Abstract: A traffic monitoring system and method for mapping traffic speed and density while preserving privacy. The system can include fixed stations that make up a network and mobile probes that are associated with vehicles. The system and method do not gather, store, or transmit any unique or identifying information, and thereby preserves the privacy of members of traffic. The system and method provide real-time traffic density and speed mapping. The system and method can further be integrated with a complementary flood monitoring system and method.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) backlight system includes: a light source, configured to generate light; a patterned polarization grating polarization converter (PPG-PC) assembly, configured to convert the generated light from a first polarization state to a second polarization state. The PPG-PC further includes: a patterned polarization grating (PPG) having a plurality of domains, wherein the plurality of domains of the PPG include at least two different types of domains, and wherein each domain of the PPG is configured to diffract incident light into first and second types of light beams corresponding to a first diffraction order; and a patterned retarder (PR), having a plurality of domains, the plurality of domains of the PR including domains corresponding to areas where the first type of light beams output from the PPG and including domains corresponding to areas where the second type of light beams output from the PPG converge.

Abstract: A source node in a multihop network determines whether to transmit in a channel based on whether the channel is occupied by a packet transmission with a large number of relays; whether the source node is in the data tones back-off zone; and the source node is in the busy tone back-off zone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new metal cyano-substituted benzimidazolide salt having formula (I) and its preparation. This new cyano-substituted benzimidazole derivatives exhibited excellent thermal stability. The organic salt of the present invention were soluble in an alkyl carbonate solvent, such as propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethylene carbonate (EC)/DMC cosolvent. The non-aqueous electrolyte prepared by mixing the organic metal salt of the present invention with the alkyl carbonate solvent shows high conductivity and excellent electrochemical stability. The non-aqueous electrolyte is suitable for use in primary or secondary rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supported hybrid vanadium-chromium-based catalyst, characterized in the catalyst is supported on a porous inorganic carrier and a V active site and a inorganic Cr active site are present on the porous inorganic carrier at the same time. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a supported hybrid vanadium-chromium-based catalyst. The invention also provides the preparation method of the catalyst, titanium or fluorine compounds, vanadium salt and chromium salt according to the proportion, different methods of sequence and load on the inorganic carrier, after high temperature roasting, still can further add organic metal catalyst promoter prereduction activation treatment on it. The catalyst of the present invention can be used for producing ethylene homopolymers and ethylene/?-olefin copolymers.

Abstract: One class of blue thiophene electrochromic compounds include 3,4-(2,2-bis(2-oxo-3-phenylpropyl))propylenedioxythiophene, 3,4-(2,2-bis(2-oxo-3-phenylbutyl))propylenedioxythiophene, and 3,4-(2,2-bis(2-oxo-3-phenylamyl))propylenedioxythiophene. The thiophene electrochromic compounds can change color between blue and transparency. The thiophene compounds can be electropolymerized on the surface of the ITO glass to form a film. The film has characteristics of low driving voltage (within ±1V), fast response time, and large transmittance difference between colored-state and bleached-state (up to 77.5%). The thiophene electrochromic compounds can be used in the electrochromic window, rearview mirror, electrochomeric display, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a colloidal amorphous silicon liquid filter device, methods of using a colloidal amorphous silicon liquid filter device, and the like.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a high-viscosity polyester hot-melt adhesive with a partially sensitive viscosity-temperature property is disclosed, including the steps of: i) subjecting terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, dodecanedioic acid, adipic acid, butanediol, dipropylene glycol and hexanediol to an esterification reaction in the presence of tetrabutyl titanate serving as a catalyst; and ii) adding an antioxidant to a product resulting from step i) to conduct a polycondensation reaction under a reduced pressure so as to obtain the high-viscosity polyester hot-melt adhesive which has a low melting point of 130° C.-135° C. and a partially sensitive viscosity-temperature property.

Abstract: Methods for recycling carbon fibers are disclosed. The methods can include providing at least one object comprising carbon fibers and resin, and contacting the object with at least one light beam to produce recycled carbon fibers. Systems that implement the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: A sound absorbing metamaterial comprises an acoustic impedance-matched surface configured to minimize reflection from an incident acoustic wave. The surface is comprised of an elastic or flexible membrane and a substantially rigid mass mounted on the membrane. A relatively solid surface is provided as a reflective surface and is positioned behind the membrane. The reflective surface is separated by a predetermined distance from the elastic or flexible membrane and forms a fluid space between the membrane and the solid surface. The mass mounted on the membrane, in combination with the elastic membrane establish a plurality of eigenfrequencies.

