Abstract: A capacitor having first and second electrodes and a scaffold dielectric. The scaffold dielectric comprises an insulating material with a plurality of longitudinal channels extending across the dielectric and filled with a liquid comprising cations and anions. The plurality of longitudinal channels are substantially parallel and the liquid within the longitudinal channels generally has an ionic strength of at least 0.1. Capacitance results from the migrations of positive and negative ions in the confined liquid in response to an applied electric field. A method of supplying power to a load using the capacitor and a method of making the capacitor is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst or catalyst precursor is described including: applying a slurry of a particulate catalyst compound in a carrier fluid to an additive layer manufactured support structure to form a slurry-impregnated support, and drying and optionally calcining the slurry-impregnated support to form a catalyst or catalyst precursor. The mean particle size (D50) of the particulate catalyst compound in the slurry is in the range 1-50 ?m and the support structure has a porosity ?0.02 ml/g.

Abstract: A capacitor has two electrodes, one having a porous, electrically non-conductive material formed on a surface of the electrode, for example, by subjecting the conductive material of the first electrode to an anodization process. The porous, electrically non-conductive material is infused with an ionic solution and then covered by the second electrode to form the capacitor. In one implementation, the first electrode is made of titanium, and the porous, electrically non-conductive material is an array of titania tubes that grow perpendicularly from the titanium surface during the anodization process. After infusing the array of titania tubes with a saturated solution of sodium nitrate, the array is covered with a sheet of conductive material that forms the second electrode. The presence of the ionic solution greatly increases the effective dielectric constant of the titania array, thereby greatly increasing the amount of charge that can be stored in the capacitor.

Abstract: A class of materials is provided that has dielectric constants greater than 105. The super dielectric materials (SDM) can be generated readily from common, inexpensive materials. Various embodiments include a porous, electrically insulating material, such as high surface area powders of silica or titantia, mixed with a liquid containing a high concentration of ionic species. In some embodiments, high surface area alumina powders, loaded to the incipient wetness point with a solution of boric acid dissolved in water, have dielectric constants greater than 4*108.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods of forming zero valent metal particles using an aerosol-reductive/expansion synthesis (A-RES) process. In one embodiment, an aerosol stream including metal precursor compound(s) and chemical agent(s) that produces reducing gases upon thermal decomposition can be introduced into a heated inert atmosphere of a RES reactor to form zero valent metal particles corresponding to metals used for the metal precursor compound(s).

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide sequences isolated from plants encoding transcription factors. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides are also provided. Products and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for closing a child application window of a parent window. An indicator is instantiated in data loaded into the parent window, followed by performance of a loop. In each iteration of the loop: (a) if it is ascertained that the data currently loaded into the parent window includes the indicator, then pausing of a first number of seconds is followed by looping back to perform the next iteration, otherwise pausing of a second number of seconds is followed by determining whether the data currently loaded into the parent window includes the indicator; (b) if it is determined that the data currently loaded into the parent window includes the indicator, then pausing of the first number of seconds is followed by looping back to perform the next iteration, otherwise the loop is exited and the child application window is closed during a final iteration.

Abstract: A method for a dealer to manage products in an inventory includes providing an interface and a processor. The interface is connected for communication with the processor. The interface and the processor are configured so the dealer can provide a plurality of rules through the interface for running on the processor. The processor is configured for running a program for applying the rules to input information that may be provided to the processor regarding a product in the inventory. Outputs of the running the program applying the rules include at least one merchandising action regarding a product in the inventory. The processor is connected to automatically receive the input information and the processor is configured for running a program to automatically implement the at least one merchandising action resulting from applying the rules to the input information.

