Abstract: An apparatus for procuring bodily fluid samples with reduced contamination includes a housing having a sequestration chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. A flow controller defines a portion of the sequestration chamber and can transition—in response to a suction force exerted by a fluid collection device fluidically coupled to the outlet—from a first state in which the sequestration chamber has a first volume to a second state in which the sequestration chamber has a second volume greater than the first volume, to draw an initial volume of bodily fluid into the sequestration chamber. An actuator is coupled to the housing and is in fluid communication with the inlet and the sequestration chamber in a first configuration, and is transitioned to a second configuration to sequester the sequestration chamber from the inlet, and allow a subsequent volume of bodily fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce stiction in MEMS devices are disclosed. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a substrate; a via supported by the substrate, the via comprising a first metal layer comprising a material; an arm extending away from and supported by the via, the arm comprising the material; and a second metal layer within the via on the first metal layer, wherein the second metal layer comprises nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for preparing an adhesive resin for use in a coating composition for a crepe paper manufacturing process that includes the steps of reacting a polycarboxylic acid or a derivative of a polycarboxylic acid with a polyamine to form a polyamidoamine intermediate; reacting a polyetheramine with an epihalohydrin to form a polyetheramine-epihalohydrin intermediate and reacting the polyamidoamine intermediate with the polyetheramine-epihalohydrin intermediate to form a polyamidoamine polyetheramine-epihalohydrin resin.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular seal body formed of an elastomeric material and has opposing first and second circumferential surfaces and a sealing projection extending radially from the first circumferential surface. The projection has a frustoconical primary sealing surface with first and second axial ends and an axial length between the first and second ends. The projection is sealingly engageable with the inner surface of the outer member when the seal body is coupled with the inner member, such that substantially the entire axial length of the primary sealing surface is disposed against the inner surface of the outer member. Alternatively, the projection is sealingly engageable with the outer surface of the inner member when the seal body is coupled with the outer member, such that substantially the entire axial length of the primary sealing surface is disposed against the outer surface of the inner member.

Abstract: The invention includes methods, apparatus, and systems for the conversion of hydrogen together with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to methane using a population of microbes and a defined liquid medium. The microbial population maintains the amount of nutrients in the liquid medium within a relative range without requiring replenishment of the nutrients. Methods and apparatus for enriching the microbial population are also described.

Abstract: The current method relates to an on-line characterization of paper or paper products, such as tissue or other crepe paper products. The method uses an imaging source wherein one or more images are obtained of the sheets surface or topographical area or region, or the image is of an edge of a formed sheet. The one or more images are enhanced and analyzed using various techniques and metrics for characterizing the structure of the formed sheet. The information provides for real time adjustments on the machine.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular seal body formed of an elastomeric material and has opposing first and second circumferential surfaces and a sealing projection extending radially from the first circumferential surface. The projection has a frustoconical primary sealing surface with first and second axial ends and an axial length between the first and second ends. The projection is sealingly engageable with the inner surface of the outer member when the seal body is coupled with the inner member, such that substantially the entire axial length of the primary sealing surface is disposed against the inner surface of the outer member. Alternatively, the projection is sealingly engageable with the outer surface of the inner member when the seal body is coupled with the outer member, such that substantially the entire axial length of the primary sealing surface is disposed against the outer surface of the inner member.

Abstract: The current method relates to an on-line characterization of paper or paper products, such as tissue or other crepe paper products. The method uses an imaging source wherein one or more images are obtained of the sheets surface or topographical area or region, or the image is of an edge of a formed sheet. The one or more images are enhanced and analyzed using various techniques and metrics for characterizing the structure of the formed sheet. The information provides for real time adjustments on the machine.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell electrolyte management device includes a first component having a first density and a second component having a second density that is less than the first density. The first component has a first side including a pocket and a second side facing opposite the first side. The second side of the first component includes a first plurality of fluid flow channels. The second component has a porosity configured for storing electrolyte in the second component. The second component fits within the pocket. The second component has a first side received directly against the first side of the first component. The second component has a second side including a second plurality of fluid flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for microbial conversion of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen to methane, and to the microbial populations, and the media comprising the microbial populations, that may be used in such methods and apparatus.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell electrolyte management device includes a first component having a first density and a second component having a second density that is less than the first density. The first component has a first side including a pocket and a second side facing opposite the first side. The second side of the first component includes a first plurality of fluid flow channels. The second component has a porosity configured for storing electrolyte in the second component. The second component fits within the pocket. The second component has a first side received directly against the first side of the first component. The second component has a second side including a second plurality of fluid flow channels.

