Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: A standardized platform, implemented in a secure web-based environment, enables the sharing of data between different individuals, institutions and even industries. Data is shared between members of the platform in accordance with defined data objects with specified relationships and permissions which are managed, accessed and modified by members using the platform. Such data objects have defined relationships to entities and other data objects, and are controlled by designated preferred owners, which can vary over time.

Abstract: A standardized platform, implemented in a secure web-based environment, enables the sharing of data between different individuals, institutions and even industries. Data is shared between members of the platform in accordance with defined data objects with specified relationships and permissions which are managed, accessed and modified by members using the platform. Such data objects have defined relationships to entities and other data objects, and are controlled by designated preferred owners, which can vary over time.

Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: A standardized platform, implemented in a secure web-based environment, enables the sharing of data between different individuals, institutions and even industries. Data is shared between members of the platform in accordance with defined data objects with specified relationships and permissions which are managed, accessed and modified by members using the platform. Such data objects have defined relationships to entities and other data objects, and are controlled by designated preferred owners, which can vary over time.

Abstract: A crosslinked polymeric membrane, such as a crosslinked polyvinyl sulfate membrane or a crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, is provided. The membrane is suitable for use in an acid environment, and is suitable for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water.

Abstract: A spectrometer collects background spectra during the idle time in which it is not collecting spectra from a sample. These spectra are collected over a range of exposure times, allowing the background reading on each pixel to be modeled as a function of exposure time. When sample spectra are then collected, the exposure time for the sample spectra can be used with the modeled function to compute an estimated background within the sample spectra. The estimated background can then be subtracted from the sample spectra, thereby reducing the noise therein.

Abstract: A spectrometer operator may specify a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR) to be attained when collecting spectra from a sample. The SNR from a single brief sample exposure is used to determine the maximum exposure time achievable without overloading the spectrometer. If the desired SNR is greater than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, multiple exposures can be taken at the maximum exposure time, and can be combined (e.g., averaged or summed) to obtain a spectrum having a SNR which at least approximates the one desired. If the desired SNR is less than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, then only a single exposure is needed, and the exposure time can be scaled using the SNR from the single brief sample exposure to achieve a SNR which at least approximates the one desired.

Abstract: Spectra obtained from spectrographic readings from a sample can be filtered for artifacts, e.g., distorted data points arising from cosmic ray interference, by subtracting one spectrum from another to obtain a difference spectrum; smoothing the difference spectrum; and then calculating the difference between the smoothed and unsmoothed difference spectra to obtain a noise spectrum. The resulting noise spectrum, which represents localized differences between the original spectra, can then be reviewed for readings which exceed the norm by some predetermined amount (e.g., readings which exceed the average level of the noise spectrum by some percentage). These excessive readings constitute distorted data points, and the corresponding points on the spectra can have their values adjusted to eliminate the excessive readings, thereby removing the artifacts.

Abstract: A crosslinked polymeric polyvinyl sulfate membrane or crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, suitable for use in an acid environment, and its use for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water, the method comprising: processing said mixture using a first polymeric membrane to form a first retentate containing a substantially greater concentration of hydrocarbons than said feed mixture and a first permeate containing a substantially greater concentration of acid and water than said mixture, said first polymeric membrane being selectively permeable to the acid and water over the hydrocarbons found in the mixture, and recovering the first permeate; said first permeate can be processed further using a second water reduction mean to form a first stream containing a substantially greater concentration of acid than said first permeate and a second stream containing a substantially greater concentration of water than said first permeate, said water red

Abstract: Eyeglasses are provided that have an inflatable bladder in the temple piece. The temple pieces of the frame do not extend to the ears of the wearer.