Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for determining a concentration of a target gas in a sample gas. An example method of preparing a replaceable testing material for detecting a target gas in a sample gas may include preparing a solution comprising a solute and a solvent, wherein the solute comprises o-tolidine; introducing a testing material substrate to the prepared solution for a period of time; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the testing material substrate such that the testing material substrate comprises at least a portion of the o-tolidine, and thereby forming the replaceable testing material for detecting the target gas in the sample gas.

Abstract: An in-situ observation device for gas hydrates includes a reactor, which includes a visual tube, a pulling rod, a temperature-controlled seed crystal rod and a spiral adjuster. An upper end and a lower end of the visual tube are respectively equipped with an upper end cap and a lower end cap. The upper end cap defines an air inlet, and the lower end cap defines a liquid inlet. An upper end of the temperature-controlled seed crystal rod is connected to an adjusting flange. The adjusting flange is connected to the spiral adjuster. A lower end of the temperature-controlled seed crystal rod hermetically passes through the upper end cap and is located in the visual tube. The temperature-controlled seed crystal rod defines a cooling liquid channel, and a cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet, a seed crystal rod liquid inlet and a seed crystal rod outlet.

Abstract: A low-frequency acoustic wave generating device for detecting pipeline blockage related to the technical field of pipeline detection is provided and includes a sealing shell configured to be communicated with a pipeline, a sealed pressure environment is formed inside the sealing shell. A low-frequency electroacoustic transducer is disposed inside the sealing shell, the low-frequency electroacoustic transducer is connected to a signal generator and is configured to transmit an acoustic wave into the pipeline. The device transmits the acoustic wave signals to a high-pressure gas pipeline, combined with a signal generator capable of generating any waveform, thereby emitting any waveform of acoustic wave signal into the pipeline. The use of acoustic waves with special markings and characteristics for pipeline blockage detection can improve the anti-noise interference ability of the acoustic wave detection, and improve the precision of the detection.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting air breathed by a user and/or one or more gases are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a test material adapted to reduce in size when exposed to one or more stimuli. In some embodiments, one or more chemicals may be disposed on the test material and, when exposed to the air breathed by the user, the one or more chemicals are adapted to transform from a first color to a second color. In some embodiments, when the test material reduces in size an intensity of the second color increases. The apparatus may further include a face mask. In this regard, the test material may be removably attached to the face mask. The apparatus may further include a spectrophotometer configured to determine if the one or more chemicals have transformed from the first color to the second color.

Abstract: Devices, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are provided for hemorrhage detection. An example sensing device for hemorrhage detection includes a blood detection layer that includes a permeable film and one or more optical fibers supported by the permeable film. The device also includes an optical sensor that includes a light source that emits light and an optical receiver in optical communication with the light source via the one or more optical fibers. The optical receiver generates optical data responsive to the light emitted by the light source and received by the optical receiver via the one or more optical fibers indicative of at least a wavelength of the light. The device further includes a controller operably coupled with the optical sensor that receives the optical data generated by the optical receiver in response to the emitted light and determines an amount of blood based upon the optical data.

Abstract: Devices, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are provided for hemorrhage detection. An example sensing device for hemorrhage detection includes a blood selective layer that includes a permeable film and an iron selective conductive circuit supported by the permeable film. The sensing device further includes a controller operably coupled with the blood selective layer. The controller is configured to supply a current to the iron selective conductive circuit, determine an impedance of the iron selective conductive circuit responsive to blood received by the blood selective layer, and determine an amount of blood received by the blood selective layer based upon the determined impedance. The controller may further compare the determined impedance with an alert threshold and generate an alert signal in an instance in which the determined impedance satisfies the alert threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a traction surface and methods for forming the traction surface. The traction surface may comprise a compound material comprising glass fibers oriented orthogonal to the surface of the compound material extending from the compound material, wherein when the traction surface contacts an icy surface, the glass fibers are operable to penetrate a liquid-like top layer of the icy surface to provide grip with an ice layer below the liquid-like top layer. The method for forming the traction surface may comprise integrating glass fibers into a compound material; orienting the glass fibers within the compound material such that the glass fibers are oriented approximately orthogonal to the surface of the compound material; splitting the compound material to expose the glass fibers, wherein the glass fibers extend from the surface of the compound material; and forming the split compound material into a traction surface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to absorbing elements in respiratory face masks. Applicants have developed a structure for respiratory masks that can both absorb moisture from the face (such as perspiration, as well as from condensed moisture in the breath), and maintain a low breath resistance (won't increase the breath resistance significantly). The structure may comprise an annular structure added to the respiratory masks for moisture management, wherein the annular structure comprises moisture absorbent materials. This structure may also be known as an absorbing element operable to absorb moisture effectively, provide a respiratory mask with improved moisture control characteristics, reduce fogging of a face shield or eyeglasses of the wearer, and reduce the amount of uncomfortable moisture buildup on the face of the wearer.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to absorbing elements in respiratory face masks. Applicants have developed a structure for respiratory masks that can both absorb moisture from the face (such as perspiration, as well as from condensed moisture in the breath), and maintain a low breath resistance (won't increase the breath resistance significantly). The structure may comprise an annular structure added to the respiratory masks for moisture management, wherein the annular structure comprises moisture absorbent materials. This structure may also be known as an absorbing element operable to absorb moisture effectively, provide a respiratory mask with improved moisture control characteristics, reduce fogging of a face shield or eyeglasses of the wearer, and reduce the amount of uncomfortable moisture buildup on the face of the wearer.

