Abstract: Some embodiments provide energy storage systems that comprise: a first electrode; a second electrode; an electrolyte; the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrolyte are positioned such that the electrolyte is in contact with at least the first electrode; and a polarity reversal system electrically coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the polarity reversal system is configured to allow the energy storage system to operate while a first polarity to charge and discharge electrical energy while operating in the first polarity, and the polarity reversal system is configured to reverse the voltage polarity across the first and second electrodes to a second polarity to allow the energy storage system to continue to operate while the second polarity is established across the first electrode and the second electrode to continue to charge and discharge electrical energy while operating in the second polarity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for supporting the growth of algae cells. Initially, an inoculum of algae cells are grown in a closed bioreactor. Thereafter, the inoculum is passed into an open Expanding Plug Flow Reactor (EPFR). Growth medium is added at a plurality of locations along the EPFR. This addition is controlled in response to the growth rate of the algae cells to maintain a substantially same concentration of cells at each location in the EPFR. At all times, the medium provides sufficient nutrients to support growth and maintain a high concentration of algae cells, i.e., at least 0.5 grams per liter of medium, in the EPFR. After the desired level of growth is reached, the algae cells are transferred from the EPFR to a standard plug flow reactor wherein oil production is activated in the algae cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for determining the presence or amount of a hydrolytic enzyme in a sample, based on novel substrates for the enzymes, and also provides compositions and methods that provide highly sensitive assay methods for such hydrolytic enzymes.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmission apparatus includes a first elongated antenna element having a first feed end and a first aperture end. A second elongated element has a second feed end and a second aperture end. The second feed end is coupled to the first feed end. The first and second elongated antenna elements are positioned relative to each other to render a separation between the first antenna element and the second antenna element to increase from the first and second feed ends to the first and second aperture ends. The first and second antenna elements comprise pseudo-conductor material having an electromagnetic constitutive property having a real part greater than the corresponding imaginary part of the electromagnetic constitutive property.

Abstract: An optical system having an input surface configured to receive an input optical signal having a polarization, and a polarization changer comprising the input surface and configured to generate two orthogonal polarization components from the input optical signal. The polarization changer also changes a direction of the polarization of the input optical signal in a controlled manner as a function of time while maintaining coherence of the two orthogonal polarization components in order to reduce stimulated Brillion scattering.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assaying a vitamin D moiety in a sample, using a water miscible organic solvent, a specific binding partner that specifically binds to said vitamin D moiety, the binding partner being different from a natural vitamin D binding protein for the vitamin D moiety, and a water soluble polymer that facilitates binding between the specific binding partner and the vitamin D moiety. Kits and reaction mixtures for assaying a vitamin D moiety in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.

Abstract: Alkali-vapor laser and related methods of lasing are described herein. In some embodiments, a diode-pumped gas-vapor laser is provided that can be scaled to high power. For example, in one embodiment, a triply-transverse configuration of a diode-pumped-alkali-laser (DPAL) is disclosed in which alkali-buffer gain medium is flowed through an laser chamber (for example, configured as an optical resonator or amplifier) whose optical axis is nominally transverse to the flow direction, and whose pump array radiation is propagated into the alkali-buffer gain medium in a direction nominally transverse to both the direction of gain medium flow and the direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: A method for preparing plutonium-238 (Pu-238) using reactor may include irradiating a liquid containing a neptunium-237 (Np-237) based compounds with neutrons to convert a portion of the Np-237 based compound to a Np-238 based compound; retaining the liquid containing the resulting mixture for a sufficient amount of time for the Np-238 based compound to at least partially convert to a plutonium-238 (Pu-238) based compound. The method further may include separating the Pu-238 based compound from the neptunium based compounds using distillation or chemical method.

Abstract: An antenna includes a first antenna element comprising a pseudo-conductor material and forming a substantially closed polygonal loop around a center. The first antenna element conforms to a ground plane. The antenna also includes a plurality of transmission lines in the ground plane. Each transmission line comprises a conductor material, is extending radially outward from a feed end towards an outer end, is electromagnetically coupled to the first antenna element at a crossover point at which the transmission line crosses over the first antenna element, and is coupled, at the center, to a corresponding feed line. The antenna further includes a feed circuit for exciting the plurality of transmission lines to cause the antenna to emit in a predetermined direction and using a predetermined polarization mode.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an amplifier apparatus, comprising: a plurality of amplifier transistor circuits coupled in series, wherein each of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits comprises: a transistor, wherein the transistors of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits are coupled in series; a transistor voltage control and drive circuit coupled with the corresponding transistor, wherein the transistor voltage control and drive circuit is configured to control and drive the corresponding transistor in accordance with received control signals and in parallel with the other of the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits; and isolation circuitry that isolates control of the transistor from control of the other of the amplifier transistor circuits; wherein the plurality of amplifier transistor circuits are configured to be controlled and driven in parallel relative to the control signals.

Abstract: The invention provides electrochemical biosensors for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The invention provides methods for using the electrochemical biosensors.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.

Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.

Abstract: A capacitor warning circuit, and method of providing a warning are provided, the circuit comprising a capacitor capable of being charged to a charged state and a warning circuit coupled to the capacitor and adapted to provide an indication that the capacitor is in the charged state, wherein the warning circuit is powered by energy accumulated in the capacitor when the capacitor is in the charged state.

Abstract: The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction is measured for determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide high durability joints between ceramic articles, particularly between beta-silicon carbide (?-SiC) articles, and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a joint between first and second articles each comprising a ceramic polymorph comprises a matrix comprising the ceramic polymorph and extending between the first and second articles; a plurality of inclusions comprising the ceramic polymorph and being distributed throughout the matrix; and a sealing layer comprising the ceramic polymorph and being respectively disposed on the first and second articles and the matrix.

Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the position of a vehicle on a guideway. For operation, the vehicle carries a magnetic array having a wavelength “?”. Further, the guideway includes a propulsion winding for carrying a propulsion current. Also, the guideway is provided with a position winding that has the same wavelength “?” and includes two helical wires that are displaced from each other by “?/4”. Importantly, a transmitter is located on the vehicle for emitting a position current that interacts with the position winding to generate a return signal from each helical wire. Also, the system includes a processor for receiving and evaluating the return signals to determine the position of the vehicle on the guideway. As a result, the determined position is used to maximize the interaction of the propulsion current with the magnetic array for propulsion of the vehicle.