Abstract: Bioreactors and methods for growing a chemoautotrophic culture of a microorganism, such as a hydrogen-oxidizing or carbon monoxide-oxidizing microorganism, are provided. The bioreactors and methods provide for enhanced growth and productivity of microorganisms that use gaseous sources of carbon and energy and provide an environment for carbon fixing to produce organic molecules of interest and/or biomass. The present bioreactors and methods achieve enhanced growth with respect to cell density, culture duration and/or growth rate, while maintaining safe operating conditions.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a relay having a first terminal and a second terminal. A capacitor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the second terminal of the relay. A clamp circuit is coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor. A reference voltage circuit has an output terminal. A comparator has a first comparator input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor and has a second comparator input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the reference voltage circuit.

Abstract: Bioreactors and methods for growing a chemoautotrophic culture of a microorganism, such as a hydrogen-oxidizing or carbon monoxide-oxidizing microorganism, are provided. The bioreactors and methods provide for enhanced growth and productivity of microorganisms that use gaseous sources of carbon and energy and provide an environment for carbon fixing to produce organic molecules of interest and/or biomass. The present bioreactors and methods achieve enhanced growth with respect to cell density, culture duration and/or growth rate, while maintaining safe operating conditions.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configure the processor to receive a plurality of images captured by a camera from an image processing system, detect an object in an image from the plurality of images using a model, and identify the detected object using the model and a database of previously identified objects. The instructions configure the processor to track movement of the identified object across a series of images from the plurality of images. The instructions configure the processor to detect, based on the plurality of images, when the identified object disappears from view of the camera. The instructions configure the processor to determine an outcome for the identified object based on first and last detections of the identified object and a direction of movement of the identified object.

Abstract: Methods, circuits and computer program products are presented herein. The method includes isolating a ripple waveform from a current signal originating from a brushed direct current motor (BDCM). The method includes determining the wave count of the ripple waveform. The method includes determining a position of a movable structure operably coupled to a shaft of the BDCM according to the wave count of the ripple waveform. The present technology may be practiced without discrete capacitor components in high pass filtering aspects of the disclosed circuit. The methods, circuits and computer program products can be implemented to accurately determine a rotational position of a shaft of a BDCM and also position(s) of mechanism(s) coupled to the shaft without requiring any external sensors or other components for this purpose other than the disclosed circuits.

Abstract: A system for enabling in store routing of a user generated shopping list using existing store cameras and artificial intelligence and machine learning is provided. The system uses a pixelbuffer comparison of items imaged in real time to compared to a database of machine learned images. The system further provides item recognition and detection through machine learning so as to improve a shoppers experiences. The system and method further includes drone assistance means and radio signal item and biological detection so as to improve accuracy. Other features to improve guidance and accuracy include landmark navigation and masking to improve accuracy of item recognition and detection. The system may be a standalone kiosk.

Abstract: Disclosed are modular chemical reaction systems and methods of using such chemical reaction systems. The disclosed systems can have a substrate layer and a plurality of modules selectively mounted to an outer surface of the substrate layer. The substrate layer can include flow connectors that cooperate with the modules to form a fluid flow pathway for performing at least one step of a chemical reaction. At least one of the modules can be a process module, such as a reactor or separator. The modules can also include at least one regulator module. The system can also include at least one analysis device that analyzes at least one characteristic of the chemical reaction as the reaction occurs. The system can also include processing circuitry that monitors and/or optimizes the chemical reaction based on feedback received from the analysis device or other system components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process comprises the elimination of the crystallization aid lithium borohydride through the use of excess lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride. Further exemplary processes comprise methods for passivating microcrystalline alpha alane using a weak acid in a nonaqueous solvent solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process comprises the elimination of the crystallization aid lithium borohydride through the use of excess lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride. Further exemplary processes comprise methods for passivating microcrystalline alpha alane using a weak acid in a nonaqueous solvent solution.

