Abstract: A method for producing a pure metal M or metal alloy MxNy, of interest, which comprises electrolyzing a molten salt electrolyte of an alkali-metal or alkaline-earth metal halide AX or AX2, with an anode formed of graphite or made of a composite of a metal oxide of the metal of interest and carbon, to discharge the alkali or alkaline-earth metal A, at the cathode, and to discharge nascent chlorine gas at the anode, whereby to produce a halide of the metal of interest MXn and/or NXn, and metallothermically reducing the metal halide MXn and/or NXn either separately or combined, with the alkali or alkaline-earth metal A, obtained cathodically to produce the metal M or the metal alloy MxNy of interest in particulate form.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fire extinguishing system including an electronic control unit in communication with a software library, a foam proportioning system including foam proportioning equipment, and a smart connector. The smart connector includes a controller, and the smart connector is connected to the foam proportioning equipment. The controller automatically initiates an authentication procedure when the smart connector is connected to the electronic control unit. The controller causes the electronic control unit to automatically unlock at least one routines in the software library after the authentication procedure is complete to enable control of the foam proportioning equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the delivery of carbon to photoautotrophs. The invention utilizes low energy regeneration of adsorbent for CO2 capture and provides for effective CO2 loading into liquids useful for photoautotroph growth and/or production of photosynthetic products, such as biofuels, via photoautotrophic culture media. The inventive system comprises a fluid/membrane/fluid contactor that provides selective transfer of molecular CO2 via a dense (non-porous) membrane from a carbonate-based CO2 snipping solution to a culture medium where the CO2 is consumed by a photoautotroph for the production of biofuels, biofuel precursors or other commercial products.

Abstract: A reduced-weight container or vessel for storage, transportation and processing gases and liquids under pressure has a plurality of hollows formed in the outer wall, resulting in a reduced weight without compromising the structural integrity.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the delivery of carbon to photoautotrophs. The invention utilizes low energy regeneration of adsorbent for CO2 capture and provides for effective CO2 loading into liquids useful for photoautotroph growth and/or production of photosynthetic products, such as biofuels, via photoautotrophic culture media. The inventive system comprises a fluid/membrane/fluid contactor that provides selective transfer of molecular CO2 via a dense (non-porous) membrane from a carbonate-based CO2 snipping solution to a culture medium where the CO2 is consumed by a photoautotroph for the production of biofuels, biofuel precursors or other commercial products.

Abstract: Enhanced presentation techniques for modeling a connectivity universe associated with a particular user or device are provided. Example embodiments provide a WorldView Display System (a “WVDS”), which automatically organizes a user's online relationships with entities, such as devices, data collections, services, and people, and provides a user interface for accessing and interacting with these entities. The WVDS automatically determines the universe of objects that the user has relationships with, automatically groups objects having similar measures of access proximity, displays a multi-dimensional representation of these groups of objects on a display device, and provides a uniform user interface for initiating an interaction with any represented object. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing graphene functionalized at its edge positions of graphite. Organic material having one or more functional groups is reacted with graphite in reaction medium comprising methanesulfonic acid and phosphorus pentoxide, or in reaction medium comprising trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, to produce graphene having organic material fuctionalized at edges. And then, high purity and large scaled graphene and film can be obtained by dispersing, centrifugal separating the functionalized graphene in a solvent and reducing, in particular heat treating the graphene. According to the present invention graphene can be produced inexpensively in a large amount with a minimum loss of graphite. (FIG.

Abstract: Low cost spherical titanium and titanium powder alloy powder is produced by impinging a stream of an inert gas, such as argon, on the surface of a molten pool of titanium or sponge and alloying elements.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for cancer such as lung cancer is disclosed. The assay can also be used to follow patients during treatment and for assessment of disease relapse after treatment. The assay utilizes biomarkers for tumor formation identified in a transgenic mouse model. The assay is used to identify a therapeutic indication for a patient based on the patient's biomarker expression. The biomarker and fragments thereof are also useful for treating cancer, for example lung or colon cancer.

