Abstract: An input device determines presence of an actual user, instead of an artifact, by using multi-wavelength reflectance spectroscopy. Light sources are operated to illuminate an object with different colors of light at different times. A detector determines, at those different times, intensity data indicative of intensity light of these different colors as reflected from the object. The intensity data is processed to determine whether the object is part of a user or is an artifact. For example, if the object is deemed to be a user, biometric input may be acquired. The biometric input may then be processed to identify the user. The input device may be used at various locations, such as at an entry portal, point of sale, and so forth.

Abstract: A biometric identification system acquires a multimodal image. The system is trained to determine three embeddings: a first embedding associated with features present in a first modality, an intersection embedding associated with features present in both the first and a second modality, and an XOR embedding associated with features that are not shared between the first modality and the second modality. Once trained, the system may process a multimodal query image to determine query embedding data. Additional information, such as minutiae depicted in the multimodal query image may also be determined. The query embedding data, and in some implementations the additional information, may be compared with enrolled embedding data associated with a previously enrolled user. If the comparison exceeds a threshold value, an identity may be asserted.

Abstract: A multi-sensor input device includes multi-color lights to illuminate a user's hand with various colors of light including visible and infrared, as well as sensors including a photodetector, a red-green-blue (RGB) camera, and an infrared camera. During operation, sensor data generated by the sensors may represent non-biometric input such as a barcode that is printed or shown on another device's display, biometric input such as images of surface and subcutaneous features of the user's hand, and so forth. The biometric input may then be processed to identify the user. The input device also includes antitamper features to improve security. The input device may be used at various locations, such as at an entry portal, point of sale, and so forth.

Abstract: A curing agent for disposal of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash and a preparation method and use method thereof are provided. In the present disclosure, a loofah nanofiber crystal, a rice husk ash (RHA), sodium hydroxide, and water are adopted as raw materials to prepare the curing agent, and the curing agent can effectively realize the safe disposal and curing of heavy metals in an MSWI fly ash. The highest curing rates of the curing agent for heavy metals Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, and Cu2+ can reach 99.7%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 98.7%, and 99.5%, respectively. The special three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked network structure of the loofah nanofiber crystal and the excellent physical and chemical adsorption properties and ion exchange capacity of the RHA are fully used in the curing agent of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A curing agent for disposal of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash and a preparation method and use method thereof are provided. In the present disclosure, a loofah nanofiber crystal, a rice husk ash (RHA), sodium hydroxide, and water are adopted as raw materials to prepare the curing agent, and the curing agent can effectively realize the safe disposal and curing of heavy metals in an MSWI fly ash. The highest curing rates of the curing agent for heavy metals Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, and Cu2+ can reach 99.7%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 98.7%, and 99.5%, respectively. The special three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked network structure of the loofah nanofiber crystal and the excellent physical and chemical adsorption properties and ion exchange capacity of the RHA are fully used in the curing agent of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A device for providing even illumination to a user’s hand or other object to acquire images of the object for biometric identification of a user, includes a camera, a first light module positioned on a first side of the camera, and a second light module positioned on a second side of the camera. The camera is positioned closer to the second light module. The second light module emits light with a lesser intensity than the first light module. Light bending films positioned adjacent to the light modules redirect emitted light toward opposite edges of the field of view of the camera. Diffusers in the path of the emitted light diffuse portions of the emitted light along the edges of the field of view. Polarizers positioned in the path of the emitted light polarize the emitted light to facilitate visualization of particular features of the hand or other object.

Abstract: A method for replenishing an electrolyte of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack includes: preparing an electrolyte colloidal solution containing 10% to 20% of the electrolyte and having a viscosity of 200 to 800 Pa·s; replenishing the electrolyte of the cell stack using the electrolyte colloidal solution prepared in step 1 to allow the electrolyte to adhere to an electrode and an internal channel of the cell stack; discharging excess electrolyte colloidal solution in the cell stack; and drying and discharging water or an organic solvent in the cell stack under an inert gas condition to complete replenishment of the electrolyte of the cell stack, and performing a discharge performance test.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring flow rate of a regulating valve based on an acoustic sensor. The system includes: the regulating valve installed in a fluid pipeline, the regulating valve including an actuator and a valve body and being a regulating valve calibrated by an experimental platform; the acoustic sensor installed at the regulating valve and configured to collect an acoustic signal of the regulating valve and transmit the acoustic signal to a signal transmission apparatus; the signal transmission apparatus configured to receive the acoustic signal collected by the acoustic sensor and transmit the acoustic signal to an acoustic data analysis platform; and the acoustic data analysis platform configured to monitor flow rate of the regulating valve by receiving the acoustic signal transmitted by the signal transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A method for generating antireflective coatings for polymeric substrates using a deposition process and/or a dissolving process can provide a coating onto the outer surface of the substrate. Some embodiments can include a GLAD generated fluoropolymer coating or a co-evaporated fluoropolymer coating on a substrate that may achieve ultralow refractive index as well as improved adhesion and durability properties on polymeric substrates. In some embodiments, the deposition process is performed such that a fluoropolymer can be evaporated to form chain fragments of the fluoropolymer. The chain fragments diffused into the substrate can subsequently re-polymerize, interlocking with the polymer chains of the substrate. In some embodiments, the co-evaporation process can form a nanoporous polymer chain scaffold of the fluoropolymer, from which a sacrificial material can be dissolved out. The formed coating can be a multilayer or continuously-graded antireflective coating that has strong adhesion with the substrate.

