Abstract: A hierarchical approach is provided to integrate functions and components into the various systems and subsystems within a distribution network, including standardization of modular and scalable power electronics power blocks with embedded diagnostics and prognostics.

Abstract: A multimodal inspection system (MIS) is disclosed herein. The MIS may use one or more modalities to inspect a sample. Some of the modalities include, but are not limited to, Raman, visible (VIS), terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, longwave infrared (LWIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), laser profilometry (LP), electromagnetic interference (EMI) near field probing, and/or, Millimeter Wave (MMW) radar.

Abstract: A non-invasive control system for neuromuscular stimulation includes an eye-tracking device, an electrical stimulation device, and software that interprets the eye movements of the user to determine an intended movement and sends electrical signal(s) to the stimulation device to achieve the intended movement. For example, the stimulation device may be a sleeve with electrodes worn on a paralyzed limb, with the intended movement being the movement of the limb.

Abstract: Electrolytes for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries include (i) a lithium salt, (ii) a nonaqueous solvent comprising a flame retardant, wherein the lithium salt is soluble in the solvent, and (iii) a diluent having a flash point greater than 90° C., wherein the lithium salt has a solubility in the diluent at least 10 times less than a solubility of the lithium salt in the nonaqueous solvent. The electrolyte may further include an additive having a different composition than the lithium salt, a different composition than the nonaqueous solvent, and a different composition than the diluent.

Abstract: Methods of placing sensors in structures may involve placing first particles including a first material of the structure on or above a support surface. Second particles including a second, different material may be dispersed among the first particles at least within a transition region of the structure proximate to a location where a sensor is to be supported by the structure. A sensor may be placed in the location. The first particles of the first material may be fused to one another and to the second particles of the second material to form the structure with the sensor supported by the structure.

Abstract: A method of hydrogenating carbon dioxide comprises forming a tunable catalyst comprising at least one metal comprising a size within a range of from a single atom to about 999 nanometers and formulated to produce one or more carbon-containing compounds. An electrochemical cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising the tunable catalyst, and an electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is formed. Carbon dioxide is introduced to the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell and a potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to selectively hydrogenate the carbon dioxide. The hydrogen ions are diffused through the electrochemical cell. The carbon dioxide at the negative electrode is hydrogenated to selectively form carbon monoxide, methane, or a desired ratio of carbon monoxide and methane. An electrochemical cell and a carbon dioxide hydrogenation system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Active electromagnetic shielding for dynamic high power wireless charging and related electrified roadway systems, method, and wireless power transmitters is disclosed. A wireless power transmitter includes a first canceling coil offset from a power transmission coil, a second canceling coil offset from the power transmission coil, and circuitry electrically connected to the first canceling coil and the second canceling coil. The circuitry is configured to deliver canceling currents to the first canceling coil and the second canceling coil to destructively interfere with portions of electromagnetic fields generated by the power transmission coil.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fibers includes the step of providing polyacrylonitrile precursor polymer fiber filaments. The polyacrylonitrile precursor filaments include from 87-97 mole % acrylonitrile, and less than 0.5 mole % of accelerant functional groups. The filaments are no more than 3 deniers per filament. The polyacrylonitrile precursor fiber filaments can be arranged into tows of at least 150,000 deniers per inch width. The arranged polyacrylonitrile precursor fiber tows are stabilized by heating the tows in at least one oxidation zone containing oxygen gas and maintained at a first temperature T1 while stretching the tows at least 10% to yield a stabilized precursor fiber tow. The stabilized precursor fiber tows are carbonized by passing the stabilized precursor fiber tows through a carbonization zone. Carbon fibers produced by the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Radiation monitoring devices and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a radiation monitoring device includes a housing configured to pass radiation emitted from a radiological source located in proximity to the radiation monitoring device, a radiation detector configured to receive the radiation emitted from the radiological source and to generate information regarding the radiation, and communications circuitry configured to communicate the information regarding the radiation in a plurality of communications at a plurality of different moments in time externally of the radiation monitoring device.

