Abstract: There is disclosed photoactive, one-dimensional zinc and cobalt-based bimetallic oxide and sulfide nanorods (ZnCo2O4 NRs, ZnCo2S4 NRs) and their heterojunction composites (1D/1D ZnCo2O4/ZnCo2S4) to be used as photocatalysts for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction using solar energy. Also disclosed herein, is a method of synthesizing these compounds via hydrothermal processes and a self-assembly approach. 1D/1D heterojunctions of ZnCo2O4/ZnCo2S4 composites exhibit favourable interface interactions. The photocatalytic performance of both pure and composite materials is evaluated through water splitting to produce hydrogen and CO2 reduction to yield CO and CH4 using slurry phase and fixed bed photoreactor systems. ZnCo2S4 NRs demonstrate superior hydrogen production whereas CO2 reduction is more pronounced with ZnCo2O4. The highest photocatalytic efficiency is achieved using the heterojunction composites attributed to efficient charge carrier separation facilitated by a suitable band structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method of forming self-curing concrete comprising the steps of mixing cement, aggregates, and dry MIL-101(Cr) metal-organic framework (MOF) to form a mixture, incorporating the mixture with water to form wet concrete; and curing the wet concrete. During the curing step, the MIL-101(Cr) MOF adsorbs water to from a surrounding atmosphere. The MIL-101(Cr) MOF is 3-9 wt. % relative to the cement, such that water adsorption by the MIL-101(Cr) MOF enables the wet concrete to self-cure. The present disclosure also discloses a composition for forming concrete, the composition compromising cement, aggregate, water, and MIL-101(Cr) metal-organic framework (MOF), wherein the MIL-101(Cr) is 3-9 wt. % relative to the cement. The present disclosure also discloses a self-curing concrete.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for utilizing carbon fibres for purification of rejected brine solution comprising thermally recycling carbon fibres and mechanically reducing the recycled carbon fibres, employing a chemical surface activation process for the reduced carbon fibres, resulting in chemically activated recycled carbon fibres; and exposing the activated recycled carbon fibres along with the brine solution to CO2 gas, resulting in the activated recycled carbon fibres selectively recovering contaminants from the brine solution, wherein adsorption of CO2 molecules is also performed by the activated recycled carbon fibres during the recovery. The thermal recycling of carbon fibres is done via pyrolysis and a G-S-L contact system assists in exposing the activated carbon fibres along with the brine solution to CO2 gas at varying flow rates and contact times for recovering contaminants from the brine solution.

Abstract: Activity of piezoelectric material dimension and electrical properties can be changed with an applied stress. These variations are translated to a change in capacitance of the structure. Use of capacitance-voltage measurements for the extraction of double piezoelectric thin film material deposited at the two faces of a flexible steel sheet is described. Piezoelectric thin film materials are deposited using RF sputtering techniques. Gamry analyzer references 3000 is used to collect the capacitance-voltage measurements from both layers. A developed algorithm extracts directly the piezoelectric coefficients knowing film thickness, applied voltage, and capacitance ratio. The capacitance ratio is the ratio between the capacitances of the film when the applied field in antiparallel and parallel to the poling field direction, respectively. Piezoelectric bulk ceramic is used for calibration and validation by comparing the result with the reported values from literature.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for closing and reopening a sphincter in a body, such as for closing and opening an internal urinary sphincter of a bladder, thereby blocking retrograde ejaculation, by employing controllable electromagnets. Using the present device, system, and method, the patients can selectively close their bladder's sphincter as desired, for example, to selectively block retrograde ejaculation, preventing semen from entering the bladder of the patient and thereby preventing infertility of the patient. The solution helps regain the elasticity function of the sphincter to allow it to close as per normal to prevent retrograde ejaculation.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a body having a pressure surface and a suction surface; the wind turbine blade further comprising: an air passage traversing the body, the air passage having an entrance opening and an exit opening; and an air cleaning member provided within the air passage.

Abstract: The invention discloses a mitigating method comprising a reinforcement scheme for upgrading progressive collapse resistance of a floor system prone to column failure, the method comprising adding a plurality of diagonal steel bars in the vicinity of a potentially failed column, thereby developing a post-tensioning axial compressive force in the floor beams of the floor system. Steel bars or links left over from construction sites as well as used steel bars and structural steel sections from demolition sites are used/reused as the plurality of diagonal steel bars to mitigate progressive collapse of framed structures under potential column failure. Depending on a number and configuration of the added diagonal steel bars, the percentage increases in the beam axial compressive force, catenary action capacity, total dissipated energy, and maximum vertical displacement by the mitigated floor system ranged between 104.5% and 161.3%, 105.1% and 180.5%, 115% and 241.8%, and 106% and 167.4%, respectively.

Abstract: An aerofoil module for use in a blade of a propeller or turbine comprising: a body comprising a suction surface and a pressure surface; an air passage traversing the body, the air passage having an entrance opening on the pressure surface and an exit opening on the suction surface; a cover for covering a variable portion of a cross-section of the air passage; and a mechanism for varying the portion of the cross-section of the air passage covered by the cover, wherein the mechanism reacts passively to the oncoming air speed of oncoming air in the axial direction of the propeller/turbine; wherein the mechanism varies the portion of the cross-section covered by the cover such that the cover covers a smaller portion of the cross-section in response to a higher oncoming air speed, and covers a larger portion of the cross-section in response to a lower oncoming air speed.

