Abstract: A method for killing microorganisms in water, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising of water containing some form of halide salt into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halide salt to anti-microbial mixed oxidants.

Abstract: A track for a display case. The track can be mounted to a front edge of a shelf to allow prominent display of food or beverage containers, as well as promoting more complete use of the space within the display case. While applicable to all beverage display cases, the track of the present invention is particularly beneficial in retail or related commercial display cases, as it places products in a prominent visual location without obscuring a user's ability to identify or retrieve a container disposed on a shelf behind the track. In one form, it allows for substantially horizontal alignment of containers, to minimize the likelihood of obscuring products situated behind the track.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer photonic structure having at least one group of alternating layers of high index material and low index material may include, determining a characteristic property function for the multi-layer photonic structure, determining a thickness multiplier for the at least one group of alternating layers based on a comparison of the characteristic property function to a target profile, adjusting the characteristic property function with the determined thickness multiplier, and comparing an adjusted characteristic property function to the target profile, wherein, when the adjusted characteristic property function does not approximate the target profile, at least one additional group of layers is added to the multi-layer photonic structure.

Abstract: A form having a wristband and, optionally, detachable labels, includes a printable face ply and a liner ply. The printable face ply has an upper surface and a lower surface, and a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of the lower surface. The face ply may include first and second adjacent portions, with the first portion of the face ply die cut to form a detachable wristband having first and second ends and an upper and a lower surface, with pressure sensitive adhesive on the lower surface of the detachable wristband adjacent the first and second ends, and with the second portion of the face ply die cut to form the series of detachable labels. The first portion of the face ply is also die cut to form an extender band having first and second ends and an upper and a lower surface, with pressure sensitive adhesive on the lower surface of the extender band adjacent the first and second ends.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating changes in glucose levels include selecting a repeating event, obtaining a pre-event measurement and a post-event measurement for a plurality of occurrences of the repeating event wherein a glucose change between the pre-event measurement and post-event measurement may be determined for each of the plurality of occurrences of the repeating event, and, recording unique details for each of the plurality of occurrences of the repeating event such that the unique details may be correlated with the glucose change for each of the plurality of occurrences of the repeating event.

Abstract: A method of directing a beam of laser light at a target point defined by the intersection of a reference line with a generally vertical surface may comprise: a.) defining the reference line, b.) calculating a three dimensional location of a point on the line, c.) directing a beam of laser light from an automated total station toward the point on the line, d.) measuring the three dimensional location of the reference point on the vertical surface illuminated by the beam of laser light, e.) determining the point on the line closest to the reference point on the surface, f.) redirecting the beam of laser light from the automated total station toward the point on the line closest to the reference point, and g.) repeating steps d.) through f.) until the closest point on the reference line is less than a predetermined distance from the reference point.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for non-isothermally aging an aluminum alloy are provided. The method comprises heating an aluminum alloy at a first ramp-up rate to a maximum temperature below a precipitate solvus value, cooling the alloy at a first cooling rate sufficient to produce a maximum number of primary precipitates, cooling at a second cooling rate until a minimum temperature is reached wherein the growth rate of primary precipitates is equal to or substantially zero, and heating the alloy at a second ramp-up rate to a temperature sufficient to produce a maximum number of secondary precipitates.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for use in conjunction with an electronically shifted manual transmission of a vehicle includes a shift lever, a shift knob disposed on the shift lever, a guide and at least one shifter tactile sensor. The shift lever may be disposed in the guide and is operable to move relative to the guide. The guide includes a pattern of shift lever positions corresponding to specific gear ratios of the transmission of the vehicle. When the shift lever is positioned in a specific shift lever position, a corresponding gear ratio of the transmission may be selected. The at least one shifter tactile sensor may be disposed on the shift knob. When pressure is applied to the shift knob, the at least one shifter tactile sensor may output a tactile signal indicating that pressure is being applied to the shift knob.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear window and a defroster assembly including heating lines extending across the rear window. A protective barrier at least partially covers the heating lines. The protective barrier includes a film that provides a barrier between the heating lines and sulfur gases generated by components of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell is described. The method includes controlling the temperature of the anode plate and the temperature of the cathode plate to obtain a temperature difference of at least about 2° C. between the anode plate and the cathode plate. A fuel cell is also described.

