Abstract: Methods to make a silica elastomer composite with a destabilized dispersion of a never-dried, or as-produced, precipitated silica are described, along with silica elastomer composites made from the methods. The advantages achieved with the methods are further described.

Abstract: Methods to make a silica and carbon black elastomer composite with a destabilized dispersion that includes silica are described, along with particle reinforced elastomer composites made from the methods. The advantages achieved with the methods are further described.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus are disclosed for diagnosing or assisting a diagnosis of a bone tissue condition. A specimen associated with bone tissue suspected of being infected is irradiated using a monochromatic light source. The specimen may be irradiated in vivo or ex vivo, and/or within a growth medium. Light scattered during the irradiation is gathered and its Raman spectral content is determined to detect one or more pathological calcium phosphate minerals, such as brushite and uncarbonated apatite, resulting from a conversion of carbonated-apatite in the presence of bacteria.

Abstract: A method of producing an elastomer composite. The method includes A) combining a first fluid comprising elastomer latex with a second fluid comprising particulate filler; B) causing the elastomer latex to coagulate, thereby forming masterbatch crumb; C) bringing the masterbatch crumb to a water content of about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, thereby forming a de-watered coagulum; D) removing water from the de-watered coagulum by subjecting the dewatered coagulum to mechanical energy, thereby causing the dewatered coagulum to heat as a result of friction, while allowing the dewatered coagulum to achieve a temperature of about 130° C. to about 190° C., wherein water content is reduced to about 0.5% to about 3% and wherein substantially all of the decrease in water content is accomplished by evaporation, thereby producing a masticated masterbatch; and E) subjecting the masticated masterbatch to at least an additional 0.3 MJ/kg of mechanical energy while further reducing the water content.

Abstract: A wet mix elastomer composite comprising carbon black dispersed in an elastomer including a blend of a natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber. When the wet mix elastomer composite is processed with CTV Method 1, the vulcanized wet mix elastomer composite exhibits a resistivity that A) has a natural logarithm satisfying the equation ln(resistivity)??0.1(loading)+x, where x is 14, or B) is at least 2.9 times greater than the resistivity of a vulcanized dry mix elastomer composite having the same composition and prepared using Comparative CTV Method 1.

Abstract: Modified carbon blacks, such as rubber blacks, having a low PAH concentration are described. Furthermore, elastomeric or rubber compositions containing the modified carbon black of the present invention are further described, as well as methods of making modified carbon black having a low PAH concentration.

Abstract: A process for preparing a tire comprising a rubber composition based on at least an elastomer composite, wherein the elastomer composite is prepared by a method comprising: feeding a continuous flow of a first fluid comprising a first elastomer latex to a mixing zone of a coagulum reactor; feeding a continuous flow of a second fluid comprising a second elastomer latex to the mixing zone; feeding a continuous flow of a third fluid comprising a particulate filler slurry to the mixing zone; allowing the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex to coagulate with the particulate filler; and discharging a flow of elastomer composite from a discharge end of the coagulum reactor, wherein the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex are incompatible.

Abstract: An elastomer composite with silica-containing filler is described, along with methods to make the same. The advantages achieved with the elastomer composite and methods are further described.

Abstract: An elastomer composite with silica-containing filler is described, along with methods to make the same. The advantages achieved with the elastomer composite and methods are further described.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) processing system may receive a broadcast signal that includes commercials. The system may detect a first communication in the broadcast signal and obtain a user commercial type selection. The system may control whether to present the first commercial in the broadcast signal responsive to the user commercial type selection. The system may also determine a commercial placement location for relocating the first commercial within the broadcast signal, which may include a commercial sequence.

Abstract: An elastomer composite with silica-containing filler is described, along with methods to make the same. The advantages achieved with the elastomer composite and methods are further described.

Abstract: An integrated cable modem and cable television management system. The invention may include a stand alone device, a portable device, or a vehicle adapted device in various embodiments of the invention. The invention allows for two-way communication and interaction between a television service provider and a user of the device. In addition, other various circuitries may reside in the device allowing storage and processing of received signals. The invention allows a device operable to receive different broadcast signals, including analog and digital signals. In addition, the invention allows for download of selectable programming from a cable television server using the device, either offline, streaming, or in real time when online. The invention allows for recording and buffering of received signals. In addition, the invention allows for control of commercials, publications, and content contained within received signals. The invention allows for time compression of such signals as well.

Abstract: A method of producing an elastomer composite. The method includes A) combining a first fluid comprising elastomer latex with a second fluid comprising particulate filler; B) causing the elastomer latex to coagulate, thereby forming masterbatch crumb; C) bringing the masterbatch crumb to a water content of about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, thereby forming a dewatered coagulum; D) removing water from the dewatered coagulum by subjecting the dewatered coagulum to mechanical energy, thereby causing the dewatered coagulum to heat as a result of friction, while allowing the dewatered coagulum to achieve a temperature of about 130° C. to about 190° C., wherein water content is reduced to about 0.5% to about 3% and wherein substantially all of the decrease in water content is accomplished by evaporation, thereby producing a masticated masterbatch; and E) subjecting the masticated masterbatch to at least an additional 0.3 MJ/kg of mechanical energy while further reducing the water content.

Abstract: A method of producing an elastomer composite. The method includes A) combining a first fluid comprising elastomer latex with a second fluid comprising particulate filler; B) causing the elastomer latex to coagulate, thereby forming masterbatch crumb; C) bringing the masterbatch crumb to a water content of about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, thereby forming a dewatered coagulum; D) removing water from the dewatered coagulum by subjecting the dewatered coagulum to mechanical energy, thereby causing the dewatered coagulum to heat as a result of friction, while allowing the dewatered coagulum to achieve a temperature of about 130° C. to about 190° C., wherein water content is reduced to about 0.5% to about 3% and wherein substantially all of the decrease in water content is accomplished by evaporation, thereby producing a masticated masterbatch; and E) subjecting the masticated masterbatch to at least an additional 0.3 MJ/kg of mechanical energy while further reducing the water content.

Abstract: An elastomer composite includes the coagulated product of a mixture of a particulate slurry and a latex blend comprising skim latex and at least one of field latex and latex concentrate.

Abstract: Modified carbon blacks, such as rubber blacks, having a low PAH concentration are described. Furthermore, elastomeric or rubber compositions containing the modified carbon black of the present invention are further described, as well as methods of making modified carbon black having a low PAH concentration.

Abstract: A hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. Copies of data, program code and processing resources are migrated from their source toward requesting destinations based on request frequency, communication link costs and available local storage and/or processing resources. Each appropriately configured network device acts as an active participant in network migration. In addition, portable two-dimensional (2-D) code reading terminals are configured to wirelessly communicate compressed 2-D images toward stationary access servers that identify the code image through decoding and through comparison with a database of images that have previously been decoded and stored.

Abstract: An elastomer composite with silica-containing filler is described, along with methods to make the same. The advantages achieved with the elastomer composite and methods are further described.

Abstract: A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing or helping to diagnose a bone tissue condition of a patient, a portion of bone tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The bone tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the bone tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the bone tissue is determined, and is used, at least in part, to determine whether the patient has a bone tissue condition.