Abstract: An article comprises a crucible and a composite coating having a first surface adjacent an inner surface of the crucible and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface of the composite coating defines an exposed interior surface of the article. The composite coating comprises at least one carbide of a transition metal. The composite coating includes a gradient of carbon across a thickness of the composite coating between the first surface and the second surface of the composite coating. A method of producing the article comprises electroplating a transition metal on a surface of a crucible from a molten salt electrolyte to form a coated crucible. The method further comprises annealing the coated crucible under an inert atmosphere to form an annealed crucible comprising a composite coating on the surface of the annealed crucible. The composite coating comprises at least one carbide of the transition metal.

Abstract: An article for containing a molten material is disclosed. The article comprises an alloy compound. The alloy compound includes a transition metal and three non-metallic elements distributed within the transition metal. The transition metal is chosen from a group IVB element, a group VB element, or a group VIB element. The non-metallic elements are independently chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, boron, or phosphorus. A method of producing an article comprises forming a carboxynitride compound of a transition metal chosen from a group IVB element, a group VB element, or a group VIB element; and forming the article comprising the carboxynitride compound of the transition metal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a hybrid computing system using cluster contraction for converting large, dense input to reduced input that can be easily mapped into a quantum processor. The reduced input represents the global structure of the problem. Techniques involve partitioning the input variables into clusters and contracting each cluster. The input variables can be partitioned using an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean algorithm. The quantum processor returns samples based on the reduced input and the samples are expanded to correspond to the original input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a hybrid computing system using cluster contraction for converting large, dense input to reduced input that can be easily mapped into a quantum processor. The reduced input represents the global structure of the problem. Techniques involve partitioning the input variables into clusters and contracting each cluster. The input variables can be partitioned using an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean algorithm. The quantum processor returns samples based on the reduced input and the samples are expanded to correspond to the original input.

Abstract: A hybrid computing system for solving a computational problem includes a digital processor, a quantum processor having qubits and coupling devices that together define a working graph of the quantum processor, and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupleable to the digital processor which stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data. The digital processor receives a computational problem, and programs the quantum processor with a first set of bias fields and a first set of coupling strengths. The quantum processor generates samples as potential solutions to an approximation of the problem. The digital processor updates the approximation by determining a second set of bias fields based at least in part on the first set of bias fields and a first set of mean fields that are based at least in part on the first set of samples and coupling strengths of one or more virtual coupling devices.

Abstract: A highly parallelized parallel tempering technique for simulating dynamic systems, such as quantum processors, is provided. Replica exchange is facilitated by synchronizing grid-level memory. Particular implementations for simulating quantum processors by representing cells of qubits and couplers in grid-, block-, and thread-level memory are discussed. Parallel tempering of such dynamic systems can be assisted by modifying replicas based on isoenergetic cluster moves (ICMs). ICMs are generated via secondary replicas which are maintained alongside primary replicas and exchanged between blocks and/or generated dynamically by blocks without necessarily being exchanged. Certain refinements, such as exchanging energies and temperatures through grid-level memory, are also discussed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a hybrid computing system using cluster contraction for converting large, dense input to reduced input that can be easily mapped into a quantum processor. The reduced input represents the global structure of the problem. Techniques involve partitioning the input variables into clusters and contracting each cluster. The input variables can be partitioned using an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean algorithm. The quantum processor returns samples based on the reduced input and the samples are expanded to correspond to the original input.

Abstract: A hybrid computing system for solving a computational problem includes a digital processor, a quantum processor having qubits and coupling devices that together define a working graph of the quantum processor, and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupleable to the digital processor which stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data. The digital processor receives a computational problem, and programs the quantum processor with a first set of bias fields and a first set of coupling strengths. The quantum processor generates samples as potential solutions to an approximation of the problem. The digital processor updates the approximation by determining a second set of bias fields based at least in part on the first set of bias fields and a first set of mean fields that are based at least in part on the first set of samples and coupling strengths of one or more virtual coupling devices.

