Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery, comprising a cathode, an anode, and a porous separator or electrolyte, wherein the anode comprises: (a) an anode active layer containing a layer of lithium or lithium alloy, in a form of a foil, coating, or multiple particles aggregated together, as an anode active material; (b) a first anode-protecting layer having a thickness from 1 nm to 100 ?m (preferably <1 ?m and more preferably <100 nm) and comprising a lithium ion-conducting material having a lithium ion conductivity from 10?8 S/cm to 5×10?2 S/cm; and (c) a second anode-protecting layer having a thickness from 1 nm to 100 ?m and comprising an elastomer having a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 1,000% and a lithium ion conductivity from 10?8 S/cm to 5×10?2 S/cm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to automatically identify property-related risks through the use of computer vision, sensors, and/or building information models (BIMs). The ability to automatically identify a variety of hazards helps mitigate the associated risks, and thus reduces the number of accidents or fatalities that would otherwise occur. In some embodiments, a “risk map” can be generated by mapping the identified risks for a given property.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes an expander disposed on a crankshaft. The expander being operable to receive a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process and to rotate the crankshaft as the exhaust gas passes through. An absorption chiller system has a generator section having a first heat exchanger to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the expander and to remove heat from the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the expander. An evaporator section has a second heat exchanger to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the generator section and to remove heat from the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the generator section. A compressor is disposed on the crankshaft and connected to the flow of exhaust gas. The compressor is operable to compress the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a directional coupler having a coupler, a forward resistive attenuator, a reflected resistive attenuator, a forward compensation capacitor, and a reflected compensation capacitor. A forward coupler side arm and reflected coupler side arm of the coupler are configured to obtain a sample of forward energy and a sample of reflected energy from the coupler transmission line section. The forward resistive attenuator and reflected resistive attenuator are configured to attenuate the sample of forward energy and the sample of reflected energy. The forward compensation capacitor and the reflected compensation capacitor are configured to receive the attenuated sample of forward energy and the attenuated sample of reflected energy and produce a frequency-compensated sample of forward energy and a frequency-compensated sample of reflected energy.

Abstract: A method for transparently providing a customized enterprise-specific interface application in a cloud-hosted computing system environment includes, at application runtime, selecting a core application defined for a group of enterprises requiring a same core application functionality. The core application is packaged for deployment. On identification of a specific enterprise associated with the core application, according to the identified specific enterprise one or more predefined stored functionalities are applied to the core application to provide an identified-enterprise-specific application.

Abstract: In some embodiments an apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The apparatus includes a first circuit board that has multiple integrated circuits (ICs). The first circuit board is disposed within the interior of the housing. The apparatus includes a second circuit board that has multiple ICs. The second circuit board is also disposed within the interior of the housing. The apparatus further includes a first electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield disposed about an IC from the multiple ICs of the first circuit board and not disposed about remaining ICs from the multiple ICs of the first circuit board. The apparatus further includes a second EMI shield disposed about the first circuit board and not the second circuit board. The apparatus further includes a third EMI shield disposed about the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

Abstract: Devices and methods to relieve lift chains from being maintained under constant, or nearly constant, tension are provided.

Abstract: A lithium battery cathode layer containing multiple particles or coating of a cathode active material (metal fluoride or metal chloride) and a layer of exfoliated graphite worms composed of interconnected graphite flakes and inter-flake pores, wherein (a) the graphite worms are selected from exfoliated natural graphite, exfoliated artificial graphite, exfoliated meso carbon micro-beads, exfoliated coke, exfoliated meso-phase pitch, exfoliated carbon or graphite fiber, or a combination thereof; (b) the cathode active material particles or coating has a size from 0.4 nm to 10 ?m, and is in an amount from 1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of graphite worms and the cathode active material combined; and (c) some of the pores are lodged with particles or coating of the cathode active material.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as an optical encoder system comprising a first optical sensor, a second optical sensor, a first up-down counter, a second up-down counter, and an I/O expander. The optical encoder system may further include a buffer. The present disclosure may also be embodied as an optical encoder system comprising an optical encoder, and a monostable multivibrator. The present disclosure may also be embodied as a method for encoding optical data comprising generating a first optical sensor signal and a second optical sensor signal, converting the first optical sensor signal and second optical sensor signal into four first counter signals, generating a borrow output signal and a carry output signal, converting the borrow output signal and the carry output signal into four second counter signals, and converting the first counter signals and second counter signals into a serial data signal and a serial clock signal.

Abstract: A fill device for use with a water reservoir tank in an earth reduction system, the fill device comprising a ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, a pipe having a first end connected to the top surface of the ring and a second end for connection to a water supply, a skirt affixed to the bottom surface of the center ring, an opening surrounded by a plate and defining a tortuous path and positioned below the first end of the pipe and the skirt, and a check valve support with a check valve mounted below the opening and the plate.

