Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.

Abstract: Integrated Visual Geo-referencing Target Unit ABSTRACT A georeferencing target unit including: a generally planar top surface including a visual marker structure on the top surface, dimensioned to be observable at a distance by a remote visual capture device; an internal GPS tracking unit tracking the current position of the target unit; a microcontroller and storage means for storing GPS tracking data; and wireless network interconnection unit for interconnecting wirelessly with an external network for the downloading of stored GPS tracking data; a power supply for driving the GPS tracking unit, microcontroller, storage and wireless network interconnection unit, a user interface including an activation mechanism for activating the internal GPS tracking unit to track the current position of the target unit over an extended time frame and store the tracked GPS tracking data in the storage means.

Abstract: A cement wiper plug for deployment in casing with an inner radius has a central axis, a leading end, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The wiper plug includes an elongate body. In addition, the wiper plug includes a first plurality of axially adjacent annular fins mounted to the body. Each fin extends radially outward from the body and each fin extends circumferentially about the body. The first plurality of fins includes a first fin and a second fin axially adjacent the first fin. The second fin is axially positioned between the first fin and the trailing end. The first fin and the second fin are configured to contact each other in the casing. The second fin is configured to bias the first fin radially outward and axially forward toward the leading end.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform remote monitoring on a vehicle are described. One embodiment determines a state of a vehicle, where data associated with the vehicle is collected and logged. The data is transmitted to a data server. The data is processed, and vehicle information is extracted from the data. A state of the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle information.

Abstract: Integrated Visual Geo-referencing Target Unit ABSTRACT A georeferencing target unit including: a generally planar top surface including a visual marker structure on the top surface, dimensioned to be observable at a distance by a remote visual capture device; an internal GPS tracking unit tracking the current position of the target unit; a microcontroller and storage means for storing GPS tracking data; and wireless network interconnection unit for interconnecting wirelessly with an external network for the downloading of stored GPS tracking data; a power supply for driving the GPS tracking unit, microcontroller, storage and wireless network interconnection unit, a user interface including an activation mechanism for activating the internal GPS tracking unit to track the current position of the target unit over an extended time frame and store the tracked GPS tracking data in the storage means.

Abstract: Integrated Visual Geo-referencing Target Unit ABSTRACT A georeferencing target unit including: a generally planar top surface including a visual marker structure on the top surface, dimensioned to be observable at a distance by a remote visual capture device; an internal gps tracking unit tracking the current position of the target unit; a microcontroller and storage means for storing gps tracking data; and wireless network interconnection unit for interconnecting wirelessly with an external network for the downloading of stored gps tracking data; a power supply for driving the gps tracking unit, microcontroller, storage and wireless network interconnection unit, a user interface including an activation mechanism for activating the internal gps tracking unit to track the current position of the target unit over an extended time frame and store the tracked gps tracking data in the storage means.

Abstract: A cement wiper plug for deployment in casing with an inner radius has a central axis, a leading end, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The wiper plug includes an elongate body. In addition, the wiper plug includes a first plurality of axially adjacent annular fins mounted to the body. Each fin extends radially outward from the body and each fin extends circumferentially about the body. The first plurality of fins includes a first fin and a second fin axially adjacent the first fin. The second fin is axially positioned between the first fin and the trailing end. The first fin and the second fin are configured to contact each other in the casing. The second fin is configured to bias the first fin radially outward and axially forward toward the leading end.

Abstract: A rectifying junction (15) is formed in a conduction path provided in a material (1). A size of the material (1) is smaller than a threshold size in a first dimension, the threshold size being the size required for the material (1) to exhibit sufficient quantum confinement such that it forms a semiconductor. A surface of a first region (17) of the material (1) is arranged to decrease the bandgap of the material such that the first region is conducting. A surface of a second region (19) of the material (1) is arranged to preserve a bandgap such that the second region is semiconducting. The second region (19) is contiguous to the first region (17), such that a rectifying junction (15) is formed at a boundary (21) between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform remote monitoring on a vehicle are described. One embodiment determines a state of a vehicle, where data associated with the vehicle is collected and logged. The data is transmitted to a data server. The data is processed, and vehicle information is extracted from the data. A state of the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle information.

Abstract: A tunnel field effect transistor (100) comprises a source region (102), a drain region (104), and a channel region (106) formed of a single material, in particular a half-metal. The channel extends between the source region and the drain region. The channel region (106) and the drain region (104) are smaller than a threshold size in a first dimension. The threshold size is the size required for the material to exhibit sufficient quantum confinement such that a non-zero band gap results and the material becomes a semiconductor. The source region (102) is larger than this threshold size in the first dimension and is thus metallic.

Abstract: A tunnel field effect transistor (100) comprises a source region (102), a drain region (104), and a channel region (106) formed of a single material, in particular a half-metal. The channel extends between the source region and the drain region. The channel region (106) and the drain region (104) are smaller than a threshold size in a first dimension. The threshold size is the size required for the material to exhibit sufficient quantum confinement such that a non-zero band gap results and the material becomes a semiconductor. The source region (102) is larger than this threshold size in the first dimension and is thus metallic.