Abstract: The fuel cell power plant operating system (10) includes an on/off switching device by-pass circuit (60) to sustain operation of a fuel cell (12) whenever the fuel cell (12) on/off switching device (58) is turned off while a fuel cell operating temperature is below a predetermined freeze-safe operating temperature. The by-pass circuit (60) operates the fuel cell (12) until the fuel cell (12) temperature reaches or exceeds the freeze-safe temperature to thereby prevent fuel cell (12) product water from becoming ice in and adjacent fuel cell catalysts (26, 40).

Abstract: A neurological monitoring method and system that allows a user to monitor a neurological organ while recovering from a neurological injury. The neurological monitoring method allows the user to recover from the injury, and an invited follower to map the neurological organ and study the neurological organ from a display device. The method includes sensing the organ with a sensor, such as EEG electrodes. A signal generated by the neurological organ is then recorded by the sensor and transmitted to data storage, including a cloud. The signal can be reconfigured and retransmitted to a display device. The signal includes Hertz and real time frequencies. The signal includes a signal parameter with a high range and a low range. An alert actuates when the signal exceeds the parameter. The signal is monitored by the user and invited followers for better understanding the condition of the neurological organ.

Abstract: A cognitive management method and system that monitors and manipulates a response signal from a neurological organ to optimize cognitive performance and behavioral management of the neurological organ. The method allows a user to transmit a stimulus signal such as optical or auditory to the organ and receive a return signal in response. A sensor, such as EEG electrodes detects the response signal. The response signal generated by the neurological organ is then detected by the sensor and transmitted to data storage. The signal can be reconfigured and retransmitted to a display device. The signal includes Hertz and real time frequencies. The signal includes a signal parameter with a high range and a low range. An alert actuates when the signal exceeds the parameter. The signal is monitored by the user and invited followers to analyze and treat cognitive performance and behavior.

Abstract: The fuel cell power plant operating system (10) includes an on/off switching device by-pass circuit (60) to sustain operation of a fuel cell (12) whenever the fuel cell (12) on/off switching device (58) is turned off while a fuel cell operating temperature is below a predetermined freeze-safe operating temperature. The by-pass circuit (60) operates the fuel cell (12) until the fuel cell (12) temperature reaches or exceeds the freeze-safe temperature to thereby prevent fuel cell (12) product water from becoming ice in and adjacent fuel cell catalysts (26, 40).

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell having a fuel inlet for directing a hydrogen fuel to the fuel cell to generate electric current; a sensor cell having an anode, a cathode and a membrane between the anode and the cathode, the anode being communicated with the fuel inlet to receive a portion of fuel from the fuel inlet, the sensor cell being connected across the stack to carry the electric current whereby hydrogen from the portion of fuel is electrochemically pumped to the cathode of the sensor cell; and a sensor communicated with the sensor cell to receive a signal corresponding to evolution of hydrogen from the anode to the cathode of the sensor cell and adapted to detect contaminants in the fuel based upon the signal.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?) while a low-pressure hydrogen generator (202) selectively generates an adequate amount of hydrogen and directs flow of the low-pressure hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) downstream from a hydrogen inlet valve (52?) to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant (10) includes a fuel cell (12) having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (16), disposed between an anode support plate (14) and a cathode support plate (18), the anode and/or cathode support plates include a hydrophilic substrate layer (80, 82) having a predetermined pore size. The pressure of the reactant gas streams (22, 24) is greater than the pressure of the coolant stream (26), such that a greater percentage of the pores within the hydrophilic substrate layer contain reactant gas rather than water. Any water that forms on the cathode side of the MEA will migrate through the cathode support plate and away from the MEA. Controlling the pressure also ensures that the coolant water will continually migrate from the coolant stream toward the anode side of the MEA, thereby preventing the membrane from becoming dry. Proper pore size and a pressure differential between coolant and reactants improves the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for making a membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of providing a membrane electrode assembly including an anode including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst; a cathode; a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; and depositing a peroxide decomposition catalyst in at least one position selected from the group consisting of the anode, the cathode, a layer between the anode and the membrane and a layer between the cathode and the membrane wherein the peroxide decomposition catalyst has selectivity when exposed to hydrogen peroxide toward reactions which form benign products from the hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide decomposition catalyst can also be positioned within the membrane. Also disclosed is a power-generating fuel cell system including such a membrane electrode assembly, and a process for operating such a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method for forming a fine-pitch flip chip assembly interconnects fine pitch devices after they have been connected to a carrier substrate. A die having a plurality of conductive sections, such as solder balls, is attached to a conductive layer of the substrate. An interconnect pattern is then formed in the conductive layer to connect the conductive sections and generate electronic functionality to the assembly. By forming the interconnect pattern after the device have been connected to the carrier, the invention provides precise alignment between the devices and the interconnect pattern without actually aligning the two components during the assembly process.