Abstract: A method for lithographic patterning of thin films. A thin film is deposited on a substrate and the film is exposed to optical energy from a focused laser to induce a thermal gradient in the film by optical absorption. The film is softened through a melting or glass transition process and the thermal gradient induces a directional dewetting down the thermal gradient. The invention permits developer free positive tone lithography by thermal direct write and also metrology of the thin film by the morphology of the resultant features.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles comprising a container for entraining particles in an aerosol gas, providing an inlet for carbon-containing gas, providing an inlet for plasma gas, a proximate torch for mixing the aerosol gas, the carbon-containing gas, and the plasma gas, bombarding the mixed gases with microwaves, and providing a collection device for gathering the resulting carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making hollow carbon nano- or micro-scale spheres.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide sequences isolated from plants encoding transcription factors. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides are also provided. Products and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for forming graphene-based exfoliated products with low oxygen contents by a reductive-expansion reaction from a physical mixture containing graphite-based precursor(s) and a chemical agent. Exemplary embodiments also provide materials and methods for forming graphene-based exfoliated products with controllable amounts of nitrogen and/or other impurities incorporated in the material structure as a result of a reductive-expansion reaction from a physical mixture containing graphite-based precursor(s) and a chemical agent.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making a supported metal catalyst. The method includes forming a mixture comprising a high surface area support, a reducing agent precursor that decomposes to produce reducing gases below about 1200° C., and a metal catalyst precursor. The mixture is heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the reducing agent precursor to produce a reducing agent, and then cooled to form the supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use of a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned; (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.

Abstract: A catalyst structure comprising dispersed metal catalyst on support, wherein the support but not the metal catalyst can be observed using x-ray diffraction, and wherein the metal catalyst can be chemically detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods of forming metallic particles or carbon/graphite coated metallic particles with zero-valence from metal precursor compounds by a reductive/expansion synthesis method using nitrogen-hydrogen containing molecules.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methods and apparatus of forming fibrous carbon foams (FCFs). In one embodiment, FCFs can be formed by flowing a fuel rich gas mixture over a catalytic material and components to be encapsulated in a mold to form composite carbon fibers, each composite carbon fiber having a carbon phase grown to encapsulate the component in situ. The composite carbon fibers can be intertwined with one another to form FCFs having a geometry according to the mold.

Abstract: A method to produce thin-layer lignocellulosic composites, such as wood-based doorskins, that exhibit substantial resistance to moisture is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a mixture including a refined lignocellulosic fiber, wax, and an organic isocyanate resin. The mixture is initially pressed to form a loose mat. Subsequently, the mat is pressed between two dies at an elevated temperature and pressure to further reduce the thickness of the mat and to promote the interaction of the resin with the lignocellulosic fibers. In an embodiment, a release agent is included as part of the fiber mixture, or sprayed onto the surface of the mat. The thin-layer lignocellulosic composites of the present invention exhibit strong surface strength, high adhesiveness, and a 50% reduction in linear expansion and thickness swelling upon exposure to a high moisture environment as compared to thin-layer composites that do not include the isocyanate resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a composite material that contains structured particles. The process includes providing a first precursor in the form of a dry precursor powder, a precursor liquid, a precursor vapor of a liquid and/or a precursor gas. The process also includes providing a plasma that has a high field zone and passing the first precursor through the high field zone of the plasma. As the first precursor passes through the high field zone of the plasma, at least part of the first precursor is decomposed. An aerosol having a second precursor is provided downstream of the high field zone of the plasma and the decomposed first material is allowed to condense onto the second precursor to from structured particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a composite material that contains core-shell structured nanoparticles. The process includes providing a precursor in the form of a powder a liquid and/or a vapor of a liquid that contains a core material and a shell material, and suspending the precursor in an aerosol gas to produce an aerosol containing the precursor. In addition, the process includes providing a plasma that has a hot zone and passing the aerosol through the hot zone of the plasma. As the aerosol passes through the hot zone of the plasma, at least part of the core material and at least part of the shell material in the aerosol is vaporized. Vapor that contains the core material and the shell material that has been vaporized is removed from the hot zone of the plasma and allowed to condense into core-shell structured nanoparticles.