Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite coating of an elastomeric film containing at least 30 wt % conductive nanoparticles based on combined weight of elastomer and conductive nanoparticles is provided. The conductive nanoparticles have an average particle size along each dimension of less than 500 nm for nanoparticles having an aspect ratio of less than 20:1 or have an average particle size along each dimension of less than 2000 nm for nanoparticles having an aspect ratio of 20:1 or greater. The conductive nanoparticles are formed into hierarchical micro- and nano-sized aggregates having re-entrant morphology. The coating is both superoleophobic and conductive and retains these properties even when stretched under strain to over 100%. The coatings may be produced with simple spray technology.

Abstract: Position determination of a user equipment (UE) is supported using channel measurements obtained for Wireless Access Points (WAPs), wherein the channel measurements are for Line of Sight (LOS) and Non-LOS (NLOS) signals. Based on WAP almanac information and the channel measurements, channel parameters indicative of positions of signal sources relative to a first position of a UE may be determined. Using the first position of the UE and an association of the signal sources with corresponding channel parameters, a second position of the UE may be determined. The position of the UE may be a probability density function. Additionally, position information for signal sources may be determined, such as a probability density function, as well as signal blockage probability and an antenna geometry and the WAP almanac information may be updated accordingly.

Abstract: This invention relates to elastomeric coatings for electronics. Disclosed is a electronic device comprising a substrate layer, a conductive layer and an encapsulant layer. The encapsulant layer comprises at least a butyl rubber material. The butyl rubber encapsulant prevents a change in resistivity of the conductive layer following exposure to nitric acid vapour for 12 hours or hydrochloric acid vapour for 10 hours.

Abstract: An active sequential xampling receiver for spectrum sensing is disclosed. The receiver includes a dynamically adjustable analog front end to perform sub-Nyquist energy sensing across a broad radio frequency (RF) spectrum. In an exemplary aspect, the receiver includes a dynamic modulator which modulates the broad RF spectrum to dynamically select sub-bands (e.g., RF channels) and fold their spectral content into a narrower baseband signal for energy detection. A controller adjusts the dynamic modulator to maximize utility of the spectrum detection based on past energy observations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control device capable of reducing CO2 emission and primary energy consumption, as well as energy supply cost, to lowest possible levels in optimal energy management. In repeatedly generating two or more energy balance candidates for each unit time for the outputs of the electric power grid and thermal accumulation unit based on combinations of varied values of the output ratios of a CHP, an RES, a thermal energy supply system, and an electrical storage unit and the consumption ratios of electric and thermal loads until the convergence of the evaluation values of the two or more candidates reaches a convergence criterion.

Abstract: A multi-level switching converter and a method which converts an input voltage provided at an input node to an output voltage provided at an output node is described. The multi-level switching converter has a first converter branch with a first set of switches and a first flying capacitor, and a second converter branch with a second set of switches and a second flying capacitor. Furthermore, the switching converter has a joint inductor for the first and second converter branch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry controls the first and second set of switches to set the output voltage in accordance to a reference voltage, and by doing so it provides a robust regulation of the capacitor voltages across the first and second flying capacitors.

Abstract: A diagnosis device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an exhaust turbocharger, the device configured to diagnose a fuel combustion state in each one of cylinders in the internal combustion engine. The diagnosis device includes: a rotational speed detector configured to output a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the exhaust turbocharger or a signal correlated to fluctuation in the rotational speed of the exhaust turbocharger, and a fuel combustion state diagnosis unit configured to diagnose unevenness in the fuel combustion states of the cylinders through a frequency analysis involving a fast Fourier transformation of a frequency characteristic of a signal output from the rotational speed detector.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first wireless device may perform a clear channel assessment on a medium to determine if the medium is available for communications with a second wireless device. Based on a successful clear channel assessment, the first wireless device may transmit a medium reservation message to the second wireless device. The second wireless device may then transmit a reservation response message to the first wireless device, where the reservation response message includes synchronization information for the first device to synchronize with the second wireless device. The synchronization information may include a duration of a channel occupancy time, a duration of a synchronous contention window, and/or a duration in which the first wireless device is to maintain synchronization with the second wireless device.

Abstract: A detection system (101, 101b) of enteric diseases in animals includes a sensor device (102) having suction (103) for suctioning air from the animals' environment (11, 12). A sensor is (104) configured to determine information about the type and concentration of smelling molecules in the air and further configured to emit a signal representative of the information of smelling molecules. A transmission device (105) is configured to convey the signal representative of smelling molecules. A self-learning processing device (108) is configured to receive and process the signal representative of smelling molecules, and to detect a risk of enteric diseases in the animals associated with the information about the type and concentration of the smelling molecules. A signaling device (111) is configured to report to a user (10) the risk of enteric diseases in the animals, before the enteric diseases arise. A relative method detects enteric diseases in animals.

