Abstract: Fibers are formed from ester condensates of polyhydric alcohols and organic polyacids or anhydrides. The process for making the fibers comprises forming a reactive mixture from a polyhydric alcohol and organic polyacid mixture heated to produce a low molecular weight ester condensation product which is subsequently pumped through a spinneret causing additional ester condensation reaction in situ with fiber formation.

Abstract: A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Abstract: Methods of reducing exposure to latex comprise forming an item comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R1 is H, or C1-2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and the second randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R2 is a C3-19 alkyl or C3-19 alkenyl. At least 50% of the randomly repeating monomer units have the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit.

Abstract: A self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven is provided. One embodiment of the oven provides a self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven for cooking food products.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for extracting polyhydroxyalkanoate from a biomass, comprising admixing the biomass with an organic solvent for from 1 second to 15 minutes at a first temperature of from 5° C. below the melting point of the polyhydroxyalkanoate to 10° C. above the melting point of the polyhydroxyalkanoate and at a pressure of from 1 bar to 10 bar to provide a composition comprising the organic solvent and polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: A power supply including a regulation circuit that maintains an approximately constant load current with line voltage. An example circuit includes a switch including first, second and third terminals. The first terminal is coupled or decoupled to the second terminal in response to a control signal received at the third terminal. Voltage sense circuitry is included and is coupled to sense a voltage drop across the switch. The voltage drop is representative of a current in the switch during an on time of the switch. The voltage sense circuitry has a variable current limit threshold that increases between a first level and a second level during the on time of the switch. The control signal is responsive to the variable current limit threshold to regulate a power supply with an output characteristic having an approximately constant output voltage below an output current threshold and an approximately constant output current below an output voltage threshold.

Abstract: Various techniques directed to providing temporary peak power from a switching regulator are disclosed. In one aspect, a switching regulator includes a switch that is to be coupled between a power supply input and an energy transfer element of the power supply. A controller is coupled to be responsive to a feedback signal to be received from an output of the power supply. The controller is coupled to switch the switch in response to the feedback signal to regulate the output of the power supply. An oscillator is coupled to provide an oscillating signal to the controller to determine a maximum switching frequency of the switch. The oscillating signal is coupled to oscillate at a first frequency under a first moderate load condition at the power supply output. The oscillating signal is coupled to oscillate at a second frequency under a second peak load condition at the power supply output.

Abstract: A process for preparing polycrystalline silicon comprising the steps of (A) reacting trichlorosilane with hydrogen thereby forming silicon and an effluent mixture comprising tetrachlorosilane and disilane described by formula HnCl6—nSi2 where n is a value of 0 to 6 and (B) co-feeding the effluent mixture and hydrogen to a reactor at a temperature within a range of about 600° C. to 1200° C. thereby effecting hydrogenation of the tetrachlorosilane and conversion of the disilane to monosilanes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable plate (10) with a handle portion (15) along a portion of its circumference, said disposable plate capable of being stacked upon like disposable plates to form a stack (20), which handle portion provides support for holding the plate and means for taking hold of and separating the plate when stacked with other disposable plates. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and method of nesting or stacking a plurality of disposable plates together to form a stack (20), wherein the handle portions of such disposable plates are circumferentially spaced or staggered such that no handle portion (e.g., 24A, 24B, 24C) rests substantially upon the handle portion of the plate immediately adjacent to it in the stack, to permit efficient separation of such disposable plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices and methods for controlling a desired output of an output device. These systems, devices and methods include connecting an electrical resistance element having a selected one of a plurality of resistance values with an electrical circuit portion having a plurality of electrical components, determining an electrical characteristic associated with the connected electrical circuit portion and the variable resistance element, and generating a control signal based on the electrical characteristic to control the desired output of the output device.

