Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and hub assembly includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a flexible web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The assembly further includes a hollow, metal cylinder coupled to the inner ring. The hollow, metal cylinder has a flanged portion extending towards an interior portion of the hollow, metal cylinder.

Abstract: A catalyst free organosolv process for a more efficient delignification and bio-product production by fractionating lignocellulosic materials comprises of providing one or more lignin dissolving chemicals with water and placing it in contact with lignocellulosic biomass. The process also includes producing used solvent as a result of placing biomass in contact with lignin dissolving chemicals and water, separating it into organic and aqueous layers, extracting poly lignin from the organic layer to produce recyclable lignin dissolving chemicals, and extracting dissolved solid from the aqueous layer to produce recyclable water. The catalyst free organosolv process can use any combination of fresh, used, or recyclable water and lignin dissolving chemicals, with or without any pH adjustment and placing them in contact with any biomass in process, or any new biomass. The recyclable lignin dissolving chemicals can be further separated to remove any excess or desired organic chemicals from it.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and hub assembly includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a flexible web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The assembly further includes a hollow, metal cylinder coupled to the inner ring. The hollow, metal cylinder has a flanged portion extending towards an interior portion of the hollow, metal cylinder.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The tire further includes a pair of sidewalls disposed at opposite ends of the non-pneumatic tire and covering the web.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and hub assembly includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a flexible web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The assembly further includes a hollow, metal cylinder coupled to the inner ring. The hollow, metal cylinder has a flanged portion extending towards an interior portion of the hollow, metal cylinder.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The tire further includes a pair of sidewalls disposed at opposite ends of the non-pneumatic tire and covering the web.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The tire further includes a pair of sidewalls disposed at opposite ends of the non-pneumatic tire and covering the web.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension. The tire can comprise a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and a web having a plurality of web elements. The tire can further comprise a layer or layers fabric material acting as a bonding agent to bond tire components together.

Abstract: An oxygen assisted Organosolv process for a more efficient delignification and producing bio-products by decomposing lignocellulosic materials comprises providing a lignin solvent with water, an acid, an oxidant and one or more lignin dissolving chemicals. The process also includes placing biomass in contact with oxidant, acid, water, the lignin solvent in any order or combined to form a recyclable solvent, and recycling at least a portion of the recyclable solvent by circulating the recyclable solvent back into contact with the biomass. The circulating of the recyclable solvent occurs for a period of time, during which, acid and oxidant may be added if necessary as they may be consumed by the process, after which, the process then includes separating material such as chemicals and lignin from the recyclable solvent.

Abstract: An organosolv process for producing bio-products by decomposing lignocellulosic materials comprises providing an initial lignin solvent with water, an acid, and a lignin dissolving chemical comprising at least one of an organic ester, butyl acetate, an organic furan, and furfural. The process also includes placing the lignin solvent in contact with a biomass to form a circulation solvent, and recycling at least a portion of the circulation solvent by circulating the circulation solvent back into contact with the biomass. The circulating of the circulation solvent occurs for a period of time, after which, the process then includes separating material such as chemicals and lignin from the circulation solvent. The chemicals can be recycled as new solvent or sold while lignin can be used as natural and renewable colorant for polymers such as poly lactic acid.

Abstract: An oxygen assisted Organosolv process for a more efficient delignification and producing bio-products by decomposing lignocellulosic materials comprises providing a lignin solvent with water, an acid, an oxidant and one or more lignin dissolving chemicals. The process also includes placing biomass in contact with oxidant, acid, water, the lignin solvent in any order or combined to form a recyclable solvent, and recycling at least a portion of the recyclable solvent by circulating the recyclable solvent back into contact with the biomass. The circulating of the recyclable solvent occurs for a period of time, during which, acid and oxidant may be added if necessary as they may be consumed by the process, after which, the process then includes separating material such as chemicals and lignin from the recyclable solvent.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner surface, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a hub and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface may assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load. With the portion of the tire in the footprint region not bearing a significant portion of the load, non-pneumatic tire may exhibit a more comfortable ride subject to less noise and vibration and improved handling capabilities.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, curved, oriented, and comprised of varying thicknesses of material which facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: An organosolv process for producing bio-products by decomposing lignocellulosic materials comprises providing an initial lignin solvent with water, an acid, and a lignin dissolving chemical comprising at least one of an organic ester, butyl acetate, an organic furan, and furfural. The process also includes placing the lignin solvent in contact with a biomass to form a circulation solvent, and recycling at least a portion of the circulation solvent by circulating the circulation solvent back into contact with the biomass. The circulating of the circulation solvent occurs for a period of time, after which, the process then includes separating material such as chemicals and lignin from the circulation solvent. The chemicals can be recycled as new solvent or sold while lignin can be used as natural and renewable colorant for polymers such as poly lactic acid.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized semiconductor includes a semiconductor, and a copper(I) coordination compound comprising 2,9-dialkyl-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate, on the semiconductor. The dye-sensitized semiconductor may be used as part of a photoanode in a solar cell, which also contains a counter-electrode, and a conductive medium containing a redox-active mediator, in contact with and separating the photoanode and the counter-electrode.

Abstract: An energy scavenging power system and method may include an energy conversion system having at least one transducer configured to harvest energy, an energy management and storage system configured to store harvested energy; and a load regulation system configured to provide stored energy to power one or more low power-consumption loads. The energy management and storage system may include a start-up capacitor having a small capacitance to allow for quick charging and fast turn-on, a short term capacitor to provide energy to the load or loads once turned-on, and a long term capacitor having a large capacitance to provide for sustained energy delivery to the loads. The system also may include a common charging bus that receives energy from each transducer, conditioned if necessary, and which then determines the capacitor to which the energy should be delivered.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, curved, oriented, and comprised of varying thicknesses of material which facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner surface, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a hub and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface may assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load. With the portion of the tire in the footprint region not bearing a significant portion of the load, non-pneumatic tire may exhibit a more comfortable ride subject to less noise and vibration and improved handling capabilities.