Abstract: This invention is directed toward a device capable of keeping a cell phone from sinking when it falls into water. The device has three basic parts. First, a securing band attaches around the cell phone. Second, a float provides enough positive buoyancy to keep the cell phone from sinking. Third, a tether connects the securing band to the float.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: Pelletized carbonized biomass-based fuel products, methods, and apparatuses are provided. Methods include applying a binder and a first amount of water to at least partially carbonized biomass, applying a second amount of water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, and pelletizing the at least partially carbonized biomass in an inert atmosphere. Apparatuses include a feeder of at least partially carbonized biomass, a binder source and a first water source configured to provide a binder and water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, a second water source downstream of the binder and first water sources, a pelletizer configured to receive and pelletize the at least partially carbonized biomass, and an inert gas source configured to provide inert gas to the pelletizer.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: Pelletized carbonized biomass-based fuel products, methods, and apparatuses are provided. Methods include applying a binder and a first amount of water to at least partially carbonized biomass, applying a second amount of water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, and pelletizing the at least partially carbonized biomass in an inert atmosphere. Apparatuses include a feeder of at least partially carbonized biomass, a binder source and a first water source configured to provide a binder and water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, a second water source downstream of the binder and first water sources, a pelletizer configured to receive and pelletize the at least partially carbonized biomass, and an inert gas source configured to provide inert gas to the pelletizer.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: Pelletized carbonized biomass-based fuel products, methods, and apparatuses are provided. Methods include applying a binder and a first amount of water to at least partially carbonized biomass, applying a second amount of water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, and pelletizing the at least partially carbonized biomass in an inert atmosphere. Apparatuses include a feeder of at least partially carbonized biomass, a binder source and a first water source configured to provide a binder and water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, a second water source downstream of the binder and first water sources, a pelletizer configured to receive and pelletize the at least partially carbonized biomass, and an inert gas source configured to provide inert gas to the pelletizer.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: A method for bonding together components, such as a tip and a shaft which include mutually facing carbide end surfaces. The tip includes circumferentially spaced flutes formed in its cylindrical outer periphery. The shaft has a cylindrical outer periphery and a plurality of coolant holes extending through the shaft. Bonding of the tip to the shaft is performed by inserting gauge wires into the coolant holes and associated flutes, and positioning brazing material between the first and second end surfaces. A water-soluble bond-blocking material is applied to the gauge wires for preventing brazing of the gauge wires to the brazing material. The brazing material is heated to braze the first and second end surfaces together while the flutes and their associated coolant holes are maintained in alignment by the gauge wires. Then, the gauge wires are removed, and residual bond-blocking material is dissolved in water.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: Pelletized carbonized biomass-based fuel products, methods, and apparatuses are provided. Methods include applying a binder and a first amount of water to at least partially carbonized biomass, applying a second amount of water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, and pelletizing the at least partially carbonized biomass in an inert atmosphere. Apparatuses include a feeder of at least partially carbonized biomass, a binder source and a first water source configured to provide a binder and water to the at least partially carbonized biomass, a second water source downstream of the binder and first water sources, a pelletizer configured to receive and pelletize the at least partially carbonized biomass, and an inert gas source configured to provide inert gas to the pelletizer.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing copper ions to bind to and help transport medicinal agents that contain a nitrogen atom or atoms are disclosed. The copper ion or ions serve as a delivery platform for a known pharmaceutical agent. The copper ions may be used to impact the polarity of the medicinal agents so they perform more efficiently in a physiological environment. The copper ions may also improve the efficacy of the drug by impacting their stability.

Abstract: A light sheet module includes a light sheet having LEDs on a substrate and a driver circuit for the LEDs. The driver circuit includes a first control loop and a second control loop. The first loop contains TRIACS for regulating current from an external AC power source to the LEDs in response to trigger signals. A constant current circuit receives a command signal indicative of a target current in the LEDs, and generates the trigger signals. Current feedback circuitry generates a current feedback signal indicative of the actual current in the LEDs. The constant current circuit responds to the current feedback circuitry and adjusts the trigger signals so that the actual current in the LEDs more closely approaches the target current. The second control loop contains a Driver controller that generates the command signal and that is responsive to an input device for the Driver controller.