Abstract: A layer protecting the surface of zirconium alloys used as materials for nuclear reactors is formed by a homogenous polycrystalline diamond layer prepared by chemical vapor deposition method. This diamond layer is 100 nm to 50 ?m thick and the size of the crystalline cores in the layer ranges from 10 nm to 500 nm. Maximum content of non-diamond carbon is 25 mol %, total content of non-carbon impurities is maximum up to 0.5 mol %, RMS surface roughness of the polycrystalline diamond layer has a value less than 40 nm and thermal conductivity of the layer ranges from 1000 to 1900 W?m?1??K?1. Coating of the zirconium alloys surface with the described polycrystalline diamond layer serves as a zirconium alloys surface protection against undesirable changes and processes in the nuclear reactor environment.

Abstract: The present invention detects, determines, and mitigates signal-path processing errors. An extracted and inverted reference signal is compared to the carrier signal produced by various functional components to determine the error introduced to that signal by functional components. After the signal has been processed by various signal-processing components, the signal can once again be compared to the inverted reference signal so that a signal-path processing bias can be determined. Using that determination, a signal modification can be initiated to substantially reduce or eliminate all signal-path processing error.

Abstract: A texting while driving caution system for a vehicle includes a vehicle control system operable to communicate with a personal electronic device via a wireless communication protocol. The control system is operable to display a caution in response to a text message being generated on the personal electronic device while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A seat (10) configured for detecting an occupancy state comprises an at least partially electrically conductive structural frame (14) comprising at least two fixation sites (22, 24) and an at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting spring (20) taut between the fixation sites. The cushion-supporting spring is electrically insulated from the structural frame. The seat comprises a cushion (16) supported by the cushion-supporting spring. The cushion-supporting spring and the structural frame are disposed in such a way that they are brought in electrical contact with each other when a force (34) is applied on the cushion that exceeds a predefined threshold force.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods are directed to interfaces, and more particularly, to an audio feedback system for touch interface. This touch interface allows a user to interact with a touchscreen without a priori knowledge of where items are located on the touchscreen or even the relative orientation of that touchscreen. For instance, this interface may operate responsive to relative offset between touches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to predict the most probable path of a vehicle along a roadway which may contain a junction splitting the roadway into a rootpath and one or more sub-paths, each containing one or more lanes. The method and apparatus also process vehicle sensor information pertaining to driver corrections, road boundary detection, lane marker detection, map information availability, and road surface quality at the current position of the vehicle as well as from previous passes of the vehicle past the same location and other vehicles passing the same location to provide a warning to the driver to retake control of the vehicle if information used by the automatic vehicle control will become unavailable a predetermined travel distance ahead of the current position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A robot includes at least one actuator or motor and a processor configured to represent the task as a meta-node having a meta start space representing starting configurations and a meta end space representing ending configurations. The meta-node may be parallel including a first sub-node and a second sub-node each having a start space within the meta start space and an end space within the meta end space. The meta-node may also be a repetition meta-node including a third sub-node having a start space within the meta start space and an end space outside of the meta end space such that the meta end space is reached by multiple executions of the third sub-node. The processor may also simulate the task by executing the meta-node and instruct the actuator to actuate the portion of the robot based on the simulation.

Abstract: Side curtain airbag assemblies for use inside motor vehicles and methods of preparing airbag assemblies are described herein that allow for the deployment of a curtain with varying trajectory. The curtain may be attached to an inflator that is configured to rapidly inflate the curtain from a folded condition to a deployed condition upon signals generated from an activation event, such as a collision or vehicle roll-over. The trajectory of the curtain can be defined as the direction of the curtain being inflated in relation to other components of a vehicle. Different portions of the curtain may have different fold configurations, allowing for tuning of the trajectory upon deployment of each distinct portion of the curtain.

Abstract: A method of gasification of biomass using a gasification island. The gasification island includes: a biomass pre-treatment and storage unit, a biomass feeder, an external heat source, a gasifier, a crude syngas cooling unit, a crude syngas washing unit, a fresh syngas storage unit, and an ash and wastewater treatment unit. The method includes: pre-treating and storing biomass, gasifying the biomass in the gasifier, cooling a crude syngas, washing and removing dust from the crude syngas, and storing fresh syngas.

