Abstract: A method of making at least one nanographene layer is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting X hydrocarbon precursor and Y hydrogen gas (H2) such that a ratio of X/Y ranges from 0.5 to 1, the hydrocarbon precursor including at least one of CH4, C2H2 or C3H8. The method further includes submitting the hydrocarbon precursor to chemical vapor deposition using the hydrogen gas and argon gas (Ar). As a result, i) the hydrocarbon precursor reacts with the hydrogen gas and argon gas (Ar) according to the following reaction: X hydrocarbon precursor+YH2+ZAr?2X graphene+(Y+2X)H2+ZAr, where Z ranges from 5*(X+Y) to 10*(X+Y), and ii) the hydrocarbon precursor decomposes and self-assembles to form the at least one nanographene layer.

Abstract: A packaged reactive material includes a reactive material that is configured to increase in size when exposed to a predetermined gas, and an inert coating material surrounding a surface of the reactive material. The inert coating material is configured to allow the predetermined gas to diffuse through to the reactive material and has an elongation that will not accommodate expansion of the reactive material at full saturation of the predetermined gas.

Abstract: A method of accomplishing precipitation hardening of a selected portion of an aluminum panel is disclosed herein. The method includes identifying at least one area of the aluminum panel that experiences thermal stress above a threshold value during a bake cycle, thereby identifying the selected portion. Prior to the bake cycle, the method further includes locally heating the selected portion at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to increase a local yield strength of the selected portion such that the increased local yield strength ranges from 150 MPa to 300 MPa.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a center housing having a bearing surface configured to contact an inner surface of a unison ring. A conversion coating is impregnated onto at least the bearing surface of the center housing.

Abstract: A method for resetting a non-responsive mobile unit then-currently occupying a cellular traffic channel of a wireless network is disclosed herein. The method involves recognizing, at an external entity, that the mobile unit is in a non-responsive state that is occupying a voice channel of the cellular traffic channel, and establishing a wireless data connection between the mobile unit and an external entity over the cellular traffic channel. A data message is transmitted to the mobile unit from the external entity, where the data message includes at least a command to reset the mobile unit. In response to receiving the data message, the method further involves resetting the mobile unit via a protocol initiated by a processor associated with the mobile unit.

Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.

Abstract: A method for reactivating a then-currently deactivated mobile unit involves submitting a request to a call center to reactivate the mobile unit and, upon receiving the request, submitting another request to a cellular service provider from the call center, where such other request includes a request to broadcast a message having a mobile unit identifier and a reactivation protocol contained therein. The method further involves broadcasting the message from the cellular service provider to a plurality of mobile units each having an identical inactive dialing number stored therein. A processor operatively associated with the then-currently deactivated mobile unit recognizes the mobile unit identifier contained in the broadcasted message. Upon recognizing the mobile unit identifier, the processor applies the reactivation protocol contained in the broadcasted message to initiate reactivation of the then-currently deactivated mobile unit.

Abstract: A method of finding a key to a mobile vehicle includes receiving a call, at a call center, indicating that the key is lost and requesting, via the call center, a telematics unit on-board the mobile vehicle to establish communication with a remote access key fob that is associated with the key, the remote access key fob having an alarm integrated therewith. The method further includes requesting, via the call center, the telematics unit to activate the alarm of the remote access key fob and activating, via the telematics unit, the alarm of the remote access key fob.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automotive heat exchangers, and, heat exchanger tanks with headers. The heat exchanger eliminates the need for use of an inner flange on the header using a collar that also acts as a rib, thereby providing a compact foot plus header tank arrangement with lower stress on the gasket mating surface of the header and tank. The present disclosure also provides a method for providing improved headering for automotive heat exchangers with plastic tanks and headers.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated article is disclosed. The method involves heating a magnesium alloy component, positioning the component in a mold such that a gap exists between component outer surfaces and mold inner surfaces, and heating a magnesium-containing alloy material above its melting temperature, which is lower than that of the component. The material is formed from magnesium alloyed with i) the component element, but at a higher concentration, ii) at least one element that is different than the component element, or iii) the component element and at least one other element. The method further includes introducing the material into the gap, thereby covering at least the outer surfaces of the component, and cooling the material to form a substantially evenly distributed solidified coating on the outer surfaces of the component. The coating has a higher wear and/or corrosion resistance than that of the magnesium alloy component.

