Abstract: Processes for producing copper granules on a surface of a reducing metal. The process can include contacting the reducing metal with an aqueous solution comprising a copper(II) salt and a halide. The molar ratio of the halide to the copper(II) in the copper (II) salt can be at least about 3:1. The granular copper can be produced on a surface of the reducing metal, and is optionally removed from the surface of the reducing metal by shaking, washing, and/or brushing, and/or optionally with stirring and/or circulating of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein that relate to data transmission system and methods that may be implemented in a system configured between a source device and a destination device. Data generated at the source device may be received at the data transmission system and processed to determine appropriate modifications. Modified data may then be transmitted to the destination device. In the event that the data transmission system is unable to process data, the system transmits the data directly to the recipient device to ensure continued operation of the source and destination devices. The data transmission system is capable of converting any form of signal into USB and/or UART signals for processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein that relate to data processing systems and methods that may be implemented in a system configured between a source device and a destination device. Data generated at the source device may be received at the data processing system and processed to determine appropriate modifications. Modified data may then be transmitted to an intermediate device for processing, such as payment processing. Payment information and augmented data may be sent to the destination device to facilitate mobile payments.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein that relate to data transmission system and methods that may be implemented in a system configured between a source device and a destination device. Data generated at the source device may be received at the data transmission system and processed to determine appropriate modifications. Modified data may then be transmitted to the destination device. In the event that the data transmission system is unable to process data, the system transmits the data directly to the recipient device to ensure continued operation of the source and destination devices. The data transmission system is capable of converting any form of signal into USB and/or UART signals for processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive paste for a solar cell electrode, including a metal powder, a glass frit, an organic binder, a silicone-based additive and a solvent, wherein the silicone-based additive includes trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, whereby an electrode formed using the conductive paste can be improved in aspect ratio, that is, line width and line height, thus increasing conductivity, and a solar cell having high power generation efficiency can be provided by enlarging the light-receiving surface through decreasing the line width of the electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein that relate to data transmission system and methods that may be implemented in a system configured between a source device and a destination device. Data generated at the source device may be received at the data transmission system and processed to determine appropriate modifications. Modified data may then be transmitted to the destination device. In the event that the data transmission system is unable to process data, the system transmits the data directly to the recipient device to ensure continued operation of the source and destination devices. The data transmission system is capable of converting any form of signal into USB and/or UART signals for processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein that relate to network-connected data cables (i.e., “smart” data cables) that are connected to a merchant's point of sale system and a receipt printer. When a transaction is initiated at the point of sale system, transaction data is created by the point of sale system and passed to the smart data cable for transmission downstream to the receipt printer. The smart data cable can parse the transaction data, copy certain elements from the transaction data, and transmit the copied elements to a cloud-based platform that processes the transaction. For example, the cloud-based platform may compare the copied elements to information supplied by the customer through a messaging application executing on the customer's user device. The information may be provided by the customer to a chat bot that is supported by the cloud-based platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroconductive paste for a solar cell electrode, comprising a metal powder, glass frit, a metal oxide, an organic binder, and a solvent, wherein the metal oxide comprises an oxide of at least one kind of metal selected from a group consisting of tungsten (W), antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), ruthenium (Ru), molybdenum (Mo), and bismuth (Bi).

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell substrate on which an electrode is provided. The solar cell substrate includes the electrode having a lower printed layer formed by being printed with a conductive paste that contains a first metal powder and a first glass frit, and an upper printed layer formed by being printed on an upper surface of the lower printed layer with a conductive paste that contains a second metal powder and a second glass frit, and formed by sintering the lower and upper printed layers, wherein the second metal powder has an average particle diameter (D50) smaller than an average particle diameter (D50) of the first metal powder, and the second glass frit has a glass transition temperature higher than a glass transition temperature of the first glass frit.

