Abstract: A method for recovering power during gas separation, the method including separating a mixed gas stream into a hydrogen-rich stream and a secondary stream; and expanding the secondary stream after the separating or expanding the mixed gas stream prior to the separating to recover power. The method may include using a membrane to separate the mixed gas stream into the hydrogen-rich stream and the secondary stream; and expanding the secondary stream.

Abstract: A skip hoist particle lift system for a particle-based high-temperature power tower plant includes a pre-skip subsystem, an upper hopper disposed above the pre-skip subsystem and separated therefrom, a plurality of elongated guide rails connecting the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper to one another, and a skip mounted on the elongated guide rails and configured to be moved therealong between the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper. The pre-skip subsystem includes a container configured to accumulate an amount of hot particles therein and to automatically discharge the hot particles into the skip upon arrival of the skip in a loading area of the pre-skip subsystem. The skip is configured to transport the loaded particles upwardly toward the hopper and to subsequently discharge the particles inside of the hopper. Then, the emptied skip is returned to the pre-skip subsystem to repeat the process.

Abstract: The system for measuring the angle of repose of high temperature granular material includes a hollow chamber with an optically transparent window. A cylindrical receptacle is rotatably mounted within the hollow chamber, with an open end thereof releasably covered by an optically transparent plate. The cylindrical receptacle is oriented with respect to the hollow chamber such that the optically transparent plate faces, and is aligned with, the optically transparent window. The cylindrical receptacle is controllably rotated within the hollow chamber. The temperature within the hollow chamber may be selectively adjusted by one or more heating elements mounted therein. A camera detects the angle of repose of granular material in the cylindrical receptacle when the cylindrical receptacle is rotated within the hollow chamber. The camera is positioned such that the granular material may be viewed thereby through the optically transparent plate and the optically transparent window.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage (TES) bin assembly for a high temperature, particle-based solar power plant, the TES bin assembly including a TES bin for storing hot particles therein and a feeder assembly configured to insert the hot particles inside of the TES bin. The TES bin has a base, a lid separated from the base, and a hollow body extending between the base and the lid. The hollow body is made of a plurality of cylindrically shaped structures. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure defines an interior of the TES bin together with the lid and the base. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure is made with abrasion resistant bricks. A second cylindrically shaped structure is made of an insulating material and surrounds the second structure. A third cylindrically shaped structure surrounds the second structure and includes expansion joints. The base has a funnel shape and the lid has a removable component.

Abstract: A method for producing methanol includes feeding a synthesis gas stream to a methanol production assembly; feeding an off gas stream including hydrogen to the methanol production assembly; feeding a CO2 stream to the methanol production assembly; and reacting the synthesis gas stream and the CO2 stream in the methanol production assembly to produce methanol, wherein the method further includes reacting the off gas stream with the synthesis gas stream and the CO2 stream in the methanol production assembly to produce methanol, or feeding a reforming feed stream and the off gas stream including hydrogen to a reforming portion of the methanol production assembly to form the synthesis gas stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scope adapter for adapting a surgical scope to a robotic manipulator system. In particular, the disclosure relates to system and methods of using the scope adapter including a rotational motor mounted in a fixed position relative to an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder, and a support plate assembly that is removably coupled to the surgical scope and the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A printed sensor patch for micro-climate monitoring is provided. The printed sensor patch includes a substrate having a first portion and second portion, a data acquisition system, and a sensor array. The sensor array includes a moisture level sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a volatile organic compound sensor.

Abstract: A tactile sensor, a surgical instrument, and a method of making the tactile sensor are provided. In one embodiment, a tactile sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an intermediate layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The intermediate layer includes a polyurethane-zinc oxide nanocomposite. Further, one or both of the first and second electrodes may include a silver conductive paste.

Abstract: The expanded bed direct-contact system uses a multistage expanded bed chamber for heat exchange between heated particles, falling under the force of gravity, and an upwardly directed stream of cool fluid. As the heated particles fall through a plurality of vertically-arrayed stages of the multistage expanded bed chamber and exchange thermal energy with the stream of cool fluid, a stream of heated fluid, and a volume of cooled particles, are produced. Porous plates are respectively received within the stages of the multistage expanded bed chamber for increasing residence time of the particles, and the porous plates, as well as the plurality of stages, are connected to one another by a plurality of downcomers, each also formed from a porous material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immersive, augmented reality-based, enabling technology for tele-collaboration between a local surgeon and a remote surgeon during an MIS. The technology would provide realistic visual-cues to the local surgeon for the required movement of an actuated, high degree-of-freedom surgical tool during an MIS.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for handling, inspecting, and orienting a mask to be placed into a disinfection system. The systems and methods include a computer vision system configured to detect the mask position and calculate an orientation angle of the mask, a first robotic arm configured to lift the mask and adjust the mask position based on the orientation angle, and a second robotic arm configured to hold open the mask for a visual inspection of an internal and an external surface of the mask.

