Abstract: In one embodiment, a visual-assist robot includes a housing defining a base portion, an imaging assembly, a motorized wheel assembly positioned at the lower surface of the base portion, a processor disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly and the motorized wheel assembly, and a non-transitory memory device disposed within the housing. The imaging assembly generates image data corresponding to an environment, and at least a portion of the imaging assembly is configured to be disposed above the upper surface of the base portion. The non-transitory memory device stores machine-readable instructions that cause the processor to provide a drive signal to the motorized wheel assembly such that the motorized wheel assembly moves the visual-assist robot to a desired location within the environment, determine objects from the image data received from the imaging assembly, and transmit message data for receipt by a user.

Abstract: Methods of preparing organosilica materials, which are a polymer comprising of at least one independent cyclic polyurea monomer of Formula wherein each R1 is a Z1OZ2Z3SiZ4 group, wherein each Z1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group, or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer unit; each Z2 and Z3 independently represent a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another monomer unit; and each Z4 represents a C1-C8 alkylene group bonded to a nitrogen atom of the cyclic polyurea are provided herein. Methods of preparing and processes of using the organosilica materials, e.g., for gas separation, color removal, etc., are also provided herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of tactile display devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tactile display device includes a housing having a first surface, a tactile display located at the first surface, a camera, a processor, and a non-transitory memory device. The tactile display is configured to produce a plurality of raised portions defining a tactile message. The camera generates image data corresponding to an environment. The processor is disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the tactile display and the camera. The non-transitory memory device stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, generate a topographical map of objects within the environment from the image data received from the camera, generate tactile display data corresponding to the topographical map, and provide the tactile display data to the tactile display such that the tactile display produces the plurality of raised portions to form the tactile message.

Abstract: The embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to adsorbent beds, adsorbent contactors, and methods of using same. The disclosure includes polymer filaments that include an adsorbent particle, such as a zeolite, metal oxide, metal organic framework. A plurality of fibers composed of the polymer filaments can be formed into an adsorbent bed for use in pressure swing and/or temperature swing adsorption processes. The plurality of fibers can be packed into a bed randomly, spirally wound, or woven into a fabric that can be formed into a contacting structure. The adsorbent particle can be contained within the polymer filament and can interact with a medium having a component for adsorption by being in fluid communication with the medium via tortuous pathways within the polymer.

Abstract: Provided herein are organosilica materials, which is a polymer of at least one monomer of Formula [Z1OZ2OSiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z1 and Z2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer. Processes of using the organosilica materials, e.g., for gas separation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods of preparing organosilica materials, which is a polymer comprising independent siloxane units of Formula [Z3Z4SiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z3 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another siloxane unit and each Z4 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another siloxane, in the absence of a structure directing agent and/or porogen are provided herein. Processes of using the organosilica materials, e.g., for gas separation, etc., are also provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a gas-to-liquid (GTL) producing method and system for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO). The gas-to-liquid (GTL) producing method for FPSO according to the present invention, which is to produce GTL in FPSO, may include: 1) a pre-treating step of pre-treating natural gas produced at an offshore gas field; 2) a reforming step of reacting the pre-treated natural gas in a presence of a catalyst to produce syngas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; 3) a synthesis step of supplying the syngas to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor and reacting the syngas to produce liquid hydrocarbon; and 4) an upgrading step of separating the liquid hydrocarbon into gas, naphtha, and syncrude and supplying hydrogen to hydrofinish the liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Imaging gloves including wrist cameras and finger cameras are disclosed. An imaging glove includes a wrist portion, a finger portion extending from the wrist portion, a wrist camera coupled to the wrist portion, a finger camera coupled to the finger portion, a processor communicatively coupled to the wrist camera and the finger camera, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module. When executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the imaging glove to receive image data from the wrist camera or the finger camera, recognize an object in the received image data, and provide output indicative of the recognized object.

Abstract: Methods for separating an aromatic compound from a lube base stock are provided herein. The method includes contacting a lube base stock containing an aromatic compound with an organosilica material as provided herein.

Abstract: Methods for determining suitability of a fuel are disclosed. In particular the methods include analyzing the fuel for one or more compounds derived from styrene and rejecting the fuel for use if the amount or ratio of the one or more styrene derived compounds exceeds a predetermined amount. Additionally some methods include determining a first amount of styrene in the fuel; correlating the amount of the one- or more compounds derived from styrene with a second amount of styrene in the fuel and rejecting the fuel for use if the sum of the first and second amounts of styrene exceeds a predetermined amount or an established correlation ratio amount.

