Abstract: A system includes an access control arrangement, an NFC arrangement, an NFC antenna, a memory, and processing device. The NFC arrangement is arranged to: activate an NFC read/write mode in an NFC device with an active NFC field, by the NFC device sensing the NFC antenna in its NFC field; allow a virtual key from the NFC device to be written to the memory as an NDEF message, using the NFC read/write mode in the NFC device; immediately transfer the NDEF message from the memory to the at least one processing device; and delete the NDEF message from the memory as soon as it has been transferred to the processing device. The processing device is arranged to: receive the NDEF message representing the virtual key from the memory; compare the received virtual key to pre-stored valid virtual keys; and based on said comparison, take an access control decision, to grant or deny access.

Abstract: Investigating the permeability and porosity of geological samples is a routine element of geological studies, and is of particular interest in the oil and gas industry. Core-flood experiments are commonly performed on rock samples to measure transport characteristics in the laboratory. This disclosure reports the design and implementation of a high resolution distributed pressure measurement system for core-flood experiments. A series of microfabricated pressure sensors can be embedded in bolts that are housed within the pressurized polymer sheath that encases a rock core. A feedthrough technology has been developed to provide lead transfer between the sensors and system electronics across a 230-bar pressure difference. The system has been successfully benchtop tested with fluids such as synthetic oil and/or gas. Pressure measurements were recorded over a dynamic range of 20 bar with a resolution as small as 0.3 mbar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a copolymer (C) comprising repeat units corresponding to alkyl methacrylate monomers, said monomers comprising at least one or more monomer(s) (A), the same or different, selected from among (C6-C10) alkyl methacrylate monomers; one or more monomer(s) (B), the same or different, selected from among (C10-C18) alkyl methacrylate monomers, in a lubricant composition comprising at least one base oil for reducing and/or controlling abnormal gas combustion in an engine, preferably a marine engine or a controlled-ignition engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method of providing technical sizing parameters for an energy supply system supplying electrical energy to an installation connected to a public grid subject to potential service interruptions, said computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: ?entering electricity consumption chronology (S1) of said installation; ?entering photovoltaic production capacity limits and energy storage unit capacity limits (S9); ?estimating a ratio (S11) of self-sufficiency or of self-consumption, or of internal rate of return; ?displaying (S13) a plurality of energy supply system configurations on user interface means; wherein each configuration is associated to a sensitivity parameter, said sensitivity parameter enabling to determine the optimized technical sizing parameters of the energy supply system regarding the reliability of the public grid.

Abstract: An exercise device system comprising a tower; a support structure inclinable at different angles relative to the tower; a movable user support platform movably associated with the support structure for movement relative to the support structure; a pulley system associated with the movable user support platform; a cable extending through the pulley system and including opposite ends; exercise device handles coupled to the opposite ends of the cable, whereby movement of the handles causes movement of the movable user support platform relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for controlling an energy storage device are provided. The method includes determining an operating schedule for the energy storage device based on at least an initial cost. The initial cost is a function of at least a load profile and a power production profile of at least one renewable energy source associated with the energy storage device. The operating schedule is for a predetermined period. The method further includes determining an updated cost based on at least the operating schedule, identifying an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes for a predetermined operating period based on the updated cost and the operating schedule; and operating using the operating mode for the predetermined operating period.

Abstract: An aqueous orthosilicate solution comprising m[SiO44?]+nX1+ in an aqueous solution wherein X is an alkali metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium or potassium; and wherein n is four to five times greater than m. The aqueous orthosilicate solution is made by adding silicon particles of less than about 3 cm and water to a pressure vessel followed by adding a molar excess of alkali caustic to the pressure vessel containing the silicon particles. The temperature in the vessel is maintained not to exceed about 190° F. while an aqueous orthosilicate solution is formed. Upon cooling the formed aqueous orthosilicate solution is recovery. Aluminum or CuO can be added during the initial heating.

Abstract: The method comprises providing at least one seismic source in a seismic source area and providing a plurality of seismic receivers in said seismic source area, said method comprising measuring a first type of ground vibrations induced in a subsurface of the area of interest by the at least one seismic source with the plurality of seismic receivers. The method further comprises measuring with the plurality of seismic receivers at least one second type of ground vibrations induced by a mechanical source different from the or from each seismic source and analyzing the second type of ground vibrations to determine at least one information among: a physical parameter of the subsurface and/or, a presence of human and/or an animal and/or a vehicle.

