Abstract: Camera head apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wide angle/panoramic images and/or video of the interior of pipes or other cavities using multiple imaging and illumination modules are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating underground utility equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the local utility power grid frequency is detected using a bandwidth filter centered around the nominal or expected frequency, for example, 60 Hz in the US, or 50 Hz in Europe. From the actual utility power grid frequency detected, the frequency of one or more harmonics of the detected power grid frequency are calculated, and then the calculated value(s) may be used to tune one or more bandwidth filters, or to further refine a power grid frequency offset enabling detection of a larger range of frequencies. Using the offset, any detected power grid frequencies and desired harmonics may be used by a utility locator or system to increase detection and location accuracy by adjusting for any power grid frequency fluctuations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a 3D object and to a system adapted to implement the method, wherein the method comprises: —providing a powder material (G); —providing a radiation absorbent material, in the form of optically resonant particles (P), on a region to be sintered of the powder material; and—sintering the region to be sintered of the powder material (G), by exposing to light the optically resonant particles (P) to radiation. The method comprises providing the optically resonant particles (P) according to a distribution and proportion, with respect to the powder material (G) included in the region to be sintered, selected: —to disperse the optically resonant particles (P) within the powder material (G) included in said region, and—to avoid substantial agglomeration and substantial self-sintering of the optically resonant particles (P).

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing an electrically conductive composite, wherein the method includes: a) providing a bed of a polymer in a non-continuous solid form; b) providing, on the polymer bed, a composition that comprises a chemical precursor dissolved in a liquid medium made to inhibit a chemical reaction of the chemical precursor into forming an electrically conductive inorganic component; c) forming an electrically conductive inorganic component from a chemical reaction of the chemical precursor, by at least evaporating the liquid medium; and d) exposing to electromagnetic radiation an electromagnetic radiation absorber of the composition, to sinter those portions of said polymer bed in thermal contact therewith, to form a polymer network that percolates an electrically conductive network formed with the electrically conductive inorganic component. Also provided are a system and a package adapted to implement the presently disclosed method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for self-repairing an object, wherein the object (O) comprises a matrix of a material in a continuous solid form, with optically resonant particles dispersed there within, and that has been made by fusing together particles and/or particulates of the material in a non-continuous solid form with heat transferred from the optically resonant particles that has been generated thereby when optically resonating induced by their exposure to building electromagnetic radiation. The method comprises exposing a damaged region (D) of the object (O) to repairing electromagnetic radiation (R) to be absorbed by the optically resonant particles that are dispersed therein to optically resonate to generate heat to fuse together portions of the matrix in thermal contact therewith. The system is adapted to implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising:—providing a first material (A) and, thereon, a second material (B) which is a reversible chromic material;—applying a stimulus to the second material (B) to change its optical properties from non-strong optical or substantially non-strong optical absorption properties to strong optical absorption properties, regarding a specific wavelength, and—exposing the second material (B) to electromagnetic radiation to be absorbed thereby to photothermally fuse portions of the first material (A) in thermal contact with the second material (B). A second aspect of the application relates to a system adapted to implement the method of the first aspect. A third aspect of the application concerns a kit of materials for producing a three-dimensional object. In a fourth aspect, the application relates to a sensing device comprising a three-dimensional object manufactured according to the method presented in the application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a 3D object and to a system adapted to implement the method, wherein the method comprises: —providing a powder material (G); —providing a radiation absorbent material, in the form of optically resonant particles (P), on a region to be sintered of the powder material; and —sintering the region to be sintered of the powder material (G), by exposing to light the optically resonant particles (P) to radiation. The method comprises providing the optically resonant particles (P) according to a distribution and proportion, with respect to the powder material (G) included in the region to be sintered, selected: —to disperse the optically resonant particles (P) within the powder material (G) included in said region, and —to avoid substantial agglomeration and substantial self-sintering of the optically resonant particles (P).

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing magnetic composites. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a material in a non-continuous solid form; providing optically resonant particles dispersed within at least a region of said material; and exposing the optically resonant particles to electromagnetic radiation to be absorbed thereby to optically resonate to generate heat to fuse together portions of the material in thermal contact therewith. In some embodiments, the optically resonant particles have magnetic properties and/or are adapted to have magnetic properties induced by a stimulus, and the material is a non-magnetic material. Also provided are systems, computer program products, and packages adapted to implement the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing an electrically conductive composite, wherein the method includes: a) providing a bed of a polymer in a non-continuous solid form; b) providing, on the polymer bed, a composition that comprises a chemical precursor dissolved in a liquid medium made to inhibit a chemical reaction of the chemical precursor into forming an electrically conductive inorganic component; c) forming an electrically conductive inorganic component from a chemical reaction of the chemical precursor, by at least evaporating the liquid medium; and d) exposing to electromagnetic radiation an electromagnetic radiation absorber of the composition, to sinter those portions of said polymer bed in thermal contact therewith, to form a polymer network that percolates an electrically conductive network formed with the electrically conductive inorganic component. Also provided are a system and a package adapted to implement the presently disclosed method.

