Abstract: Provided is a method including monitoring an event occurring on a path along which an autonomous vehicle is currently travelling by using information obtained while the autonomous vehicle is travelling and determining whether to travel along a detour path when the event is detected. In particular, the method includes determining whether to travel along the detour path according to a cost incurred when the autonomous vehicle travels along the detour path.

Abstract: A process for reducing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust stream, such as a vehicle exhaust stream, and apparatus for carrying out the process. The process comprises providing a first composition comprising aqueous urea, a second composition comprising ammonium carbamate and an exhaust stream comprising nitrogen oxides. A process for producing the ammonium carbamate is also provided. The second composition may be introduced into the exhaust stream (10) when the exhaust stream has a temperature below a threshold temperature and the first composition may be introduced into the exhaust stream when the exhaust stream has a temperature at or above the threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods, devices and systems for insulation, e.g., of cavities associated with walls, ceilings, floors and other building structures, with foam insulation. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for providing a cavity of a building with a predetermined amount of foam insulation. The method includes actuating a valve to begin dispensing foam insulation into the cavity, the actuation being performed by a user, the actuation by the user fixing a start time and/or a zero volume of a time and/or volume meter; then, dispensing the foam insulation from the insulation dispenser into the cavity as the time and/or volume meter counts time and/or volume dispensed; then when a predetermined time after the start time elapses or a predetermined volume of the foam insulation beyond the zero volume is dispensed as measured by the time and/or volume meter, actuating the valve to stop dispensing the foam insulation into the cavity.

Abstract: A method for designing a smoothie pod includes: receiving input from a user via a user device that communicates with a beverage profile system over a communications network, wherein the input is received via a graphical user interface and includes selections of ingredients to be added to the smoothie pod; determining, via the beverage profile system, that a flavor profile of the smoothie pod that is based on the ingredients selected by the user includes at least one flavor type having a percentage of the flavor profile that is outside of an acceptable threshold percentage range of the flavor profile; and presenting a suggestion via the graphical user interface of one or more additional ingredients to be added to the smoothie pod to modify the percentage of the flavor type to be within the acceptable threshold percentage range of the flavor profile.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. In some implementations, described herein the microfluidic device includes multiple layers that each define infusate, blood, and filtrate channels. Each of the channels have a pressure profile. The device can also include one or more pressure control features. The pressure control feature controls a difference between the pressure profiles along a length of the device. For example, the pressure control feature can control the difference between the pressure profile of the filtrate channel and the pressure profile of the blood channel. In some implementations, the pressure control feature controls the pressure difference between two channels such that the difference varies along the length of the channels by less than 50% of the pressure difference between the channels at the channels' inlets.

Abstract: A math aid that strengthens: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills, and math fact memory. It's an aid where math facts are displayed on two stuffed rolls using horizontal strips, color differences, various digit sizes and a roll shape all used to increase ease and focus on seeing selected facts for a math problem. There is one row of math facts for counting and subtracting, and several rows of math facts pertaining to multiplication and division. In making this aid, facts are transferred to two semi-flexible substrates, then the substrates are configured into sleeves, lined with semi-flexible films stuffed with soft material making two roll shapes, and then the ends are sealed. In using the aid, one selects the facts needed by rotating the roll to the strip of facts needed, then flattening the roll enough to hold its position to see those needed facts.

Abstract: A process for reducing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust stream, such as a vehicle exhaust stream, and apparatus for carrying out the process. The process comprises providing a first composition comprising aqueous urea, a second composition comprising ammonium carbamate and an exhaust stream comprising nitrogen oxides. A process for producing the ammonium carbamate is also provided. The second composition may be introduced into the exhaust stream (10) when the exhaust stream has a temperature below a threshold temperature and the first composition may be introduced into the exhaust stream when the exhaust stream has a temperature at or above the threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method is provided for authorizing a financial transaction between a consumer and a merchant. The method includes receiving, at a processor of a computer system, a request for authorization for the financial transaction from a credit clearing system; accessing, by the processor, an open to buy file to determine if adequate resources exist to complete the financial transaction, wherein the open to buy file corresponds to both a credit account and a deposit account that are associated with the consumer; when it is determined that the adequate resources exist, then: transferring funds, using the processor, from the deposit account to a remittance account associated with the consumer and the credit account, thereby building an outstanding balance on the credit account; and authorizing, using the processor, the financial transaction with the credit clearing system based on the transfer of funds from the deposit account to the remittance account.

Abstract: A method for designing a smoothie pod includes: receiving input from a user via a user device that communicates with a beverage profile system over a communications network, wherein the input is received via a graphical user interface and includes selections of ingredients to be added to the smoothie pod; determining, via the beverage profile system, that a flavor profile of the smoothie pod that is based on the ingredients selected by the user includes at least one flavor type having a percentage of the flavor profile that is outside of an acceptable threshold percentage range of the flavor profile; and presenting a suggestion via the graphical user interface of one or more additional ingredients to be added to the smoothie pod to modify the percentage of the flavor type to be within the acceptable threshold percentage range of the flavor profile.