Abstract: Fluidized-bed reactors for producing alane are provided herein. An exemplary process includes inducing an electrical potential difference in an electrolyte solution to produce an anolyte solution that includes an alane adduct, wherein an electrical potential difference is generated between anode aluminum particles and a cathode, the electrolyte solution including an alkali metal hydride dissolved in a solvent, the anode aluminum particles and cathode being separated by a diaphragm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for heating alane etherate compositions for producing microcrystalline alpha alane. An exemplary heating method comprises introducing a preheated solvent into the alane etherate composition and rapidly stirring to effectuate rapid heating of the composition without the need to heat the reactor walls. In this way, the alane etherate composition can be heated while also reducing the risk of decomposition. In further embodiments, a two-stage reactor can be employed for producing alpha alane, wherein the heating occurs in the second stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for heating alane etherate compositions for producing microcrystalline alpha alane. An exemplary heating method comprises introducing a preheated solvent into the alane etherate composition and rapidly stirring to effectuate rapid heating of the composition without the need to heat the reactor walls. In this way, the alane etherate composition can be heated while also reducing the risk of decomposition. In further embodiments, a two-stage reactor can be employed for producing alpha alane, wherein the heating occurs in the second stage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process for producing microcrystalline alpha alane includes reacting lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum chloride in a solvent to produce alane etherate, filtering alane etherate from the reactant, combining the filtered alane etherate with a lithium borohydride solution to produce solids that include microcrystalline alane etherate, removing remaining solvent from the solids, creating a slurry from the solids and an aromatic solvent, and heating the slurry to convert the microcrystalline alane etherate to microcrystalline alpha alane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process for producing microcrystalline alpha alane includes reacting lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum chloride in a solvent to produce alane etherate, filtering alane etherate from the reactant, combining the filtered alane etherate with a lithium borohydride solution to produce solids that include microcrystalline alane etherate, removing remaining solvent from the solids, creating a slurry from the solids and an aromatic solvent, and heating the slurry to convert the microcrystalline alane etherate to microcrystalline alpha alane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process comprises the elimination of the crystallization aid lithium borohydride through the use of excess lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride. Further exemplary processes comprise methods for passivating microcrystalline alpha alane using a weak acid in a nonaqueous solvent solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for heating alane etherate compositions for producing microcrystalline alpha alane. An exemplary heating method comprises introducing a preheated solvent into the alane etherate composition and rapidly stirring to effectuate rapid heating of the composition without the need to heat the reactor walls. In this way, the alane etherate composition can be heated while also reducing the risk of decomposition. In further embodiments, a two-stage reactor can be employed for producing alpha alane, wherein the heating occurs in the second stage.

Abstract: Fluidized-bed reactors for producing alane are provided herein. An exemplary process includes inducing an electrical potential difference in an electrolyte solution to produce an anolyte solution that includes an alane adduct, wherein an electrical potential difference is generated between anode aluminum particles and a cathode, the electrolyte solution including an alkali metal hydride dissolved in a solvent, the anode aluminum particles and cathode being separated by a diaphragm.

Abstract: An air decontamination system including a sealed room to hold at least one person and the sealed room having an air inlet. The system further including a vacuum unit to create a negative pressure within the sealed room, by suctioning air through the air inlet into the sealed room and then from the sealed room into an inlet of the vacuum unit. The system still further including a work surface disposed in the sealed room at a predetermined height above a floor of the sealed room and the work surface to receive at least one mail piece and the air to be suctioned downwardly over the at least one mail piece and the work surface; and a filter unit to filter the air as the air is drawn out of the sealed room.

Abstract: A rotor balancing system is provided that includes a rotor core, a plurality of core channels, a support wedge, a wedge channel, and balance masses. The rotor core includes an annular section, a first pole, and a second pole. The first and second poles each extend radially outwardly from the annular section and form an interpole region therebetween. The plurality of core channels are formed in the rotor core annular section and extend axially through the rotor core annular section. The support wedge is disposed in the interpole region. The wedge channel is formed in the support wedge and extends therethrough. One or more balance masses are selectively disposed in one or more of the core channels and the wedge channel, and each balance mass is disposed at a predetermined axial location to thereby correct rotor imbalance.

Abstract: An outflow valve includes a valve closure mechanism that automatically closes the outflow valve in the unlikely event the outflow valve actuator becomes inoperable. The valve closure mechanism includes a pulley, a load plate, a cable, and a spring. The pulley is coupled to a valve element is the outflow valve and is configured to eccentrically rotate therewith. The cable has a first end coupled to the pulley, and a second end coupled to the load plate. The spring is disposed between the valve and the load plate and surrounds a portion of the cable. The spring is configured to supply a bias force, via the load plate and the cable, to the pulley that biases the valve element toward the closed position.