Abstract: The invention is a system that prevents the transfer of vibration from a bowstring to a bow riser and simultaneously silences the bowstring from making audible noise. The invention mounts to the riser of a bow or crossbow and disposes at.least one rigid finger and integral brush combination adjacent to the bowstring when the bowstring is in the neutral at-rest position. Upon release, the bowstring travels along a path parallel to the rigid finger and through the brush bristles. Kinetic energy of the bowstring is transferred to the brush bristles without inducing any vibration in the bow riser, and the bowstring quickly returns to the at-rest position without audible vibration.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods of assembling and mounting a removable net basket on hoops/rings that can be attached to armrests on child car seats. Two hoops can sandwich a rim end of a tubular net/mesh material. The hoops can be located with one within the other and have snapable bendable fasteners that snap into like slots. The bottom end of the tubular mesh material can be closed off by sandwiching a pair of elongated strips together, with the strips having mateable enlarged heads that pass through slots such as cross shaped slots. The mesh/net bag can be removed by reversing the assembly. The assembled hoops can be hunger by a hanger onto an armrest of a juvenile car seat so that items, such as but not limited to beverage holders, food stuffs, toys and the like, can be placed therein.

Abstract: A method, apparatuses and chemical compositions are provided for producing high purity hydrogen from water. Metals or alloys capable of reacting with water and producing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions are reacted with one or more inorganic hydrides capable of releasing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions, one or more transition metal compounds are used to catalyze the reaction and, optionally, one or more alkali metal-based compounds. The metal or alloy is preferably aluminum. The inorganic hydride is from a family of complex inorganic hydrides; most preferably, NaBH4. The transition metal catalyst is from the groups VIII and IB; preferably, Cu and Fe. The alkali metal-based compounds are preferably NaOH, KOH, and the like. Hydrogen generated has a purity of at least 99.99 vol. % (dry basis), and is used without further purification in all types of fuel cells, including the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell.

Abstract: Tub box systems, apparatus and methods of assembling in concrete floors under bath tubs. Tub boxes with water sealing members can include troughs/gutters about the perimeter edges of the tub box which collect water leakage between the tub box and concrete floors. Raised ribs on the outside of the tub boxes block water flowing on the surfaces of the tub box from reaching lower drain lines. Water barrier rings with flat outwardly extending sides and concentric raised ridges which attach about downwardly projecting drain bases underneath the tub box further prevent water leaks running down the drain bases. Fire stop material can be clipped about the drain bases and expand from heat to prevent fire from traveling upward around the drain lines in the concrete floors under bathtubs.

Abstract: A kit, system and method for modifying an AK-variant firearm to permit bolt carrier pull back by the right or left hand. The kit, system and method includes a receiver cover including an arch-shaped crown and a pair of opposing retaining fins affixed to the bottom of the crown. One retaining fin has a slot that extends along the length of its upper portion. A guide track is affixed to the retaining fin having the slot. A charging handle assembly is secured to the guide track and is slidably engaged with retaining flanges and adapted to move along the guide track. An auxiliary charging handle is affixed to, and projects from, the slide. An engagement pin affixed to the slide projects inwardly to extend through the slot to engage the bolt carrier and move it when the charging handle is pulled.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for an up-converter resonant cavity light emitting diode device includes a semiconductor light source, an up-converter to form the light emitter with up-converting materials and an electrical source coupled with the semiconductor light source for providing electrical energy to the semiconductor light source to provide a desired wavelength emitted light. The semiconductor light source is a resonant cavity light emitting diode or laser that emits an approximately 975 mm wavelength to provide electrical and optical confinement to the semiconductor light source to form a resonant cavity up-converting light emitting diode (UC/RCLED). Rows and columns of electrodes provide active matrix addressing of plural sets of UC/RCLEDs for display devices.

Abstract: Methods, processes and compositions are provided for a visual or chemochromic hydrogen-detector with variable or tunable reversible color change. The working temperature range for the hydrogen detector is from minus 100° C. to plus 500° C. A hydrogen-sensitive pigment, including, but not limited to, oxides, hydroxides and polyoxo-compounds of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, chromium and combinations thereof, is combined with nano-sized metal activator particles and preferably, coated on a porous or woven substrate. In the presence of hydrogen, the composition rapidly changes its color from white or light-gray or light-tan to dark gray, navy-blue or black depending on the exposure time and hydrogen concentration in the medium. After hydrogen exposure ceases, the original color of the hydrogen-sensitive pigment is restored, and the visual hydrogen detector can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: The nanofabrication of a hydrogen gas nanosensor device from single straight and branched, tripod shaped ZnO nanorods using in-situ lift-out technique, performed in the chamber of a focused ion beam (FIB) system is disclosed. Self-assembled ZnO branched nanorods have been grown by a cost-effective and fast synthesis route using an aqueous solution deposition method and rapid thermal processing. The properties of the ZnO nanorod structures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. High quality ZnO nanorods were obtained with a 90% success rate for building nanodevices. The fabricated nanosensor can gauge 150 ppm hydrogen gas in the air at room temperature. The nanosensor has selectivity for other gases such as oxygen, methane, carbon monoxide and liquid propane gas. The ZnO nanorod sensors of the present invention also operate at low power of less than 5 microwatts.

