Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a proppant for a particular stimulation fluid, or for manufacturing a stimulation fluid for a particular proppant. The present invention also concerns a proppant for hydrocarbon stimulation, wherein the proppant comprises a plurality of amorphous spherical glass particles which have not undergone any further chemical or thermal treatment, a method of preparing the proppant, and uses of the proppant in hydrocarbon stimulation.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a solar panel on a flat roof surface includes plurality of first rails each extend along a first axis, each of the first rails comprising a first web and first and second flanges extending from the first web, a first lip extending outwardly from a distal end of the first flange, and a second lip extending outwardly from a distal end of the second flange. A plurality of second rails each extend transverse to the first axis, each of the second rails comprising a second web and third and fourth flanges extending from the second web, a third lip extending outwardly from a distal end of the third flange, and a fourth lip extending outwardly from a distal end of the fourth flange.

Abstract: A plurality of mounting posts are each configured to be driven into ground. The mounting post includes opposing parallel sidewalls, a third sidewall extending between, and a fourth sidewall extending between the opposing sidewalls, and opposing and in parallel to the third sidewall. The fourth sidewall includes a longitudinal extending slot with coaxial mounting through holes in the first and second sidewalls at a distal end. A plurality of north-south beams are each mounted on the distal end of an associated one of the posts. Each of the north-south beams comprises a web and first and second flanges extending from the first web. The first and second flanges include first coaxial beam mounting through holes, and include second flanges and second coaxial beam mounting through holes.

Abstract: An animal shelter and food trough system houses animals in a shelter which can be opened for ventilation while also preventing buildup of feed and debris within the shelter. The system includes a structure having a roof and an open lateral side extending down from an edge of the roof. A trough is positioned to extend along the open lateral side laterally offset outside of the edge of the roof. A panel has an upper edge coupled to the structure. The panel is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. A lower edge of the panel extends to a position adjacent to or beyond a distal side of the trough relative to the structure when the panel is in the closed position.

Abstract: A structure, system and method for the in situ ballasting of solar panel ground support structures, the method, system and structures comprising the positioning of supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor within a peripherally enclosing frame constructed of removable interfitting plates, with the frame having an open top and preferably open bottom, on the ground at a final solar panel array supporting position. The supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor are vertically aligned and maintained in position relative to each other and a ballast material, such as concrete, is poured into the enclosing frame around the supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor in the final solar panel supporting position thereof with the ballast material being allowed to harden. A solar panel support structure is constructed with the solar panel support structure being ballasted, in final solar panel array position, in situ.

Abstract: A structure, system and method for the in situ ballasting of solar panel ground support structures, the method, system and structures comprising the positioning of supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor within a peripherally enclosing frame, having an open top and preferably open bottom, on the ground at a final solar panel array supporting position. The supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor are vertically aligned and maintained in position relative to each other and a ballast material, such as concrete, is poured into the enclosing frame around the supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor in the final solar panel supporting position thereof with the ballast material being allowed to harden. A solar panel support structure is constructed with the solar panel support structure being ballasted, in final solar panel array position, in situ. Thereafter solar panels are placed on the ballasted support structure to provide the solar panel array.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: A method of treating fly ash to modify the set time and the induction profile for a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising mixing fly ash with an aqueous solution comprising the calcium carbonate, thereby modifying the set time and the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. A method of treating fly ash to modify the induction profile of a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising contacting fly ash with a wet gas stream comprising water vapor and carbon dioxide in an amount sufficient to react with the fly ash so as to modify the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. Cement compositions comprising water, hydraulic cement, and carbonated fly, and associated methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: A method for making hollow spheres of alumina or aluminate comprises: coating polymeric beads with an aqueous solution of an alumoxane, drying the beads so as to form an alumoxane coating on the beads; heating the beads to a first temperature that is sufficient to convert the alumoxane coating to an amorphous alumina or aluminate coating and is not sufficient to decompose the polymeric beads; dissolving the polymeric bead in a solvent; removing the dissolved polymer from the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating; and heating the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating to a second temperature that is sufficient to form a hollow ceramic sphere of desired porosity and strength. The hollow spheres can be used as proppants or can be incorporated in porous membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: A field effect transistor and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the field effect transistor comprises a source; a drain; a gate; at least one carbon nanotube on the gate; and a dielectric layer that coats the gate and a portion of the at least one carbon nanotube, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube has an exposed portion that is not coated with the dielectric layer, and wherein the exposed portion is functionalized with at least one indicator molecule.

Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for depositing a silicon oxide onto a substrate from solution at low temperatures in a manner that produces homogeneous growth of the silicon oxide. The method generally comprises the following steps: (a) Chemically treating a substrate to activate it for growth of the silicon oxide. (b) Immersing the treated substrate into a bath with a reactive solution. (c) Regenerating the reactive solution to allow for continued growth of the silicon oxide. In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first container holding a reactive solution, a substrate on which the silicon oxide is deposited, a second container holding silica, and a means for adding silica to the reactive solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated fullerenes comprising a layer of at least one inorganic material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a fullerene and methods for making. The present invention further relates to composites comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and further comprising polymers, ceramics and/or inorganic oxides. A coated fullerene interconnect device wherein at least two fullerenes are contacting each other to form a spontaneous interconnect is also disclosed as well as methods of making. In addition, dielectric films comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and methods of making are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ferroxanes and a method of making wherein a ferroxane may be defined by the general formula [Fe(O)x(OH)y(O2CR)z]n wherein x, y and z may be any integer or fraction such that 2x+y+z=3 and n may be any integer. The ferroxanes may be doped with at least one other element other than iron. The present invention further relates to a ceramic made from the ferroxanes of the present invention and a method of making. The present invention still further relates to supported and unsupported membranes made from the ceramic of the present invention.

Abstract: An authentication system and method for identifying the source of a marking formed from marking media is disclosed. A registration system preferably tags batches of marking media with taggant material and, for each batch, stores physical property information representing one or more physical properties of that batch. A source assignment system receives source identification information for each of a plurality of sources, stores the source identification information in a database and, for each source, links the source identification information with at least one batch. A source identification system comprises at least one instrument operable to provide physical property information for the media in a marking. The identification system also includes an analysis system operable to compare the physical property information for the media in the marking with the physical property information associated with batches, and to then determine whether there one or more matches of physical property information exist.