Abstract: A joist assembly system that is structured for dynamic retrieval of components, dynamic and precise positioning and location of retrieved components, assembly of the components to form a joist, and delivery of the assembled joist. The joist assembly system has a plurality of material handling systems, a plurality of welding systems, and a rigging table system. The material handling systems are structured to load and position the components such as chords and webs onto the rigging table. The rigging table in turn supports the chords or webs. Subsequently, the plurality of welding systems weld the webs to the chords to form the joist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite coatings including particles embedded in a matrix, as well as methods and uses thereof. In some examples, the particles are aligned to enhance mitigation of whisker formation from an underlying metal material. Such coatings can be applied to electrical components, thereby reducing the possibility of electrical short circuits from aberrant whisker growth.

Abstract: Continuous, three-dimensional control of the vorticity vector is possible by progressively transitioning the field symmetry by applying or removing a dc bias along one of the principal axes of mutually orthogonal alternating fields. By exploiting this transition, the vorticity vector can be oriented in a wide range of directions that comprise all three spatial dimensions. Detuning one or more field components to create phase modulation causes the vorticity vector to trace out complex orbits of a wide variety, creating very robust multiaxial stirring. This multiaxial, non-contact stirring is particularly attractive for applications where the fluid volume has complex boundaries, or is congested.

Abstract: Continuous, three-dimensional control of the vorticity vector is possible by progressively transitioning the field symmetry by applying or removing a dc bias along one of the principal axes of mutually orthogonal alternating fields. By exploiting this transition, the vorticity vector can be oriented in a wide range of directions that comprise all three spatial dimensions. Detuning one or more field components to create phase modulation causes the vorticity vector to trace out complex orbits of a wide variety, creating very robust multiaxial stirring. This multiaxial, non-contact stirring is particularly attractive for applications where the fluid volume has complex boundaries, or is congested.

Abstract: A method for producing mass and heat transport in fluids, wherein the method does not rely on conventional convection, that is, it does not require gravity, a thermal gradient, or a magnetic field gradient. This method gives rise to a unique class of vigorous, field-controllable flow patterns termed advection lattices. The advection lattices can be used to transport heat and/or mass in any desired direction using only magnetic fields.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a chemiresistor sensor can be dynamically tuned using mechanical strain. The increase in sensitivity is a smooth, continuous function of the applied strain, and the effect can be reversible. Sensitivity tuning enables the response curve of the sensor to be dynamically optimized for sensing analytes, such as volatile organic compounds, over a wide concentration range.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polymeric material with electrical conductivity determined by stress-tuning of the conductor-polymer composite, and sensors made with the stress-tuned conductor-polymer composite made by this method. Stress tuning is achieved by mixing a miscible liquid into the polymer precursor solution or by absorbing into the precursor solution a soluble compound from vapor in contact with the polymer precursor solution. The conductor may or may not be ordered by application of a magnetic field. The composite is formed by polymerization with the stress-tuning agent in the polymer matrix. The stress-tuning agent is removed following polymerization to produce a conductor-polymer composite with a stress field that depends on the amount of stress-tuning agent employed.

Abstract: A hydrothermal method of synthesis of a family of rare-earth Group 5 oxides, where the Group 5 oxide is a niobate or tantalate. The rare-earth Group 5 oxides can be doped with suitable emitter ions to form nanophosphors.

Abstract: A system and method for performing dynamic in-line testing of semiconductor devices sequentially tests a plurality of semiconductor devices. Test data associated with a predetermined number of semiconductor devices of the sequentially tested semiconductor devices is stored in a data structure. After test data corresponding to a predetermined number of semiconductor devices is stored in the data structure, the following steps are iteratively performed. Statistics concerning the selected devices are calculated using the associated test data. A device that fails to meet a precision setting based on the statistics is marked as an outlier device. Test data stored in the data structure corresponding to an earliest tested semiconductor device in sequence is evicted from the data structure. Test data associated with the next passing tested semiconductor device in sequence is stored in the data structure.

