Abstract: A polymer window assembly includes a polymer window frame with a pair of jambs and a sill, and a glass unit carried by the window frame. A pair of brackets are attached to the jambs proximate corners between the jambs and the sill. Each bracket has an upright member, a horizontal member orthogonal to the upright member and a hook attached to a rear surface of the upright member. The brackets attach to the jambs so that the hook extends through a hole in the jamb, the upright member is adjacent a surface of the jamb and the horizontal member is disposed above (e.g., spaced above) the sill. The brackets support and transfer the weight of the glass unit to the jambs to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the sill from bearing the load of the glass unit, thereby inhibiting (e.g., preventing) the crushing or bowing of the sill by the glass unit and thereby inhibiting (e.g., preventing) the formation of gaps in the window assembly that allow for air and/or water infiltration through the window assembly.

Abstract: Improved dental appliances and polymeric sheet compositions are disclosed. The polymeric sheet compositions are useful for making dental appliances having outer layers comprised of a material having a modulus of from about 1,000 MPA to 2,500 MPA (“hard”) and an inner core comprised of elastomeric material or materials having a modulus of from about 50 MPa to 500 MPa (“soft”), which exhibit improved flexibility and strength, and better stain and tear resistance than currently available materials and dental appliances.

Abstract: Polymeric shells which fit over one or more natural teeth to change the perceived color of the teeth, and optionally to provide orthodontic support. The shells can be prepared by thermoforming selected polymeric sheets which contain optical additives over a physical image of the teeth, or by depositing polymeric compositions containing optical additives over a physical image of the teeth, or by additive manufacturing based upon a digital image of the teeth. The optical additives cause the combination of the shell and the teeth to have a desired appearance. At least part of the shell preferably has transparency greater than 75%, particularly greater than 85%.

Abstract: A control surface deployment apparatus having a base part, a drive actuator operably installed adjacent to the base part and having a drive actuator shaft extending beyond the base part, a knuckle part installed on the drive actuator shaft so as to selectively rotate therewith, a hinge part pivotally installed on the knuckle part as through a hinge pin, a fin rigidly installed on the hinge part so as to extend away from the knuckle part, and a spring biasing element configured to pivotally bias the hinge part relative to the knuckle part.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for removing higher acetylenes from a gaseous stream that includes a hydrogen fraction and a non-hydrogen fraction, wherein the gaseous stream includes less than about 4% in total of diacetylene and vinylacetylene, where the method includes the following steps: (i) an adsorption that passes the gaseous stream at a preselected superficial linear gas velocity across an adsorption bed supported within an enclosure, the adsorption bed containing a crystalline porous ceramic adsorbent to adsorb the higher acetylenes onto the adsorbent, thereby producing a saturated adsorption bed and a purified gaseous stream including less than about 25 ppm of diacetylene that regenerates the saturated adsorbent bed by passing a regeneration gas across the saturated adsorption bed to desorb the higher acetylenes retained thereupon, thereby producing a regenerated adsorbent bed and a contaminated gas stream bearing the higher acetylenes; and (iii) a purging step that removes the contaminated gas stre

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric composition including a thermoplastic polymer and an ionic liquid compound, wherein the ionic liquid compound improves the melt flow rate of the polymeric composition. The present disclosure also provides a method of preparing a polymeric composition with improved melt flow rate by mixing an ionic liquid compound with a thermoplastic polymer to obtain the polymeric composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cross-corrugated support structures is provided. A mold having a molding surface with a first plurality and a second plurality of corrugations therein is used to introduce corrugations into a flexible, carbonaceous sheet. Cross-corrugations are introduced into the sheet by placing the sheet onto the molding surface, encapsulating the sheet to form a vacuum chamber, and evacuating the vacuum chamber of air. As air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber, the sheet is drawn upon the molding surface causing the sheet to conform to the shape of the molding surface. Thermosetting resin is infused into the sheet and cured causing the sheet to rigidly retain the shape of the molding surface. The sheet is further reinforced by securing at least one support member to the sheet using thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a liquid substance to a surface for purposes of creating an overlay to a repair or reinforce and enhance the physical properties of the surface. The invention may include a system having a pair of holding tanks for holding a resin and a hardener, a pair of fluid pumps, a manifold, a mixing chamber and an aggregate hopper. An overlay substance may be formed by the system by mixing the resin and hardener, and the substance may be dispensed through a linear distribution apparatus onto a surface in need of repair or improvement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of adsorbents comprising zinc oxide nanowires decorated with catalytically active metal particles for the removal of sulfur from hydrocarbon feedstocks, including the desulfurization of diesel fuels and the deep desulfurization of natural gas, and to the use of decorated zinc oxide nanowire adsorbents for the hydrogenation of naphthalene selectively to tetralin in the presence of sulfur compounds. The adsorbent comprises nickel metal particles or nickel-zinc alloy particles deposited on zinc oxide nanowires.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for producing modified cellulose, modified nanocellulose, modified nanocellulose functionalized with other functional species, and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides cellulose, nanocellulose, and their derivatives that are safe to use inside an animal or human body and are biocompatible without costly purification. These cellulose or nanocellulose materials can be used in many different applications, including carrier for pharmaceutical active agents and other medical devices.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cross-corrugated support structures is provided. A mold having a molding surface with a first plurality and a second plurality of corrugations therein is used to introduce corrugations into a flexible, carbonaceous sheet. Cross-corrugations are introduced into the sheet by placing the sheet onto the molding surface, encapsulating the sheet to form a vacuum chamber, and evacuating the vacuum chamber of air. As air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber, the sheet is drawn upon the molding surface causing the sheet to conform to the shape of the molding surface. Thermosetting resin is infused into the sheet and cured causing the sheet to rigidly retain the shape of the molding surface. The sheet is further reinforced by securing at least one support member to the sheet using thermosetting resin.

