Abstract: A puzzle-based game system and method, having at least one risk element (e.g., wagering), is provided, enabling players to compete in a puzzle-based game of skill utilizing a system of risk-element-based rules, that are applied in a predetermined manner to: first partition a set of puzzles into a predefined plurality of puzzle elements, thereafter “dealing” the puzzle elements sequentially in a “round by round” sequence, and enabling, during at least a portion of the total game rounds, each player to selectively take one or more predefined risk-based actions (such as placing a wager), during a predefined time in each “risk” (e.g., wagering) round. The inventive system and method may also include an optional system and method enabling provision and management of dynamic online game environments and related infrastructures advantageously usable in plural multi-player online games having social interaction and competitive aspects, and utilizing virtual currency, with optional educational applications.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler array capable of providing multiple low loss, high coupling coefficient interfaces between a predetermined number of low numerical aperture optical fibers and an optical waveguide device with at least a corresponding number of waveguide interfaces. The novel coupler array includes a plurality of coupler inner cores and a plurality of corresponding coupler outer cores, within a medium surrounding each plural outer core, and also includes a first end for interfacing with plural optical fibers and a second end for interfacing with a plurality of waveguide interfaces of an optical waveguide device. The sizes of the inner and outer cores are gradually reduced from the first end to the second end in accordance with at least one predetermined reduction profile.

Abstract: A single helix chiral fiber grating of a predetermined grating strength is provided that is operable to control light transmission in a predetermined wavelength range. The novel fiber grating comprises a first optical fiber with a first interface portion at a first end, a second interface portion at a second end, and a middle portion therebetween. The first optical fiber is configured with at least one fiber core, surrounded by a corresponding at least one cladding, with a first longitudinal section disposed within the first interface portion, a second longitudinal section disposed within the second interface portion, and also includes a longitudinal helical section, disposed therebetween within the middle portion, that comprises a longitudinal helix structure of a single predetermined handedness, having a predetermined pitch profile, and having a predetermined helix diameter profile selected and configured to produce the predetermined grating strength.

Abstract: A two-step method of crude phenol treatment from impurities, wherein a first step comprises oxidizing hydroxyacetone and aldehydes impurities, in phenol medium by air oxygen with the use of a heterogeneous catalyst which contains transition metals, and a second step comprises treating the unoxidized impurities with the use of a heterogeneous acidic catalyst. The separation of treatment by-products compounds produced during said phenol treatment may then be carried out by a conventional fractionation, distillation, or equivalent method, to produce highly purified product phenol.

Abstract: A novel in-fiber polarizer is provided that is implemented in an optical fiber structure based on a polarization maintaining (“PM”) optical fiber, and that is configured to impart a predetermined desired polarization to a light signal transmission of a predetermined at least one wavelength transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: A chiral fiber grating for reflecting, scattering or polarizing an optical signal, or for forming a fiber laser feedback structure is disclosed. The chiral fiber grating is fabricated by fusing and then twisting/drawing two tapered optical fibers in accordance with a predetermined fabrication protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the chiral fiber grating includes two single helix structure end-regions, with a double helix structure therebetween, providing the grating with apodizing properties. In another embodiment of invention, the pitch profile along a portion of the grating is configured to produce desired chiral fiber grating properties. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the chiral fiber grating, comprising two single helix end regions and a middle double helix region, may be separated into two or more portions after fabrication, for example to provide one or more single helix chiral fiber gratings and one or more double helix chiral fiber gratings.

Abstract: A continuous method of cumene oxidation in a gas-liquid system is provided, where the liquid phase is represented by cumene and its oxidation products and the gas phase is represented by air. The oxidation process can be carried out either in a reactor series or in a single reactor at least one of which is preferably equipped with at least two airlift-type trays. When specific CHP concentration is achieved, the oxidation products are discharged from the to reaction zone and treated in a mixing device with aqueous ammonia or water to remove organic acids such as formic acid, benzoic acid, etc. and to remove phenol, which is an inhibitor of oxidation reaction. The cumene oxidation product stream, free of organic acids and phenol is recycled to the same reactor in the case of single reactor, or is passed to the next reactor of the series in the case of reactor series.

