Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for routing broadcast messages by managing a plurality of observation tables in a wireless ad-hoc network having a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving one or more broadcast messages from one or more second nodes at a first node and stores information received from the broadcast messages pertaining to the one or more second nodes in one or more observation tables at the first node. A maximum aposteriori probability of connectivity is then computed for the one or more second nodes based on the information in the one or more observation tables maintained at the first node utilizing Bayesian approach. Thereafter, the first node transmits broadcast messages to the one or more second nodes based on the maximum aposteriori probability of connectivity computed for the one or more second nodes from the first node.

Abstract: Flexible, conductive, graphene-polymer nanocomposites incorporating doped graphene and conductive polymer materials in a layered structure and tunable methods of fabrication are provided. The layered graphene-polymer nanocomposites exhibit resistance quenching by suppressing defect induced carrier scattering in graphene while keeping the optical transmittance greater than 90%, which is essential for many optoelectronic applications. Nanocomposites also demonstrate high mobility and carrier density compared to known TCF materials as well as very low sheet resistance with flexibility of more than ±90 degrees of bending angle. The methods employ layer-by-layer mixed chemical doping strategies that incorporate different doping species to enhance electrical and optical properties individually. The synthesis of the graphene-polymer nanocomposite may be conducted by chemical processes to provide mass production capabilities.

Abstract: A periodically-rippled patch antenna structure with metal coated trenches only along one in-plane direction or in two perpendicular in-plane directions on a dielectric substrate and ground plane and methods of fabricating the antenna radiating elements are provided. An optional layer of oxide or nitride can be placed between the substrate and metal layers as an insulation layer. This use of trenches allows for miniaturization of the patch antenna as well as dual-band degeneracy. When a square 1D rippled patch antenna is excited by a microstrip line connected along the ripples, the effective length is longer than with a line orthogonal to the ripples enabling dual mode degeneracy and antennas working at two distinct frequencies of operation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for collecting solar energy by means of a concentrator of the nonimaging type and a receiver for the transfer of energy by heat exchange with a fluid which operates, independently, a thermodynamic cycle for the exploitation of energy, said concentrator comprising an inlet area, an underlying outlet area and an inner space between said inlet area and said outlet area; said receiver being positioned under said concentrator and said inner space of the concentrator and said receiver being connected by said outlet area, characterized in that said inner space of the concentrator and said receiver are in fluid communication through said outlet area, a plurality of solid particles are present inside said receiver, and said device for collecting solar energy comprises means apt to take a part of said solid particles from said receiver and to put them from below inside said inner space of said concentrator, said solid particles subsequently returning, by gravity, into said receiv

Abstract: Organoclay is used as an alternative emulsifier and reinforcing agent to enhance the strength of emulsified polymeric gel aqueous solutions and form water in oil emulsions. The stability of the emulsion can be controlled by controlling salinity and the intensity of initial mixing. The new system can be used for water shut-off treatments as well as a relative permeability modifier in high water permeability zones. In addition, the system can tolerate salts much better than classical surfactants. This system will be appropriate for wellbores having high temperature (>85° C.) with harsh environmental conditions.

Abstract: A reprogrammable testing circuit for testing different types of valves may obtain a direction limit for a valve; obtain a test direction input for the valve; determine whether the direction limit of the valve has been reached or when there is an attempt to exceed it based on a current position of the valve, the test direction input, a valve test procedure; run a customized test on the valve in a direction of the direction input based on determining that the direction limit has not been reached; actively comparing the current position of the valve with the direction limit while running the customized test; and discontinue the customized test when the current position of the valve reaches the direction limit.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus of diffuser nozzle augmented wind turbine. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a nozzle with a streamlined opening to a diffuser to direct an air flow into a wind turbine. In addition, the method includes increasing a wind speed approaching a set of turbine blades within a shrouded wind turbine configuration. The method also includes recirculating the air within the shroud configuration to increase an output power generated through the wind turbine. The system is composed of diffuser and nozzle integrated and non-integrated with and without a flange. In one embodiment, a method includes increasing a pressure differential of a wind turbine.

Abstract: Alumina/NiO/ZnO and Alumina/ZnO are synthesized via a novel modified hydrothermal method and investigated for the desulfurization activities. Sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) are tested for their removal from model diesel fuel. The prepared composite materials were examined by the means of N2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: A brick includes a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and a cement-containing material. The brick may be made by mixing thermoplastic material and dry, uncured cement-containing material. This mixture is placed in a mold. The mold is heated while the mixture is compressed to melt or soften the thermoplastic material and to bind the particulate material in the mold into the shape of a brick. After the hardened brick is removed from the mold, the surface of the brick may be sprayed with water to cure cement-containing material on the surface of the brick.

