Abstract: Propellants for rockets, space transportation vehicles, launch vehicles and systems, crew escape vehicles and systems, launch escape towers, and space vehicle systems are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a rocket propellant comprising a mixture of a small chain alkane from 1 to 4 carbons and a small chain alkene from 3 to 4 carbons. The mixture of the small chain alkane and small chain alkene is in a proportion that lowers the melting of the mixture below the melting point of both the small chain alkane and small chain alkene.

Abstract: A transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may have an internal passage extending between an inlet to an outlet. An axis of the transition duct body may be generally linear such that gases expelled from the transition duct body flow in a proper direction into the downstream turbine blades.

Abstract: A transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may have an internal passage extending between an inlet to an outlet. An axis of the transition duct body may be generally linear such that gases expelled from the transition duct body flow in a proper direction into the downstream turbine blades. The linear transition duct may include an outlet with exhaust mouths that are configured such that sides of the transition duct are coplanar with adjacent transition ducts, thereby eliminating destructive turbulence between adjacent, linear transition ducts.

Abstract: A transition duct for conveying hot combustion gas from a combustor to a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The transition duct includes a panel including a middle subpanel, an inner subpanel spaced from an inner side of the middle subpanel to form an inner plenum, and an outer subpanel spaced from an outer side of the middle subpanel to form an outer plenum. The outer subpanel includes a plurality of outer diffusion holes to meter cooling air into the outer plenum. The middle subpanel includes a plurality of effusion holes to allow cooling air to flow from the outer plenum to the inner plenum. The inner subpanel includes a plurality of film holes for passing a flow of cooling air from the inner plenum through the film holes into an axial gas flow path adjacent to the inner side of the inner subpanel.

Abstract: A transition duct for conveying hot combustion gas from a combustor to a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The transition duct includes a panel including a middle subpanel, an inner subpanel spaced from an inner side of the middle subpanel to form an inner plenum, and an outer subpanel spaced from an outer side of the middle subpanel to form an outer plenum. The outer subpanel includes a plurality of outer diffusion holes to meter cooling air into the outer plenum. The middle subpanel includes a plurality of effusion holes to allow cooling air to flow from the outer plenum to the inner plenum. The inner subpanel includes a plurality of film holes for passing a flow of cooling air from the inner plenum through the film holes into an axial gas flow path adjacent to the inner side of the inner subpanel.

Abstract: A grape favored pome fruit, such as an apple or pear is provided. The grape flavored pome is created by a process employing the natural food additive methyl anthranilate, to impart a grape flavor to whole apples, pears, and other pome fruits. The grape flavored pome fruit product is created by first forming or formulating a grape flavoring admixture. The grape flavoring admixture is a non-toxic, food grade solution that is generally regarded as safe or “GRAS.” Methyl anthranilate generally describes a grape essence flavoring compound, also referred to as methyl-o-aminobenzoate, neroli oil, and 2-Aminobenzoic acid methyl ester. After harvest, the apple, or pome, in a whole and uncut condition, is dipped or alternatively sprayed with the admixture. The fruit absorbs the admixture through the pericarp, to impart the grape flavor to the mesocarp of the pome fruit.

Abstract: A transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may have an internal passage extending between an inlet to an outlet. An axis of the transition duct body may be generally linear such that gases expelled from the transition duct body flow in a proper direction into the downstream turbine blades.

Abstract: A transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may have an internal passage extending between an inlet to an outlet. An axis of the transition duct body may be generally linear such that gases expelled from the transition duct body flow in a proper direction into the downstream turbine blades. The linear transition duct may include an outlet with exhaust mouths that are configured such that sides of the transition duct are coplanar with adjacent transition ducts, thereby eliminating destructive turbulence between adjacent, linear transition ducts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time monitoring process conditions of a semiconductor wafer processing operation. A semiconductor wafer subject to processing in a wafer processing tool is embedded with one or more sensor devices. In response to receipt of wireless electromagnetic signals, the embedded sensor devices are activated for generating sensory data. The electromagnetic signals are further utilized to activate a transmitter device provided in the wafer to wirelessly transmit the sensory data generated from the activated embedded sensor device. The transmitted electromagnetic signals comprising the sensory data are communicated to a control device for controlling processing conditions of the process tool based upon the received sensory data.

Abstract: An integrated personal information management system is described. In one embodiment, for example, an integrated personal information management system is described that comprises: a receptacle holding at least one paper page that is capable of receiving pen strokes from a digital pen; a digital pen for recording pen strokes when a user writes on a particular paper page; a page identifier for identifying the particular paper page on which the user is writing; and a handheld personal information device in communication with the digital pen and page identifier for processing the recorded pen strokes associated with the particular paper page and displaying the processing results on a display screen.

Abstract: A dry heat sterilization system having a housing and a number of plenums to guide the flow of hot air. Hot air is forced to flow through the plenums, the intake slide duct and into the bottom of the containers. The hot air will rise and exit from the top of the container through the exhaust slide duct. Furthermore, the external surfaces of the container are also sterilized through the use of semi-pierced duct walls with adjustable diffuser panels. Hot air will re-circulate until it reaches a pre-determined temperature. The container and its contents can be safely handled once the exhaust air blower removes hot air from the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time monitoring process conditions of a semiconductor wafer processing operation. A semiconductor wafer subject to processing in a wafer processing tool is embedded with one or more sensor devices. In response to receipt of wireless electromagnetic signals, the embedded sensor devices are activated for generating sensory data. The electromagnetic signals are further utilized to activate a transmitter device provided in the wafer to wirelessly transmit the sensory data generated from the activated embedded sensor device. The transmitted electromagnetic signals comprising the sensory data are communicated to a control device for controlling processing conditions of the process tool based upon the received sensory data.