Abstract: Valuable metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium can be economically recovered from various lithium secondary battery-related wastes by the inventive method which comprises liquid-phase leaching a scrap powder containing Co, Ni, Mn, and Li, and purifying and solvent-extracting the resulting leaching solution to recover each of said Co, Ni, Mn, and Li, wherein the liquid-phase leaching is performed by a two-step counter-current leaching using an inorganic acid solution or a mixed solution of an inorganic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device and methods and apparatuses for making same is provided. The fluid transfer device comprises a conduit configured to transfer a fluid. The fluid transfer device further comprises a sheath surrounding the perimeter of the conduit and extending along at least part of the length of the conduit. In some embodiments, the interior of the sheath may be grooved to facilitate movement of the fluid from the location or locations of a leak or leaks along the length of the fluid transfer device. The sheath comprises one or more leak detection portions configured to provide an indication of fluid leaking from the conduit.

Abstract: Valuable metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium can be economically recovered from various lithium secondary battery-related wastes by the inventive method which comprises liquid-phase leaching a scrap powder containing Co, Ni, Mn, and Li, and purifying and solvent-extracting the resulting leaching solution to recover each of said Co, Ni, Mn, and Li, wherein the liquid-phase leaching is performed by a two-step counter-current leaching using an inorganic acid solution or a mixed solution of an inorganic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Featured is a refrigerant injection device which is particularly suitable for use in a refrigerant destruction facility using an incinerator. Such an injection device includes a storage device which stores the refrigerant and a decompressor fluidly coupled to the storage device. The injection device further includes two flow meters and a cutoff-valve that are fluidly coupled to the decompressor. The cutoff valve is configured to cut off the injection of refrigerant. The injection device further includes bypass flow members that are fluidly coupled to the two flow meters. The bypass flow members and flow meters are configured and arranged to selectively measure the flow rate and to perform flow meter calibration without stopping the feeding of refrigerant to the injection device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling erosion and creating a growth medium capable of supporting plant life. The method comprises the steps of analyzing a site, determining the amount and type of a mulch to be applied to the site, determining the desired conditions of the site and the length of time for placing animals on the site and applying mulch and animals to the site to produce conditions suitable for generation of the growth medium such as soil. The present invention further relates to an automated site reclamation control system which utilizes a control system processor to control the amount of feed and water supplied to the feed and water troughs, as well as the location of the troughs thus controlling the location and movement of the animals on the reclamation site thereby optimizing the creation of the growth medium.

Abstract: An electrorefining cell permits increased electrolyte flow rates while maintaining the slime layer at the bottom of the cell and on the anode faces substantially intact. The cell includes an inlet manifold located near the bottom of the cell and having a plurality of discharge orifices for the electrolyte solution. An inlet baffle shrouds the discharge orifices to regulate and direct the flow of electrolyte solution within the cell. The inlet baffle and the cell wall form an elongated slot that resides beneath the surface of the electrolyte solution. An analogous configuration is employed for electrolyte discharge to enable relatively high electrolyte flow into and out of the cell. The specific shape, size, and location of the inlet baffle and an outlet baffle may be selected to optimize the electrolyte flow characteristics of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling erosion and creating a growth medium capable of supporting plant life. The method comprises the steps of analyzing a site, determining the amount and type of a mulch to be applied to the site, determining the desired conditions of the site and the length of time for placing animals on the site and applying mulch and animals to the site to produce conditions suitable for generation of a growth medium such as soil. The present invention further relates to an automated site reclamation control system which utilizes a control system processor to control the amount of feed and water supplied to the feed and water troughs, as well as the location of the troughs thus controlling the location and movement of the animals on the reclamation site thereby optimizing the creation of the growth medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating die breakage when performing a drawing operation on an open-sided channel member. A drawing die has an insert portion that includes a discrete element mounted for transverse movement with respect to the drawing direction. During a drawing operation, the discrete element is allowed to move transversely with respect to the remainder of the drawing die in response to variations in the drawing force transmitted to the discrete element through the channel member being drawn.