Abstract: A method for preparing a heat-moisture-resistant polyurethane elastomer includes (A) providing a polyol and an aliphatic diisocyanate to react in the presence of a suitable catalyst under a heating environment, thereby forming a urethane prepolymer with an reactive isocyanate terminal group; (B) providing a hydrophobic diol with a hydroxyl group and/or a castor oil-based triol as a chain extender; and (C) performing an addition reaction of the urethane prepolymer and the chain extender under an appropriate heating environment to generate the heat-moisture-resistant polyurethane elastomer that can be used for a long time in a warm and humid environment.

Abstract: A method for preparing a wear-resistant hybrid, includes (A) providing nano-silica with hydroxyl groups on its surface to react with an isocyanate-based silane to form silica with silyl groups; (B) subjecting the silica with silyl groups to a hydrolytic condensation reaction by using a sol-gel technology to form highly bifurcated Si-HB nanoparticles with hydroxyl groups; (C) providing a diisocyanate to react with a polyol to form a urethane pre-polymer; and (D) subjecting the Si-HB nanoparticles with hydroxyl groups to an addition reaction with the urethane pre-polymer and with a chain-extending reagent to form a hybrid of Si-polyurethane (PU/Si-HB), whereby a wear-resistant hybrid of Si-polyurethane is prepared.

Abstract: A method for preparing a wear-resistant hybrid, includes (A) providing nano-silica with hydroxyl groups on its surface to react with an isocyanate-based silane to form silica with silyl groups; (B) subjecting the silica with silyl groups to a hydrolytic condensation reaction by using a sol-gel technology to form highly bifurcated Si-HB nanoparticles with hydroxyl groups; (C) providing a diisocyanate to react with a polyol to form a urethane pre-polymer; and (D) subjecting the Si-HB nanoparticles with hydroxyl groups to an addition reaction with the urethane pre-polymer and with a chain-extending reagent to form a hybrid of Si-polyurethane (PU/Si-HB), whereby a wear-resistant hybrid of Si-polyurethane is prepared.

Abstract: In one example, an electronic device is described, which includes a position activator, a database including display positions associated with a plurality of users, and a processor coupled to the position activator and the database. The processor may retrieve a display position corresponding to a user operating the electronic device from the database and trigger the position activator to set a viewing position of a display of the electronic device based on the retrieved display position.

Abstract: A test and diagnostics circuit, methods and systems are described. An example test and diagnostics circuit includes a controller and a power monitor coupled to the controller. A load switch on the test and diagnostics circuit selectably implements a load from among multiple load values to test a computing and/or data storage system. The test and diagnostics circuit includes circuitry connecting the controller, the power monitor and the load switch to receive a test enable signal from a non-dedicated pin in a non-volatile dual inline memory module (NV-DIMM) slot to implement a test operation on the system.

Abstract: A Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) carrier includes a flat component perpendicularly connected to two flat side components to receive an NGFF module, a bar rotatably connected to the two flat side components, and a number of holds along an interior of the flat component to receive a fastener. The NGFF module is insertable in relation to the flat component when the bar is rotated to a first position and fixed on the flat component when the bar is rotated to a second position.

Abstract: In one example, an electronic device is described, which includes a position activator, a database including display positions associated with a plurality of users, and a processor coupled to the position activator and the database. The processor may retrieve a display position corresponding to a user operating the electronic device from the database and trigger the position activator to set a viewing position of a display of the electronic device based on the retrieved display position.

Abstract: A Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) connector apparatus can include a plurality of upper signal pins and an upper ground (GND) pin that is longer than other upper pins. The NGFF connector apparatus can also include a plurality of lower signal pins and a lower power (PWR) pin that is longer than other lower pins.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to fingerprint scans with power buttons. For example, a computing device may include a power button and a processor. The power button receives a user input associated with an activation of the power button to turn on the computing device and scans a fingerprint associated with the user input while the computing device is initialized in response to the activation. The processor determines whether the fingerprint matches an authorized fingerprint from a database of stored fingerprints, identifies an account associated with the fingerprint when the fingerprint matches the authorized fingerprint, and provides a desktop environment associated with the account.

Abstract: A Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) carrier includes a flat component perpendicularly connected to two flat side components to receive an NGFF module, a bar rotatably connected to the two flat side components, and a number of holds along an interior of the flat component to receive a fastener. The NGFF module is insertable in relation to the flat component when the bar is rotated to a first position and fixed on the flat component when the bar is rotated to a second position.

