Abstract: Apparatus and methods for lighting. The apparatus may include a first jewel and a second jewel. The first jewel may support the second jewel by a first link. The first jewel may support the second jewel by a second link. The first link and second links may be configured for transmission of current between the first jewel and the second jewel. The first and second links may be the only attachments of the second jewel to the first jewel. The first jewel may be configured to selectively emit three different colors of light. The second jewel may be configured to selectively emit three different colors of light. The second jewel may be configured to selectively emit the three different colors of the first jewel. The selection may be performed by a user using a switch.

Abstract: A mounting system capable of mounting objects to support structures is disclosed. The mounting system includes a wall mount including a display bracket configured to hold the object, a fixed support bracket couplable to a vertical support structure, and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly has a low-profile stowed configuration in which the object is held in a raised position close to the support structure. The linkage assembly moves to another configuration to move the object. The object can be held in a lowered position. A biasing mechanism can facilitate convenient movement of the object.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for the facile, efficient electrocatalytic conversion of carbon monoxide to high purity formic acid and other organic compounds. The described devices utilize perforated membranes to reduce energy requirements and extend electrochemical cell life by reducing damage caused by fluids being formed between internal ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for catalytic glycolysis to deconstruct PET to bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). For BHET conversion to terephthalate and ethylene glycol, we engineer Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with PETase and MHETase enzymes from Ideonella sakaiensis. We further engineer P. putida to convert terephthalate to a performance-advantaged bioproduct, ?-ketoadipic acid, and for improved utilization of ethylene glycol, a byproduct of BHET catabolism. In a bioreactor, we produce 15.1±0.6 g/L of ?-ketoadipic acid (?KA) from BHET at 76±3% molar yield. Lastly, we demonstrate conversion of catalytically depolymerized PET to ?KA. Overall, this work highlights the potential of tandem catalytic deconstruction and biological conversion as a means to upcycle waste PET.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nanocrystal that includes a nanocrystal core, a first ligand coordinated to a first portion of a surface of the nanocrystal core, and a second ligand coordinated to a second portion of the surface, where the second ligand includes a first functionalized aromatic molecule.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene (THPE), an amino polymer, and a substrate that includes a metal oxide, where the substrate has a pore volume, and the THPE and the amino polymer are positioned within the pore volume.

Abstract: A system and method are described for carrying out machine learning-based automated laundry machine error/degraded status detection and maintenance by use of acoustic sensor data rendered by the laundry machines and applied to a plurality of machine learning models for use with acoustic data rendered by the laundry machines.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode comprises a layered perovskite having the general formula: DAB2O5+?, wherein D consists of two or more lanthanide elements; A consists of one or more of Sr and Ba; B consists of one or more of Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Nd; and ? is an oxygen deficit. The second electrode comprises a cermet material including at least one metal and at least one perovskite. Related structures, apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A metal-coated article that comprises a substrate, a transition metal region adjacent to the substrate, and a platinum-group metal region adjacent to the transition metal region. The transition metal region comprises a transition metal carbide layer adjacent to the substrate. The platinum-group metal region comprises a transition metal/platinum-group metal layer that is adjacent to the transition metal region and a platinum-group metal layer adjacent to the transition metal/platinum-group metal layer. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Treating pyrolysis oil to yield a liquid fuel or liquid fuel precursor includes combining the pyrolysis oil with one or more co-solvents to yield a mixture, and hydrotreating the mixture to yield the liquid fuel or liquid fuel precursor. The co-solvent can include one or more alcohols. The liquid fuel can be a transportation fuel, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, or marine fuel. The liquid fuel precursor can be a transportation fuel precursor, such as a gasoline precursor, a diesel fuel precursor, a jet fuel precursor, or a marine fuel precursor.

