Abstract: A Dispatch Planner (DP) is a component in an Energy System Controller that controls the operation of energy resources interconnected into one energy system to provide optimal energy management for a customer. In one embodiment, the energy storage system includes an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines; and stored energy resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: A method for producing and using an ultrapure colloidal silica dispersion is disclosed. The ultrapure colloidal silica dispersion has less than 200 ppb of each trace metal impurity disposed therein, excluding potassium and sodium, and less than 2 ppm residual alcohol. The method comprises dissolving a fumed silica in an aqueous solvent comprising an alkali metal hydroxide to produce an alkaline silicate solution, removing the alkali metal via ion exchange to generate a silicic acid solution, adjusting temperature, concentration and pH of said silicic acid solution to values sufficient to initiate nucleation and particle growth, and cooling the silicic acid solution at a rate sufficient to produce the colloidal silica dispersion.

Abstract: A remedial pollution control system for treating volatile organic compounds that may include a vapor concentrator connected to a line that is laden with volatile organic compounds, the concentrator has an organic condensate output line and a vapor output line; a mixing chamber adapted to receive air provided from an air supply line, combustible fuel from an alternate fuel supply line, and a vapor stream from the vapor output line to produce a mixed fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine, a control mixing system with a controller for producing a proper air to fuel ratio in the mixed fuel supply, and power generated to operate other devices used to more efficiently abate volatile organic compounds and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: An adaptive method for estimating the selling price for an item at auction in order to set a reserve. The method calculates the selling price as a function of selling prices for items previously-sold at auction and differential values attributable to feature differences between the item to be sold and comparative items previously sold. Distance metrics are calculated by comparing the item to be sold with each item in the set of comparative items, and a subset of most similar items is selected according to the calculated distance metrics. A weighting function is then calculated for each item in the subset based on its respective distance metric value, and the selling price is estimated as a function of the weighting functions and the differential values. The differential values are modeled as a linear dynamical system and updated using a Kalman filter as a function of an actual sales price for the item to be sold and a current estimate of uncertainty for the differential values.

Abstract: In general, a computer-implemented method is described for receiving one or more requests to generate a medical study, retrieving from one or more data repositories one or more medical study instruments, receiving a selection of a particular medical study instrument to use in the medical study, generating by one or more computers a list of one or more research collaborators invited to review the medical study, and generating by one or more computers a list of one of more participants invited to join the medical study. Additionally, the computer-implemented method generates by one or more computer systems a data filter to format medical data from a first data format to a second data format, wherein the second data format complies with a third data format associated with one or more medical study instruments.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: Featured is an accurate and inexpensive system to detect and report engine idling in a vehicle including a detection portion and a reporting portion. The detection portion detects or senses the presence of voltage from the vehicle's ignition switch and vehicle's mechanical vibration from the running engine. The detection portion also can filter out transient vibrations which are not related to engine running. The detection portion forwards signal or information relating to engine running and vehicle movement to a reporting portion of the system. The reporting portion (e.g., a software application being executed on a computer or microprocessor) determines from the forwarded information if the vehicle engine is idling and if there is excessive idling. The fleet operator can define recommended maximum idling parameters to determine such excessive idling. Also featured are apparatuses, devices and methods related thereto.

Abstract: Electrical devices having a plurality of stacked electrode layers are described. At least one of the electrode layers contains continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes. The continuous fibers can be disposed upon an electrically conductive base plate. The electrical devices can further contain an electrolyte contacting each electrode layer and a layer of separator material disposed between each electrode layer, in which case the electrical devices can form a supercapacitor. Such supercapacitors can have a capacitance of at least about 1 Farad/gram of continuous fibers. The capacitance can be increased by coating at least a portion of the infused carbon nanotubes with a material such as, for example, a conducting polymer, a main group metal compound, and/or a transition metal compound. Methods for producing the electrical devices are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patty manager having a dispensing tray including one or more dispensing regions for receiving surgical patties, and a recovery tray having a plurality of recovery regions for receiving surgical patties. Each dispensing region may include a dispensing indicia located, and each recovery region can include a recovery indicia, which may correspond to a substantially similar dispensing indicia of the dispensing tray. A string guide may be disposed about at least a portion of the dispensing regions for the organization and management of the patty strings. A gripping tool may further be coupled to one of the dispensing or recovery trays.

