Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate, so that heating of the coating material is selective and sufficient to cause at least partial melting of the coating material and permit bonding to the substrate without excessively heating the substrate so as not to significantly degrade its properties. The process generally entails forming a brazing paste containing powder particles dispersed in a binder. The particles are formed of a composition that is susceptible to microwave radiation. The brazing paste is then applied to the surface of the substrate and subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to burn off the binder and then at least partially melt to form an at least partially molten layer on the substrate. The microwave radiation is then interrupted to allow the at least partially molten layer to cool, solidify, and form the coating.

Abstract: A wedge ring is provided for securing a centralizer or other structure to a tubular element. The wedge ring comprises a first surface comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage a surface of the tubular element. The wedge ring also comprises a second surface that is threaded to engage a complementary threaded surface of the centralizer or other structure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, skin treatment compositions containing these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, methods of treating skin changes by topical application of these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, and their methods of synthesis. The carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention are unexpectedly effective in treating skin, particularly with respect to skin tolerance. When included in a topical composition, the carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention have an antioxidant effect that is useful in treating a skin change.

Abstract: A computerized automated demand-based parts delivery management system and method is disclosed. Parts for use in a production facility are received at a warehouse and housed in storage inventory areas such as trailers parked in a yard. Data about the parts in storage inventory areas and their locations as well as an inventory of parts in the warehouse are stored in a database. A “demand pegging” operation is performed by viewing current delivery inventory levels within the warehouse and applying them to production demand data to determine when parts will be depleted from delivery inventory areas. The operation further identifies storage inventory areas that have the needed parts. Process times for transporting parts between locations are considered in determining task times for transporting parts from storage inventory areas to delivery inventory areas so parts are replenished in advance of the deplete time determined by the demand pegging operation.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing parts shortages is disclosed. The computerized system and method analyzes inventory and production demand data over a period of time to whether the parts in inventory are sufficient to meet production demand. The projections allow a logistics provider to determine when parts shortages are likely to occur and the nature of the potential shortages. Information about the type and time of potential parts shortages allow the logistics provider to take action to prevent shortages entirely or minimize their impact on production. Some shortages may be covered by requesting delivery of parts from various locations within the site inventory or by locating parts within the site inventory. Other shortages may be covered by ordering more parts from suppliers. The ability to detect various types of shortages and take mitigating actions allow a logistics provider to maintain a flow of parts to production.

Abstract: A method for informing a purchaser of a topical skin care preparation of an oxidative stress protective capacity, relative to human skin, of a first antioxidative substance included in the topical skin care preparation, includes providing the topical skin care preparation, the topical skin care preparation including the first antioxidative substance. Information is provided including a total score indicative of an oxidative stress protective capacity, relative to human skin, of the first antioxidative substance. The total score is based on a combination of a first score representative of a performance of the first antioxidative substance in a first antioxidative efficacy test and a second score representative of a performance of the first antioxidative substance in a second antioxidative efficacy test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, skin treatment compositions containing these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, methods of treating skin changes by topical application of these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, and their methods of synthesis. The carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention are unexpectedly effective in treating skin, particularly with respect to skin tolerance. When included in a topical composition, the carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention have an antioxidant effect that is useful in treating a skin change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, skin treatment compositions containing these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, methods of treating skin changes by topical application of these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, and their methods of synthesis. The carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention are unexpectedly effective in treating skin, particularly with respect to skin tolerance. When included in a topical composition, the carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention have an antioxidant effect that is useful in treating a skin change.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, skin treatment compositions containing these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, methods of treating skin changes by topical application of these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, and their methods of synthesis. The carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention are unexpectedly effective in treating skin, particularly with respect to skin tolerance. When included in a topical composition, the carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention have an antioxidant effect that is useful in treating a skin change.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.

Abstract: A process for heating powder materials by microwave radiation so that heating and sintering or melting progressively and directionally occurs within the powder materials. The process generally entails forming a structure from a powder by arranging the powder in a mass according to size of particles of the powder so that the particles are progressively arranged within at least a region of the mass from smallest to largest. The mass is then subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles within the mass progressively couple with the microwave radiation according to size, the smallest particles coupling first and heating faster than larger particles of the powder, and the largest particles coupling last and heating slower than smaller particles of the powder. As a result of the progressive arrangement of the particles, the mass is progressively and directionally heated by the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate, so that heating of the coating material is selective and sufficient to cause at least partial melting of the coating material and permit bonding to the substrate without excessively heating the substrate so as not to significantly degrade its properties. The process generally entails forming a brazing paste containing powder particles dispersed in a binder. The particles are formed of a composition that is susceptible to microwave radiation. The brazing paste is then applied to the surface of the substrate and subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to burn off the binder and then at least partially melt to form an at least partially molten layer on the substrate. The microwave radiation is then interrupted to allow the at least partially molten layer to cool, solidify, and form the coating.

Abstract: An auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprises a compressor, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor, and an evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor and the condenser. The system further comprises an auxiliary controller configured to evaluate one or more system parameters to detect a malfunction. The controller is integrated with the main HVAC system and may control one or more elements of the main system.

Abstract: A process for heating powder materials by microwave radiation so that heating and sintering or melting progressively and directionally occurs within the powder materials. The process generally entails forming a structure from a powder by arranging the powder in a mass according to size of particles of the powder so that the particles are progressively arranged within at least a region of the mass from smallest to largest. The mass is then subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles within the mass progressively couple with the microwave radiation according to size, the smallest particles coupling first and heating faster than larger particles of the powder, and the largest particles coupling last and heating slower than smaller particles of the powder. As a result of the progressive arrangement of the particles, the mass is progressively and directionally heated by the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an oxidative stress protective capacity of an antioxidative substance includes assigning a first score indicative of an oxidative stress protective capacity of a first antioxidative substance. The first score is based on the performance of the first antioxidative substance in a first antioxidative efficacy test relative to the performance of a second antioxidative substance in the first antioxidative efficacy test.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring an input signal is provided. The sensor includes a transducer having a soft magnetic material. The transducer may be disposed on a spring element. The soft magnetic material produces a change in impedance when the transducer is stimulated by the input signal. The impedance change is representative of a magnitude of the input signal. The sensor further includes a circuit coupled to the transducer, which is operable to measure the impedance change to determine the magnitude of the input signal. A method of operating the sensor is also provided.