Abstract: An outsole for footwear is provided. The outsole includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of resistance elements disposed on the outer surface of the base.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a traction surface and methods for forming the traction surface. The traction surface may comprise a compound material comprising glass fibers oriented orthogonal to the surface of the compound material extending from the compound material, wherein when the traction surface contacts an icy surface, the glass fibers are operable to penetrate a liquid-like top layer of the icy surface to provide grip with an ice layer below the liquid-like top layer. The method for forming the traction surface may comprise integrating glass fibers into a compound material; orienting the glass fibers within the compound material such that the glass fibers are oriented approximately orthogonal to the surface of the compound material; splitting the compound material to expose the glass fibers, wherein the glass fibers extend from the surface of the compound material; and forming the split compound material into a traction surface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to absorbing elements in respiratory face masks. Applicants have developed a structure for respiratory masks that can both absorb moisture from the face (such as perspiration, as well as from condensed moisture in the breath), and maintain a low breath resistance (won't increase the breath resistance significantly). The structure may comprise an annular structure added to the respiratory masks for moisture management, wherein the annular structure comprises moisture absorbent materials. This structure may also be known as an absorbing element operable to absorb moisture effectively, provide a respiratory mask with improved moisture control characteristics, reduce fogging of a face shield or eyeglasses of the wearer, and reduce the amount of uncomfortable moisture buildup on the face of the wearer.

Abstract: Anti-reflective (AR) coatings and methods for applying AR coatings to substrates, such as optical lenses. The coating may include a polyurethane base layer and a fluoropolymer top layer. The base layer may protect the underlying substrate, promote adhesion between the top layer and the underlying substrate, and achieve index-matching with the underlying substrate. The method may involve an inexpensive and efficient solution coating process.

Abstract: Solar cells with enhanced efficiency are disclosed. An example solar cell includes a first electrode (12). The first electrode (12) includes an electron conductor film (14). A quantum dot layer (16) is coupled to the electron conductor film (14). An electrolyte solution (18) is disposed adjacent to the quantum dot layer (16). A second electrode (20) is electrically coupled to one or more of the electrolyte solution (18) and the quantum dot layer (16). The second electrode (20) includes a sulfur-containing coating compound (24), and the electrolyte is a polysulfide electrolyte.

Abstract: An illustrative solar cell may include an electron conductor, an absorber, a hole conductor, and one or more other layers that help reduce interfacial charge recombination within the solar cell for improved solar cell efficiency. In one example, an electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer is provided that blocks or at least substantially inhibits movement of electrons that may otherwise move from within the absorber and/or electron conductor into the hole conductor of the solar cell, while permitting holes to travel from the absorber to the hole conductor. In some cases, the electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer may be transparent or substantially transparent to incident light so that the incident light may reach the absorber material.

Abstract: An illustrative solar cell may include an electron conductor, an absorber, a hole conductor, and one or more other layers that help reduce interfacial charge recombination within the solar cell for improved solar cell efficiency. In one example, an electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer is provided that blocks or at least substantially inhibits movement of electrons that may otherwise move from within the absorber and/or electron conductor into the hole conductor of the solar cell, while permitting holes to travel from the absorber to the hole conductor. In some cases, the electron inhibiting/hole transporting layer may be transparent or substantially transparent to incident light so that the incident light may reach the absorber material.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods for manufacturing solar cells and/or components or layers thereof are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer for use in a solar cell may include providing a first precursor compound, providing a second precursor compound, and combining a portion of the first precursor compound with a portion of the second precursor compound to form a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer that includes a plurality of quantum dots that differ in bandgap.

Abstract: Disclosed are solar cells and methods for making solar cells. Also disclosed are counter electrodes for solar cells including dye-sensitized and/or nanocrystal-sensitized solar cells. An example counter electrode for a solar cell may include a substrate, a microstructured template disposed on the substrate, and a layer of catalytic material disposed on the microstructured template.