Abstract: A cigarette is provided with the tobacco column portion adjacent the filter assembly encased by a heat shrink material whereby as the burn approaches the butt the heat shrink material begins to contract radially and compress the encased tobacco column restricting the air flow therethrough. This reduces the diameter of burning column adjacent the filter assembly and thus extinguishes or at least confines the remaining tobacco in the cigarette.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pipeline at a seabed location comprises landing a connection tool on the seabed over a free end portion of a first pipeline section already placed on the seabed. The connection tool is locked to the free end portion of the first pipeline section, a lower end of a second pipeline section is connected to the connection tool via an initiation line. While applying tension to the initiation line against reaction force of the connection tool, at least a lower end portion of the second pipeline section is landed on the seabed with the lower end facing a free end of the first pipeline section. The lower end of the second pipeline section is then pulled into mechanical engagement with the free end of the first pipeline section.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of a system, composed of a unique combination and/or customization of subsystems, components and methods of measuring detecting, isolating, and analyzing continuous and intermittent electromechanical failures in vehicle electronics interconnections equipment by applying relevant environmental forces to replicate operational stressors on electronics interconnection equipment to rigorously and exhaustively reproduce failures as if in operational use so that they may be identified, located, and repaired. As environmental stressors are applied, testing failure data is produced by measuring variances of expected voltages across conductive paths, with or without components, of the electromechanical equipment. The system produces comprehensive analyses, reports on all failure indications supported by heuristics, and statistics and applies machine learning techniques of each failure of each serial numbered UUT over time to improve the operational reliability of systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an alcoholic feedstock, comprising: a) a stage of preheating of said alcoholic feedstock to a temperature of between 70° C. and 200° C.; b) a stage of pretreatment on an acidic solid, operating at a temperature of between 70° C. and 200° C., to produce a pretreated alcoholic feedstock; c) a stage of partial vaporization to produce a vaporized stream and a liquid stream; and d) a stage of purification of the liquid stream resulting from stage c), to give a stream rich in water, a stream rich in monoalcohol and a stream rich in impurities.

Abstract: The invention notably relates to a computer-implemented method of water management for an industrial site, the method comprising collecting, via user-interaction, data related to one or more exploitation scenarios of the industrial site, for each respective exploitation scenario, computing, automatically by a computer system and based on the collected data, for each indicator of a plurality of indicators, a respective indicator value, the plurality of indicators comprising a first group of one or more water risk assessment indicators and a second group of one or more environmental footprint indicators, and displaying, simultaneously on a display of the computer system, a plurality of graphical representations including for the indicator value of each indicator of the first group and the second group, a respective graphical representation. The invention improves water management for an industrial site.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel having a photovoltaic module supported by a distributed support frame is described. The distributed support frame may include a support member extending over a back surface of the photovoltaic module. For example, one or more support members may extend laterally from a support hub mounted on the back surface. The distributed support frame may reduce a span length of the photovoltaic module between support locations, and thus, may reduce a likelihood that a module laminate will crack under a design load.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid having a kinematic viscosity from 3 to 6 mm2/s, a flash point of higher than 120° C. and a pour point lower than ?40° C., having a boiling point in the range of from 200° C. to 400° C. and a boiling range below 80° C., said fluid comprising more than 95% isoparaffins and less than 3% of naphthens by weight, a biocarbon content of at least 95% by weight, containing less than 100 ppm aromatics by weight. The invention is also a drilling fluid and the use of the fluid to improve the viscosity of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of modelling a subsurface region. One method comprises defining a plurality of variables for describing said subsurface region, each variable having a corresponding, domain set neighbourhood set, and conflict set. The conflict set comprises conflict variables, which are previously assigned variable which reduces the domain set of its corresponding variable. The method comprises further sequentially performing for each variable: a) selecting an unassigned variable; b) assigning a value to the selected variable from its domain set; c) assessing whether a constraint is satisfied. The selected variable's corresponding conflict set is updated to include any previously assigned variables comprised within the selected variable's corresponding neighbourhood set when said constraint is assessed not to be satisfied at step c). Another method comprises foreseeing dead end variables before they are simulated.