Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: A voice call controller (VCC) polls session border controllers (SBCs) to determine routing of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls and filter calls based on call source and originator parameters. The VCC re-routes calls in the event of errors, generates filters based on observed behaviors, and communicates filter rules or statistics to other entities.

Abstract: A voice call controller (VCC) polls session border controllers (SBCs) to determine routing of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls and filter calls based on call source and originator parameters. The VCC re-routes calls in the event of errors, generates filters based on observed behaviors, and communicates filter rules or statistics to other entities.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to control an operation of an appliance comprises a skirt adapted to engage the appliance. The skirt has a side wall, and a front face which in use will face away from the appliance. The assembly has a knob adapted to engage with the skirt, the knob having a side wall, the knob being adapted to move axially relative to the skirt. A spring is located between the knob and the skirt, to bias the knob and the skirt away from each other. The skirt and/or the knob has a spring retaining means adapted to retain the spring.

Abstract: A voice call controller (VCC) polls session border controllers (SBCs) to determine routing of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls and filter calls based on call source and originator parameters. The VCC re-routes calls in the event of errors, generates filters based on observed behaviors, and communicates filter rules or statistics to other entities.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to control an operation of an appliance comprises a skirt adapted to engage the appliance. The skirt has a side wall, and a front face which in use will face away from the appliance. The assembly has a knob adapted to engage with the skirt, the knob having a side wall, the knob being adapted to move axially relative to the skirt. A spring is located between the knob and the skirt, to bias the knob and the skirt away from each other. The skirt and/or the knob has a spring retaining means adapted to retain the spring.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a host device, a signal indicative of an authentication request for a client device to access a resource from a set of resources. A resource confidence value associated with the authentication request is calculated based at least in part on (1) a threat confidence vector associated with at least one risk mitigation score for each threat from a set of threats and (2) a set of resource vulnerability scores associated with the resource and each threat from the set of threats. The resource confidence value is compared to a resource confidence criterion associated with the resource from the set of resources. A signal indicative of a positive authentication is sent from the host device to the client device when the resource confidence value satisfies the resource confidence criterion such that the client device is granted access to the resource.

Abstract: Thermocline storage tanks for solar power systems are disclosed. A thermocline region is provided between hot and cold storage regions of a fluid within the storage tank cavity. One example storage tank includes spaced apart baffles fixed relative to the tank and arranged within the thermocline region to substantially physically separate the cavity into hot and cold storage regions. In another example, a flexible baffle separated the hot and cold storage regions and deflects as the thermocline region shifts to accommodate changing hot and cold volumes. In yet another example, a controller is configured to move a baffle within the thermocline region in response to flow rates from hot and cold pumps, which are used to pump the fluid.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a hierarchical user interface replaces a native one-dimensional horizontal navigation system with a multi-dimensional hierarchical tree structure for organizing and navigating spreadsheet workbooks. The interface allows users to visualize the full structure and content of workbooks, quickly navigate to and select sheets, and organize workbooks in a more logical manner than sequential tabs allow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for identifying the source of a signal via channel equalization using characteristics of the signal. A system receives a signal, then measures a frequency response of the signal by performing a spectral analysis over the entire signal. The system computes the average amplitude over a subset of time samples from the spectral analysis for each represented frequency and compares the set of averaged amplitudes to a stored set of averaged amplitudes to produce equalization coefficients. Applying the equalization coefficients to the frequency response yields an equalized frequency response, which is compared to a stored frequency response using a classifier to determine a match. Alternately, the system applies the equalization coefficients to the stored frequency response yielding an equalized stored frequency response. The method can recognize speakers, vehicles, electromagnetic signals, sonar signals, optical signals, videos, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable storage media for tagging a known signal of interest. Initially, the system classifies the data from an input signal using a short-term classifier, wherein there are at least two classifications available, a first classification of the data as having no identified outputs and a second classification of the data as at least one potential signal of interest, wherein the short-term classifier also bypasses data that is known to be of no interest. After the short-term classifier classifies the inputs, it collapses the input data that is classified as having no identified outputs. This allows the short-term classifier to create time-variant data. Finally, the system will tag a known signal of interest in the time-variant data that was classified as having at least one potential signal of interest. Therefore, a system for tagging a known signal of interest is described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed loop circuit that has a concentrated solar receiver and a particulate thermal transfer media moveable through the closed loop circuit. The particulate thermal transfer media has a melting temperature of greater than 600° C./1112° F. A heat exchanger is in communication with the particulate thermal transfer media.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable storage media for tagging a known signal of interest. Initially, the system classifies the data from an input signal using a short-term classifier, wherein there are at least two classifications available, a first classification of the data as having no identified outputs and a second classification of the data as at least one potential signal of interest, wherein the short-term classifier also bypasses data that is known to be of no interest. After the short-term classifier classifies the inputs, it collapses the input data that is classified as having no identified outputs. This allows the short-term classifier to create time-variant data. Finally, the system will tag a known signal of interest in the time-variant data that was classified as having at least one potential signal of interest. Therefore, a system for tagging a known signal of interest is described.

Abstract: A pipelined execution unit incorporates one or more low power modes that reduce power consumption by dynamically merging pipeline stages in an execution pipeline together with one another. In particular, the execution logic in successive pipeline stages in an execution pipeline may be dynamically merged together by setting one or more latches that are intermediate to such pipeline stages to a transparent state such that the output of the pipeline stage preceding such latches is passed to the subsequent pipeline stage during the same clock cycle so that both such pipeline stages effectively perform steps for the same instruction during each clock cycle. Then, with the selected pipeline stages merged, the power consumption of the execution pipeline can be reduced (e.g., by reducing the clock frequency and/or operating voltage of the execution pipeline), often with minimal adverse impact on performance.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for producing a nanoscale zero-valent metal, including reduction of a metal ion solution with a dithionite compound, wherein the reduction is carried out under alkaline conditions under substantially an inert atmosphere. A nanoscale zero-valent metal obtainable by this process, and having a new crystalline form, is also described. The nanoscale zero-valent metal produced by the process of the invention is preferably iron, and is advantageously used for the remediation of contaminated water.