Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

Abstract: A system and method for the structured automation of the delivery and operation of software functionality is proposed. A declarative notation approach is used to describe automation sequences independently from concrete automation tools and services that may be used to execute the automation sequences. An automation service abstraction layer is introduced that hides concrete automation service characteristics from the declarative automation definition layer. The service abstraction layer enables a transparent change or update of concrete automation service without affecting automation sequences that use the corresponding service abstractions. For operation automation, the automation execution may be combined with causation-capable monitoring systems that both identifies critical changes of operating conditions for which automated remediation is indicated and corresponding root cause changes for those critical changes.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for video encoding/decoding. An apparatus includes processing circuitry that receives metadata associated with a coded video bitstream. The metadata includes labeling information of one or more objects detected in a first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry decodes the labeling information of the one or more objects in the first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry applies the labeling information to the one or more objects in the first picture.

Abstract: Sensors on autonomous vehicles offer data that can be used to track and recognize rider achievement. Digital tokens can be output to users on a user device to provide feedback to the user in real-time. To determine an appropriate digital token, data specific to the user can be matched against a template or checked against a threshold. A digital token corresponding to a matched template or a crossed threshold can be then retrieved or generated. In some cases, the data specific to the user is used to determine whether the user matches a pattern. A user can accrue a collection of digital tokens on the user device.

Abstract: Multiple Anycast regions may be defined, and a separate Anycast address may be used for each region in order to localize client requests. In examples, when one or more Anycast servers in a first Anycast region fail or become overburdened (or are predicted to do so), one or more Anycast server in another, geographically or logically separate Anycast region that has additional capacity to handle client service requests may be dynamically added to the first Anycast region.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a polarization shifter including a lower substrate having disposed thereon first and second transmission lines for coupling to a feed network, an upper substrate having disposed thereon third and fourth transmission lines for respective communicative coupling to orthogonally-polarized elements of a radiating element, and a dielectric layer residing between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, the upper substrate being configured to mechanically couple to the radiating element, the dielectric layer coupling the first transmission line with the third transmission line and coupling the second transmission line with the fourth transmission line, the upper substrate being rotatable relative to the lower substrate to effect polarization adjusting for the radiating element to facilitate avoidance of interference or passive intermodulation (PIM). Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use signal constellations, which have unequally spaced (i.e. ‘geometrically’ shaped) points. In many embodiments, the communication systems use specific geometric constellations that are capacity optimized at a specific SNR. In addition, ranges within which the constellation points of a capacity optimized constellation can be perturbed and are still likely to achieve a given percentage of the optimal capacity increase compared to a constellation that maximizes dmin, are also described. Capacity measures that are used in the selection of the location of constellation points include, but are not limited to, parallel decode (PD) capacity and joint capacity.

Abstract: An example method of operation includes identifying a loudspeaker array profile defining characteristics of a loudspeaker array stored in memory, identifying a three-dimensional venue geometry value stored in the memory, defining virtual receivers to simulate acoustic characteristics within the venue geometry, defining a number of passive acoustic filter permutations to perform within a range of passive acoustic filter settings, and each passive acoustic filter setting is unique and has one or more passive acoustic filters to apply to one or more loudspeakers in the loudspeaker array, selecting performance criteria to apply to the loudspeaker array to represent its sound coverage uniformity at a given location throughout the venue geometry, calculating the performance criteria of the loudspeaker array via a passive acoustic filter setting selected from one or more of the passive acoustic filter permutations by performing a simulation with the passive acoustic filter settings, identifying an optimized passive

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave melting apparatus and system for investment casting the metals obtained therefrom. In addition to enhanced production capacity, the system allows for the use of both a broad range of metal alloys and a variety of forms including ingot, scrap, granulated and powdered metals not possible with induction systems generally.

