Abstract: A polylactic acid triblock copolymer and a preparation method thereof are described. The polylactic acid triblock copolymer comprises an aromatic polyester oligomer block and a polylactic acid block. The polylactic acid triblock copolymer is obtained by reacting an aromatic polyester oligomer with a monomer lactide at a desired temperature. The polylactic acid block copolymer has a regular structure indicated by peak melting temperatures (Tm) corresponding to the aromatic polyester oligomer block and the polylactic acid block, respectively. Examples of the aromatic polyester oligomer block include polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene 1,4-naphthalate. Examples of the monomer lactide include L-lactide and D-lactide.

Abstract: A metal-NxOy electrochemical cell is provided. The cell contains a partition which inhibits diffusion of NxOy+ active species from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment. Also provided is a rechargeable battery containing the metal-NxOy electrochemical cell. A vehicle system wherein NxOy from a combustion engine exhaust is fed to a metal-NxOy battery is additionally provided.

Abstract: A dehumidifying tower having a washing section, a flash-distilling section, and a condensing section. In the washing section, exhaust gas is washed with a cooling liquid to remove at least a portion of solid dust entrained in the exhaust gas, cool the exhaust gas, and condense at least a portion of moisture in the exhaust gas into liquid. The flash-distilling section flash-distills the cooling liquid used in the washing section to produce a cooled cooling liquid and a cooling liquid vapor. Cooling liquid produced by flash-distillation enters the washing section. The flash-distilling section is in gas-phase isolation from the washing section. The condensing section condenses the cooling liquid vapor produced by flash-distillation. The condensing section is configured to be in gas-phase communication with and liquid-phase isolation from the flash-distilling section, and be in both gas-phase and liquid-phase isolation from the washing section.

Abstract: Methods are provided for synthesizing ZSM-58 crystals with an improved morphology and/or an improved size distribution. By controlling the conditions during synthesis of the ZSM-58 crystals, crystals of a useful size with a narrow size distribution can be generated. Additionally, by controlling the ratio of water content to silica content in the synthesis mixture, it has unexpectedly been found that ZSM-58 crystals can be formed with an improved morphology. The improved morphology can result in ZSM-58 crystals with a more uniform size across the various dimensions of the crystal, which allows for more uniform diffusion within the crystal. This is in contrast to conventionally synthesized crystals, where the size of the crystal can vary along different axes of the crystals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety device that maintains a weapon inside a holster in a locked state without requiring the gun to be removed from the holster beforehand. In the embodiments, a single safety device can be used on a variety of holsters to lock the gun inside the holster, without requiring removal of the gun from the holster, therefore preventing children or other unauthorized individuals from accessing the gun and the gun's trigger.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a connection structure for use in a building for blocking settlement of ground from being transmitted to either a pile foundation or a wall of the building. The connection structure comprises a weight-bearing column, a concrete pile foundation, and an engineering pile connected from top to bottom for bearing weight; the connection structure further comprises a reinforced concrete plate for use as the building's floor, a wall for the building and a ground beam beneath the wall.

Abstract: A multi-level sliding sleeve including an outer cylinder, an inner sliding sleeve, a combined ball socket, a guider, an expander, an upper gland, a lower gland, and a ball. The outer cylinder includes internal threads in an upper end and external threads in a lower end, and the outer cylinder including an external wall including a plurality of drainage holes along the peripheral direction. The inner sliding sleeve is mounted to an inner wall of the outer cylinder through shear pins. The inner sliding sleeve includes a plurality of square holes in the middle along the peripheral direction, each of which is equipped with a ball socket inside. The ball sockets combine together to form a combined ball socket. The combined ball socket is equipped with the guider in the upper end and the expander in the lower end.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for decomposing a body of a deceased person, as an alternative to traditional cremation. The apparatus includes a primary vessel where the body is treated with a highly basic solvent to render the body into skeletal remains and liquid remains. A clamp is applied to the skull during processing for solvent access to the skull. A secondary vessel is used to receive the liquid remains from the primary vessel and further treat them. During this further treatment, the skeletal remains left in the primary vessel after the liquefied portion has been transferred to the secondary vessel, can be treated to be decolorized and deodorized, and then returned to the decedent's next of kin as ash-like material.

Abstract: A method for effecting a comprehensive removal of heavy metals from wastewater in a two stage process in which the wastewater is contacted in a first stage with a source of ferric ions under mildly acidic conditions (pH 5 to pH 8), preferably followed by the removal of the precipitated solids using a solid-liquid separation; a second stage follows in which the wastewater from the first step is contacted with a source of ferric ions under alkaline conditions (pH 8+) followed by the removal of the precipitated solids using a second solid-liquid separation. Used in conjunction with an initial oxidation step, the present method makes possible the removal of a whole suite of heavy metals present in both the anionic and cationic form in refinery wastewater. The treatment also removes metal compounds in the particulate phase. Metals concentrations can be significantly decreased from the mid to high ppb (parts per billion) range down to the low ppb range to meet the quality criteria for discharge.

Abstract: Methods for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream are described. The methods include (a) providing a stream having a gas therein; and (b) contacting the stream with a sorption composition thereby removing at least a portion of the gas from the stream. The sorption composition includes a solid support, a linking moiety, and a gas-capture moiety or a reaction product thereof; wherein the gas-capture moiety has a formula according to Formula (I): wherein R1 to R3 may be the same or different and are selected from H or hydrocarbyl (e.g.

Abstract: The present application relates to a coupling device for a handle (3) of a medical tool (1) or medical power-tool chuck (30). The coupling device comprises a coupling-body (2) including a bore (6), a working axis (X) extending along said bore (6) and a seat (4) arranged at a first end (8) of said bore for receiving a tool-insert (10) with a central axis (Y) at an angle in reference to the working axis (X). The coupling-body (2) further comprises a protrusion (7) arranged within said bore (6), said protrusion (7) being configured to engage a groove (13) of the tool-insert (10) upon alignment of the central axis (Y) with the working axis (X). The engagement of the protrusion (7) with said groove (13) locks the tool-insert (10) within said coupling body (2).

Abstract: A feed injector for a circulating fluid bed reactor is fitted with a discharge nozzle with a circular, radially notched discharge orifice to improve the surface-to-volume ratio of the spray pattern formed by the nozzle. The feed injector is useful for injecting fluids into various types of circulating fluid bed reactors in which good contact between the components of the fluidized bed and the injected fluid is required. It is particularly useful in fluid coking reactors.

Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with an impact are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes an A-pillar support having a first engagement surface that is oriented forward in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The first engagement surface extends across at least a portion of the A-pillar support in a vehicle lateral direction. The vehicle also includes an upper side member assembly that is coupled to and extends forward from the A-pillar support. The upper side member assembly includes an upper side member outer portion and an upper side member inner portion that is coupled to the upper side member outer portion and is positioned inboard of the upper side member outer portion in the vehicle lateral direction. The upper side member assembly also includes a second engagement surface that is oriented to face rearward and to face the first engagement surface of the A-pillar support.

Abstract: A pipe clamp includes a first jaw pivotally connected to a second jaw, each jaw having a connection flange at each of its ends, in which the flanges at the pivoting end of the jaws are provided with a first locking mechanism and the flanges of the jaws distal from the pivoting end provided with second and third locking mechanisms. The second and third locking mechanisms are shaped such that, when they are in place, the combined width of the second and third locking mechanisms is less than twice the width of their widest crossways section in the same plane when not in place.

Abstract: The present invention includes a reactor main body (4) that is formed into a tubular shape having an axis (O) as the center and accumulates a slurry (S); a gas supply line (10) for incorporating a synthesis gas (G) into the reactor main body (4), and a sparger part (5) that is disposed in a lower portion within the reactor main body (4), communicates with the gas supply line (10), and sprays the synthesis gas (G). The sparger part (5) includes a header tube (15) in which a plurality of openings are formed so as to be separated from each other in a first direction and which sprays the synthesis gas (G) from the openings, and a pair of wall surface parts that protrude from the header tube (15), on opposing sides of the plurality of openings and in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to low sulfur marine bunker fuel compositions and methods of making the same. The invention also relates to an uncracked, hydrotreated vacuum resid for use in making the low sulfur marine bunker fuel composition. Contrary to conventional marine/bunker fuel compositions, the low sulfur marine/bunker fuel composition uses mostly uncracked components, including a (cat feed) hydrotreated vacuum resid. The low sulfur marine/bunker fuel composition can also have reduced contents of residual components.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making asphalt mix composition from mixtures of binder, aggregate, and tailings derived from a solvent froth treatment performed to recover bitumen from mined oil sands. The tailings derived from the solvent froth treatment can be used to replace at least a portion of the small particles in the aggregate used for forming the asphalt mix composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Gaussian filter standard deviation variation. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a load current and a drain voltage associated with a switching converter that includes a Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mosfet transistor, determining a derivative of the drain voltage with respect to time, and calculating a switching loss associated with the switching converter. Some embodiments include predicting electromagnetic interference (EMI), selecting a Gaussian standard deviation from the switching loss, and determining a Gaussian switching voltage reference. Still some embodiments include adjusting a component of the SiC Mosfet transistor, based on the Gaussian standard deviation, and the Gaussian switching voltage reference to provide a desired switching loss.

Abstract: A method for accessing a signal value of an FPGA at runtime, including the steps of loading an FPGA hardware configuration into the FPGA, executing the FPGA hardware configuration in the FPGA, requesting a signal value of the FPGA, sending status data from a functional level of the FPGA to a configuration memory in its configuration level, reading the status data from the configuration memory as readback data, and determining the signal value of the readback data. A method is also provided for making an FPGA build, based on an FPGA model, using a hardware description language, including the steps of creating an FPGA hardware configuration, identifying memory locations of a configuration memory for status data of at least one signal value based on the FPGA hardware configuration, and creating a list with signal values accessible at runtime and the memory locations corresponding thereto.