Abstract: In one embodiment, a tribometer comprises: an infrared (IR) transparent and optically transparent disk coupled to a platform, the disk having an observation side disk surface on an observation side of the disk and a contact side disk surface on a contact side of the disk; a motor coupled to the disk to rotate the disk around a rotational axis of the disk; a pivot support coupled to the platform; a pivoting member connected to the pivot support to pivot along a pivot plane; a sample holder configured to hold a sample and be coupled with the pivoting member to place the sample in contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk; and an IR camera and an optical microscope disposed on the observation side of the disk to observe the sample in sliding contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk driven in rotation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tribometer comprises: an infrared (IR) transparent and optically transparent disk coupled to a platform, the disk having an observation side disk surface on an observation side of the disk and a contact side disk surface on a contact side of the disk; a motor coupled to the disk to rotate the disk around a rotational axis of the disk; a pivot support coupled to the platform; a pivoting member connected to the pivot support to pivot along a pivot plane; a sample holder configured to hold a sample and be coupled with the pivoting member to place the sample in contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk; and an IR camera and an optical microscope disposed on the observation side of the disk to observe the sample in sliding contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk driven in rotation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to sloped-faced, ice control elements that are each spaced apart across a riverbed adjacent to a floodplain region. The elements arrest a breakup ice run. The size and spacing of the ice-resisting elements can vary with river size and average ice piece size diameter. The ice-resisting elements, for example, can comprise three or four quarried granite blocks buried in the riverbed in a relatively narrow river of 100 feet or less. This arrangement allows gaps between each ice-resisting element for easy canoe and fish passage. These gaps prevent the ice pieces of the ice jam from passing through during breakup ice runs. The ice-resisting elements may be formed from various materials such as quarried rock, poured concrete, rock-filled cribs, etc. After the ice-resisting elements have retained and stabilized the ice jam, water levels recede and warming water temperatures melt the ice in place behind the ice-resisting elements.