Abstract: A table saw jig for guiding offcut sides of various types of workpiece. The table saw jig includes a base that operably engages with a table of a table saw. The table saw jig also includes a slider that is moveably engaged inside of the base and is adapted to guide an offcut side of at least one workpiece along the table of the table saw. The table saw jig also includes at least one attachment assembly that operably engages with the base and is adapted to engage the base with the table of the table saw. The table saw jig also includes at least one calibration assembly that operably engages with the slider and the base. The at least one calibration assembly is configured to calibrate the slider relative to a blade of the table saw when the base is operably engaged with the table of the table saw.

Abstract: An ink replenishment system for a can decorator having a plurality of ink fountains corresponding to a plurality of ink station assemblies includes a robotic arm structured to pick up ink from a selected one of a plurality of ink container and to place the picked up ink into a selected one of the plurality of ink fountains, and a controller structured to control operations of the robotic arm.

Abstract: Geopolymer-based fire retardant intumescent coating compositions, methods of making and using the same are provided. Wood composite products prepared from geopolymer-based fire retardant intumescent coating compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, systems, and computer-readable media related to a system having a plurality of users, designed to display a user-customized subset of item and/or provider information to the user.

Abstract: Orientations of a vehicle with an attached trailer can be specified for obtaining respective images of the trailer. Respective images of the trailer captured by a vehicle camera at the specified orientations can then be received. The images can be input to a machine learning program trained to output trailer size metrics. The vehicle can then be controlled according to the trailer size metrics output from the machine learning program.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a first remote device, an initial first plurality of status metrics corresponding to a first domain, each of the initial plurality of status metrics indicating whether a corresponding parameter of the first domain requires remediation. The method includes comparing the initial plurality of status metrics to a reference database, the reference database listing previously encountered problems with known remediation solutions. The method includes receiving from the first remote device, an updated plurality of status metrics corresponding the first domain, each of the updated plurality of status metrics indicating whether a corresponding parameter of the first domain requires remediation. The method includes applying an algorithm to the updated plurality of status metrics to generate a maturity score of the first domain. The method includes combining the maturity score of the first domain and a maturity score of a second domain to generate a maturity report.

Abstract: A multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a plurality of battery cells organized into battery modules and a first enclosure configured to house the battery modules. The RESS also includes a first vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air from inside the first enclosure to an environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS additionally includes a second vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air into the first enclosure from the environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS further includes a phase-change material (PCM) device arranged on the second vent and configured to melt in response to at least one of the battery modules experiencing a thermal runaway event. In combination with the first vent, the PCM generates crossflow ventilation through the first enclosure to cool the battery modules therein and mitigate thermal runaway.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising 30% to 45% vol/vol castor oil, 25% to 35% vol/vol propylene glycol, 5% to 15% vol/vol oleic acid, 15% to 25% wt/vol rodent repellent, and 0% to 10% vol/vol water. The disclosure also relates to methods of repelling a rodent from a substrate comprising applying to a substrate the compositions described herein.

Abstract: A T-LED light engine that provides up-light and down light. The T-LED has a top lens that emits a “bat-wing” light pattern and a bottom lens that emits a Lambertion light pattern. The T-LED light engine has an internal or on-board driver unit and/or on-board control unit. End caps of the T-LED light engine can be removed to service or replace internal components. The end caps have two-pin contact configurations that mate with tombstone style sockets or connectors and/or have bridge connector for connecting multiple T-LED light engines in series.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for bag apportion comprising a plurality of dispensable bags, each of the plurality of dispensable bags comprising a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side and the rear side are adjoined via a left joinder, a bottom joinder, and a right joinder, wherein the left joinder extends from the bottom joinder to a left terminal point and the right joinder extends from the bottom joinder to a right terminal point. The apparatus may further comprise a left handle, wherein a left handle first aperture and a left handle second aperture traverse the left handle; a right handle, wherein a right handle first aperture and a right handle second aperture traverse the right handle. Additionally, the apparatus may comprise a main aperture bound by at least the top border; and a holder tube, wherein the plurality of dispensable bags envelop the holder tube.