Abstract: A system is configured to provide managed services for deployment of shared tangible objects by an operator. The system includes cloud resources provided by the system administrator. In one embodiment, the cloud resources include a sharable-object command module configured to communicate signals employed in activating shared tangible objects for use when the end user is successfully authorized by the device activation module. The system includes an API provided by the system administrator. The API is configured to facilitate a communication of object activation signals from the sharable-object command module to allow the end user to use the shared tangible object. The same API is employed to facilitate the communication of object activation signals for different types of shared tangible objects that can be provided in different vertical markets.

Abstract: The system includes a device activation module and a system monitoring module in resources accessible to the system operator over the wide area network. In one embodiment, the method operates to process collateral received by the resources from a client device possessed by a user interested in activating a charging output included in a charger selected by the user from the plurality of portable chargers. Further, if the collateral is accepted, an authorization is wirelessly communicated from the device activation module to the client device, a device activation signal wirelessly communicated from the client device following a receipt of the authorization is received by the charger selected by the user, and the charging output included in the charger selected by the user is activated following a receipt of the device activation signal.

Abstract: A system is configured to provide managed services for deployment of shared tangible objects by an operator. The system includes cloud resources provided by the system administrator. In one embodiment, the cloud resources include a device activation module configured to process information concerning the end users to determine whether activation of the shared object should be authorized for use by a selected end user; and a sharable-object command module configured to communicate signals employed in activating shared tangible objects for use when the end user is successfully authorized by the device activation module. The system includes an API provided by the system administrator. The API is configured to facilitate a communication of object activation signals from the sharable-object command module to allow the end user to use the shared tangible object.

Abstract: The system includes a device activation module and a system monitoring module in resources accessible to the system operator over the wide area network. In one embodiment, the method operates to process collateral received by the resources from a client device possessed by a user interested in activating a charging output included in a charger selected by the user from the plurality of portable chargers. Further, if the collateral is accepted, an authorization is wirelessly communicated from the device activation module to the client device, a device activation signal wirelessly communicated from the client device following a receipt of the authorization is received by the charger selected by the user, and the charging output included in the charger selected by the user is activated following a receipt of the device activation signal.

Abstract: The system includes a device activation module and a system monitoring module in resources accessible to the system operator over the wide area network. In one embodiment, the method operates to process collateral received by the resources from a client device possessed by a user interested in activating an AC output included in a charger selected by the user from the plurality of portable chargers. Further, if the collateral is accepted, an authorization is wirelessly communicated from the device activation module to the client device, a device activation signal wirelessly communicated from the client device following a receipt of the authorization is received by the charger selected by the user, and the AC output included in the charger selected by the user is activated following a receipt of the device activation signal.

Abstract: A method to engage an individual with digital content to activate a device to deliver a service. The device is configured to operate in at least one state in which the device is configured to provide the service. The method includes: wirelessly receiving, with the device operating in a first state that prevents a delivery of the service, a request from a requestor to activate the device to provide the service; offering the requestor an opportunity to place the device in a second state following their engagement with the digital content, the device configured to provide the service when in the second state; if the requestor chooses to engage with the digital content, wirelessly communicating digital content for engagement by the requestor; and changing the state of the device to the second state to allow the device to be used to provide the service following a completion of the engagement.

Abstract: A system is configured to provide managed services for deployment of shared tangible objects by an operator. The system includes cloud resources provided by the system administrator. In one embodiment, the cloud resources include a device activation module configured to process information concerning the end users to determine whether activation of the shared object should be authorized for use by a selected end user; and a sharable-object command module configured to communicate signals employed in activating shared tangible objects for use when the end user is successfully authorized by the device activation module. The system includes an API provided by the system administrator. The API is configured to facilitate a communication of object activation signals from the sharable-object command module to allow the end user to use the shared tangible object.

Abstract: A method to engage an individual with digital content to activate a device to deliver a service. The device is configured to operate in at least one state in which the device is configured to provide the service. The method includes: wirelessly receiving, with the device operating in a first state that prevents a delivery of the service, a request from a requestor to activate the device to provide the service; offering the requestor an opportunity to place the device in a second state following their engagement with the digital content, the device configured to provide the service when in the second state; if the requestor chooses to engage with the digital content, wirelessly communicating digital content for engagement by the requestor; and changing the state of the device to the second state to allow the device to be used to provide the service following a completion of the engagement.

