Abstract: A system and method for assessing risk is provided. The method comprises determining an investment index associated with investment by an insurance company in an insurance pool. Next, the method comprises determining a return index associated with an expected return to the insurance company from participating in the insurance pool; and determining a benefit index based on the investment and return indices. The system for assessing risk comprises an assessment module for assessing risks associated with an insurance company's participation in an insurance pool based on at least one of: an investment index associated with the costs of participating in the insurance pool, and a return index associated with the benefits of participating in the insurance pool.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods and systems for on demand droplet generation and impedance based detection. The microfluidic system can utilize an electrical sensor for detecting an electrical property of a fluid and for generating an electrical signal indicating a change in the electrical property of the fluid; a droplet generator coupled to the electrical sensor configured to generate the droplet from the fluid in response to the electrical signal from the electrical sensor; and a microfluidic channel coupled to the droplet generator for receiving the droplet. The method for generating droplets involves measuring an electrical property of the fluid, transmitting an electrical signal indicative of the electrical property, and forming the droplets from the fluid based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for automatically testing an apparatus controlled by software based on pilot test case file comprising user input sequence data recorded manually and the time stamp of the input. In the process of automated testing, these pre-recorded user inputs are replay with same input sequence but with either the same time interval between two subsequent inputs recorded prior; or with a random time interval autonomously generated in a range set by the test configuration. During the process of replaying user input, a separate plural numbers of background tasks are executed in parallel with random execution delays to generate varying system load and execution timing to simulate the apparatus' unpredictable real operation scenarios. The user input and new random time interval between each user input are recorded at replay as a new expanded test record file for later test result trace and failure analysis.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a digital camera configured to be powered by rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. The digital camera includes one or more rechargeable NiMH batteries, and first internal circuitry configured to receive power from a universal serial bus (USB) port associated with an external power source and to charge the rechargeable NiMH batteries without removing the rechargeable NiMH batteries from the digital camera.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: A pair of punch pliers include a handle, a control shank assembly, a punching member, and a connecting device. The handle has a first end provided with a grip portion, a second end provided with a punching seat and a mediate portion provided with a hollow receiving base. The control shank assembly includes two press members each pivotally mounted on the receiving base of the handle, and a press block mounted between the two press members. Thus, the blanks of the handle are juxtaposed to each other, and the blanks of each of the two press members of the control shank assembly are juxtaposed to each other, so that the wasted materials of the handle and each of the two press members are reduced largely, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication of the punch pliers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus which reduces the fines in a liquid discharge stream and/or increases the dryness of a solids discharge stream while under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: A method and system marks a scene and images acquired of the scene with tags. A set of tags is projected into a scene while modulating an intensity of each tag according to a unique temporally varying code. Each tag is projected as an infrared signal at a known location in the scene. Sequences of infrared and color images are acquired of the scene while performing the projecting and the modulating. A subset of the tags is detected in the sequence of infrared images. Then, the sequence of color image is displayed while marking a location of each detected tag in the displayed sequence of color images, in which the marked location of the detected tag corresponds to the known location of the tag in the scene.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing and purifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). The optimized system employs at least one zoned slurry concentrator to enhance purification of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a slurry or cake carboxylic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester or co-polyester production is obtained from a slurry or cake terephthalic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.