Abstract: A fuel cell sub-assembly (100) comprising; a gasket (101) comprising a peripheral seal (102) for a fuel cell assembly, the peripheral seal defining a central aperture (103) of the gasket; a gas diffusion layer (104) for providing diffused gases to a proton exchange membrane (503) of a fuel cell, the gas diffusion layer (104) located within the central aperture; wherein at at least one convection point (105, 106), an inside facing surface (107) of the peripheral seal of the gasket is welded to a corresponding outward facing surface (108) of the gas diffusion layer (104).

Abstract: A phase shifter includes first and second RF terminals, a reference potential terminal; a lumped element LC network connected to the first and second RF terminals and the reference potential terminal, and first and second active semiconductor devices connected to the lumped element LC network and to the reference potential terminal. Each of the first and second active semiconductor devices include a control terminal and first and second output terminals. The lumped element LC network presents a reactance across the first and second RF terminals that shifts the phase of an RF signal as between the first and second RF terminals. The first and second active semiconductor devices are configured to tune the phase shift of the RF signal by controlling the reactance across the first and second RF terminals.

Abstract: A method for capturing material extracted from biochar, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with a treating liquid, where the treating liquid causes the removal of solids from the pores and surface of the biochar, thereby creating a resulting solution comprised of the treating liquid and removed solids; and (iii) collecting the resulting solution.

Abstract: An amplifier is configured to amplify an RF signal as between an input terminal and an output terminal across a wideband frequency range. A first LC network is connected to the input terminal and has first and second reactive components. A first switching device is connected between the first and second reactive components and couples both the first and second reactive components to the input terminal in an ON state, and disconnects the second reactive component from the input terminal in an OFF state. A second LC network is connected to the output terminal and has third and fourth reactive components. A second switching device is connected between the third and fourth reactive components and couples both the third and fourth reactive components to the output terminal in an ON state and disconnects the fourth reactive component from the output terminal in an OFF state.

Abstract: Treated biochar and methods for treating biochar are provided. The method for treating the biochar includes forcing, assisting or accelerating the movement of an infiltrant into the pores of the biochar, whereby the treatment affects properties of the biochar that provide for a more reliable and predictable biochar for use in various applications, including, but not limited to, agricultural applications.

Abstract: A power supply with digitally compensated circuit having a plurality of integrated circuits. The plurality of integrated circuits has a digitally variable slope controller to adjust charge time of an inductor and voltage distortion and an adjustable voltage generator, which generates a modified voltage set point. The digitally compensated circuit has a comparator, which compares the modified voltage set point to a first feedback and turns off a comparator output signal when first feedback approaches or exceeds the modified voltage set point. An adjustable pulse width modulator generator produces an output voltage. A current monitor receives output voltage and provides a second feedback, which is transferred to the plurality of integrated circuits. An inductor receives output voltage and generates variable output power for a load, utilizing the digitally variable slope controller to reduce oscillation, system disturbances, and subharmonic oscillations over a dynamic voltage input range.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an RF input port, an RF output port, a reference potential port, and an RF amplifier having an input terminal and a first output terminal. An output impedance matching network electrically couples the first output terminal to the RF output port. A first inductor is electrically connected in series between the first output terminal and the RF output port, a first LC resonator is directly electrically connected between the first output terminal and the reference potential port, and a second LC resonator is directly electrically connected between the first output terminal and the reference potential port. The first LC resonator is configured to compensate for an output capacitance of the RF amplifier at a center frequency of the RF signal. The second LC resonator is configured to compensate for a second order harmonic of the RF signal.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an RF input port, an RF output port, a reference potential port, and an RF amplifier having an input terminal and a first output terminal. An output impedance matching network electrically couples the first output terminal to the RF output port. A first inductor is electrically connected in series between the first output terminal and the RF output port, a first LC resonator is directly electrically connected between the first output terminal and the reference potential port, and a second LC resonator is directly electrically connected between the first output terminal and the reference potential port. The first LC resonator is configured to compensate for an output capacitance of the RF amplifier at a center frequency of the RF signal. The second LC resonator is configured to compensate for a second order harmonic of the RF signal.

Abstract: Biochars and methods for treating biochars are provided that are useful in various applications, including, but not limited to, applications related to the raising, care, maintenance, disease prevention, disease treatment and odor control of animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold rolled steel beam comprising: a web having two layers of steel, the web having a top end and a bottom end; a pair of bottom flanges extending outwardly from the bottom end of the web; and a pair of top flanges extending outwardly from the top end of the web, each top flange having two layers of steel. Preferably, a portion of each bottom flange has two layers of steel, and the cold rolled steel beam includes a pair of end connectors extending generally orthogonally from the web and positioned generally orthogonally to the bottom flanges and the top flanges. Preferably, the cold rolled steel beam is cold formed from a unitary piece of sheet steel.

