Abstract: An apparatus for producing tractive effort, the apparatus comprising: an energy source adapted for generating a high DC voltage; a motor drive adapted for generating a motor voltage from the high DC voltage; and a motor adapted for producing the tractive effort from the motor voltage, the energy source comprising: a heat engine adapted for generating mechanical power by burning a fuel; an alternator adapted for generating an alternating voltage from the mechanical power; a rectifier adapted for rectifying the alternating voltage and producing a low DC voltage; an energy battery adapted for storing and delivering energy derived from the low DC voltage; and a traction boost converter adapted for boosting the low DC voltage to produce the high DC voltage, the motor drive comprising: a power battery adapted for storing energy and delivering power at the high DC voltage; and a traction converter adapted for generating the motor voltage from the high DC voltage during motoring operation and for generating the high

Abstract: A method for identification and evaluation of the hydrogen storage capacity of materials is presented, the method comprising providing a plurality of materials, wherein the plurality of materials comprise an array of synthesized hydrides and analyzing hydrogen content in the plurality of materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring trains in a railyard. These methods and systems detect an incoming train entering a geographic area defined by a railyard, store an entry time indicative of a time at which the incoming train entering the railyard was detected, detect the incoming train coming to a stop in a subyard of the railyard, store a stop time indicative of a time at which the incoming train came to a stop in the receiving subyard, calculate an incoming train latency time by subtracting the entry time from the stop time, and store the incoming train latency time as an incoming train latency time record.

Abstract: A interferometer-based fouling detection system and method are described. The system may include a fiber optic cable, a light source in communication with the fiber optic cable, at least one photo detector in communication with the fiber optic cable, and at least one interferometric spectrometer. The fiber optic cable may include a long period grating and a fiber Bragg grating or it may include a facet edge. The system may instead include a fiber optic cable, a light source in communication with the fiber optic cable, at least one photo detector in communication with the fiber optic cable, a fiber coupler, a reference probe including a mirror, a sample probe, and an interferometer.

Abstract: A plurality of holographic recording media are positioned one above the other on an optical substrate and contain conventional stationary or moving imagery or data sets such as binary data representative of for example written text. A plurality of memory address access media are alternately interleaved between the plurality of holographic recording media. The memory access media causes a pair of optical beams to create an interference pattern at particular hologram recording media layers causing that layer to be read out. The specific memory access media layer is selected by means of scanning the interference pattern spatially within the interrogation beam, or by means of scanning the interrogation beam in wavelength.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems for a tunable laser are described. An apparatus includes: a tunable laser cavity including at least three mirrors, at least one filter and a plurality of crystals, wherein the three mirrors are substantially arranged in a lambda configuration, the filter includes a birefringent filter and an etalon, at least one of the crystals comprises a Cologuiriite crystal, and at least one other of the crystals comprises a nonlinear crystal, wherein the mirrors, the filter, and the plurality are configured for providing electromagnetic radiation of an approximately single frequency; and at least one electromagnetic radiation source being coupled to the laser cavity, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is capable of providing electromagnetic radiation having an approximately particular wavelength to the laser cavity.

Abstract: A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.

Abstract: A membrane is provided, which may include a microporous base membrane; and a cross-linkable coating disposed on a surface of the membrane. The coating may include polyvinyl nucleophilic polymer and a urethane or a blocked isocyanate. The coating may be cross-linked. Also provided is a method of making the membrane.

Abstract: A method of operating an integrated hydrogen production and processing system is provided. The method includes operating an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water and utilizing heat generated from the electrolyzer to increase a temperature of an electrolyte in a first mode of operation. The method also includes heating the electrolyte in a second mode of operation by extracting heat from a hydrogen compressor to increase or maintain the temperature of the electrolyte during periods when electrolysis is not performed in the electrolyzer or during startup of the electrolyzer.

Abstract: A cross-linked polyimide is disclosed. The cross-linked polyimide includes a polyimide and at least one oxygenated hydrocarbon. The oxygenated hydrocarbon cross-links the polyimide. A porous cross-linked membrane is also disclosed. The porous cross-linked membrane includes a support structure and a cross-linked polyimide disposed on the support structure. The cross-linked polyimide includes a polyimide; and at least one oxygenated hydrocarbon cross-linking the polyimide. Also disclosed are methods of making the cross-linked polyimide and the porous cross-linked membrane.