Abstract: A Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) connector apparatus can include a plurality of upper signal pins and an upper ground (GND) pin that is longer than other upper pins. The NGFF connector apparatus can also include a plurality of lower signal pins and a lower power (PWR) pin that is longer than other lower pins.

Abstract: A test and diagnostics circuit, methods and systems are described. An example test and diagnostics circuit includes a controller and a power monitor coupled to the controller. A load switch on the test and diagnostics circuit selectably implements a load from among multiple load values to test a computing and/or data storage system. The test and diagnostics circuit includes circuitry connecting the controller, the power monitor and the load switch to receive a test enable signal from a non-dedicated pin in a non-volatile dual inline memory module (NV-DIMM) slot to implement a test operation on the system.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to fingerprint scans with power buttons. For example, a computing device may include a power button and a processor. The power button receives a user input associated with an activation of the power button to turn on the computing device and scans a fingerprint associated with the user input while the computing device is initialized in response to the activation. The processor determines whether the fingerprint matches an authorized fingerprint from a database of stored fingerprints, identifies an account associated with the fingerprint when the fingerprint matches the authorized fingerprint, and provides a desktop environment associated with the account.

Abstract: Devices and methods for engagement of an expansion card (312) with an expansion slot (104) of a printed circuit board (PCB) based connector (102) are described. In one example, an expansion card module (300) includes a card housing (302) to house an expansion card (312). The card housing (302) includes a groove (304) for engaging the card housing (302) with a locking element (202) of a device case housing (200) to mount the expansion card module (300) in the device case housing (200). The expansion card module (300) also includes a module mounted actuator (306) pivotally mounted on the card housing (302) to engage with the locking element (202) for actuating the expansion card module (300) to engage the expansion card (312) with at least one expansion slot (104) of the PCB based connector (102).

Abstract: A module is insertable into a cage based on movement along a first axis. The module is to contain an interface card. A mechanism is to move the module along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, to couple the interface card with the cage.

Abstract: A module is insertable into a cage based on movement along a first axis. The module is to contain an interface card. A mechanism is to move the module along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, to couple the interface card with the cage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel toughener selected from the group of polyurea, polyurethane and poly(urea-urethane) using a facile synthesis method. The toughener forms thick-interface particles, and creates an effective toughness improvement for epoxy resin. Different from the conventional epoxy/rubber composite or epoxy/thermoplastic composite, the epoxy/polyurea, epoxy/polyurethane, or epoxy/poly(urea-urethane) composite shows Newtonian rheological behaviour, a convenient property for processing. The unique feature of the toughener according to the present invention is that toughness can be significantly improved at low toughener content without losing other desirable properties.

Abstract: A modified thermally expandable graphite includes a reaction product of an expandable graphite that contains an intercalation compound intercalated among lattice layers of the expandable graphite, and a silicon-containing organic compound that has at least one alkoxyl group and a reactive group subjected to reaction with the intercalation compound. A sol-gel reaction product of the modified thermally expandable graphite and a modified thermosetting polymeric precursor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical transmission module has two plates, a transmission mechanism and an actuating axle. The two plates are mounted together with a gap formed between the plates. The transmission mechanism is mounted between the plates. The transmission mechanism can be a Geneva mechanism, a worm and gear mechanism, a belt drive assembly, a threaded rod and slide mechanism, a geared mechanism and so on. The actuating axle extends out from the two plates and drives the transmission mechanism. A connector is secured to a free end of the actuating axle. The connector has a groove and a protrusion in the external face to engage with the groove and protrusion on the connector of another mechanical transmission module. Accordingly, the transmission mechanisms can be modularized and combined with each other. The combination and transmission relations between different types of transmission mechanisms are easily be understood through use of the modules.

Abstract: A mechanical transmission module has two plates, a transmission mechanism and an actuating axle. The two plates are mounted together with a gap formed between the plates. The transmission mechanism is mounted between the plates. The transmission mechanism can be a Geneva mechanism, a worm and gear mechanism, a belt drive assembly, a threaded rod and slide mechanism, a geared mechanism and so on. The actuating axle extends out from the two plates and drives the transmission mechanism. A connector is secured to a free end of the actuating axle. The connector has a groove and a protrusion in the external face to engage with the groove and protrusion on the connector of another mechanical transmission module. Accordingly, the transmission mechanisms can be modularized and combined with each other. The combination and transmission relations between different types of transmission mechanisms are easily be understood through use of the modules.