Abstract: A seat (5) includes a sensor (21) mounted on the seat which is arranged to sense the presence of an object, or movement or position of an object in a non-contact manner, within a sensing region around the seat. A processor is arranged to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A processed signal is delivered to a vibro-acoustic transducer mounted within the seat. The processor can also control a lighting effect based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A user can interact with audio in a personal way, to suit the mood of the user. A seated user can move their body (especially arms or hands) to modify audio, such as music. The seat has a nodule (12) which, in use, fits between the legs of a seated user. The nodule can house the sensor (21) and user controls.

Abstract: A seat (5) includes a sensor (21) mounted on the seat which is arranged to sense the presence of an object, or movement or position of an object in a non-contact manner, within a sensing region around the seat. A processor is arranged to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A processed signal is delivered to a vibro-acoustic transducer mounted within the seat. The processor can also control a lighting effect based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A user can interact with audio in a personal way, to suit the mood of the user. A seated user can move their body (especially arms or hands) to modify audio, such as music. The seat has a nodule (12) which, in use, fits between the legs of a seated user. The nodule can house the sensor (21) and user controls.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including providing a catalyst slurry having a metallocene catalyst and a first oil, providing a transport medium including a second oil and combining the transport medium and the catalyst slurry to form a catalyst mixture. The process may further include introducing the catalyst mixture to a polymerization reactor and contacting olefin monomers with the catalyst mixture to polymerize the olefin monomers and form polyolefins.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including providing a catalyst slurry having a metallocene catalyst and a first oil, providing a transport medium including a second oil and combining the transport medium and the catalyst slurry to form a catalyst mixture. The process may further include introducing the catalyst mixture to a polymerization reactor and contacting olefin monomers with the catalyst mixture to polymerize the olefin monomers and form polyolefins.

Abstract: The present invention provides an elevator. The elevator includes a car having a plurality of side walls coupled to a guide rail. A plurality of wall structures is connected to the guide rail, where a plurality of cavities is located in between the plurality of wall structures and the plurality of side walls. The plurality of wall structures includes a plurality of air outlets, where the air outlets are configured to receive air. The cavities are configured to trap air received from the air outlets and force the air through a cylinder connected to the plurality of wall structures, where the car utilizes the air to produce electricity.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including contacting olefin monomers with a supported metallocene catalyst to polymerize the olefin monomers and form a product mixture that includes polyolefins macromers or polymers, unreacted or partially reacted olefin monomers, alcohols and organohalides. The polymerization process further includes removing a portion of the product mixture to form a recycle stream and passing the recycle stream through a removal device comprising zeolite particles having pore size of from 6 to 16 ? to transfer at least a portion of the alcohols and organohalides from the recycle stream to the removal device providing a purified recycle stream having alcohols and organohalides in an amount of 1 ppm or less. The polymerization process may further include contacting at least a portion of the purified recycle stream with the supported metallocene catalyst to form polyolefins.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including providing a catalyst slurry having a metallocene catalyst and a first oil, providing a transport medium including a second oil and combining the transport medium and the catalyst slurry to form a catalyst mixture. The process may further include introducing the catalyst mixture to a polymerization reactor and contacting olefin monomers with the catalyst mixture to polymerize the olefin monomers and form polyolefins.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including contacting olefin monomers with a supported metallocene catalyst to polymerize the olefin monomers and form a product mixture that includes polyolefins macromers or polymers, unreacted or partially reacted olefin monomers, alcohols and organohalides. The polymerization process further includes removing a portion of the product mixture to form a recycle stream and passing the recycle stream through a removal device comprising zeolite particles having pore size of from 6 to 16 Å to transfer at least a portion of the alcohols and organohalides from the recycle stream to the removal device providing a purified recycle stream having alcohols and organohalides in an amount of 1 ppm or less. The polymerization process may further include contacting at least a portion of the purified recycle stream with the supported metallocene catalyst to form polyolefins.