Abstract: A system for monitoring product requirements having: a storage device (80) to store at least one of standard product requirements (84), product producer requirements (86), and product parameters (82) associated with the product; a requirement management system (90) coupled to the storage device. The requirement management system including: a requirement generation module (92) to determine product producer requirements in response to at least one of product producer input and the standard product requirements; and a requirement tracking module (94) to determine requirement performance parameters in response to at least one of the product parameters, standard product requirements, and product producer requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for determining the density of insulation. For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a device that includes a sound generator and one or more sound sensors configured to detect sound that is generated by the sound generator and transmitted through the insulation to the one or more sound sensors. The device also includes a control system configured to cause the sound generator to generate the sound and use the sound detected by the one or more sound sensors to generate output that represents the density of the insulation. Another aspect of the disclosure is a method for using the device to determine the density of insulation.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the quality of perishable goods including: a storage device (80) to store consumer feedback (84), consumer preferences (86), and parameters (82) associated with the perishable goods (34); and a quality management system (90) coupled to the storage device. The quality management system including: a cold chain evaluation module (92) to determine quality elements in response to the consumer feedback and the parameters; and a consumer suggestion module (94) to determine perishable good recommendations in response to the parameters, the consumer feedback, and the consumer preferences.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. In some implementations, described herein the microfluidic device includes multiple layers that each define infusate, blood, and filtrate channels. Each of the channels have a pressure profile. The device can also include one or more pressure control features. The pressure control feature controls a difference between the pressure profiles along a length of the device. For example, the pressure control feature can control the difference between the pressure profile of the filtrate channel and the pressure profile of the blood channel. In some implementations, the pressure control feature controls the pressure difference between two channels such that the difference varies along the length of the channels by less than 50% of the pressure difference between the channels at the channels' inlets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles and associated consumption programs, such as customizing smoothie pods to be used in making smoothies and other beverages, are described. For example, the systems and methods may receive or obtain information associated with a user's previous, current, and/or future activities (e.g., workouts or training sessions), a user's sleep activities, a user's current mental acuity or sharpness, a user's health or fitness, and so on, and determine or create a beverage profile for the user based on the information for the user. Further, the systems and methods may communicate and/or facilitate interactions with various online health or wellness programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles and associated consumption programs, such as customizing smoothie pods to be used in making smoothies and other beverages, are described. For example, the systems and methods may receive or obtain information associated with a user's previous, current, and/or future activities (e.g., workouts or training sessions), a user's sleep activities, a user's current mental acuity or sharpness, a user's health or fitness, and so on, and determine or create a beverage profile for the user based on the information for the user. Further, the systems and methods may communicate and/or facilitate interactions with various online health or wellness programs.

Abstract: A controller or processing system for a vehicle, such as a passenger service vehicle, the vehicle having at least one energy storage system, at least one alternator or other charging device coupled to and/or operable or driven by an engine or motor, wherein the alternator or other charging device is switchable between an operational state and a non-operational state by the controller or processing system responsive to one or more parameters of the vehicle. The invention also includes an associated vehicle and method. The parameters of the vehicle optionally include one or more or each of: acceleration of the vehicle, accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, rotation speed of the engine, the gear currently selected and/or the current being drawn from, or load on, the at least one energy storage system and/or current being drawn by one or more or all electrical components of the vehicle and/or engine coolant temperature.

Abstract: A seat assembly for task-oriented seating comprises a seat support and a seat coupled to the seat support. The seat is movable under load, such as from the user's weight and movements, relative to the seat support. The seat has a cushion molded over a supporting armature with multiple bias elements. The seat and seat support are configured to deflect by predetermined amounts at defined locations over an extent of the seat assembly. In this way, the seat assembly provides for a range of comfortable and effective positions for users engaged in different active motions and having different preferences and sizes.

Abstract: Double-clad optical fibers with polymer outer coatings are used in fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers to guide and amplify light. As the optical power increases, the optical fibers must dissipate more heat. Unfortunately, it is difficult to dissipate heat through a polymer cladding, especially at high altitude, without introducing phase noise in the optical signal. To overcome this problem, the inventors have realized metallized polymer-clad optical fibers with superior heat dissipation characteristics than conventional polymer-clad optical fibers. An example metallized polymer-clad optical fiber includes a thin chrome layer that is vacuum-deposited onto the polymer cladding at low temperature, then electroplated with a thicker copper layer. In operation, the copper layer dissipates heat from within the fiber's core and claddings via a heatsink, enabling the fiber to guide and amplify high-power optical signals at high altitude.

Abstract: Provided is a method including monitoring an event occurring on a path along which an autonomous vehicle is currently travelling by using information obtained while the autonomous vehicle is travelling and determining whether to travel along a detour path when the event is detected. In particular, the method includes determining whether to travel along the detour path according to a cost incurred when the autonomous vehicle travels along the detour path.