Abstract: A method of producing three-dimensional particle structures with enhanced magnetic susceptibility in three dimensions by applying a triaxial energetic field to a magnetic particle suspension and subsequently stabilizing said particle structure. Combinations of direct current and alternating current fields in three dimensions produce particle gel structures, honeycomb structures, and foam-like structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual-level memory material using field structured materials. The field structured materials are formed from a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles in a polymerizable liquid medium, such as a urethane acrylate-based photopolymer, which are applied as a film to a support and then exposed in selected portions of the film to an applied magnetic or electric field. The field can be applied either uniaxially or biaxially at field strengths up to 150 G or higher to form the field structured materials. After polymerizing the field-structure materials, a magnetic field can be applied to selected portions of the polymerized field-structured material to yield a dual-level memory material on the support, wherein the dual-level memory material supports read-and-write binary data memory and write once, read many memory.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a new class of composite materials, called field-structured composite (FSC) materials, which comprise a oriented aggregate structure made of magnetic particles suspended in a nonmagnetic medium, and to a new class of processes for their manufacture. FSC materials have much potential for application, including use in chemical, optical, environmental, and mechanical sensors.

Abstract: A new class of sensor devices comprising field-structured conducting composites comprising a textured distribution of conducting magnetic particles is disclosed. The conducting properties of such field-structured materials can be precisely controlled during fabrication so as to exhibit a large change in electrical conductivity when subject to any environmental influence which changes the relative volume fraction. Influences which can be so detected include stress, strain, shear, temperature change, humidity, magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation, and the presence or absence of certain chemicals. This behavior can be made the basis for a wide variety of sensor devices.

Abstract: An improved folding creeper designed for being folded to define a rolling utility cart, a rolling stool having a storage receptacle under the seat, or to be folded for storage within a drawer of a conventional tool chest. The improved creeper includes a frame segmented into a first support frame hingeably attached to a second support frame, which is hingeably attached to a third support frame. First, second and third cushions are mounted to the respective support frames to provide comfort to the user. A head rest cushion is attached to the cushion mounted on the third support frame via a tether. Casters are secured under the first and second support frames for accomplishing mobility of the creeper in its various configurations. A pair of oppositely disposed first telescoping braces is provided for maintaining a selected relative orientation of the third support frame and the first and second support frames, collectively.

Abstract: A sun screening device includes a hollow vertical support column including a retractable tripod leg assembly retractable within a first end of the vertical support column; an angularly positionable locking support head assembly in connection with a second end of the vertical support column; and an accordion fold sun screening assembly in connection with the angularly positionable support head assembly. The sun screening assembly is fully deployable into a substantially circular sun screen and can be collapsed for easy transportation and storage of the sun screening device.

Abstract: A blank for a paperboard container is provided on one of its surfaces with a layer of food-contacting polymethylpentene. The container formed from the blank, as by bending the blank along fold lines, requires one or more overlapped joints such as the usual manufacturer's joint. To overcome the non-stick properties of the polymethylpentene layer, the layer is flame treated so that it will adhere to a conventional water based, FDA approved adhesive and thereby make possible the formation of a seam or other overlapped joint or joints. Flame treatment is restricted to portions of the area of the polymethylpentene layer that are involved in the formation of the overlapped joint or joints. Alternatives to flame treatment include corona treatment, solvent treatment or treatment of the polymethylpentene surface with a solvent based primer.

Abstract: A blank for a paperboard container is provided on one of its surfaces with a layer of food-contacting polymethylpentene. The container formed from the blank, as by bending the blank along fold lines, requires one or more overlapped joints such as the usual manufacturer's joint. To overcome the non-stick properties of the polymethylpentene layer, the layer is flame treated so that it will adhere to a conventional water based, FDA approved adhesive and thereby make possible the formation of a seam or other overlapped joint or joints. Flame treatment is restricted to portions of the area of the polymethylpentene layer that are involved in the formation of the overlapped joint or joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the tear strength of a tear strip in a paperboard blank. The blank is placed on and clamped to the apparatus, the latter having a force gauge mounted on it. One end of a flexible wire has a clip fastener which is attached to the end of the pull tab in the paperboard blank. The other end of the flexible wire is attached to the force gauge, the gauge measuring the amount of force required to rip the tear strip from the surrounding paperboard blank. In one embodiment of the invention, a motor is mounted on the apparatus and pulls the force gauge, the flexible wire passing around a pulley mounted on the apparatus and leading to the clip fastener. In another embodiment, the flexible wire passes over several pulleys, one of which is secured to a travelling, non-rotating nut. The nut is carried by a threaded rod rotatably journaled in the frame. A motor is coupled to the rod to rotate it, thereby pulling on the clip fastener upon movement of the nut.

Abstract: A fishing lure is described as having a generally U-shaped body with a curved keel and flared front end to maintain the body in an upright position as the lure moves in the water and keep the lure from rotating as it moves.