Abstract: A flame retardant coating composition comprising poly(dopamine) and either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) or gaseous ammonia, as well as an article comprising a substrate and the flame retardant coating composition, is provided. In various embodiments, the poly(dopamine) is substantially water insoluble. The coating composition can further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of melamine, an anionic clay, a phosphorus-containing compound, an amine-containing compound, aluminosilicates, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. Also provided are methods for forming the flame retardant coating composition and methods for increasing flame retardant properties of a substrate.

Abstract: A flame retardant coating composition comprising poly(dopamine) and either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) or gaseous ammonia, as well as an article comprising a substrate and the flame retardant coating composition, is provided. In various embodiments, the poly(dopamine) is substantially water insoluble. The coating composition can further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of melamine, an anionic clay, a phosphorus-containing compound, an amine-containing compound, aluminosilicates, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. Also provided are methods for forming the flame retardant coating composition and methods for increasing flame retardant properties of a substrate.

Abstract: A flame retardant coating composition comprising poly(dopamine) and either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) or gaseous ammonia, as well as an article comprising a substrate and the flame retardant coating composition, is provided. In various embodiments, the poly(dopamine) is substantially water insoluble. The coating composition can further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of melamine, an anionic clay, a phosphorus-containing compound, an amine-containing compound, aluminosilicates, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. Also provided are methods for forming the flame retardant coating composition and methods for increasing flame retardant properties of a substrate.

Abstract: A flame retardant coating composition comprising poly(dopamine) and either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) or gaseous ammonia, as well as an article comprising a substrate and the flame retardant coating composition, is provided. In various embodiments, the poly(dopamine) is substantially water insoluble. The coating composition can further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of melamine, an anionic clay, a phosphorus-containing compound, an amine-containing compound, aluminosilicates, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. Also provided are methods for forming the flame retardant coating composition and methods for increasing flame retardant properties of a substrate.

Abstract: A tunnel thruster system for a vessel. The tunnel thruster system includes a thruster propulsion mechanism including a drive unit driving a transmission and propeller assembly located within a thruster tunnel. The thruster tunnel comprising a propeller section, first and second tapered tunnel sections interconnected with one another by the propeller section, the propeller section and the first and the second tapered tunnel sections oriented substantially transversely to a keel of the vessel and accommodating the transmission and propeller assembly. Each tapered tunnel section extends from the propeller section to a tunnel opening through a hull of the vessel. Diameters of the first and the second tapered tunnel sections corresponding to a diameter of the propeller section at the propeller section and taper outward toward a larger diameter at each of the corresponding tunnel openings through the hull of the vessel.

Abstract: A personal grooming apparatus includes a high definition monitor, an overhead bracket providing a canopy above the monitor, one or more cameras supported on the overhead bracket for viewing a user's face, as well as the sides and back of the user's head, and possibly other areas of the user's body. An arrangement of lights supported on the bracket illuminate the various camera views. Controls are provided for independent control of the several lights (e.g., ON/OFF, dimming) the cameras (e.g., camera activation, zoom function, camera view selection), and the monitor. A docking station accommodates a handheld unit. The docking station is provided with a wireless receiver port for communicating with the handheld unit. The handheld unit includes a camera and LED lighting for close-up views that are displayed on the monitor. The handheld unit is adapted for receiving various attachment tools and grooming devices.

Abstract: A removable toaster basket assembly to be removably received in a toasting slot of an electric pop-up toaster facilitates inserting and removing food articles in the toasting slot for toasting of the food article. The removable toaster basket assembly includes an elongate substantially planar frame for resting on an upper surface of the toaster and defines a rectangular slot therethrough. A handle extends from one end of the frame. An elongate basket is slidably received in the slot, the basket having ends and sides which define an open top for receiving a food article. A stop on the basket limits translation of the basket with respect to said frame to maintain the basket captive within the frame.

