Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water can be concentrated and prepared for destruction in a pretreatment phase. Following annihilation of the PFAS in supercritical conditions to levels below 5 parts per trillion (ppt), the water effluent can be used to recover heat, returned to sub-critical conditions, and then released back into the environment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is generally directed to low viscosity, low volatility lubricating compositions. The lubricating composition of the instant disclosure includes an oil of lubricating viscosity that contains a lubricating base oil and a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil makes up least 20 wt % of the oil of lubricating viscosity and has a kinematic viscosity of less than 3.7 c St at 100° C. and a NOACK volatility (measured by ASTM D5800) of less than 25 wt %. The lubricant composition further includes a polyalkenyl succinimide dispersant, and, optionally, other formulation additives. The lubricating compositions have been shown to increase fuel economy in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A micro-valve includes an orifice plate having a first surface, a second surface and an orifice extending from the first surface to the second surface. An actuating beam is disposed in spaced relation to the orifice plate. The actuating beam includes a base portion and a cantilevered portion. The base portion is separated from the orifice plate by a predetermined distance. The cantilevered portion extends from the base portion such that an overlapping portion thereof overlaps the orifice. The actuating beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The micro-valve also includes a sealing structure including a sealing member disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve.

Abstract: A method and structures are used to fabricate a nanosheet semiconductor device. Nanosheet fins including nanosheet stacks including alternating silicon (Si) layers and silicon germanium (SiGe) layers are formed on a substrate and etched to define a first end and a second end along a first axis between which each nanosheet fin extends parallel to every other nanosheet fin. The SiGe layers are undercut in the nanosheet stacks at the first end and the second end to form divots, and a dielectric is deposited in the divots. The SiGe layers between the Si layers are removed before forming source and drain regions of the nanosheet semiconductor device such that there are gaps between the Si layers of each nanosheet stack, and the dielectric anchors the Si layers. The gaps are filled with an oxide that is removed after removing the dummy gate and prior to forming the replacement gate.

Abstract: A heated electrostatic chuck is provided, including a base having an upper surface and peripheral side surfaces, a thermal barrier coating formed by plasma deposition directly on at least the upper surface of the base, at least one heating element formed on portions of the thermal barrier coating, an electrically insulating layer formed on the heating element and exposed portions of the thermal barrier coating, at least one chucking electrode formed on at least a portion of the electrically insulating layer, and a protective layer formed on the chucking electrode.

Abstract: A conductive material includes a graphene-nanonsheet material, with charge-storage material in voids in and/or coating the graphene material. The charge-storage material may include any of a variety of types of carbon, including carbon black, acetylene black, furnace black, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene in the form of wrinkled sheets of graphene, carbon nano-onions, or hydrothermal-synthesized nanospheres of carbon material. Alternatively, the charge-storage material may be non-carbon pseudocapacitive materials. Also, the charge-storage material may involve Faradaic processes similar to those observed with battery electrodes. The conductive material may be formed or placed on a conductive or a dielectric substrate. One or more gaps may be formed in the conductive material, with the conductive material forming two or more electrodes. The electrodes may then be covered with an electrolyte material, to produce an electric double layer capacitor.

Abstract: A conductive material includes a graphene-nanonsheet material, with charge-storage material in voids in and/or coating the graphene material. The charge-storage material may include any of a variety of types of carbon, including carbon black, acetylene black, furnace black, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene in the form of wrinkled sheets of graphene, carbon nano-onions, or hydrothermal-synthesized nanospheres of carbon material. Alternatively, the charge-storage material may be non-carbon pseudocapacitive materials. Also, the charge-storage material may involve Faradaic processes similar to those observed with battery electrodes. The conductive material may be formed or placed on a conductive or a dielectric substrate. One or more gaps may be formed in the conductive material, with the conductive material forming two or more electrodes. The electrodes may then be covered with an electrolyte material, to produce an electric double layer capacitor.

Abstract: A ballistic transparency includes a first ply having a peripheral edge; a second ply spaced from the first ply and having a peripheral edge; a polymeric layer located between the first ply and the second ply; and at least one flexible mounting member having a first end extending within the polymeric layer and a second end extending beyond the peripheral edges of the first and second plies.

Abstract: A heated electrostatic chuck is provided, including a base having an upper surface and peripheral side surfaces, a thermal barrier coating formed by plasma deposition directly on at least the upper surface of the base, at least one heating element formed on portions of the thermal barrier coating, an electrically insulating layer formed on the heating element and exposed portions of the thermal barrier coating, at least one chucking electrode formed on at least a portion of the electrically insulating layer, and a protective layer formed on the chucking electrode.

