Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: A magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly and method for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface comprises a suction cup and at least one magnet spatially arranged with respect to the suction cup and providing additional fixturing of the suction cup to the ferrous material surface. One method for semi-permanently attaching the mounting assembly to the ferrous material surface comprises positioning a plurality of magnets in a raised position above a peripheral edge surface of a suction cup, positioning the suction cup on the ferrous material surface and drawing a vacuum between the suction cup and the ferrous material surface. Then repositioning the plurality of magnets to a lowered position in contact with the ferrous material surface.

Abstract: A cassette with embedded temperature sensors that is disposed within a load lock is disclosed. The temperature sensors may be disposed in a plurality of shelves of the load lock cassette to monitor the temperature of each of a plurality of workpieces disposed in the load lock. The output of these temperature sensors may be provided to a controller, which controls when the load lock is opened. The load lock cassette may also include cooling channels to accelerate the cooling of the workpieces to improve throughput. The cooling may be controlled using closed loop control, where a controller monitors the temperature of the workpieces during the cooling operation.

Abstract: A cassette with embedded temperature sensors that is disposed within a load lock is disclosed. The temperature sensors may be disposed in a plurality of shelves of the load lock cassette to monitor the temperature of each of a plurality of workpieces disposed in the load lock. The output of these temperature sensors may be provided to a controller, which controls when the load lock is opened. The load lock cassette may also include cooling channels to accelerate the cooling of the workpieces to improve throughput. The cooling may be controlled using closed loop control, where a controller monitors the temperature of the workpieces during the cooling operation.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing eggshell powder for use in the production of bio-based products is provided. The process involves exposing a quantity of eggshell to high air speed at room temperatures to pulverize the eggshell and separate the eggshell component from the inner membrane component. Thus, the process avoids the use of high temperatures and other harsh chemical treatments to remove the inner membrane from the eggshell thereby resulting in an eggshell material that retains the original lipid-protein structure of the native eggshell from which the powder derives. Accordingly, an eggshell powder composition is provided that is substantially free of inner membrane material and possesses a lipid-protein structure substantially similar to that of the eggshell from which the powder is derived. A polymer composite composition comprising an eggshell component and a polymer component is also provided.

Abstract: A counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of an electromagnetic detector signal (204) so as to prevent incidence thereof on a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in said electromagnetic detector signal path (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for co-aligning laterally displaced radiation beams from respective radiation source outputs, each beam comprising a number of spectral components. The apparatus comprises a collimating element for receiving each of said radiation beams with respective lateral displacements and a combining element for receiving each of said radiation beams passed by said collimating element for co-aligning the radiation beams. The apparatus further comprises a diffraction assembly disposed in an optical path between the output of at least one radiation source and the collimating element, for spatially separating the radiation beam output by said at least one radiation source into the constituent spectral components of radiation prior to passing the radiation to the collimating element.

Abstract: A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for co-aligning laterally displaced radiation beams from respective radiation source outputs, each beam comprising a number of spectral components. The apparatus comprises a collimating element for receiving each of said radiation beams with respective lateral displacements and a combining element for receiving each of said radiation beams passed by said collimating element for co-aligning the radiation beams. The apparatus further comprises a diffraction assembly disposed in an optical path between the output of at least one radiation source and the collimating element, for spatially separating the radiation beam output by said at least one radiation source into the constituent spectral components of radiation prior to passing the radiation to the collimating element.

Abstract: A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of an electromagnetic detector signal (204) so as to prevent incidence thereof on a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in said electromagnetic detector signal path (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing eggshell powder for use in the production of bio-based products is provided. The process involves exposing a quantity of eggshell to high air speed at room temperatures to pulverize the eggshell and separate the eggshell component from the inner membrane component. Thus, the process avoids the use of high temperatures and other harsh chemical treatments to remove the inner membrane from the eggshell thereby resulting in an eggshell material that retains the original lipid-protein structure of the native eggshell from which the powder derives. Accordingly, an eggshell powder composition is provided that is substantially free of inner membrane material and possesses a lipid-protein structure substantially similar to that of the eggshell from which the powder is derived. A polymer composite composition comprising an eggshell component and a polymer component is also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to tris(N,N-diarylamido) transition metal complexes and the use of such complexes as single-site polymerization catalysts. The presently disclosed complexes can be used as catalysts in the preparation of polymers from monomers, such as olefins and propylene oxide, at relatively low pressure and temperature. The polymers produced have a high molecular weight.

Abstract: Novel plug devices having tactile and aesthetic properties are disclosed that effectively close the opening within a flute's open-hole key cup, simplify the fingering necessary to play the instrument and improve the instrument's tone, pitch and timbre. When installed near the key cup's upper surface, the key cup has the feel and appearance of a standard key cup. When installed deeper within the key cup, the key cup has the feel of an open-hole key cup.

Abstract: A detergent composition for dealing with oil spills on water comprises an ester of a polyoxyethylene glycol ester of a C10-24 fatty acid, an organic sulphate or sulphonate detergent, an alcohol or glycol of molecular weight 90-250.