Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion and storage system includes an electrochemical energy conversion device, such as a fuel cell that is in fluid communication with a hydrogen or electrically regenerable organic liquid fuel and an oxidant, for receiving, catalyzing and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the fuel to generate electricity, a thus partially oxidized liquid fuel, and water. The liquid fuel includes six-membered ring cyclic hydrocarbons with functional group substituents, wherein the ring hydrogens may undergo an electrochemical oxidative dehydrogenation to the corresponding aromatic molecules. Comprising ring-substituent functional groups may also be electrochemically oxidized now with a potential incorporation of oxygen thus providing an additional capacity for energy storage. The partially oxidized spent liquid fuel may be electrically regenerated in situ with now an input of electricity and water to the device, generating oxygen as a by-product.

Abstract: Described is a strap pad for a shoulder strap. The strap pad includes a shoulder strap connector that is formed to wrap around and connect with the shoulder strap. Notably, a plurality of studs are affixed to and project from the shoulder strap connector. The studs are positioned to disperse the pressure and weight of the accompanying item across the muscles more evenly when the shoulder strap is positioned around the neck or shoulders of a user.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion and storage system includes an electrochemical energy conversion device, such as a fuel cell that is in fluid communication with a hydrogen or electrically regenerable organic liquid fuel and an oxidant, for receiving, catalyzing and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the fuel to generate electricity, a thus partially oxidized liquid fuel, and water. The liquid fuel includes six-membered ring cyclic hydrocarbons with functional group substituents, wherein the ring hydrogens may undergo an electrochemical oxidative dehydrogenation to the corresponding aromatic molecules. Comprising ring-substituent functional groups may also be electrochemically oxidized now with a potential incorporation of oxygen thus providing an additional capacity for energy storage. The partially oxidized spent liquid fuel may be electrically regenerated in with now an input of electricity and water to the device, generating oxygen as a by-product.

Abstract: Described is a strap pad for a shoulder strap. The strap pad includes a shoulder strap connector that is formed to wrap around and connect with the shoulder strap. Notably, a plurality of studs are affixed to and project from the shoulder strap connector. The studs are positioned to disperse the pressure and weight of the accompanying item across the muscles more evenly when the shoulder strap is positioned around the neck or shoulders of a user.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: This invention relates to picks, used on string instruments, and particularly to picks incorporating electronics used to provide functionality to the pick and to enhance the experience by the user of playing a stringed instrument. Additional functionality may include a metronome, a tuner, and a decorative visual display.

Abstract: A technique includes providing a first request to access a function that is associated with a first object model. The first request is converted into a second request that is associated with a second object model that is different from the first object model. The technique includes creating an object that is associated with the second object model in response to the second request.

Abstract: A portable tote for cutting and welding equipment is provided that comprises a handle positioned along a center of gravity of the portable tote and a central extension that provides additional storage space for storage of hoses of the cutting and welding equipment. In other forms of the invention, the portable tote comprises water-resistant storage compartments, a storage holster, distal extensions for stability, and provisions for mounting of wheels, among other features.

Abstract: Buffers are provided in a computer system to allow posting data to the buffers, followed by concurrent operation by different portions of the computer system. A CPU buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses, a CPU-to-PCI buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses to the PCI local bus, and a memory buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses to main memory. This configuration allows the CPU-to-PCI buffer to write data concurrently with the memory buffer accessing data from main memory.

Abstract: Buffers are provided in a computer system to allow posting data to the buffers, followed by concurrent operation by different portions of the computer system. A CPU buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses, a CPU-to-PCI buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses to the PCI local bus, and a memory buffer is provided to buffer CPU accesses to main memory. This configuration allows the CPU-to-PCI buffer to write data concurrently with the memory buffer accessing data from main memory.

Abstract: A personal computer system is provided which includes a CPU, with the CPU being operable by a BIOS including initialization or booting instructions. The system includes a local bus and a peripheral bus. A bus interface chip, including a memory controller/peripheral bus host bridge (MC/PBHB) interconnects the local bus and the peripheral bus, and includes a latch which includes as its input clock cycles generated by the CPU. The initialization instructions of the BIOS are contained in a non-volatile ROM module located to write onto either the local bus or the peripheral bus. The MC/PBHB unit is able to decode and handle ROM cycles and is configured to either pass or not pass ROM read cycles depending upon certain control states that identify whether the ROM is located on the local bus or the peripheral bus.

Abstract: A personal computer system is provided which includes a CPU, with the CPU being operable by a BIOS including initialization or booting instructions. The system includes a local bus and a peripheral bus. A bus interface chip, including a memory controller/peripheral bus host bridge (MC/PBHB) interconnects the local bus and the peripheral bus, and includes a latch which includes as its input clock cycles generated by the CPU. The initialization instructions of the BIOS are contained in a non-volatile ROM module located to write onto either the local bus or the peripheral bus. The MC/PBHB unit is able to decode and handle ROM cycles and is configured to either pass or not pass ROM read cycles depending upon certain control states that identify whether the ROM is located on the local bus or the peripheral bus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for maintaining lock characteristics while providing selective access to a cache during lock cycles. To guarantee that only one master accesses memory at a time, locked cycles are always passed to the internal arbitration unit of the memory controller, even if they are cache hits. If the local bus is not granted or cannot be guaranteed that it will be granted the bus for the locked cycle, the cycle is cancelled.

Abstract: A personal computer system is provided which includes a CPU, with the CPU being operable by a BIOS including initialization or booting instructions. The system includes a local bus and a peripheral bus. A bus interface chip, including a memory controller/peripheral bus host bridge (MC/PBHB) interconnects the local bus and the peripheral bus, and includes a latch which includes as its input clock cycles generated by the CPU. The initialization instructions of the BIOS are contained in a non-volatile ROM module located to write onto either the local bus or the peripheral bus. The MC/PBHB unit is able to decode and handle ROM cycles and is configured to either pass or not pass ROM read cycles depending upon certain control states that identify whether the ROM is located on the local bus or the peripheral bus.