Abstract: A method for building a surface with an embedded tubular body includes applying a first layer of a first material to a first surface and applying a tubular body. The tubular body can be applied at a top surface of the first layer or the tubular body can be applied at a top surface or within the first surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying a tubular body onto a surface. The apparatus includes a main body movable in an advancing direction. The apparatus includes a deployment mechanism that deploys a tubular body directly onto a surface. The apparatus includes at least one container that stores an uncured protectant. The container is mounted on the main body. The apparatus may include a second container that stores a second protectant. The second protectant is different than the uncured protectant. The apparatus includes at least one curing device, which can cure the uncured protectant after the uncured protectant is applied to surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for deploying a tubular body across a gap. The tubular body is fixed to a surface on either side of the gap. The system includes a first connector housing fixed to the first surface and a second connector housing fixed to a second surface. An insertion end of the first connector housing is smaller than a receiving end of the second connector housing such that the insertion end of the first connector is insertable into the receiving end of the second connector housing. The tubular body passes continuously through the interior volume of the first connector housing and through the interior volume of the second connector housing.

Abstract: A plasma processing control method for detecting an endpoint and controlling plasma processing is disclosed. The plasma processing control method includes tracking one or more harmonics that are produced due to nonlinearity of an impedance of a plasma environment. The one or more harmonics are associated with voltage, current, or a combination thereof. The plasma processing control method further includes analyzing the tracked one or more harmonics and detecting an endpoint of plasma processing based on the analysis of the tracked one or more harmonics. Thereafter, the plasma processing control method includes stopping the plasma processing based on the detected endpoint.

Abstract: An method for detecting excursion in plasma processing and controlling plasma processing is disclosed. The method includes the steps of tracking harmonics that are produced due to nonlinearity of an impedance of a plasma environment. The method includes the steps of creating a fingerprint of energy distribution in frequency space based on the tracked harmonics and comparing the created fingerprint with reference spectra of an ideal plasma processing to detect deviation of the fingerprint with the reference spectra. The method includes the steps of detecting an excursion in the plasma processing based on the detected deviation. The method includes the steps of generating recommendations to control the detected excursion. Such recommendations are generated based on the detected deviation and the associated historical data related to corrective action stored in a corrective action database.

Abstract: A process for extracting a target compound from a biomass includes: extracting a compound from a biomass charge using supercritical or subcritical CO2 as a solvent, at a first pressure and a first temperature, to yield a compound-laden solvent stream, the compound-laden solvent stream including the solvent, a solubilized target compound, and a solubilized byproduct compound; changing the temperature while maintaining the first pressure of the compound-laden solvent stream to desolubilize the byproduct compound from the compound-laden solvent stream to yield a resultant stream containing the solvent, the solubilized target compound, and a desolubilized byproduct compound; passing the resultant stream through a filter medium to separate the desolubilized byproduct compound from the solubilized target compound; and collecting the solubilized target compound.

Abstract: A surgical instrument of a robotic surgical system includes an elongated shaft assembly, and end effector, and an instrument cassette assembly. The elongated shaft assembly has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The end effector is supported the distal end portion of the elongated shaft assembly. The instrument cassette assembly is supported on the proximal end portion of the elongated shaft assembly. The instrument cassette assembly includes a cassette housing and an actuator system supported in the cassette housing. The actuator system is operably coupled to the end effector for operating the end effector.

Abstract: Chemical propellant storage and supply systems and methods for use on spacecraft are provided. The systems and methods include a fluid pump for moving chemical propellant within the system at selected pressures. This can include operating the fluid pump to supply propellant to a thruster system at a selected pressure. A fuel tank can be refilled by connecting a propellant resupply source to the system, and operating the fluid pump to move propellant from the propellant resupply source to the fuel tank. In a system with multiple fuel tanks, the fluid pump can be operated to move propellant from a donor fuel tank to a recipient fuel tank. The chemical propellant can be stored in one or more fuel tanks at a relatively low pressure. In addition, the chemical propellant is not pressurized by a gaseous pressurant while it is stored in the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping container for mitigating external fire risks. The shipping container is configured for shipping lithium ion batteries with a cargo cavity proximate and interior to a second inner flame-retardant corrugated layer. The second inner flame-retardant corrugated layer is proximate and interior to an inner thermal paste panel. The inner thermal paste panel is proximate and interior to a dead air space panel. The dead air space panel is proximate and interior to a first inner flame-retardant corrugated layer. The first inner flame-retardant corrugated layer is proximate and interior to an outer thermal paste panel. The outer thermal paste panel is proximate and interior to a flame-retardant corrugated carton. The thermal paste panels preferably comprise aluminum flashing containing a mesh matrix for holding flowable thermal paste. The shipping container is lidded by a fitted cap above an air cap above a vacuum plenum cap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of supplying power to a building equipment technician in the field comprising providing a movable power conversion device having a transformer, an input voltage selector, a building power interface cable, and a power receptacle; moving the movable power conversion device to a location proximate a building power grid and an area comprising building equipment; setting the input voltage selector to an unpowered position; connecting the building power interface cable to the building power grid; selecting a supply voltage of the building power grid with the input voltage selector.

