Abstract: Systems and methods for press-forming a flexible thin sheet of ceramic paste, such as, e.g., barium titanate, into a wavy shape. The wave may be 1-dimensional, such as, e.g., a sinusoid, or 2-dimensional, such as, e.g., an egg-crate shape. A mold embossed with a reverse, or negative, of an intended form of the wavy shape may be used. The egg-crate shape ceramic layers may be stacked with alternating sheets of a conductive, or electrode, material before being sintered and densified. Alternatively, the ceramic sheets can be layered with the sheets of conductive material, and then pressed into the wavy shape together. Optionally, conductive ink may be applied to the ceramic sheets instead of using sheets of conductive material in both cases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive printing of barium titanate (BaTiO3) components using precursors of barium titanate, i.e., barium carbonate (BaCO3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), to prevent clogging of nozzles. Solid of barium carbonate and titanium dioxide are prepared by an electrical-assisted breakdown process, such as, e.g., milling, blending, and/or grinding. The assisted breakdown process allows for the reduction of particle size, thorough mixing, and consistent particle distribution of the precursors. In addition, the finer particles possess a much higher sinterability of the precursors while giving rise to denser final products. A planetary ball milling system with zirconia vial and balls at a fixed rotation speed may be used. The precursors are then printed into a green part. A solid-state reaction between barium carbonate and titanium dioxide to form barium titanate is activated by the application of heat, such as, e.g., through a sintering process, which forms the final product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating nanostructures using other nanostructures as templates. A method includes mixing a dispersion and a reagent solution. The dispersion includes nanostructures such as nanowires including a first element such as copper. The reagent solution includes a second element such as silver. The second element at least partially replaces the first element in the nanostructures. The nanostructures are optionally washed, filtered, and/or deoxidized.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as a silver oxide battery, can include a silver-containing cathode and an electrolyte having an ionic liquid. An anion of the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of: methanesulfonate, methylsulfate, acetate, and fluoroacetate. A cation of the ionic liquid can be selected from the group consisting of: imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, sulfonium, and phosphonium. The energy storage device may include a printed or non-printed separator. The printed separator can include a gel including dissolved cellulose powder and the electrolyte. The non-printed separator can include a gel including at least partially dissolved regenerate cellulose and the electrolyte. An energy storage device fabrication process can include applying a plasma treatment to a surface of each of a cathode, anode, separator, and current collectors. The plasma treatment process can improve wettability, adhesion, electron and/or ionic transport across the treated surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment a charge storage device includes first (110) and second (120) electrically conductive structures separated from each other by a separator (130). At least one of the first and second electrically conductive structures includes a porous structure containing multiple channels (111, 121). Each one of the channels has an opening (112, 122) to a surface (115, 125) of the porous structure. In another embodiment the charge storage device includes multiple nanostructures (610) and an electrolyte (650) in physical contact with at least some of the nanostructures. A material (615) having a dielectric constant of at least 3.9 may be located between the electrolyte and the nanostructures.

Abstract: In one embodiment a charge storage device includes first (110) and second (120) electrically conductive structures separated from each other by a separator (130). At least one of the first and second electrically conductive structures includes a porous structure containing multiple channels (111, 121). Each one of the channels has an opening (112, 122) to a surface (115, 125) of the porous structure. In another embodiment the charge storage device includes multiple nanostructures (610) and an electrolyte (650) in physical contact with at least some of the nanostructures. A material (615) having a dielectric constant of at least 3.9 may be located between the electrolyte and the nanostructures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating nanostructures using other nanostructures as templates. A method includes mixing a dispersion and a reagent solution. The dispersion includes nanostructures such as nanowires including a first element such as copper. The reagent solution includes a second element such as silver. The second element at least partially replaces the first element in the nanostructures. The nanostructures are optionally washed, filtered, and/or deoxidized.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as a silver oxide battery, can include a silver-containing cathode and an electrolyte having an ionic liquid. An anion of the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of: methanesulfonate, methylsulfate, acetate, and fluoroacetate. A cation of the ionic liquid can be selected from the group consisting of: imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, sulfonium, and phosphonium. The energy storage device may include a printed or non-printed separator. The printed separator can include a gel including dissolved cellulose powder and the electrolyte. The non-printed separator can include a gel including at least partially dissolved regenerate cellulose and the electrolyte. An energy storage device fabrication process can include applying a plasma treatment to a surface of each of a cathode, anode, separator, and current collectors. The plasma treatment process can improve wettability, adhesion, electron and/or ionic transport across the treated surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating nanostructures using other nanostructures as templates. A method includes mixing a dispersion and a reagent solution. The dispersion includes nanostructures such as nanowires including a first element such as copper. The reagent solution includes a second element such as silver. The second element at least partially replaces the first element in the nanostructures. The nanostructures are optionally washed, filtered, and/or deoxidized.

