for example, heating the PHA to a temperature of at most about 90° C. to form a pyrrolidone, wherein the percent yield of the pyrrolidone is at least about 50%.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite that includes a reaction injection molded matrix into which carbon fibrils have been incorporated, and a molding composition suitable for preparing such a composite. The invention also features a composite that includes a premix in which carbon fibrils have been incorporated into a resin matrix, and the molded product of the premix.

Abstract: A composite that includes an elastomer matrix into which carbon fibrils are incorporated. The fibrils are characterized as having a morphology consisting of tubes that are free of a continuous thermal carbon overcoat and have graphitic layers that are substantially parallel to the fibril axis, or as having a crystalline graphitic structure and a morphology defined by a fishbone-like arrangement of the graphite layers along the fibril axis.

Abstract: This invention concerns composite materials comprising a plurality of carbon fibrils in a matrix wherein the carbon fibrils are each characterized by a substantially constant diameter between about 3.5 to 70 nanometers and are substantially free of pyrolytically deposited thermal carbon.

Abstract: Products containing carbon fibrils having a morphology of vermicular tubes that are free of a continuous thermal carbon overcoat and have graphitic layers, wherein the length of the projection of the graphitic layers on the fibril axis extends along the axis for a distance of at least two fibril diameters. The fibrils are used to form composites, adsorbents and mats.

Abstract: A volume of carbon fibrils that includes a multiplicity of fibrils having a morphology consisting of vermicular tubes that are free of a continuous thermal carbon overcoat and have graphite layers that are substantially parallel to the fibril axis and a process for preparing such fibrils.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of supporting a catalyst which involves attaching a catalyst to either a furry fiber, a furry plate or a discrete carbon fibril. The furry fiber or furry plate include a carbon fiber or plate and a plurality of carbon fibrils adhering to the outer surface of the carbon fiber or plate.

Abstract: A composite that includes a reaction injection molded matrix into which carbon fibrils have been incorporated, and a molding composition suitable for preparing such a composite. The invention also features a composite that includes a premix in which carbon fibrils have been incorporated into a resin matrix, and the molded product of the premix.

Abstract: This invention concerns a discrete carbon fibril characterized by a substantially constant diameter between about 3.5 and about 70 nanometers, length greater than about 5 times the diameter and less than about 100 times the diameter, an outer region of multiple essentially continuous layers of ordered carbon atoms and a distinct inner core region. The invention further concerns a plurality of such fibrils.The fibrils of this invention may be produced by contacting for an appropriate period of time and at a suitable pressure a suitable metal-containing particle with a suitable gaseous, carbon-containing compound, at a temperature between about 850.degree. C. and 1200.degree. C., or by treating discrete carbon fibrils, characterized by a length greater than about 100 times the diameter. Carbon fibrils may also be continuously produced by continuously contacting for an appropriate period of time at suitable conditions.

Abstract: This invention concerns composite materials comprising a plurality of carbon fibrils in a matrix wherein the carbon fibrils are each characterized by a substantially constant diameter between about 3.5 to 70 nanometers and are substantially free of pyrolytically deposited thermal carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbon fibrils characterized by a substantially constant diameter, length greater than about 5 times the diameter, an ordered outer region of catalytically grown, multiple, substantially continuous layers of ordered carbon atoms having an outside diameter between about 3.5 and 70 nanometers, and a distinct inner core region. Each of the layers and the core are disposed substantially concentrically about the cylindrical axis of the fibril. The fibrils are substantially free of pyrolytically deposited thermal carbon with the diameter of the fibrils being equal to the outside diameter of the ordered outer region.

Abstract: A high pressure electrolytic cell and an overall system incorporating one or more of such cells are provided, especially adapted for the electrolytic tetramerization of carbon monoxide.