Abstract: System and method for reduced latency control of IoT devices. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: associating a control device with one or more internet of things (IoT) devices, the control device including a wireless interface supporting broadcast messages over advertising channels and the one or more IoT devices including wireless interfaces supporting listening for the broadcast messages over the advertising channels; generating an advertising packet including an indication of an operation to be performed by the one or more IoT devices and generating a signature with a control device key; receiving the advertising packet at an IoT device of the one or more IoT devices; validating the signature using an IoT device key corresponding to the control device key; and performing the operation by the IoT device.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to circuits, apparatuses, and methods for providing virtual computing services. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a data storage device and a set of computing servers communicatively coupled to the data storage device. The set of computer servers are configured to provide a respective (e.g., virtual) data center for each of a plurality of accounts. The respective data center for each account is configured to provide data communication services specified in a respective settings file for the account stored in the data storage device. For at least one of the accounts, a set of virtual desktops and/or a set virtual data-communications servers may be designated to provide the data communications services as specified in the settings file for the account.

Abstract: A method for reducing the turbidity of as-mined sand comprising adding water to the as-mined sand to increase its moisture content to between about 5% and about 40% by weight, mixing the sand and water, piling the wet sand on the ground, allowing the sand to rest for a predetermined period of between about 12 hours and about 3 days, then harvesting less than all of the sand from the pile as reduced turbidity sand.

Abstract: A composite material precursor composition includes a matrix precursor, a first plurality of capsules including a liquid polymerizer, an activator, and an accelerant. The liquid polymerizer polymerizes when in contact with the activator, and the accelerant is an accelerant for the polymerization of the liquid polymerizer. The composite material precursor may be used to form a composite material that includes a solid polymer matrix, the first plurality of capsules in the solid polymer matrix, the activator in the solid polymer matrix, and the accelerant in the solid polymer matrix.

Abstract: A composite material precursor composition includes a matrix precursor, a first plurality of capsules including a liquid polymerizer, an activator, and an accelerant. The liquid polymerizer polymerizes when in contact with the activator, and the accelerant is an accelerant for the polymerization of the liquid polymerizer. The composite material precursor may be used to form a composite material that includes a solid polymer matrix, the first plurality of capsules in the solid polymer matrix, the activator in the solid polymer matrix, and the accelerant in the solid polymer matrix.