Abstract: Membrane-based hydrogen purifiers having graphite frame members. The purifiers include a hydrogen-separation membrane module with at least one membrane cell containing at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, which includes a permeate face and an opposed mixed gas face, and a fluid-permeable support structure that physically contacts and supports at least a central region of the permeate face. The membrane cell further includes a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member. The permeate-side frame member is interposed between the hydrogen-selective membrane and the fluid-permeable support structure to physically contact a peripheral region of the permeate face and a peripheral region of the fluid-permeable support structure. The mixed gas-side frame member physically contacts a peripheral region of the mixed gas face. At least one of the permeate-side frame member and the mixed gas-side frame member is a graphite frame member.

Abstract: Membrane-based hydrogen purifiers having graphite frame members. The purifiers include a hydrogen-separation membrane module with at least one membrane cell containing at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, which includes a permeate face and an opposed mixed gas face, and a fluid-permeable support structure that physically contacts and supports at least a central region of the permeate face. The membrane cell further includes a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member. The permeate-side frame member is interposed between the hydrogen-selective membrane and the fluid-permeable support structure to physically contact a peripheral region of the permeate face and a peripheral region of the fluid-permeable support structure. The mixed gas-side frame member physically contacts a peripheral region of the mixed gas face. At least one of the permeate-side frame member and the mixed gas-side frame member is a graphite frame member.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems and related methods. The systems include a hydrogen-producing region configured to produce a mixed gas stream from a feedstock stream, a hydrogen-separation membrane module having at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and configured to separate the mixed gas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream, and an oxidant delivery system configured to deliver an oxidant-containing stream to the hydrogen-separation membrane module in situ to increase hydrogen permeance of the hydrogen-selective membrane.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems and related methods. The systems include a hydrogen-producing region configured to produce a mixed gas stream from a feedstock stream, a hydrogen-separation membrane module having at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and configured to separate the mixed gas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream, and an oxidant delivery system configured to deliver an oxidant-containing stream to the hydrogen-separation membrane module in situ to increase hydrogen permeance of the hydrogen-selective membrane.

Abstract: Membrane-based hydrogen purifiers having graphite frame members. The purifiers include a hydrogen-separation membrane module with at least one membrane cell containing at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, which includes a permeate face and an opposed mixed gas face, and a fluid-permeable support structure that physically contacts and supports at least a central region of the permeate face. The membrane cell further includes a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member. The permeate-side frame member is interposed between the hydrogen-selective membrane and the fluid-permeable support structure to physically contact a peripheral region of the permeate face and a peripheral region of the fluid-permeable support structure. The mixed gas-side frame member physically contacts a peripheral region of the mixed gas face. At least one of the permeate-side frame member and the mixed gas-side frame member is a graphite frame member.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems and related methods. The systems include a hydrogen-producing region configured to produce a mixed gas stream from a feedstock stream, a hydrogen-separation membrane module having at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and configured to separate the mixed gas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream, and an oxidant delivery system configured to deliver an oxidant-containing stream to the hydrogen-separation membrane module in situ to increase hydrogen permeance of the hydrogen-selective membrane.

Abstract: A polymer injection-molding mold having a polymer injection-molding mold having a core insert and a cavity insert; at least two rear-wall glass-filled polyimide insulation plates, one of the rear-wall insulation plates being inset into a rear-exterior wall of the core insert and one of the rear-wall insulation plates being inset into a rear-exterior wall of the cavity insert; at least two side-wall glass-filled polyimide insulation plates, one of the side-wall insulation plates being inset into a side-exterior wall of the core insert and one of the side-wall insulation plates being inset into a side-exterior wall of the cavity insert; the at least two rear-wall glass-filled polyimide insulation plates and the at least two side-wall glass-filled polyimide insulation plates being inset into each of their respective walls such that a substantially planer surface of each insulation plate is substantially flush with an exterior planar surface of the respective wall into which it is inset; the rear-wall and side-wa

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to project management tools and provide a method, system and computer program product for an activity-centric project management tool. In one embodiment of the invention, an activity-centric project management tool data processing system can be provided. The system can include an activity-centric project management tool, one or more ad-hoc communications tools externally coupled to the activity-centric project management tool, and ad hoc communications activity objectification logic coupled to both the activity-centric project management tool and the ad-hoc communications tools. The logic can include program code enabled to integrate external ad-hoc communications among task nodes of an activity hierarchy modeling a project plan.

Abstract: Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same are disclosed herein. The membrane modules include a plurality of membrane packs. Each membrane pack includes a first hydrogen-selective membrane, a second hydrogen-selective membrane, and a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane modules also include a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member, and a thickness of the permeate-side frame member may be less than a thickness of the mixed gas-side frame member. In some embodiments, the support structure includes a screen structure that includes two fine mesh screens. The two fine mesh screens may include a plain weave fine mesh screen and/or a Dutch weave fine mesh screen. The fine mesh screens may be selected to provide at most 100 micrometers of undulation in the hydrogen-selective membranes.

Abstract: Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same are disclosed herein. The membrane modules include a plurality of membrane packs. Each membrane pack includes a first hydrogen-selective membrane, a second hydrogen-selective membrane, and a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane modules also include a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member, and a thickness of the permeate-side frame member may be less than a thickness of the mixed gas-side frame member. In some embodiments, the support structure includes a screen structure that includes two fine mesh screens. The two fine mesh screens may include a plain weave fine mesh screen and/or a Dutch weave fine mesh screen. The fine mesh screens may be selected to provide at most 100 micrometers of undulation in the hydrogen-selective membranes.