Abstract: A system for providing a hierarchical project technical evaluation tool is provided. The system includes an application for obtaining technical assessment data for work products of a project and storing the technical assessment data to a data repository. A hierarchical project evaluation tool application generates a project technical status based on the assessment data in the data repository. The system also includes a file importation and conversion device in communication with the data repository, the file importation and conversion device converts data files to a useable format within the hierarchical project evaluation tool application. The system further includes a project integrated master schedule in communication with the file importation and conversion device, that provides data to the data repository for use with the hierarchical project evaluation tool application.

Abstract: A ballistic transparency includes a first ply having a peripheral edge; a second ply spaced from the first ply and having a peripheral edge; a polymeric layer located between the first ply and the second ply; and at least one flexible mounting member having a first end extending within the polymeric layer and a second end extending beyond the peripheral edges of the first and second plies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the automatic charging of an electrochemical electrical energy storage device. Charging may be performed until a pre-assigned voltage increment value measured across the terminals of the storage device is reached. Recurrent periods of charging and rest may be employed, with measurements of voltage taken and voltage increment determined after the passage of an assigned quantity of electrical energy. Automatic completion of the charging process is provided for, irrespective of the design features and number of energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors) in a module, the initial state of charge and/or temperature of the storage device, or the value and/or time instability of the charging current.

Abstract: A system is provided to display the technical status of a program and provide quick access to the program information. The system may include milestone views, links to work products and schedule data, links to templates, specification, requirements, review criteria, links to event maturity criteria, and displays of technical maturity assessments. The system may be provided at an enterprise level in HTML form to access criteria for tailoring individual programs. The system may be downloadable to a program server from an enterprise server to provide the foregoing capabilities. The system may be configured to import specific program information from program master schedules in order to populate milestone views, assessment views, and search engines. The system may be configured to provide access control with user privileges, defined for each user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to asymmetric supercapacitors containing: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from a layered double hydroxide of formula [M2+1?xMx3+(OH)2]An?x/n·mH2O where M2+ is at least one divalent metal, M3+ is at least one trivalent metal and A is an anion of charge n?, where x is greater than zero and less than 1, n is 1, 2, 3 or 4 and m is 0 to 10; LiCoO2; LiCoxNiyO2 where x and y are greater than zero and less than 1; LiCoxNiyMn(1?x?y)O2 where x and y are greater than zero and less than 1; CoSx where x is from 1 to 1.5; MoS; Zn; activated carbon and graphite; a negative electrode containing a material selected from a carbonaceous active material, MoO3 and Li1xMoO6?x/2; an aqueous electrolyte solution or a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte solution containing a salt and a salt and a non-aqueous solution; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to asymmetric supercapacitors containing: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from a layered double hydroxide of formula [M2+1?xMx3+(OH)2]An?x/n·mH2O where M2+ is at least one divalent metal, M3+ is at least one trivalent metal and A is an anion of charge n?, where x is greater than zero and less than 1, n is 1, 2, 3 or 4 and m is 0 to 10; LiCoO2; LiCoxNiyO2 where x and y are greater than zero and less than 1; LiCoxNiyMn(1?x?y)O2 where x and y are greater than zero and less than 1; CoSx where x is from 1 to 1.5; MoS; Zn; activated carbon and graphite; a negative electrode containing a material selected from a carbonaceous active material, MoO3 and Li1xMoO6?x/2; an aqueous electrolyte solution or a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte solution containing a salt and a salt and a non-aqueous solution; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: Asymmetric supercapacitors comprise: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous active material; an aqueous electrolyte solution selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydroxides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of carbonates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of chlorides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of sulfates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of nitrates of alkali metals, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing aqueous solutions; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the automatic charging of an electrochemical electrical energy storage device. Charging may be performed until a pre-assigned voltage increment value measured across the terminals of the storage device is reached. Recurrent periods of charging and rest may be employed, with measurements of voltage taken and voltage increment determined after the passage of an assigned quantity of electrical energy. Automatic completion of the charging process is provided for, irrespective of the design features and number of energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors) in a module, the initial state of charge and/or temperature of the storage device, or the value and/or time instability of the charging current.

Abstract: Asymmetric supercapacitors comprise: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous active material; an aqueous electrolyte solution selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydroxides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of carbonates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of chlorides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of sulfates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of nitrates of alkali metals, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing aqueous solutions; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An asymmetric supercapacitor has a positive electrode having a current collector an active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide and mixtures thereof, a negative electrode having a carbonaceous active material carbon and optional current collector, an electrolyte, and a separator plate. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes has nanostructured/nanofibrous material and in a more preferred embodiment, both electrodes have nanostructured/nanfibrous material. The electrolyte can be liquid or solid although liquid electrolytes are preferred. The asymmetric supercapacitor has improved energy density by electrically coupling an electrode of high faradaic capacity such as one having manganese oxide (MnO2) with an electrode such as carbon that stores charge through charge separation at the electric double-layer. The asymmetric supercapacitor also improves power density by using high surface area nanostructured/nanofibrous electrode materials.