Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for creating phobic and philic surfaces (for example, superphobic and superphilic surfaces) are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for determining a heat treatment technique that increases the likelihood that a uniformly etched surface with minimal pitting will be formed when the surface of a material is subject to etching. Additional embodiments include evaluating the PRE number of the material, performing an anodic polarization sweep of the material, evaluating the polarization curve (current vs. potential) for the material, performing different etching protocols depending on the range of values the PRE number of the material belongs, and/or pulsing the current applied to the material during the etching process. Additional embodiments include apparatuses and methods for predictably etching a surface (such as a surface of a metal alloy) of a material, which can include etching interior portions of a hollow work piece.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation includes initiating, on a client computing system by a user, an install module of a product to install an instance of the product on the client computing system according to a default installation process. The install module interfaces with a server system and retrieves feedback data collected by the server system in connection with prior installations of the product. The install module creates a modified installation sequence for the product on the client computing system from the default installation process based on the retrieved feedback data and then installs the instance of the product on the client computing system according to the modified installation process.

Abstract: A collapsible and portable reclining chair includes a leg assembly, a seat assembly defining a seat support and a back support, and an independently movable leg rest support. Such a chair can be folded and unfolded between a set-up condition of the chair for use, and a collapsed and folded condition of the chair for transport and/or storage. In use, the seat assembly can be shifted between an upright position and a reclined position where the back support angularly pivots backwards. In use, the leg rest support can be pivotally shifted from a lowered position to an upright position relative to the seating assembly—operating similar to a conventional LA-Z-BOY recliner using a handle disposed on a side of the chair frame that is moved by the user to effectuate movement of the leg rest support independent of any reclining adjustment of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible and portable reclining chair includes a leg assembly, a seat assembly defining a seat support and a back support, and an independently movable leg rest support. Such a chair can be folded and unfolded between a set-up condition of the chair for use, and a collapsed and folded condition of the chair for transport and/or storage. In use, the seat assembly can be shifted between an upright position and a reclined position where the back support angularly pivots backwards. In use, the leg rest support can be pivotally shifted from a lowered position to an upright position relative to the seating assembly—operating similar to a conventional LA-Z-BOY recliner using a handle disposed on a side of the chair frame that is moved by the user to effectuate movement of the leg rest support independent of any reclining adjustment of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation includes receiving, by a first install module executing on a server, feedback data associated with an installation of a first instance of a product on a first client computing system. The first install module assesses the feedback data and, based on the assessment of the feedback data, modifies a default installation sequence for the product to create a modified installation sequence. The first install module receives a communication from a second client computing system installing a second instance of the product on a second client computing system and interfaces with a second install module provided by the product executing on the second client computing system to communicate the modified installation sequence for installing the second instance of the product on the second client computing system by the second install module.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation includes initiating, on a client computing system by a user, an install module of a product to install an instance of the product on the client computing system according to a default installation process. The install module interfaces with a server system and retrieves feedback data collected by the server system in connection with prior installations of the product. The install module creates a modified installation sequence for the product on the client computing system from the default installation process based on the retrieved feedback data and then installs the instance of the product on the client computing system according to the modified installation process.

Abstract: A transverse folding shade includes a folding frame including a first hub, a second hub, a front assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, a rear assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, and a shade membrane connected to the front assembly and the rear assembly. The front assembly includes front support members, front arc members pivotally connected to the front support member via front support-arc pivots, the front arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a front arc-arc pivot. The rear assembly includes rear support members, rear arc members pivotally connected to the rear support members via rear support-arc pivots, the rear arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a rear arc-arc pivot.

Abstract: A transverse folding shade includes a folding frame including a first hub, a second hub, a front assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, a rear assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, and a shade membrane connected to the front assembly and the rear assembly. The front assembly includes front support members, front arc members pivotally connected to the front support member via front support-arc pivots, the front arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a front arc-arc pivot. The rear assembly includes rear support members, rear arc members pivotally connected to the rear support members via rear support-arc pivots, the rear arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a rear arc-arc pivot.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation includes receiving, by a first install module executing on a server, feedback data associated with an installation of a first instance of a product on a first client computing system. The first install module assesses the feedback data and, based on the assessment of the feedback data, modifies a default installation sequence for the product to create a modified installation sequence. The first install module receives a communication from a second client computing system installing a second instance of the product on a second client computing system and interfaces with a second install module provided by the product executing on the second client computing system to communicate the modified installation sequence for installing the second instance of the product on the second client computing system by the second install module.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation disclosed. The technique includes: initiating an installation process to install an instance of a product, by an install module of the product, on a client computing system of a first user; interfacing, by the install module, with a server system to retrieve install path data defining a default installation path for the product, the default installation path based on previous feedback data received from at least a second user previously installing another instance of the product; modifying, by the install module, a default installation path for the product on the client computing system of the first user using the install path data; during the installation process, obtaining current feedback data from the first user corresponding to the installation process on the client computing system of the first user; and transmitting the current feedback data to the server system.

Abstract: A method and technique for utilizing user feedback of product installation disclosed. The technique includes: initiating an installation process to install an instance of a product, by an install module of the product, on a client computing system of a first user; interfacing, by the install module, with a server system to retrieve install path data defining a default installation path for the product, the default installation path based on previous feedback data received from at least a second user previously installing another instance of the product; modifying, by the install module, a default installation path for the product on the client computing system of the first user using the install path data; during the installation process, obtaining current feedback data from the first user corresponding to the installation process on the client computing system of the first user; and transmitting the current feedback data to the server system.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an atmosphere suitable for carburizing steel components by adding a small amount of oxygen to a mixture of natural gas and carbon dioxide, pre-heating the mixture to the desired reaction temperature in the presence of an inert material or a non-nickel-based catalyst that promotes the reaction between oxygen and natural gas without forming coke to avoid catalyst deactivation by coke formation, and reacting natural gas with carbon dioxide at high temperature in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: The thermal insulating material of the present invention allows for the use of microballoons as an insulating material for the exterior surface of pipes. In the present invention, microballoons are mixed with a water based epoxy while in its liquid state. To absorb the water from the water based epoxy, cement is added to the mixture. The mixture of water based epoxy, microballoons and cement is then extruded or thrown onto the exterior surface of pipes.