Abstract: A modular construction system that utilizes versatile construction components releasably attachable to one another, in virtually any desired direction, by use of one or more interconnect components positioned therebetween. Each construction component includes at least two inventive connective surfaces with a receiving region therein, while each interconnect component includes at least one coupling surface comprising multiple coupling elements capable of releasable frictional engagement with at least a portion of one or more receiving regions.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention enable the user to build and/or use an interactive visual instrument panel for monitoring and/or managing one or more target systems locally or remotely in real-time, with the instrument panel being configured based on the user-defined requirements and based on the attributes of the target system(s) being monitored and/or managed. In one embodiment of the present invention a novel data handling system is provided for ensuring that the target system is able to continuously transmit real-time data without any data loss and without interrupting its operation.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler capable of providing a low loss, high coupling coefficient interface between conventional optical fibers and optical waveguide devices is provided. The novel coupler, which may be polarization maintaining, if a polarization maintaining preform is used in its fabrication includes a core, a cladding, a first end for interfacing with an optical fiber and a second end for interfacing with an optical waveguide device. The sizes of the core and cladding are gradually reduced from the first end to the second end in accordance with a predetermined reduction profile. Various parameters, such as refractive indices and sizes of the core and cladding and the reduction profile are selected to produce a low numerical aperture at the first end and a high numerical aperture at the second end, while advantageously minimizing insertion loss and maximizing the coupling coefficient at each end.

Abstract: The inventive system and method are directed to novel embodiments of various tools and infrastructures that enable a user of a document viewed on a data processing system using a document handling application, to engage in at least one additional concurrent data navigation/interaction activity in the document, and/or in the application handling the document, without affecting the user's document interaction activities. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the inventive system and method are implemented by enabling the handling application to present the document along with at least one Independent Data Interaction/Navigation Element (IDINE), that includes a display component for displaying and optionally enabling interaction with any data (content) provided thereto, and a control component for navigating the provided content.

Abstract: Lasing at the edge of the reflection band or at a defect state within the reflection band of a thin one-dimensional feedback structure is used to create a large-area, thin-film laser source with transverse dimensions that can be much greater than the film thickness. Angular confinement of radiation propagating perpendicular to the layers leads to a spreading of the beam inside the medium which is much greater than the diffraction divergence. This enhances the spatial extent of correlation at the output surface of the thin film. When a pump source induces gain at the lasing threshold in a wide region, a spatially coherent monochromatic light beam is emitted perpendicular to the film surface from the entire gain region. Alternate embodiments of the present invention include a passive spatial filter and an active amplifier.

Abstract: A chiral structure having an advantageous extended chiral defect that provides an enhanced energy distribution characteristic therein. This is accomplished by configuring a central portion of the chiral structure with a pitch different from the rest of the structure. This may be envisioned as a distributed chiral twist with a predefined angle over a portion of a chiral structure. With the distributed defect, the photonic stop band remains wide, allowing for the substantial increase in the lifetime of the mode in which lasing occurs, while the extent of the high intensity region of the mode is large. The extended chiral defect structure may also be implemented as a thin-film chiral structure, for example using cholesteric liquid crystal or sculptured thin films.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing electrical energy to an electrical device by deriving the electrical energy from motion of the device. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus includes a novel kinetic electrical power generator (KEPG) consisting of an inventive oscillating weight having an internal cavity with a freely movable acceleration element disposed therein, resulting in improved acceleration and oscillation capabilities and lower motion threshold for the weight, a system for converting the weight's oscillating motion into rotational motion, and an electromechanical transducer system for generating electrical energy from the rotational motion. The novel KEPG includes components for modifying the electrical energy for storing and/or feeding the modified electrical energy to the electrical device. Optional components may be included for using the modified electrical energy to recharge one or more rechargeable batteries used in an electric device.

