Abstract: There is disclosed a bone fixation device that can include a cage having an optional mesh portion. The bone fixation device can be configured to couple a leg portion to a foot portion of a user's body. In at least one embodiment, the device includes at least one cage having a plurality of struts forming cells. There can be an optional mesh portion having a pre-set porosity that can be either constant or variable in density. In at least one embodiment there can be a cage portion which is substantially spherical shaped. Alternatively, the device can be substantially egg shaped. In at least one embodiment there can be a central post hole for receiving a post. In another embodiment at least one plate or shaft can connect to the cage.

Abstract: A heat and mass transfer system configured to be a passive system using gravitational force to form a thin liquid film flow on an outer surface of a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member to subject the thin liquid film to heat transfer mediums. The at least partially spherical flow distribution head creates a uniform thin flow of liquid on the outer surface increasing the efficiency of the heat and mass transfer system. The heat and mass transfer system may include a heat transfer medium supply system in fluid communication with internal aspects of the downstream conduit such that a heat transfer medium flows within the downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outer surface of the downstream conduit. Rather than conventional sheet flow on inner surfaces of a conduit, the flow distribution head enables sheet flow to be formed on an outside surface of a component.

Abstract: A method of producing a microparticle includes providing a mould assembly, which comprises two moulds that comprise an upper mould and a lower mould, positioning the mould assembly in a closed position, wherein the two moulds define a micro-cavity to exert pressure on a moulding material within the micro-cavity to form the moulding material within the micro-cavity to form the moulding material into a microparticle, and positioning the mould assembly in an open position, wherein the microparticle adheres to one of the two moulds assembly.

Abstract: In a crude oil purification process including phase separators, a vapor recovery unit (VRU), and dew pointing/dehydration and CO2 removal membranes, instead of compressing the low boiling point (i.e., C1-5) hydrocarbon vapor stream from the VRU along with the main portion of gas from the separation train and feeding it to the membranes, it is compressed and dehydrated along with the H2O/C3+ hydrocarbon enriched permeate from the dew pointing and dehydration membranes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bone fixation device that can include a cage having an optional mesh portion. The bone fixation device can be configured to couple a leg portion to a foot portion of a user's body. In at least one embodiment, the device includes at least one cage having a plurality of struts forming cells. There can be an optional mesh portion having a pre-set porosity that can be either constant or variable in density. In at least one embodiment there can be a cage portion which is substantially spherical shaped. Alternatively, the device can be substantially egg shaped. In at least one embodiment there can be a central post hole for receiving a post. In another embodiment at least one plate or shaft can connect to the cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for annealing poled ceramic over a heating period during which the temperature is raised incrementally to “lock-in” desirable high temperature characteristics.

Abstract: There is a process for correcting a bone injury, an implant for correcting the bone injury and a kit for applying the implant for correcting the bone injury. The process can be made substantially uniform with the application of a standardized kit. In at least one application the process is for correcting a bunion on a patient. The process can include applying a first drill guide to a bone, and then a second drill guide. Once the drill guides have been applied and wires have been inserted into a bone, an implant can then be applied to correct a bone injury and to allow the bone injury to heal.

Abstract: Pre-ceramic particle solutions can prepared by a Coordinated-PDC process, a Direct-PDC process or a Coordinated-Direct-PDC process. The pre-ceramic particle solution includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation, (ii) a first organometallic polymer and (iii) a second organometallic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation different from a metal in the second organometallic polymer, a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of (a) a ceramic fuel particle and (b) a moderator particle, a dispersant, and a polymerization initiator. The pre-ceramic particle solution can be supplied to an additive manufacturing process, such as digital light projection, and made into a structure (which is pre-ceramic particle green body) that can then be debinded to form a polymer-derived ceramic sintered body. In some embodiments, the polymer-derived ceramic sintered body is a component or structure for fission reactors.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly for counteracting vibrations or other forces in an appliance or machine includes a body and a funnel coupled to the body. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal cavity that is adapted to receive a heavy aggregate material to form a counterweight. The funnel extends outwardly from the body and is adapted to deliver the heavy aggregate material to the internal cavity of the body.