Abstract: The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

Abstract: The present development is a process for the preparation of nanowire synthesis, coatings and uses thereof. Lithium titanate (LTO) nanowires are synthesized using a continuous hydrocarbon/plasma flame process technology combined with the dry impregnation method. The resulting LTO nanowires can be used as electro active anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The coating parameters, such as thickness, porosity of the film, packing density, and viscosity are controlled using the length of the nanowires, calendaring pressure, and slurry composition.

Abstract: A sediment mixture configured to be used as an abrasive agent is disclosed herein. The sediment mixture includes a plurality of component particles comprising particle shapes selected from the group consisting of: (i) an approximately spherical shape, (ii) an approximately tear-drop shape, (iii) an approximately cylindrical shape, (iv) a truncated ellipsoidal shape, (v) a dog-bone or hour-glass shape, and (vi) combinations thereof.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a durable low friction coating (DLFC), which may be manufactured by mixing a binder, a filler, and one or more additives in liquid form, rolling the liquid mixture onto a coil material and curing for subsequent cutting and stamping. The DLFC may be used to coat an abutment clip or a brake shim directly onto a metal substrate or over an elastomer layer. Water-based binders may be used for environmentally friendly brake systems. In some examples, the binder in the DLFC may be in a range from at least 70 weight % to less than 95 weight %, the filler in a range from at least 1 weight % to less than 15 weight %, and the additives in a range from at least 0.2 weight % to less than 5 weight %.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making calcium oxide (CaO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) from aragonite, for example, oolitic aragonite, are provided. The method can include applying solar energy, for example, by focusing one or more mirrors in one or more heliostats, to heat a reactant mixture in a vessel. The reactant mixture includes oolitic aragonite and can be heated to a temperature from 500° C. to 950° C. The system can include a vessel and a means for applying solar energy to heat a supply of oolitic aragonite disposed inside the vessel. Methods of converting the CO2 to ethanol, ethylene, graphene, and/or methane are also provided.

Abstract: A composite filler comprising thermally processed porous inorganic mixed particles of silica and at least one heteroparticle selected from the group consisting of zirconia, hafnia, or yttria and a polymer occupying the pores of the porous inorganic mixed particles, wherein the porous inorganic mixed particles are thermally processed at a temperature of from 650 to 900° C., as well as a dental restorative comprising a resin and a composite filler, and optionally other fillers, wherein said resin has a refractive index that increases upon curing, and wherein the opacities of the both uncured and cured restorative are less than 45.

Abstract: Provided is an optoelectronic device comprising an optoelectronic element and circuitry connected to the optoelectronic element, wherein the optoelectronic element comprises plural quantum dots or plural nanorods, and wherein the circuitry is configured to be capable of switching the optoelectronic element between a configuration in which the circuitry provides an effective forward bias voltage that causes the optoelectronic element to emit light and a configuration in which the circuitry provides an effective reverse bias voltage that causes the optoelectronic element to be capable of generating a photocurrent when light to which the optoelectronic element is sensitive strikes the optoelectronic element.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a compound having structure (I) wherein each of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8 is independently CR12 or N; wherein one to four of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8 are N; wherein J1 is C or Si; wherein J2 is C(R13)n, O, (C(R13)n)2, S, NR13, or Se; wherein n is 1 or 2; wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, and R13 is independently H, deuterium, or an organic group. Also provided is a method of making the composition, a method of making an organic light-emitting diode using the composition, and an organic light-emitting diode made by that method.