Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for providing bill splitting processes for splitting a bill amount among a set of purchasers. In one example, the disclosed embodiments may receive receipt information reflecting a bill to be split among a group of purchasers. The disclosed embodiments may parse the receipt information to extract one or more items or services having monetary value and generate a list of the items or services included in the receipt. The disclosed embodiments may also identify the group of purchasers that will participate in paying a proportion of the bill associated with the receipt. Further, disclosed embodiments may be configured to determine a proportion of payment of the total amount of the bill for each purchaser in the group of purchasers.

Abstract: A USB media storage device includes a housing and USB flash drive mounted in the housing. A faceplate is mounted to the housing to indicate the content stored on the USB flash drive. The media stored on the USB flash drive is copy protected.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula is provided: Also provided is a solution including a compound disclosed herein, a volume of dense carbon dioxide (CO2), and a co-solvent, where the solution has an increased viscosity greater than the viscosity of dense CO2. Methods of increasing the viscosity of dense CO2 and natural gas liquids (NGLs) by, for example, dissolving a compound disclosed herein to form a solution, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lockout device and system that can be attached directly to open piping undergoing maintenance or repair and that can be directly under the supervision of the individual that is performing the maintenance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for efficient and cost effective carbon dioxide recycling in enhanced oil recovery wells or in fracturing wells. Also provided are functionalized polymers which can be used as thickeners in the methods for efficient and cost effective carbon dioxide recycling in enhanced oil recovery wells or in fracturing wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lockout device and system that can be attached directly to open piping undergoing maintenance or repair and that can be directly under the supervision of the individual that is performing the maintenance.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2, and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO2. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: Methods and a system for the recharging of battery-operated devices, whereby the recharging process is made less burdensome and inconvenient to the users of the devices. Embodiments provide for incorporating recharging into the normal usage patterns for the devices using activities consistent with predetermined intended usage of the devices, thereby causing the user to perceive less inconvenience. Other embodiments provide for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging devices, whereby the burden to the users may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Abstract: A silicone polymer is provided, modified with at least one functional group from the class of anthraquinone amide groups; anthraquinone sulfonamide groups; thioxanthone amide groups; or thioxanthone sulfone amide groups. The polymer can be combined with a hydrocarbon solvent or with supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), and is very effective for increasing the viscosity of either medium. A process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, oil-bearing formation is also described, using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with the functionalized silicone polymer. A process for extracting natural gas or oil from a bedrock-shale formation is also described, again using the modified silicone polymer.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2; and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO2. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: An amino-siloxane composition is presented. The amino-siloxane composition includes structure (I): wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a C1-C5 aliphatic radical; R2 is a C3-C4 aliphatic radical; R3 is a C1-C5 aliphatic radical or R4, wherein R4 comprises structure (II): and X is an electron donating group. Methods of reducing an amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream using the amino-siloxane composition are also presented.

Abstract: An amino-siloxane composition is presented. The amino-siloxane composition includes structure (I): wherein Rl is independently at each occurrence a C1-C5 aliphatic radical; R2 is a C3-C4 aliphatic radical; R3 is a C1-C5 aliphatic radical or R4, wherein R4 comprises structure (II): and X is an electron donating group. Methods of reducing an amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream using the amino-siloxane composition are also presented.

Abstract: Polymer-based materials and processes suitable for producing panels, for example, panels for use in a fan shroud abradable seal of a turbofan engine. Such a process includes introducing constituents of an expandable foam material into a continuous forming apparatus that continuously compounds the constituents into a partially-cured compounded polymeric material, which is then continuously formed with the continuous forming apparatus to produce a continuous form having a constant cross-sectional shape transverse to a continuous forming direction of the continuous forming apparatus. A portion of the continuous form is then deformed to produce a preform, and the preform is cured within a restricted volume to cause the preform to expand and produce the panel.

Abstract: A display system that includes a projector light bulb. The system includes a light fixture with a conventional light bulb socket. A projector light bulb is provided with a socket adapter for mating electrically with the light bulb socket. A projector such as a pico projector is fit into the socket adapter or to mate with this adapter to be powered by the light bulb socket via the adapter. In lamp-type implementations, the projector is used to project onto a lamp shade-shaped rear projection screen or through a translucent shade and also upon surfaces of the ceiling or objects above the projector light bulb. A light conditioning or directing assembly may be provided that directs a portion of the projected light onto the projection screen (or shade) and another portion up onto the ceiling so as to concurrently focus on two or more surfaces at two or more focal distances.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming porous ceramic articles are provided. The method is forming a composition including liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former; shaping the composition; curing the composition to form a green body; volatilizing the pore-former before or after curing the composition; and firing the green body. The pore-former is a silicon-bearing agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole, or a molecule with a molecular weight under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid. The composition comprises liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former, which is an agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole or a molecule with a molecular mass under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lockout device and system that can be attached directly to open piping undergoing maintenance or repair and that can be directly under the supervision of the individual that is performing the maintenance.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a composition which contains the amino-siloxane structures I, or III, as described herein. The composition is useful for the capture of carbon dioxide from process streams. In addition, the present invention provides methods of preparing the amino-siloxane composition. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream employing the amino-siloxane compositions of the invention, as species which react with carbon dioxide to form an adduct with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for forming ceramic articles, such as, for instance, cores and shells for investment casting, are provided. The composition comprises a liquid that comprises a siloxane species; a plurality of particles, comprising a ceramic material, disposed within the liquid; a catalyst material disposed within the liquid; and a pore-forming agent disposed within the liquid. The pore-forming agent comprises a silicon-bearing agent that is substantially inert with respect to the liquid, and has an average molecular weight less than about 1300 grams per mole. The method comprises disposing any of the compositions described above in a desired shape; curing the siloxane species, and volatilizing the pore-forming agent to form a porous green body.

Abstract: A process for producing a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprises the steps of forming a homogenous suspension of collagen and HA in an acidic solution, lyophilizing the suspension until a desired final freezing temperature is reached to produce the composite scaffold, and optionally cross-linking the composite scaffold, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1:10 (w/w). Also provided is a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprising a homogenous distribution of hydroxyapatite within a porous, crosslinked, collagen matrix, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1:10 (w/w). Suitably, the composite scaffold has a porosity of at least 99% (v/v), and a compressive stiffness of at least 0.3 KPa. Composite scaffolds of the invention may be used to provide osteoconductive bone implants and tissue engineering implants.

Abstract: A composition suitable for forming a support using a three-dimensional (3D) deposition method is presented. The composition includes a wax including at least one functional group capable of reacting with a build material used in the 3D deposition method, when exposed to an actinic radiation, wherein the functional group is itself substantially non-reactive to the actinic radiation. A method of forming a three dimensional (3D) article is also presented.