Abstract: A wind energy recovery apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a first wind receiving member displaceable by a wind having a variable velocity, a first elastic member coupled to the first wind receiving member, and an electrical generator operatively connected to the first wind receiving member and configured to convert mechanical energy of the first wind receiving member to electrical energy. An energy storage device may be provided in communication with the electrical generator. A self-powered signal communications system including the apparatus is also disclosed. A method of identifying a site for recovering variational wind energy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy storage device having electrodes containing mineral microtubules. The electrodes may be formed, for example, from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubules. The mineral microtubules may be filled with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubules. The mineral microtubules may be filled with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubules. The mineral microtubules may be filled with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.

Abstract: A fluid processing apparatus and method are provided for filtering a fluid from a source and delivering a filtrate derived therefrom to a first destination, and delivering a decantate derived therefrom to a second destination. The fluid separation and delivery apparatus for the method comprises a filter device having an inlet port for connecting to a fluid source, a first outlet port for directing filtrate to a first destination, and a second outlet port for directing decantate to a second destination.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating magnetic particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising a tubular housing comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, and a channel; a tubular filter medium disposed within the tubular housing and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the filter medium partitioning the channel into a first passageway between the first inlet port of the tubular housing and the second outlet port of the tubular housing, and a second passageway in communication with the first outlet port of the tubular housing; and a wire coil wound around the exterior surface of the tubular housing, the wire coil comprising a first lead and a second lead. In operation, the wire coil is connected to a direct current power supply to effect enhanced separation of magnetic particles from a flowing fluid stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubles. The mineral microtubules may be filed with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating magnetic particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising a tubular housing comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, and a channel; a tubular filter medium disposed within the tubular housing and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the filter medium partitioning the channel into a first passageway between the first inlet port of the tubular housing and the second outlet port of the tubular housing, and a second passageway in communication with the first outlet port of the tubular housing; and a wire coil wound around the exterior surface of the tubular housing, the wire coil comprising a first lead and a second lead. In operation, the wire coil is connected to a direct current power supply to effect enhanced separation of magnetic particles from a flowing fluid stream.

Abstract: A process including: providing a cylindrical substrate rotating about the long axis; applying at least one coating layer with a direct writing applicator on the outer surface of the rotating substrate; and curing the resulting coated layer or layers. The use of a direct writing applicator provides precision in the dispensing of organic photoconductor coating layers with respect to line width and line thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a movement device that moves an object to be coated; a slot die coater equipped with a position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater and which slot die coater controllably dispenses coating material onto the moving object; and at least one servor motor-controller system in electrical contact with the position sensor, wherein the position sensor senses the position of the slot die coater relative to the object and wherein the at least one servor motor-controller system adjusts the position of the slot die coater relative to the object if the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: A fluid separation and delivery apparatus and method are provided for filtering a fluid from a source and delivering a filtrate derived therefrom to a first destination, and delivering a decantate derived therefrom to a second destination. The fluid separation and delivery apparatus for the method comprises a filter device having an inlet port for connecting to a fluid source, a first outlet port for directing filtrate to a first destination, and a second outlet port for directing decantate to a second destination; an inlet pump connected between the inlet port of the filter device and the fluid source for pumping fluid at a flow rate of Qin into the filter device; and an outlet pump connected between the second outlet port of the filter device and the second destination for pumping fluid at a flow rate of Qout out of the filter device to the second destination.

Abstract: A process including: providing a cylindrical substrate rotating about the long axis; applying at least one coating layer with a direct writing applicator on the outer surface of the rotating substrate; and curing the resulting coated layer or layers.

Abstract: A method including: sonicating a stream containing a dispersion comprised of agglomerated primary particles; and filtering the resulting sonicated stream containing a dispersion comprised of de-agglomerated primary particles. An apparatus including: an ultrasonic adapter to ultrasonicate a stream of a liquid dispersion of agglomerated primary particles; and a filter member adapted to filter the resulting ultrasonicated stream containing a dispersion of de-agglomerated primary particles; and optionally a coater adapted to coat the resulting filtered stream containing a dispersion of de-agglomerated primary particles onto a receiver.

Abstract: A fluid separation and delivery apparatus and method are provided for filtering a fluid from a source and delivering a filtrate derived therefrom to a first destination, and delivering a decantate derived therefrom to a second destination. The fluid separation and delivery apparatus for the method comprises a filter device having an inlet port for connecting to a fluid source, a first outlet port for directing filtrate to a first destination, and a second outlet port for directing decantate to a second destination; an inlet pump connected between the inlet port of the filter device and the fluid source for pumping fluid at a flow rate of Qin into the filter device; and an outlet pump connected between the second outlet port of the filter device and the second destination for pumping fluid at a flow rate of Qout out of the filter device to the second destination.

Abstract: A process comprising: providing a moving substrate; applying at least one coating layer wherein the at least one coating Is a photoconductive material, an electrically insulating material, a hole transport material, an anti-curl material, or an adhesive material onto the moving substrate with a slot die coater equipped with at least one position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater, and for example, applying from one to about five coating layers on the substrate; sensing the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate with at least one position sensor; and, when the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates, iteratively adjusting the position of the die coater relative to the surface of the substrate to return to the set of predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: A dispersion fluid filtration and delivery apparatus and method are provided for filtering a dispersion fluid from a storage vessel and delivering a filtrate thereof to a filtrate using operation. The dispersion fluid filtration and delivery apparatus for the method includes (a) a filter device having an inlet port, a first outlet port for connecting to the storage vessel, and a second outlet port for connecting to the filtrate using operation; (b) an inlet pump connected between the inlet port and the storage vessel for pumping a first quantity Qin of dispersion fluid into the filter device; and (c) an outlet pump connected between the first outlet port and the storage vessel for pumping a second quantity Qout of dispersion fluid from the filter device back into the storage vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a movement device that moves an object to be coated; a slot die coater equipped with a position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater and which slot die coater controllably dispenses coating material onto the moving object; and at least one servor motor-controller system in electrical contact with the position sensor, wherein the position sensor senses the position of the slot die coater relative to the object and wherein the at least one servor motor-controller system adjusts the position of the slot die coater relative to the object if the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: A process including: providing a cylindrical substrate rotating about the long axis; applying at least one coating layer with a direct writing applicator on the outer surface of the rotating substrate; and curing the resulting coated layer or layers.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a movement device that moves an object to be coated; a slot die coater equipped with a position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater and which slot die coater controllably dispenses coating material onto the moving object; and at least one servor motor-controller system in electrical contact with the position sensor, wherein the position sensor senses the position of the slot die coater relative to the object and wherein the at least one servor motor-controller system adjusts the position of the slot die coater relative to the object if the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates.