Abstract: A method of separating fine particles (clay, silt, etc.) that have adsorbed contaminants such as heavy metals or radioactive nuclides in soil using cationic magnetic nanoparticles. According to the method, contaminants such as heavy metals or radioactive nuclides selectively or irreversibly adsorbed to fine particles (clay, silt, etc.) in soil may be economically and efficiently separated. Therefore, the method may be effectively used to restore soil in residential areas that are contaminated with radioactive nuclides in serious accidents such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster as well as facility sites contaminated with heavy metals or radioactive nuclides.

Abstract: A single-core polarization-maintaining dispersion compensation micro-structured optical fiber comprises a fiber core, a first layer of air holes surrounding the fiber core, the cladding defects on the x-axis, the cladding defects on the y-axis, and the cladding. The air holes in the fiber cross section are arranged in the equilateral triangle lattice. Three consecutive air holes are omitted to form a solid area. This solid area is the fiber core. There are two cladding defects along the x-axis. Their centers are respectively located at the two vertices of the hexagon on the x-axis, which is formed by the fourth air hole ring from the core exclusive the central air hole. Each cladding defect along the x-axis contains 7 air holes and goes through from the core by only 1 layer of air holes. There are also two cladding defects along the y-axis.

Abstract: A single-core polarization-maintaining dispersion compensation micro-structured optical fiber comprises a fiber core, a first layer of air holes surrounding the fiber core, the cladding defects on the x-axis, the cladding defects on the y-axis, and the cladding. The air holes in the fiber cross section are arranged in the equilateral triangle lattice. Three consecutive air holes are omitted to form a solid area. This solid area is the fiber core. There are two cladding defects along the x-axis. Their centers are respectively located at the two vertices of the hexagon on the x-axis, which is formed by the fourth air hole ring from the core exclusive the central air hole. Each cladding defect along the x-axis contains 7 air holes and goes through from the core by only 1 layer of air holes. There are also two cladding defects along the y-axis.

Abstract: A storage tank having a wire or wire winding embedded in the wall of the storage tank is disclosed. The wire may be positioned such that it is compromised if the storage tank is deformed to a certain degree. The wire, for example, may form a helical shape proximate to the outer surface of the wall of the storage tank.

Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.

Abstract: A polarization-maintaining dispersion-compensation microstructure fiber includes an inner core, an air-hole array in area 1 and an air-hole array in area 2. The air holes in the area 1 and 2 air-hole arrays are arranged in square lattice. The air-hole arrays in areas 1 and 2 are dislocated by half-layer along y-direction. In area 1, 2 air holes in the middle row are omitted to form a solid area as the inner core. 2 outer cores are located in 2 sub-areas of area 2, and each outer core contains 2 air holes. The long (or short) axes of the inner and outer cores are perpendicular, and the center points of the inner core and the two outer cores are located on the x-axis. The optical mode has a large negative dispersion in a certain polarized direction of the inner core, and the microstructure fiber can maintain the polarized direction of this mode during transmission.

Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radionuclide adsorbent, which includes a hollow space (specifically, an area which is entirely empty or in which transition metal oxide particles are present); and a transition metal-ferrocyanide shell (specifically, a transition metal-ferrocyanide shell having a structure in which a plurality of two-dimensional nano flakes overlap or a transition metal-ferrocyanide shell having a structure in which a plurality of three-dimensional nano polyhedrons agglomerate) formed on the space surface, a preparation method thereof, and a method of removing a radionuclide using the same.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a fuel inlet conduit configured to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle. The fuel inlet conduit opens to an inlet opening. A guard is configured to move back and forth between a blocking position that prevents insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit, and an accessing position that permits insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyol comprises the following steps of: (1) dissolving 2,3 -epoxybutane and an acid catalyst in an inert solvent to obtain a solution A; dissolving triethylene glycol in an inert solvent to obtain a solution B; and dissolving epoxy vegetable oil in an inert solvent to obtain a solution C; (2) respectively and simultaneously pumping the solutions A and B into a first micromixer for mixing; (3) pumping the solution C and an effluent of the first microreactor into a second micromixer for mixing while carrying out step (2); and (4) dissolving the vegetable oil polyol in an inert solvent to obtain a solution D; dissolving epoxypropane and an alkaline catalyst in an inert solvent to obtain a solution E; and pumping the solution D and the solution E into a tank reactor for reaction, thereby obtaining the polyol.

Abstract: A fuel system, a method of fueling a vehicle, and a vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a recirculation line connecting a fuel tank to a fuel fill inlet. An ejector is positioned within the recirculation line, and a valve is positioned within a drain line fluidly connecting the ejector to the fuel tank. A pressure sensor is positioned to measure a pressure associated with the drain line between the ejector and the valve. A controller is in communication with the pressure sensor, and the controller configured to, in response to initiation of a refueling event, determine a state of the valve based on the pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel system for a vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank, a fuel fill inlet fluidly connected to the fuel tank to receive fuel dispensed from an external fuel supply device, and a recirculation line with a first end fluidly connected to the fuel fill inlet and a second end fluidly connected to the fuel tank. An ejector is positioned within the recirculation line. A valve fluidly connects the ejector to the fuel tank via a drain line. A method of fueling a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel system for a vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank, a fuel fill inlet fluidly connected to the fuel tank to receive fuel dispensed from an external fuel supply device, and a recirculation line with a first end fluidly connected to the fuel fill inlet and a second end fluidly connected to the fuel tank. An ejector is positioned within the recirculation line. A valve fluidly connects the ejector to the fuel tank via a drain line. A method of fueling a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A portable urinary aid device includes an upper fixture having a ring shape, and a lower fixture configured to be engaged with the upper fixture. The lower fixture has a ring shape to correspond to the upper fixture and has at least one handle extending outwardly from one vertex. When the upper fixture and the lower fixture are assembled by securely engaging with each other, the assembly can secure a plastic bag therebetween.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating fine particles in soil using cationic magnetic nanoparticles, and more particularly, to a method of separating fine particles (clay, silt, etc.) that have adsorbed contaminants such as heavy metals or radioactive nuclides in soil using cationic magnetic nanoparticles. According to the present invention, contaminants such as heavy metals or radioactive nuclides selectively or irreversibly adsorbed to fine particles (clay, silt, etc.) in soil may be economically and efficiently separated. Therefore, the present invention may be effectively used to restore soil in residential areas that are contaminated with radioactive nuclides in serious accidents such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster as well as facility sites contaminated with heavy metals or radioactive nuclides.

Abstract: An earthwork target model generation system comprises a processor. The processor of the earthwork target model generation system stores a three-dimensional topography shape model and drill boring data in the target model generation system, generates a three-dimensional ground model using the three-dimensional topography shape model and the drill boring data, generates three-dimensional normal surface information in consideration of a design condition for each rock quality using the three-dimensional ground model, and sets the design condition.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.