Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: A combined anaerobic digester system and gas-to-liquid system is disclosed. The anaerobic digester requires heat, and produces methane. The gas-to-liquid system produces heat, and converts methane to higher-value products, including methanol and formaldehyde. As such, the combination of the two systems results in significant savings in terms of capital and operating expenses. A process for producing bio-formaldehyde and bio-formalin from biogas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combined anaerobic digester system and gas-to-liquid system is disclosed. The anaerobic digester requires heat, and produces methane. The gas-to-liquid system produces heat, and converts methane to higher-value products, including methanol and formaldehyde. As such, the combination of the two systems results in significant savings in terms of capital and operating expenses. A process for producing bio-formaldehyde and bio-formalin from biogas is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides useful cooking and/or heating fuel compositions which may be produced substantially from renewable resources, such as biomass, to provide green fuel compositions, methods, and systems. The fuel compositions include gases stored under pressure, liquids, and gels/gelled waxes. Gases and liquids can include dimethyl ether and one or more C2 or larger alcohols, or can include dimethyl ether and one or more C2 or larger hydrocarbons. Gels and gelled waxes can include dimethyl ether and/or one or more C1-4 alcohols and wax or a gel. Methods of making these fuel compositions, particularly from biomass-derived syngas, are also described. Various applications and methods of using the fuel compositions, such as portable cylinder fuels for camping, are disclosed. Additionally, principles of burner design for these fuel compositions are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost.

Abstract: A high-voltage sequencer system includes positive and negative high-voltage supplies. A supply regulator is connected to the positive high-voltage supply. A master sequencer and programmable logic controller is connected to the supply regulator to control operation thereof. A high voltage regulator output circuit is connected to the supply regulator to receive high voltage signals therefrom. A plurality of sequencer circuits is connected between the master sequencer and programmable logic controller and the high voltage regulator output. The sequencer circuits provide signals to the high voltage regulator output to produce corresponding high-voltage signal outputs in selected sequences.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to inexpensive, manufacturable, robust, and easily installed interconnections for solar energy conversion systems. Particular embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a convenient and low-cost means of interconnecting between one or more of solar energy modules and ancillary equipment electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical connections including one or more power-bearing electrical wires, cooling water conduits, compressed air conduits, electronic control and networking circuitry, conduits for chemical reactants and products, and mechanical linkages. Particular embodiments are further suitable for vibration control and damping of structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to concentrating solar radiation using an assembly of at least one clear and one reflective film that inflates into a shape reflecting parallel rays of light to a concentrated focus in the interior or immediate proximity of the assembly. Embodiments of the present invention can be assembled in a substantially flat stack with bonds or welds between the films, compatible with conventional high-throughput film manufacturing processes. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may employ external circumferential rings or a “harness” assembly to support and point the balloon against wind forces and the like without severe stress localization. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film attachments to facilitate feedthroughs, reduce stress concentrations, and modify the inflated shape. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film modifiers, including laminated films, adhesives, printing, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for coherent nonlinear chromatography. As disclosed, the devices comprise microchannels having at least one perturber which produces a non-uniformity in a field spanning the width of the microchannel. The interaction of the field non-uniformity with a particle produces a secondary flow or particle motion component which competes with a primary flow. Depending on the interaction, the particle may be retained and redirected and therefore separated from other particles.

Abstract: A video microscope for acquiring video images of a sample held within a sample holder comprises a stroboscopic illuminator for applying illumination to the sample when video images are to be acquired and a video camera arranged to acquire video images of the sample, the camera being movable within a housing. A real-time controller is arranged for controlling the stroboscopic illuminator and for controlling movement of the video camera, and a control system arranged to provide user configurable real-time video processing and video-event-based triggering.

Abstract: A high-voltage sequencer system includes positive and negative high-voltage supplies. A supply regulator is connected to the positive high-voltage supply. A master sequencer and programmable logic controller is connected to the supply regulator to control operation thereof. A high voltage regulator output circuit is connected to the supply regulator to receive high voltage signals therefrom. A plurality of sequencer circuits is connected between the master sequencer and programmable logic controller and the high voltage regulator output. The sequencer circuits provide signals to the high voltage regulator output to produce corresponding high-voltage signal outputs in selected sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for assaying and concentrating analytes in a fluid sample using dielectrophoresis. As disclosed, the methods and devices utilize substrates having a plurality of pores through which analytes can be selectively prevented from passing, or inhibited, on application of an appropriate electric field waveform. The pores of the substrate produce nonuniform electric field having local extrema located near the pores. These nonuniform fields drive dielectrophoresis, which produces the inhibition. Arrangements of electrodes and porous substrates support continuous, bulk, multi-dimensional, and staged selective concentration.

Abstract: A control-reliable lockout valve system has an inlet port for coupling to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet port for coupling to a downstream fluid-actuated device. A double valve unit includes a pair of valve elements each controllably moving between a respective actuated position and a deactuated position to control a first flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port in response to a pilot pressure applied to the valve elements. The first flow path provides the pressurized fluid to the outlet port only if both of the valve elements are in the respective actuated positions. The double valve unit further includes an exhaust port, and the valve elements control a second flow path for coupling the outlet port to the exhaust port unless both of the valve elements are in the respective actuated positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and devices for manipulating particles using dielectrophoresis. Insulating ridges and valleys are used to generate a spatially non-uniform electrical field. Particles may be concentrated, separated, or captured during bulk fluid flow in a channel having insulating ridges and valleys.