Abstract: Systems and processes that limit distortion of inserts (e.g., previously formed parts) in insert molding and overmolding processes. Initially, a mold may be closed (e.g., clamped) about an insert with the mold at a first temperature. After closing the mold about the insert, the mold is heated up to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature suitable for injection of the molding material) and filled with the molding material to contact (e.g., encapsulate) the insert. After the mold has been cooled, the mold may be opened and the finished part (including the insert and the solidified molding material) removed (e.g., ejected). The process may be repeated for additional finished parts. Closing the mold about the insert before heating the mold to the injection temperature advantageously limits distortion of the insert that would otherwise occur by placing the insert into the mold with the mold already at the injection temperature.

Abstract: A portable mold-temperature control unit includes a local heating system, a first fluid duct, a second fluid duct, and a fluid exchange system. The local heating system includes a local heater for heating fluid that is used to rapidly heat a mold. The first fluid duct carries hot fluid heated by the local heating system. The second fluid duct carries cool fluid that is used to rapidly cool a mold. The fluid exchange system includes an outlet that permits fluid to flow from the first and second fluid ducts to the mold during heating and cooling, respectively. The fluid exchange system also includes an inlet that receives the fluid as it returns from the mold. In one embodiment, the heating system reheats the fluid returning from the mold and reuses it to heat the mold again. In a more particular embodiment, the heating system includes a steam generator that generates steam used to heat the mold.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a plurality of tags, each of which is associated with a discrete process executable on activity content. At least one of the plurality of tags is associated with a piece of content within an activity, thus defining one or more associated tags.

Abstract: An electronic device enclosure includes a first structural layer having a first surface and a second surface. A decorative feature is formed on the first surface of the first structural layer. The enclosure further includes a second structural layer, which is formed directly on the first surface of the first structural layer. The second structural layer is formed over the decorative feature by an overmolding process.

Abstract: Systems and processes that limit distortion of inserts (e.g., previously formed parts) in insert molding and overmolding processes. Initially, a mold may be closed (e.g., clamped) about an insert with the mold at a first temperature. After closing the mold about the insert, the mold is heated up to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature suitable for injection of the molding material) and filled with the molding material to contact (e.g., encapsulate) the insert. After the mold has been cooled, the mold may be opened and the finished part (including the insert and the solidified molding material) removed (e.g., ejected). The process may be repeated for additional finished parts. Closing the mold about the insert before heating the mold to the injection temperature advantageously limits distortion of the insert that would otherwise occur by placing the insert into the mold with the mold already at the injection temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for the policy based provisioning and management of a collaborative context. A policy based application provisioning system for use in a collaborative environment can include a policy having rules for limiting collaborative context creation and operation in the collaborative environment. A context provisioning process can be coupled to the policy and configured to create collaborative contexts in the collaborative environment limited by the rules in the policy. Finally, a context management process can be coupled to a data store of usage data for created ones of created collaborative contexts in the collaborative environment.

Abstract: An electronic device enclosure includes a first structural layer having a first surface and a second surface. A decorative feature is formed on the first surface of the first structural layer. The enclosure further includes a second structural layer, which is formed directly on the first surface of the first structural layer. The second structural layer is formed over the decorative feature by an overmolding process.

Abstract: An x-ray detector is disclosed that has had all unnecessary material removed from the x-ray beam path, and all of the remaining material in the beam path made as light and as low in atomic number as possible. The resulting detector is essentially transparent to x-rays and, thus, has greatly reduced internal scatter. The result of this is that x-ray attenuation data measured for the object under examination are much more accurate and have an increased dynamic range. The benefits of this improvement are that beam hardening corrections can be made accurately, that computed tomography reconstructions can be used for quantitative determination of material properties including density and atomic number, and that lower exposures may be possible as a result of the increased dynamic range.

Abstract: A portable mold-temperature control unit includes a local heating system, a first fluid duct, a second fluid duct, and a fluid exchange system. The local heating system includes a local heater for heating fluid that is used to rapidly heat a mold. The first fluid duct carries hot fluid heated by the local heating system. The second fluid duct carries cool fluid that is used to rapidly cool a mold. The fluid exchange system includes an outlet that permits fluid to flow from the first and second fluid ducts to the mold during heating and cooling, respectively. The fluid exchange system also includes an inlet that receives the fluid as it returns from the mold. In one embodiment, the heating system reheats the fluid returning from the mold and reuses it to heat the mold again. In a more particular embodiment, the heating system includes a steam generator that generates steam used to heat the mold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for managing dynamic and persistent activity objects in an activity in an activity-centric computing (ACC) system. In an embodiment of the invention, the system can include an ACC system executing in a host server coupled both to a data store of activities and external sources of dynamic content over a computer communications network. The ACC system can be configured to manage an activity structure for an activity in the data store of activities in that the activity structure can include a hierarchical arrangement of activity objects representing underlying static content. The system also can include a dynamic activity module coupled to the ACC system. The module can include program code enabled to insert into the activity structure a dynamic activity object subscribing to one of the external sources of dynamic content to render corresponding dynamic content received from the one of the external sources.