Abstract: A revised coil loop structure is combined with metamaterials designed to contain and redirect the electromagnetic field to produce an improved inductive coupling system. The efficiency of the inductive power transfer system is increased relative to existing technologies by overcoming the negative effects of distance and misalignment. The transmitting and receiving coils are both constructed by connecting a series of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The individual PCBs are then stacked on top of one another and connected to produce the transmitting and receiving coils. The transmitting and receiving coils further feature a coil shape designed to allow the coils to be actively and variably tuned to one another. The efficiency of power transfer in the system is additionally increased through the use of metamaterials. The metamaterial is used as a backing for the coils and reduces the amount of magnetic flux found on the back of the coils.

Abstract: A method for power management in a beacon includes determining a program density of a signaling program; determining an initial driving voltage using the program density; determining a current setting for an emitter using the initial driving voltage; adjusting the initial driving voltage to a start-up voltage; executing the signaling program using the start-up voltage; and adjusting the start-up voltage to a signaling voltage.

Abstract: A system and methods for monitoring work processes. Once example computer-implemented method includes recording a three-dimensional work trajectory. The work trajectory comprises a representation of the actual motion of one or more markers. The method further includes comparing the work trajectory to a work template. The work template comprises a representation of the desired motion of the one or more markers. The method further includes sending a success indication to a display when the work trajectory is similar to the work template and sending a failure indication to the display when the work trajectory is dissimilar to the work template.

Abstract: A reactor has a container through which a reactive medium is passed and a plurality of plates in the container defining a plurality of between-plate reaction spaces through which the reactive medium travels. The plates are self-supporting and fixed in the container. Respective self-contained packings each formed by a support independent of the container are each of a flat shape that completely or almost completely fills the between-plate space and are each fittable to a variable depth in and removable from a respective one of the spaces. The supports each hold a catalyst for the reactive medium and are also removable from and insertable with the respective catalyst into the respective spaces such that when the catalyst is exhausted the packings can be replaced with fresh packings.

Abstract: A process of forming two dimensional nano-materials that includes the steps of: providing a bulk two dimensional material; providing lithium iodide; suspending the lithium iodide and bulk two dimensional material in a solvent forming a solution; initiating a solvent thermal reaction forming a lithiated bulk two dimensional material. The resulting lithiated bulk two dimensional material may be exfoliated after the solvent thermal reaction forming a two dimensional layered material.

Abstract: A structural entity for transferring structural loads from a Tower of a Wind Turbine Generator to its Foundation, by means of a Plated Transition Piece characterized in that it consists of a cylindrical central body connected by a series of inclined plates and shear plates and beams to legs that connects to a foundation structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell permeable fusion protein for strengthening regenerative potential of stem cells, and more particularly to a cell permeable fusion protein for strengthening regenerative potential of stem cells for stimulating the differentiation of stem cells, inhibiting apoptosis, maintaining the functionality of stem cells and restoring the stress-inhibited functionality of stem cells.

Abstract: An aspirating photochemical odor control system allows odoriferous gases to reside in a wet well or force main (odor source) until gas pressure in the odor source forces the gases out. A check valve admits air into the odor source when pressure in the odor source decreases appreciably below ambient pressure. When pressure in the odor source exceeds ambient pressure, a check valve permits flow of gases from the odor source to a photochemical reaction chamber and solar thermal collector to react with oxidizer generated by UV lamps, before being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A computer-aided system include a data storage (18) with eye data (181), which defines a three-dimensional model of the eye, and a reference generator (113) for defining and storing a geometric reference in relation to the three-dimensional model of the eye. The system additionally includes a cut surface editor for defining and positioning cut surfaces in the three-dimensional model of the eye based on user instructions. Finally, the system includes a cut pattern generator (117) for, based on the positioned cut surfaces, generating and storing three-dimensional cut patterns for defining tissue cuts to be executed in a human eye by means of femtosecond laser pulses. The generation of a three-dimensional cut pattern permits the user to define tissue cuts made possible by femtosecond laser pulses in a targeted and efficient fashion in the three-dimensional model of the eye without having to undertake manipulations directly on the eye for this purpose.

Abstract: A method for establishing a wireless mobile communication link between a vehicle communication system and a mobile network includes a vehicle communication system receiving a single continuous user verbal command string consisting of a first verbal command and at least a second verbal command. The first verbal command identifies a selected communication device for establishing the wireless mobile communication link. The communication device is selected from a group including at least two communication devices. The vehicle communication system determines if the selected communication device is communicatively connected to the vehicle communication system and proceeds to establish the wireless mobile communication link using the selected communication device.

Abstract: A method of controlling the orientation of glass or plastic reinforcing fibers in an injection molded polymeric/fiber article including the step of applying a high electric field to at least a portion of the mold cavity during the injection of the fiber/polymer mix and during a setup or packing time preceding the ejection of the article from the mold.