Abstract: The embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to absorbent processes, systems, and methods. The disclosure includes the use of a combination of thermal regeneration and gas assisted stripping to convert a rich CO2 absorbent to a lean CO2 absorbent via an intermediate semi-lean CO2 absorbent. The system includes a regenerator and a stripper to convert the rich CO2 absorbent to the lean CO2 absorbent, and can further include a combustor and an absorber. A fuel gas can be used as the stripping gas, thereby producing a CO2-rich fuel gas, which can be recycled to a combustor to reclaim the fuel value.

Abstract: Adsorbent materials including a porous material support and about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of a Group 8 metal ion are provide herein. Methods of making the adsorbent material and processes of using the adsorbent material, e.g., for heteroatom species separation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods for coating a substrate with a coating including an adsorbent material and a binder comprising an organosilica material which is a polymer comprising independent units of Formula [Z3Z4SiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z3 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate and each Z4 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate are provided. Methods of gas separation are also provided.

Abstract: The present concept is a method of substantially crack-free cladding, fusion welding and additive manufacturing of superalloys. The method involves the application of a high temperature pre-alloyed filler powder that includes melting point depressants, to a superalloy base material. The base material and pre-alloyed filler powder are heated to a temperature that will fully melt the pre-alloyed filler powder and also melt a surface layer of the base material, thereby forming a weld pool. Upon solidification and cooling of the weld pool, there is coalescence between a weld bead and the base material thereby forming the weld bead which is substantially crack-free. The high temperature pre-alloyed filler powder consists in wt % of the following chemical elements: Co 9-15%; Al 3-6.5%; C 0.1-0.2%; Ti, Zr and Hf with a total content from 1 to 8.5%; Ta and Nb with a total content from 0.5 to 8.5%; W and Mo with a total content from 7 to 20%; Cr and Re with a total content from 6.5 to 18.

Abstract: A vehicle door opening prevention apparatus includes a thin cross-section spacer or flange coupled to a plate attached to a door handle frame in a vehicle door's door handle assembly. One end of the flange is positioned relative to a door lock assembly mounted within the vehicle door to limit the maximum amount of lateral inward movement of the door handle assembly toward the door lock assembly during lateral forces exerted on the vehicle door to prevent movement of an actuator pin to a door lock assembly unlatch position via movement of a fork coupled to a handle and engaged with the actuator pin.

Abstract: An assembly for a console of a vehicle including a main body, a first hook connected to the main body wherein the hook is positioned adjacent and spaced apart from a second hook. A duct member having an aperture connects to the first hook and the second hook. During installation of the duct portion the aperture is first angled and positioned over a first hook then rotated downwards over the second hook wherein the second hook includes a ramped portion. The duct portion is snapped into place and is secured tightly over both the first hook and the second hook. During installation and rotation of the duct portion over the first hook and the second hook, the first hook and the second hook resiliently bend towards each other in compression and are relaxed once the aperture is fully over the first hook and the second hook.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a close out bracket for securing a seat mounting structure to a support rail in a floor of a vehicle. The bracket has a generally flat center portion that is rigidly engaged between the seat mounting structure and the support rail. The bracket also has a curved portion extending radially outward from the center portion. The curved portion has a generally inverted U shape and extends along the perimeter of the center portion. The bracket serves as a finish trim piece by closing out along the edge of the floor covering that was cut to expose the support rail below.

Abstract: Disclosed are computing devices, systems, and methods for messaging for mobile devices using a vehicle data communications module (DCM). A computing device associated with a vehicle can receive an incoming message sent to a driver's mobile device using a Bluetooth connection with the mobile device. The message can be presented to the driver over the vehicle's audio system using text-to-speech processing. The driver can compose an outgoing message as a reply, such as using speech-to-text processing, which can be sent to a remote server to forward to the intended third-party recipient. If the third party replies to the outgoing message directly, the remote server can receive the reply and forward it to the vehicle computing device. All related messages can be presented to the driver as a single thread or conversation.

Abstract: Computing devices, methods, and systems for locking vehicle operations when an occupant is not wearing a correctly positioned seatbelt are disclosed. One example method for locking vehicle operations includes identifying an occupant position and a seatbelt position based on information relating to an occupant of the vehicle and a seatbelt associated with the occupant; determining whether the occupant is correctly wearing the seatbelt based at least in part on the occupant position, the seatbelt position, and a reference model; and locking one or more vehicle operations if the occupant is not correctly wearing the seatbelt. Example implementations include using depth-sensing cameras, rendering a three-dimensional model representing the occupant position and the seatbelt position, and comparing the three-dimensional model and the reference model. Examples of vehicle operations that may be locked include ignition operations, gear shift operations, and autonomous driving operations.