Abstract: A paperless postage method includes receiving sender electronic mail piece images and storing them, receiving a mail piece, taking an image of the mail piece, comparing the image with the stored sender electronic mail piece images to determine a match, retrieving sender service selections for the mail piece, and processing the mail piece according to the sender service selections. A paperless postage system includes an information reception and storage module configured to receive and store sender electronic mail piece images, an image capture module configured to take an image of a mail piece, an image matching module configured to compare the image with the stored sender electronic mail piece images to determine a match, a service selection module configured to retrieve sender service selections for the mail piece, and a mail piece processing module configured to process the mail piece according to the sender service selections for the mail piece.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing text inputted by a user in an online communication program comprises: communicating with a user computing device or online communication program server to receive text inputted by the user; assigning a trust value to the inputted text, wherein the assigned trust value is one of least three trust values on a continuum of trust values comprising a first trust value associated with acceptable behaviour, a second trust value associated with unacceptable behaviour, and a third trust value associated with indeterminate behaviour; determining available responses to the inputted text based on the assigned trust value and rules specified in a user trust matrix; and sending a response selected from the determined available responses to the user computing device or online communication program server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fire-fighting system including a low-pressure system and an ultra-high pressure system (UHPS). The fire-fighting system can also include a foam proportioning system, which can inject a foamant into the low-pressure system and/or the UHPS. The low-pressure system and the UHPS can be simultaneously operated. Some embodiments of the fire-fighting system can be installed on aircraft rescue fire fighting (ARFF) vehicles.

Abstract: A microcurrent stimulation device with a power supply, two or more electrodes electronically coupled to the power supply, a microcontroller configured to generate an electromagnetic waveform, an impedance measurement module configured to measure electrical impedance of one or more biological tissues between the two or more electrodes. A first safety circuit monitors electric current flow through one or more components of the microcurrent stimulation device and interrupts electric current flow if the electric current flow through the one or more components is above a predetermined level. A second safety circuit interrupts electric current flow through the one or more components if a firmware failure occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for streaming media on a wireless network is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a streaming device driver; a multidestination wireless streaming protocol module, a multitank level algorithm module, a synchronization mechanism module, and an autoequalizing speaker and drive system module. The system and method minimize latency, dropout, jitter, and synchronization issues associated with media streaming while optimizing performance and output quality of the media.

Abstract: A computer process generates news stories and related graphic images by compiling and reformulating financial data in relation to insider ownership. The news stories and images may be published as readable articles in print publications such as magazines, newsletters or newspapers, presented as web pages, as text or images delivered by email, interne messaging or mobile messaging including text messaging, or as text or images delivered by any proprietary distribution network including electronic net works.

Abstract: A penetrator comprising a layered composite of at least one high density metal and at least one reactive metal material such as a reactive metal.

Abstract: A method for reducing airborne contamination within a home includes installing an air-pressure control system within a window of the home, and drawing air from outside the home through the system inlet and an airflow path through the system. As it passes through the airflow path, a germicidal radiation chamber with a UV light source sterilizes the air. Additionally, filter(s) may clean the drawn air by removing particulates from the air as it passes through the filter. The method may then introduce the sterilized/cleaned air into the home through the system outlet. The sterilized/cleaned air may displace an equal volume of contaminated air within the home.

Abstract: An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising a system inlet, a system outlet, and a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed. A motor controller in communication with the fan is configured to control the speed of the fan. A differential-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure at the system inlet and an air pressure at the system outlet. A closed-loop pressure controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-pressure transducer, wherein the pressure controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space. An ultraviolet kill chamber may be disposed between the inlet and outlet to expose airborne particulate to UV radiation. The system may also have a filter located within an air-flow path between the system inlet and system outlet.

Abstract: A method for meniscus processing a substrate is provided. The method initiates with generating a meniscus spanning at least a length of the substrate. A pre-wetting liquid or vapor is dispensed. A substrate is moved through the dispensed pre-wetting liquid or vapor and the meniscus. The dispensed pre-wetting vapor condenses a pre-wetting liquid over a region of the substrate adjacent to a region of the substrate where the meniscus is generated. The pre-wetting liquid is deposited without substantially generating surface flow of the pre-wetting liquid on the substrate, and the pre-wetting liquid prevents the leading edge of the meniscus from contacting a dry surface region of the substrate.