Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pest repellent compositions and methods of using and applying the same to repel pests, including the Japanese beetle. In one example, a composition for use in repelling pests from vegetation includes two or more essential oils, a mixing agent, and a surfactant. The two or more essential oils may include at least capsaicin oil in a concentration that is effective at reducing or eliminating pest activity on the vegetation without harming the vegetation. The pest activity may include Japanese beetle activity.

Abstract: An operational efficiency apparatus comprising a sensor connected to a heat transfer system to detect efficiency of system and a display electrically connected to the sensor for indicating efficiency of the system based on data detected from the sensor.

Abstract: A method of adjusting pool or spa equipment parameters in a multi-vendor pool or spa equipment system is provided. The method includes providing a pool or spa equipment system including a plurality of different pool or spa equipment provided by a plurality of different pool or spa equipment suppliers with each of the plurality of different pool or spa equipment having its own adjustable parameters. The method includes connecting the plurality of different pool or spa equipment to a software application via a local network and receiving and displaying current parameter data of the connected plurality of different pool or spa equipment on the software application. The method further includes adjusting, via the software application, the parameters of any one of the connected plurality of different pool or spa equipment.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat exchanger tube, particularly suited for condensing applications, contemplates cold-rolling a metallic strip to emboss a hydrophobic surface texture, to thereby form an embossed surface on the metallic strip. The method includes roll forming the metallic strip to a tubular shape, with the embossed surface on the exterior of the tubular shape, and welding the edges of the roll-formed strip to form a heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: Methods of preparing surfaces are disclosed relating to polymeric substrates that include the use of nano-scale silica particles, solvents and oligomers. Resulting surface preparations on those polymeric substrates may take the form of resilient superhydrophobic coatings having high optical transmittance.

Abstract: An improved augmented reality (A/R) headset system is described. The system can feature a position sensor to determine a user's real-world view, an environmental sensor to determine objects obstructed from the real-world view, and a processing unit to correlate the data such that a merged graphical image corresponds to the user's real-world view. For example, the image can be a representation of objects that are obstructed in the user's real-world view. In addition, the image can be dynamic and change as the real-world view of the user changes, as the user rotates his head. In some instances, the position sensor includes an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or a GPS device and the environmental sensor collects sonar data.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat exchanger tube, particularly suited for condensing applications, contemplates cold-rolling a metallic strip to emboss a hydrophobic surface texture, to thereby form an embossed surface on the metallic strip. The method includes roll forming the metallic strip to a tubular shape, with the embossed surface on the exterior of the tubular shape, and welding the edges of the roll-formed strip to form a heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: Non-volatile Resistive RAM devices are described prepared using various nanocube dispersions and dispersion based deposition techniques including ink jet printing. Stretchable Resistive RAM devices are described that retain their switching properties after repeated stretch and relaxation cycles and show highly stable ON/OFF ratios after each cycle in the stretched and relaxed state.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a building includes providing a processor, receiving an indication from a user for a two-dimensional path for a wall, and retrieving parameters for the wall from a database. The method also includes determining that part of the wall may be constructed using a prefabricated component and preparing, using the parameters for the wall and the path for the wall, a model for the prefabricated component for use in construction of the wall. The method further includes preparing, using the processor, a three-dimensional model of the wall using the two-dimensional path, the parameters for the wall and the model for the prefabricated component and adding the three-dimensional model of the wall to a model of a building.

Abstract: An operational efficiency apparatus comprising a sensor connected to a heat transfer system to detect efficiency of system and a display electrically connected to the sensor for indicating efficiency of the system based on data detected from the sensor.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for easy switching between wired and wireless modes of a headset with convenient charging. The apparatus may include a headset configured with a port that allows for electrically and communicatively connecting to a mobile device via a wire plugged into the port. A processor configured within the headset of the apparatus may receive a signal indicating the headset being connected to the mobile device through the wire. In response to receiving the signal indicating the wire connection, the apparatus may turn off a Bluetooth signal transmitted by the apparatus. The apparatus also charge a battery in the apparatus using power received through an electrical connection of the wire, and establish audio communication with the mobile device through a communication connection of the wire. Embodiments also include a wire with swappable portions to facilitate the transfer of power and data.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for sender-controlled permissions and rules. During operation, a sending device can receive user input to set permissions and rules for an object to be sent to a receiving device. The permissions and rules control how the object will be managed after leaving the sending device. A receiving device receives the object and complies with the permissions and rules associated with the object. Other features of the platform include a hierarchical view for group messaging, an attachment-only view of messages, large file attachments, and the ability to allow users to access external services such as social networking websites without logging in.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for securely transferring an object. During operation, the system may receive the object from a sending device operated by a user, wherein the object is a message or other content. The system may receive data indicating one or more restrictions set by the user associated with the object. The system may receive a request from a receiving device to obtain the object. The system may then determine that one or more restrictions associated with the request to obtain the object are satisfied, and send a portion of the object to the receiving device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for sender-controlled permissions and rules. During operation, a sending device can receive user input to set permissions and rules for an object to be sent to a receiving device. The permissions and rules control how the object will be managed after leaving the sending device. A receiving device receives the object and complies with the permissions and rules associated with the object. Other features of the platform include a hierarchical view for group messaging, an attachment-only view of messages, large file attachments, and the ability to allow users to access external services such as social networking websites without logging in.