Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving first Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data associated with a railroad environment, extracting an asset from the first LiDAR data associated with the railroad environment, and superimposing the asset into a spatial model. The method also includes receiving a field indication associated with a modification to the railroad environment and modifying the spatial model in response to receiving the field indication associated with the modification to the railroad environment. The method further includes receiving second LiDAR data associated with the railroad environment and comparing the second LiDAR data to the modified spatial model.

Abstract: An apparatus for making cigarettes has a plate on pegs holding paper rolls, a cover plate having second holes matching the holes in the holder plate, the cover plate engaging alignment pegs, a fill tray having third holes having a common diameter larger than the diameter of the second holes, the fill tray having keyhole corner openings engaging the alignment pegs allowing a range of lateral positions one of which is a closed position with no passage between the third holes in the fill tray and the second holes, and another being an open position with the third holes aligned with the second holes, such that moving the fill tray from the closed position to the open position allows the smoking material in the third holes to fall through the second holes in the cover plate into the paper rolls in the first holes of the holder plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous polymer compositions, which are obtainable by radical copolymerization in water; a process for producing the aqueous polymer compositions; a method of using the aqueous polymer compositions as an anti-greying additive in washing or laundry; a method of using the aqueous polymer compositions as an anti-greying additive in liquid laundry detergent formulations or gel-type laundry detergent formulations; and a liquid laundry detergent formulation or gel-type laundry detergent formulation, which contains at least one aqueous polymer composition.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of using aqueous polymer dispersions, which are obtainable by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of a degraded starch as an opacifier in liquid formulations. Also described herein is a process for producing the aqueous polymer dispersions. Also described herein are liquid formulations, such as detergent formulations and liquid cosmetic preparations, which contain at least one aqueous polymer dispersion.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of pigment particles is described. The pigment particle contains a pigment and an aminoplast resin which surrounds or embeds the pigment. The process includes (i) a step of subjecting an aqueous suspension of a pigment in the form of coarse particles to milling so that the coarse particles are comminuted in the presence of a polymeric dispersant to a particle diameter d(v 0.9) of below 1500 nm, as determined by laser diffraction; and (ii) a step of polycondensation of an aminoplast pre-condensate in the aqueous suspension of the comminuted particles of the pigment obtained in step (i) or during the milling of step (i). The polycondensation is performed in the presence of an acid catalyst at pH of below 5.5. The aqueous dispersion obtained by the process and the use of the aqueous dispersion for tinting waterborne liquid coating composition are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a washing- and cleaning-active polymer film which includes a mixture of at least one polymer P1) including polymerized units of at least one ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. The washing- and cleaning-active polymer film optionally further includes comonomers and a polyoxyalkylene ether PE). The disclosure furthermore relates to a process for producing such a washing- and cleaning-active polymer film and to a covering or coating for a detergent or cleaner portion which includes such a polymer film.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of pigment particles is described. The pigment particle contains a pigment and an aminoplast resin which surrounds or embeds the pigment. The process includes (i) a step of subjecting an aqueous suspension of a pigment in the form of coarse particles to milling so that the coarse particles are comminuted in the presence of a polymeric dispersant to a particle diameter d(v 0.9) of below 1500 nm, as determined by laser diffraction; and (ii) a step of polycondensation of an aminoplast pre-condensate in the aqueous suspension of the comminuted particles of the pigment obtained in step (i) or during the milling of step (i). The polycondensation is performed in the presence of an acid catalyst at pH of below 5.5. The aqueous dispersion obtained by the process and the use of the aqueous dispersion for tinting waterborne liquid coating composition are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a holder plate and a carriage assembly. The holder plate includes a plurality of through-holes configured to receive containers having an interior cavity. The carriage assembly comprises one or more carriage plates and tamper rods, the carriage plates having a plurality of through-holes. Each of the tamper rods can be slidably disposed in a respective one of the plurality of through-holes of the carriage plate. Each of the tamper rods can be independently weighted to provide a force independent of the other of the tamper rods and can be independently movable relative to the other of the tamper rods. The carriage assembly can be configured to be aligned with the holder plate such that the each of the tamper rods provides a compressive force to a filler material within the interior cavity of each of the containers.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the formation of a polymer nanocomposite material using a high-concentration masterbatch as a source of nanocomposite filler.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polymeric composite including a nanoparticle filler and method for the production thereof. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel halloysite nanoparticle filler which has the generally cylindrical or tubular (e.g. rolled scroll-like shape), in which the mean outer diameter of the filler particle is typically less than about 500 nm. The filler is effectively employed in a polymer composite in which the advantages of the tubular nanoparticle filler are provided (e.g., reinforcement, flame retardant, chemical agent elution, etc.) with improved or equivalent mechanical performance of the composite (e.g., strength and ductility).

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer nanocomposite material and methods for the formation of the polymer nanocomposite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polymeric composite including a nanoparticle filler and method for the production thereof. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel halloysite nanoparticle filler which has the generally cylindrical or tubular (e.g. rolled scroll-like shape), in which the mean outer diameter of the filler particle is typically less than about 500 nm. The filler is effectively employed in a polymer composite in which the advantages of the tubular nanoparticle filler are provided (e.g., reinforcement, flame retardant, chemical agent elution, etc.) with improved or equivalent mechanical performance of the composite (e.g., strength and ductility).

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer nanocomposite material and methods for the formation of the polymer nanocomposite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polymeric composite including a nanoparticle filler and method for the production thereof. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel halloysite nanoparticle filler which has the generally cylindrical or tubular (e.g. rolled scroll-like shape), in which the mean outer diameter of the filler particle is typically less than about 500 nm. The filler is effectively employed in a polymer composite in which the advantages of the tubular nanoparticle filler are provided (e.g., reinforcement, flame retardant, chemical agent elution, etc.) with improved or equivalent mechanical performance of the composite (e.g., strength and ductility).

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and processes for obtaining improved resistance to fire and flame for polymer composites, using a flame and fire retardant system comprising a tubular clay. Halloysite is an example of such a clay and it can be used either alone or in combination with other chemicals. The tubular clays are advantaged over common platy clays for this application in that they do not require large amounts of organic compatibilizers, which may degrade the properties of the composite or require tedious process steps. The tubular clay can function alone or synergistically with other flame retardants, particularly organic flame retardants.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the formation of a polymer nanocomposite material using a high-concentration masterbatch as a source of nanocomposite filler.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating agricultural materials, crops and the like using materials associated with tubules, and more particularly to the controlled or timed release of such materials or agents as a function of the association with halloysite or other mineral-derived nanotubes.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: The present development is a catalyst for use in the water-gas-shift reaction. The catalyst includes a Group VIII or Group IB metal, a transition metal promoter selected from the group consisting of rhenium, niobium, silver, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten and a combination thereof, and a ceria-based support. The support may further include gadolinium, samarium, zirconium, lithium, cesium, lanthanum, praseodymium, manganese, titanium, tungsten or a combination thereof. A process for preparing the catalyst is also presented. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves providing “clean” precursors as starting materials in the catalyst preparation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a radiation absorptive material and more particularly a method of economically coating halloysite or other mineral tubules (including nanotubules and microtubules) with a conductive metal (Cu) in order to produce an absorptive composite material capable of providing shielding and attenuation of radio-frequency signals.