Abstract: A device for enhancing body surfing includes fin elements affixable to a person's leg via a guide assembly affixable to a thigh, and each including and upper and a lower fin. The upper fin is rotationally positionable relative to the leg's longitudinal axis. The lower fin is longitudinally movable between a stowed position aligned with the upper fin and a deployed position beneath the upper fin. In use, a person can attach the fin elements to the belt rail, rotate the fin elements outward, and slide the lower fin downward into the deployed position, thereby creating an enhanced surface for body surfing. Another embodiment is provided that includes a unitary fin rotationally affixable to the leg and waist.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems of an optical sensor for spatially smart 3-D object measurements using variable focal length lenses to target both specular and diffuse objects by matching transverse dimensions of the sampling optical beam to the transverse size of the flat target for given axial target distance for instantaneous spatial mapping of flat target, zone. The sensor allows volumetric data compressed remote sensing of object transverse dimensions including cross-sectional size, motion transverse displacement, inter-objects transverse gap distance, 3-D animation data acquisition, laser-based 3-D machining, and 3-D inspection and testing. An embodiment provides a 2-D optical display using 2-D laser scanning and 3-D beamforming optics engaged with sensor optics to measure distance of display screen from the laser source and scanning optics by adjusting its focus to produce the smallest focused beam spot on the display screen.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and apparatus of fully knock-down drum fans that can be shipped completely unassembled so that the smallest packaging is used resulting in more units per container and a lower shipping cost per unit. This allows overseas manufacturers to be more competitive with local manufactures. This is achieved through a drum fan design that utilizes completely modular components that can be assembled quickly and easily either by the distributor of the drum fan or the final end user. A drum fan can include a plural identical shroud curved members, with the same number of pie shaped front grill members, and the same number of pie shaped rear grill members, as well as other modular components that are both easy to nest, pack, store and ship with one another. The knock-down fan will significantly reduce packaging size from approximately 50 to approximately 75% less than current drum fans.

Abstract: A novel M—Pd—Cr2O3 (M?Pt, Ru, Rh, Os, Au and Ag) nanocomposite cocatalysts and its preparation method. The cocatalysts loaded on CdS photocatalyst enhances the photocatalytic activities toward H2 evolution from aqueous solutions (NH4)2SO3, a regenerable electron donor, under sunlight radiation. An embodiment provides a new and facile method and system for the preparation of M—Pd—Cr2O3 nanocomposite cocatalysts at room temperature. Pd—Cr2O3 loaded CdS photocatalyst has higher hydrogen evolution activity than that of a plain Pd metal loaded CdS and its performance is comparable to that of Pt/CdS photocatalyst. Formation of a Pd—Cr2O3 composite with reduced size of nanoparticles results in an increase in the photocatalyst activity for H2 evolution.

Abstract: Methods and process steps for cleaning and providing barrier coatings to interior walls of piping systems. An entire piping system can be cleaned in one single pass by dry particulates forced by air and the piping system coated in one single pass. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis. Pipes having diameters of approximately ?? up to approximately 6? are treatable. Piping systems such as potable water lines, natural gas lines, HVAC, drains, and fire sprinkler systems in homes. apartments, high-rise hotel/resorts. office towers, high-rise apartment and condominiums and schools, can be treated. The coating forms an approximately 4 mils or greater covering inside the pipes. Buildings can return to service within approximately 24 to approximately 96 hours.