Abstract: A novel micro optical system as a platform technology for electrical and optical interconnections, thermal and mechanical assembly and integration of electronic, optoelectronic, passive and active components. This platform provides optical coupling and chip-to-chip interconnection by microwave electrical, optical guided and unguided waves, and power or bias electrical contacts or interfaces by a novel chip in flexible circuit, rigid or inflexible embodiments.

Abstract: A high-temperature pressure sensor that includes a dielectric layer. The pressure sensor also includes a substrate capable of withstanding temperatures greater than 450° C. without entering a phase change, at least one semiconducting material deposited on the sapphire substrate, and a silicon dioxide layer deposited over the semiconducting material. One aspect of the pressure sensor includes a second semiconducting material.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a hydrogen-storage based electrode comprises treating a powder comprising at least one metal hydride with a first solution. The first solution comprises a first alkaline base and a first reducing agent. The method further comprises fabricating the electrode using the powder and treating the electrode with a second solution comprising a second alkaline base and a second reducing agent.

Abstract: A thermal transport structure having a thermal transport layer and a resin layer is provided. The thermal transport layer may include a first surface and a second surface, and having a thermally conductive material disposed in the thermal transport layer, where the thermally conductive material is oriented in a predetermined direction in order to facilitate heat conduction relative to the predetermined direction. Further, the resin layer is secured to the thermal transport layer second surface, where the resin layer is relatively less thermally conductive than the thermal transport layer.

Abstract: An encapsulant for encapsulating electronic components and a method of making and/or using the encapsulant may be provided. An electronic device that includes the encapsulant may be provided. The curable encapsulant composition may include a mixture of a functionalized polymer and at least one reactive monomer composition. The reactive monomer composition may include a reactive monomer component that may be a low temperature solid and may be present in an amount in the reactive monomer composition a range of greater than about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of reactive monomer composition. The mixture, at about low temperature, may be solid or tack-free, or both solid and tack-free.

Abstract: Provided is a fluorine substituted oligomeric or polymeric ester including the reaction product of a fluorine substituted acrylate or a fluorine substituted methacrylate; an unsaturated anhydride; and an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate. Also provided is a method of making the composition.

Abstract: A dual mode electrochemical system comprises a first electrode capable of storing hydrogen, a second electrode, a substantially electrically insulating and substantially ionically conducting membrane interposed therebetween and an electrolyte. In a first mode, upon introduction of water and electricity the dual mode electrochemical system electrolyzes the water in the presence of the electrolyte and produces hydrogen and oxygen across the membrane. The hydrogen is stored in the first electrode. In a second mode, upon introduction of an oxidant to the second electrode the dual mode electrochemical system produces water and electricity by reacting the stored hydrogen and the oxidant across the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method employing optical disc drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system includes a robotic arm for transmitting a disc including at least one sensor spot through a variety of stations that include dipping the disc into a source of a compound, removing excess amounts of the source, optically scanning the disc, and discarding the disc. The optical drive may be a stand-alone reader in communication with an external computing device. The output of the optical scan may be transmitted from the optical scanner to the computing device via universal serial bus, Ethernet interface, or wireless connection.

Abstract: A method and system for decreasing the concentration of at least one metal in an aqueous solution. The metal may be molybdenum, tungsten, or both. An aqueous solution is introduced into at least one reaction zone, and at least one source of hydroxide ions is provided into the at least one reaction zone in an amount sufficient to precipitate at least some of the mass of the at least one metal. The aqueous solution includes a mass of the at least one metal and a mass of at least one reducing agent. The at least one reducing agent includes at least ferrous iron from at least one source of the at least one reducing agent. A composition of tungsten ferrite or molybdenum tungsten ferrite may be formed. The method may be used for purifying water, for the refining of metals, or to facilitate a chemical analytical determination.

Abstract: A nanostructure having at least one nanotube and at least one chemical moiety non-covalently attached to the at least one nanotube. At least one dendrimer is bonded to the chemical moiety. The chemical moiety may include soluble polymers, soluble oligomers, and combinations thereof. A method of dispersing at least one nanotube is also described. The method includes providing at least one nanotube and at least one chemical moiety to a solvent; debundling the nanotube; and non-covalently attaching a chemical moiety to the nanotube, wherein the non-covalently attached chemical moiety disperses the nanotube. A method of separating at least one semi-conducting carbon nanotube is also described.