Abstract: Described are flooring systems which include an underlayment material that has a non-skid surface. The non-skid performance may arise from frictional properties, as opposed to adhesive properties. Such a flooring system may include a top flooring layer, a subfloor, and an underlayment material disposed between the subfloor and the top flooring layer. Methods for a non-skid underlayment are disclosed herein, as well as methods of manufacture. The underlayment material may comprise at least one layer and a non-skid surface for engaging the subfloor, the surface comprising thermoplastic rubber.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A method of actuating a valve, comprises operatively coupling the valve with an electroosmotic pump; flowing a fluid through the electroosmotic pump; and generating a fluidic pressure of at least 0.75 PSI to actuate the valve, wherein the electroosmotic pump comprises one or more thin, porous, positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more thin porous, negative electroosmotic membranes; a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source; wherein each of the positive and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on the other side of the membrane and wherein at least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive and a negative electroosmotic membrane.

Abstract: A shark barrier includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate members that extend in a generally upright condition between a sea floor and a sea surface. The elongate members are arranged so as to have the appearance of a thicket, preferably a kelp forest, when viewed from within the water and include magnets to assist in deterring certain shark species. The elongate members may be secured to the sea floor by an anchoring base and are held in the generally upright condition by a buoy or buoyant material held within the elongate members.

Abstract: Described are flooring systems which include an underlayment material that compresses over projecting irregularities in a subfloor to provide a level surface for a top flooring layer. Such flooring systems may include a top flooring layer, a subfloor, and an underlayment material disposed between the subfloor and the top flooring layer. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked polyolefin foam and a compressible foam. Methods for a self-leveling underlayment are disclosed herein, as well as methods of manufacture of the same.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump comprises a plurality of membranes comprising one or more positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more negative electroosmotic membranes, a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source. Each of the positive electroosmotic membranes and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on other side of the membrane. At least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive electroosmotic membrane and negative electroosmotic membrane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for balancing a network load are provided. A control attribute that allows a system operator to prioritize upstream and downstream channel loading conditions relative to each other for load balancing decisions is used to balance the network load.

Abstract: A device is configured for separation of particulates dispersed within a base fluid, wherein the particulates have a relative density difference compared to the base fluid. The device comprises a microchannel of length l and height h comprising an inlet and an outlet; a microporous surface on one or more walls of the microchannel; a collection chamber on an opposing side of the microporous surface; and an applied force field across the height h of the microchannel to sediment the particles through the microporous surface into the collection chamber. The microporous body operationally generates a fluid flow regime comprising a first fluid flow having a first flow rate through the microchannel and a second fluid flow having a second flow rate through the collection chamber and the second flow rate is a fraction of the first flow rate.

Abstract: A microclarification system is disclosed which can be used to separate solid particulates dispersed within a base fluid such as water. The microclarification system includes a plurality of microfluidic separator units disposed between and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet manifold and a fluid outlet manifold. The microclarification system enforces lamellar flow of fluid though it and as a result the rate at which particles settle is enhanced within a collection chamber associated with each microfluidic separator unit and through which the fluid being purified must pass. Each microfluidic separator unit includes a microfluidic outlet microchannel disposed between the microfluidic collection chamber and the fluid outlet manifold, and a gas-liquid flushing module configured to purge particulates from the collection chamber during a collection chamber purge cycle. Optionally, each microfluidic separator unit may include a microfluidic inlet microchannel.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A method of processing a transaction associated with a transaction instrument includes providing a server, receiving an update message at the server which includes data to assign a transaction use case associated with the transaction instrument, the server identifying a device user, a device or both and the associated transaction instrument, the server updating the stored transaction use case state associated with the transaction instrument, receiving a transaction request against the transaction instrument from a transaction requestor, the server classifying the transaction use case to determine a classified transaction use case associated with respect to the transaction instrument, the server determining whether the stored state of the classified transaction use case is an allowed or disallowed state, and transmitting a message to the transaction management system containing data confirming the state of the classified transaction use case, providing a general response of allowed or disallowed, or both.

Abstract: A device and a system for eluting biomolecules from biological sample by electroelution are provided. The device for electroelution of biomolecules from a biological sample is constituted with a housing configured to receive an electrolyte and the biological sample, at least two electrodes comprising conductive redox polymers operationally coupled to the housing, and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes to prevent the biomolecules from reaching the electrode. A system is provided, wherein the system comprises a sample collection port, one or more reservoirs comprising a buffer, a solvent, a reagent or combinations thereof, an device for electroelution, and a controller.

Abstract: A method of eluting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids from a biological sample by electroelution is provided. An example of a method includes various steps, such as loading the biological sample to a device comprising a housing, at least two conductive redox polymer electrodes operationally coupled to the housing and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The loading of sample is followed by initiating an electrical connection to generate an electric field strength sufficient to elute biomolecules from the biological sample; and eluting the biomolecules from the biological sample.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A flooring system as disclosed herein may include a subfloor, a top floor layer, and an underlayment material comprising a needlepunched fiber pad. The needlepunched fiber pad may include a plurality of layers that are needlepunched together to form the fiber pad. Each of the layers may have a respective initial thickness. The fiber pad may have a thickness that is less than the sum of the initial thicknesses. A moisture vapor barrier may be disposed between the needlepunched fiber pad and the sub floor. A portion of the moisture vapor barrier may extend beyond an edge of the fiber pad. The portion of the moisture vapor barrier that extends beyond the edge of the fiber pad may have an adhesive disposed thereon.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A method of actuating a valve, comprises operatively coupling the valve with an electroosmotic pump; flowing a fluid through the electroosmotic pump; and generating a fluidic pressure of at least 0.75 PSI to actuate the valve, wherein the electroosmotic pump comprises one or more thin, porous, positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more thin porous, negative electroosmotic membranes; a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source; wherein each of the positive and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on the other side of the membrane and wherein at least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive and a negative electroosmotic membrane.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A flooring system having a top floor layer, a sub-floor, and an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer is disclosed. The underlayment material may include a cross-linked, polyolefin foam having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 3.0 lb/1000 ft2/24 hr, and an average sound pressure level of less than about 15 dB over a range of about 300 Hz to about 1000 Hz. Foam density, gel fraction, and resin blend may combine to provide an underlayment material having such reflective sound and moisture vapor barrier properties.