Abstract: A handle substrate having at least one metallization region is provided on a stressor layer that is located above a base substrate such that the at least one metallization region is in contact with a surface of the stressor layer. An upper portion of the base substrate is spalled, i.e., removed, to provide a structure comprising, from bottom to top, a spalled material portion of the base substrate, the stressor layer and the handle substrate containing the at least one metallization region in contact with the surface of the stressor layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing a gamified trustee based social authentication to recover an account of a user. The method for managing the gamified trustee based social authentication to recover the account of the user includes the step of registering a plurality of trustees associated with the user. Then, the method receives a vouching request from the user for recovering the account of the user. In response to receiving the vouching request, the method forwards the vouching request to the plurality of trustees for verifying the user for recovering the account. Further, the method rewards at least one trustee of the plurality of trustees in response to the at least one trustee responding to the vouching request.

Abstract: A sintered porous cordierite-based glass-ceramic material is made using mainly three natural starting materials which are silica? sand, kaolin clay and magnesite in addition to little boric acid is described. Upon melting at 1400-1450° C., this combination of raw materials and boric acid forms transparent brown glass which after solidification by quenching is then crushed and reduced to powder having a median particle size diameter less than 65 microns. This brown glass powder is consolidated, for example by compaction, to form a green body for sintering. Sintering of the green body at temperatures between about 1000° C. and 1300° C. in the period from 1 min to 60 min to produce porous cordierite glass-ceramic material containing a 56% porosity. The said material have density, microhardness and CTE suitable for use in various technical fields such as light insulation refractor material and in filter for vehicle exhaust.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for dynamically generating a hint to recall a password for a user account of a user. The method for dynamically generating the hint to recall the password for the user account of the user includes the steps of receiving the password for the user account while the user inputs the password field of a login page. The password comprises a plurality of characters. The method, then, converts the password from the plain text to a hash value using a hash function. Thereafter, the method performs a modulo operation on the hash value to obtain an index pointing an object within an object library associated with the user. The method, then, displays, the object as the hint. The hint enables the user to create a mental association between the password and the object for the user account.

Abstract: Polymer composites are provided, and more particularly, polymer composites of ground date pits disposed in a polymer matrix. The composites can be formed by a process of preparing reinforced polymer composites having a fibril melt fracture surface, including blending a mixture of date pit particulate with a thermoplastic polymer; melting the mixture; and forcing the melt through a die to produce the polymer composite having a fibril containing surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for influencing thrust of a gas turbine engine are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of pipes positioned at an exhaust nozzle of the gas turbine engine. Each one of the plurality of pipes includes: an inlet inside the exhaust nozzle; an outlet inside the exhaust nozzle; and an intermediate portion outside the exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: A Braille Copy Machine includes a processor configured to detect at least one Braille cell from a scanned image of an original Braille document. The detecting includes determining a coordinate and a code for the at least one Braille cell. The Braille Copy Machine also includes an embosser configured to create an embossed copy of the original Braille document based on the determined coordinate and code for the at least one Braille cell.

Abstract: A directional drilling system consisting of a four-motor drilling head for better steering in directional drilling and vertical/horizontal drilling is developed. The rotational speed of each motor is independently controlled. The use of four motors in coordination with other traditional drilling variables allow precise control of the drilling direction and optimization of the rate of penetration (ROP). The top and right motors rotate in opposite directions to the bottom and left rotors to stabilize the roll rotation of the drilling head. Inclination (pitch) movement is obtained by increasing/decreasing the speed of the top motor while decreasing/increasing the speed of the lower motor. The Azimuth (yaw) movement is obtained similarly using the right and left motors. The drilling power is derived from down hole motors. A drill string transmits the drilling fluid and force on bit.

Abstract: The cathodized gold nanoparticle graphite pencil electrode is a sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor based on the cathodization of AuNP-GPE. Cyclic voltammetry shows that advantageously, the cathodized AuNP-GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around ?0.27 V). Fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at <0.1 V, thus the glucose oxidation peak at around ?0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. However, the glucose oxidation peak current at around ?0.27 V is much lower which should be enhanced to obtain low detection limit. The AuNP-GPE cathodization increases the oxidation peak current of glucose at around ?0.27 V. The dynamic range of the sensor is in the range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM of glucose with good linearity (R2=0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of fructose, sucrose and NaCl.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for generating a message authentication code (MAC) for authenticating a message and for verifying the integrity and authenticity of the message. The method for generating the MAC for authenticating the message includes the step of compressing the message to generate a fixed-size residue of the message. The fixed-size residue of the message is computed from the message modulo a divisor. The method, then, multiplies the fixed-size residue of the message by an authentication key. Thereafter, the method computes an authentication tag for the message by encrypting the fixed-size residue of the message utilizing a semantically secure encryption algorithm. The method, then, transmits both the message and the authentication tag of the message from a sender computing device to a receiver computing device where the method verifies the integrity and authenticity of the message using the authentication key.