Abstract: A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Abstract: A device for detecting nitrosothiol content in a solution includes at least two electrodes disposed in a housing, wherein one of the at least two electrodes is a working electrode having a platinized tip and the other of the at least two electrodes is a counter electrode. A filter membrane is disposed at an end of the housing and is configured to come in contact with the solution. The filter membrane and at least a portion of the working electrode have a material coated thereon. The material includes a polymer and a source of copper dispersed within the material. The material and the platinized tip are configured to come into contact with the solution containing nitrosothiols to convert the nitrosothiols to nitric oxide in order to detect the nitrosothiol content.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a metal workpiece during a metalworking process includes delivering supercritical carbon dioxide to the workpiece during the metalworking process. The supercritical carbon dioxide acts as a lubricant, coolant, chip evacuator, and/or carrier for another lubricant or corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a vehicle about then-current vehicle operating conditions is disclosed herein. The method includes real-time monitoring, via a telematics unit in a vehicle, of vehicle data when the vehicle is traveling on a road segment, comparing the real-time monitored vehicle data with previously stored data of one or more other vehicles that previously traveled the road segment, and based on the comparison, determining an operation of the vehicle in order to achieve optimal fuel efficiency. The method further includes submitting, to the vehicle, the operation of the vehicle for i) increasing a then-current fuel efficiency of the vehicle or ii) maintaining the then-current fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel including a central pilot portion having a generally cylindrical outer surface, a flange portion surrounding the outer surface of the pilot portion including an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion having a substantially V-shaped bottom wall and a generally planar panel support surface surrounding the annular groove. The panel support surface includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs extending into the annular groove, but spaced from the outer surface of the pilot portion. The grooves may be convex or concave or a combination of convex and concave grooves. In one embodiment, the nuts are rectangular and the back face include two pair of transverse linear grooves for interconnection by frangible wires in side to side relation.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing pierce nut installation apparatus including an installation head attached to an upper die member of a die press having a reciprocating plunger driving a pierce nut against a panel, piercing a slug from the panel upon closing of the press and a rod telescopically received in the plunger resiliently biased through the nut bore if a slug is pierced from the panel or against the panel if not pierced, and a sensor sensing axial movement of the rod, stopping the press if the rod engages the panel. A die located in the lower die member includes a slug sensor confirming receipt of the panel slug through the die member.

Abstract: A method of generating vehicle noise includes recognizing a geographic location requiring a minimum operating noise level of the vehicle, and notifying the telematics unit operatively associated with the vehicle that a then-current location of the vehicle coincides with the recognized geographic location. When the telematics unit is notified, the method further includes triggering a noise generator to generate an amount of noise external to the vehicle, where the generated noise is sufficient to reach the minimum operating noise level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer usable medium for directing service in a vehicle. A service request is received at a service management application from the vehicle. A vehicle location is also received. Vehicle delivery-enabling information is determined based on the service request and the vehicle location. The service corresponding to the service request is configured based on the vehicle delivery-enabling information. The configured service is sent to the vehicle.

Abstract: A carburized and tempered hardened steel structure includes an iron based steel alloy including from about 3.7 to about 6 wt % copper, from 6 to about 10 wt % cobalt and from about 1 to about 10 wt % of non-ferrous secondary carbide formation elements selected from any of the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and combinations thereof. At least a percentage of the secondary carbide formation elements are in the form of metal carbides attached to nucleation sites on copper precipitates within a carburized portion of the structure, and wherein the copper precipitates are at least one of i) characterized by a mean copper precipitate radius of from about 0.1 nm to about 5 nm, or ii) characterized by a density of about 2.7×1018 per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A cage nut assembly for a drain pan includes a nut having a barrel with a barrel end and a distal end opposed thereto. A flange at the distal end has a flange face abutting the drain pan inner surface. A threaded bore is defined along a central axis through the barrel and flange. At least one channel is defined in the flange face and allows substantially complete drainage of a fluid from a sump through a single drain aperture. A cage having a plate with a central aperture receives the barrel with substantial clearance to an edge of the central aperture. Leg(s) extend substantially orthogonally from the plate. An attachment projection on the leg(s) attaches the assembly to the drain pan. The assembly accepts a flange bolt removably installed through the single drain aperture. The flange bolt removably compresses a seal around a periphery of the single drain aperture.