Abstract: Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.

Abstract: Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.

Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed on-street valet parking with the aid of a digital computer is provided. Parking spaces for valet services are reserved. One of the reserved parking spaces is designated as a valet drop-off parking space. A motor vehicle is detected in the valet drop-off parking space and a notification that the motor vehicle requires parking is provided to a valet of the detected motor vehicle. A search is conducted for the reserved parking spaces available for valet services for the motor vehicle. At least one of the reserved parking spaces available for the motor vehicle is identified and the motor vehicle is parked in the identified reserved parking space.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a server is provided. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Street sweeping activity affecting the parking spaces is planned and comprising times and dates over which street sweeping of the parking spaces will occur. Any requests for reserving the use of the parking spaces during the street sweeping activity is denied. The parking availability indicators are activated associated with the parking spaces affected by the street sweeping activity. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for facilitating rental of a private parking space by an urban resident are provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. The parking spaces are supplemented with a private parking space under legitimate control by a resident of the residential area. Use of the private parking space is managed through the server and the smart parking device nearest to the private parking space. Parking availability the parking spaces is indicated through the nearest parking availability indicator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing information through a display of parking devices is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces is managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are associated with at least one of the parking spaces. Use of the parking spaces is managed through the server. The parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are activated. Occupancy of at least one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and the location of the parking space is provided to the server. An identity of the driver of the motor vehicle is determined through the nearest smart parking device and the identity of the driver is provided to the server. Information associated with the identity of the driver is displayed on the smart parking device.

Abstract: A system and method for tagging and integrating event data into operational data with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A plurality of categories of tags are maintained, each of the categories comprising a plurality of tags. A note comprising data about an event from a user is received. One or more of the tags are assigned to the note based on the user and the data. One or more of the tags is received from the user and the note is tagged with the received tags. Operational data comprising workflow data of an objective nature is defined. The note is integrated into the workflow data using the received tags, the assigned tags, and the categories of the received tags and the assigned tags. The workflow data with the integrated note is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing guest parking reservations are provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Use of one of the parking spaces for a guest of a resident of the area is reserved. A request for a reservation is accepted and that the resident is eligible to reserve the space is confirmed. The request is granted provided the parking space is available over any other reservations in the server. Use of the parking space is managed. Occupancy of the parking space by a vehicle is sensed through the nearest sensor. An identity of a motorist is verified through the nearest parking device. The use of the parking space is denied if not by the guest.

Abstract: Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.

Abstract: A system and method for offering customer priority parking reservations. Motor vehicle parking spaces are provided through a server. The server respectively interfaces with smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators that are each associated with the parking spaces. The parking spaces are reserved by accepting a request for a customer priority parking reservation from a merchant for a reservation period. Use of the parking space is managed through the server by activating the parking availability indicators associated with the reserved parking spaces, sensing occupancy of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor, and retrieving and providing an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device to the server. The use of the parking space is validated from the merchant through the server.

Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed on-street valet parking with the aid of a digital computer is provided. Parking spaces for valet services are reserved. One of the reserved parking spaces is designated as a valet drop-off parking space. A motor vehicle is detected in the valet drop-off parking space and a notification that the motor vehicle requires parking is provided to a valet of the detected motor vehicle. A search is conducted for the reserved parking spaces available for valet services for the motor vehicle. At least one of the reserved parking spaces available for the motor vehicle is identified and the motor vehicle is parked in the identified reserved parking space.

Abstract: A flowing electrolyte fuel cell system design (DHCFC-Flow) is provided. The use of a flowing oxygen-saturated electrolyte in a fuel cell offers a significant enhancement in the cell performance characteristics. The mass transfer and reaction kinetics of the superoxide/peroxide/oxide ion (mobile oxygen ion species) in the fuel cell are enhanced by recirculating an oxidizing gas-saturated electrolyte. Recirculating oxygen-saturated electrolyte through a liquid channel enhances the maximal current observed in a fuel cell. The use of a oxygen saturated electrolyte ensures that the reaction kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction are fast and the use of convection ameliorates concentration gradients and the diffusion-limited maximum current density. The superoxide ion is generated in situ by the reduction of the oxygen dissolved in the gaseous electrolyte. Also, a dual porosity membrane allows the uniform flow of fuel (e.g., methane) on the fuel side, without allowing phase mixing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. A tourist identification card is issued to a tourist via an agency and is associated with one or more parking privileges. A presence of a motor vehicle in at least one parking space is identified and the tourist identification card is received via a smart parking meter that is associated with the parking space. The received tourist identification card is authenticated and parking privileges are provided upon the authentication of the received tourist identification card for the parking space. The parking privileges include one or more of extending parking limits, reserving tourist spaces, and reducing parking rates. An indicator for an unavailable status is displayed for the parking space.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a tourist area of an urban environment are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are each proximate to at least one of the parking spaces. Tourist parking identification cards are issued to an agency authorized to provide tourist parking privileges, which are then provided to the visitors. The parking identification cards are activated by pairing each identification card with a digital ticket issued to the agency. The parking spaces are managed by sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and by determining an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device.

Abstract: A system and method for tagging and integrating event data into operational data with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A plurality of categories of tags are maintained, each of the categories comprising a plurality of tags. A note comprising data about an event from a user is received. One or more of the tags are assigned to the note based on the user and the data. One or more of the tags is received from the user and the note is tagged with the received tags. Operational data comprising workflow data of an objective nature is defined. The note is integrated into the workflow data using the received tags, the assigned tags, and the categories of the received tags and the assigned tags. The workflow data with the integrated note is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for integrating user observations into operational data is provided. A database maintains notes each having received from a user and comprising a subjective observation. Operational data including workflow data of an objective nature is defined. Each of the notes is associated with one or more tags. The note associated with the tags is further maintained in the database. Criteria for retrieving the note are defined for the workflow data and forming a query for each of the workflow data. The query to select the note associated with the tags is executed for the workflow data based on the criteria and the selected note is integrated into the workflow data. The workflow data with the integrated note is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A first structure has alternating fingers of first and second materials, the first material having a higher thermal conductivity than the second material, a second structure has alternating fingers of third and fourth materials, positioned to selectively contact the first structure, and an actuator connected to move the second structure. A method of manufacturing a heat switch includes forming a first structure in a first material having finger separated from each other by gaps, forming a second structure in the first material having fingers at least partially separated from each other by gaps, positioning the first and second structure adjacent to and in contact with each other, and connecting the second structure to an actuator. A method of operating includes receiving an activation signal at an actuator, and using the actuator to move one structure relative to another structure to change alignment between two regions of different thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical probe system and an electrical excitation method, used to identify the composition of metals and alloys.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical probe system and an electrical excitation method, configured in a handheld sorting system, and used to identify the composition of metals and alloys.