Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to flat optical devices with a coating layer including monolayers selected from the group consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), tungsten disulfide (WS2), tungsten diselenide (WSe2), molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2), titanium disulfide (TlS2), zirconium disulfide (ZrS2), zirconium diselenide (ZrSe2), hafnium disulfide (HfS2), platinum disulfide (PtS2), tin disulfide (SnS2), or combinations thereof. The coating layer is disposed over a plurality of optical device structures of the optical device. The monolayers may alternate between the materials to form the coating layer or may be a uniform coating layer of a single material. The coating layer is disposed over each optical device structure of the plurality of optical device structures.

Abstract: Techniques regarding star polymers with enhanced antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, a polymer is provided that can comprise a core that can have a singlet oxygen generator and that can generate a singlet oxygen species upon irradiation with light. The polymer can also comprise a plurality of polycarbonate arms covalently bonded to the core. The plurality of polycarbonate arms can be degradable and can comprise a cation. Further, the plurality of polycarbonate arms can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: A gasket includes a plurality of compression limiters each including a plastic body having a fastener aperture extending there through and a plurality of flow holes extending there through. An elastomeric body defines a perimeter sealing body molded around the plurality of compression limiters at spaced locations around the perimeter sealing body. The elastomeric body extends through the plurality of flow holes in the plurality of compression limiters.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in fluidizing type solid phase neutralization reactor to blend solid state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The new invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, the required plant space, and labor and energy costs. All these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

Abstract: A system for coordinating a response comprising a plurality of mobile devices for use by persons responding to an event; a mobile application configured to send, via the corresponding mobile device, information concerning a response to the event of the person using the corresponding mobile device; and a server configured to receive and share the information with each of the other mobile devices so as to provide continuously updated information concerning the response of each person to the event for use in coordinating a collective response to the event by the persons. A method for coordinating a response comprising sending, via a plurality of mobile devices, information concerning a response to the event by a corresponding user of the corresponding mobile device; sharing the information with each of the other mobile devices; and displaying the shared information for facilitating coordination of a collective response to the event by the persons.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in fluidizing type solid phase neutralization reactor to blend solid state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The new invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, the required plant space, and labor and energy costs. All these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

Abstract: A system for coordinating a response comprising a plurality of mobile devices for use by persons responding to an event; a mobile application configured to send, via the corresponding mobile device, information concerning a response to the event of the person using the corresponding mobile device; and a server configured to receive and share the information with each of the other mobile devices so as to provide continuously updated information concerning the response of each person to the event for use in coordinating a collective response to the event by the persons. A method for coordinating a response comprising sending, via a plurality of mobile devices, information concerning a response to the event by a corresponding user of the corresponding mobile device; sharing the information with each of the other mobile devices; and displaying the shared information for facilitating coordination of a collective response to the event by the persons.

Abstract: Streaming media is received from a source system. A current overall resource usage of a resource of the device (such as a CPU or memory of the device) is obtained. A check is made as to whether the current overall resource usage exceeds a resource threshold value. If the current overall resource usage exceeds the resource threshold value, then an indication is provided to the source system to reduce a quality level of the streaming media. The streaming media is received from the source system at the reduced quality level until there is sufficient resource capacity at the device to increase the quality level.

