Abstract: A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then coated with a metal layer. The hollow metal tubes are then formed by removing the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers.

Abstract: A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. One or both of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a first polymer which has cyclic polyether groups. An ink composition for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing natural rubber latex using an extruder including a plurality of process zones by processing coagulant with latex to produce a coagulum and serum. In some embodiments, the coagulant can include an acid, a metal salt, or a mixture of both. Some embodiments can include a coagulum wash stage, and a deresination step. In some embodiments, the extruder can be operated to move coagulum through the extruder to remove at least some fraction of water to form a substantially dewatered coagulum, and a drying step to form a dried coagulum. In some embodiments, a stabilizer such as an antioxidant can be introduced into the extruder, and processed to remain in some fraction in the dried coagulum. Some alternative embodiments include a latex processing method of providing a flow of coagulant, and combining latex with the flowing using an emulsion dispensing bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of dressing an installed blind fastener that includes machining through a top surface of the fastener along a longitudinal axis of a core bolt of the fastener and an extension that extends from a body of the fastener until intersecting the undercut between the extension and an upper surface of the fastener to remove the extension.

Abstract: A hearing device includes a first filter configured for providing a first frequency part of an input signal of the hearing device, the first frequency part comprising a low pass filtered part, a second filter configured for providing a second frequency part of the input signal, the second frequency part comprising a high pass filtered part, a first synthesizing unit configured for generating a first synthetic signal from the first frequency part using a first model based on a first periodic function, and a combiner configured for combining the second frequency part with the first synthetic signal for provision of a combined signal.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting status of an agent in a call center is provided. The system may have a call center management system with a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the call center management system and a plurality of telephones associated with the agent workstations. The system may also have a switch that automatically connects calls to the telephones. An off-hook detector automatically detects a manually initiated off-hook status of at least one of the telephones and signals the switch that the agent at the telephones is unavailable. The switch may then avoid connecting a call to the unavailable agent.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfuorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided, which include a wireless transmit interface and a wireless receive interface. A payload receive processor is provided to identify a receive overhead portion from received data received via the receive interface, and it is configured to retrieve payload data in relation to the receive overhead portion in accordance with a data structure protocol. A payload transmit processor is provided to define or modify a transmit overhead portion in transmit data to be transmitted via the transmit interface. The payload transmit processor is configured to position payload data in relation to the transmit overhead portion in accordance with a data structure protocol. A controller is provided, to determine a given wireless media location defined at least in part by the controller determining a given frequency band, from among plural frequency bands, for a given data transfer, via wireless media, between a given node and a separate node.

Abstract: A sample analysis apparatus (10) includes processing circuitry (22) coupled to a data set device (20) and a storage device (24) to acquire one data set from an analysis component (14) according to one analysis parameter set and to prepare another analysis parameter set using another previously acquired data set.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. One or both of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a first polymer which has cyclic polyether groups. An ink composition for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a membrane includes a step of dissolving a lithium salt in a solution including an ionomer that includes protogenic groups to form a modified solution. A membrane is formed from the solution containing the lithium salt and the ionomer that includes protogenic groups. The membrane is dried and then contacted with water to form a plurality of pores therein.

Abstract: A metal electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion-conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer each independently including a catalyst composition and a first polymer wherein at least one of the cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer include a first polymer and polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for making a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.

Abstract: A metal electrode assembly includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The ion conducting layer includes a polyphenylene sulfide mat with a first polymer imbibed therein. The polyphenylene sulfide mat includes the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for forming the ion conducting layer is also provided.

Abstract: A metal electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion-conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The ion-conducting membrane includes a first polymer and polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures dispersed within the first polymer, the first polymer including protogenic groups. A method for making the ion-conducting membrane is also provided.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a first file comprising a first control logic; and a second file comprising a second control logic. The first file is configured to direct the player to play a first content data stored on the optical article, when the first control logic is read by the player. The player is directed to read the second file if the player cannot read the first file. The second file is configured to direct the player to play a second content data stored on the article when the second control logic is read by the player. The optical article includes a mark containing an optical state change material disposed on at least a portion of the first file, wherein the mark is in one of a first optical state or a second optical state, and wherein the first control logic can be read only when the mark is in the second optical state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures.

Abstract: A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then formed into a membrane.

Abstract: A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then coated with a metal layer. The hollow metal tubes are then formed by removing the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers.