Abstract: An active barrier to termites and other insects includes a polymeric or paper substrate; and a copper-carbon matrix, wherein the copper-carbon matrix is incorporated into or is coated onto the polymeric or paper substrate. The resulting combination of the substrate and copper-carbon matrix allows for the creation of films, tapes, coated paper and fabric, or molded or formed parts that interfere with and block the passage or entry beyond the barrier of termites or other insects. Uses may be as diverse as but not limited to underlayment(s) for temporary, semi-permanent or permanent structures as well as films and barriers for walls, roofs of permanent, semi-permanent or temporary structures, or interior spaces, cabinets, or vehicles or protecting equipment, telecommunication gear, electronics or other assets that may be impacted, damaged or degraded by termite or other such insect infestation.

Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a first side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a second side support extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the first side support in a vehicle lateral direction that is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a cross-vehicle stabilizing structure extending between the first side support and the second side support, the cross-vehicle stabilizing structure including a first joint portion coupled to the first side support, the first joint portion including a stiffness-reducing portion positioned within a perimeter of the first joint portion, a second joint portion coupled to the second side support, and a cross-vehicle stabilizer portion coupled to the first joint portion and the second joint portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes at least one semiconductor die having an active surface, an interposer element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a package body, and a lower redistribution layer. The interposer element has at least one conductive via extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The package body encapsulates portions of the semiconductor die and portions of the interposer element. The lower redistribution layer electrically connects the interposer element to the active surface of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: In a method for designing a sheet-metal-forming process in which a sheet-metal part is formed, a visual representation of the sheet-metal part is computed and displayed. Visual labels are displayed, each label being visually linked to the representation of a feature of the part. The labels indicate one or more processing units of the sheet-metal-forming process that are assigned to the features. The labels can also indicate process operations to which these processing units are assigned.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods of automated driving are disclosed. One example method includes determining one or more potential vehicle paths based on information specific to the environment surrounding a vehicle and receiving an indication classifying one or more objects proximate to the one or more potential vehicle paths as an object of interest based on input received from one or more sensors disposed on the vehicle. The method further includes selecting a preferred vehicle path from the one or more potential vehicle paths based on properties of the one or more objects of interest and sending a command, to one or more vehicle systems, to control the vehicle to follow the preferred vehicle path.

Abstract: A launch control system which maximizes hybrid vehicle acceleration from a standing start. A hybrid vehicle includes wheels, an engine, a motor-generator, a processor, and an actuation device. The processor controls an engine speed and an engine torque independently from a wheel speed and a wheel torque. While the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill, the actuation device is switched to an on state, and the engine speed and engine torque is raised to optimal values. When the actuation device is subsequently switched to an off state, the engine speed and the engine torque is applied to the plurality of wheels to launch the hybrid vehicle. The processor blends or further adjusts the torque applied to the plurality of wheels to maximize the acceleration while optimizing an amount of wheel slip. The processor then learns the launch to improve performance on subsequent launches.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a methanol synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a methanol synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing methanol. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a methanol synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during methanol synthesis.

Abstract: A lithium air battery is provided. The battery comprises: an anode compartment; a cathode compartment supplied with an O2 source; and a lithium ion conductive membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The anode compartment comprises an anode having lithium or a lithium alloy as active metal and a lithium ion electrolyte, while the cathode compartment comprises an air electrode and a sodium ion electrolyte. The anode compartment is separated from the cathode compartment by a lithium ion conductive membrane that is not permeable to sodium ions. In a preferred embodiment the cathode compartment contains an ionic liquid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment disclosed herein, a first substrate may be bonded to a second substrate by a method which includes providing the first substrate which includes a bonding surface, providing the second substrate which includes a complementary bonding surface, providing a bonding layer precursor which includes metal particles of a first metal composition and metal particles of a second metal composition, and forming a transient liquid phase bonding layer by spark plasma sintering the bonding layer precursor. The bonding layer precursor may be positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the bonding layer may be in contact with the bonding surface of the first substrate and the complementary bonding surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a base portion having a three-sided channel. The belt scraper also comprises a polymeric portion that protrudes outwardly from a corner of the three-sided channel. The three-sided channel of the belt scraper is adapted to engage with and partially encircles a support member having a portion with a square cross-section in a manner such that the support member is able to bias the belt scraper against a conveyor belt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface.

