Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the dimerization of conjugated diene compounds by a heterogeneous catalytic process using a supported palladium catalyst in the presence of at least one palladium activator and at least one palladium coordinating agent.

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: The probe includes a hollow casing defining a closed inner compartment, the hollow casing having at least an end to be placed in contact with the ground; at least a sensor received in the closed inner compartment, the sensor being able to sense a physical quantity related to the ground; and at least an emitter received in the closed inner compartment, the emitter being able to send data representative of the physical quantity sensed by the sensor. Also, at least a power source received in the closed inner compartment, the power source being able to power the sensor and/or the emitter. At least part of the sensor and/or at least part of the emitter is biodegradable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for methanol synthesis comprising the steps of providing a syngas feed stream comprising hydrogen and a mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, wherein carbon dioxide represents from 1 to 50 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream, carbon monoxide is contained from 0.1 to 85 mol % of the total molar content, and H2 is comprised from 5 to 95 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream; providing an indium oxide catalyst selected from a bulk catalyst and a supported catalyst comprising indium oxide (In2O3) as the main active phase; putting in contact said stream with said catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least 373 K (99.85° C.) and under a pressure ranging of at least 1 MPa; and recovering the methanol effluents. The invention also relates to an indium oxide based catalyst.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for battery modelling. The method includes acquiring battery information from a sensor attached to a battery, the battery information including at least a terminal voltage and a load current; classifying, the battery information as effective data or ineffective data based on a phase of a battery cycle during which the battery information is acquired; identifying one or more parameters of the circuit model associated with the battery based on the effective data; and generating an estimation of a state of the battery using the circuit model having the one or more parameters identified using the effective data. Further, a circuit model is identified using effective data.

Abstract: A barrier system, device, and method protects medical professionals and patients from exposure to contaminants and bodily fluids. The system includes a head unit (e.g., 708) shaped to be worn over the head of the wearer; a hood (e.g., 704) positioned over the head unit; one or more sensors (e.g., 1902) configured to produce one or more sensor-output signals; and a controller (e.g., 1904) connected to the one or more sensors and configured to produce one or more controller-output signals based on the one or more sensor-output signals. Further, a device inside a barrier system is controlled by (a) sensing one or more characteristics; (b) producing one or more sensor signals based on the sensed one or more characteristics; (c) converting and/or processing the one or more sensor signals to produce one or more controller-output signals; and (d) controlling the device based on the one or more controller-output signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for methanol synthesis comprising the steps of providing a syngas feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides selected from carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, wherein carbon dioxide represents from 1 to 50 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream, carbon monoxide is contained from 0 to 85 mol % of the total molar content, and H2 is comprised from 5 to 95 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream, and a catalyst comprising indium oxide (In2O3) on a support wherein the support comprises zirconium dioxide or is zirconium dioxide; putting in contact said stream with said supported catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least 373 K (99.85° C.) and under a pressure ranging of at least 1 MPa; and recovering the methanol effluents. The invention also relates to a supported indium oxide catalyst.

Abstract: Laser foil trim approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes attaching a metal foil sheet to a surface of a wafer to provide a unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer, wherein the wafer has a perimeter and the metal foil sheet has a portion overhanging the perimeter. The method also includes laser scribing the metal foil sheet along the perimeter of the wafer using a laser beam that overlaps the metal foil sheet outside of the perimeter of the wafer and at the same time overlaps a portion of the unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer inside the perimeter of the wafer to remove the portion of the metal foil sheet overhanging the perimeter and to provide a metal foil piece coupled to the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for safe access to a confined space, comprising: a rectilinear support strut (12), two arms (14, 16) each fixed rigidly to an end (12a) of the strut, at right angles thereto and in opposite directions. A first arm (14) comprises at least one anchoring element (18), the second arm (16) being provided with at least two pulleys (20, 22) whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the arms. The anchoring element (18) and the two pulleys (20, 22) are arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage of the anchoring element to the pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms. The strut (12) has at least one fixing member intended to cooperate with an opening (84) of the confined space in order to ensure the fixing thereof.

Abstract: Granules of material usable as a road binder or as a sealing binder including a core and a coating layer, wherein: the core consists of a first composition including at least one material selected from: a bitumen base, a pitch, a clear binder, and the coating layer consists of a second composition which includes: at least one viscosifying compound selected from cellulose ethers, and at least one anticaking agent. Also, a method for producing granules of material that can be used as a road binder or as a sealing binder, and the use thereof as a road binder, in particular for the production of coated materials. Also, a method for producing coatings from granules of material that can be used as a road binder or as a sealing binder and to a method for transporting and/or storing and/or handling granules.

