Abstract: Pump systems having electrically conductive membranes are described. In embodiments of the invention, the electrically conductive membranes can be utilized as speakers to produce ultrasonic and audible sounds. The electrically conductive membranes are made from materials such as graphene, graphene oxide, and polymer films having a thin conductive coating.

Abstract: Electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer systems and methods to make and use same. The motion of the membranes in the system is perpendicular to the net airflow produced by the electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer. The electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer systems can be arranged in cards, the cards can be stacked in arrays and operated at different electrical phases.

Abstract: A meter for controlling the flow of feedstock from an in-feed hopper to a distillation unit, including a cylindrical roller having a first end, a second end, and an outer diameter, the roller defining a recess that extends helically substantially from the first end to the second end, a sleeve circumscribing a portion of the outer diameter of the cylindrical roller, the sleeve having an open first side that allows the passage of feedstock into the recess of the roller, and an open second side that allows the passage of feedstock out of the recess of the roller as the roller rotates relative to the sleeve, and a housing fixedly attached to the sleeve and capable of attachment to the in-feed hopper and the distillation unit such that feedstock most pass through the housing to get from the in-feed hopper to the distillation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for distillation of feedstock. Including a distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber. The plate is positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, and defines a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. A plurality of heating rods is included for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. The apparatus also includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: A cooler for cooling product pursuant to a distillation process, including a first substantially enclosed housing with an inlet proximate a first end for receiving product from a distillation unit, and an outlet proximate a second end for discharging cooled product, and a first auger substantially enclosed within the housing for driving the product from the inlet to the outlet, the auger having a helical blade circumscribing a perforated central hollow shaft for transmitting cooled gas into the housing to help cool product within the housing.

Abstract: A separation and containment system is provided. The separation and containment system can contain natural gasses, e.g., compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), within a natural gas vehicle (NGV) service area, and separate the NGV service area from a conventional service area. The separation and containment system utilizes one or more barriers, such as industrial fabric/vinyl materials that meet various regulatory safety standards applicable to NGVs. The separation and containment system is easily constructed, dismantled, and resized/adapted in accordance with desired operating conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-venting transfer systems and methods related to transferring cryogenic liquid between two vessels without venting evaporated cryogenic liquid into the atmosphere. The stations, systems, and methods utilize a feed line and a return line connecting a source tank and a pump system to allow for flow of a cryogenic liquid to the pump and return of evaporated cryogenic liquid to the source tank, thereby avoiding release of the evaporated cryogenic liquid into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An example of the combustion engine includes a central chimney having a bottom end located adjacent a combustible fuel mixture of water and alcohol. A turbine has a top side with top side hole positioned around the chimney. A generally conical turbine insulator is positioned above the turbine and around the chimney. A generally conical deflector positioned above the insulator and around a top end of the chimney. The generally conical deflector is inverted relative to the generally conical turbine insulator.

Abstract: An improved compact electroacoustic transducer and loudspeaker system. The electroacoustic transducer (or array of electroacoustic transducers) can generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The electroacoustic transducer can have vented stators and can have a strong-weak ultra-thin loudspeaker transducer pair design.

Abstract: An improved loudspeaker having pump cards that include an array of electrically conductive membrane transducers (such as polyester-metal membrane pumps). The array of electrically conductive membrane transducers combine to generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The array of electrically conductive membranes has a total membrane area that is at least five times larger than the face area of the loudspeaker. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker includes a dynamic DC bus controller that maintains the DC bus level slightly above the inverter output (audio signal).

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed molecular sieve catalyst, comprising 5-30 wt % Y molecular sieve, 5-30 wt % ZSM-5 molecular sieve and the balance of matrix component and binder component. The invention further provides a method of preparing the mixed molecular sieve catalyst, comprising the following steps: mixing the Y molecular sieve, the ZSM-5 molecular sieve with a matrix material, a binder precursor, a pore former, a dispersant and water to formulate an aqueous slurry; spray drying the slurry; and baking. The invention further provides a method of preparing olefins from methanol with the use of the catalyst. By use of the catalyst of the invention, the selectivity to C3 and C4 olefins is improved significantly.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst, comprising: (1) mixing a ZSM-5 molecular sieve, a phosphorus source, a matrix material, a bonding agent and water to formulate an aqueous slurry, wherein the total content of the components except for water is 20-50 wt % based on the total weight of the aqueous slurry; (2) spray drying the slurry obtained in step (1) to obtain a granular intermediate product; and (3) calcining the granular intermediate product obtained in step (2) to obtain the catalyst used for preparing olefin from methanol in a fluid bed. The invention also provides a catalyst prepared according to said method, and a process of preparing olefin from methanol using said catalyst. In the methanol-to-olefin process, the conversion of methanol is >99%; the propylene selectivity is high; and the C4 selectivity is up to 32%.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions.

