Abstract: A positive electrode for a sodium ion battery is provided. The positive electrode includes a sodium metal vanadium fluorophosphate having a formula according to Formula I: Na3V2-xMxOy(PO4)2F3-y??I; wherein 0<x?1, 0?y?1, and M is one or more additional metals.

Abstract: A compositionally graded alloy construction for separating a low oxygen content corrosive environment from a high oxygen content oxidizing environment includes a wall having a wall thickness and a first surface segment for contacting the low oxygen content corrosive environment, and a second surface segment for contacting the high oxygen content oxidizing environment. The alloy comprises, in weight percent: 0 to 5 Al; 5 to 30 Cr; 0 to 20 Co; 0 to 70 Fe; 0 to 2 Nb; 0 to 2 Ta; 0 to 3 Ti; 0 to 1 Si; 0 to 1 V; 0 to 2 Mn; 0 to 5 Cu; 0 to 30 Mo; 0 to 30 W; 0 to 0.1 P; 0 to 1 Zr; 0 to 1 Hf; 0 to 0.1 Y; 0.05 to 0.5 C; 0 to 0.1 N; and balance Ni.

Abstract: Shear-assisted extrusion processes for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock material are provided. The processes can include applying a rotational shearing force and an axial extrusion to the same location on the feedstock material. Devices for this can include a die tool defined by a die face extending from a rim of the die face inwardly at an angle greater than zero in relation to a sidewall of the die tool in at least one cross section; and/or a die tool defining an opening configured to receive feedstock material for extrusion and further defining a die face defining a recess within the die face and contiguous with the opening. Shear-assisted extrusion processes are also provided that can mix different portions of the feedstock material within a recess about the opening prior to feedstock material entering the opening; and extruding the mixed portions.

Abstract: A resilient security agent determines a cyber and/or physical health of a control system by, inter alia, communicating cyber-physical key data through cyber-physical control paths of the system, and determining error introduced by the communication. The resilient security agent may be further configured to verify the integrity of acquired cyber-physical state information. The cyber health of the control system may be evaluated by comparing the acquired cyber state information to one or more cyber state profiles. The physical health of the control system may be evaluated by comparing the acquired physical state information to one or more physical state profiles.

Abstract: A modified electrode includes a conductive substrate and a crosslinked branched polymer disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the conductive substrate. The crosslinked branched polymer comprises a plurality of tertiary amino groups and a plurality of carboxylic acid groups, carbonyl groups, hydroxyl groups, or any combination thereof. The electrode is useful in a battery, such as a redox flow battery.

Abstract: A vapor compression heat transfer system includes an evaporator assembly, an ice-prone surface, and an ultrasonic energy source. The ultrasonic energy source when energized vibrating the ice-prone surface at a frequency of from 30 kHz to 60 kHz. The ultrasonic energy source can be a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer can be operated in an ice sensing mode and a deicing mode and can also verify the removal of ice. A method of conducting one of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, generally, to nucleotide sequence data and, more particularly, to computer files and methods supporting forensic DNA analysis. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise identifying a locus corresponding to each item of short tandem repeat (STR) profiling data stored in an existing computer file, wherein the STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file is repeat-based and/or length-based; identifying start and stop coordinates of an STR region of the corresponding locus for each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file; creating an ambiguous text string corresponding to each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file, wherein each ambiguous text string consists of a sequence of ambiguous characters extending from the start coordinate to the stop coordinate identified for the corresponding item of STR profiling data; and storing each ambiguous text string in a sequence-based computer file.

Abstract: A truncated non-linear interferometer-based sensor system includes an input port that receives an optical beam and a non-linear amplifier that amplifies the optical beam with a pump beam and renders a probe beam and a conjugate beam. The system's local oscillators have a relationship with the respective beams. The system includes a sensor that transduces an input with the probe beam and the conjugate beam or their respective local oscillators. It includes one or more phase-sensitive detectors that detect a phase modulation between the respective local oscillators and the probe beam and the conjugate beam. Output from the phase-sensitive-detectors is based on the detected phase modulation. The phase-sensor-detectors include measurement circuitry that measure the phase signals. The measurement is the sum or difference of the phase signals in which the measured combination exhibit a quantum noise reduction in an intensity difference or a phase sum or an amplitude difference quadrature.

Abstract: A joint sealing system for prefabricated building components is provided. The joint sealing system includes a first component including a first surface, and a second component including a second surface that is mateable with the first surface. The first and second surfaces define a joint. A sealant composition is disposed on one of the first surface or the second surface. Pressure exerted when the second surface is mated with the first surface triggers curing of the sealant composition to join the first and second components and to seal the joint between the first and second components. A method of joining and sealing two prefabricated building components is also provided.

Abstract: A Bayesian learning approach for stability boundary and optimal parameter identification in milling without the knowledge of the underlying tool dynamics or material cutting force coefficients. Different axial depth and spindle speed combinations are characterized by a probability of stability which is updated based upon whether the result is stable or unstable. A likelihood function incorporates knowledge of stability behavior. Numerical results show convergence to an analytical stability lobe diagram. An adaptive experimental strategy identifies optimal operating parameters that maximize material removal rate. An efficient and robust learning method to identify the stability lobe diagram and optimal operating parameters with a limited number of tests/data points.

