Abstract: Reagent delivery systems, which can include a reagent trough and a pump system, are useful for delivering liquids to a laboratory workbench. Processing samples on the laboratory workbench can result in a large amount of liquid waste. Described herein are reagent troughs, pump systems, reagent delivery systems, waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: There is provided an apron according to one aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a first strap having a pair of spaced-apart ends which couple to and extend outwards from the top of the bib. The apron includes a second strap which couples to and extends between the sides of the bib. The apron includes a coupling member positioned between the sides of the bib. The coupling member slidably couples together the first strap and the second strap. There is further provided a tie-free apron according to yet another aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a self-adjusting strap load equalizing system. The self-adjusting strap load equalizing system includes a neck-yoke strap, a back strap, and a coupling member which slidably couples together the straps.

Abstract: Multi-operation tools for photovoltaic cell processing are described. In an example, a multi-operation tool includes a conveyor system to move a photovoltaic (PV) cell continuously along a conveyor path through a laser scribing station and an adhesive printing station. Furthermore, the PV cell may be aligned to a laser head of the laser scribing station and a printer head of the adhesive printing station in a single alignment operation prior to being laser scribed and printed with an adhesive in a continuous process.

Abstract: A pneumatic drum emptying station locates a lance over an opening in a container. A lance can be inserted into the container to remove material from the container. Pneumatic cylinders may lock a carriage supplying the lance at a desired position along an arm. The arm, rotatable relative to a base post, may be locked in a specific position with pneumatics. Supports may assist in reloading/repositioning containers relative to the base.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a propulsion unit configured to move the vehicle and to change a characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The characteristic of the environment is changed by operation of the propulsion unit. The vehicle further includes obstacle detection circuitry configured to determine a presence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle based on a comparison between the detected characteristic of the environment and a reference value.

Abstract: A pneumatic drum emptying station locates a lance over an opening in a container. A lance can be inserted into the container to remove material from the container. Pneumatic cylinders may lock a carriage supplying the lance at a desired position along an arm. The arm, rotatable relative to a base post, may be locked in a specific position with pneumatics. Supports may assist in reloading/repositioning containers relative to the base.

Abstract: There is provided a bag including a plurality of line positioning members coupled to a peripheral portion of the bag. The bag includes a line extending through the line positioning members. The line has a first position in which the line extends about the peripheral portion of the bag. The line includes a connector slidably coupled to the line. The connector includes a sleeve, a catch facing the sleeve and an elongate member extending between and coupling together the sleeve and the catch. The line is moveable from the first position thereof to a second position in which a pair of looped portions thereof extend towards the front of the bag and are selectively coupled together via the connector.

Abstract: There is provided an apron according to one aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a first strap having a pair of spaced-apart ends which couple to and extend outwards from the top of the bib. The apron includes a second strap which couples to and extends between the sides of the bib. The apron includes a coupling member positioned between the sides of the bib. The coupling member slidably couples together the first strap and the second strap. There is further provided a tie-free apron according to yet another aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a self-adjusting strap load equalizing system. The self-adjusting strap load equalizing system includes a neck-yoke strap, a back strap, and a coupling member which slidably couples together the straps.

Abstract: Reagent delivery systems, which can include a reagent trough and a pump system, are useful for delivering liquids to a laboratory workbench. Processing samples on the laboratory workbench can result in a large amount of liquid waste. Described herein are reagent troughs, pump systems, reagent delivery systems, waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Reagent delivery systems, which can include a reagent trough and a pump system, are useful for delivering liquids to a laboratory workbench. Processing samples on the laboratory workbench can result in a large amount of liquid waste. Described herein are reagent troughs, pump systems, reagent delivery systems, waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Multi-operation tools for photovoltaic cell processing are described. In an example, a multi-operation tool includes a conveyor system to move a photovoltaic (PV) cell continuously along a conveyor path through a laser scribing station and an adhesive printing station. Furthermore, the PV cell may be aligned to a laser head of the laser scribing station and a printer head of the adhesive printing station in a single alignment operation prior to being laser scribed and printed with an adhesive in a continuous process.

Abstract: Multi-operation tools for photovoltaic cell processing are described. In an example, a multi-operation tool includes a conveyor system to move a photovoltaic (PV) cell continuously along a conveyor path through a laser scribing station and an adhesive printing station. Furthermore, the PV cell may be aligned to a laser head of the laser scribing station and a printer head of the adhesive printing station in a single alignment operation prior to being laser scribed and printed with an adhesive in a continuous process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to asset management and more particularly to integrated software systems and methods allowing asset owners to establish information relating to their assets, establish indications of potential asset disposal, and manage realization of assets by disposal.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle (18) comprising a propulsion unit (34) configured to move the vehicle (18) and to change a characteristic of the environment of the vehicle (18). The vehicle (18) further comprises a proximity sensor (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) configured to detect the characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The characteristic of the environment is changed by operation of the propulsion unit (34). The vehicle (18) further comprises obstacle detection circuitry (32) configured to determine a presence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle based on a comparison between the detected characteristic of the environment and a reference value.

Abstract: Described herein is a modular robotic system for processing a biological sample, and methods of using a modular robotic system for processing a biological sample. The modular robotic system includes a bidirectional plate transportation track to transport plates within the modular robotic system, as well as robotic arms that can transport the plate from a node on the bidirectional plate transportation tack to a sample processing module. Through this system, the sample and/or consumable plates can be transported throughout the processing system. Additionally, the modular robotic system is configured to be expandable, so that the system can be easily adapted to scale up biological sample processing laboratories.

Abstract: Reagent delivery systems, which can include a reagent trough and a pump system, are useful for delivering liquids to a laboratory workbench. Processing samples on the laboratory workbench can result in a large amount of liquid waste. Described herein are reagent troughs, pump systems, reagent delivery systems, waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Multi-operation tools for photovoltaic cell processing are described. In an example, a multi-operation tool includes a conveyor system to move a photovoltaic (PV) cell continuously along a conveyor path through a laser scribing station and an adhesive printing station. Furthermore, the PV cell may be aligned to a laser head of the laser scribing station and a printer head of the adhesive printing station in a single alignment operation prior to being laser scribed and printed with an adhesive in a continuous process.

Abstract: An inflatable camping mattress for use in the polar region includes an upper body and a lower body. The upper body is stacked on the lower body. The circumferential edges of the upper body and the lower body are sealed to form a separation layer between the upper body and the lower body. The inflatable camping mattress of the present invention can lower thermal conduction by the separation layer. When the present invention is used at the polar region, it can keep out the cold and prevent thermal loss for sleeping.

Abstract: A laminated composite stringer having a termination at one end in its longitudinal direction, and including a laminated stack of composite structural plies, wherein internal plies in the stack are terminated consecutively towards the stringer termination to provide a taper of reducing stack thickness. Also, a composite structure comprising a panel and the stringer; and a method of manufacturing the stringer. The composite structure may be used in aircraft.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide electricity or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein. Examples of solar energy receivers are disclosed that may be used to collect concentrated solar radiation.