Abstract: A catalyst having a core comprising a composite (A) of SiC grains and a protective matrix of one or more metal oxides, such as alumina, in voids between the SiC grains, said core having a density >60% of theoretical density, and a catalytically active layer (C) containing, e.g., Ni adhered to the core. A catalyst support comprising a composite of SiC grains and a protective matrix of one or more metal oxides in voids between the SiC grains is also provided, along with a method of fabricating a catalyst core. The catalyst can be used in Fischer-TRopsch synthesis or in steam methane reforming.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a selective catalytic reduction system for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an inlet section that receives exhaust gases from the engine. The system includes a tank storing diesel exhaust fluid (“DEF”), a pump, a valve, and an injector each in fluid communication with each other. The injector is coupled to the inlet exhaust pipe and configured to inject DEF into the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet exhaust pipe in a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses injects a constant volume of DEF into the inlet exhaust pipe. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the pump and the valve such that a time interval between successive constant volume pulses of the plurality of pulses is varied based on a variable oxides of nitrogen content of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A catalyst having a core comprising a composite (A) of SiC grains and a protective matrix of one or more metal oxides, such as alumina, in voids between the SiC grains, said core having a density >60% of theoretical density, and a catalytically active layer (C) containing, e.g., Ni adhered to the core. A catalyst support comprising a composite of SiC grains and a protective matrix of one or more metal oxides in voids between the SiC grains is also provided, along with a method of fabricating a catalyst core. The catalyst can be used in Fischer-TRopsch synthesis or in steam methane reforming.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a selective catalytic reduction system for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an inlet section that receives exhaust gases from the engine. The system includes a tank storing diesel exhaust fluid (“DEF”), a pump, a valve, and an injector each in fluid communication with each other. The injector is coupled to the inlet exhaust pipe and configured to inject DEF into the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet exhaust pipe in a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses injects a constant volume of DEF into the inlet exhaust pipe. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the pump and the valve such that a time interval between successive constant volume pulses of the plurality of pulses is varied based on a variable oxides of nitrogen content of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a selective catalytic reduction system for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an inlet section that receives exhaust gases from the engine. The system includes a tank storing diesel exhaust fluid (“DEF”), a pump, a valve, and an injector each in fluid communication with each other. The injector is coupled to the inlet exhaust pipe and configured to inject DEF into the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet exhaust pipe in a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses injects a constant volume of DEF into the inlet exhaust pipe. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the pump and the valve such that a time interval between successive constant volume pulses of the plurality of pulses is varied based on a variable oxides of nitrogen content of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, an apparatus for treating exhaust includes a reductant injector, an aftertreatment component including a NOx reduction catalyst, and a pathway for directing exhaust to the aftertreatment component. The pathway includes a constriction zone within which is positioned a mixing member. The constriction zone begins downstream of the reductant injector and upstream from the aftertreatment component. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a selective catalytic reduction system for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an inlet section that receives exhaust gases from the engine. The system includes a tank storing diesel exhaust fluid (“DEF”), a pump, a valve, and an injector each in fluid communication with each other. The injector is coupled to the inlet exhaust pipe and configured to inject DEF into the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet exhaust pipe in a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses injects a constant volume of DEF into the inlet exhaust pipe. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the pump and the valve such that a time interval between successive constant volume pulses of the plurality of pulses is varied based on a variable oxides of nitrogen content of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, an apparatus for treating exhaust includes a reductant injector, an aftertreatment component including a NOx reduction catalyst, and a pathway for directing exhaust to the aftertreatment component. The pathway includes a constriction zone within which is positioned a mixing member. The constriction zone begins downstream of the reductant injector and upstream from the aftertreatment component. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.

Abstract: Embodiments of a microelectronic package including at least one trench via are provided, as are embodiments of a method for fabricating such a microelectronic package. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of depositing a dielectric layer over a first microelectronic device having a plurality of contact pads, which are covered by the dielectric layer. A trench via is formed in the dielectric layer to expose the plurality of contact pads therethrough. The trench via is formed to include opposing crenulated sidewalls having a plurality of recesses therein. The plurality of contact pads exposed through the trench via are then sputter etched. A plurality of interconnect lines is formed over the dielectric layer, each of which is electrically coupled to a different one of the plurality of contact pads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encapsulating electronic devices, comprising: providing one or more electronic devices (62) with primary faces (63) having electrical contacts (69), opposed rear faces (65) and edges (64) therebetween. A sacrificial layer (70) is provided on the primary faces (63). The devices (62) are mounted on a temporary support (80) so that the sacrificial layer (70) faces toward the temporary support (80). A plastic encapsulation (86)is formed in contact with at least the lateral edges (64) of the electronic devices (62). The plastic encapsulation (86) is at least partially cured and the devices (62) and plastic encapsulation (86) separated from the temporary support (80), thereby exposing the sacrificial layer (70). The sacrificial layer (70) is removed. The devices (62) and edge-contacting encapsulation are mounted on a carrier (90) with the primary faces (63) and electrical contacts (69) exposed and, optionally, further cured.

Abstract: A method for correcting bias in altimetry data for ascending satellite tracks and descending satellite tracks. For satellites operating in tandem, calculate ascending track bias between the height measurement made by the first and the second satellites for the ascending tracks in a region, calculate an ascending bias correction by least squares fitting a polynomial to the bias as a function of significant wave height for the ascending tracks, and apply a portion of the ascending track bias to the sea surface height measurements. The correction can be calculated based on only one track and its crossover points. Another embodiment uses data from only one satellite, estimates the sea state bias at the crossover points separately for the ascending and descending tracks, and apportions a percentage of the difference at the crossover points to the tracks based on minimizing the rms differences between the ascending and descending tracks.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that establishes a secure connection with a peer. During operation, the system obtains an identity for the peer. Next, the system looks up the identity for the peer in a local store, which contains identities for trusted peers. If this lookup fails, the system asks a user if the peer can be trusted. If the user indicates that the peer can be trusted, the system establishes a secure connection with the peer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that establishes a secure connection with a peer. During operation, the system obtains an identity for the peer. Next, the system looks up the identity for the peer in a local store, which contains identities for trusted peers. If this lookup fails, the system asks a user if the peer can be trusted. If the user indicates that the peer can be trusted, the system establishes a secure connection with the peer.

Abstract: A chaos generator for accumulating stream entropy is disclosed. The chaos generator includes a random source coupled to an entropy accumulator that is configurable for generating a binary random input sequence. The entropy accumulator is configurable for accumulating entropy of the input sequence and providing a binary random output sequence based on the accumulated entropy. The binary random output sequence is reduced by a modular reduction operation having a modulus that is set equal to a cryptographic prime (e.g., the order of an elliptic curve). The number of iterations performed by the entropy accumulator on the binary random input sequence is selected to provide a binary random output sequence having a desired cryptographic strength. The chaos generator can be part of a signing and verification system that uses fast elliptic encryption for small devices.

Abstract: A method of generating a digital signature includes generating a first random number from a finite field of numbers, and generating field elements defining a first point on an elliptic curve defined over the finite field of numbers by performing elliptic curve arithmetic on the first random number and an initial public point on the elliptic curve. The method continues by generating a product from a field element, a private key, and a second random number received from a challenger seeking verification of a digital signature, and generating a signature component by summing the product and the first random number. The signature component is reduced using one or more modular reduction operations, using a modulus equal to an order of the elliptic curve, and then the reduced signature component and the field elements are sent to the challenger as a digital signature for verification by the challenger.