Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting emergency conditions and alerting a user while providing emergency lighting, using a combined alarm system. The system is connected to an external electrical power source to provide electrical power to the system, electrically charge an electrical energy storage, and provide ongoing detection of electrical power outages. When an alarm signal detector signaling device detects an external alarm signal, it generates an alternative alarm signal and a lighting source generates emergency lighting. When an abnormal voltage detector detects an electrical power outage, the lighting source included in the system generates emergency lighting. The user is able to carry the system as a portable source of emergency lighting, and control the generation of emergency lighting using an electrical power switch.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer composite from a mixture of a polymeric material, carbon nanofibers, and nano-scale particles is provided. The carbon nanofibers are less than about 1 micrometer in diameter, and the nano-scale particles are shorter in length than the carbon nanofibers. The nano-scale particles are selected from nano-scale carbon additives, non-conductive nano-clays, nano-scale conductive metallic additives, or combinations thereof. The components are mixed to form a polymer composite. A polymer composite having a resistivity of less than about 107 ohm-cm is also described.

Abstract: A method of aggregating and disseminating time sensitive information. A data source is searched to identify recently-posted information items matching predetermined selection criteria. A respective relevance score is calculated for each identified information item. A respective urgency rating is determined for each identified information item. Each information item is triaged using the urgency rating, and disseminated to at least one client based on the triage result.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer composite from a mixture of a polymeric material, carbon nanofibers, and nano-scale particles is provided. The carbon nanofibers are less than about 1 micrometer in diameter, and the nano-scale particles are shorter in length than the carbon nanofibers. The nano-scale particles are selected from nano-scale carbon additives, non-conductive nano-clays, nano-scale conductive metallic additives, or combinations thereof. The components are mixed to form a polymer composite. A polymer composite having a resistivity of less than about 107 ohm-cm is also described.