Abstract: Apparatus for producing silver nano-particle material comprises a furnace and a crucible positioned within the furnace, the crucible containing a quantity of precursor material, the furnace heating the quantity of precursor material contained in the crucible to vaporize the precursor material. A process gas supply operatively associated with the furnace provides a process gas to an interior region of the furnace. A conduit is operatively associated with the furnace so that an inlet end of the conduit is open to the interior region of the furnace. A particle separator system is operatively associated with an outlet end of the conduit.

Abstract: A heated glass panel assembly according to one embodiment of the invention may include a substrate having an electro-conductive film provided thereon. A conductor is positioned in contact with the electro-conductive film. A resilient material is positioned in contact with the conductor so that at least a portion of the conductor is located between the resilient material and the electro-conductive film. A retainer is positioned in contact with the resilient material so that at least a portion of the resilient material and at least a portion of the conductor are located between the retainer and the electro-conductive film. The retainer applies a compressive pressure to the resilient material which transfers at least a portion of the compressive pressure to the conductor to hold the conductor in contact with the electro-conductive film.

Abstract: Method for tonally balancing a image mosaic includes supplying the image mosaic which has multiple overlap regions; identifying in the overlap regions a set of corresponding points that correspond to a single location and are indicative of a tonal variation; establishing a tonal variation threshold; eliminating from the overlap regions a subset of corresponding points, the subset having tonal variation deviating from the tonal variation threshold; repeating the eliminating until substantially all subsets have been eliminated, producing adjusted overlap regions that include a set of remaining corresponding points; obtaining gains and biases for each spectral band in the adjusted overlap regions; applying the gains and biases to transform intensities of the set of remaining corresponding points, producing transformed corresponding points; and producing a tonally balanced image mosaic using the transformed corresponding points.

Abstract: Molybdenum metal powder, and method for production thereof. Molybdenum metal powder has surface-area-to-mass-ratios in a range of between about 1.0 meters2/gram (m2/g) and about 3.0 m2/g, as determined by BET analysis, in combination with a particle size wherein at least 30% of the particles have a particle size larger than a size +100 standard Tyler mesh sieve. In addition, molybdenum metal powder 10 may be further distinguished by flowability in a range of between about 29 seconds/50 grams (s/50 g) and about 64 s/50 g, as determined by a Hall Flowmeter. A method of producing molybdenum powder may comprise providing a supply of ammonium molybdate, heating the ammonium molybdate at an initial temperature in the presence of a reducing gas to produce an intermediate product, and heating the intermediate product at a final temperature in the presence of the reducing gas, producing molybdenum metal powder.

Abstract: Methods and machine-readable mediums are disclosed for warping overlapping images. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting a first set of points in a first image that are located in an overlap region of the first image and the second image, determining a set of tie points in the second image, each tie point correlating to a point in the first set, determining a second set of points, each point in the second set located at a position in the overlap region between a point in the first set and a tie point correlated to the point in the first set, and warping the first image and the second image by applying an algorithm using the second set of points, the algorithm to reposition at least a portion of the points in the first image and at least a portion of the points in the second image.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for tonally balancing multiple images. In one embodiment, the method comprises using a subset of corresponding points in each of a plurality of image overlap regions to solve a set of minimization equations for gains and biases for each spectral band of each image, the corresponding points being points from different images having locations that correspond to each other, the subset of corresponding points consisting of corresponding points whose intensities differ less than a threshold, applying the gains and biases to the images, and iterating said using and applying actions for a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: Methods for producing molybdenum carbide. An embodiment of the method may comprise heating a precursor material in a first heating zone in the presence of a reducing gas and a carbonizing gas, the first heating zone having a first temperature. Moving the precursor material into a second heating zone to form the molybdenum carbide from the precursor material, the second heating zone having a second temperature, the second temperature being at least 100° C. hotter than the first temperature.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion electrochemical cell and/or battery configured to provide improved reversible energy storage capacity is disclosed. The electrochemical cell and/or battery comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising a cathode formed by active materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound and the second electrode comprising an anode formed by a carbonaceous material combined with molybdenum carbide. An electrochemical lithium ion cell and/or battery according to the invention is designed to provide improved reversible energy storage capacity characteristics as compared with similar lithium-ion cells having carbon anodes that are not combined with molybdenum carbide.

Abstract: Novel forms of molybdenum metal, and apparatus and methods for production thereof. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are preferably characterized by a surface area of substantially 2.5 m2/g. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are also preferably characterized by a relatively uniform size. Preferred embodiments of the invention may comprise heating a precursor material to a first temperature in the presence of a reducing gas, and increasing the first temperature at least once to reduce the precursor material and form the molybdenum metal product.

Abstract: An exhaust filtration system for filtering exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine may comprise a fan having an intake side and a discharge side and an air inlet operatively associated with the intake side of the fan. A filter having an inlet surface and an outlet surface is positioned adjacent the fan so that the inlet surface of the filter is positioned adjacent the discharge side of the fan. An influx tube connected to the internal combustion engine is positioned so that its outlet end is located adjacent the intake side of the fan, so that the fan draws in air from the air inlet and exhaust gases from the outlet end of the influx tube and discharges a mixture of air and exhaust gases from the discharge side and into the inlet surface of the filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing nano-particles comprises a furnace defining a vapor region therein. A precipitation conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned with respect to the furnace so that the inlet end is open to the vapor region. A quench fluid port positioned within the precipitation conduit provides a quench fluid stream to the precipitation conduit to precipitate nano-particles within the precipitation conduit. A product collection apparatus connected to the outlet end of the precipitation conduit collects the nano-particles produced within the precipitation conduit.

