Abstract: Provided herein are methods recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from a solution containing one or more REEs. These methods can comprise contacting an aqueous solution comprising one or more rare earth elements (REEs) with a solid sequestration media (e.g., a stabilized flue gas desulfurization (sFGD) material, or a sludge by-product from a water treatment process) to provide a REE-containing solid feedstock; and contacting the solid feedstock with an extraction solution to generate a rare earth element (REE) solution.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing shopping carts by applying a sanitizing fluid to the shopping carts. A pressurized supply of sanitizing fluid is applied to the shopping carts contained with a cart enclosure through a series of spray nozzles mounted along a spray arch. The sanitizing fluid is created in a chemical-down system and includes a sanitizing agent including peroxyacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and a carrier such as water. The sanitizing fluid further includes a surfactant mixed into a supply of fresh water. The sanitizing fluid is applied to the shopping carts at ambient temperature and is allowed to air dry.

Abstract: Pouches comprising dyes and scents, and methods of using the pouches to deliver concentrated dyes and scents to detergents or protectants are provided. Methods of providing a customized vehicle cleaning composition using pouches comprising dyes or scents are also provided. The pouches can be used at vehicle washing sites, distributor sites or manufacturing sites to customize vehicle compositions with respect to color and scent.

Abstract: A battery cell bypass module comprises a sensor for detecting an operating condition of a battery cell such as voltage or temperature and a controller connected across the battery cell of a lithium ion battery, for example, and having a conductive mode and a normally non conductive mode. The controller is operable to change to the conductive mode when an operating condition of the battery cell exceeds a predetermined value to thereby shunt current around the battery cell. The sensor may be a temperature transducer such as a thermistor for measuring battery cell temperature and a cell temperature comparator such as an operational amplifier is operable to generate a temperature excessive signal when the signal from the temperature transducer exceeds a predetermined value, the controller then being operable to change to the conductive mode and thereby shunt current around the battery cell.

Abstract: A bipolar rechargeable battery comprises a vessel with an insulated liner and an interior region for bulk storage of a gas which serves as an electrode active material. A plurality of cells are nested within the vessel, each including a metallic bipolar cup having a circular base and an integral insulated hydrophobic upstanding side wall of truncated conical shape diverging with increased distance from the base. A positive electrode overlies the base. A dielectric separator separates the positive electrode and a negative electrode sized to fittingly engage the side wall such that any gas generated at the positive electrode must pass through the negative electrode to escape the cell to thereby recombine the generated gas with the active material gas within the cell. The upstanding side wall of each cell is oriented to enable gas passage from each of said cells to the bulk gas storage region.

Abstract: A mechanism, suitable for mounting in a sewing machine cabinet, is provided for supporting a sewing machine in a first position in which the work supporting surface of the sewing machine is coplanar with the cabinet top and a second position in which the bed of the sewing machine is elevated above the cabinet top allowing for free arm sewing. The mechanism includes a mounting cradle spaced in parallel relation above a base, which is pivotally mounted to the cabinet, and crossing brackets interconnecting the cradle and the base. A lever actuated linkage raises and lowers the cradle between the two sewing machine positions.