Abstract: A payment integrated loyalty system including a point of sale terminal comprising a card reader, a communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate with a payment instrument, and configured to communicate over a network with at least a first and second server. The payment integrated loyalty system includes a processor in communication with the communication subsystem and card reader, configured to receive, through the communication subsystem, a payment instrument identifier associated with the payment instrument, and obtain a fingerprint based on one-way encrypting the payment instrument identifier. The processor is further configured to receive, from the first server via the communication subsystem, a loyalty balance associated with the fingerprint and to complete the financial transaction based on an updated amount based on the loyalty balance.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture device and an HVAC system are provided. The carbon dioxide capture device includes a direct air capture unit having a carbon dioxide filter, and an induction heating unit coupled with the direct air capture unit. The HVAC system includes the carbon dioxide capture device and a desiccant unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a receiver panel. In an embodiment, the panel is configured to receive a curtain of particles in a solar central receiver system. A porous structure of the panel has a top end and a bottom end. The porous structure is disposed between the top end and the bottom end. The porous structure has a size to impede movement of the particles during downward travel from the top end to the bottom end. There is disclosed a solar central receiver system. In an embodiment, the receiver system includes a plurality of receiver panels, a tower supporting the plurality of receiver panels in a configuration to receive solar irradiation, and a hopper forming a slot configured to dispose the particles at a given location on to the porous structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A comb attachment for use with a hair clipper is provided. The comb attachment comprises a comb blade guide having a plurality of fins, a base case configured to be removably attached to a hair clipper, a first guiding slider, and a second guiding slider. Each of the plurality of fins comprises a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The base case comprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall opposite the first wall, and a fourth wall opposite the second wall. The first, second, third, and fourth walls together form an internal hollow space configured to accept the hair clipper. The first and second guiding sliders are configured to adjust a taper angle of the comb blade guide and a length of the comb attachment.

Abstract: A comb attachment for use with a hair clipper is provided. The comb attachment includes a comb blade section and a base section configured to be removably attached to a hair clipper. The base section is configured to adjust a taper angle of the comb blade section and adjust a length of the comb attachment.

Abstract: A new and innovative nanofluid is provided including carbide-derived carbon nanoparticles suspended in a base fluid, and a method of preparing the same. In one example, the inventors have demonstrated that a nanofluid including CDC nanoparticles suspended in a base fluid of water had an increased thermal conductivity as compared to water alone. In other examples, the provided nanofluid may include CDC nanoparticles suspended in a base fluid other than water, such as antifreeze mixtures or other suitable cooling or heating fluids. During preparation of the provided nanofluid, the base fluid and CDC nanoparticles mixture may be subjected to sonication. In some instances, the CDC nanoparticles may be functionalized, such as by a carboxylation process. In some instances, the CDC nanoparticles may be emulsified, such as by being mixed with a surfactant.

Abstract: The system comprises a collection unit for procuring doxorubicin, diethyl ether, alkaline water and a plurality of subject animals; a pre-processor unit for acclimatizing collected plurality of subject animals for 7 days standard laboratory condition; a classification processor unit for dividing subject animals into four groups; a treating unit for feeding subject animals with standard semi purified diet along with normal drinking water and standard semi purified diet along with Zam water p.o at libitum, or injecting with Dox i.p. on first day of protocol fed with standard semi purified diet along with normal drinking water or Dox i.p. on first day of protocol thereby treating with Zam water p.o at libitum for 28 days; a monitoring processor unit for monitoring physiological and behavioral changes of plurality of subject animals; and an analysis processor unit for estimating a set of biochemical parameters and stool sample of the plurality of subject animals.

Abstract: A payment integrated loyalty system including a point of sale terminal comprising a card reader, a communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate with a payment instrument, and configured to communicate over a network with at least a first and second server. The payment integrated loyalty system includes a processor in communication with the communication subsystem and card reader, configured to receive, through the communication subsystem, a payment instrument identifier associated with the payment instrument, and obtain a fingerprint based on one-way encrypting the payment instrument identifier. The processor is further configured to receive, from the first server via the communication subsystem, a loyalty balance associated with the fingerprint and to complete the financial transaction based on an updated amount based on the loyalty balance.

Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) having flakes formed from waste vehicle tires. The LCM includes flakes produced from waste vehicle tires processed to remove steel components of the tires and produce flakes having a specific size. Also, methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of the waste vehicle tire LCM.