Abstract: The system includes a device activation module and a system monitoring module in resources accessible to the system operator over the wide area network. In one embodiment, the method operates to process collateral received by the resources from a client device possessed by a user interested in activating an AC output included in a charger selected by the user from the plurality of portable chargers. Further, if the collateral is accepted, an authorization is wirelessly communicated from the device activation module to the client device, a device activation signal wirelessly communicated from the client device following a receipt of the authorization is received by the charger selected by the user, and the AC output included in the charger selected by the user is activated following a receipt of the device activation signal.

Abstract: In one example, a method is provided for a computing device to facilitate testing of an electronic apparatus. The method includes receiving a request from an apparatus coupled to a network to which the computing device is also coupled. The method further includes retrieving a command for a robot controlled by the computing device from the request, and configuring the robot to physically interface with the electronic apparatus to perform one or more tests according to the command.

Abstract: In one example, a method is provided for a computing device to facilitate testing of an electronic apparatus. The method includes receiving a request from an apparatus coupled to a network to which the computing device is also coupled. The method further includes retrieving a command for a robot controlled by the computing device from the request, and configuring the robot to physically interface with the electronic apparatus to perform one or more tests according to the command.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for electrically altering the charge and conductivity of polar solvents are disclosed. Such alterations are effected via a system comprising, among other things, an electrolyzing apparatus which stimulates higher conductivity and increased interfacial contact between polar protic solvents and fluids to assist or promote the extraction and/or leaching of solutes, including hydrocarbons, such as lipids, from an admixture, an occluded biomass or another aqueous medium. Methods, systems, and apparatuses for reducing the amount of solvents used in liquid extraction processes and increasing solvent recovery through the concurrent introduction of amphoteric species, which assist in the removal of the polar solvent from its liquid phase to a recoverable and reusable form, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor array is disclosed that includes a conduit having a lumen extending between an inlet and an outlet of the conduit. The sensor array can include a plurality of sensors coupled to the conduit. Each sensor can have a probe member that is disposed within the lumen. The sensors can be configured to measure at least one parameter of an aqueous medium containing a biomass.

Abstract: A method of making a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, comprising slurrying a transition alumina powder with an aqueous solution of a cobalt ammine complex, heating the slurry to cause the cobalt ammine complex to decompose with the deposition of an insoluble cobalt compound, filtering the solid residue from the aqueous medium, and drying the solid residue.

Abstract: A method of making a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, comprising slurrying a transition alumina powder with an aqueous solution of a cobalt ammine complex, heating the slurry to cause the cobalt ammine complex to decompose with the deposition of an insoluble cobalt compound, filtering the solid residue from the aqueous medium, and drying the solid residue.

Abstract: A catalyst or precursor thereto comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound on a transition alumina support having a total cobalt content of at least 41% by weight and a cobalt surface area, after reduction, greater than 25 m2 per gram of total cobalt. The catalyst or precursor may be made by slurrying a transition alumina powder having a pore volume of at least 0.7 ml/g with an aqueous cobalt ammine carbonate complex and heating the slurry to decompose the complex.

Abstract: A catalyst or precursor thereto comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound on a transition alumina support having a total cobalt content of at least 41% by weight and a cobalt surface area, after reduction, greater than 25 m2 per gram of total cobalt. The catalyst or precursor may be made by slurrying a transition alumina powder having a pore volume of at least 0.7 ml/g with an aqueous cobalt ammine carbonate complex and heating the slurry to decompose the complex.

Abstract: A catalyst or precursor thereto comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound on a transition alumina support having a total cobalt content of at least 41% by weight and a cobalt surface area, after reduction, greater than 25 m2 per gram of total cobalt. The catalyst or precursor may be made by slurrying a transition alumina powder having a pore volume of at least 0.7 ml/g with an aqueous cobalt ammine carbonate complex and heating the slurry to decompose the complex.

Abstract: A catalyst or precursor thereto comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound on a transition alumina support having a total cobalt content of at least 41% by weight and a cobalt surface area, after reduction, greater than 25 m2 per gram of total cobalt. The catalyst or precursor may be made by slurrying a transition alumina powder having a pore volume of at least 0.7 ml/g with an aqueous cobalt ammine carbonate complex and heating the slurry to decompose the complex.

Abstract: Production of nickel/silica hydrogenation catalyst precursors by heating a slurry of particulate silica, e.g. kieselguhr, in an aqueous nickel ammine carbonate solution for a total period of at least 200 minutes at a pH above 7.5, followed by filtration, washing, drying, and optionally calcination.