Abstract: A method for adhering a tubular body onto a surface that includes smoothing a portion of the surface to create a smoothed segment of the surface and applying a tubular body directly onto the smoothed segment of the surface after the smoothing of the portion of the surface. The surface at the smoothed segment is smoother than the remainder of the surface. The method further includes applying an uncured protectant onto the tubular body while the tubular body is on the smoothed segment of the surface and curing the uncured protectant into a cured protectant while the uncured protectant is on the tubular body on the smoothed segment of the surface. The cured protectant protectively encases and adheres the tubular body to the surface.

Abstract: A appliance immersion tank system comprising: a generally rectangular tank adapted to immerse in a dielectric fluid a plurality of appliances, each in a respective appliance slot distributed vertically along, and extending transverse to, the long axis of the tank; a primary circulation facility adapted to circulate the dielectric fluid through the tank; a secondary fluid circulation facility adapted to extract heat from the dielectric fluid circulating in the primary circulation facility, and to dissipate to the environment the heat so extracted; and a control facility adapted to coordinate the operation of the primary and secondary fluid circulation facilities as a function of the temperature of the dielectric fluid in the tank. A plenum, positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, is adapted to dispense the dielectric fluid substantially uniformly upwardly through each appliance slot.

Abstract: A appliance immersion tank system comprising: a generally rectangular tank adapted to immerse in a dielectric fluid a plurality of appliances, each in a respective appliance slot distributed vertically along, and extending transverse to, the long axis of the tank; a primary circulation facility adapted to circulate the dielectric fluid through the tank; a secondary fluid circulation facility adapted to extract heat from the dielectric fluid circulating in the primary circulation facility, and to dissipate to the environment the heat so extracted; and a control facility adapted to coordinate the operation of the primary and secondary fluid circulation facilities as a function of the temperature of the dielectric fluid in the tank. A plenum, positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, is adapted to dispense the dielectric fluid substantially uniformly upwardly through each appliance slot.

Abstract: A method for adhering a tubular body onto a surface that includes smoothing a portion of the surface to create a smoothed segment of the surface and applying a tubular body directly onto the smoothed segment of the surface after the smoothing of the portion of the surface. The surface at the smoothed segment is smoother than the remainder of the surface. The method further includes applying an uncured protectant onto the tubular body while the tubular body is on the smoothed segment of the surface and curing the uncured protectant into a cured protectant while the uncured protectant is on the tubular body on the smoothed segment of the surface. The cured protectant protectively encases and adheres the tubular body to the surface.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and decontaminating apparel includes placing the apparel into a pressurizable cleaning vessel. The cleaning vessel is filled with a solvent comprising a mixture selected from at least one of propylene glycol ether, water, organic acid and carbon dioxide. After the apparel has been in contact with the solvent for a first selected period of time, carbon dioxide gas under pressure is introduced into the cleaning vessel to carbonate the solvent. After appropriate agitation, at least a portion of the solvent is then removed from the cleaning vessel while under pressure. A rinsing solution, comprising liquid carbon dioxide and alcohol, is then introduced into the cleaning vessel under pressure. After a third selected period of time, the rinsing solution is removed from the cleaning vessel under pressure. Finally, the cleaning vessel is depressurized and the the apparel is removed from the cleaning vessel.

Abstract: A process for extracting a botanical organic compound from cannabis with subcritical liquid carbon dioxide includes providing a pressurizable extraction vessel. The cannabis is placed within the pressurizable extraction vessel, whereupon the extraction vessel is filled with liquid carbon dioxide under subcritical conditions. The cannabis is then allowed to be in contact with the subcritical liquid carbon dioxide for a selected period of time so as to extract at least a portion of the botanical organic compounds from the cannabis into the subcritical liquid carbon dioxide. The subcritical liquid carbon dioxide containing the botanical organic compound is then removed from the extraction vessel, and the liquid carbon dioxide is separated from the botanical organic compound.

Abstract: A system for detecting a characteristic of a fluid. In one example, the system includes a tube, a float, a sensor, and a controller. The tube is configured to receive the fluid. The float is located within the tube. The sensor is configured to sense a position of the float. The controller is configured to receive, from the sensor, the position of the float, and determine a characteristic of the fluid based on the position of the float. The characteristic may be a density or a concentration.

Abstract: A method for adhering a tubular body onto a surface that includes smoothing a portion of the surface to create a smoothed segment of the surface and applying a tubular body directly onto the smoothed segment of the surface after the smoothing of the portion of the surface. The surface at the smoothed segment is smoother than the remainder of the surface. The method further includes applying an uncured protectant onto the tubular body while the tubular body is on the smoothed segment of the surface and curing the uncured protectant into a cured protectant while the uncured protectant is on the tubular body on the smoothed segment of the surface. The cured protectant protectively encases and adheres the tubular body to the surface.