Abstract: In order to determine contour edges within a provided image, a plurality of image cells (e.g., groupings of pixels) are created within the image. For each image cell, a numerical value for each of the pixels is compared to a predetermined threshold value to determine comparison values for each pixel. A total numerical value for each image cell may then be determined utilizing the comparison values and numerical values for each pixel within each image cell. An associated contour cell (indicating present contour edges) is then determined for each image cell by comparing the total numerical value for the image cell to a contour cell index. These operations may be performed in parallel by a graphics processing unit (GPU) for each image cell, which may improve a performance of contour edge determination for the image. The stitching of contour edges may also be performed using the GPU, which may provide additional performance improvements for image contour extraction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoplastic elastomer articles comprising a crosslinked reaction product of styrene block copolymer and silane. The styrene block copolymer comprises at least one terminal polymer block A. The at least one terminal polymer block A comprises a vinyl compound having para-alkylstyrene. The styrene block copolymer is silane grafted and silane crosslinked.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoplastic elastomer articles comprising a crosslinked reaction product of styrene block copolymer, rubber, and silane. The styrene block copolymer comprises at least one terminal polymer block A. The at least one terminal polymer block A comprises a vinyl compound having para-alkyl styrene. The rubber comprises at least one of ethylene propylene diene rubber, silicone rubber, and nitrile butadiene rubber. The styrene block copolymer and the rubber are silane grafted and silane crosslinked. The silane crosslinking is at least one of intramolecular silane crosslinking and intermolecular silane crosslinking.

Abstract: An integrated system for indirect cycle steam heating comprising a nuclear power module configured to output first steam; a turbine generator configured to receive the first steam and output second steam; a heat exchanger configured to receive water, receive at least one of first steam, second steam, and transfer heat from the at least one of first steam and second steam into the water to create third steam a peaking heater configured to receive the third steam, transfer augmenting heat into the third steam, and heat, based at least in part on the transfer, the third steam to have a temperature above a threshold temperature an auxiliary heater configured to receive the third steam; and a chemical processing plant configured to receive the third steam and transfer heat from the third steam into a chemical.

Abstract: An apparatus to produce an aerosol of charged nanoparticles includes a charging device and an electrically conductive tube. The charging device includes an inlet for nanoparticles and an outlet. The charging device is configured to charge the nanoparticles. The electrically conductive tube includes an input port and an output port. The input port is arranged at the outlet of the charging device. A length l of the tube is at least 2.5 times a cross-sectional inner diagonal d of the tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoset articles including a crosslinked reaction product of thermoplastic polyolefin, at least one of ethylene alpha-olefin polyolefin elastomer and ethylene propylene diene rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, and silane. At least one of the thermoplastic polyolefin, the at least one of the ethylene alpha-olefin polyolefin elastomer and the ethylene propylene diene rubber, and the nitrile butadiene rubber is silane grafted and silane crosslinked. The silane crosslinking is at least one of intramolecular silane crosslinking and intermolecular silane crosslinking.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoplastic elastomer articles including a crosslinked reaction product of polar elastomer, rubber, and silane. The rubber comprises at least one of nitrile butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene alpha-olefin polyolefin elastomer, and ethylene propylene diene rubber. The rubber is silane grafted and silane crosslinked. The silane crosslinking is at least one of intramolecular silane crosslinking and intermolecular silane crosslinking.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoset articles including a crosslinked reaction product of thermoplastic polyolefin, at least one of ethylene alpha-olefin polyolefin elastomer and ethylene propylene diene rubber, silicone rubber, and silane. The silicone rubber has at least one vinyl functional group. At least one of the thermoplastic polyolefin, the at least one of the ethylene alpha-olefin polyolefin elastomer and the ethylene propylene diene rubber, and the silicone rubber is silane grafted and silane crosslinked. The silane crosslinking is at least one of intramolecular silane crosslinking and intermolecular silane crosslinking.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a main tube that is closed at a bottom of the main tube and that comprises a sample position at the bottom, providing a main opening in the main tube, positioning a precursor material at the sample position, evaporating the precursor material by heating the precursor material by a heating device that is in thermal contact with the main tube, and providing a stream of a primary gas into the main tube through an inlet channel which is arranged within the main tube, wherein a cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of nanoparticles is provided. The apparatus includes a main tube that is closed at a bottom, an inlet channel arranged within the main tube and includes a first opening to the outside of the apparatus and a second opening to the main tube, and a main opening in the main tube. The main tube includes a sample position at the bottom, the cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube, and the second opening of the inlet channel is arranged closer to the sample position than the main opening. Furthermore, an arrangement for the production of nanoparticles and a method for producing nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: In order to determine contour edges within a provided image, a plurality of image cells (e.g., groupings of pixels) are created within the image. For each image cell, a numerical value for each of the pixels is compared to a predetermined threshold value to determine comparison values for each pixel. A total numerical value for each image cell may then be determined utilizing the comparison values and numerical values for each pixel within each image cell. An associated contour cell (indicating present contour edges) is then determined for each image cell by comparing the total numerical value for the image cell to a contour cell index. These operations may be performed in parallel by a graphics processing unit (GPU) for each image cell, which may improve a performance of contour edge determination for the image. The stitching of contour edges may also be performed using the GPU, which may provide additional performance improvements for image contour extraction.

