Abstract: An augmented lens assembly for use with a light source featuring a main lens component having one or a plurality of light refocusing elements associated with the main lens and arranged along at least one surface of the main lens of the lens assembly that provides for improved uniformity in light distribution and improved illumination. Luminaires featuring one or a plurality of augmented lens assemblies, associated light sources and optionally, baffles, further featuring one or more main lens components having one or more light refocusing elements associated with the main lens portion and arranged along at least one surface of the main lens to provide for improved uniformity in light distribution, improved illumination and aesthetic improvements to the visual appearance of the luminaires when observed in either a lighted or non-lighted condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensing electrode, an electrochemical sensing system using the sensing electrode, methods of preparing and using the sensing electrode and the electrochemical sensing system. The sensing electrode includes a base electrode having a conductive surface, and a coating layer formed on the conductive surface. The coating layer has cavities or holes, each of which can be filled with, bound to, or occupied by, an analyte molecule. A decrease of conductivity of the sensing electrode is correlated to the number of cavities or holes that are filled with, bound to, or occupied by, the molecules of the analyte. The invention exhibits numerous technical merits such as suitability for field application, high sensitivity to analyte such as PFOA or PFAS at 1 ppt level, rapid response within minutes, and superior selectivity against interferences such as PFDA, PFOS, PFOSA, and PFHxA, among others.

Abstract: There is disclosed an autonomous vehicle (AV), including an AV chassis comprising a drive system and a cabin comprising a plurality of cabin controls; an AV controller, including a processor circuit and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions to instruct the processor circuit to operate the drive system in a fully autonomous configuration; actuators to electronically operate the cabin controls; a communication circuit with wireless communication capability; and instructions encoded within the memory to further instruct the processor circuit to: receive a remote cabin control command; and in response to the remote cabin control command, operate a cabin control.

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

Abstract: An undersea fiber optic cable architecture including a beach manhole (BMH) installed at a terrestrial site, a terrestrial station connected to the BMH by a terrestrial fiber optic cable, a first landing cable extending from the BMH into territorial waters adjacent the terrestrial site and connected to a first enhanced branching unit (EBU) located in the territorial waters, a second landing cable extending from the BMH into the territorial waters and connected to a second EBU located in the territorial waters, a recovery path cable connecting the first EBU to the second EBU, a first trunk cable extending from the first EBU into international waters, and a second trunk cable extending from the second EBU into the international waters.

Abstract: A device is provided that includes a microprocessor and a transformer. The microprocessor includes a plurality of pins, the microprocessor configured to simultaneously produce a first drive signal at a first of the plurality of pins and a second drive signal at a second of the plurality of pins, the first and the drive signals having different frequencies. The transformer includes a plurality of coils, each of the plurality of coils coupled to one of the first or second pins of the microprocessor to receive one of the plurality of drive signals, the transformer therewith producing a plurality of electromagnetic fields simultaneously.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for detecting obstacles in the pathway of cables. In an example method, a first location at a site for stationing a vehicle may be selected. A first routing for a cable may then be determined, where a first end of the cable is connected to the vehicle stationed at the first location. It may then be determined at the vehicle whether the first routing for the cable passes through at least one potential or actual obstacle, where the determination is based at least in part on a topographic map. Responsive to the determination that the first routing for the cable passes through the at least one potential or actual obstacle, a remedial action may be performed, where the remedial action prevents the first routing of the cable from passing through the at least one potential or actual obstacle.

Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon, the method comprising contacting said alcohol with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein said alcohol can be produced by a fermentation process, said metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and said metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the deposit, withdrawal, and reuse of currency for transactions. According to disclosed embodiments, an intelligent teller machine (ITM) is configured to receive currency as payment for a transaction, to calculate and dispense any change due, and to request that the net value of the transaction (e.g., the revenue) be deposited into the financial account of the business. The currency received by the ITM is also available to make change for future purchase transactions.

Abstract: A photo design smart assistant system for reducing similar photos for display and product design includes a similarity distance computation module that can calculate hash values of images and to calculate similarity distances between the images using at least the hash values, a burst grouping module that can automatically group the images into a burst based at least in part on the similarity distances of the images, wherein at least one image is automatically selected from the burst of images, an intelligent design creation engine that can automatically create a photo product design using the selected image from the burst, and a printing and finishing facility that can automatically make a physical photo product based on the photo product design.

