Abstract: A combined hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) system and process are described that convert various biomass-containing sources into separable bio-oils and aqueous effluents that contain residual organics. Bio-oils may be converted to useful bio-based fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Residual organics in HTL aqueous effluents may be gasified and converted into medium-BTU product gases and directly used for process heating or to provide energy.

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.

Abstract: Organism monitoring systems and devices and associated monitoring methods are described. According to one aspect, an organism monitoring device configured to be associated with an organism to be monitored includes a housing, a battery coupled with the housing, wherein the battery is configured to store electrical energy, a transmitter coupled with the housing and the battery, wherein the transmitter is configured to emit a wireless signal externally of the organism monitoring device and the organism being monitored, sensor circuitry coupled with the housing and the battery, wherein the sensor circuitry is configured to monitor an environment of the organism monitoring device, and control circuitry coupled with the housing, the sensor circuitry and the battery, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to adjust an operation of the organism monitoring device as a result of monitoring of the environment of the organism monitoring device by the sensor circuitry.

Abstract: A method of coating a carbon nanotube material with a solventless coating composition is described. The resulting coating has been shown to preserve the conductivity of the conductive layer and protect the conductive layer from the effects of subsequent coating compositions. Examples are shown in which the coating formulation comprises a polyol and an isocyanate. A layer material comprising a polyurethane coating on a carbon nanotube network layer is also described.

Abstract: A method for forming a desired hydrocarbon fuel product from a mixed oxygenate feedstock by utilizing chemical processes to form ketones from the oxygenate feed, upgrade the ketones, recycle selected upgraded ketones through the upgrading process to obtain a desired intermediate and hydrogenating the desired intermediate to obtain the desired hydrocarbon fuel product. In various alternative configurations and embodiments this can be accomplished in a number of ways, and originate in a number of different positions and occasions.

Abstract: A process for producing methane or methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methane or methanol, and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

Abstract: A sample chamber holder for MAS-NMR capable of operating at both low and high pressures. In one example the sample chamber holder is made up of a sample holder body defining a sample chamber therein, a connector configured to operatively statically hold an in situ rotor within the sample chamber; a coupler configured to operatively connect the sampler holder body to a magnetically coupled rotation member. The magnetically coupled rotation member is configured to engage and rotate a sealing cap from an NMR rotor in such a way so as to allow an NMR cap to be alternatively opened or sealed in-situ while the NMR rotor remains statically positioned in an NMR device.

Abstract: A method for etching materials in which organic solvents are added to the etching mixture and combined in a mixing arrangement. When agitated organic materials mix with the etching agent and interact with the underlying material to form a shield around the etched areas that prevents the additional interaction of water with the newly etched areas and enables the etching of silicon oxides (SiOx) but does not oxidize Si. This method leads to milder reactions with less heat generation and avoids the safety hazards associated with conventional etching methods.

Abstract: Apparatus comprise an electrode arrangement comprising a plurality of electrodes defining a volume, an ion entrance, and an ion exit, and a voltage source coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to apply a nonlinear DC voltage sequence to the electrodes between the ion entrance and the ion exit that directs ions through the volume with the volume at a pressure of at least 1 Torr. Ions can be focused using nonlinear DC voltage sequences, including at atmospheric pressure. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanoporous ion emitters (nano-PIEs) materials promote ionization efficiency of an analyte during thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The nano-PIE is a hierarchical material or a modified hierarchical material. The nano-PIE may comprise a coordination polymer (CP), a modified CP, or any combination thereof. Ionization efficiency is promoted by loading the nano-PIE and an analyte on a TIMS filament for subsequent TIMS analysis.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise selecting a first plurality of text strings that each represent a nucleotide sequence that was read by a massively parallel sequencing instrument, where the nucleotide sequences represented by the selected first plurality of text strings each correspond to a first target locus, comparing the selected first plurality of text strings to one another to determine an abundance count for each unique text string included in the selected first plurality of text strings, identifying a first number of unique text strings included in the selected first plurality of text strings as representing noise responses, and determining a method detection limit as a function of the abundance counts for the first number of unique text strings identified as representing noise responses.

Abstract: A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, an allelotyping method may include selecting a plurality of text strings that each represent a nucleotide sequence that was read by a massively parallel sequencing (MPS) instrument, where the nucleotide sequences represented by the selected plurality of text strings each correspond to a particular locus, comparing the selected plurality of text strings to one another to determine an abundance count for each unique text string included in the selected plurality of text strings, and determining one or more alleles for the particular locus by comparing the abundance count for each unique text string included in the selected plurality of text strings to an abundance threshold.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and techniques for subsurface monitoring. The system includes a downhole including a casting with a lumen, a wireless power transmitter within the casting, a micro-sensor cement mixture including a plurality of micro-sensors mixed with a cement, the micro-sensor cement mixture on a surface of the casting opposite from the lumen, a relay system including a plurality of relays, each of the plurality of relays including a charging component and a surface receiver. The wireless power transmitter configured to transmit a wireless power signal. At least one micro-sensor of the plurality of micro-sensors is configured to receive the wireless power signal, sense at least one attribute, and transmit a sensed signal. A series of relays are configured to receive the sensed signal and re-transmit the sensed signal and a surface receiver is configured to receive the sensed signal at a third time after the second time.

Abstract: Riveted assemblies are provided that can include: a first component having opposing first and second sidewalls; a second component having opposing third and fourth sidewalls, wherein the second sidewall of the first component abuts the third sidewall of the second component to bind and form an affixing interface comprising the second and third sidewall between the first component to the second component; and a rivet extending between a head along a shank to an end, the rivet piercing the first sidewall with the end of the rivet being between the first and fourth sidewalls. Methods for affixing at least two components using a rivet are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing shear-assisted extrusion processes for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock material are provided. The processes can use a device having a scroll face having an inner diameter portion bounded by an outer diameter portion, and a member extending from the inner diameter portion beyond a surface of the outer diameter portion. Extrusion feedstocks and extrusion processes are provided for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock. The processes can include providing a feedstock having at least two different materials and engaging the materials with one another within a feedstock container. Methods for preparing metal sheets are provided that can include preparing a metal tube via shear assisted processing and extrusion; opening the metal tube to form a sheet having a first thickness; and rolling the sheet to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: An isotope production system, emanation generator, and process are disclosed for production of high-purity radioisotopes. In one implementation example, high-purity Pb-212 and/or Bi-212 isotopes are produced suitable for therapeutic applications. In one embodiment the process includes transporting gaseous radon-220 from a radium-224 bearing generator which provides gas-phase separation of the Rn-220 from the Ra-224 in the generator. Subsequent decay of the captured Rn-220 accumulates high-purity Pb-212 and/or Bi-212 isotopes suitable for direct therapeutic applications. Other high-purity product isotopes may also be prepared.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for restoring operation of a power grid comprising a plurality of reclosers and distributed energy resources (DERs) responsive to abnormal conditions by determining and implementing a reconfiguration for the power grid. The reconfiguration can specify respective new statuses for one or more of the reclosers and/or respective quantities of reactive power to be supplied by one or more of the DERs. The reconfiguration can be determined based on a plurality of constraints using an objective function, the constraints being determined based at least in part on recloser status data and/or DER power generation capability data. Respective cleared quantities of reactive power for the DERs to supply to the reconfigured power grid can be determined via a transactive control scheme, and the reconfiguration can be updated prior to implementation based on the results of the transactive control scheme.

Abstract: The invention relates to control compositions for a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. More particularly, the invention relates to control compositions for a quantitative polymerase chain reaction having at least one barcode sequence fragment and at least a first and a second primer binding site fragment, and to methods of their use.