Abstract: Systems and methods are described that utilize mixed conductive membranes in conjunction with solid oxide electrolysis in a single unit operation. The mixed conductive membranes of the systems are high-flux electrochemical separation membranes that can selectively and efficiently capture CO2 from a source gas, e.g., a flue gas or fuel gas, by transporting the CO2 across the membrane in the form of carbonate ions followed by oxidation of the carbonate-ions at the second side of the membrane to reform CO2 in a capture stream. The solid oxide electrolysis can be immediately downstream of the capture system to convert the CO2 into CO and H2O into H2, for example thereby forming syngas thereby capturing CO2 and converting it to a more useful form.

Abstract: Autonomous trolleys include an integrated power source, which energy can be utilized for integrated trolley systems such as a wheel assist module, heating module, and cooling module. The power source may include a fuel cell system or a rechargeable electrical energy storage device or a combination thereof. The rechargeable electrical energy storage device can be charged by any other power source, including a fuel cell system. The trolley can also be equipped with a fuel tank for easy and safe refueling of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: An all solid state rechargeable oxide-ion (ROB) battery (30) has a thermal energy storage (TES) unit (20) between two oxide-ion cells (22, 24) with metal-metal oxide electrodes (34, 36, 40, 42) on opposite sides of an anion conducting solid electrolyte (32,38) where none of the electrodes is contact with air.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for carbon dioxide seperation and capture. The system includes a porous metal membrane comprising Ni, Ag, or combinations thereof and having molten carbonate within the pores. A CO2 containing flue gas input stream is separated from a reactant gas input stream by the membrane. The CO2 is removed from the flue gas input stream as it contacts the membrane resulting in a CO2 free flue gas output stream and a CO2 containing reactant gas output stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide improved flush valves that are designed with improved venting features and improved inlet designs. The described venting features and inlet designs, either alone or in combination, can help prevent ingestion of waste into the interior of the valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of batch assembly. The apparatus for batch assembly may include a plurality of spring units, a plurality of handling units, and a control unit. The method of batch assembly may include aligning an array of devices with a plurality of handling units, attaching the array of devices onto the handling units, expanding the handling units so as to expand the array of devices from a first area to a second area, and transferring the array of devices to a destination.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further embodiments relate to improved shroud components for toilets that help reduce splash. Further embodiments also relate to flushing systems for use with vacuum toilets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a filtration system that can be used to filter debris-laden water and to systems for cleaning the filtration system using a vacuum flush system to create a backwash flow through the filter of the filtration system. The filtration system described finds particular use on-board passenger transport vehicles that have a vacuum waste system, such as aircraft. The filtration system provides the ability to collect, treat, and reuse liquid resources in an environment with a vacuum waste system.

Abstract: A fabrication method for dicing semiconductor wafers using laser cutting techniques, which can effectively prevent the devices on semiconductor die units from the phenomenon of etching undercut caused by the sequential steps after laser cutting, comprises following steps: covering the wafer surface with a protection layer; dicing the wafer by laser and separating the die units from each other; removing the laser cutting residues on the devices on the die units via wet etching by an acidic water solution; removing the protection layer by a non-acidic water solution and cleaning the devices on the die units. The selection of materials for the protection layer must consider the following factors: where (1) the materials for the protection layer must have relatively good properties for adhering and covering on the wafer; (2) the materials for the protection layer must be corrosion-resistant to the acidic water solution for etching residues.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to multi-port orbital valves for use in controlling the direction of fluids and mixed media, and find particular use in connection with toilet systems, such as vacuum toilet systems.

Abstract: A compliable unit in an compliable network comprises a first layer including at least one device component at a first region of the first layer, and a second layer including at least one compliable element at a first region of the second layer to transfer the at least one device component to a desired location. The first layer and the second layer are arranged in a stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system to direct water flow through a lavatory and to cleanse grey water through a series of treatment steps. The water may then be re-directed to the faucet for re-use in hand washing or other potable water use or to the toilet for flush water. The treatment steps are altered, depending upon the ultimate use of the water, as flush water need not be treated to the same level as potable water. The system may also function via a cascade of logic commands given by a series of electronic controllers, valves, and sensors which are fine-tuned to supply enough water to each component of the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide integration of aircraft urinals into vacuum waste systems of commercial aircraft. The urinals may either be rinse versions or waterless urinals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to air sanitation and disinfection, and particularly to air sanitation and disinfection for aerospace applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods for preventing mineral scale deposits in an aircraft water system, and more specifically, within devices and water transport systems, such as coffeemakers and other galley equipment, as well as the water lines themselves.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus that is used to provide a circuit layer via a supportive substrate or material layer having an upper surface and having edge surfaces configured and arranged to define patterned aperture channels. The material layer includes an array of patterned islands which provide an upper surface of the material layer for securing and supporting circuitry. The patterned islands are flexible due, for example, to patterned flexures located between and connecting the islands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a grey water flush system for use with vacuum toilets. One embodiment of the system provides a two-stage flush that uses a transient tank in between the toilet bowl and the main aircraft waste tank, which reduces the noise level associated with the flush process because a lesser vacuum is demanded for the first stage of the flush. Embodiments of the system further capture grey water from a sink basin in a reservoir and use that water in the toilet flush process. There is further provided a lavatory odor removal system option that is activated during the second stage of the flush.

Abstract: A method of making a microneedle array structure (20) comprising a plurality of simultaneously formed microneedles (24), each microneedle (24) having a protrusion (32) and a passageway (34) extending therethrough. The method comprises the steps of pressing an embossable sheet material between a complimentary tools and radiantly heating the sheet material using radiant energy from a radiant energy source. One tool is relatively-radiantly-transparent, and another tool and/or the sheet material is relatively-radiantly-absorptive.

Abstract: A tool positioning pad includes a pad having position holes opened therethrough. A plurality of position blocks is extruded from the pad. Each position block is located between each two diagonally adjacent position holes. At least one holder member is assembled onto the position holes of the pad. The holder member has a holder unit, a post unit and a plate unit. The holder unit is connected to one end of the post unit. The plate unit is connected to another end of the post unit. Two ends of the plate unit are extended from the post unit. Upon assembling, a user inserts the holder member into the position hole firstly; and then, the plate unit of the holder member is engaged with the bottom side of the pad by rotating the holder member, so as to assemble the holder member onto the pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for carbon dioxide separation. The system includes a conducting membrane having two phases. The first phase is a solid oxide porous substrate. The second phase is molten carbonate. The second phase is positioned within the solid oxide porous substrate of the first phase. The system also includes a H2 and CO2 gas input stream separated from a CH4 gas input stream by the conducting membrane. The CO2 is removed from the H2 and CO2 gas input stream as it contacts the membrane resulting in a H2 gas output stream from the H2 and CO2 gas input stream and a CO and H2 gas output stream from the CH4 gas input stream.