Abstract: A method of producing graphite may include beneficiating an amount of coal to form a coal char, grinding the coal char to produce a crushed char and placing the crushed char in a porous container. Then, the method includes immersing the porous container in a molten salt bath. The molten salt bath includes a graphite anode. The method further includes applying an electrical potential across the porous container and the graphite anode such that a graphite deposit forms on the graphite anode. The graphite anode is removed from the molten salt bath and the graphite deposit is separated from the graphite anode to produce graphite fragments.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a technique to enable sensor data gathered by multiple electronic devices, such as smart home devices, to be fused into a single coordinate space to enable a higher sensor resolution at each device. For example, multiple sensor equipped devices may communicate over a network to share sensor data between devices. Each device can combine local sensor data with remote sensor data received from other devices to increase the angular resolution of the detected sensor data. To enable this combination, motion characteristics of commonly detected objects can be used to enable the devices to determine a set of relative positions. Coordinate space transformations can then be computed based on the relative positions. Sensor data can be fused using the determined coordinate space transformations.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and methods for assisting a crane operator. An imaging system automatically images each building material object contained within a shakeout field on a construction site and processes the images to determine each object's identifying indicium and its geometric properties. These values are compared with a construction site database to ensure that all necessary building materials are present. A positioning device tracks, in real time, the location of the imaging system, the location of structural members within the shakeout field, and/or other important features of the job site, such as obstacles that the crane operator will need to avoid while lifting a structural member from its initial location to its destination location.

Abstract: Circuitry for processing an analyte signal obtained from an electrochemical cell, the circuitry comprising: a converter, comprising: a first converter input configured to receive the analyte signal; a second converter input; and a converter output configured to output a converted analyte signal, the converter configured to generate the converted analyte signal in dependence on the analyte signal; a loop filter configured to filter a signal derived from the converted analyte signal to obtain a filtered analyte signal at a filter output; and a feedback path between the filter output and the second converter input.

Abstract: This invention relates to fabric and home care products comprising one or more cold water proteases and processes for making and using such products. Such compositions provide improved cleaning and freshness. Such cold water proteases may be derived from parent enzymes, including BPN? subtilisin and subtilisin derived from Bacillus lentus, by substitution, insertion and/or deletion of one or more of the parent enzymes' amino acids.

Abstract: The techniques described herein can be used for secure identification of authorized locations for use in multi-factor authentication. A set of historical time-stamped coordinates corresponding to a historical time period can be used to determine a set of authorized locations. A request can be received to determine whether a current location of the first user device is an authorized location. A service can determine whether the current location of the first user device corresponds to one of the set of authorized locations.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) vane including an inner diameter platform, an outer diameter platform, and an airfoil extending between the inner diameter platform and the outer diameter platform includes laying up a ceramic preform by arranging at least one core formed from a first ceramic material, and laying up, over the at least one ceramic core, a plurality of contoured plies, each of the plurality of contoured plies formed from a second ceramic material. Each of the plurality of contoured plies partially forms the inner diameter platform, the outer diameter platform, and the airfoil of the vane. The method further includes densifying the ceramic preform with a matrix.

Abstract: Methods of forming a mirror by bonding a faceplate to a core structure using adhesive formulations that include fused silica particles having diameters that range between 1 to 60 micrometers with an average diameter of the silica particles being between 8 to 10 micrometers. The adhesive formulation further includes an activator including 25 to 50 weight % sodium silicate, 25 to 50 weight % sodium hydroxide and a liquid. The fused silica particles constitute 70 to 80 weight % of the adhesive formulation and the activator constitute 20 to 30 weight % of the adhesive formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel linear, semi-crystalline, functional fluoropolymers that have been obtained by copolymerizing a fluorinated vinylic monomer and a hydrophilic monomer chosen from vinyl alkyl acids, vinyl phosphonates, functional acrylamides, carbonates, vinyl ethers, alkoxy compounds, and double hydrophilic group monomers.

Abstract: A system for specifying user-defined assay parameters of a user-defined assay protocol for processing a sample includes a first graphical user interface for defining an analyte extraction parameter for an extraction process to extract a targeted analyte from the sample, a second graphical user interface for defining a target parameter specifying one or more channels of a multi-channel signal detector for detecting the targeted analyte, a third graphical user interface for defining parameters of a thermal profile specifying thermal conditions to which a reaction mixture is to be exposed to amplify the targeted analyte, and system-defined assay protocols pre-programmed into storage media and performed in accordance with system-defined assay parameters that are not changeable by a user and wherein at least one of the system-defined assay parameters is combined with the user-defined assay parameters to form the user-defined assay protocol.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and methods for assisting a crane operator. An imaging system automatically images each building material object contained within a shakeout field on a construction site and processes the images to determine each object's identifying indicium and its geometric properties. These values are compared with a construction site database to ensure that all necessary building materials are present. A positioning device tracks, in real time, the location of the imaging system, the location of structural members within the shakeout field, and/or other important features of the job site, such as obstacles that the crane operator will need to avoid while lifting a structural member from its initial location to its destination location.