Abstract: A portable communications device is adapted with a controlled self-erasing option to programmably store user content and key data based on a desired limited lifespan for such data. This allows for improved security in the event the device is misplaced or lost as the onboard user data eventually becomes physically destroyed and unreadable to a third party without requiring a remote access destruction capability.

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

Abstract: System for constructing a building implementing a controller. The system includes a first control arm and a second control arm. The system also includes an extrusion head located on a distal end of the second control arm. The controller is operable to adjust the first control arm to hold a distal end stead within a predetermined window of coordinates. The controller is also operable to position the second control arm such that the extrusion head is located according to the controller directions.

Abstract: A base station transmits configuration parameters of one or more first cells of a first cell type operating in a first frequency band and one or more second cells of a second cell type operating in a second frequency band. The base station receives a first uplink signal, during a time interval, via the one or more first cells, and a second uplink signal, during the time interval, via the one or more second cells, wherein a transmission power of the first uplink signal is scaled in response to a calculated total transmit power of a plurality of signals comprising the first uplink signal and the second uplink signal exceeding a first value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a patient. The method includes acquiring a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals with an ultrasound transducer, each RF signal representing one or more return echoes from a scan line of a pulse-mode echo ultrasound scan. A position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each of the acquired RF signals is determined, and a plurality of contour lines generated from the plurality of RF signals. The method estimates a 3-D shape and position of an anatomical feature, such as a joint of patient based on the generated contour lines and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions. An apparatus, or computer includes a processor and a memory with instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform the aforementioned method.

Abstract: An arthroplasty system for replacing a natural articular surface on a bone may include an arthroplasty prosthesis and a bone anchoring component. The arthroplasty prosthesis may include a joint-facing side having an articular surface and a bone-facing side having a first adjustable attachment feature. The bone anchoring component may include a bone engagement surface securable to a resected surface of the bone and a second adjustable attachment feature. The first adjustable attachment feature may be configured to movably mate with the second adjustable attachment feature to movably couple the bone anchoring component to the bone-facing side of the arthroplasty prosthesis.

Abstract: A die casting mold may be made of an iron alloy including, by mass: about 1% to about 6% nickel, about 0.1% to about 5% copper, about 0.2% to about 2.5% aluminum, about 0.5% to about 2% manganese, and about 0.05% to about 0.2% carbon. The iron alloy may be formed into an initial shape of the die casting mold, heated to a temperature greater than or equal to about 900° C. and then cooled to form a supersaturated solid solution of iron and dissolved alloying elements. Then, the iron alloy may be heated at a temperature sufficient to precipitate intermetallic nanoparticles from the supersaturated solid solution to form an intermetallic precipitate phase dispersed throughout an iron-based matrix phase. A layer of iron alloy material disposed at and along a surface of the iron alloy may exhibit a deformed microstructure indicative of a machining direction.

Abstract: A wireless device receives downlink control information (DCI) indicating reception of physical downlink control channels (PDSCHs) across slots in a cell and a first and a second physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting feedback information of the PDSCHs. The wireless device transmits feedback information of a PDSCH, of the PDSCHs, via the first PUCCH. The first PUCCH is determined, for transmitting the feedback information of the PDSCH, from the first PUCCH and the second PUCCH based on a first time gap between the PDSCH and the first PUCCH and a second time gap between the PDSCH and the second PUCCH.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to an internal combustion engine may include supplying a first amount of the primary fuel and a second amount of the secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine. The system may include a first manifold to provide primary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a primary valve associated with the first manifold to provide fluid flow between a primary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A second manifold may provide secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel pump and/or a secondary valve may provide fluid flow between a secondary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A controller may determine a total power load, the first amount of primary fuel, and the second amount of secondary fuel to supply to the internal combustion engine to meet the total power load.

Abstract: An ionic airflow management system for a motor vehicle includes a controller, a power supply in communication with the controller, at least one exterior component of a motor vehicle having an integral electrode in electrical communication with the power supply, the integral electrode comprising a cathodic terminal portion and an anodic terminal portion oriented relative to a managed airflow vector, and at least one sensor in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor including a speed sensor. The power supply receives signals from the controller to supply a predetermined amount of electrical power to the integral electrode based on a threshold speed detected by the speed sensor in an active mode. The power supply receives signals from the controller to switch off electrical power to the integral electrode below the threshold speed in an inactive mode.