Abstract: An acoustic transducer with an acoustic element that emits or receives front-side acoustic radiation from its front side, and emits or receives rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side. A housing directs the front-side acoustic radiation and the rear-side acoustic radiation. A plurality of sound-conducting vents in the housing allow sound to enter the housing or allow sound to leave the housing. A distance between vents defines an effective length of an acoustic dipole. The housing and its vents are constructed and arranged such that the effective dipole length is frequency dependent.

Abstract: An acoustic device that has a neck loop that is constructed and arranged to be worn around the neck. The neck loop includes a housing with a first acoustic waveguide having a first sound outlet opening, and a second acoustic waveguide having a second sound outlet opening. There is a first open-backed acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first waveguide and a second open-backed acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second waveguide.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of an amorphous silicate of at least one metal from the Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements with a total pore volume of at least 0.3 mL/g. The method of preparation involves the use of pore shaping conditions, which can be the use of a pore shaper and optionally an increased precipitation temperature, e.g. at least 60° C. The silicate of the invention is especially suitable in catalytic reactions such as esterifications, Michael additions, transesterifications, (ep)oxidations, hydroxylations, or in absorbance of small inorganic and organic molecules e.g. CO2 or aromatic compounds.

Abstract: A method for creating a stream of content for an audio system is provided. The method includes obtaining text metadata identifying each audio track of a selected collection of audio content, the selected collection of audio content being selected for playback from a first audio playback device of the audio system, and forwarding the text metadata identifying each audio track of the selected collection of audio content to a digital audio source to enable the digital audio source to select audio content containing additional audio content based on the text metadata.

Abstract: A device and method that is configured to control the operation of a motor vehicle cabin active sound management (ASM) system that uses an ASM controller to control operation of one or more sound transducers that transmit audio signals in the cabin so as to alter vehicle powertrain-related sounds in the cabin, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a mobile telephone system that is configured to receive incoming mobile telephone calls and transmit outgoing mobile telephone calls. The device can include a controller that is configured to receive from the mobile telephone system an indication that a mobile telephone call is incoming or an outgoing call is being initiated. After receiving the indication, the subject controller commands the ASM controller to cause operation of one or more sound transducers such that the level of vehicle powertrain-related sounds in the cabin is reduced.

Abstract: A washing device is provided for cleaning generally flat panels. The washing device includes a base having a slot therein and a pair of sponge-like members disposed along opposing edges of the slot. The base is suspended within a vessel containing washer solvent. The panels are inserted in the slot and scrubbed against the sponge-like members.