Abstract: Compounds with redox molecular cores and branched molecular tails comprising ionic functionalities for uses as electrolytes in redox flow batteries are described, as well as methods of synthesis and use thereof. The compounds have redox active perylene diimide or ferrocene molecular core decorated with the branched molecular tails having multiple ionic functionalities to improve water solubility of the molecular core, and, as such, its performance as the electrolyte.

Abstract: A sample inspection system (100) includes an X-ray emitter, a collimator (170) and a first energy resolving detector (180) arranged along a symmetry axis (105). The X-ray emitter generates at least one focused conical shell beam (150) of X-ray radiation comprised of X-ray photons that propagate through a focal point on the symmetry axis downstream of the X-ray emitter. The collimator (170) has one or more channels, each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation propagating either along the symmetry axis, or parallel with the symmetry axis, or both along and parallel with the symmetry axis (105). Upon incidence of the conical shell beam (150) onto a sample (106) the first energy resolving detector (180) detects radiation diffracted or scattered by the sample (106) via the collimator (170).

Abstract: A sample inspection system (100) includes an X-ray emitter, a collimator (170) and a first energy resolving detector (180) arranged along a symmetry axis (105). The X-ray emitter generates at least one focused conical shell beam (150) of X-ray radiation comprised of X-ray photons that propagate through a focal point on the symmetry axis downstream of the X-ray emitter. The collimator (170) has one or more channels, each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation propagating either along the symmetry axis, or parallel with the symmetry axis, or both along and parallel with the symmetry axis (105). Upon incidence of the conical shell beam (150) onto a sample (106) the first energy resolving detector (180) detects radiation diffracted or scattered by the sample (106) via the collimator (170).

Abstract: The disclosure provides batteries that have long-duration or long-lifetime for energy storage applications. In one aspect, the disclosure provides perylene diimide molecules that are water soluble and can be used as energy storage materials. In operation, the perylene diimide molecules are oxidized in an anode chamber and the electrons released in the oxidation process flow to the cathode chamber where they reduce a molecule in the cathode chamber. The perylene diimide molecules in accordance with many embodiments are highly compatible with polymeric materials that are inexpensive and easy to process, hence allowing for significantly reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: The disclosure provides redox flow batteries that have long-duration or long-lifetime for energy storage applications. The water-soluble perylene diimide based molecules can be used as energy storage materials in the anode chambers. The water-soluble ferrocene-based molecules can be used as energy storage materials in the cathode chambers. The redox flow batteries have negligible crossover rates across the membranes.

Abstract: A sample inspection system contains a source of electromagnetic radiation and an apparatus that includes a beam former, a collimator and an energy resolving detector. The beam former is adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation from the source to provide a polygonal shell beam formed of at least three walls of electromagnetic radiation. The collimator has a plurality of channels adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation at an angle. The energy resolving detector is arranged to detect radiation diffracted or scattered by a sample upon incidence of the polygonal shell beam onto the sample and transmitted by the collimator.

Abstract: A wheel well thermal energy management system includes a wheel well liner, and a deflector. The wheel well liner and the deflector both establish a portion of an aperture that is configured to direct a flow of air to a wheel well of a vehicle. A wheel well thermal energy management method includes moving a vehicle and, during the moving, guiding a flow of air through an aperture into a wheel well of the vehicle. The aperture is established by a wheel well liner together with a deflector.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a plurality of coaxial and substantially conical shells of radiation, a detection surface and a set of conical shell slot collimators. Each conical shell has a different opening angle. The detection surface is arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of one or more of the conical shells upon the sample to be inspected. The set of conical shell slot collimators is provided at or close to the detection surface which each stare at different annular regions of different corresponding conical shells.

Abstract: A popcorn ceiling scraper includes a scraping head with multiple blades, at least one of which is oriented horizontally in the same plane as the scraping head with other blades extending vertically from the scraping head. The ceiling scraper has a funnel arranged below the scraping head, and the funnel and the scraping head are formed to reach to an edge or juncture between a ceiling and a wall.

Abstract: There is presented an apparatus for identifying a sample. Such an apparatus may be used to detect unwanted items as part of a security screening system. The apparatus includes a platform for receiving the sample, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, a plurality of detectors and a calculator. The electromagnetic radiation emitter is adapted to provide a plurality of conical shells of radiation. Each conical shell has a characteristic propagation axis associated with it. The detectors are arranged to detect radiation diffracted by the sample upon incidence of one or more conical shells of radiation. Each detector is located on the characteristic propagation axis associated with a corresponding conical shell. The calculator is adapted to calculate a parameter of the sample based on the detected diffracted radiation. The parameter includes a lattice spacing of the sample.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a plurality of coaxial and substantially conical shells of radiation, a detection surface and a set of conical shell slot collimators. Each conical shell has a different opening angle. The detection surface is arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of one or more of the conical shells upon the sample to be inspected. The set of conical shell slot collimators is provided at or close to the detection surface which each stare at different annular regions of different corresponding conical shells.

Abstract: A sample inspection system contains a source of electromagnetic radiation and an apparatus that includes a beam former, a collimator and an energy resolving detector. The beam former is adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation from the source to provide a polygonal shell beam formed of at least three walls of electromagnetic radiation. The collimator has a plurality of channels adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation at an angle. The energy resolving detector is arranged to detect radiation diffracted or scattered by a sample upon incidence of the polygonal shell beam onto the sample and transmitted by the collimator.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a substantially conical shell of the radiation with the conical shell being incident on a sample to be inspected, a detection surface arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of the conical shell beam upon the sample to be inspected, and an unfocused collimator provided at or close to the detection surface and having a grid structure formed of cells which each stare at different portions of the conical shell.

Abstract: A popcorn ceiling scraper includes a scraping head with multiple blades, at least one of which is oriented horizontally in the same plane as the scraping head with other blades extending vertically from the scraping head. The ceiling scraper has a funnel arranged below the scraping head, and the funnel and the scraping head are formed to reach to an edge or juncture between a ceiling and a wall.

Abstract: There is presented an apparatus for identifying a sample. Such an apparatus may be used to detect unwanted items as part of a security screening system. The apparatus includes a platform for receiving the sample, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, a plurality of detectors and a calculator. The electromagnetic radiation emitter is adapted to provide a plurality of conical shells of radiation. Each conical shell has a characteristic propagation axis associated with it. The detectors are arranged to detect radiation diffracted by the sample upon incidence of one or more conical shells of radiation. Each detector is located on the characteristic propagation axis associated with a corresponding conical shell. The calculator is adapted to calculate a parameter of the sample based on the detected diffracted radiation. The parameter includes a lattice spacing of the sample.

Abstract: A popcorn ceiling scraper includes a scraping head with multiple blades, at least one of which is oriented horizontally in the same plane as the scraping head with other blades extending vertically from the scraping head. The ceiling scraper has a funnel arranged below the scraping head, and the funnel and the scraping head are formed to reach to an edge or juncture between a ceiling and a wall.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a substantially conical shell of the radiation with the conical shell being incident on a sample to be inspected, a detection surface arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of the conical shell beam upon the sample to be inspected, and an unfocused collimator provided at or close to the detection surface and having a grid structure formed of cells which each stare at different portions of the conical shell.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus irradiates a sample with a conical shell of X-ray or similar radiation generating a plurality of Debye rings originating from a circular path on the sample. The apparatus is provided with two detectors. A first detector receives diffracted radiation and a second detector receives radiation which is transmitted through a coded aperture provided at a detection surface of the first detector.