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: 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: 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 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: 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).

Abstract: A fiber-based optical amplifier is formed to exhibit a reflective architecture in a particular configuration where a single pump source is shared among several individual reflective amplifier elements. A passive, non-variable power splitter is used to direct sub-beams of sufficient power into the rare-earth doped fiber contained within individual amplifiers. Since the reflective architecture results in an optical signal passing through the doped fiber coil (gain medium) twice, a lower pump power (compared to a conventional single-pass structure) may be used to obtain the same target output power level and the single pump source is considered as sufficient to provide enough output power to pass through a power splitting arrangement and deliver enough pump power to provide amplification of a propagating optical signal in each of the individual amplifiers.

Abstract: The invention provides neo acids (NAs) and derivatives thereof. Also provided is a method for producing a NA, comprising hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of a furan-containing neo acid (FNA) in the presence a metal triflate and a hydrogenation catalyst. The NA production method may further comprise hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA) of 2-alkylfuran with levulinic acid or pyruvic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, and at least one of 2-alkylfuran, levulinic acid and pyruvic acid may be from a renewable carbon source. The NA may have a bio-based content in the range of 20-100% according to, for example, ASTM-D6866. Further provided are methods for producing branched alkanes (BAs), tertrahydrofuran-containing neo acid (THFNA) and furan-containing neo ester (FNE) and side products such as iso acids (IAs).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inline rolling shear alignment (IRSA) coating device and methods of producing a nanostructured film and inorganic nanostructures. The IRSA coating device comprises a coating head for disposing a solvent-containing film having a starting amount of solvent on a substrate; a roller comprising a rigid axle having a pad radially disposed thereon, the pad in contact with the film at a film-roller contact area located a distance from the deposition area; means for causing relative motion between the film and the roller in an operation direction at a film velocity; and a resistance member coupled to the roller, the resistance member configured to apply a rotation-opposing bias to the roller in an amount sufficient to cause the roller to apply a desired amount of shear stress to the film in the film-roller contact area during rotation of the roller.

Abstract: The invention provides a lung replica to approximate spatial deposition in the human airway during breath. The lung replica comprises an upper airway compartment comprising an upper airway space: one or more lobe compartments, comprising two or more generation regions, a compressible terminal unit, and lattices in the two or more generation regions, and each comprising a lobar airway space connected with the upper airway space; and one or more modular components. The one or more modular components actuate the one or more lobe compartments to compress or expand. An exhaled airflow is generated when the one or more lobe compartments are compressed while an inhaled airflow is generated when the one or more lobe compartments are expanded. Also provided is a method for exchanging airflow in the lung replica. Further provided is a method for preparing a lobe compartment or a lung replica.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser for a chemical dispensing system is disclosed. The chemical dispenser includes an input selector valve having an opened position and a closed position and configured to be coupled to a diluent source, a diverter valve coupled to the input selector valve, and a plurality of eductors coupled to the diverter valve. The diverter valve includes a valve head having a diluent port, a valve seat having a plurality of eductor ports, wherein each eductor port is in communication with a respective one of the plurality of eductors, and a drive mechanism coupled to the valve head and configured to move the valve head relative to the valve seat. The valve head may include one or more pressure relief ports for equalizing the diluent pressure across the valve head. A chemical dispensing system including the chemical dispenser and a method of using the chemical dispenser are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display includes a stack that includes, from top to bottom: a display layer including an array of spaced pixels and/or spaced subpixels and an array of spaced transmission spaces, wherein each transmission space is defined by a spacing between a subset of the spaced pixels and/or spaced subpixels; a micro-lens array (MLA) layer including an array of micro-lenses, wherein each micro-lens includes a curved surface; and a laser light emitting (LLE) layer including an array of lasers, wherein the curved surfaces of the micro-lenses face the LLE layer.