Abstract: A metal-air battery comprising an emulsified or dispersed aqueous/ionic liquid two phase electrolyte system is provided. The two phase electrolyte system contains an aqueous phase and an ionic liquid phase wherein an amount of water exceeds the aqueous solubility of the ionic liquid. In one embodiment the metal-air battery is a lithium-air battery.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a high-temperature lubricant composition. The composition has an amount of an ester. The ester exhibits a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1 to 4 centistokes and a kinematic viscosity ratio at 150° C./100° C. of 0.6 or higher. The composition is at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C. There is also another lubricating composition having the ester and a polymeric viscosity modifier. There are also methods for using the lubricating compositions in the crankcase of an engine.

Abstract: Provided is a resin composition for LSD, having a good flame retardancy, as well as keeping high levels of mechanical strength and platability. The resin composition for laser direct structuring, the resin composition containing: relative to 100 parts by weight of a resin component which contains 65 to 100% by weight of a polycarbonate resin and 35 to 0% by weight of a styrene-based resin, 5 to 40 parts by weight of a glass fiber having a value of average fiber length/average fiber diameter of 10 or smaller; 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an elastomer; 5 to 10 parts by weight of a laser direct structuring additive containing antimony and tin; 10 to 30 parts by weight of a phosphorus-containing flame retardant; and, 0.1 to 1 part by weight of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A seal support system, for use in combination with a mechanical seal installed on a piece of rotating equipment, includes a pressure vessel, one or more fluid inlets and connecting pipework between the one or more fluid inlets and the mechanical seal. A device is included to alter the fluid flow, so that a portion of the seal support system may be isolated for various purposes, such as, for example, cleaning or repurposing.

Abstract: An automated video editing apparatus and software are presented. The apparatus is designed to modify automated video recording systems enabling them to collect data used in creating a library of markers observable within the collected data such that the markers may help to identify highlight moments in recorded videos and to create short video clips of the highlight moments. The apparatus and method as described free the user of the burden of reviewing many hours of video recordings of non-events, such as waiting for a sportsman's turn in a competition or waiting for an exciting wave while surfing in the sea.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pillar garnish mounted at a side pillar assembly of the vehicle. The pillar garnish has an upper end portion, a roof head lining with an outer portion that extends along the upper end portion of the pillar garnish, and an airbag jump bracket fixedly located between a pillar body and the roof head lining. The airbag jump bracket includes a first portion extending in a vehicle height direction and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion in a vehicle width direction. The second portion supports an airbag body that guides the airbag body toward an occupant compartment of the vehicle during an airbag deployment event. The airbag jump bracket further includes an outwardly turned flange portion that extends outwardly in the vehicle width direction to underhang the second portion of the airbag jump bracket. The outwardly turned flange portion has an underside and terminates at an end located beneath the second portion of the airbag jump bracket.

Abstract: A closure container that can house a preset drug applicator in an easily accessible manner with tamper evidencing means. The closure container contains a plurality of dosing ribs and a retainer to retain the syringe in a preset dosage amount and preferably has a window to view the barrel of the syringe. The container is also configured to be removably attached to other closure containers.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for calibrating a Single Ramp Multiple Slope Analog to Digital Converter (SRMS ADC), the ADC including a counter and a plurality N of charge and discharge elements of different time constant i.e. slope, wherein the relationships between slopes is defined as a function of the shallowest slope SN such that S1=K1·SN, S2=K2·SN, . . . SN-1=KN-1·SN-1 where the K values are integers, and the code count for conversion is C=K1·C1+K2·C2+ . . . KN-1·CN-1+CN where each Ci represents an observed counts per each slope for a conversion, including; sampling for a first calibration pass a voltage with the ADC, discharging the voltage on the steepest slope for a number of counter counts C11, charging and discharging on the remaining slopes up to K2 to KN-1 for a number of counts per slope, Ci1 e.g.