Abstract: Fuel cell electrocatalysts and support structures thereof are described herein. The support structures include a suboxide core comprising an oxygen deficient metal oxide and a dopant, and an outer shell covering the suboxide core. The outer shell comprises the dopant in oxide form. The dopant of the suboxide core provides for the suboxide core to be conductive. Methods of forming fuel cell electrocatalysts and support structures thereof are also described herein.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrocatalyst and a fuel cell catalyst support structure are described herein. The fuel cell electrocatalyst includes the support structure. The support structure includes at least one titanium suboxide, a first dopant and a second dopant. The first dopant is a metal and the second dopant is a Group IV element. The fuel cell electrocatalyst also includes a metal catalyst deposited on the support structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a two-stage on-board battery charger that can generate a wide range of output voltages is described herein. Generally, the battery charger employs a first stage buck and boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) converter, and a second stage DC-DC converter. The buck and boost PFC converter is capable of generating variable intermediate DC-link voltages which allow the on-board battery charger to efficiently generate the wider range of output voltages.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for methods and devices that relate to a drive mechanism, and a power mechanism that can be used 5 individually or together in an engine to obtain increased efficiency are provided according to the teachings herein. The embodiments described herein generally employ at least one of drive mechanisms that provide for non-sinusoidal motion and embedded piston arrangements.

Abstract: In one aspect, a chemically-modified siRNA for reversible photo-controlled gene silencing is provided. In one embodiment, one or more nucleotides the sense strand of the siRNA are replaced with a spacer comprising an azobenzene or derivative thereof. The azobenzene or derivative thereof undergoes isomerization between the trans-configuration and the cis-configuration in the presence of light from a light source and the siRNA optionally has higher RNA silencing activity when the azobenzene or derivative thereof is in the trans-configuration compared to the cis-configuration. In other aspects, the chemically-modified siRNAs may, for example, be useful as both therapeutics and research tools.

Abstract: A heat engine system comprises a first heat exchanger, an expander, a second heat exchanger and a valve assembly. The first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a heat source for heating a working fluid therein. The expander is downstream the first heat exchanger and is in fluid communication therewith for receiving the heat working fluid. The second heat exchanger is downstream the expander and in fluid communication therewith for cooling down the working fluid received therefrom. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the second heat exchanger and the expander for providing for selectively injecting the expander with cooled working fluid from the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to access control, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing access control based on user intent. An intent-based access control method is provided comprising: receiving, from a user, a request to gain access to a protected resource; presenting stimuli to the user to evoke a physiological or behavioral response at one or more time points or time periods; receiving a signal of the physiological or behavioral response, the one or more physiological signals associated with one or more time codes that correspond to the one or more time points or time periods for the presenting of the stimuli; processing the received signal to assess an intention of the user; and in response to the processing, selectively granting the user access to the protected resource. Various systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are also described.

Abstract: Network devices and systems relating to prevention of large-scale network failure and determining a probability of a large-scale network failure for a network. The network devices may control rerouting of network traffic from failed network paths to preventative paths with probabilities of failure below determined thresholds. The network devices monitor and process real time data for dynamic and proactive rerouting when large-scale network failure occurs or is likely to occur.

Abstract: Sulfonated silane ionomeric materials useful in electrodes of e.g., membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of fuel cells can improve cell performance. MEAs prepared with CCE cathode catalyst layers and standard ELAT anode layers over a period of several start-stop cycles, as well as at multiple relative humidities were studied. The MEA performance was monitored using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and fuel cell polarization curves. The CCE cathode materials appeared to maintain performance and had improved water management capabilities at comparatively low relative humidities.

Abstract: A system for producing hydrogen gas from water decomposition using a thermochemical CuCl cycle, the improvement comprising the use of an insulated hydrogen production reactor comprising a reaction chamber and a separation chamber; the reaction chamber having a hydrogen chloride gas inlet and a solid copper inlet; one or more levels provided in the reaction chamber, the number of which is dependant on production scale and pressure drop; each level comprising a perforated plate with associated filter media, the perforations of the plate and media being of decreasing size from top to bottom of the reaction chamber, and being sized to permit downward flow of the hydrogen gas and molten CuCl products, as well as the HCL gas reactant, and to prevent entrainment of solid copper in the molten CuCl; the separation chamber being located below the reaction chamber and being of greater cross section than the reaction chamber and comprising a first hydrogen removal and entrained copper removal zone and a second molten CuC

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and computer program for multi-dimensional temporal abstraction and data mining. The invention comprises collecting and optionally cleaning multi-dimensional data, the multi-dimensional data including a plurality of data streams; temporally abstracting the multi-dimensional data; and relatively aligning the temporally abstracted multi-dimensional data based on a shared time point of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments are shown wherein ammonia is used for powering, heating and cooling of various applications including: vehicles (terrestrial, naval, aero-spatial or other engine-driven equipment), residential and commercial buildings, remote generators, refrigerated transport. An ammonia-fuelled internal combustion engine comprising; a thermally insulated fuel tank adapted to store ammonia; a heat exchangers operably connected to the fuel tank, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to heat the ammonia; a decomposition and separation unit operably connected to the heat exchangers and having a hydrogen conduit and a nitrogen conduit, wherein the decomposition and separation unit is adapted to separate the heated ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen and stream them into the hydrogen and nitrogen conduits respectively; and an internal combustion engine operably connected to the hydrogen conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrogen production using combined heat pumps and a thermochemical cycle. Low grade waste heat can be upgraded to higher temperatures via salt/ammonia and/or MgO/vapor chemical heat pumps, which release heat at successively higher temperatures through exothermic reactions, or vapor compression heat pumps that upgrade thermal energy with phase change fluids. Using this new approach, low grade heat or waste heat from nuclear or other industrial sources can be transformed to a useful energy supply for thermochemical hydrogen production.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) based upon sulfonated poly 2-(phenyl ethyl)siloxane (SPPES) prepared in a one-pot procedure. This includes the SPPES homopolymer as well as random copolymer of SPPES with various non-sulfonated polysiloxanes. Copolymerization with poly 2-(phenyl ethyl)siloxane greatly improves the mechanical stability of the film compared to a SPPES homopolymer. Proton conductivity of the copolymer, though it is less than that of the homopolymer and Nafion, is comparable to other PEMs in the literature. Both SPPES based membranes show good water retention at temperature greater than 100° C., which indicates they may be suitable for use in high temperature PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orofacial radiation detection device for detection of radionuclide contamination from inhalation. The device includes a face mask including a support frame and an adjustable head strap connected to the support frame. Mounted on the frame are radiation detectors in selected locations so that when being worn by a person, the detectors are located in close proximity to the orofacial region of the person including their nose and mouth. The device includes an electronic controller connected to the detectors for controlling operation of the radiation detectors. The device includes a microcomputer mounted on the support frame and electrically connected to the electronic controller for processing signals from the detectors for allowing input from an operator, performing data analysis and detection algorithms, and outputting results.

Abstract: A portable rest device for a laptop computer is made of a thermally-conductive material, and comprises a top face for receiving the laptop computer and a bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern. Due to this design, the portable rest device dissipates 1) the heat generated by the laptop computer and captured by the top face, and 2) the heat generated by the user when the bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern is disposed on the user's lap.