Abstract: The HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER is a device that a golfer may use to clean a golf ball. The device is utilized to clean a ball without any other mechanism or assistance. The device is portable and may be carried with the golf bag or cart as desired. The new cleaner device has features to make its use both functional and simple to operate. The golf ball cleaning device has an abrasive membrane which, when a liquid is added before a golf round, may function to clean a ball whenever required during the round. The ball is introduced into the container and shaken, essentially in a vertical direction, for a few times. Any mud, grass or debris is removed by the scrubber membrane attached to the interior of the container. The clean golf ball is then removed from the device and returned to play.

Abstract: An agricultural item comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R1 is H or a C1-2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and the second randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R2 is a C3-19 alkyl or a C3-19 alkenyl. At least 50% of the randomly repeating monomer units have the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a game for teaching dating skills that includes a first deck containing a plurality of cards, the cards in the first deck having a face containing information representing a character trait which may be valuable when dating, and a second deck containing a plurality of card, the cards in the second deck having a face containing information representing a dating challenge and information representing at least one resolution to the dating challenge. The decks of cards are used in combination with a playing surface displaying at least one track, containing spaces corresponding to both decks of cards.

Abstract: A tunable interferometer for creating gratings of variable periodicity in an optical waveguide is disclosed. The interferometer includes a beam splitter for producing first and second write beams from an input beam. First and second reflectors receive the first and second write beams, respectively, from the beam splitter and direct the first and second write beams to intersect at a fixed location. The angle of intersection of the first and second write beams is a function of impingement locations of the first and second write beams on the first and second reflectors. The impingement locations of the first and second write beams on the first and second, reflectors may be varied to vary the angle of intersection at the fixed location.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the rate of a first biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate having a copolymer, or a blend thereof, of at least two randomly repeating monomer units, and has a melting point Tm1, by solution blending or melt blending the first biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate with a second crystallizable biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer, which has at least one randomly repeating monomer unit and a melting point Tm2, wherein Tm2 is at least about 20?C. greater than Tm1. Methods for forming shaped articles from the blending of the two polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Abstract: A method of processing a mineral composition comprising a refractory material the method comprising milling the composition to a particle size of P80 of less than 25 microns and leaching said composition with a solution comprising lime and/or limestone in the presence of an oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: Compositions having improved crystallization properties and physical properties including a continuous phase of a first biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising a copolymer, or a blend thereof, of at least two randomly repeating monomer units and having a melting point Tm1, and a second crystallizable biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer, which comprises at least one randomly repeating monomer unit and has a melting point Tm2, where Tm2 is at least about 20□C. greater than Tm1. The compositions are formed by solution or melt blending of the components and may be formed into shaped articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a game for teaching dating skills that includes a first deck containing a plurality of cards, the cards in the first deck having a face containing information representing a character trait which may be valuable when dating, and a second deck containing a plurality of card, the cards in the second deck having a face containing information representing a dating challenge and information representing at least one resolution to the dating challenge. The decks of cards are used in combination with a playing surface displaying at least one track, containing spaces corresponding to both decks of cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable plate (10) with a handle portion (15) along a portion of its circumference, said disposable plate capable of being stacked upon like disposable plates to form a stack (20), which handle portion provides support for holding the plate and means for taking hold of and separating the plate when stacked with other disposable plates. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and method of nesting or stacking a plurality of disposable plates together to form a stack (20), wherein the handle portions of such disposable plates are circumferentially spaced or staggered such that no handle portion (e.g., 24A, 24B, 24C) rests substantially upon the handle portion of the plate immediately adjacent to it in the stack, to permit efficient separation of such disposable plates.

Abstract: A process for preparing polycrystalline silicon comprising the steps of (A) reacting trichlorosilane with hydrogen thereby forming silicon and an effluent mixture comprising tetrachlorosilane and disilane described by formula HnCl6—NSi2 where n is a value of 0 to 6 and (B) co-feeding the effluent mixture and hydrogen to a reactor at a temperature within a range of about 600° C. to 1200° C. thereby effecting hydrogenation of the tetrachlorosilane and conversion of the disilane to monosilanes.