Abstract: A method for forecasting energy demand for a single building, a neighborhood or a city in an urban environment is disclosed. The method balances energy production between (1) a renewable energy source and (2) an energy grid source based in predicted demand and predicted supply. The method treats urban heat island (UHI) calculations as being dynamically impacted by predicted weather conditions to calculate a weather-adjusted UHI. Predicted energy consumption rates for weather conditions use the weather-adjusted UHI to increase accuracy of the prediction.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes having an alkali metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkali metal between electrode environments of disparate chemical potentials through an electrochemical pathway comprising a salt of the alkali metal. The chemical potential of the alkali metal is decreased when combined with one or more non-alkali metals, thus producing a voltage between an electrode comprising the molten alkali metal and the electrode comprising the combined alkali/non-alkali metals.

Abstract: Venue-based data including video from cameras located at a sports venue can be provided to hand held devices authorized by at least one casino. A casino patron's hand held device can enable to view sporting events provided to a hand held device from a server and placement of wagers with the server. Venue-based data including video and statistics are received from server including camera views captured as video by at least one camera located within at least one sports venue. Venue-based data is processed at server for display on a display associated with at least one hand held device operating within a casino. Venue-based data is displayed on hand held devices, enabling casino patrons to view event video. Portable devices can be authorized only when moving about a casino. Casino patrons can also gamble using said hand held device while viewing selected sporting events within the casino.

Abstract: An energy storage device configured to exchange energy with an external device includes a container having walls, a lid covering the container and having a safety pressure valve, a negative electrode disposed away from the walls of the container, a positive electrode in contact with at least a portion of the walls of the container, and an electrolyte contacting the negative electrode and the positive electrode at respective electrode/electrolyte interfaces. The negative electrode, the positive electrode and the electrolyte include separate liquid materials within the container at an operating temperature of the battery.

Abstract: An energy storage device configured to exchange energy with an external device includes a container having walls, a lid covering the container and having a safety pressure valve, a negative electrode disposed away from the walls of the container, a positive electrode in contact with at least a portion of the walls of the container, and an electrolyte contacting the negative electrode and the positive electrode at respective electrode/electrolyte interfaces. The negative electrode, the positive electrode and the electrolyte include separate liquid materials within the container at an operating temperature of the battery.

Abstract: The wiper blade-lifting system comprises a wiper arm with a motorized mechanism to cause the wiper blade to bend at a hinge point responsive to the presence of electrical power. The wiper blade-lifting system is useful to lift a wiper blade off the surface of a windshield when ice or freezing rain is anticipated, so that the wiper blade does not become frozen in place against the surface of the windshield. A second activation of the wiper blade-lifting system using electrical power of the opposite polarity causes the wiper blade to straighten and place the wiper blade back in contact with the windshield. The application of electrical power to the wiper blade-lifting system may be under control of an interior lift control or, in some embodiments, a blade lift remote control.

Abstract: A system for fluid manipulation includes a composite wafer and a movable compression device. The composite wafer includes a flexible layer and a substantially rigid layer adhered to the flexible layer. The flexible layer defines one or more recesses that are covered by the substantially rigid layer to form one or more reservoirs and one or more fluid channels among the one or more reservoirs. The movable compression device contacts the flexible layer and is configured to progressively compress the flexible layer such that when the movable compression device traverses the flexible layer, fluid is forced through the one or more fluid channels and the one or more reservoirs in a sequence determined by the layout of the one or more fluid channels and the one or more reservoirs. Certain reservoirs may be pre-loaded with fluids and reagents for performing a specified medical test.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a flexible container, in which the valve assembly is anchored to the flexible container. The valve assembly provides for the egress of fluid from the flexible container such that the interior surfaces flexible container do not block or otherwise prevent fluid flow or fluidic communication between the interior of the flexible container and the valve assembly. The portion of the valve assembly within the interior of the flexible container includes a support structure that prevents the walls of the flexible container from collapsing down on, and blocking either completely or in part, fluid flow through the opening of the valve inside of the flexible container.