Abstract: Compositions and method useful for removal of mercury from a flue gas stream with relatively high concentrations of acid gas precursors and/or acid gases. The method includes contacting the flue gas stream with a sorbent composition comprising a sorbent material and a multi-functional agent, where the multi-functional agent includes a compound having a metal of valency 3 or higher. The multi-functional agent may be an inorganic salt, wherein either the cation or anion of the salt comprises a metal selected from Group 3 to 14 metal, such as aluminum. A halogen such as in the form of a halide salt that helps facilitate the oxidation of elemental mercury into its oxidized form may be present in the sorbent composition.

Abstract: A process in a resulting product of the process in which a hydrogen storage metal amide is modified by a ball milling process using an additive of TPP. The resulting product provides for a hydrogen storage metal amide having a coating that renders the hydrogen storage metal amide resistant to air, ambient moisture, and liquid water while improving useful hydrogen storage and release kinetics.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods predict behavior of sprays based on receiving a selection of one or more variables affecting spray. Relative amounts of the droplets forming the spray are grouped into various droplet size classes, where each droplet size class represents a range of droplet sizes. The relative amounts of the spray in the classes is visually depicted on a computer display according to a distribution of droplets, a volume of spray falling within the droplet size classes, a chart depicting relative amounts of the spray as a function of droplet size, or according to a spray quality based on environmental factors.

Abstract: A DC superconducting coaxial transmission system provides electrical transmission of 5,000 megawatts of energy while simultaneously delivering liquid hydrogen. The transmission system includes a coaxial transmission segment including an inner superconductor, an outer superconductor disposed in surrounding relation to the inner conductor, and a dielectric insulator disposed between the inner superconductor and the outer superconductor. Liquid hydrogen surrounds the superconductors. Three phase transformers and poly phase rectifier/inverters provide a DC voltage source to the superconductors from the electrical grid. In one embodiment, a switching circuit connected between the voltage source and the superconductor injects a cancellation current component into the direct current flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a concentrate for use in chemical mechanical polishing slurries, and a method of diluting that concentrate to a point of use slurry. The concentrate comprises abrasive, complexing agent, and corrosion inhibitor, and the concentrate is diluted with water and oxidizer. These components are present in amounts such that the concentrate can be diluted at very high dilution ratios, without affecting the polishing performance.

Abstract: The process of treating elemental mercury within the soil is provided by introducing into the soil a heated vapor phase of elemental sulfur. As the vapor phase of elemental sulfur cools, sulfur is precipitated within the soil and then reacts with any elemental mercury thereby producing a reaction product that is less hazardous than elemental mercury.

Abstract: An improved LED traffic signal is provided. The LED traffic signal suitably includes a housing with an opening, a printed circuit board coupled to the housing, and a power supply system coupled to the printed circuit board. The power supply system includes a power supply module that receives an AC input voltage from an AC input line and transforms the AC input voltage into a DC voltage with a regulated current to power the LED load, and a synchronized power pulse circuit connected to the power supply that generates a synchronized power pulse representing a power consumption substantially equivalent to that of a halogen or incandescent traffic signal.

Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body. The device further including a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the wall and a stand-off member positioned along an interior surface of the wall. The stand-off member dimensioned to space the body away from the tubular member and having a protruding portion formed by the interior surface of the wall and an indention portion formed by the exterior surface of the wall.

Abstract: Data analytics are provided in loan treatment. Various sources of data may be used to optimize or predict value for a loan. Using machine-learning and/or statistical analysis, loans or treatment best suited for a particular borrower may be determined. Due to the large amounts of data available, borrower behavior may be learned from previous behavior of others and mapped to a predictive model. Machine-learning indicates the most relevant factors in loan treatment, providing a matrix for predicting loan value or treatment success. A given borrower may be classified into one of many classes of borrower based on credit information, property information, desired loan information, real estate market information, and/or other data. Tens, hundreds, or even thousands of variables may be used to predict the optimum treatment.

Abstract: A surgical retention port particularly useful as an arthroscopic port for shoulder surgery is provided. The surgical retention port has an inner cannula defining a throughbore, a plurality of rotatable fingers coupled to the inner cannula, and an outer cannula extending around the inner cannula. Rotation of the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula causes the rotation of the fingers from a first position where the fingers assume a collapsed configuration to a second position where the fingers assume an extended or open configuration.

Abstract: One or more light emitting diode diodes (LEDs) are attached to a printed circuit board. The attached LEDs are connectable with a power source via circuitry of the printed circuit board. An overmolding material is insert molded an over at least portions of the printed circuit board proximate to the LEDs to form a free standing high thermal conductivity material overmolding that covers at least portions of the printed circuit board proximate to the LEDs. The free standing high thermal conductivity material has a melting temperature greater than about 100° C. and has a thermal conductivity greater than or about 1 W/m·K. In some embodiments, the free standing high thermal conductivity material is a thermoplastic material.