Abstract: Efficient method for preparing sulfonium photoacid generators (PAGs) by microwave-assisted reaction of diarylsufides in the presence of alkylaryliodonium salts. Microwave-assisted synthesis of the PAGs is significantly faster, reducing reaction time with less energy consumption. Reaction times using the microwave-assisted synthesis are in a range of from 90 to 420 faster than conventional thermal conditions. The photoacid quantum yields of several salts prepared by the microwave reaction were measured; the photoacid quantum yields of new sulfonium PAGs were in a range from 0.01 to 0.4 times greater than yields from conventional synthesis. Incorporating a nitro group in the structures of the sulfonium salts increased photoacid quantum yield, induced intersystem crossing and increased the efficiency of photoacid generation compounds.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for an electric motor assist bicycle having a hub motor mounted to the front or rear hub to provide electric motor assist, and to function as a generator to charge batteries. The motor can be either a molded or wound magnetic flux channel transverse wound stator permanent magnet motor. The bicycle hub motor includes an electronic controller mounted to the frame of the bicycle and coupled with feedback electronics for monitoring a timing, speed and direction and coupling a signal to a processing unit for adjusting the drive electronics driving the phase windings. The pedal crank arm housing of the electric motor assist bicycle can include battery access ports with batteries stacked inside the bicycle seat tube and the down tube and a strain gauge to measure the rider pedaling effort and produce a signal in response.

Abstract: Cylindrical type encasement devices and method for planting mangrove propagules or seedlings along high-energy shorelines and in non-native environments. The devices can use interior (or exterior) longitudinal grooves or thinned channels or lines of holes that hinge the device along the longitudinal axis to facilitate increases in the displacement. This displacement results in acceleration of both plant development and the adaptation process, thereby improving long-term survivability and promoting reproductive maturity in order to establish self-sustaining mangrove trees and forests. The device facilitates forced adaptation, that is, induced changes in morphology and structure in order to habituate the developing mangrove tree to environments where natural recruitment cannot occur.

Abstract: A plastic mouthpiece insert for allowing a wearer to whiten their teeth while getting a suntan, and have a generally oblong oval-rectangular opening with a curved rear end that abuts against the root surfaces of the frontal upper and lower teeth of the wearer. A raised front edge can protect the lips and separate in place about the opening to the mouthpiece. Whitening agents can be used to enhance the whitening effect so that ultraviolet light and heat source such as the sun or a sunlamp is all that it is needed. Reflective inner walls in the mouthpiece can magnify light to the teeth. The mouthpiece can include bite tables, and the side walls of the mouthpiece can be inwardly flared and funnel shaped for focusing and magnifying incoming light and heat. The mouthpiece can be colored to protect the inside of the wearer's mouth from receiving any light. An attachable and detachable compact hands-free light source can also be used.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and devices for a variable fiber optic delay line that includes an electro-optic modulator for receiving and modulating an input signal, a switchless discrete long time delay module for injecting a long time delay into the modulated signal to produce a long delayed signal, and a switchless analog variable short delay module injecting a variable short time delay into the long delayed signal for a delayed output signal having a delay approximately equal to the long plus the short time delay. The module may also include non-dispersive single mode fibers for transmission between components and a circulator coupled for routing the input signal to the discrete long time delay module and routing the first delayed output signal to the analog variable short delay module. The VFODL can be used for Radio Frequency, digital electrical signals requiring time delay and amplitude processing or optical signal processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coding SAW OFC devices to mitigate code collisions in a wireless multi-tag system. Each device producing plural stepped frequencies as an OFC signal with a chip offset delay to increase code diversity. A method for assigning a different OFC to each device includes using a matrix based on the number of OFCs needed and the number chips per code, populating each matrix cell with OFC chip, and assigning the codes from the matrix to the devices. The asynchronous passive multi-tag system includes plural surface acoustic wave devices each producing a different OFC signal having the same number of chips and including a chip offset time delay, an algorithm for assigning OFCs to each device, and a transceiver to transmit an interrogation signal and receive OFC signals in response with minimal code collisions during transmission.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for supporting and holding items including surfboards, fishing rods, beach items and tabletops in horizontal positions raised above ground surfaces such as at the beach, and be easily transported, assembled, and disassembled when not being used. The racks can include a pair of horizontal beams. Each of the beams can have legs pivotally attached to ends of each beam. The legs can have storage positions with the legs folded up and parallel to the beams, and extended positions with the legs perpendicular to the beams and having lower ends staked into the grounds. The rack can support tabletops and surfboards in horizontal flat positions on top of the assembled horizontal beams. Fishing rods can be stored in horizontal positions in cradle shaped concave recesses so that the fishing rods can be between the surfboards/table tops and the horizontal beams. A storage bag can be used to carry and transport a folded tabletop and folded legs and beams.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol handle on a rifle with a rapidly extendable and height adjustable monopod for enhancing stability and shot accuracy, where the monopod is retracted and concealed inside the rear grip handle when not used, and supports and stabilizes the firearm when the monopod is extended. A spring biased button can be depressed to allow for springs on top of retracted telescoping cylinders to spread apart and extend out from beneath a grip handle on the rifle. The invention can be used to create a triangulation configuration effect when used with a forward bipod, such as a forward grip bipod.