Abstract: Methods for preparing nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composites by treating hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) under reductive thermal curing conditions are described. Also described are methods of preparing silicon nanoparticles by acid etching the nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composites.

Abstract: A method for adjusting downshift points of a vehicle transmission to assist vehicle braking in a vehicle having a brake system with a brake master cylinder and a brake pedal for actuating the brake system may comprise determining if the brake pedal is pressed. When the brake pedal is pressed, an intended brake effort may be determined and the actual deceleration of the vehicle may be calculated. A threshold deceleration for the intended brake effort may then be determined and compared to the vehicle deceleration. When the vehicle deceleration is less than the threshold deceleration for the intended braking effort a downshift point of the transmission may be adjusted. Thereafter the transmission may be downshifted using the adjusted downshift point.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: A membrane distillation bioreactor (100) is provided for treating contaminated inflow such as wastewater. A contaminated inflow may be treated by biodegrading a contaminant in the inflow with a biological agent in the bioreactor to produce a lower contaminant inflow, which may be distilled, by membrane distillation, through a distillation membrane (108) in fluid communication with the bioreactor, to produce an outflow. The inflow may be wastewater. The outflow may be purified water. In one embodiment, the membrane may be located in the reaction chamber of the bioreactor vessel (102) and may be submerged in the mixed liquor. In a different embodiment suitable for wastewater treatment, the membrane may be located external to the bioreactor. The bioreactor may be aerobic or anaerobic.

Abstract: A blood glucose and lifestyle tracking apparatus is disclosed. The blood glucose and lifestyle tracking apparatus provides a method for recording both blood glucose values for fasting, postprandial, and preprandial time periods and lifestyle factors.

Abstract: A system for determining the dimensional coordinates of a point of interest in a work space, includes a plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, located at known positions in the work space, and a wand having a first end configured for indicating a point of interest. A pair of ranging radios are mounted on the wand. A measurement circuit, responsive to the pair of ranging radios, determines the position of each of the pair of ranging radios with respect to the plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, and determines the position of the first end of the wand with respect to the plurality of fixed position ranging radios. A robotic total station may be used in lieu of the fixed-position ranging radios to monitor the positions of retroreflective elements on the wand.

Abstract: Cannula assemblies with pressure sensors made of stacked coplanar layers and ambulatory infusion systems comprising the same are disclosed. The cannula assemblies include a hub and an infusion cannula. The hub includes a pressure sensor and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the infusion cannula. The pressure sensor is formed from a stack of coplanar layers including a top layer, a base layer an electrode layer and a counter electrode layer. The fluid channel is positioned between the top layer and the base layer. The electrode layer is positioned between the top layer and the base layer and coupled to the fluid channel. The counter-electrode layer is positioned between the top layer and the electrode layer. A spacer layer having a through cut-out defining an electrode cavity is disposed between the top layer and the base layer such that the electrode layer extends across the electrode cavity.

Abstract: A system and a method with quantum cryptography authentication. The system includes an optical link connecting a sender and a receiver. The sender transmitting a first optical pulse and a second optical pulse having a defined time delay therebetween. The first pulse is modulated with a first authentication phase shift; and the second pulse is modulated with phases selected from one basis of two non-orthogonal bases, and encoded with one of two orthogonal states within the one basis based on an information of the sender, and with a second authentication phase shift. The receiver includes a splitter receiving and splitting the first and the second pulse into pulses of interest. The split pulses of interest are modulated with the first authentication phase shift; and the second authentication phase shift, respectively. The receiver includes a second coupler whereby the split pulses of interest arrive at the second coupler simultaneously.