Abstract: The invention is directed to a co-gasification process that uses biomass and VGO as a feedstock to produce syngas which includes a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a unique design of multi-purpose wheels for use in multi-purpose vehicles capable of operating in different transportation modes in different mediums such as flying mode and driving mode. Advantageous design of multi-purpose wheels and vehicles of the present disclosure allow for easy and convenient change in transportation mode of such vehicles without need for any special purpose transportation infrastructure. In one aspect, a multi-purpose tool includes a first set of blades configured to enable an object to which the multi-purpose tool is attached to operate in a first mode of transportation; a second set of blades configured to enable the object to operate in a second mode of transportation; and an engagement mechanism coupled to the first set of blades and the second set of blades for switching operation of the object between the first mode of transportation and the second mode of transportation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a co-gasification process that uses biomass and VGO as a feedstock to produce syngas which includes a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A two-stage step-down converter includes a first stage and a second stage operatively connected to the first stage. The first stage is to step down an input voltage to an intermediate periodic signal and includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a plurality of transformers to electromagnetically couple the primary side and the secondary side to step down the input voltage to the intermediate periodic signal. The primary windings of the transformers are connected in series and the secondary windings are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a catalytic complex having a transition metal (e.g. nickel, cobalt) ion coordinated to a calixarene ligand in upgrading hydrocarbon feedstocks containing C20 through C50 hydrocarbons (e.g. vacuum gas oil) to produce light petroleum products (e.g. medium distillate, naphtha) is specified. A method of using the catalytic complex with a supported co-catalyst to synergistically hydrocrack the feedstocks is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a co-gasification process that uses biomass and VGO as a feedstock to produce syngas which includes a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsional hysteretic damper for braced frames. The torsional hysteretic damper is used to reduce displacement and associated damages on structural elements by dampening (dissipating) an earthquake energy that impacts structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a unique design of multi-purpose wheels for use in multi-purpose vehicles capable of operating in different transportation modes in different mediums such as flying mode and driving mode. Advantageous design of multi-purpose wheels and vehicles of the present disclosure allow for easy and convenient change in transportation mode of such vehicles without need for any special purpose transportation infrastructure. In one aspect, a multi-purpose tool includes a first set of blades configured to enable an object to which the multi-purpose tool is attached to operate in a first mode of transportation; a second set of blades configured to enable the object to operate in a second mode of transportation; and an engagement mechanism coupled to the first set of blades and the second set of blades for switching operation of the object between the first mode of transportation and the second mode of transportation.

Abstract: The method for doping Mg with Ni includes cold-rolling the Mg material and then cold-spraying with Ni powder, and preferably further cold rolling the Ni-coated Mg to achieve the final Ni-doped Mg material. Preferably the Mg material is cold rolled for about 300 passes and the final Ni-doping concentration is about 5 wt. %.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying white blood cells in a blood sample is described. The system includes a sample medium for depositing the same blood. The sample medium is positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The system also includes an electrical analyzer for supping pulsing sweeping voltage across the electrodes through the sample medium. The electrical analyzer is also configured for measuring capacitance across the sample medium before and after adding a chemical analyte. The system also includes a general processor in electrical or wireless communication with the electrical analyzer configured for quantifying the white blood cells in the blood sample based on the generated capacitance-voltage profile. The method is described to operate the system and to quantify the white blood cells in a blood sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsional hysteretic damper for braced frames. The torsional hysteretic damper is used to reduce displacement and associated damages on structural elements by dampening (dissipating) an earthquake energy that impacts structures.

Abstract: The nanocomposite system for hydrogen storage is a composite of MgH2 powder with ZrNi5 powder and a combination of Nb2O5, TiC and VC. Preferably, the MgH2 is in nanocrystalline form and the ZrNi5 is significantly in a Friauf-Laves phase. The nanocomposite system is formed by combining the MgH2 powder with the ZrNi5, Nb2O5, TiC and VC, preferably in amounts of 4 wt. % ZrNi5+1 wt. % Nb2O5+0.5 wt. % TiC+0.5 wt. % VC, to form a mixture, and then performing reactive ball milling on the mixture. Preferably, the reactive ball milling is performed for a period of 50 hours.