Abstract: A thermodenuder having a main tube with an outer wall, and a heater (23) arranged within the main tube. The heater is arranged in the center of a cross section through the main tube and is spaced apart from the outer wall of the main tube. The main tube has a main axis of extension, and the heater extends parallel to the main axis. The main tube has two openings that are arranged at opposing side faces of the main tube. A channel for an aerosol is arranged within the main tube between the heater and the outer wall and between the two openings. Furthermore, a method for removing semi-volatile material and semi-volatile particles from an aerosol is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 55 wt % and less than or equal to 90 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; and greater than or equal to 10 wt % and less than or equal to 40 wt % of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), wherein the aliphatic polyketone has a melt flow rate greater than or equal to 1 g/10 min and less than or equal to 90 g/10 min as measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 240° C. and a weight of 2.16 kg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 45 wt % and less than or equal to 90 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; greater than or equal to 7.5 wt % and less than or equal to 40 wt % of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); and greater than 0 wt % and less than or equal to 25 wt % of a flame retardant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 30 wt % and less than or equal to 88.5 wt % of a polyamide; greater than or equal to 4 wt % and less than or equal to 50 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; and greater than or equal to 7.5 wt % and less than or equal to 20 wt % of a rubber impact modifier.

Abstract: A thermodenuder having a main tube with an outer wall, and a heater (23) arranged within the main tube. The heater is arranged in the center of a cross section through the main tube and is spaced apart from the outer wall of the main tube. The main tube has a main axis of extension, and the heater extends parallel to the main axis. The main tube has two openings that are arranged at opposing side faces of the main tube. A channel for an aerosol is arranged within the main tube between the heater and the outer wall and between the two openings. Furthermore, a method for removing semi-volatile material and semi-volatile particles from an aerosol is provided.

Abstract: Photoresponsive polymers that comprise a unit derived from an amide functional diol compound that includes a coumarin group are provided. Advantageously, the photoresponsive groups of the photoresponsive polymers may be used to control the viscosity of the photoresponsive polymer. The photoresponsize polymers may also include units derived from amide functional diol compounds with include a fatty acid chain or a polyethylene glycol chain. The photoresponsive polymers may be used for 3d printing. When an adhesive group is added to a photoresponsive polymer they may be used as an adhesive. Adhesive groups include catechol groups.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of nanoparticles is provided. The apparatus includes a main tube that is closed at a bottom, an inlet channel arranged within the main tube and includes a first opening to the outside of the apparatus and a second opening to the main tube, and a main opening in the main tube. The main tube includes a sample position at the bottom, the cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube, and the second opening of the inlet channel is arranged closer to the sample position than the main opening. Furthermore, an arrangement for the production of nanoparticles and a method for producing nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: Upon use of an immersion tin plating solution, contaminants build in the solution, which cause the plating rate and the quality of the plated deposit to decrease. One primary contaminant, which builds in the plating solution upon use, is hydrogen sulfide, H2S. If a gas is bubbled or blown through the solution, contaminants, especially hydrogen sulfide, can be effectively removed from the solution and, as a result, the high plating rate and plate quality can be restored or maintained. In this regard, any gas can be used, however, it is preferable to use a gas that will not detrimentally interact with the solution, other than to strip out contaminants. Nitrogen is particularly preferred for this purpose because it is efficient at stripping out contaminants, including hydrogen sulfide, but does not induce the oxidation of the tin ions from their divalent state to the tetravalent state, which is detrimental.

Abstract: Upon use of an immersion tin plating solution, contaminants build in the solution, which cause the plating rate and the quality of the plated deposit to decrease. One primary contaminant, which builds in the plating solution upon use, is hydrogen sulfide, H2S. If a gas is bubbled or blown through the solution, contaminants, especially hydrogen sulfide, can be effectively removed from the solution and, as a result, the high plating rate and plate quality can be restored or maintained. In this regard, any gas can be used, however, it is preferable to use a gas that will not detrimentally interact with the solution, other than to strip out contaminants. Nitrogen is particularly preferred for this purpose because it is efficient at stripping out contaminants, including hydrogen sulfide, but does not induce the oxidation of the tin ions from their divalent state to the tetravalent state, which is detrimental.