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: A flotation cell level detector for providing an indication of a level of a liquid in a flotation cell may comprise a generally circular shaped float having a submergence function such that small changes in the submergence level of the float will result in large changes in the submerged volume of the float when the float is submerged at about the design level of submergence. A reference member is attached to the float and held a spaced distance above the float by a plurality of support members. A sensor mounted above the reference member detects the position of the reference member and generates a corresponding output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining compressive stress in an in-situ roof support pillar may comprise a convergence meter positioned in one of the two entries for measuring the total entry convergence, i.e., roof sag and floor heave, and for generating an output signal related thereto. A computer system connected to the convergence meter is responsive to the output signal and calculates the compressive stress in the pillar based on the total entry convergence and based on whether the pillar is being subjected to at least one of a number of load types including a first front abutment load, a second front abutment load, and a side abutment load.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for reducing pollutants in the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes a catalyst element and a heat shield exterior to the catalyst element. The heat shield and catalyst element are mounted within an exhaust pipe so that two annular insulation spaces exist between the catalyst element and the exhaust pipe. The first annular insulation space is located between the interior wall of the exhaust pipe and the exterior wall of the heat shield. The second annular insulation space is located between the interior wall of the heat shield and the catalyst element itself. A spring washer positioned between one end of the catalytic reactor and an axial retaining flange on the exhaust pipe allows the catalytic reactor to expand axially as it heats to operating temperature. A layer of ceramic material may be deposited on the exterior surface of the heat shield to further reduce heat transfer to the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A gas permeable filter element formed solely from filter material defines a substantially cylindrical inner filter element and a substantially cylindrical outer filter element joined together by an end filter element. The outer filter element is radially spaced and concentric with said inner filter element, so that the inner and outer filter elements define an annulus having an inlet end. A particulate laden gas stream directed into the open end of the annulus defined by the inner and outer filter elements passes through either the inner filter element, the outer filter element, or the end filter element.

Abstract: A sputtering magnet assembly generates a magnetic field having sufficient strength to produce a plasma-confining magnetic tunnel over the front surface of a magnetic target. A magnetic shunt positioned a spaced distance from the back surface of the magnetic target provides an alternate path for excess magnetic flux liberated by erosion of the target. The alternate path provided by the magnetic shunt has a lower magnetic resistance than most paths that exit the front surface of the target, pass into the sputtering region, and re-enter the front surface of the target. Accordingly, most of the excess magnetic flux is prevented from escaping into the sputtering region.

Abstract: An improved exhaust treatment apparatus includes a particulate filter assembly connected to the exhaust system of a diesel engine for removing the solid particulate soot matter entrained in the engine exhaust. The particulate filter assembly includes a disposable low-temperature filter element that can be readily replaced when it becomes clogged. Heat insulated catalyst assemblies located upstream of the particulate filter assembly reduce the amounts of solid particulate matter and other gaseous pollutants in the engine exhaust. A self-cleaning exhaust gas heat exchanger located between the catalyst assemblies and the particulate filter cools the hot, catalyzed exhaust gases before they reach the low temperature filter element. The self-cleaning heat exchanger also includes an intermittent water injection system for periodically removing soot accumulations from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A dual clamp for automotive frame straightening machines includes a first clamp assembly and a second clamp assembly both of which are slidably mounted to an elongated slide bar. The first and second clamp assemblies are identical and comprise respective first and second pivoting jaws pivotally mounted to corresponding first and second sliding jaws. A chain interconnects the lever end of the first pivoting jaw and the lever end of the second pivoting jaw, so that when a pulling force is applied to the chain, the chain simultaneously pulls on both clamps and increases the clamping force of each respective clamp assembly.

Abstract: A sputtering magnet assembly includes a plate-shaped pole piece made from a magnetically permeable material and a central magnet positioned substantially at the center of the pole piece and oriented so that its north-south magnetic orientation is substantially perpendicular to the plate shaped pole piece. A plurality of outer magnets are positioned around the central magnet, each of which has its north-south magnetic orientation also perpendicular to the pole piece, but opposite of the orientation of the central magnet. A plurality of primary inner magnets are arranged around the central magnet, between the central magnet and the outer magnets, each of which primary inner magnets has its north-south magnetic orientation parallel to the base pole piece and perpendicular to the magnetic orientations of the central magnet and the outer magnets.

Abstract: A multiple use packaging and shipping container for plants includes two opposed vertical side trays separated by a horizontal floor. Flats of bedding plants placed on the horizontal floor extend into the two opposed vertical side trays, which hold the flats and prevent them from moving. The opposed vertical side trays will support several additional shipping and display containers, allowing them to be stacked, one on top of another, without crushing or damaging the plants. The sides may also include vertical top tabs and bottom slots for aligning and holding the shipping and display containers in position when they stacked one on top of the other. Once delivered, these containers may be displayed in the stacked configuration, or may be unstacked. Each side tray of the container may be separated from the floor and reconfigured into a customer carry-out tray.