Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a method of oxidizing sulfur-containing compounds. The method involves contacting a sulfur-containing compound with a helmet phthalocyaninato-type catalyst in the presence of an oxidant. The present invention also provides a method of removing undesired sulfur-containing compounds from a fluid, such as natural gas, crude oil or an aqueous waste stream.

Abstract: Methods for making molecular sieves are provided. The molecular sieves are comprised of thin semiconductors films in which a plurality of apertures is defined. The apertures are non-circular, nanoscale openings with tapered sidewalls that selectively pass certain molecules, while discriminating against the passage of other molecules.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of isolating one or more compounds present in fruit seed extracts that have anti-ty-rosinase or whitening activity, compositions having one or more fruit seed extracts that have anti-tyrosinase or whitening (lightening) activity.

Abstract: Convenient anodizing is provided through a pen form factor anodizing tool having a reservoir for holding anodizing fluid and an electrical cable connection communicating electrical power to a tip dispensing anodizing fluid from the reservoir at a anodizing voltage from electrical power through the electrical cable connection.

Abstract: A building technique uses standard shipping containers as buttresses to support a truss system that may extend between the shipping containers to provide a roof. A sliding connector system attaches the trusses to the shipping containers to accommodate variations in separation of the shipping containers presenting a versatile framing system that is insensitive to site-related variations. The sliding connector system provides incremental predetermined fastening of the trusses to the shipping containers.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system can be used to exploit freely available flow energy with a piezoelectric device(s). The system may include a piezoelectric device and a flow disruptor, such as a blunt body that creates flow turbulence and flow characteristic randomization that can increase movement response from the piezoelectric device and enhance electrical power generation. Multiple piezoelectric devices may be linked to each other to enhance movement of a less-influenced piezoelectric device from translated movement of a more-influenced piezoelectric device and create more electrical power than a single piezoelectric device subjected to the same flowing fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to bridged phthalocyanine- and napththalocyanine-metal complex catalysts and methods using the same for oxidation reactions. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of oxidation including contacting an oxidizable starting material including an alkene with a catalyst and an oxidant, to provide an oxidized product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computational platform for quantum structures. The computational platform includes an input module configured to receive parameter information corresponding to a quantum structure, and a processor programmed to carry out instructions stored in a computer-readable medium. The instructions include receiving, using the input module, the parameter information corresponding to the quantum structures, and generating a quantum structure model based on the parameter information received. The instructions also include determining at least one property of the quantum structure, and generating a report indicative of the at least one property determined. The computational platform also includes an output module for providing the report.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tissues within a subject as cancerous or non-cancerous includes determining the electrical properties of the subject. The electrical properties of the subject are fit to a model and a specific range of a set of characteristic frequencies of each tissue is then calculated. Each tissue is finally characterized as cancerous or non-cancerous if the specific range of the set of characteristic frequencies inside or outside, respectively, a pre-determined spread of characteristic frequencies.

Abstract: A flameless combustion oven arranges gas and air jets to directly impinge on the product being heated to substantially promote transfer of heat to the product by impingement transfer rather than by conventional radiation and thermally induced convection. In one embodiment, a set of spaced air and gas nozzles are uniformly distributed on a wall of the oven opposite the product to provide substantially uniform impingement over a surface of the product.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various poly(acetal) polymers including processable, elastomeric poly(acetals). Various polymers described herein have a chemical structure containing cyclic acetal monomer units derived from diglycerol and a dialdehyde compound. The disclosure also relates to a method of preparing such polymers. The method can involve heating and/or adding acid to a mixture containing diglycerol and a dicarbonyl compound so as to obtain an elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: A heated water valve provides electrical resistance heaters placed within flange connections of the valve to provide for an integrated heater valve assembly with good heat conduction and spreading capabilities that can prevent water valve freezing at low temperatures.

Abstract: A reversibly crosslinked polymer and methods for producing and using the obtained polymer are disclosed. In particular, reversibly crosslinked polymers of the invention comprise polyesters formed by the reaction of mercaptosuccinic acid and a diol to form a monomeric unit that includes thiol groups as crosslinking moieties. Oxidation of the thiol groups affords crosslinked polymer comprising a disulfide linkage that, upon reduction of the disulfide linkage, provides a non-crosslinked polymer. In some embodiments, polymers of the invention are degradable and are biocompatible.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating one or more compounds present in fruit juice or seed extracts that have anti-microbial activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of wind turbines connected to a single unit electric generator to produce electrical power whereby the wind turbine blades rotate coaxially with a main rotor shaft instead of perpendicular to the shaft axis. In this respect, the wind turbine rotor can face the wind from any direction and does not need to be pointed into the wind to be effective, thus, eliminating the need for a yaw system. Moreover, translation of mechanical to torque of the main rotor drive allows the drive components such as the gearbox and generator to be placed near the ground of each wind turbine improving accessibility for maintenance.

Abstract: A cup for use with those having muscular tremors provides a battery-operated gyroscope stabilizing the cup body as supported by a handle communicating with the cup body through one or more pivot joints. The cup body may also be weighted to be naturally stabilized in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to solid catalysts that convert lignocellulosic material to monomer sugars that are suitable for fermentation. The solid catalysts include a transition metal complex attached to a magnetic bead, and can be physically separated from a fermentation mixture and reused several times.

Abstract: A micro-grid system blending utility power with power from multiple renewable sources including energy storage devices provides power factor correction using the renewable sources and energy storage devices by adjustment of associated converters. A controller maximizes power factor correction by utility source subject to a cost weighting of penalties for exceeding a power factor threshold.

Abstract: Multiple spatially diverse and compact weight sensors are statistically combined to reduce or eliminate errors caused by snow bridging. Data transmission using satellite communication minimizes the power consumption of the sensor station further allowing the entire system to be relatively compact and easily transported. The weight sensors may be combined with other standard sensors for measurement of air temperature and snow height, the latter measurement, for example, using ultrasound ranging or the like.

Abstract: A game bird decoy provides for more natural kinematics by providing a smoothly articulating neck, an automatic orientation of the neck with respect to body tipping and improved dual-mode wing activation in which the wings may lift or lift and extend as a function of body angle.