Abstract: A deicing composition and method of making the same includes an aqueous salt solution comprising sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride. The aqueous salt solution may be naturally produced from an oil, natural gas, or natural salt water well from siliclastic or chemical sedimentary rock type formation or it may be synthesized. The deicing composition may also include fresh water and a corrosion inhibiting mixture that includes sodium gluconate and triethanolamine.

Abstract: An automatic darkening and glare reducing liquid crystal mirror for vehicles is disclosed. The mirror has a front substrate (101) of transparent glass or plastic and a back substrate (109) of glass or plastic with a highly reflective or transflective mirrored coating (108). The front and back substrates are spaced apart a small distance to define a liquid crystal cell between the substrates and a liquid crystal fluid (106) incorporating dichroic dyes is contained within the liquid crystal cell. A conductive thin film (102) is applied onto the interior surface of the front substrate and the reflective or transflective coating (108) of the back substrate also is conductive. An alignment compound is deposited on the conductive thin film (102) and on the reflective or transflective coating (108) and the alignment compound bounds the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: A deicing composition and method of making the same includes an aqueous salt solution comprising sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride. The aqueous salt solution may be naturally produced from an oil, natural gas, or natural salt water well from siliclastic or chemical sedimentary rock type formation or it may be synthesized. The deicing composition may also include fresh water and a corrosion inhibiting mixture that includes sodium gluconate and triethanolamine.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movable relative to the user and/or furniture between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured such that they do not inhibit the user from interacting with others. In the second configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured to provide the user with at least some visual and/or acoustic privacy and isolation from others.

Abstract: A scissor lift comprises a load support, a lift support and at least one scissor assembly defined between the load support and the lift support, the at least one scissor assembly being driven into an open or a closed position by a drive device that enables movement of the load support relative to the lift support with the opening and closing of the at least one scissor assembly, wherein the at least one scissor assembly is further defined by a pair of arms attached at a pivot, and where the pair of arms further comprises a curved outer surface that engages a portion of a drive device for urging the scissor arms apart and for moving the load support relative to the lift support.

Abstract: A guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movable relative to the user and/or furniture between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured such that they do not inhibit the user from interacting with others. In the second configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured to provide the user with at least some visual and/or acoustic privacy and isolation from others.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the auction systems and methods described herein provide a web based service that allows medical facilities to both sell and buy medical devices and supplies at a discount. This web based service will enable hospitals that otherwise would have a financial loss, to sell their soon to be expiring products at a discount, and at the same time allow facilities that have an immediate need for devices to purchase them at a lower price based on a more limited expiration than if bought directly from the manufacturer. This maximizes savings on behalf of the buyers and minimizes losses on behalf of the sellers while consolidating inventory in the overall medical device/supply market.

Abstract: A guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed including: a chamber disposed about a longitudinal axis and containing a gas, a magnetic confinement system configured to produce a magnetic field in a confinement region within the chamber, an electron cyclotron resonance driver which produces a time varying electric field which drives the cyclotron motion of electrons located within the confinement region, the driven electrons interacting with the gas to form a confined plasma. During operation, the magnetic confinement system confines the plasma in the confinement region such that a portion of atoms in the plasma experience multiple ionizing interactions with the driven electrons to form multiply ionized ions having a selected final ionization state.

Abstract: A landscape electrical component connector system is provided which is based on a low-voltage electrical circuit with underground wire cable lines and interchangeable, below ground waterproof connectors which interconnect outdoor electrically positioned above ground lighting, audio, and cooling components. These components, which are hard-wired with waterproof connectors, provide versatility in their ability to be easily and simply added and removed from the system manually, without the use of tools, as desired by the owner. The waterproof connectors are quick connect elements which allow for fast and clean interchange of the various components and circuit splitters and extensions, both during initial installation of the system and after it has been installed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrocarbon recovery in a well for coal bed methane (CBM) recovery, tight sand gas extraction, and other gas extraction techniques provides for the formation of a hydrocarbon foam comprised of a fluid delivered into a downhole portion of the well and the hydrocarbon, maximizing water removal for gas recovery. The apparatus may include a check valve that feeds a nozzle to deliver or atomize the spray of fluid into the downhole portion of the well when the pressure applied to the fluid is sufficient to overcome a hydrostatic pressure in the downhole portion of the well and to deliver the fluid into the downhole portion of the well. The fluid is not sprayed directly into the formation, thereby protecting the formation from damage and recovering the fluid even in the case where water is not present. The capillary tube feeding the fluid to the check valve may be placed externally to the production tube to facilitate ease of cleaning and clearing of the production tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet bowl water level gauge and associated methods. In one embodiment, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a gauge assembly having a stem with a float, and a sleeve, wherein the stem is inserted in the sleeve and slides through the sleeve. Also, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a support attached to the gauge assembly, the support being adapted to engage a rim of a toilet bowl. In addition, bowl level sensors are employed for automated calibration of an automated bowl fill system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet bowl water level gauge and associated methods. In one embodiment, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a gauge assembly having a stem with a float, and a sleeve, wherein the stem is inserted in the sleeve and slides through the sleeve. Also, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a support attached to the gauge assembly, the support being adapted to engage a rim of a toilet bowl. In addition, bowl level sensors are employed for automated calibration of an automated bowl fill system.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting ambient infrared radiation into electricity including an array of patch resonators each including a metal material having a predetermined shape tuned to resonate within a predetermined frequency range, a micro-strip line network for interconnecting the resonators and guiding energy, a dielectric substrate, and a metal ground plane. A micro-structured array of interconnected patch resonators operable for converting ambient heat to electricity, cooling, controlling temperature and wireless communication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pill splitter. The pill splitter includes a main body with a top housing and a bottom housing having a blade mounted thereto. The top housing has a slot defined therein for receipt of the blade. The top housing moves relative to the bottom housing between a protected position and a cutting position. In the protected position, the top housing resides in front of the blade to prevent a user from contacting the blade. In one embodiment, a retainer moves between the blade mount and the bottom surface of the pill seat to prevent movement thereof. In the cutting position, the blade is routed through the slot in the top housing thereby exposing a cutting edge thereof for cutting a pill. The retainer clears from between the blade mount and the bottom source of the pill seat to allow movement thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a packaging article for safely transporting wine and spirit bottles and the like. Accordingly, an article is provided comprising one or more layers of material in a general shape of a bottle to be contained therein and an opening in the article for insertion of a bottle to be contained therein, and means for closing the opening for transporting the bottle contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pill splitter that is designed for cutting pills in a relatively safe and reliable manner. The pill splitter includes a main body with a top housing and a bottom housing having a blade mounted thereto. The top housing has a slot defined therein for receipt of the blade. The top housing moves relative to the bottom housing between a protected position, unexposed blade, and a cutting position, exposed blade. In the protected position, the top housing resides in front of the blade to prevent a user from contacting the blade. In the cutting position, the blade is routed through the slot in the top housing thereby exposing a cutting edge thereof for cutting a pill.