Abstract: A mixture including a thiophosphoric acid product suitable for preparing organometallic and/or ashless antiwear additives having improved copper corrosion performance. The thiophosphoric acid product is distilled and recovered as a condensate of the distillation and having a low level of active sulfur.

Abstract: An organometallic phosphorus-providing antiwear additive and a lubricating composition including the organometallic phosphorus-providing antiwear additive having improved copper corrosion performance obtained by reacting an organic hydroxy compound with phosphorus pentasulfide to form a reaction product, distilling the reaction product and recovering a condensate, and neutralizing the condensate with a basic or neutral metal compound including one or more of a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, or a metal carbonate to form the organometallic phosphorus-providing antiwear additive or salt thereof.

Abstract: An oil-soluble ashless antiwear additive and a lubricating composition including the ashless antiwear additive having improved copper corrosion performance obtained by reacting an organic hydroxy compound with phosphorus pentasulfide to form a reaction product, distilling the reaction product and recovering a condensate, and reacting the condensate with an unsaturated carboxylic acid to form an oil-soluble phosphorus antiwear additive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the locating and hiring of service providers is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to create service request. When the social networking server computer receives a service request for a particular type of service provider, the social networking server computer identifies service providers of the particular type and sends the service request to the service providers. In response to receiving an indication that a particular service provider is available to fulfill a service request, the social networking server computer sends a message to the service requester that identifies the particular service provider and indicates that the service provider is available to fulfill the service request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the locating and hiring of service providers is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to create service request. When the social networking server computer receives a service request for a particular type of service provider, the social networking server computer identifies service providers of the particular type and sends the service request to the service providers. In response to receiving an indication that a particular service provider is available to fulfill a service request, the social networking server computer sends a message to the service requester that identifies the particular service provider and indicates that the service provider is available to fulfill the service request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device.

Abstract: Contamination of the ion-exchange membrane in an electrochemical fuel cell can significantly reduce its lifetime. One source of contamination is from sealant materials, more specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Pursuant to the invention, an assembled membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is heated at a temperature of about 200° C. for about 2 hours. This removes a high percentage of VOCs present in the assembled MEA, more specifically present in the seals.

Abstract: Contamination of the ion-exchange membrane in an electrochemical fuel cell can significantly reduce the lifetime. One source of contamination is from sealant materials, particularly if the sealant is silicone and impregnated into the peripheral region of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and thus in close proximity to the ion-exchange membrane. Contamination may be reduced or eliminated by separating the electrochemical reaction and/or the ion-exchange membrane from the sealant material. In an embodiment, this is done by having the sealing region substantially free of active electrocatalyst particles (for example, selectively printing the catalyst to avoid the sealing region or poisoning catalyst in the sealing region). In another embodiment, a barrier film is interposed between the ion-exchange membrane and the sealant material impregnated into the MEA. In yet another embodiment, a barrier plug is impregnated into the fluid diffusion layer adjacent to the sealant material impregnated into the MEA.

Abstract: An operating method increases fuel cell life or durability, particularly that of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The fuel cell has a mean life expectancy that may be empirically determined. The method comprises the step of reversing the direction of flow of at least one of the fluids supplied to the fuel cell (for example, the fuel and/or oxidant reactants) through its corresponding flow field after a time period of operation of the fuel cell. The time period is less than the mean life expectancy of the cell and has a value that is a substantial part of the mean life expectancy. The flow may be reversed once or several times over the life of the fuel cell. An improved apparatus carries out the method.

Abstract: An operating method increases fuel cell life or durability, particularly that of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The fuel cell has a mean life expectancy that may be empirically determined. The method comprises the step of reversing the direction of flow of at least one of the fluids supplied to the fuel cell (for example, the fuel and/or oxidant reactants) through its corresponding flow field after a time period of operation of the fuel cell. The time period is less than the mean life expectancy of the cell and has a value that is a substantial part of the mean life expectancy. The flow may be reversed once or several times over the life of the fuel cell. An improved apparatus carries out the method.

Abstract: A compact optical code reader is disclosed having multiple functions and a unique shape and configuration of actuators and indicators. A system including the reader also includes a cradle, interface and host terminal, capable of performing various data processing functions involving scanned data.