Abstract: An apparatus and method for the low temperature carbonization of a continuous tow of polymeric material fiber, such as PAN or other carbon fiber precursor materials at atmospheric pressure in an inert gas (usually nitrogen or argon) is disclosed. A pair of antennas are arranged within an electromagnetic cavity and face each other in an edgewise fashion for direct electromagnetic heating of the fiber tow as it passes between them. Supplemental background heating increases the dielectric loss of the fiber tow in order to improve absorption of electromagnetic energy and prevent arcing. The invention produces a higher density low temperature carbonized fiber in a shorter residence time compared to conventional low temperature carbonization.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for electromagnetically and thermally treating polymeric materials, including PAN and other carbon fiber precursors at large scale at atmospheric pressure, while measuring the temperature in the closed environment of the process chamber. The apparatus is designed for continuous processing, and to be compatible with other stages of existing carbon fiber production lines. It provides direct electromagnetic coupling to the fiber tow(s) in the near-field region of one or more microwave waveguide launchers and also provides direct radiative or IR heating from susceptor plates located on the opposite side of the tow from the waveguide opening for processing a band of multiple tows of fiber. It produces low-temperature-carbonized (LTC) fiber with shorter residence time and higher density compared to the conventional process. Its design is inherently scalable to larger production. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining precipitation static charge levels on a dielectrically coated surface is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for determining precipitation static charge levels on a dielectrically coated surface is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely installing and executing software on a mobile device. A work item is formed that includes the software to be installed and executed, and a remote-execution command message is sent to the mobile device. The mobile device authenticates the remote-execution command message before extracting the remote-execution command and using it to request a download of the work item. The remote-execution command message is preferably an SMS message including a hook so that it is quickly recognizable as a remote-execution command message by the mobile device. When the work item arrives, it is authenticated before it is executed. When the mobile device determines that the execution is complete, it sends a notification to the remote-execution server.

Abstract: An improved management console integrates a plurality of disparate database utilities with a unified graphical user interface. A management console is implemented or otherwise provided in accordance with an industry standard such as the MICROSOFT Management Console (MMC) framework or a superset thereof. MMC provides a common environment for snap-ins that provide management or administrative functionality. The improved management console includes a primary snap-in and a plurality of extension snap-ins. The primary snap-in is preferably a database browser which permits the console user to “drill down” through a hierarchy of database-related objects such as tablespaces, tables, records, and meta-data. The database browser snap-in preferably supports a plurality of different database management systems. The extension snap-ins provide additional functionality by extending the primary snap-in to provide access to database utilities or tasks.