Abstract: A wireless interface system can interface with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, or current probes. In the system, transducers employ substantially identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, can determine the range of the sensor, and depending on the type and range of the sensor, can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and read data from the sensor via common output pins.

Abstract: A fuel leak prevention system and method for providing same includes a check valve for insertion into the discharge end of a spout assembly of a fuel dispensing nozzle, the check valve being located downstream of the nozzle's fuel control valve so as to prevent any leaking or dripping of fuel from the spout when the nozzle is deactivated. The check valve includes a pivoting flap that is preferably spring-loaded and predisposed to remain closed to seal the spout when there is no fuel flowing through the nozzle, but which is allowed to rotate within the spout to open the nozzle and allow the flow of fuel when the nozzle is activated. The system and method disclosed has application to any liquids that are to be dispensed, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas oil, gas, liquid petroleum gas, av-gas, chemicals, and water.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional dielectric structures on high surface area electrodes and fabrication methods. Exemplary structures comprise a copper foil substrate, trench electrodes or high surface area porous electrode structures formed on the substrate, a insulating thin film formed on the surface and laminating the foil on a organic substrate. A variety of materials may be used to make the films including perovksite ceramics such as barium titanate, strontium titanate, barium strontium titanate (BST), lead zirconate titanate (PZT); other intermediate dielectric constant films such as zinc oxide, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride; typical paraelectrics such as tantalum oxide, alumina, and titania. The films may be fabricated using sol-gel, hydrothermal synthesis, anodization or vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods of nanomaterial transfer are described. A method of nanomaterial transfer involving fabricating a template and synthesizing nanomaterials on the template. Subsequently, the nanomaterials are transferred to a substrate by pressing the template onto the substrate. In some embodiments, the step of transferring the nanomaterials involves pressing the template onto the substrate such that the nanomaterials are embedded below a surface layer of the substrate. In some embodiments, the temperature of the plurality of nanomaterials is raised to assist the transfer of the nanomaterials to the substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic-based or radar-based apparatus and method for fuel inventory measurements and for the detection and characterization of materials in a fuel tank, including sludge, water, microorganisms and materials of different viscosities and densities that are present in the tank, presented in an easy-to-interpret picture display that can be remotely located from the tank.

Abstract: A pollution information message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information messages. In one embodiment, the pollution information message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices. Control room operators receive a pollution information message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the detected pollution. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A telescopic tube locking structure includes a telescopic tube including at least a upper tubular part and a lower tubular part; an eccentric camshaft having a lower portion fixed in the lower tubular part and a upper portion being inserted into the upper tubular part, and, an opening cam having a larger diameter than the upper portion of the eccentric camshaft is rotationally mounted on the eccentric shaft and is inserted in and engaged with the upper tubular part in a rotationally fixed manner such that the opening cam is axially movable along with the an eccentric camshaft in the upper tubular part and is rotationally fixed with the upper tubular part; wherein a central line of the opening cam is offset from a central line of the upper portion of the eccentric camshaft.

Abstract: A system and method for combining images generated by separate sources. The system comprises a plurality of video image data sources that generate separate video images. The video images are captured and scaled by image processing hardware to fit within the viewports of a target window generated by a computing device. The parameters of the viewports are associated with the parameters of the target window such that changes to the target window result in corresponding changes to the viewports. The method comprises scaling the separate images to fit within the viewports using redundant data within each video image to interpolate pixel data at the boundary regions of adjacent images to eliminate artifacts at the boundary regions.

Abstract: A stocking take-off assistance device suitable as aid for taking of stockings, particularly elastic support stockings, the stocking take-off assistance device including at least one substantially annular inner device suitable to be arranged around a leg and to receive the turned upper edge of a stocking, a substantially annular outer device matching the annular inner device, suitable to be arranged around the leg and around the inner device such that an upper edge of a stocking folded around the annular inner device can be clamped between the annular inner device and the annular outer device. The annular inner device is not completely closed but extends over an angle (?) smaller than 360°. Likewise, the annular outer device is not completely closed but extends over an angle (?) smaller than 360°.

Abstract: A groutless tile system including groutless tiles, wherein each groutless tile includes a substrate, a durable surface disposed within a groove defined by the substrate, the durable surface having bottom surface, and a first coupling member disposed on an edge of the substrate. The first coupling member comprises a first bendable portion and a groove, the groove having an upper surface and a lower surface. The bottom surface of the durable surface is substantially coplanar with a point between the upper and lower surfaces of the groove.

Abstract: Systems and methods of integrating plasma waste processing are described. An integreted energy generation system provided with a fossil fuel power plant system having a combustion chamber and a plasma waste processing system having an output. The integrated energy generation system also including an integrator for combining the output of thermal energy from the plasma waste processing system with the combustion chamber of the fossil fuel power plant.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to remediation of contaminants in the environment, and more specifically to improved chemistries, systems, and methods for in-situ immobilization of contaminants in various media. More particularly, an aspect of the present invention is directed to an in-situ method for immobilizing a contaminant in a medium, comprising: contacting a medium in-situ with a chemical reagent, the medium comprising a contaminant, wherein the contacting the medium in-situ with a chemical reagent does not involve physical mixing of the medium and the chemical reagent; and immobilizing at least a portion of the contaminant in the medium in-situ to yield an immobilized contaminant in the medium, wherein the immobilized contaminant in the medium is neither extracted from the medium nor degraded by the chemical reagent.

Abstract: A weighted article of clothing comprising a clothing substrate with weights attached thereto, the weights being made of a gel and being strategically placed so as to not interfere with the movements of a wearer and to not interfere with outer clothing or equipment worn over the weighted article of clothing and with the weights being arranged in a plurality of weight clusters and linking strands, with neighboring weight clusters being connected together with the linking strands.

Abstract: A tube shield assembly for protecting tubes includes a guard, a securing member and a holding tooth, wherein welding is not required to secure the guard to the tube. The guard is axially elongated and can have a semi-cylindrical cross-section to define a main body portion. The securing member includes at least one pair of fastening clips to secure the guard to the tube. The fastening clips permit radial expansion and contraction of the tube and the tube shield assembly in response to, for example, temperature fluctuations. The holding tooth is a tooth-like protrusion between the tube shield assembly and the tube to which it is secured to prevent axial slippage of the tube shield assembly up or down the length of the tube.

Abstract: Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.

Abstract: A device for determining a flow characteristic, in particular flow velocity, of a fluid in a conduit, comprises a conduit body (110), at least four pairs of ultrasonic transducers (116, 118; 122, 124; 128, 130; 132, 1340 defining swirl sensitive acoustic paths (128, 130; 132, 134). The ultrasonic transducers are arranged such that they define paired acoustic paths. The device also comprises means (142, 144) for measuring the transit times of transmitted ultrasonic waves and for determining a flow characteristic from the measured transit times.