Abstract: A chiral in-fiber polarizer implemented in a chiral fiber structure having a core and a cladding surrounding the core, is provided. The chiral polarizer includes an entry end for receiving incident light and an exit end for outputting polarized light, as well as a pitch variation along its length between the entry and exit ends in accordance with a predetermined desirable pitch profile, wherein in one embodiment of the inventive polarizer, the inverse value of the chiral structure's pitch at the exit end is less than at the entry end, and preferably substantially equal to zero. The pitch profile may be advantageously selected to correspond to one or more predetermined pitch configurations, may be determined in accordance with one or more mathematical functions, or may be random.

Abstract: A chiral structure having an expanded adjustable reflection band to provide broadband tunability is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the chiral structure is implemented as a chiral fiber structure and comprises two or more sequential chiral fiber elements of different pitches, each having a tunable chiral defect generator. The pitches are selected such that the individual photonic band gaps of the elements are formed into one expanded reflection band such that at least one defect state can be formed and moved within the expanded reflection band by selectively activating and adjusting one or more of the tunable chiral defect generator. The tunable chiral defect generators may generate and control defect state(s) in the structure's spectral response by introducing chiral twists and/or spacing between the chiral elements, with the length of the spacings and angles of chiral twists being proportional to the position of the defect state(s) within the reflection band of the structure.

Abstract: A cumene process of producing phenol and acetone comprises the joint oxidation of aldehydes and dimethylbenzene alcohol by aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions in presence of 16 wt % to 94 wt % of cumene hydroperoxide by contacting of mutually insoluble phases of the organic products from a cumene oxidation stage and hydrogen peroxide containing water with optional addition of acidic catalysts in a conversion reactor for the purpose of conversion of aldehydes into organic acids and dimethylbenzene alcohol into cumene hydroperoxide and therefore significantly simplifying the process of fractionation of organic conversion products into high quality product phenol and product acetone.

Abstract: A long period chiral fiber grating (“LPCFG”) that has a number of advantageous properties that can be readily utilized in a number of different applications is provided. The inventive LPCFG is a fiber grating having a pitch that exceeds the wavelength of light propagating therethrough. The LPCFG includes a number of dips in its transmission spectrum, but does not reflect any portion of the signal passing therethrough. The LPCFG is sensitive to changes in the refractive index of its external environment (or in the refractive index of a coating covering the LPCFG cladding). In response to changes in the external refractive index, the transmission dips shift proportionally to changes in the index, thus enabling the use of LPCFG as a fiber sensor element. In addition, the LPCFG is polarization sensitive—one circular polarized wave of one handedness is coupled to the cladding mode stronger than the wave of the other polarization handedness.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of use thereof, for storing, transporting and deploying multiple restraint system components is provided. The inventive apparatus consists of two trays composed of flexible materials. The first tray is configured for storing wrist and ankle restraint systems, the second tray, smaller than the first tray, includes a top-mounted compartment for storing a multi-point restraint connection system. The storage compartment of second tray is secured to the tray by releasable connectors, and is at least partially disengaged to receive the various components of the multi-point restraint connection system, and releasably secured thereafter. The connection system is stored in such a manner as to partially display a portion of each system component outside of the storage compartment, with each portion oriented toward its eventual deployment area once the second tray is placed on the structure on which the EDP will be restrained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly restraining a person's limbs are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes a pair of cuff modules, each with three rigid loops positioned on their outer surface, and a cuff interconnect having a flexible elongated body sized and configured to fit through the rigid loops, that is attached to one of the rigid loops on one of the cuff modules. When the cuff modules are applied to the person's limbs, the interconnect body is threaded through the other rigid loops and around the person's midsection, such that the interconnect body surrounds the person's midsection from front and back and forms two tension zones, one at each of the cuff modules to significantly restrict the range of motion of the person's first and second limbs. Optionally, the cuff modules may include releasable connectors to releasable connect to corresponding external stationary restraints.