Abstract: Distributed approach for determining a path connecting adjacent network nodes, for probabilistically or deterministically transporting an entity, with entity characteristic &mgr; from a source node to a destination node. Each node i is directly connected to an arbitrary number J(&mgr;) of nodes, labeled or numbered j=j1, j2, . . . , jJ(&mgr;). In a deterministic version, a J(&mgr;)-component baseline proportion vector p(i;&mgr;) is associated with node i. A J(&mgr;)-component applied proportion vector p*(i;&mgr;) is determined from p(i;&mgr;) to preclude an entity visiting a node more than once.

Abstract: Thermal insulation composed of porous ceramic material can be waterproofed by producing a thin silicone film on the surface of the insulation by exposing it to volatile silicone precursors at ambient conditions. When the silicone precursor reactants are multi-functional siloxanes or silanes containing alkenes or alkynes carbon groups higher molecular weight films can be produced. Catalyst are usually required for the silicone precursors to react at room temperature to form the films. The catalyst are particularly useful in the single component system e.g. dimethylethoxysilane (DMES) to accelerate the reaction and decrease the time to waterproof and protect the insulation. In comparison to other methods, the chemical vapor technique assures better control over the quantity and location of the film being deposited on the ceramic insulation to improve the waterproof coating.