Abstract: Generate an automorphism of the problem graph, determine an embedding of the automorphism to the hardware graph and modify the embedding of the problem graph into the hardware graph to correspond to the embedding of the automorphism to the hardware graph. Determine an upper-bound on the required chain strength. Calibrate and record properties of the component of a quantum processor with a digital processor, query the digital processor for a range of properties. Generate a bit mask and change the sign of the bias of individual qubits according to the bit mask before submitting a problem to a quantum processor, apply the same bit mask to the bit result. Generate a second set of parameters of a quantum processor from a first set of parameters via a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A highly parallelized parallel tempering technique for simulating dynamic systems, such as quantum processors, is provided. Replica exchange is facilitated by synchronizing grid-level memory. Particular implementations for simulating quantum processors by representing cells of qubits and couplers in grid-, block-, and thread-level memory are discussed. Parallel tempering of such dynamic systems can be assisted by modifying replicas based on isoenergetic cluster moves (ICMs). ICMs are generated via secondary replicas which are maintained alongside primary replicas and exchanged between blocks and/or generated dynamically by blocks without necessarily being exchanged. Certain refinements, such as exchanging energies and temperatures through grid-level memory, are also discussed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a hybrid computing system using cluster contraction for converting large, dense input to reduced input that can be easily mapped into a quantum processor. The reduced input represents the global structure of the problem. Techniques involve partitioning the input variables into clusters and contracting each cluster. The input variables can be partitioned using an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean algorithm. The quantum processor returns samples based on the reduced input and the samples are expanded to correspond to the original input.

Abstract: Generate an automorphism of the problem graph, determine an embedding of the automorphism to the hardware graph and modify the embedding of the problem graph into the hardware graph to correspond to the embedding of the automorphism to the hardware graph. Determine an upper-bound on the required chain strength. Calibrate and record properties of the component of a quantum processor with a digital processor, query the digital processor for a range of properties. Generate a bit mask and change the sign of the bias of individual qubits according to the bit mask before submitting a problem to a quantum processor, apply the same bit mask to the bit result. Generate a second set of parameters of a quantum processor from a first set of parameters via a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A clip device for retaining and clamping a tube, e.g. a pneumatic hose of a pneumatically actuated switching device to an object, e.g. an area of a patient's bed, comprises a pair of opposed clip members; a biasing member integrally connected to the opposed clip members; a locking post; and a locking mechanism for receiving and retaining the locking post and clip members in a closed position. The proximal ends of the clip members have intermeshing teeth for attaching the clip device to the object and the distal ends have a gripping area for pressing the clip members together. The biasing member has a circular body with gripping elements for gripping the tube. The locking post is made of a rigid yet flexible material for keeping the distal ends of clip members apart and in a locked condition when the locking post is engaged in the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-compartment autoclave using inter-compartment dividers having one or more underflow openings for passing a feed stream between compartments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which basic ferric sulphates and/or jarosites are controlled by a number of mechanisms, including control of the oxidation reaction conditions in the first autoclave compartment, hot curing of the autoclave discharge slurry, and/or contacting of the autoclave feed slurry with the hot cured discharge liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which basic ferric sulphates and/or jarosites are controlled by a number of mechanisms, including control of the oxidation reaction conditions in the first autoclave compartment, hot curing of the autoclave discharge slurry, and/or contacting of the autoclave feed slurry with the hot cured discharge liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which basic ferric sulphates and/or jarosites are controlled by a number of mechanisms, including control of the oxidation reaction conditions in the first autoclave compartment, hot curing of the autoclave discharge slurry, and/or contacting of the autoclave feed slurry with the hot cured discharge liquid.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated switching device has an elliptical dome with spaced apart support columns protruding from a concave inner face surface for anchoring to a floor of a wedge shaped base. The base is elliptical and bounded by an endless upstanding sidewall having a projected edge that varies continuously in height about one of the major axis and the minor axis, the projected edge having one of a channel and a locking lip and the other of the channel and the locking lip being formed on the elliptical edge for interlocking engagement in an air tight fashion. An electrically conductive switch is coupled by a duct for responding to a volume of pressurized air within the dome and the base by deflection of the convex actuating wall.

Abstract: The process of the present invention recovers platinum group metal(s), such as platinum and palladium, from PGM-containing materials containing base metals, such as copper and nickel. The process controls sulfur levels by using solvent extraction 306 to remove acid in the nickel recovery circuit. The acid product 326 can then be neutralized and/or recycled as desired.