Abstract: A method is provided by which payments for assets are recorded using blockchain transactions, and verified based on immutable logs associated with the transactions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a treatment unit comprising a housing and a mesh container. The housing has one or more than one inlet and one or more than one outlet. The mesh container is received in the housing and comprises a mesh surface with a plurality of holes therethrough. The mesh container is configured to receive a solid material and solution flowing into the housing through the inlet passes through the plurality of holes and contacts the solid material before flowing out of the housing through the outlet. The treatment unit may be used to produce treated biochar.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Contextual Audio Detection, wherein Contextual Audio Detection includes detecting specific sounds using Adjustable Parameters and using the output to control audio routing, input parameters, and other features.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Contextual Audio Detection, wherein Contextual Audio Detection includes detecting specific sounds using Adjustable Parameters and using the output to control audio routing, input parameters, and other features.

Abstract: Devices and processes are provided configured to test electrical and physical function of photovoltaic modules at the location where the photovoltaic modules are installed and without having to disconnect the photovoltaic modules from their mechanical support or electrical circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable aqueous thermosetting binder compositions having a total solids content of 15 wt. % or higher, preferably, 20 wt. % or higher, and having extended shelf life comprising one or more reducing sugar, one or more primary amine compound, and one or more stabilizer acid or salt having a pKa of 8.5 or less. The total amount of stabilizer used may range from 5 to 200 mole %, based on the total moles of primary amine present in the binder. The stabilizer may be an organic stabilizer chosen from a monocarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a fatty acid, an acid functional fatty acid ester, an acid functional fatty acid ether, or an inorganic stabilizer chosen from a mineral acid, a mineral acid amine or ammonia salt, and a Lewis acid, and mixtures thereof. The compositions can be used to provide binders for substrate materials including, for example, glass fiber.

Abstract: Semiconductor nanostrings, mats containing semiconductor nanostrings, and devices and modules, such as, solar energy generating modules, including semiconductor nanostrings or mats containing semiconductor nanostrings are described herein. Methods for making multi-layer nanostrings and mats and other devices including multi-layer nanostrings are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermosetting aqueous binder compositions of one or more cyclic enamine, including bis-enamines and di- or higher functional enamines, optionally containing a water soluble or dispersible or dispersible primary amine compound. The binders are at least substantially formaldehyde free, need no polycarboxylic or polycarboxylate component, and yet provide excellent hot wet tensile strength when cured for as little time as a minute or less in use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor sheet are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a semiconductor wafer includes applying a layer of semiconductor material across a portion of a setter material, introducing the setter material and the semiconductor material to a predetermined thermal gradient to form a melt, wherein the thermal gradient includes a predetermined nucleation and growth region, and forming at least one local cold spot in the nucleation and growth region to facilitate inducing crystal nucleation at the at least one desired location.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery comprising: at least one lead-based negative electrode; at least one lead dioxide-based positive electrode; at least one capacitor electrode; and electrolyte in contact with the electrodes; wherein a battery part is formed by the lead based negative electrode and the lead dioxide-based positive electrode; and an asymmetric capacitor part is formed by the capacitor electrode and one electrode selected from the lead based negative electrode and the lead-dioxide based positive electrode; and wherein all negative electrodes are connected to a negative busbar, and all positive electrodes are connected to a positive busbar. The capacitor electrode may be a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon and an additive mixture selected from oxides, hydroxides or sulfates of lead, zinc, cadmium, silver and bismuth, or a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon, red lead, antimony in oxide, hydroxide or sulfate form, and optionally other additives.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable aqueous thermosetting binder compositions having a total solids content of 15 wt. % or higher, preferably, 20 wt. % or higher, and having extended shelf life comprising one or more reducing sugar, one or more primary amine compound, and one or more stabilizer acid or salt having a pKa of 8.5 or less. The total amount of stabilizer used may range from 5 to 200 mole %, based on the total moles of primary amine present in the binder. The stabilizer may be an organic stabilizer chosen from a monocarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a fatty acid, an acid functional fatty acid ester, an acid functional fatty acid ether, or an inorganic stabilizer chosen from a mineral acid, a mineral acid amine or ammonia salt, and a Lewis acid, and mixtures thereof. The compositions can be used to provide binders for substrate materials including, for example, glass fiber.

