Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes a positive electrode disposed in an electrolytic compartment, a negative electrode disposed in another electrolytic compartment, and a cell membrane positioned between the electrolytic compartment and the other electrolytic compartment. An electrolyte solution is disposed inside the electrolytic compartment and inside the other electrolytic compartment. The electrolyte solution is also in contact with the cell membrane. A transducer, which is directly attached to any of the negative electrode or the positive electrode, is capable of selectively transmitting vibrational energy to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode. The vibrational energy selectively transmitted to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode causes bubbles to form and to separate i) hydrogen gas bubbles from a surface of the negative electrode, ii) oxygen gas bubbles from a surface of the positive electrode, or iii) both i and ii.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly.

Abstract: Methods of applying sensible coatings with at least one spatially-varying characteristic to shape memory alloy actuators, particularly actuators comprising linear elements such as wires strips or cables, are disclosed. Such coatings enable the positions of the linear shape memory alloy elements to be sensed using magnetic, capacitive and optical sensors and so, in conjunction with a controller, enable operation of such actuators under proportional control.

Abstract: Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes a positive electrode disposed in an electrolytic compartment, a negative electrode disposed in another electrolytic compartment, and a cell membrane positioned between the electrolytic compartment and the other electrolytic compartment. An electrolyte solution is disposed inside the electrolytic compartment and inside the other electrolytic compartment. The electrolyte solution is also in contact with the cell membrane. A transducer, which is directly attached to any of the negative electrode or the positive electrode, is capable of selectively transmitting vibrational energy to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode. The vibrational energy selectively transmitted to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode causes bubbles to form and to separate i) hydrogen gas bubbles from a surface of the negative electrode, ii) oxygen gas bubbles from a surface of the positive electrode, or iii) both i and ii.

Abstract: Methods of applying sensible coatings with at least one spatially-varying characteristic to shape memory alloy actuators, particularly actuators comprising linear elements such as wires strips or cables, are disclosed. Such coatings enable the positions of the linear shape memory alloy elements to be sensed using magnetic, capacitive and optical sensors and so, in conjunction with a controller, enable operation of such actuators under proportional control.

Abstract: Water and fuel contaminating material may be removed from a stream operating engine. A suitable membrane material is supported in a suitable housing. At least a portion of the contaminated oil stream is flowed over one side of the membrane and water and fuel material diffuses through the membrane to its other side where they are gathered and removed from the housing. The water and fuel material may be recovered separately using different membranes or different regions of a membrane. They may be swept from the membrane and housing a flow of air for disposition outside the housing.

Abstract: A serviceable device for filtering lubricating oil includes an inlet and an outlet, a first filtering element and an absorption filtering element. The absorption filtering element is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant present in the lubricating oil when in contact with the absorption filtering element. A flow path for the lubricating oil is from the inlet, through the first filtering element, and out the outlet. The flow path further includes lubricating oil contact with the absorption filtering element.

Abstract: A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from engine oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element having a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. A first portion of the fluid absorption media is immersed within the engine oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating and a second portion of the fluid absorption media is exposed to ambient air contained in a head space of the crankcase. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil during a period when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.

Abstract: Contaminating water and/or fuel material may be removed from a stream of internal combustion engine lubricating oil being circulated over parts of an operating engine. A suitable membrane material is supported in a suitable housing. At least a portion of the oil stream is flowed over one side of the membrane and water and/or fuel material diffuses through the membrane to its other side where they are gathered and removed from the housing. The water and fuel material may be recovered separately using different membranes or different regions of a membrane. They may be swept from the membranes and housings using streams of flowing air heated to a pre-selected temperatures using waste engine heat for disposition outside the housing. Application of this practice to other membrane-separable mixtures is described.

Abstract: A fluid includes a liquid medium having iron particles mixed therein. An organic phosphonate based coating is established on the iron particles. The organic phosphonate based coating does not substantially include phosphonic acid groups at an outer surface thereof, and increases oxidation resistance of the iron particles. A method of making such a liquid medium is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element comprising a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. The fluid absorbing element is immersed within the oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.

Abstract: Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly.

Abstract: Methods for improving adhesion between a shape memory alloy and a polymeric material include functionalizing a surface of the shape memory polymer with a phosphorous containing compound or an organosilane coupling agent. Other methods include surface texturing the shape memory alloy surface, independently or in combination with the functionalization.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing dimeric or polymeric reaction products of nitrogen aromatics comprise contacting a composition comprising the nitrogen aromatic with a catalyst composition. The catalyst comprises a first metal substrate having a second reduced metal coated on the substrate.

Abstract: A serviceable device for filtering lubricating oil includes an inlet and an outlet, a first filtering element and an absorption filtering element. The absorption filtering element is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant present in the lubricating oil when in contact with the absorption filtering element. A flow path for the lubricating oil is from the inlet, through the first filtering element, and out the outlet. The flow path further includes lubricating oil contact with the absorption filtering element.

Abstract: A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from engine oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element having a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. A first portion of the fluid absorption media is immersed within the engine oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating and a second portion of the fluid absorption media is exposed to ambient air contained in a head space of the crankcase. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil during a period when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.

Abstract: A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element comprising a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. The fluid absorbing element is immersed within the oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.

Abstract: Contaminating water and/or fuel material may be removed from a stream of internal combustion engine lubricating oil being circulated over parts of an operating engine. A suitable membrane material is supported in a suitable housing. At least a portion of the oil stream is flowed over one side of the membrane and water and/or fuel material diffuses through the membrane to its other side where they are gathered and removed from the housing. The water and fuel material may be recovered separately using different membranes or different regions of a membrane. They may be swept from the membranes and housings using streams of flowing air heated to a pre-selected temperatures using waste engine heat for disposition outside the housing. Application of this practice to other membrane-separable mixtures is described.