Abstract: A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly includes a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door is hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal includes a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a velocity or an inflation rate of a droplet in a microfluidic channel. The droplet is exposed to two or more temporally separated flashes of light, each flash including light of one wavelength band, and imaged using a detector configured to distinguish light in the wavelength bands. Two or more images of the droplet are acquired, each corresponding to one of the flashes, and all within a single video frame or photographic exposure. The images can be processed separately and the position or size of the droplet in each image is calculated. A velocity or inflation rate is then determined by dividing the change in position or size by the amount of time allowed to pass between the flashes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling fluid flow through a cartridge for use in an assay of a fluid sample for detection of a target analyte. In one aspect, the cartridge includes a microfluidic device having a network of microfluidic channels, one or more reservoirs and one or more actuatable valves for controlling fluid flow from the reservoirs through the microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the valve includes a deformable membrane movable between a closed configuration in which the membrane seals against the microfluidic device inhibiting fluid flow and an open configuration moved away from the microfluidic device to allow fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. Other valve embodiments utilize frangible membranes or user-removable membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a velocity or an inflation rate of a droplet in a microfluidic channel. The droplet is exposed to two or more temporally separated flashes of light, each flash including light of one wavelength band, and imaged using a detector configured to distinguish light in the wavelength bands. Two or more images of the droplet are acquired, each corresponding to one of the flashes, and all within a single video frame or photographic exposure. The images can be processed separately and the position or size of the droplet in each image is calculated. A velocity or inflation rate is then determined by dividing the change in position or size by the amount of time allowed to pass between the flashes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling fluid flow through a cartridge for use in an assay of a fluid sample for detection of a target analyte. In one aspect, the cartridge includes a microfluidic device having a network of microfluidic channels, one or more reservoirs and one or more actuatable valves for controlling fluid flow from the reservoirs through the microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the valve includes a deformable membrane movable between a closed configuration in which the membrane seals against the microfluidic device inhibiting fluid flow and an open configuration moved away from the microfluidic device to allow fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. Other valve embodiments utilize frangible membranes or user-removable membrane.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling fluid flow through a cartridge for use in an assay of a fluid sample for detection of a target analyte. In one aspect, the cartridge includes a microfluidic device having a network of microfluidic channels, one or more reservoirs and one or more actuatable valves for controlling fluid flow from the reservoirs through the microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the valve includes a deformable membrane movable between a closed configuration in which the membrane seals against the microfluidic device inhibiting fluid flow and an open configuration moved away from the microfluidic device to allow fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. Other valve embodiments utilize frangible membranes or user-removable membrane.

Abstract: A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly includes a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door is hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal includes a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

Abstract: A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly includes a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door is hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal includes a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

Abstract: A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly includes a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door is hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal includes a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling fluid flow through a cartridge for use in an assay of a fluid sample for detection of a target analyte. In one aspect, the cartridge includes a microfluidic device having a network of microfluidic channels, one or more reservoirs and one or more actuatable valves for controlling fluid flow from the reservoirs through the microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the valve includes a deformable membrane movable between a closed configuration in which the membrane seals against the microfluidic device inhibiting fluid flow and an open configuration moved away from the microfluidic device to allow fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. Other valve embodiments utilize frangible membranes or user-removable membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a velocity or an inflation rate of a droplet in a microfluidic channel. The droplet is exposed to two or more temporally separated flashes of light, each flash including light of one wavelength band, and imaged using a detector configured to distinguish light in the wavelength bands. Two or more images of the droplet are acquired, each corresponding to one of the flashes, and all within a single video frame or photographic exposure. The images can be processed separately and the position or size of the droplet in each image is calculated. A velocity or inflation rate is then determined by dividing the change in position or size by the amount of time allowed to pass between the flashes.