Abstract: A rectifying junction (15) is formed in a conduction path provided in a material (1). A size of the material (1) is smaller than a threshold size in a first dimension, the threshold size being the size required for the material (1) to exhibit sufficient quantum confinement such that it forms a semiconductor. A surface of a first region (17) of the material (1) is arranged to decrease the bandgap of the material such that the first region is conducting. A surface of a second region (19) of the material (1) is arranged to preserve a bandgap such that the second region is semiconducting. The second region (19) is contiguous to the first region (17), such that a rectifying junction (15) is formed at a boundary (21) between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: Integrated Visual Geo-referencing Target Unit ABSTRACT A georeferencing target unit including: a generally planar top surface including a visual marker structure on the top surface, dimensioned to be observable at a distance by a remote visual capture device; an internal gps tracking unit tracking the current position of the target unit; a microcontroller and storage means for storing gps tracking data; and wireless network interconnection unit for interconnecting wirelessly with an external network for the downloading of stored gps tracking data; a power supply for driving the gps tracking unit, microcontroller, storage and wireless network interconnection unit, a user interface including an activation mechanism for activating the internal gps tracking unit to track the current position of the target unit over an extended time frame and store the tracked gps tracking data in the storage means.

Abstract: A simple and compact apparatus, and a method, for determining the characteristics of a number of fluids used in the truck and automotive industries including coolant, bio-diesel, gas-ethanol and diesel engine fluid (DEF). The apparatus includes a sample container providing optical paths of different lengths for making measurements on a sample. The dual path length design allows the apparatus to capture both NIR and UV spectral ranges. The qualitative and quantitative properties of the fluid under test are compared to test results under normal conditions or to the properties of unused fluid. Two light sources are used within a spectrometer with each source being associated with a different optical path length.

Abstract: A simple and compact apparatus, and a method, for determining the characteristics of a number of fluids used in the truck and automotive industries including coolant, bio-diesel, gas-ethanol and diesel engine fluid (DEF). The apparatus includes a sample container providing optical paths of different lengths for making measurements on a sample. The dual path length design allows the apparatus to capture both NIR and UV spectral ranges. The qualitative and quantitative properties of the fluid under test are compared to test results under normal conditions or to the properties of unused fluid. Two light sources are used within a spectrometer with each source being associated with a different optical path length.

Abstract: A process for face finishing fabrics, and in particular fabrics containing filaments, to provide them with good aesthetic characteristics is described. In addition, fabrics made from filaments having aesthetic characteristics and surface effects similar to those of fabrics made from spun yarns are described. Also, items of napery made from filaments and having good surface effects and low pick and snag performance are described. The process involves pre-abrading a fabric, such as one made from filaments, and then subjecting it to a high energy fluid treatment process.

Abstract: Woven fabrics made from non-stretch yarns yet having high levels of stretch and recovery are described. The fabrics include at least about 50% of a synthetic fiber component, and are woven such that the warp and filling are approximately balanced by weight before warp contraction, with about 50% warp density or less. The fabrics are exposed to a cumulative dynamic tension in the warp direction of at least about 250 min-lb/linear ft, and are then finished to about 70-80% of their reed width at a temperature greater than or equal to the heat set temperature for the synthetic fiber component. The fabrics may also be exposed to a face finishing process and/or a fluid treatment process.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for pulsed laser deposition, a target is eroded more uniformly by employing a two-stage laser scanning process. In a first stage, a pulsed laser strikes the target along an x/y scan pattern across the surface of the target while the target is rotationally fixed. In a second stage, the target is rotated by an incremental angle. These two stages are continuously repeated in sequence throughout the pulsed laser deposition process.

Abstract: A system and method of precisely adjusting the properties of a device using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) are described. Use of the invention permits the precise removal or addition of small amounts of material without significantly damaging or degrading the performance of the device. The system is capable of adjusting the properties of a single device or multiple devices and the devices may be processed serially, in small groups, or all at once. The system is also capable of delivering a single dose or a variety of doses depending on the amount of material needed to be removed or added to adjust the properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for smoothing a surface of a substrate includes an ionizer to form gas cluster particles; a power supply to accelerate the gas cluster particles; a triode/Einzel lens combination assembly to focus the accelerated gas cluster particles; a permanent magnet beam filter; scan plates to irradiate the filtered accelerated gas cluster particles onto a surface of a workpiece situated in a reduced pressure atmosphere chamber; and a substrate loading/unloading mechanism to load and unload the workpiece. The ionizer includes an alignment device wherein the alignment device includes a X/Y translation element and an angular translation element. The substrate loading/unloading mechanism provides a workpiece from a plurality of workpieces onto a holder positioned at a first position within the reduced pressure atmosphere chamber, the first position being substantially parallel to a central axis of a flow of the filtered accelerated gas cluster particles.