Abstract: An optical configuration for providing chromatic dispersion compensation in a high data rate communication system is based upon using optical dispersion compensation in the receive signal path prior to performing an O/E conversion. The performance of chromatic dispersion compensation in the optical domain thus presents a “corrected” optical signal as an input to the photodetecting device. The inclusion of optical-based chromatic dispersion compensation allows for a higher data rate to be used without introducing an unacceptable bit error rate; alternatively, the use of optical-based dispersion correction allows for the reach of a data communications network to be increased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bio-based copolymer comprising in polymerized form (i) at least one polymerizable bio-based monomer containing one phenolic hydroxyl group which has been derivatized to provide at least one polymerizable functional group which is an ethylenically unsaturated functional group (such as a [meth]acrylate group), where the precursors of the polymerizable bio-based monomers are derived from raw lignin-containing biomass, and (ii) at least one ion-conducting co-monomer other than the bio-based monomer. Also disclosed herein are binders comprising the bio-based copolymer, electrodes comprising the binder, polymer electrolytes comprising the bio-based copolymer and an electrochemical device comprising an electrode in electrical contact with a polymer electrolyte, wherein at least one of the electrode and the polymer electrolyte comprises the bio-based copolymer.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a pipeline plug includes an actuator plate that includes at least two actuator wedges, a bowl that includes at least two bowl wedges, circumferential wedge sets, and gripper units. Each circumferential wedge set and gripper unit is positioned between the actuator plate and the bowl. Each circumferential wedge set includes a first circumferential wedge and a second circumferential wedge. Each circumferential wedge set is positioned such that an actuator wedge and a bowl wedge engage between the first and second circumferential wedges. Each gripper unit includes a gripper body positioned between and abutting a first circumferential wedge of a first circumferential wedge set and a second circumferential wedge of a second circumferential wedge set. Linear compression between the actuator plate and bowl causes circumferential movement of the circumferential wedges, which in turn causes radial expansion of the gripper units.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical solutions. A controller receives a signal from a pressure sensor indicative of a pressure of a diluent. The controller determines an expected flow rate of the diluent through an eductor based at least in part on the pressure of the diluent. The controller may further determine an expected concentration of a chemical product in the solution dispensed from a discharge port of the eductor. Based on the expected flow rated and concentration of the chemical product, the controller determines a duration of a dispense stage of a dispensing operation required to dispense a predetermined dose of the chemical product. The controller then causes the diluent to flow through the eductor for the determined duration of the dispense stage. A check valve on the output of the eductor prevents dissimilar chemicals from mixing and reduces a response time of the eductor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pyrolysis process for converting an additive-containing plastic comprising a polyolefin polymer to an alkene, an alkane, or a mixture thereof. The process comprises contacting the plastic with a catalyst in a one-pot pyrolysis system at a temperature between about 350° C. and about 500° C.; wherein the catalyst comprises a solid acid selected from the group consisting of HY, HZSM-5, and Al-SBA-15. The present disclosure further provides a one-pot pyrolysis system and uses of a solid acid in the pyrolysis process for converting plastic comprising a polyolefin polymer to an alkene.

Abstract: A system for providing advanced characterization of an optical fiber span is based upon the use of a pair of optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), located at opposing end terminations of the span being characterized. Each OTDR performs standard reflectometry measurements and transmits the resulting OTDR trace to monitoring equipment in a typical manner. The pair of OTDR traces is thereafter combined in a particular manner (“stitched together”) to create an OTDR trace of the entire fiber span (essentially doubling the operational range of prior art OTDR measurement capabilities). The transmit portion of one OTDR may be paired with the receive portion of the other OTDR, with time-of-light measurements (or signal loss measurements) used to determine optical path length and/or optical signal loss of the span. Using a multi-wavelength light source in the paired transmit/receive arrangement allows for a characterization of chromatic dispersion of the span.

Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing lens disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement.

Abstract: A super-semiconductor (SSC), semiconductor devices including the SSC, and methods for making the SSC. The SSC includes a bimetallic nanostructured array having a substrate and a nanoshell array disposed on the substrate. The nanoshell array is defined by a plurality of non-close-packed, non-conductive, core bodies disposed on the substrate, a first metal layer disposed on the non-conductive core bodies and on the substrate in areas located between adjacent non-conductive core-bodies, and at least a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, wherein the second metal is different than the first metal. The bimetallic nanostructured array exhibits p-type or n-type metal conductivity above a transition temperature, and in embodiments, exhibits resistivity in a range of 10?8-10?7 ohm*m at a temperature of 300K+/?40K.

Abstract: Embodiments of a polyethylene (“PE”) pipe servicing system of this disclosure may include a fusible PE fitting (F) providing a branch connection to a PE pipeline section or run (P), a valve (10) connected to the fitting and including quick connect/disconnect means, and a machine connectable to the valve including complementary quick connect/disconnect means. The quick connect means provide for full scope of operation, including cleaning, fusion, cool down, hot tap, plugging, and completion. No squeezing is used. The quick connect/disconnect means may include a first portion 20 of a cam profile and a second portion 40 of the cam profile complementary to that of the first. The machine may be a drilling or hot tapping machine (30T), a plugging machine (30P), or a completion machine (30C), and their associated tools. The valve and machine are more lightweight and faster and easier to use than the prior art.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser (14) includes a housing (40), a controller (34) disposed in the housing (40) for operating the chemical dispenser (14), at least one module bay (64) in the housing (40) and at least one module (66) selectively coupled to the at least one module bay (64) and operatively coupled to the controller (34) for operation with the chemical dispenser (14). The at least one module (66) may be selected from a plurality of modules each capable of being coupled to the at least one module bay (64) and operating under the control of the controller (34). A low-maintenance piston pump module (90, 240, 340) for use with the chemical dispenser (14) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a wide angle application high reflective mirror having a reflection band partially overlapping in a wavelength range of 800-4000 nm. The mirror comprises a film system in which a plurality of high refractive index film layers and a plurality of low refractive index film layers that are alternately stacked, and the material of the high refractive index film layer is one of SiH, SiOxHy, or SiOxNy, or a mixture thereof. The highly reflective mirror can achieve a reflectance greater than 99% with an incident angle ranging from 0 to 60 degrees over a large angle range.