Abstract: A cloud service system and method for unloading and loading plans are disclosed. The system includes a server and planners. An integrated unloading plan providing method includes the operation: (a) assigning, by each planner, a ship company, a sea route, and a ship for an unloading plan; (b) specifying, by each planner, edition attributes in consideration of the attributes of cargo to be loaded; (c) performing, by each planner, display for each cell of a bay profile on the basis of the previously specified cargo attributes; (d) when there is a need to input detailed information for each cell of the bay profile, inputting, by each planner, the detailed information; (e) when there is a need for inboard transloading during an operation for each cell, assigning, by each planner, a transloading plan to a corresponding cell; and (f) determining, by each planner, whether planning for each cell has been completed.

Abstract: A window assembly. The window assembly is exposed to radiant light, and comprises a window pane, a solar module positioned adjacent the window pane. The solar module includes a) a photovoltaic layer to receive at least a portion of the radiant light, and to convert the radiant light into electrical energy, and b) an insulating substrate having a predefined openness and being positioned proximate the photovoltaic layer, to block out another portion of the radiant light based on the openness. The window assembly also comprises an energy device being in electrical communication with the photovoltaic layer to receive and distribute the electrical energy.

Abstract: The device comprises: a measurement cell, configured for receiving a sample of porous medium containing a fluid comprising one or more phases; a X-ray source, configured for illuminating the measurement cell with X-rays; a detector, placed opposite the X-ray source with regards to the measurement cell, the detector being configured for receiving X-rays arising from the sample contained in the measurement cell. The X-ray source is configured for illuminating simultaneously at least a surface of the sample without relative movement between the X-ray source and the sample, the detector comprising a plurality of sensing areas configured for selectively detecting X-rays arising from different points on the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel is provided, including a plastic support sheet having a cellular core; a laminate of photovoltaic cells fixed to the support sheet; and a plastic and/or composite frame including longitudinal profile sections for laterally protecting the laminate of photovoltaic cells and the support sheet, and corner-shaped portions connecting the longitudinal profile sections together in order therewith to form a closed frame.

Abstract: A clear binder, in divided form, that is solid when cold, and to the different ways in which it is formed. Also, the method for transporting and/or storing and/or handling the binder, as well as to the uses of the binder for road and/or industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing white activated charcoal (having a white-to-light-grey appearance) employing high temperatures and a hydrogen peroxide solution. The present invention further relates to one or more oral care compositions utilizing white activated charcoal, including a whitening toothpaste compound minimally comprising white activated charcoal and a dental abrasive in a solvent base. The present invention further relates to a highly effective whitening toothpaste compound further comprising one or more of: a humectant, a thickener, a foaming agent, a protective surface polish, an extrinsic stain remover, a sweetener, a flavoring and a white colorant—a complete whitening, polishing and cleaning toothpaste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acids, in particular shot/medium-chain fatty acids (S/MCFA), by expression in a host cell of a recombinant fatty acid synthase (FAS) naturally devoid of a thioesterase (TE) domain comprising a heterologous thioesterase (TE). The invention further relates to polynucleotides comprising such recombinant FAS, polypeptides encoded thereby, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides, as well as recombinant host cells comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, or vectors.

Abstract: An inclinable rebounding exercise device comprising at least one inclinable rail having an upper and a lower end; an adjustable support assembly that allows the at least one rail to be adjusted to a desired inclination angle; a sliding platform slidably mounted with respect to the at least one rail; a support base; a foot platform assembly including a pair of resilient, independent foot platforms coupled to the support base. The pair of resilient, independent foot platforms allow for a soft landing achieved by absorbing energy therein, reducing joint stress and allowing greater muscle exercise.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a selective head-to-head dimerization of conjugated diene compounds by a catalytic process in a reaction medium without solvent or with solvent comprising hydrocarbons, in the presence of a specific additive of the phenol type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a logging device for measuring pressure into an underground formation, comprising at least one formation pressure sensor which comprises a tool body part and a probe mounted on the tool body part, said probe comprising a fluid withdrawal line. The tool body part comprises a flow line connected to the fluid withdrawal line, at least one test chamber connected to the flow line and an at least one respective closing system, and at least one pressure sensor connected to the flow line. The probe further comprises a rupture chamber and a pressure sensor connected to the fluid withdrawal line and, a first isolating valve on the fluid withdrawal line downstream of the rupture chamber and upstream to the flow line adapted to isolate the rupture chamber from the flow line when the rupture chamber is actuated.