Abstract: Techniques and systems are used to fabricate relatively large composite structures. Fabrication may be performed automatically by a system comprising a relatively large robotic structure configured to hold and to operate various interchangeable end effectors, each having respective functions for fabricating composite structures. The end effector is positioned by the fabricating system to perform various fabrication functions, such as 3D printing, among other things. The fabricating system may include an x-y-z positioning system, a staging area to accommodate a mold, one or more end effectors, an applicator attached to the end effector, and a docking station to store multiple end effectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizable vacuum testing chambers. Outer shell segments are assembled to conform to and form a sealed enclosure about a test article having air therein. An interstitial region is defined between the test article and the shell segments. A porous support layer is located within the interstitial region. A vacuum pump evacuates air from within the interstitial region to vacuum test the article. Sensors detect leaks within the interstitial region. Zonal barriers may fluidly isolate zones of the interstitial region for locating leaks. The shell segments may be disassembled and the test article removed. The shell segments may be reused for testing other test articles having different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A quantitative infrared chemical imaging method to determine the concentration of a desired high value product in a milling process is used as a basis to optimize the milling process by changing operational parameters, such as sieve size. In a dry milling process, the method can be used to determine the concentration of purified endosperm within heterogeneous solid particulate mixtures containing endosperm and nonendosperm botanical parts. The imaging component accommodates the analysis of particle size statistics for each component of the mixture, based upon the chemical structural characterization. Timely chemical composition and particle size analyses enables informed selection for the optimization of physical separation for the processing of granular solids. The method involves changing sieves within the sifting apparatus based on chemical imaging to provide smaller or larger screen openings to improve separation of endosperm and nonendosperm material from the ground product.

Abstract: Cash handling device simulation systems and methods store real-time updated data indicative of the operating software, hardware, and firmware of each of a plurality of physical cash handling devices. Such real-time updated data is configured for executing a simulated operation of one or more cash handling devices based at least in part on simulation input data. The simulation input data may additionally identify one or more cash handling devices for simulated operation thereof, such that the simulation system generates simulated output reflecting output generated by the one or more cash handling devices during operation thereof.

Abstract: A quartz structure includes a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide. The quartz structure may be fabricated by: (a) receiving a quartz structure; and (b) coating the quartz structure with a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide to form a part to be used in the plasma reactor. The part has a size and shape adapted for forming a window or injector in a plasma reactor. The protective layer does not substantially change the size or shape of the quartz structure. The part may be installed in the plasma reactor at a location where, during operation, a plasma will contact or be proximate to the part.

Abstract: A quartz structure includes a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide. The quartz structure may be fabricated by: (a) receiving a quartz structure; and (b) coating the quartz structure with a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide to form a part to be used in the plasma reactor. The part has a size and shape adapted for forming a window or injector in a plasma reactor. The protective layer does not substantially change the size or shape of the quartz structure. The part may be installed in the plasma reactor at a location where, during operation, a plasma will contact or be proximate to the part.

Abstract: A method for separating virus-like particles from a cell suspension of host cells. The virus-like particles having at least one envelope protein embedded in a lipid double membrane including at least a portion corresponding to a small envelope protein of a virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The host cells are disrupted to obtain a first suspension. A supernatant containing the virus-like particles is separated from the first suspension. Then, an adsorbent is added to the supernatant and separated off. Then, the virus-like particles are desorbed from the adsorbent by adding a desorption buffer. A soluble calcium salt is added to a supernatant separated from the second suspension to form a precipitate, the precipitate formed is separated off and transferred to a third suspension. The virus-like particles are separated from the third suspension and purified.

Abstract: A method for separating virus-like particles from a cell suspension of host cells. The virus-like particles having at least one envelope protein embedded in a lipid double membrane including at least a portion corresponding to a small envelope protein of a virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The host cells are disrupted to obtain a first suspension. A supernatant containing the virus-like particles is separated from the first suspension. Then, an adsorbent is added to the supernatant and separated off. Then, the virus-like particles are desorbed from the adsorbent by adding a desorption buffer. A soluble calcium salt is added to a supernatant separated from the second suspension to form a precipitate, the precipitate formed is separated off and transferred to a third suspension. The virus-like particles are separated from the third suspension and purified.

Abstract: A quartz structure includes a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide. The quartz structure may be fabricated by: (a) receiving a quartz structure; and (b) coating the quartz structure with a protective layer comprising yttrium oxide to form a part to be used in the plasma reactor. The part has a size and shape adapted for forming a window or injector in a plasma reactor. The protective layer does not substantially change the size or shape of the quartz structure. The part may be installed in the plasma reactor at a location where, during operation, a plasma will contact or be proximate to the part.

Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative aerospace system includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A propulsion system can be carried by the launch vehicle, and can have at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the vehicle.

Abstract: A nanofilled ionomer composition comprises a nanofiller in a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The second ionomer is a water dispersable ionomer that allows for excellent dispersion of the nanofiller in the ionomer matrix. A variety of articles may comprise or be produced from the nanofilled ionomer composition, for example by injection molding.

Abstract: An ionomer composite comprises a partially neutralized acid copolymer that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons and a nanoscale filler material that are mutually dispersible in an aqueous medium. The ionomer composite itself may be formed into an article of manufacture or let down in a host polymer to form a multipolymer composite. The resulting materials may exhibit a combination of one or more desirable characteristics, including low haze, absence of undesirable coloration, high toughness, high scratch resistance, low creep, reduced coefficient of thermal expansion, and higher modulus.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and a sheet comprising at least one layer of a nanofilled ionomer composition, wherein the nanofilled ionomer composition comprises (1) an ionomer that is derived from a precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer wherein (a) the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer comprises (i) copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and (ii) about 20 to about 25 weight % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; and (b) at least a portion of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer have been neutralized to form metal salts of the carboxylic acid groups; and (2) one or more nanofillers.

Abstract: Provided herein are glass laminates having at least one glass layer and a nanofilled ionomeric interlayers comprising a nanofiller in a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The second ionomer is a water dispersable ionomer that allows for excellent dispersion of the nanofiller in the ionomer matrix. The laminates retain favorable performance properties such as high transparency while exhibiting lower creep or heat deflection.

Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A low-wear fluoropolymer composite body comprises at least one fluoropolymer and additive particles dispersed therein. Also provided is a process for the fabrication of such a fluoropolymer composite body. The composite body exhibits a low wear rate for sliding motion against a hard counterface, and may be formulated with either melt-processible or non-melt-processible fluoropolymers.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer composite comprising at least one fluoropolymer and particulate filler material is formed using a slurry process, in which the particulate filler material is first dispersed in a polar organic liquid, which is then combined with a suitable particulate fluoropolymer. The combination is dried to form a composite powder material. The composite powder material, with optional addition of another fluoropolymer, is processed to form a fluoropolymer composite body. The process can be carried out with either melt-processible or non-melt-processible fluoropolymers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming nanofibers from a spinning melt utilizing a high speed rotating distribution disc. The fibers can be collected into a uniform web for selective barrier end uses. Fibers with an average fiber diameter of less that 1,000 nm can be produced.