Abstract: A method for capturing material extracted from biochar, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with a treating liquid, where the treating liquid causes the removal of solids from the pores and surface of the biochar, thereby creating a resulting solution or extract comprised of the treating liquid and removed solids; and (iii) collecting the resulting solution or extract. The method further comprises the step of apply the resulting solution or extract to soil or for use in other applications.

Abstract: Biochar is provided that is treated to have certain chemical and physical properties found to have the highest impact on plant growth and/or soil health. In particular, the following physical and/or chemical properties, among others, of a biochar have been identified as critical properties to control for in the selection of biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and/or enhancing treatment to increase biochar performance: (i) bulk density (ii) impregnation capacity; (iii) particle size distribution; (iv) solid particle density; (v) surface area; (vi) porosity; (vii) total porosity; (viii) ratio of macroporosity to total porosity (ix) content of residual organic compounds; (x) content of volatile organic compounds; (xii) ash content; (xiii) water holding capacity; (xiv) water retention capabilities; (xv) levels of dioxins and other potentially hazardous byproducts of pyrolysis; and (xvi) pH.

Abstract: A power supply with digitally compensated circuit having a plurality of integrated circuits. The plurality of integrated circuits has a digitally variable slope controller to adjust charge time of an inductor and voltage distortion and an adjustable voltage generator, which generates a modified voltage set point. The digitally compensated circuit has a comparator, which compares the modified voltage set point to a first feedback and turns off a comparator output signal when first feedback approaches or exceeds the modified voltage set point. An adjustable pulse width modulator generator produces an output voltage. A current monitor receives output voltage and provides a second feedback, which is transferred to the plurality of integrated circuits. An inductor receives output voltage and generates variable output power for a load, utilizing the digitally variable slope controller to reduce oscillation, system disturbances, and subharmonic oscillations over a dynamic voltage input range.

Abstract: An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes an outphasing amplifier. The outphasing amplifier includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier, and is configured to provide a first amplified RF signal and a second amplified RF signal that is phase shifted from the first amplified RF signal. The power amplifier further includes an output circuit that is configured to combine RF power of the first and second amplified RF signals at a summing node. The output circuit includes a first branch connected between the first amplifier and a summing node and a second branch connected between the second amplifier and the summing node. The first and second branches are each configured to match an output impedance of the first and second amplifiers and to phase shift the first and second amplified RF signals for an outphasing operation using common reactive components for the match of the output impedance and the outphasing operation.

Abstract: A swing training apparatus for baseball or softball that suspends or propels a tethered ball to be hit by a batter. The apparatus includes two elongated vertically spaced apart cords disposed, one above the other, connected at opposed ends to vertical upright members to extend therebetween relative to a horizontal axis in a taut tightly stretched or drawn condition. One or both cords may be formed of elastic material and may extend between the uprights generally parallel to, or slightly angularly relative to, the horizontal axis. A ball trolley with a practice ball is movably supported vertically between the two elongate cords. The ball trolley includes two pulleys, each mounted on a respective elongate cord in vertically opposed relation, and a practice ball is captured between and attached to the pulleys.

Abstract: An amplifier that is configured to amplify an RF signal includes a power combiner circuit. The power combiner circuit includes a first branch connected between a first RF input port and a summing node and a second branch connected between a second RF input port and the summing node. Each of the first and second branches includes an impedance inverter. The Chireix combiner is configured to present a Chireix load modulated impedance response to the first and second RF input ports. The power combiner circuit further includes compensation elements being configured to at least partially compensate for a reactance of the Chireix combiner circuit in a Doherty amplifier mode in which a signal is applied to the first RF input port and the second RF input port is electrically open.

Abstract: A digitally compensated circuit for a power supply having a plurality of integrated circuits. The plurality of integrated circuits has a digitally variable slope controller to adjust charge time of an inductor and voltage distortion and an adjustable voltage generator, which generates a modified voltage set point. The digitally compensated circuit has a comparator, which compares the modified voltage set point to a first feedback and turns off a comparator output signal when first feedback approaches or exceeds the modified voltage set point. An adjustable pulse width modulator generator produces an output voltage. A current monitor receives output voltage and provides a second feedback, which is transferred to the plurality of integrated circuits. An inductor receives output voltage and generates variable output power for a load, utilizing the digitally variable slope controller to reduce oscillation, system disturbances, and subharmonic oscillations over a dynamic voltage input range.