Abstract: Methods for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into graphene are described. The methods include contacting a metal with gaseous carbon dioxide, and irradiating a surface of the metal with at least one laser beam to convert the gaseous carbon dioxide into graphene on the surface of the metal. Systems for converting carbon dioxide into graphene are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crosshead component of a large diesel engine. The crosshead component consists of a crosshead pin (1), slide blocks (2), wear-resisting plates (3), sealing covers (4), and a sleeve (5), and has a structure with H-shaped cross and longitudinal sections. The crosshead pin (1) is a cylinder provided with petal-shaped through holes. The slide blocks (2) are respectively fitted on and connected to outer circles of left and right ends of the crosshead pin (1). The sleeve (5) is inserted in and connected to the petal-shaped through holes (112) of the crosshead pin (1) to form oil inlet/return way cavities. Left and right end surfaces of the crosshead pin (1) are respectively connected to the sealing covers (4) for sealing the oil way cavities. Front and back ends of the slide blocks (2) are respectively connected to the wear-resisting plates (3). The crosshead component has excellent interchangeability, economy and convenience.

Abstract: The invention related to the recycling field of waste printed circuit boards (WPCB), and especially involved a complete non-cyanogens wet process for green recycling of WPCB, which belonged to the field of recycle economy. In the invention, the process included that WPCB were broken by the jaw crusher, and then mixed copper powders and nonmetallic powders were separated by the method of air classification, the mixed copper powders were smelted and casted to get copper anode plates, the copper was purified by electrolytion, the valuable metals (such as copper, gold, silver, platinum and palladium, lead and tin) were recycled from the copper anode slime, and the waste water was recycled. The recovery ratio of all-metal was above 98%. The purity of the cathode copper was up to 4N level. The ratio of de-coppering was above 96%. The recovery ratio of gold was above 98.

Abstract: Cleaning system (100) including a brush assembly (102) for cleaning solar panels (106). The brush assembly has at least one rotatable brush (403) having a rotational axis. The rotatable brush includes a plurality of sets of bristles (2004), each extending outwardly from a core (2008). A shaft (2005) extends through the core of the brush. The shaft is a telescoping shaft, which is configured to retract and expand to create an elongated brush assembly. An apparatus, system, and method for conveying an assembly along a track. A rail (401) includes a first planar side, a second planar side, and a third planar side. The first, second, and third planar sides are arranged to form at least two acute angles ranging between 50 degrees and 80 degrees. A carriage assembly (300) includes a drive wheel (301) and at least two rollers (302). The drive wheel is configured to contact the second planar side and is configured to translate the assembly along the rail.

Abstract: A process for living ring-opening polymerization can include exposing an N-carboxyanhydride monomer to an initiator that includes a first primary amine covalently linked to a first electron donor by a first linking group to form a polyamide polymer. The initiator can include a second primary amine, optionally a second electron donor, and optionally a third electron donor.

Abstract: Provided is a method of eliminating the dependence of methanol induced promoter on a single methanol carbon source for expressing foreign polypeptide. The method comprises activating the expression of the promoter requiring methanol induction by increasing the expression quantity of Mit1 polypeptide in cells of methylotrophic yeast, so that the promoter originally depending on methanol induction no longer depends on single methanol and can also express foreign polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides an industrial method for producing dispersion-strengthened iron-based materials at low cost and in large-scale. The industrial acid pickling waste solution is treated by spray roasting process after yttrium chloride is added. During the spray roasting process, the solution is atomized into fine droplets, the droplets are contacted with gas and dried into powders, which are heated in air to form metal oxides. The mixed powders of the metal oxides are reduced in hydrogen stream to obtain yttria dispersion-strengthened iron powders. High performance dispersion-strengthened iron materials are obtained by densifying the yttria dispersion-strengthened iron powders. The method has simple process and low cost, and is suitable for large-scale production due to the direct use of acid pickling waste solution from steel factory.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for catalytically hydrogenating carbon dioxide to produce oxygenated hydrocarbons and catalysts for use in same.

Abstract: A photo-tunable liquid crystal composition may include a polymer matrix and a liquid crystal mixture dispersed within the polymer matrix. The liquid crystal mixture may include at least one achiral nematic liquid crystal material, at least sine photo-active chiral dopant, at least one photo-inactive chiral dopant, and at least one emissive dye. The composition may be fabricated in the form of an emulsion, a wet film, or a dry film. The dry film may be used in a photo-tunable liquid crystal film laser. The output wavelength of the photo-tunable liquid crystal film laser may be tuned by exposing the dry film to illumination having at least one wavelength at one or more transition wavelengths.

Abstract: Amine groups can be introduced in porous materials by a direct (one pot) or post-synthetic modification (PSM) process on aldehyde groups, and the resulting porous materials have increased gas affinity.