Abstract: An improved compact electroacoustic transducer and loudspeaker system. The electroacoustic transducer (or array of electroacoustic transducers) can generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The electroacoustic transducer uses a shared stator with an array of vent support fingers and metal frame instead of two stators per electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for preparation of butadiene by oxydehydrogenation of butene in a fluidized bed reactor, a method of preparing the same, and use of the same, wherein a method according to an embodiment of the invention comprises: reacting a metal precursor with an alkaline substance to obtain a slurry containing insoluble compound, followed by filtering and washing the slurry; adding a binder and deionized water, followed by agitation to regulate the solid content of the slurry to 10-50%; subjecting the slurry to spray drying granulation, wherein the temperature at the feed port is controlled between 200-400° C., and the temperature at the discharge port is controlled between 100-160° C., to obtain catalyst microspheres; and drying the catalyst microspheres at 80-200° C. for 1-24 h, and then calcining the catalyst microspheres at 500-900° C. for 4-24 h to obtain a catalyst having a general formula of FeXaYbZcOd, comprising Fe, Mg, Zn, Bi, Mo, Mn, Ni, Co, Ba, Ca, and other metals.

Abstract: A container for solar string transportation includes, on the inside of a solar-string storing section, a long-side side plate, and a short-side side plate, and has an upper opening of the solar-string storing section for loading and unloading, and a pair of solar-string lifting/lowering devices along the inner wall of the long-side side plate. The solar-string lifting/lowering device includes a driving gear section set on the bottom plate side, an endless chain member that revolves around a direction changing gear section set on the upper opening side, a plurality of solar-string placing devices fixed to the endless chain member and including, on the outer side thereof, a projecting section for placing the lower surface of an end edge of the solar string, and a shock absorbing member fixed to the back of the solar-string placing devices. The shock absorbing member holds the end edge upper surface of the solar string.

Abstract: A communications system and method of use thereof in which communication system includes a substrate and an array of pumps of mounted on the substrate. The array of pumps are operable for operating at a first frequency to produce sound waves at a second frequency. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency. IN some embodiments, the pumps in the array of pumps can include a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet, a first plurality of electrically conductive traces located within the first cavity, and a continuous sheet of electrically conductive material spaced apart from and in close proximity to the first plurality of electrically conductive traces. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces are operable for creating a first time-varying deflection in the electrically conductive material. The first time-varying deflection moves in the first cavity from the first inlet to the first outlet.

Abstract: A Solar power plant construction method includes a string formation step of arranging solar modules delivered to an assembly plant on support frames to form planar solar strings, a conveyance step of stacking the solar strings in a container and loading the container on a container truck to convey the container to a power plant site, and a solar string installation step of transferring the container delivered to the power plant site to a site machine and measuring distances and directions between a crane included in the site machine placed at a predetermined position of a stand array group for mounting solar array provided in the power plant site and stands to pull up the solar strings by the crane of the site machine to sequentially distribute the solar strings to respective stand positions measured in the stand position measurement step to form and fix a solar array.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable solar cooker, belonging to the field of solar heat utilization. The solar cooker comprises an upper functional assembly, a lower control assembly and a rotary apparatus which are sequentially connected, wherein the upper functional assembly is configured to reflect sunlight, collect heat in a focusing manner and further heat water or foods, the upper functional assembly is closed to form a box body when being in a non-operative state, and the upper functional assembly is opened when being in an operative state; the lower control assembly is connected with the upper functional assembly, and makes the upper functional assembly be subjected to pitch adjustment; the lower control assembly is connected with the rotary apparatus, and the lower control assembly and the upper functional assembly are driven by the rotary apparatus to rotate so that tracking the sun is realized.