Abstract: A sunblock or sunscreen composition with enhanced photostability and a method for preparing and using the novel photostabilizer are provided. The combination of avobenzene, dimethyl capramide, and polyester-8, a copolymer of adipic acid and neopentyl glycol that is terminated with cyanodiphenyl propenoic acid, provides an extra layer of protection to keep the sunscreen working longer to protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays, namely, UVA and UVB. Sunblock products with SPF-15 for moderate sun protection. SPF-30 for higher sun protection and SPF-50, specially formulated for fair skin provides high sun protection. The sunblock compositions with the novel photostabilizer have a clean, dry formula that glides on easily for quick absorption, while enlisting sea plant extracts and anti-oxidant vitamins A, C, and E that aid in the reduction of cell damaging free radicals for younger looking skin.

Abstract: Materials, compositions, substances and methods and systems for stormwater treatment in wet ponds, dry ponds and a green roof system. A first embodiment provides in-situ treatment unit within the retention pond by withdrawing the stored stormwater to circulate the stored stormwater into the in-situ treatment unit to sorb nitrogen from the stored stormwater. A second embodiment provides uses a riprap apron, a perforated riser located at the bottom of the riprap apron and a geotextile media encased in a sorption media jacket around the perforated riser. A third embodiment provides a green roof stormwater treatment system that includes protection for waterproofing and insulating the roof, a pollution control media layer for filtration and sorption of solids and dissolved materials found in stormwater, a growing media for growing vegetation, and a cistern to store the runoff stormwater between irrigation events.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus is disclosed for sustainable, continuous production of hydrogen and carbon by catalytic dissociation or decomposition of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures using in-situ generated carbon particles. Carbon particles are produced by decomposition of carbonaceous materials in response to an energy input. The energy input can be provided by at least one of a non-oxidative and oxidative means. The non-oxidative means of the energy input includes a high temperature source, or different types of plasma, such as, thermal, non-thermal, microwave, corona discharge, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or radiation sources, such as, electron beam, gamma, ultraviolet (UV). The oxidative means of the energy input includes oxygen, air, ozone, nitrous oxide (NO2) and other oxidizing agents.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using baffle boxes with turbulence deflectors and flow spreaders. Turbulence deflectors are added about the inlet port of a baffle box, and a flow spreader is added centrally beneath an outlet port to increase removal efficiency of pollutants and prevent the conveyance of pollutants down stream. The turbulence deflectors and the flow spreader will increase the removal efficiency of particles, especially fine and ultra fine particles without impeding the water flow. The turbulence deflectors will significantly reduce the turbulence within the sediment chambers which will lead to better settling and less re-suspension. The flow spreader spreads the flow wide sooner within the baffle box to reduce the linear velocity of the water current, and directs water flow away from the area of greatest turbulence adjacent to the inflow, and will increase the settling of particles and minimize re-suspension.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for fabrication or synthesis of high aspect ratio (up to >150) CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell nanowires (CSNWs) is disclosed for the first time. The CSNW solvothermal synthesis involved two steps—the formation of Mn doped CdS core followed by the growth of a ZnS outer shell. The nanowire growth process is engineered in such a way that the ZnS layer grows radially onto the prematurely grown CdS:Mn core prior to the formation of its well faceted surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other characterization techniques confirmed the formation of uniform, thin (5-8 nm in diameter) CSNWs with high aspect ratio up to >150. This solvothermal method is simple, versatile and useful in a large scale production process to synthesize thin ultra-long CSNWs with and without dopants.