Abstract: A motor including an outside rotor having a rotor disc with plural magnets alternating polarities flush mounted in the disc, an inside stator assembly with a transversely wound stator windings encased by a ring of wound magnetic flux channel pole pieces to assemble within a hub of a motor, and a controller coupled with feedback electronics for monitoring a timing, speed and direction and coupling a signal to a processing unit for adjusting the drive electronics driving the phase windings. A u-shaped channel above the bobbin filed transverse winding coil to receive the rotor disc and focus the captured magnetic flux in the pole pieces toward the magnets.

Abstract: Nano-sized rare earth metal oxide particles are prepared from aqueous reverse micelles. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and uniformly incorporate a surfactant in each particle, so that when applied to the inner surface of a pipeline or sprayed onto a fluid stream in a pipeline, the particles reduce the roughness of the inside surface of pipe being used to transport fluid. The application of a nanolayer of this novel nanoceria mixture causes a significant reduction in pressure drops, friction, and better recovery and yield of fluid flowing through a pipeline.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a subsurface upflow wetland for wastewater treatment that includes a series of parallel treatment cells, each cell including from bottom to top, a layer of gravel, a layer of sand over the gravel to remove pathogens from a septic effluent, a pollution control medium above the sand layer to remove nutrients, total suspended solid, and biochemical oxygen demand and a growth media mixture layered on top of the pollution control media to grow plants, and a gravity distribution system to distribute effluent to the series of parallel treatment cells. The pollution control medium includes at least one recycled material and at least one naturally occurring material. In an embodiment it includes recycled tire crumb, sand and limestone or recycled tire crumb, compost, sand and limestone.

Abstract: A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus and methods of using a simulator cabin module with an interior space which replicates a space ship, where the simulator module is mounted in a real aircraft, as a real airborne simulator. The aircraft lifts off to provide airborne maneuvers such as parabolic flight paths to cause G force and zero gravity effects to passengers in the cabin module. The cabin module includes rows of seats where passengers experience realistic sounds, lights, different temperatures, and physical effects (vibrations) of space ship liftoffs and space travel by having realistic simulation effects distributed over the seated passengers. Passengers can be seated in special reclinable seats with 5 point harnesses and pilot helmets with operable wireless communications and uniforms to add to the realistic simulation effects. Simulator modules can also be mounted in other moving vehicles, such as but not limited to submersibles, ships, and the like.

Abstract: A resistor, fabricating method, and thermal sensor material for resistors that incorporate high Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) values and low resistivity for better sensitivity in infrared imaging applications are disclosed. Amorphous oxide thin films, preferably oxides of vanadium (VOx), were deposited on thermally grown silicon dioxide by direct current (DC) magnetron co-sputtering of noble metals (gold and platinum) in a controlled argon/oxygen atmosphere. The ideal conditions for preparing an amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film are identified. TCR and resistivity results showed that the additions of gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) into VOx reduced the resistivity. However, only gold (Au) was found to improve TCR value. Reducing the amount of oxygen in the thin film, further improved the ratio between TCR and resistivity. Infrared detection and imaging devices can be greatly improved with a “drop-in” amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of canting firearms such as rifles relative to fore grip having extendable and expanded legs. One version allows for a rocking and canting of the firearm by pivotally attaching an upper portion of the expanded legs. Another version allows for a separate canting member to be clamped to both the upper portion of a vertical fore grip and to the lower mounting rail of the firearm. The canting member has portions that cant (move to the left or to the right) relative to one another. An operator can cant the firearm in a free-state or to fixed positions as desired.

Abstract: Interactive and real time web-based electrical circuit symbolic solvers and simulators. The invention includes an interactive and innovative graphical user interface (GUI) for creating circuit schematics and generating netlists, circuits symbolic solving and instant simulated solutions, their systems and methods. Users such as students can use GUI interfaces to remotely access a remote server controlled by educational institutions such as universities, or electronic book publishers, in order to draw, symbolically solve, and instantly simulate electrical circuits.

Abstract: A device for enhancing body surfing includes fin elements affixable to a person's leg via a guide assembly affixable to a thigh, and each including and upper and a lower fin. The upper fin is rotationally positionable relative to the leg's longitudinal axis. The lower fin is longitudinally movable between a stowed position aligned with the upper fin and a deployed position beneath the upper fin. In use, a person can attach the fin elements to the belt rail, rotate the fin elements outward, and slide the lower fin downward into the deployed position, thereby creating an enhanced surface for body surfing. Another embodiment is provided that includes a unitary fin rotationally affixable to the leg and waist.

Abstract: A connecting device includes a bottom member with a periphery for attaching on a rotor of a motor, a circumferential wall which extends upwardly from the periphery, and a mounting arm which has an anchored end adapted for mounting the fan blade thereon and an anchoring end for anchoring on the bottom member such that the mounting arm is oriented in a radial direction relative to the bottom member by guidance of a guiding member. A tightening member is disposed to tighten the anchoring end relative to the bottom member through a clamping force generated in a circumferential direction of the bottom member when the anchoring end is pulled away from the bottom member in the radial direction. A retaining member is disposed between the tightening member and the anchored end in the radial direction, and has an engaging spring member that abuts against the circumferential wall once the anchoring end is moved away from the bottom member.