Abstract: A method for replenishing an electrolyte of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack includes: preparing an electrolyte colloidal solution containing 10% to 20% of the electrolyte and having a viscosity of 200 to 800 Pa·s; replenishing the electrolyte of the cell stack using the electrolyte colloidal solution prepared in step 1 to allow the electrolyte to adhere to an electrode and an internal channel of the cell stack; discharging excess electrolyte colloidal solution in the cell stack; and drying and discharging water or an organic solvent in the cell stack under an inert gas condition to complete replenishment of the electrolyte of the cell stack, and performing a discharge performance test.

Abstract: A method for generating antireflective coatings for polymeric substrates using a deposition process and/or a dissolving process can provide a coating onto the outer surface of the substrate. Some embodiments can include a GLAD generated fluoropolymer coating or a co-evaporated fluoropolymer coating on a substrate that may achieve ultralow refractive index as well as improved adhesion and durability properties on polymeric substrates. In some embodiments, the deposition process is performed such that a fluoropolymer can be evaporated to form chain fragments of the fluoropolymer. The chain fragments diffused into the substrate can subsequently re-polymerize, interlocking with the polymer chains of the substrate. In some embodiments, the co-evaporation process can form a nanoporous polymer chain scaffold of the fluoropolymer, from which a sacrificial material can be dissolved out. The formed coating can be a multilayer or continuously-graded antireflective coating that has strong adhesion with the substrate.

Abstract: A method for generating antireflective coatings for polymeric substrates using a deposition process and/or a dissolving process can provide a coating onto the outer surface of the substrate. Some embodiments can include a GLAD generated fluoropolymer coating or a co-evaporated fluoropolymer coating on a substrate that may achieve ultralow refractive index as well as improved adhesion and durability properties on polymeric substrates. In some embodiments, the deposition process is performed such that a fluoropolymer can be evaporated to form chain fragments of the fluoropolymer. The chain fragments diffused into the substrate can subsequently re-polymerize, interlocking with the polymer chains of the substrate. In some embodiments, the co-evaporation process can form a nanoporous polymer chain scaffold of the fluoropolymer, from which a sacrificial material can be dissolved out. The formed coating can be a multilayer or continuously-graded antireflective coating that has strong adhesion with the substrate.

Abstract: A method for generating antireflective coatings for polymeric substrates using a deposition process and/or a dissolving process can provide a coating onto the outer surface of the substrate. Some embodiments can include a GLAD generated fluoropolymer coating or a co-evaporated fluoropolymer coating on a substrate that may achieve ultralow refractive index as well as improved adhesion and durability properties on polymeric substrates. In some embodiments, the deposition process is performed such that a fluoropolymer can be evaporated to form chain fragments of the fluoropolymer. The chain fragments diffused into the substrate can subsequently re-polymerize, interlocking with the polymer chains of the substrate. In some embodiments, the co-evaporation process can form a nanoporous polymer chain scaffold of the fluoropolymer, from which a sacrificial material can be dissolved out. The formed coating can be a multilayer or continuously-graded antireflective coating that has strong adhesion with the substrate.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin or a uridine kinase gene and/or a dCTP deaminase gene. In preferred embodiments the constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, the host cells comprise constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin or a uridine kinase gene and/or a dCTP deaminase gene. In preferred embodiments the constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, the host cells comprise constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin or a uridine kinase gene and/or a dCTP deaminase gene. In preferred embodiments the constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, the host cells comprise constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin. In preferred embodiments, constructs further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, host cells comprising constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.