Abstract: In combination a vehicle having an extension and an adaptor faceplate. The extension includes a first power-operated extension mount and a second mount. The adaptor faceplate comprising a rigid member securable to skid steer attachments with the rigid member having a front side and a back side with a frame extending from the back side of the rigid member for supporting a first connecting member and a second connecting member thereon with the first connecting member attachable to the first power-operated extension mount and the second connecting member attachable to the second extension mount.

Abstract: In combination a vehicle having an extension and an adaptor faceplate. The extension includes a first power-operated extension mount and a second mount. The adaptor faceplate comprising a rigid member securable to skid steer attachments with the rigid member having a front side and a back side with a frame extending from the back side of the rigid member for supporting a first connecting member and a second connecting member thereon with the first connecting member attachable to the first power-operated extension mount and the second connecting member attachable to the second extension mount.

Abstract: A faceplate having a set of skid steer receiver attachment points to permit an all-purpose agricultural tractor with a three-point hitch or front end loader to operably connect to off-the-shelf skid steer attachments so that the agricultural tractor can utilize off-the-shelf skid steer attachments with the faceplate containing a cylindrical housing to permit rotation of a tool mounted therein without removing the tool from the faceplate and one embodiment including a notched chain bar having notches extending generally normal to the hitch faceplate and a further embodiment including a universal tractor mount.

Abstract: Adapter faceplates that are mountable in an out of the way condition or are removably mounted with the adapter faceplates including a latch member that can be rotated from a latched condition to an unlatched condition.

Abstract: A three-point hitch faceplate having a set of skid steer receiver attachment points to permit an all-purpose agricultural tractor to operably connect to skid steer attachments so that the agricultural tractor can utilize off-the-shelf skid steer attachments.

Abstract: A window displacement mechanism comprising a frame, a motor, at least one elongated curved member having a set of threads thereon, and at least one member having a set of threads rotatably mateable with the set of threads on the elongated curved member so that when the member and the elongated curved member are rotated relative to each other one can displace a window carrying extension.

Abstract: A faceplate having a set of skid steer receiver attachment points to permit an all-purpose agricultural tractor with a three-point hitch or front end loader to operably connect to off-the-shelf skid steer attachments so that the agricultural tractor can utilize off-the-shelf skid steer attachments with the faceplate containing a cylindrical housing to permit rotation of a tool mounted therein without removing the tool from the faceplate and one embodiment including a notched chain bar having notches extending generally normal to the hitch faceplate and a further embodiment including a universal tractor mount.

Abstract: A beverage container having a thermally insulated handle that reduces the heat transfer between the beverage container and the hand of the person holding the glass is provided. A thermally insulative material is secured to the handle of the beverage container but does not form a bond with the surface of the container. The insulating material is made of one or more layers of insulative material having a closed-cell structure such as closed-cell foam and the like. The beverage containers can include, but are not limited to, beer mugs, soda glasses, or pitchers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for managing a computer system performance tuning initiative in a networked computing environment. A submission package including a plurality of individual fields identifying a software application candidate for performance tuning is received. Each field describes a quantifiable aspect of the candidate software application. Each field in the submission package is parsed into normalized content and the parsed content is evaluated for completeness and correctness. Approval of each evaluated submission package for performance tuning is solicited by presenting a percentage reflecting overall completeness and correctness. Tuner sign-up and status and tracking performance tuning progress are monitored following approval of each evaluated submission package. Results from the performance tuning are apprised upon completion.

Abstract: An additive for an electrical contact is selected according to a method wherein the additive has a substantially smaller contact angle with a liquid phase of a ductile metal than the weld inhibiting material has with the liquid phase.

Abstract: An electrical contact of the type having a working surface and comprising a ductile metal and weld inhibiting material includes a wetting agent present in an amount sufficient to reduce the surface energy between said contact surface and the liquid phase of the ductile metal. Improved wettability of the surface results in reduced arc erosion due to the spattering loss of ductile metal. Also, described is a method for selecting and testing proposed additives.