Abstract: A method of operating a nuclear power system includes generating heat in a nuclear reactor core, transmitting the heat to a heat engine, generating electricity with a generator operatively coupled to the heat engine. The method further includes detecting a no-load condition, and stopping the heat engine. The method also includes transferring heat from an outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through a heat transfer system if a temperature of the nuclear reactor rises above a threshold temperature. The method further includes preventing heat from transferring from the outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through the heat transfer system if the temperature of the nuclear reactor is below the threshold temperature. Nuclear power systems and nuclear reactors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a directional heat transfer using thermal control devices, including a dual phase change thermal diode and an active contact-based thermal switch. The thermal diode includes a positive temperature coefficient switching material and a negative temperature coefficient switching material arranged in series. The thermal switch includes two thermally conducting surfaces which may be moved to contact (i.e., having a distance between them of substantially zero) creating minimal thermal contact resistance. Both thermal control devices may be used to control heat flow into and/or out of a building.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training a machine learning model (MLM) for detecting traffic accidents, comprising: obtaining traffic flow data, traffic accident data and topology data for roadside sensors; processing traffic accident data and topology data to identify roadside sensors closest to each traffic accident identified in the traffic accident data and obtain an order of identified roadside sensors relative to a driving direction; fusing the traffic flow data, traffic accident data and topology data to produce accident data samples and non-accident data samples based on accident proximities to the roadside sensors (wherein each of the accident data samples and non-accident data samples comprises traffic flow data for ones of the roadside sensors that are neighboring sensors); combining the accident data samples and non-accident data samples to obtain a training dataset; and training MLM for detecting patterns in input data indicating a probability/likelihood of a traffic accident/incident on a road segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device that includes a switchable photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a first active material and a static PV device that includes a second active material, where the switchable PV device and the static PV device are positioned substantially parallel to one another, the switchable PV device has a first state that is substantially transparent to a first wavelength of light in the visible spectrum, the switchable PV device has a second state this is substantially opaque to a second wavelength of light in the visible spectrum, the switchable PV device can be reversibly switched between the first state and the second state, the static PV device is substantially transparent to the visible spectrum of light, and both the switchable PV device and static PV device are capable of generating power.

Abstract: A welding system and method for filing a void on a metal workpiece is provided. The workpiece includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The system and method may include a metal insert configured to fill the void and a welder configured to perform a friction stir welding process on the metal workpiece. The metal insert may be capable of being positioned adjacent the first surface. The system and method may also include an anvil capable of being positioned in an interior space of the workpiece, adjacent to the second surface, and opposite the welder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a first layer that includes a perovskite and a second layer that includes a perovskitoid, where the perovskite has a first crystalline structure defined by ABX3, the perovskitoid has a second crystalline structure defined by A?B2X6, where A is a first cation, B is a second cation, X is an anion, and A? is a third cation having either a 1+ charge or a 2+ charge.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting an accessory may include a bracket and a mounting base. The bracket may be configured to be fixed in an interior of a housing that defines an aperture for receiving a fixture. The mounting base may be configured to receive the accessory in the interior of the housing, spaced apart from the fixture. The mounting base may also be configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the bracket, and removed from the housing through the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for utilizing distributed reinforcement learning and consensus control to most effectively generate and utilize energy. In some embodiments, individual turbines within a wind farm may communicate to reach a consensus as to the desired yaw angle based on the wind conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a vocational mask configured to be worn by a user. The vocational mask includes a virtual retinal display, a memory device storing instructions, and a processing device communicatively coupled to the memory device and the virtual retinal display. The processing device executes the instructions to execute an artificial intelligence agent trained to perform at least one or more functions to determine certain information. The one or more functions include identifying perception-based objects and features, determining cognition-based scenery to identify one or more material defects, one or more assembly defects, one or more acceptable features, or some combination thereof, and determining one or more recommendations, instructions, or both. The processing device causes the certain information to be presented via the virtual retinal display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receiving, at a processing device of a vocational mask, first data pertaining to instructions for performing a task using a tool; transmitting, via a haptic interface communicatively coupled to the processing device of the vocational mask, the first data to a peripheral haptic device associated with the tool to cause the peripheral haptic device to implement the instructions by at least vibrating in accordance with the instructions to guide a user to perform the task using the tool; responsive to the peripheral haptic device implementing the instructions, receiving feedback data pertaining to gestures, motions, surfaces, temperatures, or some combination thereof, wherein the feedback data is received from the peripheral haptic device, and the feedback data comprises information pertaining to the user's compliance with the instructions for performing the task; and transmitting, to the computing device, the feedback data.