Abstract: Methods for emulating interaction of entities within water systems are provided. The methods can include introducing a sensor assembly into a water system. The sensor assembly can include: a circuit board supporting processing circuitry components on either or both of opposing component support surfaces of the circuit board; a housing about the circuit board and the components, the housing being circular about the circuit board in at least one cross section; and wherein the support surfaces of the circuit board are substantially parallel with the plane of the housing in the one cross section.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly permeable and porous polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them, and their application as a high-performance membrane support for gas separation composite membranes. The polybenzimidazole membranes are bonded to a fabric substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an article comprises forming a feed material around one or more shapeholders and sintering the feed material and the one or more shapeholders to form a sintered article comprising the one or more shapeholders in a base material. The sintered article is exposed to a solvent to remove the one or more shapeholders from the base material. Additional methods are disclosed, as well as articles including one or more microchannels exhibiting a diameter of from about 5 ?m to about 10 mm.

Abstract: Material separator assemblies are provided which can include: a conduit system configured to be arranged in relation to body forces; the system can include at least one linear section, which can include a length of opposing sidewalls defining a volume configured to receive a flow of mixed materials entering along a proximate end of the length, proceeding along the length, and exiting along a distal end of the length; and an exposed body force slide surface extending in the direction of the flow of materials along the linear section. Methods for separating components of a mixture can include providing a mixture of components to a conduit having an exposed body force slide surface within a linear section of the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed to improve performance of ion mobility separation. Deleterious bend effects are counteracted by adjusting phase shifts between adjoining traveling wave sections at bends; superior trajectories and performance are achieved. Improvements are also achieved by arranging serpentine paths primarily along a lengthwise direction of a substrate, thereby reducing the number of bends. An ion mobility spectrometers is coupled to a mass spectrometer, and intermittent traveling waves improve sample utilization or reduce total time required for combined ion analysis with both modalities.

Abstract: Systems for separating components of a mixture are provided which can include: a conduit system having at least one linear section including a length of opposing sidewalls defining a volume configured to receive a flow of mixed materials entering along a proximate end of the length and exiting along a distal end of the length; and a tortured path defining at least one series of members extending in line across the volume from one sidewall of the volume and inwardly toward the distal end defining an angle other than normal from the one sidewall. Methods for separating components of a mixture are provided which can include providing a mixture of components into the tortured path to separate larger components from smaller components of the mixture and concentrate the larger components toward an opposing sidewall of the conduit.

Abstract: A plant supplement delivery assemblies and methods are provided that can include: a housing having exterior sidewalls defining a chamber; a vessel nozzle component configured to couple with the housing; a collapsible vessel component configured to be received within the housing and couple with the vessel nozzle to be in fluid communication with the vessel nozzle; and a releasably biased member within the housing and operably aligned to forcibly engage the container upon release. The methods can include operably engaging a vessel nozzle within a housing to rotatably fix the vessel nozzle to the housing; and operably affixing a nozzle of the vessel nozzle to a plant by rotating the housing to provide fluid communication between the plant and the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for integrated monitoring of a subsurface gas storage site including a power supply; the sensor platform including a plurality of sensors configured to collect monitoring data, where at least one sensor in the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor configured to collect first monitoring data on a first physical characteristic of the subsurface gas storage site; at least one sensor in the plurality of sensors includes a second sensor configured to collect second monitoring data on a second physical characteristic of the subsurface gas storage site; the first physical characteristic is a different physical characteristic than the second physical characteristic; and the sensor platform is configured to transmit the monitoring data to a processing computer; the processing computer configured to process the monitoring data, and transmit the monitoring data to a cloud computing platform; and the cloud computing platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating components of a mixture are provided. The systems can include at least one section that defines a tortured path configured to provide some components in one direction along the section and other components in another direction along the section. Methods can provide for the separation of bubbles within a liquid matrix, liquid separation, liquid/solid separation, and/or solids separation.

Abstract: A method of treating a fluid comprises introducing a feed fluid stream comprising multiple materials to first side of a semi-permeable membrane. A draw fluid stream having a higher temperature than the feed fluid stream is introduced to second, opposing side of the semi-permeable membrane to form a thermal gradient across the semi-permeable membrane. One or more of the multiple materials of the feed fluid stream is drawn through the semi-permeable membrane and into the draw fluid stream via thermal gradient osmosis. A fluid treatment system and a thermal gradient osmosis apparatus are also described.