Abstract: A flow control device configured to be positioned in a reactor core. The flow control device including a central shaft and at least one blade extending helically from the central shaft. A nuclear reactor and related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flow meters may include a body defining a fluid channel therein. At least one structure may be positioned within the fluid channel, and fixed relative to the body, that is shaped and positioned to produce a flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. A method of measuring a fluid flow rate may include directing a fluid over a first structure located in a first channel, and producing a first flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow in a first channel with the first structure. The method may further include measuring the vibration of a remote structure coupled to the first channel, and determining the rate of fluid flow in the first channel from the measured vibration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing an energy storage device including normalizing charge and discharge voltage profiles to obtain normalized charge and discharge voltage profiles as a function of a normalized capacity; averaging the normalized voltage profiles to obtain an averaged voltage profile as a function of the normalized capacity; determining an internal resistance between the charge or discharge voltage profiles and the normalized averaged voltage profile; determining a current-resistance (IR) potential responsive to a measured current and the determined internal resistance; determining an IR-free voltage charge or discharge profile of the energy storage device; and determining a ratio between a capacity change and a voltage potential change in a charging or discharging process of the energy storage device over a predetermined interval of time responsive to the determined IR-free voltage charge or discharge profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for making Zn1?xSn1+xN2.

Abstract: In one aspect, a compact augmented permeation system (CAPS) assembly includes a housing defining an interior cavity. The housing further defines a gas inlet for receiving gas within the interior cavity and a gas outlet for expelling the gas from the interior cavity. Additionally, the CAPS assembly includes a gas-permeable membrane positioned within the housing and defining a system boundary across the interior cavity such that gas received within the interior cavity via the gas inlet permeates through the gas-permeable membrane before being expelled from the interior cavity via the gas outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhanced lighting. The apparatus may include a light-transmitting body. The apparatus may include a light projector. The projector may be configured to propagate into the light-transmitting body an incoming incoherent light. The projector may be configured to propagate into the light-transmitting body an incoming visible coherent light. Emerging coherent light within a visible wavelength rage attributable to the incoming visible coherent light may have a first intensity. The first intensity may be greater than a second intensity. The second intensity may be an intensity of any emerging coherent light that is within the wavelength range and is attributable to the incoming incoherent light. Emerging light may be light that emerges from the light-transmitting body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for crosstalk mitigation in a lighting system. The apparatus may include a circuit. The circuit may be configured to receive electrical power. The circuit may be configured to provide lighting power from the electrical power, along an electrical power transmission line, to a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the electrical power transmission line first lighting control information that is configured to control light emitted from the fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the electrical power transmission line second lighting control information that is defined by a pattern in the lighting power.

Abstract: Optical cells are described for use in spectroscopy applications. The cells include a series of discrete planar reflectors aligned with one another and spaced apart from one another at each end of the sample cavity. The discrete planar reflectors can be surrounded by transparent windows and divergent energy can be removed from the cell cavity via the windows. The cells can define a unique beam path for the energy beam, and there can be no overlapping optical paths through the cell. The cells can provide well-defined detection signals with very high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Visually undistorted thin film electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing a thin-film electronic device comprises: opening a scribe in a stack of thin film material layers deposited on a substrate to define an active region and an inactive region of the thin-film electronic device, the stack comprising at least one active semiconductor layer. The active region comprises a non-scribed area of the stack and the inactive region comprises a region of the stack where thin film material was removed by the scribe. The method further comprises depositing at least one scribe fill material into a gap opened by the scribe. The scribe fill material has embedded therein one or more coloring elements that alter an optical characteristics spectrum of the inactive region to obtain an optical characteristics spectrum of the active region within a minimum perceptible difference for an industry defined standard observer.

Abstract: [Object] It is an object of the present invention to provide a duct type air conditioning ventilation system in which harmful materials such as dust, mold and bad smell do not are not attached to deposited on the air conditioning duct, and maintenance such as exchanging and cleaning of the duct is unnecessary even if the system is continuously operated for a long term.