Abstract: Quantum dots are positioned within a layered composite film to produce one-dimensional and multi-dimensional shift registers within the film. Charge carriers are driven into the quantum dots by energy in connected control paths. The charge carriers are trapped in the quantum dots through quantum confinement, such that the charge carriers form artificial atoms, which serve as dopants for the surrounding materials. The atomic number of each artificial atom is adjusted through precise variations in the voltage across the quantum dot that confines it. The position of the artificial atom in the film is moved by varying the location of confinement and thus operates as a shift register.

Abstract: Quantum dots are positioned within a layered composite film to produce a plurality of real-time programmable dopants within the film. Charge carriers are driven into the quantum dots by energy in connected control paths. The charge carriers are trapped in the quantum dots through quantum confinement, such that the charge carriers form artificial atoms, which serve as dopants for the surrounding materials. The atomic number of each artificial atom is adjusted through precise variations in the voltage across the quantum dot that confines it. The change in atomic number alters the doping characteristics of the artificial atoms. The layered composite film is also configured as a shift register.

Abstract: A system and method for performing insurance claim reinspections is disclosed. The system includes an insurance company computer in communication with a communications server, at least one remote terminal in communication with the communications server, and an insurance claim workfile having a loss estimate section, an appraisal section and a reinspection section. The method includes the steps of providing an insurance claim profile and exception priority information, comparing an estimate in an insurance workfile to the insurance claim profile, and generating exception indicators based on the comparison.

Abstract: A programmable dopant fiber includes a plurality of quantum structures formed on a fiber-shaped substrate, wherein the substrate includes one or more energy-carrying control paths, which pass energy to quantum structures. Quantum structures may include quantum dot particles on the surface of the fiber or electrodes on top of barrier layers and a transport layer, which form quantum dot devices. The energy passing through the control paths drives charge carriers into the quantum dots, leading to the formation of “artificial atoms” with real-time, tunable properties. These artificial atoms then serve as programmable dopants, which alter the behavior of surrounding materials. The fiber can be used as a programmable dopant inside bulk materials, as a building block for new materials with unique properties, or as a substitute for quantum dots or quantum wires in certain applications.

Abstract: A programmable dopant fiber includes a plurality of quantum structures formed on a fiber-shaped substrate, wherein the substrate includes one or more energy-carrying control paths, which pass energy to quantum structures. Quantum structures may include quantum dot particles on the surface of the fiber or electrodes on top of barrier layers and a transport layer, which form quantum dot devices. The energy passing through the control paths drives charge carriers into the quantum dots, leading to the formation of “artificial atoms” with real-time, tunable properties. These artificial atoms then serve as programmable dopants, which alter the behavior of surrounding materials. The fiber can be used as a programmable dopant inside bulk materials, as a building block for new materials with unique properties, or as a substitute for quantum dots or quantum wires in certain applications.

Abstract: A grape favored pome fruit, such as an apple or pear is provided. The grape flavored pome is created by a process employing the natural food additive methyl anthranilate, to impart a grape flavor to whole apples, pears, and other pome fruits. The grape flavored pome fruit product is created by first forming or formulating a grape flavoring admixture. The grape flavoring admixture is a non-toxic, food grade solution that is generally regarded as safe or “GRAS.” Methyl anthranilate generally describes a grape essence flavoring compound, also referred to as methyl-o-aminobenzoate, neroli oil, and 2-Aminobenzoic acid methyl ester. After harvest, the apple, or pome, in a whole and uncut condition, is dipped or alternatively sprayed with the admixture. The fruit absorbs the admixture through the pericarp, to impart the grape flavor to the mesocarp of the pome fruit.

Abstract: An integrated personal information management system is described. In one embodiment, for example, an integrated personal information management system is described that comprises: a receptacle holding at least one paper page that is capable of receiving pen strokes from a digital pen; a digital pen for recording pen strokes when a user writes on a particular paper page; a page identifier for identifying the particular paper page on which the user is writing; and a handheld personal information device in communication with the digital pen and page identifier for processing the recorded pen strokes associated with the particular paper page and displaying the processing results on a display screen.

Abstract: Live bait colorized with opaque and/or phosphorescent materials to luminesce and exhibit enhanced coloration when suspended within a body of water. In one process, the back of the bait is coated with a suspension mixture (e.g. 30% glow powder and 70% carrier) of a phosphorescent pigment and cured at an elevated temperature. In another process, the back of the bait is coated with a phosphorescent powder that is fixed with a spray applied clear coat and/or adhesive. The coating is subjected for a brief period to a curing temperature in excess of room temperature to set the paint and/or clear coat and/or adhesive. Multiple coatings or combinations of suspension mixtures and powdered coatings provide desired colorized live bait without deleteriously affecting the bodily functions of the bait.