Abstract: A computing device including a motherboard. The motherboard is coupled to a memory socket, a power rail, and a regulator controller. The memory socket is able to couple to a circuit board that includes memory circuitry. The power rail provides a high-voltage power signal to power circuitry on the circuit board. The power rail provides the high-voltage power signal through the memory socket. The regulator controller provides a control signal to power circuitry on the circuit board. The control signal includes a pulse width modulation signal. An output voltage of the power circuitry on the circuit board may be controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: A computing device including a motherboard. The motherboard is coupled to a memory socket, a power rail, and a regulator controller. The memory socket is able to couple to a circuit board that includes memory circuitry. The power rail provides a high-voltage power signal to power circuitry on the circuit board. The power rail provides the high-voltage power signal through the memory socket. The regulator controller provides a control signal to power circuitry on the circuit board. The control signal includes a pulse width modulation signal. An output voltage of the power circuitry on the circuit board may be controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying white blood cells in a blood sample is described. The system includes a sample medium for depositing the same blood. The sample medium is positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The system also includes an electrical analyser for supping pulsing sweeping voltage across the electrodes through the sample medium. The electrical analyser is also configured for measuring capacitance across the sample medium before and after adding a chemical analyte. The system also includes a general processor in electrical or wireless communication with the electrical analyser configured for quantifying the white blood cells in the blood sample based on the generated capacitance-voltage profile. The method is described to operate the system and to quantify the white blood cells in a blood sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for aggregating an energy service from a number of participants for use by a power-system operator is described. This aggregation may be performed by an aggregator, which is between the participants and the power-system operator. In particular, the aggregator may use an embedded economic mechanism to calculate a price that matches supply (or cutback) of power and/or load from the participants with a desired supply of the power-system operator. Because the aggregator typically does not know the participants' exact propensity to respond as a function of price (supply function), the aggregator calculates the purchase price using one or more iterations in which an initial probe price is provided to the participants, and the participants respond with supply-function approximations that are valid in proximity to the current probe price.

Abstract: The invention relates to seismic protection (anti-seismic) devices and, in particular, to seismic hysteretic dampers, used to protect the structures against severe earthquakes. These devices are installed at points where large displacements are expected due to earthquake shakings, such as between a bridge deck and bearing points of said bridge (e.g. the pier cap beam).

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for aggregating an energy service from a group of loads with time-varying operating cycles are described. This aggregation may be performed by an aggregator, which provides the energy service to a power-system operator. In particular, for a desired demand response, a demand-response mechanism may modify a demand response of a given load by mapping an initial operating cycle of the load before a demand-response event to a final operating cycle. In addition, the demand-response mechanism may transition the given load to a new operating cycle associated with the demand-response event using a temporal set-point trajectory. This aggregation technique may ensure that a distribution of phases of the group of loads is, on average, uncorrelated with each other, either by preserving or modifying the distribution of phases prior to the demand-response event.

Abstract: The invention relates to seismic protection (anti-seismic) devices and, in particular, to seismic hysteretic dampers, used to protect the structures against severe earthquakes. These devices are installed at points where large displacements are expected due to earthquake shakings, such as between a bridge deck and bearing points of said bridge (e.g. the pier cap beam).

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for aggregating an energy service from a group of loads with time-varying operating cycles are described. This aggregation may be performed by an aggregator, which provides the energy service to a power-system operator. In particular, for a desired demand response, a demand-response mechanism may modify a demand response of a given load by mapping an initial operating cycle of the load before a demand-response event to a final operating cycle. In addition, the demand-response mechanism may transition the given load to a new operating cycle associated with the demand-response event using a temporal set-point trajectory. This aggregation technique may ensure that a distribution of phases of the group of loads is, on average, uncorrelated with each other, either by preserving or modifying the distribution of phases prior to the demand-response event.