Abstract: Video content is a time varying presentation of scenes or video frames. Each frame can contain a number of scene elements such as actors, foreground items, background items, or other items. A person enjoying video content can select a scene element by specifying a screen coordinate while the video content plays. Frame specification data identifies the specific frame or scene being displayed when the coordinate is selected. The coordinate in combination with the frame specification data is sufficient to identify the scene element that the person has chosen, information about the scene element can then be presented to the person. An annotation database can relate the scene elements to the frame specification data and coordinates.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a flexible container, in which the valve assembly is anchored to the flexible container. The valve assembly provides for the egress of fluid from the flexible container such that the interior surfaces flexible container do not block or otherwise prevent fluid flow or fluidic communication between the interior of the flexible container and the valve assembly. The portion of the valve assembly within the interior of the flexible container includes a support structure that prevents the walls of the flexible container from collapsing down on, and blocking either completely or in part, fluid flow through the opening of the valve inside of the flexible container.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a flexible container, in which the valve assembly is anchored to the flexible container. The valve assembly provides for the egress of fluid from the flexible container such that the interior surfaces flexible container do not block or otherwise prevent fluid flow or fluidic communication between the interior of the flexible container and the valve assembly. The portion of the valve assembly within the interior of the flexible container includes a support structure that prevents the walls of the flexible container from collapsing down on, and blocking either completely or in part, fluid flow through the opening of the valve inside of the flexible container.

Abstract: A system for fluid manipulation includes a composite wafer and a movable compression device. The composite wafer includes a flexible layer and a substantially rigid layer adhered to the flexible layer. The flexible layer defines one or more recesses that are covered by the substantially rigid layer to form one or more reservoirs and one or more fluid channels among the one or more reservoirs. The movable compression device contacts the flexible layer and is configured to progressively compress the flexible layer such that when the movable compression device traverses the flexible layer, fluid is forced through the one or more fluid channels and the one or more reservoirs in a sequence determined by the layout of the one or more fluid channels and the one or more reservoirs. Certain reservoirs may be pre-loaded with fluids and reagents for performing a specified medical test.

Abstract: An energy storage device configured to exchange energy with an external device includes a container having walls, a lid covering the container and having a safety pressure valve, a negative electrode disposed away from the walls of the container, a positive electrode in contact with at least a portion of the walls of the container, and an electrolyte contacting the negative electrode and the positive electrode at respective electrode/electrolyte interfaces. The negative electrode, the positive electrode and the electrolyte include separate liquid materials within the container at an operating temperature of the battery.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes having an alkali metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkali metal between electrode environments of disparate chemical potentials through an electrochemical pathway comprising a salt of the alkali metal. The chemical potential of the alkali metal is decreased when combined with one or more non-alkali metals, thus producing a voltage between an electrode comprising the molten alkali metal and the electrode comprising the combined alkali/non-alkali metals.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery that exchanges energy with an external device. The battery includes a container containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an intervening electrolyte, the electrodes and electrolyte existing as liquid material layers in the container at the operating temperature of the battery so that adjacent layers form respective electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Positive and negative current collectors are in electrical contact with the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, both collectors being adapted for connection to the external device to create a circuit through which current flows. A circulation producer in the battery causes circulation within at least one of the layers to increase the flux of material in one layer to an interface with an adjacent layer, thereby giving the battery a greater current/power capability.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes having an alkali metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkali metal between electrode environments of disparate chemical potentials through an electrochemical pathway comprising a salt of the alkali metal. The chemical potential of the alkali metal is decreased when combined with one or more non-alkali metals, thus producing a voltage between an electrode comprising the molten the alkali metal and the electrode comprising the combined alkali/non-alkali metals.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a flexible container, in which the valve assembly is anchored to the flexible container. The valve assembly provides for the egress of fluid from the flexible container such that the interior surfaces flexible container do not block or otherwise prevent fluid flow or fluidic communication between the interior of the flexible container and the valve assembly. The portion of the valve assembly within the interior of the flexible container includes a support structure that prevents the walls of the flexible container from collapsing down on, and blocking either completely or in part, fluid flow through the opening of the valve inside of the flexible container.