Abstract: Example access devices, treatment devices, and kits useful in performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related methods are described. An example access device includes an elongate tubular member formed of an MRI compatible material and moveable between a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The elongate tubular member has a central lengthwise axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an axial length, and a main body that defines a circumferential wall, a lumen, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a main body opening. The main body opening is arranged in a spiral relative to the lengthwise axis and extends circumferentially along the circumferential wall. The main body opening extends along the entire axial length of the elongate tubular member from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: Example medical systems useful in performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related devices, kits, and methods are described. An example medical system includes a first medical device and a second medical device. The first medical device has a first passive marker. The first passive marker is formed of a first material that has a first magnetic susceptibility. The second medical device has a second passive marker. The second passive marker is formed of a second material that has a second magnetic susceptibility. The second passive marker creates an image artifact under MRI. The image artifact created by the second passive marker is altered under MRI when the first passive marker overlaps the second passive marker.

Abstract: A method is provided for unsupervised 3D modeling and geometric measurement of additively manufactured parts. The method includes obtaining near-infrared (NIR) images for a welding process for a welded part. The welded part includes welded metal and agglomerated powder particles. The method also includes generating a multi-dimensional dataset based on the NIR images, including cropping the multi-dimensional dataset to a region of interest. The method also includes detecting melted regions in image layers of the multi-dimensional dataset to obtain an output volume. The method also includes detecting agglomerated powder in the output volume to obtain melt masks. Each melt mask indicates weld pixels for a respective image layer. The method also includes applying a multi-layer predictive model to account for multi-layer weld penetration, based on the melt masks, to obtain an output data mask that represents a 3D model and geometric measurements for the welded part.

Abstract: Pre-ceramic particle solutions can prepared by a Coordinated-PDC process, a Direct-PDC process or a Coordinated-Direct-PDC process. The pre-ceramic particle solution includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation, (ii) a first organometallic polymer and (iii) a second organometallic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation different from a metal in the second organometallic polymer, a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of (a) a ceramic fuel particle and (b) a moderator particle, a dispersant, and a polymerization initiator. The pre-ceramic particle solution can be supplied to an additive manufacturing process, such as digital light projection, and made into a structure (which is pre-ceramic particle green body) that can then be debinded to form a polymer-derived ceramic sintered body. In some embodiments, the polymer-derived ceramic sintered body is a component or structure for fission reactors.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube with an inner surface defining a central bore, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod including a cam extending radially-outwardly therefrom and an annular collar defining a key slot, an elongated key that is slidably receivable within the key slot, and a holdout collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube and defining a locking recess, wherein the connecting rod is axially-movable with respect to the torque tube between a first position in which the elongated key is disposed within the key slot so that the connecting rod is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second position in which the elongated key is removed from the key slot and the connecting rod is rotatable with respect to the torque tube.

Abstract: Internally reheated sweep gas-aided membrane gas separation module in which the sweep gas is expanded retentate that is warmed through heat exchange with non-expanded retentate within the module.

Abstract: A shelf includes a shelf panel and an illumination module. The shelf panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface is capable of supporting articles thereon. The illumination module is coupled to the shelf panel and includes a first plurality of lights emitting visible light when powered, and a second plurality of lights emitting light having a germicidal effect when powered.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod and a spider, a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a bottom end of the connecting rod and including a locking cam, and a locking collar disposed non-rotatably within the spider, the locking collar including a locking recess with an entry slot, wherein in a first axial position the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second axial position the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating power consumption on an electric power grid is disclosed. Blockchain miners are used as a load bank that can be modulated quickly to accommodate spikes or dips in power generated from wind and solar power producers. The cryptocurrency generated by the blockchain miners allows electric grid owners to recoup the costs of higher overall power production, and accommodates fluctuations that are characteristic of wind and solar power generation devices because the fluctuations from wind and solar devices can be matched by modulating the computational speed of the blockchain miners in equal amounts, thus matching the overall demand and production of the power on the electric grid.

Abstract: Reactor core and thermal neutron fission reactor has fuel rods with a composite fuel composition (each having the same uniform cross-section along their axial length), end plates at first and second ends, and intermediate support plates located along a longitudinal length of the reactor core. In a radial cross-section, the fuel rods are arranged at nodes of a hexagonal pitch arrangement, in which the nodes are in a spaced-apart arrangement and interconnected by ligaments. Openings between the nodes form part of a coolant flow path through the thermal neutron reactor core. At least two of the nodes of the hexagonal pitch arrangement are sized to allow insertion, translation, removal, or a combination thereof of auxiliary equipment, such as a target delivery system (TDS) for isotopes. Thermal neutron flux (neutrons ?0.06 eV) is maximized for maximum neutron activation potential, which is applied to produce both commercial and research isotopes.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au absorbance?0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids.