Abstract: A feeder device for feeding powder, having a barrel feeding channel with a downstream end. The feeding channel including at least one conveying element for conveying the powder material to the downstream end. A rotatable exit element provided at the downstream end of the feeding channel. The rotatable exit element includes an annular portion defining exit openings defined by powder engaging edges. The rotatable exit element is positioned transversally outside the barrel in a proximity of the downstream end of the feeding channel. The feeding channel has a first, inner diameter and the rotatable exit element has a second, outer diameter, where the second, outer diameter is equal to or larger than the first inner diameter.

Abstract: The present rivet invention has a main body comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the main body further comprises a lateral wall disposed at the second end and circumferentially extending around the main body; and a core part disposed at the second end of the main body and contained inside the lateral wall of the main body, wherein the core part has an end surface for pressing against at least an end surface of one of the work pieces when the rivet is being operated to rivet the work pieces, to allow materials of the work pieces flow outwardly of the core part. An accommodation space is formed between the core part and the lateral wall to receive materials of the work pieces flowing into the space and deform outwardly at least a portion of the lateral wall of the main body.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cleanable surface disposed within its interior. The vehicle also includes a processor, a light source able to illuminate the surface, and a sensor configured to capture an image of the surface while the surface is illuminated by the light source. The vehicle also includes a passenger survey system for receiving input from a passenger regarding cleanliness of the surface. The processor is configured to adjust a detection threshold based on the input, and to detect foreign material on the surface based on the detection threshold and a comparison between the captured image and a stored image. After detecting the foreign material on the surface, the processor indicates that the vehicle needs to be cleaned, and may initiate an automatic cleaning procedure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a extrusion forming method and a forming apparatus for manufacturing a self-clinching rivet, wherein the forming method comprises: upset-extruding a first end of a wire blank to shape it into a material pushing portion and a shank portion billet, upset-extruding the shank portion billet to shape it into a shank portion and a groove portion, and upset-extruding a second end of the wire blank to create a slot portion and a slot shaft portion. The invention for manufacturing the self-clinching rivet by one-time extrusion forming does not generate waste during processing, which greatly improves a utilization rate of raw materials compared with the traditional machining method. Meanwhile, a formed piece manufactured by the present invention has complete metal streamlines, which can greatly improve its strength compared with the one manufactured by machining and avoid a risk of hydrogen embrittlement in a subsequent surface treatment.

Abstract: Photolatent olefin metathesis catalysts can be used in combination with metathesis-active monomers or resins for photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). A variety of alternative catalysts and photosensitizers are commercially available that allows for tuning of thermomechanical properties, potlifes, activation rates, and irradiation wavelengths. As an example, two optimized catalyst/photosensitizer systems were demonstrated in the rapid stereolithographic printing of complex, multidimensional poly-dicyclopentadiene structures with microscale features under ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method for detecting and analyzing olefins in petroleum by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry can include obtaining a hydrocarbon sample comprising at least about 90 wt % of saturate compounds; producing a solution comprising the hydrocarbon sample and a metal salt, the metal salt comprising a metal ion; forming olefin-metal ion complexes by electrospray ionization; and detecting the olefin-metal ion complexes using mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method of assigning an octane number to a sample fuel based on the knock intensities obtained from a plurality of reference fuels each having a different assigned octane number while operating an engine at an established compression ratio. The knock intensities obtained from the plurality of reference fuels are plotted relative to the assigned octane numbers of the fuels. A line is fit to the plotted knock intensities. The octane number for a sample fuel is assigned based on the knock intensity obtained for the sample fuel, the knock intensity obtained from a prototype fuel having an assigned octane number, and the fitted line. In embodiments, an R squared value is obtained for the fitted line and compared with a minimum acceptable R squared value and the fitted line is validated if the R squared value is at least the minimum acceptable R squared value.

Abstract: A scour-resistant interface enhancer, a preparation method, and an application thereof are provided. The scour-resistant interface enhancer is a compound solution prepared by using a 0.1% surfactant CAEO-15 and a 0.3% silane coupling agent as solutes and using clear water and absolute ethanol as solvents, where the mass ratio of clear water to absolute ethanol is 9:1. The scour-resistant interface enhancer of the present invention used as pre-flush for well cementing of coalbed methane wells has good wettability modification effect, shows scour-resistant effect against cement slurry, exhibits good compatibility with cement slurry system, and can significantly improve the cementing strength and air tightness of two interfaces of coal bed and effectively enhance the cementing quality of coalbed methane wells.

Abstract: Highly conductive electrical traces formed over mechanical steps or on non-planar surfaces with linewidths of 10 to 100 ?m and a method for forming such electrical traces are disclosed. The method employs two steps, with the first step using an aerosol jet printing (AJP) process to form thin electrical traces that serve as the seed layers for the second step. The first step preferably employs multiple passes with the AJP to create multiple seed sub-layers with improved continuity and conductivity. In the second step, the seed layers are subjected to an electrodeposition process that forms the bulk of the thickness of the electrical traces. The electrodeposition process may include one, two, or three phases at corresponding low or high biases, with low biases providing denser, more highly conductive plating sub-layers, while high biases provide plating sub-layers having better gap bridging properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical adaptive device and a wearable device. The optical adaptive device includes a carrier, a first light adjusting element, and a second light adjusting element. The first light adjusting element is in or on the carrier and configured to focus a first light from a first article on a visual area. The second light adjusting element is in or on the carrier and configured to focus a second light from a second article on the visual area. The second article is further away from the area than the first article.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, alcohol withdrawal, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Pick's disease (PiD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), frontotemporal dementia or parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). The methods of the subject invention further relate to methods of fermentation of bacterial cells and methods of tautomerization of the subject compounds.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a continuous stirrup and an apparatus for implementing such method are provided. The method includes placing a planar structure formed of a wave-shaped rebar on a platform, fixing a side of the planar structure and using an elongated mold to abut against the other side of the planar structure to form an intermediate structure, flipping the intermediate structure, and abutting the elongated mold against the side of the planar structure to form a continuous stirrup.

Abstract: A method of producing bifunctional catalysts by extrusion may include mixing an acid catalyst, a metal catalyst, optionally a binder, and a fluid to produce a dough; extruding the dough to form an extrudate; producing a powder from the extrudate; and calcining the powder to produce an acid/metal bifunctional catalyst. Such acid/metal bifunctional catalysts may be useful in, among other things, converting syngas to dimethyl ether in a single reactor.

Abstract: An optically pumped, atomic magnetometer incorporates a feedback system for stabilizing the magnetic bias field and suppressing unwanted background fields. The magnetic bias field is applied to a vapor cell containing host atoms of two different species, each of which resonates at a different Larmor frequency when both are subjected to the same magnetic bias field. One species provides the feedback for stabilizing the bias field, thereby creating a stabilizing magnetometer portion that nulls out the unwanted background fields. The other species provides magnetic field detection or signal reception on a radio communication frequency of interest, thereby creating a signal magnetometer portion that permits detection of the signal at the radio communication frequency.

Abstract: A canned motor device includes a base unit, a motor, and front and rear covers. The base unit includes a side surface including inner and outer annular segments. The motor is mounted in the base unit and includes a flange. The rear cover is mounted in the base unit and includes a disk clamped sealingly between the flange and the inner annular segment. The front cover has an end abutting against the side surface and includes inner and outer surrounding segments. The disk and flange are clamped sealingly between the inner annular and surrounding segments. A first sealing element is disposed between the base unit and the disk. A second sealing element is disposed between the outer annular segment and the outer surrounding segment to form an airtight seal between the base unit and the front cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor for measuring cam and tappet contact force of an engine and a measuring method. The sensor comprises a force carrying element, a force transmission element, a piezoelectric element, a force bearing element, a tappet head and a guide woodruff key. Meanwhile, the present disclosure also provides a measuring method by using the sensor. The sensor is simple in mechanism and convenient to use and can realize the measurement of the cam tappet contact force in the normal direction, the tangential direction and the axial direction of the contact surface.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for solar tracking and controlling an angular position of a photovoltaic power system. The solar tracking system includes an imaging device for capturing images of the sky; a solar position data generating module; and a control system comprising a neural network. The neural network has multiple convolutional layers to generate a first output associated with the images, and a solar position data module. A first dense layer module receives the solar position data and generates a second output. A second dense layer module receives the first output and the second output and generates a concatenated data sequence. A processor is programmed to generate a multi-planar irradiance signal (MPIS) in response to the concatenated data sequence, and determine an angular position of the PV power system and adjust the angular position in response to an angle of maximum irradiance.

Abstract: An inversion mount includes an upper mounting base, a lower mounting base, and an oblique drop arm connected from the upper mounting base to the lower mounting base. The upper mounting base is configured to normally mount to a downward-facing inversion mounting surface from below. The lower mounting base includes a non-rotary main body and a rotary latch assembly. The main body includes a forward receiver configured to axially receive a mounting insert from below as a rotary item. The latch assembly includes a side latch. The side latch extends alongside the main body, and is supported for radial pivotation between an open position, in which the side latch carries the inside hook below but not underneath the forward receiver, and a latched position, in which the side latch carries the inside hook underneath the forward receiver for hooked engagement with a side pocket behind the mounting insert.

Abstract: A mounting pad system for securing equipment, such as an HVAC outdoor unit or a standby generator, is provided in the form of a lightweight fillable pad member having a plurality of receivers located on a top surface of the pad member. The receivers are associated with attachment points located on the equipment and are used to secure the equipment to the pad. The pad member contains a filling port on its top surface and is configured as a molded hollow shell containing a gelling material which, when mixed with water, provides support to reduce deflection of the pad member caused by the equipment secured to the pad, prevents damage to the pad that would otherwise be caused by the expansion of internal contents upon freezing and prevents leakage of internal contents of the fillable pad in the event of an unintended breach in the hollow shell. The pad member is provided with at least one through-hole that acts as a supporting structure.

Abstract: The application generally relates to an apparatus comprising a tailgate protector having a base disposed atop a first portion of a tailgate, a support arm extending from a first edge of the base, and one or more mounting elements disposed within the base, wherein the one or more mounting elements are configured to removably couple an attachment via one or more attachment mounting elements includes in the attachment.