Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.

Abstract: Rear boat extensions for boats and boats having such are provided. The rear boat extensions described herein are generally suitable for boats comprising a transom and a plate that is pivotally mounted via a hinge near a bottom edge of the transom, such that the plate is pivotable about an axis of the hinge upwardly toward and downwardly away from the transom. In some embodiments, the rear boat extensions described herein may include a bottom surface including a recess and one or more sloped or curved sections disposed on either side of the recess. The recess is disposed at a front end of the rear boat extension and configured to accommodate pivoting of the plate beneath the bottom surface of the rear boat extension. The sloped or curved sections disposed on either side of the recess serve to push water toward respective outboard sides of the boat to manipulate the size and/or shape of the wake produced by the boat.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide pedicure protectors and methods for preventing polished toenails from smudging, smearing and/or otherwise being damaged. The pedicure protector may include a main body for receiving toes and ball of a foot. The main body may include a plurality of toe loop separators for wrapping around individual toes to align, separate and inhibit upward movement of toes. The pedicure protector may also include an upper surface that is repeatedly detachable and attachable to the main body. The upper surface may include at least one ventilation hole.

Abstract: Rear boat extensions for boats and boats having such are provided. Some embodiments of boats include a rear boat extension as an attachment to their transom. Other embodiments of boats include a rear boat extension as a stern end part of a single molded component which includes the hull of the boat. In either case, the rear boat extension has a smaller depth than an adjacent part of the boat's hull. In some embodiments, a rear boat extension may be tapered toward its rearward end. In some cases, a rear boat extension may include peripheral sidewalls and may be open or include an opening at its rearward end or between upper edges of its peripheral sidewalls. In yet other embodiments, a rear boat extension may not include peripheral sidewalls. In any case, a rear boat extension may additionally or alternatively include an opening or recess within its bottom surface.

Abstract: Included are nylon and polyurethane urea compositions such as in the form of powders, beads and flock to be included in extruded and molded articles containing a thermoplastic resin such as nylon 12. The addition of the powders, beads or flock improve flexibility and shape retention of such molded articles, for example in eyewear frames.

Abstract: A device for moving store display cases or gondolas which are elevated above a support surface by support posts. The device features a body supported for rolling on the support surface by at least one rotationally engaged wheel. The body has an upper surface dimensioned for an engagement with an underside of said horizontal support member supported by a support post which maintains the support post elevated from the support surface to allow a rolling of the display case or gondola on the wheel of the body. The wheel may have a circumferential edge having rotational rollers rotating traverse to the direction of rotation of the wheel, thereby allowing rolling of the body and supported display, in four directions without steering the wheel.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inhibiting operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle based on a proximity of the vehicle to a fueling location.

Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.

Abstract: An integrated circuit containing an n-channel finFET and a p-channel finFET is formed by forming a first polarity fin epitaxial layer for a first polarity finFET, and subsequently forming a hard mask which exposes an area for a second, opposite, polarity fin epitaxial layer for a second polarity finFET. The second polarity fin epitaxial layer is formed in the area exposed by the hard mask. A fin mask defines the first polarity fin and second polarity fin areas, and a subsequent fin etch forms the respective fins. A layer of isolation dielectric material is formed over the substrate and fins. The layer of isolation dielectric material is planarized down to the fins. The layer of isolation dielectric material is recessed so that the fins extend at least 10 nanometers above the layer of isolation dielectric material. Gate dielectric layers and gates are formed over the fins.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates are provided. The apparatus includes a separator having an internal volume and a fluid discharge outlet, a particulate discharge outlet, a particulate inlet, and a fluid inlet disposed on the separator and in fluid communication with the internal volume. The particulate inlet is disposed toward a first end of the separator and the fluid inlet is disposed toward a second end of the separator. The fluid inlet includes one or more openings disposed through a sidewall of the separator.

Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing high purity 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from an aqueous medium, such as a fermentation broth, are described. Aqueous 3-HP solution can be purified by flash evaporation wherein the 3-HP is vaporized at an elevated temperature without conversion to acrylic acid. This process can be integrated with downstream processes for producing other chemical and consumer products.

Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.

Abstract: A controller timing system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a master controller to generate a timing signal, a first slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal, and a second slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal. Timing of the first slave controller and timing of the second slave controller is coordinated based on the timing signal.

Abstract: Included are polymer compositions such as polyurethaneureas, polyamides and polyesters. The compositions may be in a variety of forms such as dispersions, powders, fibers, and beads. The compositions are useful in the preparation of many products including health and beauty products such as cosmetics, paint, household products such as fabric care compositions, apparel/footwear and textiles/furnishings.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine is described. In one example, engine boost pressure is adjusted to improve engine starting.

Abstract: Communication protocols, systems, and methods that facilitate communication between disaggregated elements, and also to devices adapted to function as such disaggregated elements, particularly across peer-to-peer (masterless) and include one or more unique features such as packet atomicity, blind ACKs, NAT bridging, locking, multicast spanning and mirroring, and authentication.

Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.

Abstract: A device for moving store display cases or gondolas which are elevated above a support surface by support posts. The device features a body supported for rolling on the support surface by at least one rotationally engaged wheel. The body has an upper surface dimensioned for an engagement with an underside of said horizontal support member supported by a support post which maintains the support post elevated from the support surface to allow a rolling of the display case or gondola on the wheel of the body. The wheel may have a circumferential edge having rotational rollers rotating traverse to the direction of rotation of the wheel, thereby allowing rolling of the body and supported display, in four directions without steering the wheel.