Abstract: A rough road detection system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor data receiver to receive sensor data from one or more sensors monitoring a vehicle. A sensor data evaluator to: identify a repeating pattern in the sensor data, the repeating pattern indicative of a terrain type being traversed by the vehicle, determine a value of the repeating pattern, obtain a present set of operational values for at least one damping characteristic of an active valve damper coupled with the vehicle, and modify the present set of operational values for the at least one damping characteristic of the active valve damper based on the value of the repeating pattern to develop a modified set of operational values for the at least one damping characteristic of the active valve damper.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating includes providing a mold that has a flexible wall that defines a mold cavity, inserting a component that is to be coated into the mold cavity, the component having a component surface roughness and there being a coating gap defined between the component and the flexible wall of the mold cavity, introducing a molding slurry into the mold cavity, the molding slurry filling the coating gap and contacting the component so as to overcoat the component surface roughness, solidifying the molding slurry to form a green coating on the component, and consolidating the green coating to form a final coating on the component, the final coating having a coating surface roughness that is less than the component surface roughness.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide techniques to enable spatial sensor data from multiple devices to be fused into a single coordinate space. This fused sensor data can then be processed into a point cloud. Point cloud data can then be transformed to enable the classification of objects detected within the sensor data. Features within multiple feature spaces can be extracted from the point cloud data for use in classification. Classification of objects can also be used to correlate objects detected by multiple sensor equipped devices to determine a coordinate space transformation between those devices.

Abstract: Fixation guide devices and methods for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail are disclosed. The fixation guide devices include a frame with a first end and a second end, a compression device removably coupled to the first end of the frame, and the intramedullary nail secured to a nail attachment apparatus of the frame. An intramedullary nail including a body with a fastening end, a closed end, and at least two openings is also disclosed. A compression device includes a compression member, a knob, and a bolt secured in the knob and rotatably engaging the compression member is also disclosed. An alignment guide is disclosed and includes a base member, an alignment member, and a fixation guide. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas flow control valve with pivotable damper blade usable in a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) unit or other gas flow control application. The valve in one embodiment is a four-way valve with dual operating positions to control gas flow through four ducts coupled to the valve. To enhance positively sealing the blade to the valve housing in each position the seal, selectively actuatable electromagnetic clamps are provided which magnetically draw the blade toward the active blade end seat acted upon by gas pressure in a direction which tends to force the blade away from its seat. The blade is actuated directly by an actuator system via an operating rod to change position of the valve. A seal air system supplies pressurized air to the valve seats. A programmable controller automatically controls actuation of the electromagnets, seal air, and blade positional changes.

Abstract: A combined gas turbine engine vane and blade outer air seal assembly includes a vane having an airfoil extending from the leading edge to a trailing edge, and has an outer platform. The outer platform has a cooling channel that extends into the airfoil to receive cooling air. The outer platform extends to an integral blade outer air seal to be positioned radially outwardly of a turbine blade in a gas turbine engine. At least a portion of the vane and the blade outer air seal are formed of ceramic matrix composite materials. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Based upon the identification of a structural member, a projective path and final attachment location for the structural member is presented to the crane operator. Further, the dimensions of each structural member are determined and compared against a construction site database. Structural members not conforming to the dimensions listed in the construction site database are identified and the crane operator alerted.

Abstract: A structure for changing the attitude of a spacecraft is provided including an elongated member and a plurality of actuators coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to the spacecraft. The elongated member has a length and an angular position relative to an axis. The plurality of actuators are configured to deflect the angular position of the elongated member relative to the axis and to alter the length of the elongated member.

Abstract: An example article according to the present disclosure includes, among other possible things, a metallic substrate, and a bond coat on the metallic substrate. The bond coat includes a matrix phase, gettering particles in the matrix phase, wherein the gettering particles are reactive with oxidants, and a dispersion of matrix modifier particles in the matrix phase. The example article also includes a diffusion barrier between the bond coat and the metallic substrate, wherein the diffusion barrier is configured to inhibit diffusion of components from the bond coat into the metallic substrate. An example composite material and method of applying a barrier to a substrate are also disclosed.