Abstract: A high-flux composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane with an electrical double layer (EDL) and a preparation method thereof are provided. The high-flux composite NF membrane includes: a charged support membrane and a charged separation layer, where a charge carried by the support membrane or the separation layer is a positive charge, a negative charge, or an amphiprotic charge. The high-flux composite NF membrane with an EDL solves the technical problem that the composite NF membrane in the prior art has an unsatisfactory retention rate and a limited application range due to a small charge quantity.

Abstract: A dual mode method of assessing a toll fee by collecting i) sensor data of a vehicle as it travels on a lane and determining a first axle count based on said sensor data; and 2) collecting video images of said vehicle and determining a second axle count based on said video images. The video images are analyzed using computer vision and machine learning to determine the second axle count, and the first and second axles count compared and if identical the vehicle is charged based on the axle count. However, the video images are re-analyzed if the first and second axle counts are not identical and this is repeated until identity is obtained. The system learns from its errors, and the axle count improves with time. If identity is not reached, the transaction record can be flagged for human intervention, but tests show at least 100 fold reduction in errors, thus obviating thousands of interventions per day. Ultimately, monthly summaries of charges are compiled and sent to the customer.

Abstract: Communicating using spread spectrum. A legacy RF signal is intercepted from a legacy radio. Spread spectrum processing is performed on the legacy RF signal to create a spread signal. The spread signal is transmitted to a receiver, whereafter the spread signal is de-spread to recover the legacy RF signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The overlay display includes photodetectors arranged to detect an intensity of the incoming direct-view light, and an intensity of the display light depends on the detected intensity. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is spatially modulated using an amplitude or envelope of the intensity that is based on the detected local intensity of the direct-view light. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is adjusted to correct for loss of the direct-view light. The intensity of the display light may be controlled using control circuitry that receives signals from the photodetectors, and the control circuitry may be located on the same semiconductor chip as the overlay display.

Abstract: A structure for supporting reinforcement bars includes a base, and first legs extending upwardly from the opposite sides of the base. Attached to shoulders of the first legs are first and second cradles, each having opposing sidewalls that form channels therebetween. Reinforcement bars inserted into the first and second cradles are retained within the channels by retaining members protruding from the opposing sidewalls. A first base support member spans a central opening in the base between the first legs. Second legs extend upwardly from the first base support member and connect to the cradles. Third and fourth legs extend upwardly from opposing ends of the base and connect to the cradles. The structure includes fillets at various points on the cradles, including fillets connecting the cradles to the shoulders of the first legs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide anti-spoofing capability from a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver to a second GNSS receiver. These GNSS receivers can be, for example, global positioning satellite (GPS) receivers. Via an authentication technique, signals from authentic GNSS sources are distinguished from signals from spoofers. Timing information, such as numerically-controlled oscillator (NCO) settings, used for tracking authenticated signals are then used to generate replica GNSS signals, which are then provided to the second GNSS receiver. As a result, the second GNSS receiver can provide accurate positioning system information in the presence of GNSS spoofers.

Abstract: A structure for supporting concrete reinforcement bars in an orthogonal relationship above a surface includes a base member having a central opening and first and second pairs of leg members extending upward at an angle from the base member on opposite sides of the central opening, wherein the first leg members are longer than the second leg members. Attached to shoulders of the first and second leg members are first and second cradles having opposing upper and lower sidewalls that form channels therebetween. The first and second cradles receive reinforcement bars that are retained within the cradles by retaining members protruding from the opposing sidewalls into the channels. A ridge extending from the base member has a central portion and first and second portions sloping down from the central portion toward the base member which form a channel for receiving a reinforcement bar.

Abstract: Provided for herein are systems, methods, apparatus and software configured synchronize clocks across two or more processing devices. The techniques of the present disclosure include: obtaining, at a processing device, indications of clocks, wherein the indications comprise an indication for a clock for each of a plurality of processing devices; determining, from the indications, whether a clock of the processing device leads or lags a majority of clocks of the plurality of processing devices; and adjusting the clock of the processing device in a direction of the majority of the clocks of the plurality of processing devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus configured for the osmotic injection of water in electrochemical systems are generally described. In certain embodiments, water can be transported from a water-containing liquid in an environment outside the electrochemical cell into the electrochemical cell across an osmotic medium fluidically separating an interior compartment of the electrochemical cell from the environment outside the electrochemical cell. The systems, methods, and apparatus described herein can be, according to certain embodiments, configured to be part of an electrochemical system in which water is consumed (e.g., as a reactant).

Abstract: A transmitter in a frequency domain duplexing (FDD) network system is configured to receive spectral information from neighbor receiver nodes. For each of the neighbor receiver nodes, the transmitter computes an SNR at each of the plurality of frequencies, forming an SNR curve. For each of the transmit frequencies, the transmitter identifies minimum SNR values among the SNR values on the SNR curves. The minimum SNR values form a composite minimum curve. Based on the composite minimum curve, the transmitter determines whether an SNR of a current transmit frequency is above (1) a first threshold associated with an operating SNR, or (2) a second threshold associated with a maximum of the composite minimum curve. Based on the determination, the transmitter determines whether a new transmit frequency is selected to replace the current transmit frequency.

Abstract: A system that includes a first winch assembly having a first structure on which a fuel hose is configured to be spooled and unspooled, the first structure having a first rotational axis. The system also includes a second winch assembly located rearward of the first winch assembly, the second winch assembly includes a second structure on which a messenger line is configured to be spooled and unspooled, the second structure having a second rotational axis and being rotatable between first and second rotational positions. Upon the second structure being in the first rotational position the second rotational axis is non-orthogonal to the first rotational axis. Upon the second structure being in the second rotational position, the second rotational axis is orthogonal to the first rotational axis. The second structure including an axial through opening through which the fuel line is configured to pass when the second structure is in the second rotational position.

Abstract: A system that includes a driving component, such as a motor, and a driven component. The system also includes a torque limiter positioned between the driving component and the driven component. The driving component is coupled to a driving end of the torque limiter and the driven component is coupled to a driven end of the torque limiter. The torque limiter is configured to assume a normal operating state with no slippage between the driving and driven ends of the torque limiter and an over-torque operating state with slippage occurring between the driving and driven ends of the torque limiter. The torque limiter includes a metal moving part that assumes a first position when the torque limiter is in the normal operating state and a second position different than the first position when the torque limiter assumes the over-torque operating state. An inductive proximity sensor monitors the position of the metal moving part.

Abstract: A low-pressure high-flux hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membrane, and a preparation method and use thereof are provided. The low-pressure high-flux hollow fiber NF membrane includes a base membrane and a negatively-charged separation layer formed on a surface of the base membrane, where a material of the separation layer is a crosslinking product of a negatively-charged sulfonated polymer. The low-pressure high-flux hollow fiber NF membrane of the present disclosure solves the technical problem that the hollow fiber NF membranes in the prior art are difficult to have both high performance and low energy consumption.

Abstract: A laser system may include one or more of the following components: a power supply, a continuous wave pump laser, a fiber optic cable, a positive lens, a gain medium, a heat sink, and/or a Q-switch. The laser system may be used in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system such as a scanning LIDAR system. The laser system may be designed to operate at wavelengths that may be safe for human eyes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a cryptographic system. The methods comprise: obtaining ciphertext by the cryptographic system; performing operations by the cryptographic system to determine whether a given sequence of values exits within the ciphertext; and synchronizing the cryptographic system with another cryptographic system using the ciphertext as a bitrate portion of an initialization value for a cryptographic algorithm and zero as a capacity portion of the initialization value for the cryptographic algorithm, when a determination is made that the given sequence of values exist within the ciphertext.

Abstract: An optical device includes an underlying device configured to output light in a first spectrum. A stacked device is coupled to the underlying device and configured to be coupled in overlapping fashion to an optical output of the underlying device. The stacked device is transparent to light in the first spectrum. The stacked device includes electro-optical circuits including: light emitters and detectors. Each detector is associated with one or more light emitters. Each detector is configured to detect light emitted from the underlying device. The light emitters are configured to output light dependent on light detected by an associated detector. Optical filters are optically coupled to an optical input of the underlying device. Each filter is aligned with a detector to suppress absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the underlying device thereby affecting light detected by the detectors and thus further affecting the light output by the light emitters.

Abstract: Techniques of present disclosure are directed to methods of providing acoustic communication networks. For example, methods are provided for that include obtaining, at a first transceiver of a plurality of transceivers arranged within an installation pattern, a first acoustic signal provided by a second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers. A location of the first transceiver within a message distribution pattern is determined from the acoustic signal. A delay based upon the location of the first transceiver within the message distribution pattern is determined. Finally, a second acoustic signal corresponding to the first acoustic signal is provided from the first transceiver after the delay.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) communication system may include a first radio and a second radio being relatively movable. The first radio may include an RF transceiver configured to operate on a selected RF channel from among a plurality of different RF channels, and a controller coupled to the RF transceiver. The controller may be configured to obtain historical RF spectral data over time, position and RF channel, as the first and second radios move relative to one another, determine at least one power null from the historical RF spectral data, and dynamically select an RF channel from among the plurality thereof based upon the at least one power null.

Abstract: Increasing transparency of one or more micro-displays. A method includes attaching a transparent cover to at least a portion of a semiconductor wafer. The at least a portion of the semiconductor wafer includes the one or more micro-displays. The one or more micro-displays include one or more active silicon areas. The method further includes, after the transparent cover has been attached to the at least a portion of the semiconductor wafer, removing silicon between one or more of the active silicon areas, causing the one or more micro-displays to have a transparency of at least 50%.

Abstract: Signal processing to compensate for gain control output spikes caused by steps in a digital step attenuator. A method includes receiving a changing power input signal at a receiver. The method includes determining that a change in power of the input signal will cause a step attenuator to change its attenuation in a step of a predetermined amount. The method further includes based on determining that the change in power of the input signal will cause a digital step attenuator to change its attenuation in a step of a predetermined amount, causing a variable attenuator to change its attenuation by an amount related to the predetermined amount at a time coinciding with a time when the step attenuator changes its attenuation by the predetermined amount. The method further includes outputting a gain-controlled output signal resulting from applying the step attenuator and the variable attenuator to the changing power input signal.