Abstract: An active sequential xampling receiver for spectrum sensing is disclosed. The receiver includes a dynamically adjustable analog front end to perform sub-Nyquist energy sensing across a broad radio frequency (RF) spectrum. In an exemplary aspect, the receiver includes a dynamic modulator which modulates the broad RF spectrum to dynamically select sub-bands (e.g., RF channels) and fold their spectral content into a narrower baseband signal for energy detection. A controller adjusts the dynamic modulator to maximize utility of the spectrum detection based on past energy observations.

Abstract: A control device optimizing evaluation of energy management in an in-plant energy network by exploiting both electric and thermal energy in such a manner as to achieve desirable overall performance. The control device, optimizing evaluation of energy management in an in-plant energy network, improves energy facility efficiency and is applicable in residential areas (e.g., general households), manufacturing industry areas (e.g., factories), and tertiary areas (e.g., office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, and swimming pools) for which it is desirable to reduce at least one of energy supply cost, CO2 (carbon dioxide) emission, and primary energy consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control device capable of reducing CO2 emission and primary energy consumption, as well as energy supply cost, to lowest possible levels in optimal energy management. In repeatedly generating two or more energy balance candidates for each unit time for the outputs of the electric power grid and thermal accumulation unit based on combinations of varied values of the output ratios of a CHP, an RES, a thermal energy supply system, and an electrical storage unit and the consumption ratios of electric and thermal loads until the convergence of the evaluation values of the two or more candidates reaches a convergence criterion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionomers comprising a reaction product of the reaction between a halogenated isoolefin copolymer and at least one phosphorus based nucleophile comprising at least one pendant vinyl group. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing and curing these ionomers.

Abstract: A polyisoolefin-based polymer composition having a multimodal molecular weight distribution and a level of unsaturation of greater than about 4 mol % is described, which can be prepared by co-polymerizing 70-96 vol % isoolefin monomer and 30-4 vol % ?-pinene or multi-olefin monomer, based on volume of isoolefin monomer and ?-pinene or multi-olefin monomer, in a solution comprising 0-30 vol % aliphatic hydrocarbon diluent, based on volume of the solution, and an alkylaluminum halide initiator system. The polyisoolefin-based polymer composition has a multimodal molecular weight distribution having a first molecular weight fraction having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of less than about 300 kg/mol, and a second molecular weight fraction having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of greater than about 1000 kg/mol or at least 3 times greater than the Mp of the first molecular weight fraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically transparent peroxide cured article made from a peroxide curable butyl rubber ionomer comprising repeating units derived from the reaction product of one or more multiolefin monomers and at least one nitrogen or phosphorous based nucleophile comprising a pendant vinyl group. A process is also disclosed for making the optically transparent article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and olefinic monomers, particularly to azidated copolymers. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing such azidated copolymers. The functionalized copolymers are used in various technology areas such as surface modification, adhesion, drug delivery, compatibilization of polymer blends or motor oil and fuel additives, and in providing clean cured products without contaminant leaching and/or side products.

Abstract: A polymer-drug conjugate, which can be used in medical applications such as stents, has at least one active agent conjugated through a carboxylic acid moiety to a copolymer derived from at least one isoolefin monomer and at least one copolymerizable monomer, where the copolymerizable monomer is at least one multiolefin monomer, a ?-pinene monomer or a mixture thereof. Such conjugates show improved adhesion to stainless steel and a substantial decrease in burst release of paclitaxel form a drug eluting stent (DES).

Abstract: Surface modification methods based on a combination of plasma and chemical treatments render an unfilled butyl rubber surface highly reactive toward organosilanes, allowing formation of an organosilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Plasma oxidation of the butyl rubber surface followed by vapor deposition of SiCl4 produces a hydrophilic surface suitable for anchoring organosilanes. Fabrication of SAMs on this hydrophilic butyl rubber surface with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) via vapor deposition resulted in a 15% and 25% decrease in gas permeability, respectively, with no change in optical transparency of the butyl rubber.

Abstract: A polyisoolefin-based polymer composition having a multimodal molecular weight distribution and a level of unsaturation of greater than about 4 mol % is described, which can be prepared by co-polymerizing 70-96 vol % isoolefin monomer and 30-4 vol % ?-pinene or multi-olefin monomer, based on volume of isoolefin monomer and ?-pinene or multi-olefin monomer, in a solution comprising 0-30 vol % aliphatic hydrocarbon diluent, based on volume of the solution, and an alkylaluminum halide initiator system. The polyisoolefin-based polymer composition has a multimodal molecular weight distribution having a first molecular weight fraction having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of less than about 300 kg/mol, and a second molecular weight fraction having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of greater than about 1000 kg/mol or at least 3 times greater than the Mp of the first molecular weight fraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to curing of polymers, particularly to self curing of polymers. The present invention provides a process for curing of copolymers of isoolefins and olefinic monomers. The process includes the step of reacting the copolymer with an azidation reagent to form an azidated copolymer and then heating the azidated copolymer at a suitable temperature to cure the polymer.