Abstract: A spacecraft includes a power train that includes a solar array, an electric propulsion subsystem, and a power conversion module. The power conversion module receives power from the solar array at a voltage, Vi; and delivers power to the electric propulsion subsystem at a voltage, Vo. The spacecraft is configured to operate at a varying distance, D, from the sun within the range of Dmin to Dmax, Dmax being at least 1.3×Dmin. The solar array is configured to deliver power to the power conversion module at a voltage approximately equal to Vo when the spacecraft is proximate to Dmax.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for switching an electrochromic cell including at least a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The cell also includes an ion-conducting layer that separates the first and second electrode layers and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in or on or in the vicinity of the electrochromic cell. Moreover, a first contact member is electronically connected with the first electrode layer, and a second contact member is electronically connected with the second electrode layer. Furthermore, at least the first electrode layer includes an organic polymer matrix and, dispersed therein, an electrochromic material, electronically conductive nanoobjects, and an electrolyte dissolved in a solvent. Further, the process including measuring the current flowing through the cell if a voltage is applied to the electrode layers, applying a voltage to the contact members, and varying the applied voltage as a function of the current.

Abstract: Described are a process for preparing a layer structure for an electrochromic device and a process for preparing an electrochromic device.

Abstract: Described are electrochromic devices and compositions as well as manufacturing methods for making such electrochromic devices by printing or wet processing of the compositions. The compositions are in the form of a suspension and comprise two or more monomers, nanoparticles of an electrochromic metal oxide, one or more metal salts of the form (M)z(R)y, where M is a metal cation and R is the corresponding salt anion, a carrier liquid and a solvent. The compositions are polymerised to form a composite layer comprising a polymer matrix that hosts the electrochromic nanoparticles and the electrolyte. At least a part of the metal salts (e.g. zinc acetate) is physically adsorbed onto the surface of the nanoparticles and acts as a dispersant.

Abstract: Hall thrusters with conductive coatings are disclosed. A Hall thruster comprises magnetic shielding in order to avoid collisions with the inner walls of its discharge chamber. By removing the source of erosion, the walls of the chamber can be removed reducing mass, cost and complexity of the thruster. A conductive coating, such as an aluminum coating, is deposited on inner screens between the discharge chamber and the magnetic poles of the thruster. The magnetic field within the chamber shields the conductive coating deposited on the inner and outer screens of the chamber.

Abstract: Vehicle control systems that can be used, for example, to configure a vehicle (e.g., a lawn tractor or riding lawn mower) to make low- to substantially zero-radius turns. Some of the present vehicle control systems utilize at least one steered wheel position sensor to generate a signal that indicates the actual position of the steerable structure (e.g., wheel) to which the sensor is coupled, rather than a projected or anticipated position of that steerable structure. Vehicles that include such control systems.

Abstract: A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional nonmagnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite oxide comprising ceria, praseodymia and alumina, wherein the cerium:praseodymium molar ratio of the composite oxide is 84:16 or less, as well as to a method of preparing the composite oxide and to its use, in particular in a method of treating an exhaust gas stream.

Abstract: A process for preparing acrylic acid, comprising (i) providing a stream S4 comprising a formaldehyde source and acetic acid; (ii) contacting stream S4 with an aldol condensation catalyst comprising a zeolitic material comprising aluminum in the framework structure to obtain a stream S6 comprising acrylic acid, the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii) comprising YO2 and Al2O3, and Y being a tetravalent element; where the total content of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal in the zeolitic material in (ii), calculated as alkali metal oxide and alkaline earth metal oxide, is from 0% to 0.1% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the zeolitic material, and where the aldol condensation catalyst in (ii) comprises, outside the framework structure of the zeolitic material present therein, from 0% to 1% by weight of vanadium, based on vanadium as vanadium(V) oxide.

