Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for creating phobic and philic surfaces (for example, superphobic and superphilic surfaces) are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for determining a heat treatment technique that increases the likelihood that a uniformly etched surface with minimal pitting will be formed when the surface of a material is subject to etching. Additional embodiments include evaluating the PRE number of the material, performing an anodic polarization sweep of the material, evaluating the polarization curve (current vs. potential) for the material, performing different etching protocols depending on the range of values the PRE number of the material belongs, and/or pulsing the current applied to the material during the etching process. Additional embodiments include apparatuses and methods for predictably etching a surface (such as a surface of a metal alloy) of a material, which can include etching interior portions of a hollow work piece.

Abstract: Functionalized zeolites, including a zeolite substrate and a self-assembled monolayer of a phosphonic acid on a surface of the zeolite substrate, are disclosed, as are methods of making and using the functionalized zeolites. The disclosed methods and compositions have various applications, including in the use of molecular sieves to separate small-molecule gases from mixtures thereof. Gas adsorption selectivities and diffusion rates of the functionalized zeolites may be tuned or selected according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A client in a plurality of clients with a same network address or similar common identifier is designated a Peer Distribution Point (PDP) agent for distributing a software application divided into several packages to the plurality of clients. The plurality of clients are part of a client-server hierarchical system comprising a Central SMS site server and several Distributing servers. The Central SMS site server generates policies for the packages that are pushed to a Distribution server assigned to the plurality of clients from where the PDP agent pulls the policies. The Central SMS site server generates the packages that are pushed to the Distributing server after the PDP agent pulls the policies. The packages are pulled by the PDP agent from the Distributing server. The other clients pull the packages from the PDP agent as and when needed.

Abstract: A hand held device is herein provided for selectively scraping a surface layer from the face of a lottery ticket or the like, with this device having a housing member upon which a blade is mounted, with the housing having a central cavity for catching and retaining the scraped material removed from the lottery ticket. My novel device comprises upper and lower, generally triangularly shaped members mounted in a spaced apart relationship, and bounded by sidewalls. These sidewalls serve with the upper and lower members to define the central cavity. The blade for scraping the surface of the lottery ticket is supported at a front corner of my device, and an opening is disposed directly above the blade, and generally parallel therewith. This opening makes it readily possible for material scraped from the lottery ticket to enter my device and be retained in the central cavity.

Abstract: A computer system is introduced for curve-solid classification (raycasting) of objects in constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeling to produce image representations of two- or three-dimensional objects. The system carries out curve-solid classifications in parallel and at much higher speed than a general purpose computer. It uses primitive classification processors which compute all of the (curve-line or ray) primitive (basic solid bodies: block, cylinder, etc.) intersections in parallel, combine processors which are connected into a binary tree that duplicates the binary tree defining the CSG solid and computes the set operations (union, intersection and difference), and a host computer.