Abstract: A brine generation system having a tank for containing crystalline salt, a level control system regulating a water supply to the tank which maintains a desired fluid level within the tank, and a freeze protection system with a duct peripherally disposed on an interior tank sidewall, the duct defining an interior space into which is placed a thermostatically controlled heating element. A portion of the duct extends to the outside of the tank enabling access to the interior space such that the heating element may be replaced without disturbing any external tank insulation or emptying the tank contents.

Abstract: A brine generation system having a tank for containing crystalline salt, a level control system regulating a water supply to the tank which maintains a desired fluid level within the tank, and a freeze protection system with a duct peripherally disposed on an interior tank sidewall, the duct defining an interior space into which is placed a thermostatically controlled heating element. A portion of the duct extends to the outside of the tank enabling access to the interior space such that the heating element may be replaced without disturbing any external tank insulation or emptying the tank contents.

Abstract: In one aspect, a tire monitoring apparatus having a circuit board, battery, and valve body intermediate the circuit board and the battery. The valve body has an attachment end portion for connecting to a valve stem of a tire, a filling end portion, and an internal passageway to permit air to travel from the filling end portion to the attachment end portion. The circuit board has a sensor configured to detect a variable of air traveling in the internal passageway of the valve body and communication circuitry of the circuit board operable to wirelessly communicate data associated with the variable of the air. The tire monitoring apparatus further includes a support permanently encapsulating the circuit board and battery about the valve body. The support includes a structural member molded onto the valve body and an embedding member securing the circuit board and the battery to the structural member.

Abstract: An example apparatus may include a supply guide to receive a plurality of print supplies and a lock mechanism to retain the plurality of print supplies and release a print supply of the plurality of print supplies responsive to a determination that an amount of print substance in the print supply is at or below a threshold level.

Abstract: An example apparatus may comprise a supply guide to receive a plurality of print supplies and a lock mechanism to retain the plurality of print supplies and release a print supply of the plurality of print supplies responsive to a determination that an amount of print substance in the print supply is at or below a threshold level.

Abstract: A method for joining or repairing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). In joining BNNTs, the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures. In repairing BNNTs, the damaged site of the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures at the damage site.

Abstract: A scalable method allows preparation of bulk quantities of holey carbon allotropes with holes ranging from a few to over 100 nm in diameter. Carbon oxidation catalyst nanoparticles are first deposited onto a carbon allotrope surface in a facile, controllable, and solvent-free process. The catalyst-loaded carbons are then subjected to thermal treatment in air. The carbons in contact with the carbon oxidation catalyst nanoparticles are selectively oxidized into gaseous byproducts such as CO or CO2, leaving the surface with holes. The catalyst is then removed via refluxing in diluted nitric acid to obtain the final holey carbon allotropes. The average size of the holes correlates strongly with the size of the catalyst nanoparticles and is controlled by adjusting the catalyst precursor concentration. The temperature and time of the air oxidation step, and the catalyst removal treatment conditions, strongly affect the morphology of the holes.

Abstract: A method for joining or repairing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). In joining BNNTs, the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures. In repairing BNNTs, the damaged site of the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures at the damage site.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter comprise certain derivatives of 9,9-dialkyl fluorene diamine (AFDA). The resultant compositions, whether compositions of matter or monomers that are subsequently incorporated into a polymer, are unique and useful in a variety of applications. Useful applications of AFDA-based material include heavy ion radiation shielding components and components of optical and electronic devices.

Abstract: A process for depositing nanometer-sized metal particles onto a substrate in the absence of aqueous solvents, organic solvents, and reducing agents, and without any required pretreatment of the substrate, includes preparing an admixture of a metal compound and a substrate by dry mixing a chosen amount of the metal compound with a chosen amount of the substrate; and supplying energy to the admixture in an amount sufficient to deposit zero valance metal particles onto the substrate. This process gives rise to a number of deposited metallic particle sizes which may be controlled. The compositions prepared by this process are used to produce polymer composites by combining them with readily available commodity and engineering plastics. The polymer composites are used as coatings, or they are used to fabricate articles, such as free-standing films, fibers, fabrics, foams, molded and laminated articles, tubes, adhesives, and fiber reinforced articles.

Abstract: Spacecraft with electrostatic dissipative surfaces are disclosed herein. The surface has layer which includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes to incorporate electrical conductivity into space durable polymeric layers without degrading optical transparency, solar absorptivity or mechanical properties.

Abstract: Polyimides displaying low color in thin films, atomic oxygen resistance, vacuum ultraviolet radiation resistance, solubility in organic solvents in the imide form, high glass transition (Tg) temperatures, and high thermal stability are provided. The poly(amide acid)s, copoly(amide acid)s, polyimides and copolyimides are prepared by the reaction of stoichiometric ratios of an aromatic dianhydride with diamines which contain phenylphosphine oxide groups in polar aprotic solvents.

Abstract: A method and system for secure transfer of electronic information. The method and system allow secure transfer of electronic information, such as electronic mail (e-mail) using digital certificates.

Abstract: A trick rope device for forming a noose in a horizontal plane includes a rope member having one end formed into a noose. The other end of the rope is swiveling joined to a handle portion. A mechanism is provided for controlling the speed of rotation of the rope member. A flashing light unit is disposed within the handle portion, wherein the flashing of the light unit is directly dependable upon the speed of rotation of the rope member.