Abstract: A deep learning-based quality inspection system by learning only non-defective manufactured product data may include: an input unit receiving a non-defective manufactured product image data set; a preprocessor preprocessing a model to learn the images with a same size by not applying a cropping task to cut and process only an area at a specific location within each image for each of the plurality of images included in the image data set, but applying a resizing task of adjusting each image to a desired size and a padding task of adjusting the size of the image while maintaining a ratio of each image as it is; and a controller extracting a non-defective manufactured product feature which becomes a non-defective manufactured product criterion from the preprocessed image, and generating a plurality of fake defective manufactured product features by adding a Gaussian noise feature to the extracted non-defective manufactured product feature.

Abstract: Multivariant feature extraction is used for training volumes or 2D images, (real or synthetic) coupled to process (effective) values probably obtained from direct simulation. These features are coupled with machine learning/regression algorithms to make a predictive model for the effective property. This model can then be used on a real geometry of a sample for effective parameter prediction.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a carboxylic acid product from a lactose-containing feedstock include contacting the lactose-containing feedstock and a first mixture of microorganisms in a first bioreactor under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of about 45° C. to about 55° C. and a pH of from about 4 to about 6 for a period of time such that lactic acid is formed; contacting the lactic acid with a second mixture of microorganisms in a second bioreactor under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of about 25° C. to about 35° C. and a pH of from about 4 to about 6 for a period of time such that the lactic acid is converted to one or more C3-C12 carboxylic acid products; and isolating the one or more C3-C12 carboxylic acid products. The lactose-containing feedstock has a pH greater than 4.5.

Abstract: Techniques for providing carbon dioxide include generating thermal energy, an exhaust fluid, and electrical power from a power plant; providing the exhaust fluid and the generated electrical power to an exhaust fluid scrubbing system to separate components of the exhaust fluid; capturing heat from a source of heat of an industrial process in a heating fluid; transferring the heat of the industrial process captured in the heating fluid to a carbon dioxide source material of a direct air capture (DAC) system; providing the generated electrical power from the power plant to the DAC system; providing the thermal energy from the power plant to the DAC system; and separating, with the transferred portion of the heat of the industrial process and the provided thermal energy, carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source material of the DAC system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for creating a fabricable segmented design for a physical device is provided. A computing system receives a design specification. The computing system generates a proposed segmented design based on the design specification. The computing system determines two or more loss values based on the proposed segmented design. The computing system combines the two or more loss values to create a combined loss value. The computing system creates an updated design specification using the combined loss value. The generating, determining, combining, and creating actions are repeated until a fabricable segmented design is generated.

Abstract: An energy provision system for and a method of operating a building or a system of buildings are described. Hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon input are processed to produce a hydrogen gas output and a carbon solids output. The hydrogen gas output is provided to one or more hydrogen gas consumers for providing heating or power to the building or system of buildings. The carbon solids output is provided to a waste water system for removing contaminants or pollutants from waste water.

Abstract: An inspection and sorting apparatus includes a support frame supporting a transport mechanism with an endless transport belt extending along an inspection zone with an inspection mechanism for transported items and a sorting zone with a sorting mechanism for moving rejected items transverse to a transport path to a sorting side. When in an operation state, a space lateral to and alongside the sorting zone is covered by a housing cover but is open to the sorting zone and to a downside to allow rejected items to further fall or slide down by gravity. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus includes a side cover covering a region below the sorting zone laterally from the sorting side. The housing cover and/or the side cover is movable between a covering position in the operation state of the apparatus and a release position granting lateral access to the sorting zone and/or to said region from the sorting side.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptoid polymers capable of reducing or inhibiting the formation of ice crystals at sub 0° C. temperatures. Also provided are peptoid-peptide hybrids comprising the peptoid polymers provided herein. The peptoid polymers and peptoid-peptide hybrids provided herein are useful for making cryoprotectant solutions. The peptoid polymers, peptoid-peptide hybrids, and cryoprotectant solutions provided herein are useful for making antifreeze solutions, frozen food products, and cosmetic care products. Also provided herein are methods for preserving a tissue, an organ, a cell, or a biological macromolecule using the compositions described herein.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure for measuring a breakdown voltage of a pn-junction, said semiconductor structure comprises: a substrate; a sensor device comprising an optical active region comprising said pn-junction in said substrate, wherein said sensor device is configured to apply a reverse bias voltage to said pn-junction; and an emitter located adjacent to said optical active region in said substrate and configured to provide charge carriers to said optical active region in order to trigger breakdown of said pn-junction when said reverse bias voltage is equal to or greater than said breakdown voltage.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of apportioning an aggregate maneuver is disclosed. An aggregation engine receives aggregation opportunity information requesting an aggregate change in power of one or more sites. The aggregation engine transmits participation opportunity information to a plurality of site controllers. The participation opportunity information indicates a site benefit for providing a site change in power. The aggregation engine also receives commitment information from the plurality of site controllers, the commitment information indicating levels of commitment of the plurality of site controllers to contribute site change in power to a target change in power of the aggregation opportunity.

Abstract: An LED backlight driving circuit based on low-potential-end switch control and a backlight driving method are provided. The LED backlight driving circuit includes a plurality of LED strings, a channel control switch device, a constant current module, a channel switching control module, a signal control unit, and an SPI interface unit. Each of the LED strings has a high-potential-end directly connected to an LED driving voltage VLED and a low-potential-end connected to one channel control switch device and one constant current module, and a plurality of channel control switch devices in each group of LED strings are connected to one channel switching control module; and the channel switching control module is used to control the on-state duty cycle of the LED strings in the group.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to drive shaft assemblies for a rotary furnace. In one form, a rotary furnace comprises a crucible and a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly comprises a primary shaft and a secondary shaft coupled with the primary shaft. The secondary shaft comprises: a first portion comprising a refractory alloy, the first portion defining a first end and a second end, where the first end of the first portion is configured to couple with the primary shaft; and a second portion comprising graphite, the second portion defining a first end and a second end, where the first end of the second portion is configured to couple with the second end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion is configured to couple with the crucible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a console with the aid of which large roofs and facade elements can be horizontally or vertically retracted.

Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributed physical parameter measurements of the surrounding environment is disclosed. The apparatus can include a waveguide with an elongated body configured with three gratings along the body where each of the three gratings is configured to fully or partially reflect an acoustic wave on the waveguide at a different frequency than the other gratings of the three gratings. Further, each of the three gratings can comprise discontinuities in the grating configured to reflect one or more frequencies of acoustic waves, and each of the discontinuities for each of the three gratings has an internal geometry configured according to fractions of an acoustic wave's frequency and corresponding wavelength.

Abstract: A smart mattress and adaptive actuation systems for a flexible fabric are disclosed. The mattress can include a flexible fabric associated with a sleeping or resting structure configured to engage a user arranged in a prone, semi-prone, or sitting position. An actuation assembly can be configured to manipulate the sleeping or resting structure. In one example, the actuation assembly includes a plurality of size-changing components, and the sleeping or resting structure can be responsive to sizes of the size-changing components. The actuation assemblies can be included in a sealable sleeping or resting structure, which can alter at least a vibration, a light, a sound, or a composition and pressure of a gaseous environment of a user.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.