Abstract: A design for wind turbine rotor blades, aircraft wings, and/or other aerodynamic applications which may reduce the vorticity downstream and thus improve lift is described. The blade designs may include an increase in the blade chord towards the tip of the blade, a change in the twist angle at least once along the length of the blade, and/or a change in the thickness of the blade at least once along the length of the blade. These changes individually or in combination may allow for the creation of a counter-rotating vortex behind the blade, increasing power generation and/or lift.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a first junction constructed with a first alloy and having a bandgap between about 1.0 eV and about 1.5 eV, and a second junction constructed with a second alloy and having a bandgap between about 0.9 eV and about 1.3 eV, where the first alloy includes III-V elements, the second alloy includes III-V elements, and the PV device is configured to operate in a thermophotovoltaic system having an operating temperature between about 1500° C. and about 3000° C.

Abstract: Described herein are catalysts and methods for converting waste biogas (e.g., a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane) into useful products. In some embodiments, the biogas is converted into a highly purified methane, that can be further processed to generate fuel products, including recycled natural gas (RNG) and liquid fuels. The described catalysts and methods may be advantageous over conventional methods, including by reducing catalyst costs, decreasing temperature requirements and/or providing higher purity products by reducing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in product streams.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deployment of fixtures. The apparatus may include a system for controlling deployed fixtures. The system may receive user commands different devices in different formats. The fixtures may be magnetically supported by a fixture support. A brace may join two or more fixture supports without reducing space available to support fixtures. The brace may join a fixture support to a fixture support accessory. An accessory may include a variable-angle junction. The fixture may include articulating joints for controlling the direction of a beam. The fixture may include a lens having an electrically controllable beam spread angle. The fixture may be slidable along a cord to adjust a height of the fixture. The fixture may include an extendable ring. The system may coordinate motions of the fixtures to follow a target. The fixture may include an elongated board. The elongated board may include a non-polar power socket.

Abstract: A metal coated article includes a platinum-group metal region adjacent a refractory metal region, which is adjacent a substrate comprising an inorganic material. A refractory metal carbide layer is adjacent the substrate and the refractory metal layer is adjacent the refractory metal carbide layer. The platinum-group metal region comprises a refractory metal/platinum-group metal layer and a platinum-group metal layer. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular particle collection system includes a hollow lower member, a hollow upper member separably attached to the hollow lower member, a collection container separably attached to a longitudinal end of the hollow lower member opposite the hollow upper member, an inlet portion extending radially from the hollow lower member and configured to be fitted to a first portion of a vacuum system, a particulate filter, and an outlet portion extending radially outward from the hollow upper member and configured to be fitted to a second portion of vacuum system. Additional modular particle collection systems and a method of making a modular collection system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mixture that includes a first portion that includes at least one of a paraffin and/or a naphthene having between 5 carbons and 13 carbons, inclusively, at a first concentration between about 75 wt % and about 99 wt %, and a second portion that includes hydrocarbons having greater than 13 carbons at a second concentration of less than 0.05 wt %.

Abstract: A Conductor on Molded Barrel (COMB) magnet assembly optimized for High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic coil(s) carried by a conductor support structure and configured in cosine-theta geometry. Created using additive manufacturing, the conductor support structure features a continuous cable channel that fittedly carries and positions elongated straight portion(s) of the magnetic coil(s) parallel to a magnetic axis. The conductor support structure may be cylindrically shaped and longitudinally bored, with the continuous cable channel comprising an outer channel portion (distal on the cylinder) and an inner channel portion (proximal on the cylinder). A transition hole that joins the outer channel portion and the inner channel portion allows a single magnetic coil to be wound along both the outer and inner surfaces of the conductor support structure.

Abstract: A hand-held lighting device is disclosed with a handle and a head housing a first and second light source, wherein a longitudinal axis of the head is disposed at a non-parallel angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle. The first light source is annular light emitting diode and the second light source is a light excited phosphor.