Abstract: System and methods to provide ceiling-only suppression fire protection of up to fifty feet (50 ft.) of rack storage of cartoned unexpanded plastic commodities and less hazardous commodities, such as for example, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 and/or combinations thereof beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height up to fifty-five feet (55 ft.). The systems and methods provide for hydraulic and system parameters that include a hydraulic design area based upon five to no more than twelve hydraulically most remote sprinklers spaced at a preferred sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of eight to ten feet (8-10 ft.) coupled to two to four branch lines tied to a common cross main supply pipe of firefighting fluid.

Abstract: An anti-theft electronic parking brake actuator includes a key switch for activating and de-activating the parking brake, and preventing theft of a vehicle. The electronic parking brake actuator further includes a cell phone interface to both notify an owner when the parking brake is released. The electronic parking brake actuator may further include a GPS device monitoring vehicle location and notifying the owner if the vehicle is moved while the parking brake is actuated, and reporting vehicle location.

Abstract: A transition adapter for routing a first optical cable into a plurality of optical cables of the present disclosure has a main body. In addition, the transition adapter has a first channel within the main body and configured for receiving the first optical cable, a second channel, the first channel open to the second channel, the second channel within the main body and configured for receiving a second optical cable, which is a first portion of the first optical cable, the second channel terminating with a first opening from which the second optical cable extends, and a third channel, the first channel open to the third channel, the third channel within the main body and configured for receiving a third optical cable, which is a second portion of the first optical cable, the third channel terminating with a second opening from which the third optical cable extends.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a pre-cast reinforced concrete traffic separating median barrier comprising: a barrier body, said barrier body defining a body length extending along said longitudinally extending direction, a body width orthogonal to said body length, and a body height orthogonal to said body length and said body width, said barrier body terminating in a first barrier end region and a second barrier end region, said first barrier end region comprising a female interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said second barrier end region comprising a male interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said female interlocking structure adapted to interlock with said male interlocking structure.

Abstract: The LED luminaire is constructed with an LED/driver printed circuit board mounted directly on a floor of the heat sink assembly. By mounting the LED/driver printed circuit board directly in and on the heat sink assembly, the heat imposed on the LED/driver printed circuit board during use in a canopy hood over a cooking surface is transferred directly to the heat sink assembly for dissipation.

Abstract: Provided herein are formulations containing copper ions and methods of treating underlying infections and conditions caused by coronavirus, particularly COVID-19, and influenzas, particularly influenza A and/or influenza B using such formulations. Methods of treating the underlying viruses and their resultant conditions using topical copper ion treatments are provided. A topical treatment in its basic form comprises a biocompatible copper ion solution or suspension obtained by leaching of the copper ions from copper metal. The copper ion solution or suspension may be combined with various carriers to form the copper ion treatment including creams or solutions. Methods of making the copper ion solution or suspension from solid copper metal in a biocompatible solution are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium product for sharing broadcast resources and validating usage of the broadcast resources according to an agreement between a plurality of broadcast virtual network operators (BVNOs). A method includes determining the plurality of spectrum resources corresponding to a length of a broadcast frame, and creating a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) based on a plurality of internet protocol (IP) flows from the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes constructing the broadcast frame including the plurality of PLPs and generating a broadcast frame record based on transmission of the broadcast frame. The broadcast frame record can identify the plurality of spectrum resources shared between the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes updating the broadcast frame record with identification information of the plurality of BVNOs and the plurality of IP flows corresponding to the plurality of PLPs of the broadcast frame.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter for a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle and which includes features that facilitate use and protects the user from possible fluid exposure. The nozzle adapter includes a bell-shaped feature that funnels any liquid dripping from the end of the nozzle away from the user, and further includes a series of drip edges, dams, and liquid pathways that further divert any leaked liquids away from the user. Finally, the adapter includes a user touch point for adjusting the spray pattern of the nozzle that is positioned radially outwardly a greater distance than the nozzle outlet to further enhance the protective properties of the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: A scrolling score guide with quick tune feature is presented herein. A method can comprise displaying a group of identifiers representing event broadcasts with corresponding data of the event broadcasts as a scrolling window within a broadcast window of a broadcast being received by the system for display via the display device, and, in response to detecting, via a remote device, a selection of an identifier of the group of identifiers, receiving an event broadcast of the event broadcasts represented by the identifier, and displaying the event broadcast in the broadcast window.

Abstract: An efficient reusable, extensible light weight framework statelessly orchestrates system activities in any application which involves a series of sequential or parallel set of activities involving computational logic, data retrieval and persistence services. Actual orchestration steps and activities and computational logic are specified into configuration files, separate from the orchestration engine itself, thereby eliminating the need to code for such logic and activities. The framework can eliminate the need to code business logic and orchestration of data retrieval services by externalizing them into configuration files, resulting in lower costs to implement, test and maintain such system during its lifespan.