Abstract: A material handling system for moving material from a storage device to a receiver comprises a counter rotating double screw feeder extending from the storage device to the receiver. The counter rotating double screw feeder comprises an outer screw feed member; an inner screw feed member; where the outer screw feed member being positioned in an outer screw feed member tube; and the inner screw feed member being positioned in an inner screw feed member tube. The material is feed from the storage device to the process tube via the outer screw feed member; the inner screw feed member removes gas and byproducts from the receiver.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery comprising: at least one lead-based negative electrode; at least one lead dioxide-based positive electrode; at least one capacitor electrode; and electrolyte in contact with the electrodes; wherein a battery part is formed by the lead based negative electrode and the lead dioxide-based positive electrode; and an asymmetric capacitor part is formed by the capacitor electrode and one electrode selected from the lead based negative electrode and the lead-dioxide based positive electrode; and wherein all negative electrodes are connected to a negative busbar, and all positive electrodes are connected to a positive busbar. The capacitor electrode may be a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon and an additive mixture selected from oxides, hydroxides or sulfates of lead, zinc, cadmium, silver and bismuth, or a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon, red lead, antimony in oxide, hydroxide or sulfate form, and optionally other additives.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery comprising: at least one lead-based negative electrode; at least one lead dioxide-based positive electrode; at least one capacitor electrode; and electrolyte in contact with the electrodes; wherein a battery part is formed by the lead based negative electrode and the lead dioxide-based positive electrode; and an asymmetric capacitor part is formed by the capacitor electrode and one electrode selected from the lead based negative electrode and the lead-dioxide based positive electrode; and wherein all negative electrodes are connected to a negative busbar, and all positive electrodes are connected to a positive busbar. The capacitor electrode may be a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon and an additive mixture selected from oxides, hydroxides or sulfates of lead, zinc, cadmium, silver and bismuth, or a capacitor negative electrode comprising carbon, red lead, antimony in oxide, hydroxide or sulfate form, and optionally other additives.

Abstract: A material handling system for moving material from a storage device to a receiver comprises a counter rotating double screw feeder extending from the storage device to the receiver. The counter rotating double screw feeder comprises an outer screw feed member; an inner screw feed member; where the outer screw feed member being positioned in an outer screw feed member tube; and the inner screw feed member being positioned in an inner screw feed member tube. The material is feed from the storage device to the process tube via the outer screw feed member; the inner screw feed member removes gas and byproducts from the receiver.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sheet of semiconductor material is provided. The method includes forming a first layer of silicon powder that has a lower surface and an opposite upper surface. The method also includes depositing a second layer of silicon powder across the upper surface of the first layer, wherein the second layer of silicon powder has a lower surface and an opposite upper surface and has a lower melting point than the first layer of silicon powder. The method also includes heating at least one of the first and second layers of silicon powder to initiate a controlled melt of at least one of the first and second layers of silicon powder, and cooling at least one of the first and second layers of silicon powder to initiate crystallization of at least one of the first and second layers of silicon powder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor sheet are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a semiconductor wafer includes applying a layer of semiconductor material across a portion of a setter material, introducing the setter material and the semiconductor material to a predetermined thermal gradient to form a melt, wherein the thermal gradient includes a predetermined nucleation and growth region, and forming at least one local cold spot in the nucleation and growth region to facilitate inducing crystal nucleation at the at least one desired location.

Abstract: This invention has to do with exercise weight equipment and is concerned with exercise weight equipment that may be fastened to a person's body during physical exercises. The exercise equipment comprises a preferably U-shaped bracket having opposing sides and a crossbar or rod that extends between and engages the opposing sides of the U-shaped bracket. The crossbar is spaced away from the U-shaped portion of the bracket so that the instep of a person's foot may be engaged between the bar and the opposing U-Shaped portion of the bracket. Strap means connect from one or both of the opposing sides of the U-shaped bracket and extend so as to be able to go around the ankle of a person using the equipment. Means for fastening the strap mean extensions are provided and may take the form of a buckle and belt means. The outer ends of the crossbar or rod have means thereon for engaging and holding captive weights that may be interchanged at will by the person exercising.

Abstract: A cap for a disposable oil filter. The cap is comprised of a locking ridge that is molded into the inside circumference of said cap. When firmly pressed over the seamed perimeter rim on the face end of the disposable oil filter, a locking ridge securely engages into the seam line, formed by the manufactures seaming process, thus locking cap on oil filter and forming a liquid tight seal on each side of locking ridge.

Abstract: A process for melting powders of a semiconductor material, such as silicon, to yield a high-purity solid product. The process generally entails introducing the powder into an elevated end of a tube inclined from horizontal and, while maintaining an inert atmosphere within the tube, rotating the tube so as to agitate and cause the powder therein to flow toward an oppositely-disposed lower end of the tube while heating the tube so that the powder melts as it flows toward the lower end of the tube. The molten material is then allowed to flow freely from the lower end of the tube and subsequently solidify to form a product.