Abstract: A method for separating a lighter liquid from a heavier liquid according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the following steps. First, the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be introduced into a settling tank and thereafter allowed to form a first upper liquid fraction and a first lower liquid fraction. The first upper liquid fraction may comprise the lighter liquid with residual amounts of the heavier liquid contained therein. The first upper liquid fraction is then decanted into a trough. The first upper liquid fraction decanted into the trough is then allowed to form a second upper liquid fraction and a second lower liquid fraction. The second lower liquid fraction may comprise the heavier liquid with residual amounts of the lighter liquid contained therein. The second lower liquid fraction is thereafter drained from the trough and allowed to form a third upper liquid fraction and a third lower liquid fraction.

Abstract: A ventilation overcast comprises a frame member that defines a structure having a substantially inverted U-shape with first and second opposed side wall portions and a roof portion. A curtain member having a plurality of longitudinal corrugations therein is positioned adjacent the frame member so that a bottom portion of the curtain member contacts the floor of the mine. The longitudinal corrugations allow the curtain member to be crushed when subjected to floor heave.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a lighter liquid and a heavier liquid may comprise a settling tank sized to receive a mixture of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid. The settling tank permits the formation of a first upper liquid fraction and a first lower liquid fraction. A weir positioned adjacent the settling tank allows the first upper liquid fraction to flow over the weir. A trough positioned adjacent the weir receives the first upper liquid fraction and effects a secondary separation of the lighter and heavier liquids by allowing the first upper liquid fraction to form a second upper liquid fraction and a second lower liquid fraction. A first drain having an elevated inlet end is positioned in the trough so that the first drain removes the second upper liquid fraction from said trough. A second drain positioned in the trough has an inlet end that is positioned below the inlet end of the first drain so that the second drain removes the second lower liquid fraction from said trough.

Abstract: An isomer of ammonium octamolybdate (“AOM”) and method for producing the same. A new AOM isomer (“X-AOM”) is described which is characterized by a distinctive Raman spectral profile compared with other AOM isomers including &agr; and &bgr;-AOM. To produce the novel isomer, ammonium dimolybdate (“ADM”) is combined with molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) and water to yield a mixture. When mixing these materials, optimum results are achieved if at least one of the foregoing molybdenum-containing reagents is added in a gradual, non-instantaneous manner so that the selected reagent is not added to the mixture in a single large mass. This gradual delivery procedure, along with a carefully controlled prolonged heating stage (e.g. in excess of 3 hours) contributes to a maximum yield of high purity X-AOM.

Abstract: A dust suppression system for suppressing dust associated with a movement of dust producing material along an open conduit may include a hood assembly positioned adjacent the open conduit so that the hood assembly defines an interior chamber that is exposed to the dust producing material contained within the open conduit. A baffle member mounted to the hood assembly divides the interior chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. A venturi assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end is mounted to the baffle member so that the inlet end of the venturi assembly is exposed to the inlet chamber and so that the outlet end of the venturi assembly is exposed to the outlet chamber. A pressurized fluid provided to the venturi assembly causes the venturi assembly to pull dust laden air contained within the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, the fluid combining with a portion of the dust suspended in the dust laden air to suppress a release of dust into a surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A ventilation overcast may comprise a plurality of support columns, each of which has an upper end and a lower end. A plurality of cross beams are connected between the upper ends of each of the plurality of support columns so that the support columns and cross beams define a generally rectangular structure having two opposed side wall portions and a roof portion. A curtain member having a plurality of longitudinal corrugations therein is positioned between the lower ends of adjacent support columns located on the same side wall portion of the ventilation overcast so that a bottom portion of the curtain member contacts the floor of the mine. The longitudinal corrugations allow the curtain member to be crushed when subjected to floor heave.

Abstract: A composition and method for applying to a coal product for dust suppression, water repellency, and spontaneous combustion potential reduction. The composition includes molasses and a hydrocarbon-based solution, such as an oil-containing solution. The oil-containing solution is substantially free of water and may comprise about 20% asphalt. Both the molasses and the oil-containing solution may comprise at least about 40% of the total composition by weight. The method of applying the composition includes reducing a moisture content of a plurality of pieces of coal, cooling the plurality of pieces of coal after said reducing step and treating the plurality of pieces of coal after the reducing step, with a composition comprising an oil and molasses.

Abstract: Autoranging power supply apparatus may comprise a power output section having a plurality of pairs of output terminals, each of which has a maximum voltage and current rating. A switching network associated with the power output section connects and disconnects the plurality of pairs of output terminals to the external load. A control system connected to the switching network operates the switching network in response to changes in the impedance of the external load to connect and disconnect to the external load selected ones of the plurality of pairs of output terminals of the power output section to compensate for impedance variations in the external load and to prevent from being exceeded the maximum voltage and current ratings for each of the plurality of pairs of output terminals.