Abstract: A test capsule for measuring at least one property of a material exposed to nuclear radiation comprises a lattice structure configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. The lattice structure comprises a first strut and a second strut connected to the first strut at a node. Related test capsules and methods are also described.

Abstract: An improved power-split control system for managing a load profile of a fuel cell in a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is provided. The power-split control system is operable to actively manage the power demand between the fuel cell and the battery of a FCEV to optimize the operational life of the fuel cell. The power-split control system can use information gathered solely from historical drive cycle data or from historical drive cycle data combined with look-ahead eHorizon data. The power-split control system meets a power demand by operating the powertrain in either a battery charge sustaining mode or a battery charge depletion mode. The power-split control system is also configured to control the power distribution (to the electric motor) from the fuel cell and the battery in a manner that minimizes the degradation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element is provided. The nuclear fuel element includes a porous support. The porous support includes a ligament and defines a pore adjacent to the ligament. The ligament has an interior surface spaced from the pore. The interior surface defines a void. The porous support includes silicon carbide. The nuclear fuel element includes a nuclear fuel material disposed in the pore. The nuclear fuel material includes a moderator and tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particles. Another nuclear fuel element is provided. The nuclear fuel element includes a porous support. The porous support includes a ligament and defines a pore adjacent to the ligament. The ligament has an interior surface spaced from the pore. The interior surface defines a void. The ligament includes the nuclear fuel material. The nuclear fuel element includes a facesheet overlying the porous support and defines a hole. The hole is in fluid communication with the void. The nuclear fuel material includes a nuclear fuel.

Abstract: A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) core is disclosed which includes a plurality of nuclear fuel kernels encapsulated by i) solid structures; and ii) porous structures, wherein the solid structures and the porous structures form a heterogeneous tileable repeating assembly including a channel for moving heat out of the HTGR core, wherein a ratio of in-channel porosity to in-channel tortuosity of the assembly is between about 0.2 to about 0.5, wherein the in-channel tortuosity is between about 1.0 and 1.6, and wherein total solid fraction of the assembly is between about 0.6 to about 0.85.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying pinout information for an IED and operable to test the IED in accordance with a power system. The pinout information for many IEDs is conventionally lacking, leading to conventional testing systems that utilize amplifiers in order to generate the actual current and voltage levels of a power system for simulating the power system in conjunction with one or more IEDs. A system and method are provided to identify pinouts of an IED that can be utilized for simulating the power system with an IED without the need to generate actual current and voltage levels of the power system.

Abstract: An article having a nanostructured surface and a method of making the same are described. The article can include a substrate and a nanostructured layer bonded to the substrate. The nanostructured layer can include a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material and the nanostructured features can be sufficiently small that the nanostructured layer is optically transparent. A continuous layer can be adhered to a plurality of surfaces of the nanostructured features to render the plurality of surfaces of the nanostructured features both hydrophobic and oleophobic with respect to fingerprint oil comprising eccrine secretions and sebaceous secretions, thereby providing an anti-fingerprinting characteristic to the article.

Abstract: Methods for forming particulates that are highly consistent with regard to shape, size, and content are described. Particulates are suitable for use as reference materials. Methods can incorporate actinides and/or lanthanides, e.g., uranium, and can be used for forming certified reference materials for use in the nuclear industry. Methods include formation of an aerosol from an oxalate salt solution, in-line diagnostics, and collection of particles of the aerosol either in a liquid impinger or on a solid surface.

Abstract: In an approach to providing virtualized hardware resources, one or more reconfigurable hardware devices (RHDs) are configured to instantiate a first virtual System-on-Chip (vSoC) instance of one or more vSoC instances, the first vSoC instance implementing at least one virtualized system component.

Abstract: A polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin component; (ii) a nitrile butadiene rubber component; and (iii) divalent or trivalent metal salt; wherein: component (i) is present in an amount of about 5 wt. % to about 95 wt. % by weight of components (i) and (ii); component (i) is dispersed in component (ii) in the form of domains having a size of up to 1000 nm; component (iii) is present in an amount of 0.1-10 wt. % by weight of components (i) and (ii); and the polymer blend material has a tensile failure strength of at least 10 MPa, and an elongation at break of at least 20%. Methods for producing the polymer blend, molded forms thereof, and articles thereof, are also described.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device includes electrodes arranged to apply functional electrical stimulation to a body part of the user. FES stimulation is performed by: receiving values of a set of user metrics for the user; receiving a target position of the body part represented as values for a set of body part position measurements; determining a user-specific energization pattern for producing the target position based on the received target position and the received values of the set of user metrics for the user; and energizing the electrodes of the FES device in accordance with the determined user-specific energization pattern. The determination may utilize an FES calibration database with records having fields containing: values of the set of user metrics for reference users; energization patterns; and values of the set of body part position metrics for positions assumed by the body part in response to applying the energization patterns.