Abstract: A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional nonmagnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

Abstract: A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional non-magnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing acrylic acid comprising (i) providing a stream comprising a formaldehyde source and acetic acid and (ii) contacting this stream with an aldol condensation catalyst comprising a zeolitic material, wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii) includes Si and O, and has a molar Al:Si ratio of 0:1 to 0.001:1, and wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii), in addition to Si and any Al, comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tetravalent elements Y other than Si and trivalent elements X other than Al.

Abstract: Hall thrusters with conductive coatings are disclosed. A Hall thruster comprises magnetic shielding in order to avoid collisions with the inner walls of its discharge chamber. By removing the source of erosion, the walls of the chamber can be removed reducing mass, cost and complexity of the thruster. A conductive coating, such as an aluminum coating, is deposited on inner screens between the discharge chamber and the magnetic poles of the thruster. The magnetic field within the chamber shields the conductive coating deposited on the inner and outer screens of the chamber.

Abstract: A process for preparing acrylic acid, comprising (i) providing a stream S4 comprising a formaldehyde source and acetic acid; (ii) contacting stream S4 with an aldol condensation catalyst comprising a zeolitic material comprising aluminum in the framework structure to obtain a stream S6 comprising acrylic acid, the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii) comprising YO2 and Al2O3, and Y being a tetravalent element; where the total content of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal in the zeolitic material in (ii), calculated as alkali metal oxide and alkaline earth metal oxide, is from 0% to 0.1% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the zeolitic material, and where the aldol condensation catalyst in (ii) comprises, outside the framework structure of the zeolitic material present therein, from 0% to 1% by weight of vanadium, based on vanadium as vanadium(V) oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing acrylic acid comprising (i) providing a stream comprising a formaldehyde source and acetic acid and (ii) contacting this stream with an aldol condensation catalyst comprising a zeolitic material, wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii) includes Si and O, and has a molar Al:Si ratio of 0:1 to 0.001:1, and wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii), in addition to Si and any Al, comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tetravalent elements Y other than Si and trivalent elements X other than Al.

Abstract: In a process for preparing acrylic acid, a reaction gas which comprises a gaseous formaldehyde source and gaseous acetic acid and in which the partial pressure of the formaldehyde source, calculated as formaldehyde equivalents, is at least 85 mbar and in which the molar ratio of the acetic acid to the formaldehyde source, calculated as formaldehyde equivalents, is at least 1 is contacted with a solid condensation catalyst. The space-time yield can be enhanced significantly by increasing the partial pressure of the reactants. The space-time yield remains high even after prolonged process duration.

Abstract: System comprising an epicyclic arrangement. In some embodiments, the epicyclic arrangement can comprise: a first input element; a second input element fixed to an input drive shaft; a geared carrier that includes at least a portion that is disposed axially between the first and second input elements, the geared carrier being engaged with an output member; and planets associated with the geared carrier. Some embodiments of the present systems comprise a housing in which the epicyclic arrangement is disposed; and/or fluid contained within the housing.

Abstract: Vehicle control systems that can be used, for example, to configure a vehicle (e.g., a lawn tractor or riding lawn mower) to make low- to substantially zero-radius turns. Some of the present vehicle control systems utilize at least one steered wheel position sensor to generate a signal that indicates the actual position of the steerable structure (e.g., wheel) to which the sensor is coupled, rather than a projected or anticipated position of that steerable structure. Vehicles that include such control systems.

Abstract: A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional non-magnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

Abstract: To allow simplified illustration of the complex technical relationships for a complex software product, provision is made for the structure of the complex software product to be mapped, in at least one embodiment, using an at least three-dimensional system matrix. In this context, the latter is generated by the variables functionality, program components and version level. The complex software product of at least one embodiment is formed by a plurality of functionalities, each functionality being formed by the interaction of a plurality of executable program components associated with it and the program components having one of a plurality of possible version levels. In at least one embodiment, the system matrix is used to check, verify and possibly extend a customer configuration for the software product. At the same time, the matrix is also used to extend the complex software product on the software provider side.