Abstract: A vulcanizable layered composition comprising at least two layers and at least one tie layer, wherein the first layer of the two layers is a fluid permeation prevention layer preferably comprising: (A) at least one thermoplastic engineering component and (B) at least one elastomer component; the second layer of the two layers comprises at least one high diene rubber and the tie layer comprises a mixture of: (1) at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer; (2) up to 50 weight % of at least one high diene elastomer; (3) at least one filler; (4) up to 30 weight % of at least one processing oil; (5) at least one tackifier; and (6) a curing system for the elastomers.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, processes for making, and processes for using neoalkyl polyol esters and triglycerides as plasticizers. In one form, a neoalkylester triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by (i) drying a polyol feedstream; (ii) contacting in a reactor the dried polyol feedstream with a neoacid feedstream under effective temperature, pressure and time to form a neoalkylester plasticizer effluent stream, and (iii) purifying the neoalkylester plasticizer effluent stream to remove unreacted polyol and unreacted neoacid to form a neoalkylester plasticizer. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or pour point, glass transition temperature, low volatility, increased compatibility, increased hydrolytic stability, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems for driving computer peripherals having features, such as 3D sound capability, which are not envisaged by generic operating system for the computer. In order to adapt computers subject to existing operating systems, such as the Microsoft Windows family of systems, to such peripherals for which there is thus no driver capability, the invention provides a device driving system including additional driver, interposed between the operating system and an existing installed driver and configured to interface directly with the operating system. The additional driver is preferably also configured to interface with the existing installed driver.

Abstract: A vulcanizable layered composition comprising at least two layers and at least one tie layer. The first layer of the two layers comprises an fluid permeation prevention layer, the second layer of the two layers comprises at least one high diene rubber, and the tie layer comprises about 50 to about 100 weight % of at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer; up to about 50 weight % of at least one high diene elastomer; about 20 to about 50 weight % of at least one filler; up to about 30 weight % of at least one processing oil; about 1 to about 20 parts per hundred (phr) of at least one tackifier; and about 0.2 to about 15 parts per hundred of rubber (phr) of a curing system for the elastomers. The fluid permeation prevention layer preferably comprises a thermoplastic engineering resin component and an elastomer component.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, processes for making, and processes for using neoalkyl polyol esters and triglycerides as plasticizers. In one form, a neoalkylester triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by (i) drying a polyol feedstream; (ii) contacting in a reactor the dried polyol feedstream with a neoacid feedstream under effective temperature, pressure and time to form a neoalkylester plasticizer effluent stream, and (iii) purifying the neoalkylester plasticizer effluent stream to remove unreacted polyol and unreacted neoacid to form a neoalkylester plasticizer. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or pour point, glass transition temperature, low volatility, increased compatibility, increased hydrolytic stability, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a helmet. A first sliding surface is defined in a first portion of the helmet and includes an opening. A second sliding surface is defined in a second portion of the helmet. Two spaced apart arms extend from the second sliding surface. The first and second sliding surfaces are in sliding engagement with one another with the arms sliding within the opening. A lever is pivotally connected to the first portion in proximity of the opening and pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lever has a series of regularly spaced apart parallel teeth which in the locked position protrude through the opening with at least a selected one of the teeth being engageable between the two spaced apart arms to prevent the first and second sliding surfaces from sliding relative to one another.

Abstract: A system for receiving and processing data includes a data processing and verification component that accepts data from a client in an electronic format and identifies therefrom data elements that can be directly verified. A risk assessment component receives data elements that have not been identified as directly verifiable and assesses a risk that the data elements are incomplete or incorrect. The risk assessment component generates risk assessment data. A decision support component receives the risk assessment data from the risk assessment component and selects appropriate actions for subsequent processing of the client data according to the assessment of risk contained in the risk assessment data.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vulcanizable layered composition comprising at least two layers and at least one tie layer, wherein the first layer of the two layers comprises an fluid permeation prevention layer, the second layer of the two layers comprises at least one high diene rubber, and the tie layer comprises a mixture of: (1) about 50 to about 100 weight % of at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer; (2) about 0 to about 50 weight % of at least one high diene elastomer; (3) about 20 to about 50 weight % of at least one filler; (4) about 0 to about 30 weight % of at least one processing oil; (5) about 1 to about 20 parts per hundred (phr) of at least one tackifier; and (6) at least about 0.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to produce a nanocomposite of a elastomer and organic clay, e.g. an exfoliated clay, suitable for use as an air barrier. The process can include the steps of: (a) contacting a solution (10) of butyl rubber in an organic solvent with a halogen (12) to form a halogenated butyl rubber solution (16); (b) neutralizing the halogenated butyl rubber solution; (c) functionalizing at least a portion (18) of the halogenated butyl rubber; (d) mixing a dispersion (22) of clay with the functionalized butyl rubber (18) to form a masterbatch (26) comprising a polymer-clay nanocomposite; (e) combining the masterbatch (26) with the rest of the halogenated butyl rubber solution (20) to form a second mixture (28); (e) recovering the nanocomposite from the second mixture (28). The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties and is suitable for use as a tire innerliner or innertube.