Abstract: Streaming media is received from a source system. A current overall resource usage of a resource of the device (such as a CPU or memory of the device) is obtained. A check is made as to whether the current overall resource usage exceeds a resource threshold value. If the current overall resource usage exceeds the resource threshold value, then an indication is provided to the source system to reduce a quality level of the streaming media. The streaming media is received from the source system at the reduced quality level until there is sufficient resource capacity at the device to increase the quality level.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an apparatus for chemical delivery to a scrubber is provided. The apparatus comprises: a liquid delivery module comprising: a first input adapted to receive a first input flow of a dilutant; a second input adapted to receive a second input flow of a chemistry; one or more flow couplers coupled to the first input and the second input, and adapted to combine the first input flow and the second input flow into a combined flow; a mixing element coupled to the one or more flow couplers, and adapted to mix the combined flow such that a homogeneity of the combined flow is increased; a flow splitter coupled to the mixing element and adapted to generate at least a first output flow and a second output flow from the combined flow; a first output coupled to the flow splitter and adapted to direct the first output flow toward a first scrubber dispensing element; and a second output coupled to the flow splitter and adapted to direct the second output flow toward a second scrubber dispensing element.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of chemical delivery is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) receiving a first input flow of a dilutant; (2) receiving a second input flow of a chemistry; (3) combining the first and the second input flows into a combined flow; (4) employing a mixer to mix the combined flow such that a homogeneity of the combined flow is increased; (5) dividing the combined flow into at least a first output flow and second output flow; (6) directing the first output flow toward a first scrubber dispensing element; and (7) directing the second output flow toward a second scrubber dispensing element. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Shrink films having an outstanding balance of physical properties and shrink properties are manufactured from “pseudohomogeneous” linear low density polyethylene resin. The preferred pseudohomogeneous resins used in the present invention are prepared with an advanced Ziegler Natta catalyst (having a magnesium component and a titanium component), preferably in medium pressure solution polymerization process. The films of this invention may be employed in a variety of uses, including, 1) “overwrap” packaging to protect goods during transportation, distribution, handling and display; and 2) food packaging, such as shrink wrap for frozen poultry, primal meat cuts and processed meat and cheese products.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for charging a battery. The method includes the steps of (a) charging the battery by a constant charging current with a first magnitude as a first pulsed charge over a first pulse-period. Then, the method is followed by charging the battery with a constant charging current with a second magnitude, substantially lower than the first magnitude, as a second pulsed charge over a second pulsed-period. The method further includes a step of (b) repeating step (a) over a first charge cycle for rapidly charging the battery to a significant percentage of full capacity. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes a step of (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) by lowering the first magnitude and the second magnitude of the charge currents and by adjusting the first pulsed-period and the second pulsed-period for charging the battery over a second charging cycle.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power supply unit for providing DC input to a portable electronic device which is operable with a rechargeable battery and an AC/DC adapter receiving power from an AC power source. The power supply unit includes a set of DC jacks of different sizes for connecting to the AC/DC adapters to receive a DC input voltage. The power supply unit further includes a backup battery pack for providing input voltage to the portable electronic device. The power supply unit further has a charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery for the electronic device and the backup battery pack of the power supply unit.

Abstract: Water-dispersible polyurethane prepolymers comprising one or more organic diisocyanates; a difunctional compound having a molecular weight of from about 250 to about 10,000 which is difunctionally reactive with the organic diisocyanate and which is free of side chain polyoxyalkylene units; and a dispersion diol which is difunctionally reactive with the organic diisocyanate and which contains side chain polyoxyalkylene units. Methods of preparation of the prepolymers and their use in aqueous polyurethane dispersions are also described.

Abstract: This invention is a multi-function power supply, i.e., a power-mate unit, for providing DC input to a portable electronic device, e.g., a notebook computer, operable with a rechargeable battery. The power-mate unit includes an AC plug for electrically connecting to an AC power source for receiving the AC input current. The power-mate unit further includes an AC/DC power supply for converting the AC input current to an external DC operation current suitable for operating the portable electronic device. The power-mate unit further includes a backup battery pack connected to the AC/DC power supply for receiving a backup battery charging current for charging the backup battery pack wherein the backup battery pack further providing a backup DC current to the portable electronic device. The power-mate unit further includes a backup battery monitoring and display for continuously monitoring a charge capacity of the backup battery pack and for displaying the charge capacity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery which is contained in a casing having an electrolyte as a conductive medium. The battery includes a first electrode of a first electric polarity formed as a single-body inserting electrode. The battery further includes a second electrode of a second electric polarity formed as a single-receiving-body with a cavity to receive the first electrode therein. The battery further includes a insulation layer for insulating the first electrode from the second electrode. In one of the preferred embodiments, the first electrode is formed as an elongated cylinder and the second electrode is formed as an elongated hollow-cylindrical shell to receive the first electrode therein. In another embodiment, the first electrode is formed as an elongated star-shape-body and the second electrode is formed as an elongated-hollow-body having a star-shape-cavity corresponding to the star-shape-body to receive the first electrode therein.