Abstract: A laser processing head transmits a laser beam to a process zone. An input lens fixedly mounted in the head images the beam from an input with a first (negative) focal length along an optical axis. An intermediate lens is movably mounted in the head in connection with an actuator, which can move the intermediate lens along the axis at a variable lens distance relative to the input lens. The intermediate lens images the beam with a second (positive) focal length. An output lens fixedly mounted in the head images the beam with a third (positive) focal length along the axis to a focal point. The third focal length is greater than the second focal length and provides a large working distance. The focal point can be varied at a variable focal distance along the axis in relation to the variable lens distance by which the intermediate lens is moved.

Abstract: An electro-absorption modulator (EAM) is configured to include an on-chip AC ground plane that is used to terminate the high frequency RF input signal within the chip itself. This on-chip ground termination of the modulation input signal improves the frequency response of the EAM, which is an important feature when the EAM needs to support data rates in excess of 50 Gbd. By virtue of using an on-chip ground for the very high frequency signal content, it is possible to use less expensive off-chip components to address the lower frequency range of the data signal (i.e., for frequencies less than about 1 GHz).

Abstract: A coherent fiber array laser power projection system scalable to large number of subapertures and includes sensors that produce signals dependent upon beam characteristics, and controllers configured to control beam characteristics to achieve either phasing of outgoing beams at transmitter plane or coherent beam combining at a remote target or both.

Abstract: A laser device with one or more active regions, such as quantum wells, gain/lighting media, or other devices, and one or more non-absorbing regions, may be formed by a first growth run (growing a first semiconductor layer), then performing selective, shallow-depth etching, and then a second growth run (growing a second semiconductor layer). The laser device may include a first portion, one or more active regions located on the first portion, and a second portion located on the active region(s). A third portion may be located on one or more ends of the first portion and on the second portion. The third portion may be formed during the second growth run, after the etching step. The non-absorbing region(s) may be formed by the third portion and the end(s) of the first portion. If desired, the non-absorbing region(s) may be produced without annealing or locally-induced quantum well intermixing.

Abstract: A small integrated free space circulator, comprising a first polarizing beam splitter (1), a half-wave plate (2), a Faraday rotating plate (3), a beam splitter (4), a quarter-wave plate (5), and a pair of reflective plates (6, 7), wherein the first polarizing beam splitter (1), the half-wave plate (2), the Faraday rotating plate (3), and the beam splitter (4) are sequentially arranged, the quarter-wave plate (5) and the reflective plate (6) are sequentially attached to a side surface of the first polarizing beam splitter (1) adjacent to the half-wave plate (2), and the reflective plate (7) is arranged on a side surface of the beam splitter (4, 8) adjacent to or opposite to the Faraday rotating plate (3); when the reflective plate (7) is arranged on the side surface of the beam splitter (8) opposite to the Faraday rotating plate (3), the reflective plate (7) partially covers the side surface of the beam splitter (8) opposite to the Faraday rotating plate (3).

Abstract: The functionalized 3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene (ADOT+) monomers can be represented by a chemical formula (CR1R2)(CR3R4)(CR4R5)xO2C4H2S, wherein x=0 or 1; wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is independently selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl moiety, and a heteroatom-containing functional group; and wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 comprises the heteroatom-containing functional group selected from an aldehyde, a maleimide, and their derivatives thereof. Also, disclosed herein are aldehyde derivatives represented by (ADOT-CH2—NH)pY and a maleimide derivative represented by (ADOT-(CH2)q—N)pZ where p=1-2 and each of Y and Z is a hydrocarbyl moiety or a biofunctional hydrocarbyl moiety. In an embodiment of the ADOT+ monomers, one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is replaced by a direct bond to an amide group, an azide group, or an ester group of a biofunctional hydrocarbyl moiety. Also, disclosed herein are polymers and copolymers made therefrom.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for use in a pole support system. Apparatus include a hinge joint comprising: a base having an insertion end with a longitudinal slot and with a fulcrum protrusion on an inner surface; a cup having a receiving end selectively receiving the insertion end of the base; a securing assembly configured to selectively release the cup from the base, the securing assembly comprising a rotatable shaft that translates along the longitudinal slot between at least i) a lower relative position corresponding to an engaged state in which the insertion end is received by the receiving end, and ii) an upper relative position corresponding to a released state in which the insertion end is free of the receiving end; the shaft having a cam projection positioned to contact against the fulcrum protrusion and displace the shaft toward the upper relative position when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wireless power transfer system. The wireless power transfer system comprises an electromagnetic induction charger operable to emit electromagnetic radiation into an environment of the charger, motion sensor equipment operable to generate an output indicating whether or not a moving object is present in the environment, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output from the motion sensor equipment, determine whether the received output indicates that a moving object is present in a predefined region of the environment, and in response to a positive determination, prevent the charger from emitting electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a longitudinally split immature tiller separated from a rhizome (LSITR), a cluster of multiple in vitro shoots (CMIT), a cluster of stem segments containing shoot primordia (CSSSP) and an in vitro tiller of Miscanthus x giganteus (Giant miscanthus), and their uses in propagating Miscanthus x giganteus (Giant miscanthus).