Abstract: A smart edge sealing system includes a control, monitoring and communication module that includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) controlling system processes. A curing and quality control module (CQCM) includes an artificial intelligence camera and a machine learning algorithm that identifies defects or inconsistencies in the coating process and communicates with the control, monitoring and communication module. A plunger sliding module is controlled by the control, monitoring and communication module based on information received from the CQCM to extrude a coating material on an edge of a workpiece.

Abstract: The composite 3D-printed curved elements and methods of making same provide arches and domes with high resistance to shear and flexural failure, thereby allowing the production of large, curved 3D-printed elements. The elements include a primary composite fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printed component in the form of an arch or dome with one or more grooves on the outer surface, the inner surface, or both the outer and inner surfaces of the component. Each groove includes a plurality of deep, blind bores or slots spaced longitudinally along the bottom of the groove. In adjacent grooves, the slots are alternated in a zig-zag pattern, so that no two slots are too close to one another. Composite reinforcement materials are sequentially applied to the grooves and slots until they are filled.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present patent application relates generally to a process to recycle both polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP) prepreg (fibers pre-impregnated with typically thermoset resin) and/or CFRP materials to produce a PET/Carbon Fiber Composite where the optimum amount of carbon fibers positively affects the mechanical and physical properties, and such properties were improved over pure recycled PET. The process of breaking down both the PET and CFRP product(s) into pieces for recycling is mechanical-only, and the broken-down pieces are combined in a single screw extruder with varying percentages of recycled CFRP pieces to determine the amount of CFRP pieces that produces the optimum mechanical and physical properties that are particularly improved over pure recycled PET.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a body having a pressure surface and a suction surface; the wind turbine blade further comprising: an air passage traversing the body, the air passage having an entrance opening and an exit opening; and an air cleaning member provided within the air passage.

Abstract: A plant growth regulator contains thiophene acetic acid. A method of regulating growth of plants includes preparing a plant growth regulator comprising thiophene acetic acid and applying the plant growth regulator. Shoot regeneration from tomato cotyledon explants in vitro is enhanced in the presence of the antibiotic timentin. Timentin degrades into thiophene acetic acid (TAA) over time. Thiophene acetic acid (TAA) performs particularly well as a plant growth regulator. TAA was surprisingly found to enhance root and shoot formation and growth in explants, and in particular in cotyledon explants. TAA is also advantageous in that it may be used to enhance growth in whole plants.

Abstract: A method of capturing carbon dioxide from a gaseous mixture at ambient temperature or higher, comprising obtaining a slurry of waste carbide slag obtained after the manufacturing of acetylene. Heating the slurry to a temperature of approximately 105° C. for two hours and sufficient to dry the slurry until a water content of about 20% of a dry mass of the carbide slag is achieved, thereby producing activated dried carbide slag. The method including contacting the activated dried carbide slag with a gaseous mixture containing CO2, thereby permitting the activated dried carbide slag to capture CO2.

Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, the blade comprising: an inboard portion; an outboard portion connected to the inboard portion, wherein the outboard portion is deflectable by a variable sweep angle in an edgewise direction of the blade; and a passive mechanism configured to adjust the sweep angle in response to an amount of flapwise moment acting on the blade, such that the magnitude of the sweep angle increases in response to an increased flapwise moment, and decreases in response to a decreased flapwise moment.

Abstract: A dynamic reversible electromagnetic locking element for locking the shoulder joint of a patient, in particular, in the form of a shoulder orthosis or a shoulder prosthesis, and methods for implementing the same. The dynamic reversible electromagnetic locking element has a ball and socket configuration to assist in operation of a glenohumeral joint (GHJ) in the patient.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to an antenna system comprising two oppositely directed antennas integrated in a structure including two layers of resistivity switching material, and methods for controlling transmission of radiation through the layers of resistivity switching material to thereby allow for simultaneous and switchable transmission of antenna radiation in two opposite directions.

Abstract: The Transformable Swarm Robots for Pipe Inspection and Maintenance (TSRPIM) represent a comprehensive system that include a single or multiple robots, each featuring distinct functionalities and designs, that can work independently or collaboratively to accomplish the primary objective of inspecting and maintaining different pipeline systems. The robots in TSRPIM can be physically connected/disconnected with/from other robots through an electromagnetic locking mechanism. They can bypass each other inside the pipe through overriding techniques, and they can communicate through WIFI, Bluetooth, and Long-range RF communication, thus the system has intranet and internet communications.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electroanalytical sensor for the detection of meloxicam. The electroanalytical sensor comprises a carbon electrode. The carbon electrode comprises zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, wherein the ZnO nanoparticles are co-doped with silver (Ag) and cobalt (Co). The present disclosure also discloses a method of detecting meloxicam using an electroanalytical sensor. The electroanalytical sensor comprises a carbon electrode, the carbon electrode comprising zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles co-doped with silver (Ag) and cobalt (Co). The method of detecting meloxicam comprises the step of positioning a liquid droplet, comprising solvent, to be tested on a surface of the electrode. The method further comprises receiving a voltammetric response from the electrode, and analysing the voltammetric response to determine if meloxicam is present in the liquid droplet.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for reducing ambient noise generated from an acoustic domain, comprising a landing pad comprising a plurality of zones of varied porosity levels over specified sections, and a plurality of perforated channels across the plurality of zones of varied porosity levels, the perforated channels comprising a plurality of aqueous sheets placed at an inlet of the perforated channels and along the perforated channels. Also disclosed is a method of reducing ambient acoustic noise produced by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, the method comprising the steps of absorbing acoustic energy produced by the UAV via a plurality of zones of varied porosity levels, present in a UAV landing pad, resulting in reducing sound-pressure transmission-loss of propeller downwash across the plurality of zones of varied porosity.