Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.

Abstract: A multilayer integral geogrid, including one or more cellular layers, has a plurality of oriented multilayer strands interconnected by partially oriented multilayer junctions with an array of openings therein. The multilayer integral geogrid having one or more cellular layers is produced from a coextruded or laminated multilayer polymer starting sheet. The integral geogrid has a multilayer construction, with at least one outer layer thereof having the cellular structure. By virtue of the cellular layer structure, the multilayer integral geogrid provides for increased layer vertical compressibility under load, resulting in enhanced material properties that provide performance benefits to use of the multilayer integral geogrid to stabilize and strengthen soil, aggregates, or other particulate materials.

Abstract: A monolayer multi-axial integral geogrid suitable for stabilizing aggregate includes a plurality of interconnected oriented strands and partially oriented junctions forming a repeating pattern of outer hexagons having an array of openings therein. Oriented ribs extending inwardly from each of said outer hexagons support and surround a smaller inner hexagon having oriented strands thus forming a plurality of trapezoidal openings and a single hexagonal opening. The oriented strands and partially oriented junctions of the outer hexagons form a plurality of linear strong axis strands that extend continuously throughout the entirety of the geogrid and form additional triangular openings. The geogrid thus includes three different repeating geometric shapes. The inner hexagons preferably also can move up and down, out of the plane of the geogrid. The multi-axial integral geogrid thus provides a geometry that can better engage with, confine and stabilize a greater variety and quality of aggregates.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. A single-use pipette tip includes fluid ports for aspirating the sample and connecting to a concentrating unit.

Abstract: A process is described for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising passing a mixture of the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam through a catalyst bed comprising a particulate nickel steam reforming catalyst and a structured nickel steam reforming catalyst disposed within a plurality of externally heated tubes in a tubular steam reformer, wherein each tube has an inlet to which the mixture of hydrocarbon and steam is fed, an outlet from which a reformed gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam and methane is recovered, and the steam reforming catalyst at the outlet of the tubes is the structured steam reforming catalyst, wherein the particulate steam reforming catalyst comprises 5 to 30% by weight nickel, and the structured steam reforming catalyst comprises nickel dispersed over the surface of a porous metal oxide present as a coating on a non-porous metal or ceramic structure.

Abstract: A process for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock containing one or more nitrogen compounds, including passing a mixture of the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam through a catalyst bed of one or more nickel steam reforming catalysts disposed within a plurality of externally heated tubes in a tubular steam reformer, each tube having an inlet to which the mixture of hydrocarbon and steam is fed, an outlet from which a reformed gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam, ammonia and methane is recovered. The steam reforming catalyst at least at the outlet of the tubes comprises nickel dispersed over a porous metal oxide surface present as a coating on a non-porous metal or ceramic structure. The nickel content of the metal oxide coating is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight and the thickness of the coating is in the range of 5 to 150 micrometres.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendaring step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to extend brake life cycle are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a brake including a rotor and a brake pad and a brake controller to detect a request to determine a wear level of the brake pad, activate the brake to cause contact between the brake pad and the rotor, and determine, based on a latency between the activation of the brake and the contact between the brake pad and the rotor, the wear level.

Abstract: Dynamic generation of data catalogs may be implemented for accessing data sets in different storage locations. Data sets may be accessed in order to extract portions of data. Structure recognition techniques may be applied to the extracted data in order to determine structural information for the data sets. The structural information may then be stored as part of a data catalog for the data sets. Requests to access the data catalog from different clients may be received and the requested structural data supplied so that the clients may access different data sets utilizing the supplied structural data. Data catalogs may be updated as changes to data sets are made.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.

Abstract: A bitcell of a one-time programmable memory includes: a write-once programmable circuit element and a node connected in series between a word line and a power rail; a select read device connected between the node and a bitline, the select read device having a gate electrode connected to a first signal line extending parallel to the word line; and a select write device connected between the word line and the power rail and in series with the write-once programmable circuit element and the node, the select write device having a gate electrode connected to a second signal line extending parallel to the bitline.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for processing user profiles using data structures that are specialized for processing by a GPU. More particularly, the disclosed techniques relate to systems and methods for evaluating characteristics of user profiles to determine whether to offload certain user profiles to the GPU for processing or to process the user profiles locally by one or more central processing units (CPUs). Processing user profiles may include comparing the interest tags included in the user profiles with logic trees, for example, logic trees representing marketing campaigns, to identify user profiles that match the campaigns.

Abstract: A plant-based cheese product is provided. The plant-based cheese products have an appearance, cold texture, and melting characteristics similar to a dairy-based cheese. The cheese products include a plant-based protein, at least a first starch and a second starch, a fat component, and an acidulant. The first starch comprises a hydrophobic starch. The second starch comprises a modified starch. The fat component has a solid fat content in the range of 30% to about 60% at 50° F. and 0% to about 10% at 92° F. A flexibility enhancing agent may also be included.

Abstract: A technique is described for the application of three-dimensional (3D) relief to a substrate such as a ceramic tile using digital inkjet technology. In an example embodiment, the introduced technique includes application of binder ink to a portion of the surface of a substrate using a digital inkjet process. This binder ink forms a barrier layer which protects the portion of the surface of the substrate. Next, a brushing process is applied to remove unprotected portions of the substrate, thereby forming the 3D relief in the substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of a geogrid system for improving substrate interactions within a geotechnical environment is disclosed. In one aspect features of a geogrid system aid in trapping and restraining aggregate and soil. In one aspect a geotechnical environment is configured with a horizontal multilayer mechanically stabilizing geogrid. In said aspect the geogrid is extruded with a polymeric material and a compressible cellular layer. In said aspect, the horizontal multilayer mechanically stabilizing geogrid is comprised of either a cap or a core of polymeric material or is further comprised of at least one compressible cellular layer configured to the polymeric material. Further, the horizontal multilayer mechanically stabilizing geogrid is configured with a triangle or triaxial geometry with patterned discontinuities and a plurality of strong axes. Said configuration increases soil and aggregate trapping while reducing polymeric use.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to access sensor data of a sensor of a vehicle while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, detect, based on the sensor data, an object located along a path of travel of the vehicle, determine that the object is a moveable object based on a radar return of a radar reflector of the object, and responsive to the determination that the object is the moveable object, adjust, by the adaptive cruise control feature, the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a sensor element is provided. The apparatus can include a housing including a cavity, an inner surface, and a first end cap integrally formed within a first end of the housing. The housing can include a sensor element therein. The first end cap can include a first plurality of suspension elements integrally formed within the first end cap and arranged to project from a surface of the first end cap toward the cavity. The inner surface of the housing and/or the first plurality of suspension elements can suspend the sensor element within the cavity as the sensor element translates within the cavity. Related systems and methods of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: An imitation cheese composition is provided with improved melt functionality. The imitation cheese composition includes non-interesterified/non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, fractionated vegetable oils, specific corn-derived food starches, specific potato-derived food starches, gelatin, and hydrocolloids.

Abstract: A tree-based format may be implemented for data stored in a data store. A table may be maintained across one or multiple storage nodes in storage slabs. Storage slabs may be mapped to different nodes of a tree. Each node of the tree may be assigned a different range of distribution scheme values which identify what portions of the table are stored in the storage slab. Storage slabs mapped to child nodes in the tree may be assigned portions of the range of distribution scheme values assigned to a parent. Storage nodes may be added or removed for storing the table. Storage slabs may be moved from one storage node to another in order to accommodate the addition or removal of storage nodes.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.