Abstract: The disclosed modular dozer platform provides systems and methods for safely accessing a platform for mounting a mobile piece of mining equipment. The disclosed systems and methods comprise a platform with modular frame, a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the frame and one or more sets of stairs providing access to the modular frame. In practice, the mobile piece of mining equipment is positioned in a central location and the modular frame sections are positioned around the mobile piece of mining equipment.

Abstract: A method for commercially growing mushrooms includes the steps of: placing a layer of compost in a bed; laying a polymer sheet over the layer of compost; placing a layer of peat over the sheet; growing a crop of mushrooms in the first layer of peat; harvesting the crop of mushrooms; removing the polymer sheet and the layer of peat from the sheet; placing a replacement polymer sheet and layer of peat over the sheet; and growing a replacement crop of mushrooms. Mushrooms grown according to the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying talent that eliminate or minimize the costs and/or risks of identifying such talent, involve public feedback, and generate significant charitable donations. In one aspect of the present invention, talent's or bands' songs are made available to critics such as members of the public via mediums such as the Internet, radio, and television. Such individuals provide feedback during successive phases of the talent identification process, and talents and/or bands with the greatest public appeal advance to the final stages of the process. Ultimately, the talent or band receiving the most favorable feedback is promoted or awarded with, for example, a record deal. Throughout the process, revenue is generated via a variety of methods including voting/critiquing fees, advertising, sale of promotional items, and the like. In some aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of such revenue is donated to charity.

Abstract: A boom lockout device for use with a hydraulic front shovel comprising a first half and a second half, each of which comprises a flat ceiling and two flat side walls. The ceiling is situated between the two side walls and is joined to the two side walls along a longitudinal edge of the ceiling. The angle between the ceiling and each of the two side walls is approximately ninety degrees. The first half and the second half are bolted together around the cylinder rod. The boom lockout device is installed between the barrel and the mount of the boom cylinder to prevent the rod from retracting into the barrel.

Abstract: A water truck body comprising a floor, two side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, a plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies with open bottom ends, a top plate situated on top of each of the cylindrical baffle bodies so that the cylindrical baffle body is centered underneath the top plate, and a tubular support structure. Each of the plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies comprises a plurality of apertures configured to permit liquid to flow through them. The tubular support structure is configured to hold the top plates and provide structural stability to the side walls, front wall and rear wall.

Abstract: A water truck body comprising a floor, two side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, a plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies with open bottom ends, a top plate situated on top of each of the cylindrical baffle bodies so that the cylindrical baffle body is centered underneath the top plate, and a tubular support structure. Each of the plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies comprises a plurality of apertures configured to permit liquid to flow through them. The tubular support structure is configured to hold the top plates and provide structural stability to the side walls, front wall and rear wall.

Abstract: A boom lockout device for use with a hydraulic front shovel comprising a first half and a second half, each of which comprises a flat ceiling and two flat side walls. The ceiling is situated between the two side walls and is joined to the two side walls along a longitudinal edge of the ceiling. The angle between the ceiling and each of the two side walls is approximately ninety degrees. The first half and the second half are bolted together around the cylinder rod. The boom lockout device is installed between the barrel and the mount of the boom cylinder to prevent the rod from retracting into the barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying talent that eliminate or minimize the costs and/or risks of identifying such talent, involve public feedback, and generate significant charitable donations. In one aspect of the present invention, talent's or bands' songs are made available to critics such as members of the public via mediums such as the Internet, radio, and television. Such individuals provide feedback during successive phases of the talent identification process, and talents and/or bands with the greatest public appeal advance to the final stages of the process. Ultimately, the talent or band receiving the most favorable feedback is promoted or awarded with, for example, a record deal. Throughout the process, revenue is generated via a variety of methods including voting/critiquing fees, advertising, sale of promotional items, and the like. In some aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of such revenue is donated to charity.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate and an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square or rectangular tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate, an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing, and an alternate embodiment in which a gusset is used in lieu of a cover plate for the double-size support members.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square or rectangular tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate, an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing, and an alternate embodiment in which a gusset is used in lieu of a cover plate for the double-size support members.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate and an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy.

Abstract: A method for converting a dump truck body into an improved truck body. The dump truck body is configured for hauling a payload and has a canopy, a floor, two sidewalls, and a front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: if the dump truck body has a tailgate, removing the tailgate; extending the floor to the rear by adding a floor extension component at a floor angle approximately ten degrees greater than a pre-conversion floor angle; increasing the height of the sidewalls by adding two fabricated sidewall attachment components; and tying the sidewall extensions into the rear of the floor extension component by adding a fabricated component. Preferably, a material dam is incorporated into the canopy forward of the front wall to form a shelf that is configured to retain and balance the payload.

Abstract: A method for converting a dump truck body into an improved truck body. The dump truck body is configured for hauling a payload and has a canopy, a floor, two sidewalls, and a front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: if the dump truck body has a tailgate, removing the tailgate; extending the floor to the rear by adding a floor extension component at a floor angle approximately ten degrees greater than a pre-conversion floor angle; increasing the height of the sidewalls by adding two fabricated sidewall attachment components; and tying the sidewall extensions into the rear of the floor extension component by adding a fabricated component. Preferably, a material dam is incorporated into the canopy forward of the front wall to form a shelf that is configured to retain and balance the payload.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the composition of mixed dielectric layers are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for measuring the capacitance and the equivalent oxide thickness of an ultra thin dielectric layer on a silicon substrate in which the dielectric layer is uniform or patterned. The surface of a dielectric layer is electrically charged by a flux on ions from a corona discharge source until a steady state is reached when the corona flux is balanced by the leakage current across a dielectric. The flux is abruptly terminated and the surface potential of a dielectric is measured versus time. The steady state value of the surface potential is obtained by extrapolation of the potential decay curve to the initial moment of ceasing the corona flux. The thickness of a dielectric layer is determined by using the steady state potential or by using the value of the surface potential after a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method is described for measuring the capacitance and the equivalent oxide thickness of an ultra thin dielectric layer on a silicon substrate in which the dielectric layer is uniform or patterned. The surface of a dielectric layer is electrically charged by a flux on ions from a corona discharge source until a steady state is reached when the corona flux is balanced by the leakage current across a dielectric. The flux is abruptly terminated and the surface potential of a dielectric is measured versus time. The steady state value of the surface potential is obtained by extrapolation of the potential decay curve to the initial moment of ceasing the corona flux. The thickness of a dielectric layer is determined by using the steady state potential or by using the value of the surface potential after a predetermined time.

Abstract: A rock box liner for a floor of a dump truck body includes a plurality of bins coupled to the floor. Each bin has an opening for receiving an amount of payload material from a payload that is deposited within or dumped from the body. When payload material from the payload is deposited within the bins, a portion of the payload material extends upward and outward from the openings of the bins to thereby create a supplemental surface upon which a substantial portion of the payload moves across when dumped. The supplemental surface shields the floor of the body from frictional wear due to loading and dumping of payloads and thus extends the body's operational life.