Abstract: A steering device includes a main body that attaches to a tow rope, inline between a towing vessel and a personal watercraft. The main body, which is positioned just forward of the personal watercraft, accommodates an extendable rudder that moves between a normally retracted position within the main body, and a lowered, operable position to exert a steering force on the main body and the personal watercraft. An elongate tiller extends between the rudder and a handle that is optimally positioned for grasping by the rider of the personal watercraft. In accordance with several embodiments, movement of the rudder from the relaxed, retracted position to the lowered, operable position is achieved by exerting a particular directional force on the handle (e.g., pulling, pushing forward, or lifting). Moving the handle to the left or the right achieves the desired steering action. Upon release of the handle by the rider, the rudder returns to the normally retracted position, thereby removing the steering influence.

Abstract: An online auction process for derivative securities is used to determine a fair market value of an asset or benefit provided to others, such as employee stock options. In one embodiment, the derivative securities track the intrinsic value realized by employees when exercising the employee stock options granted to them by their employers. The derivative securities may include rules for handling modifications to an employee stock option grant and/or rules for handling forfeitures of some or all of the employee stock options.

Abstract: A personal grooming apparatus includes a high definition monitor, an overhead bracket providing a canopy above the monitor, one or more cameras supported on the overhead bracket for viewing a user's face, as well as the sides and back of the user's head, and possibly other areas of the user's body. An arrangement of lights supported on the bracket illuminate the various camera views. Controls are provided for independent control of the several lights (e.g., ON/OFF, dimming) the cameras (e.g., camera activation, zoom function, camera view selection), and the monitor. A docking station accommodates a handheld unit. The docking station is provided with a wireless receiver port for communicating with the handheld unit. The handheld unit includes a camera and LED lighting for close-up views that are displayed on the monitor. The handheld unit is adapted for receiving various attachment tools and devices, such as, but not limited to, a nose hair trimmer, a beard and moustache trimmer, tweezers, and a nail buffer.

Abstract: A steering device includes a main body that attaches to a tow rope, inline between a towing vessel and a personal watercraft. The main body, which is positioned just forward of the personal watercraft, accommodates an extendable rudder that moves between a normally retracted position within the main body, and a lowered, operable position to exert a steering force on the main body and the personal watercraft. An elongate tiller extends between the rudder and a handle that is optimally positioned for grasping by the rider of the personal watercraft. In accordance with several embodiments, movement of the rudder from the relaxed, retracted position to the lowered, operable position is achieved by exerting a particular directional force on the handle (e.g., pulling, pushing forward, or lifting). Moving the handle to the left or the right achieves the desired steering action. Upon release of the handle by the rider, the rudder returns to the normally retracted position, thereby removing the steering influence.

Abstract: A removable toaster basket assembly to be removably received in a toasting slot of an electric pop-up toaster facilitates inserting and removing food articles in the toasting slot for toasting of the food article. The removable toaster basket assembly includes an elongate substantially planar frame for resting on an upper surface of the toaster and defines a rectangular slot therethrough. A handle extends from one end of the frame. An elongate basket is slidably received in the slot, the basket having ends and sides which define an open top for receiving a food article. A stop on the basket limits translation of the basket with respect to said frame to maintain the basket captive within the frame.

Abstract: A system repositions and properly aligns vehicles and other loads on the platform of a roll-back truck during the loading process. Movement devices strategically positioned on the roll-back platform engage the forward and/or rear tires of the vehicle being loaded and move the forward and/or rear end of the vehicle transversely relative to the longitudinal centerline of the platform. Once the position has been adjusted, the vehicle can be pulled forward on the platform to continue the loading process. Transverse adjusted movement of the forward and/or rear end of the vehicle can be made throughout the loading process until the vehicle is fully loaded and properly positioned on the platform of the roll-back truck.

Abstract: A method and system for sourcing a part is provided. The method comprises specifying a generic part description for a part. In addition, the method comprises mapping the generic part description to one or more specific part descriptions across a plurality of vendors. Further the method comprises generating a list of the one or more specific part descriptions.

Abstract: A system repositions and properly aligns vehicles and other loads on the platform of a roll-back truck during the loading process. Movement devices strategically positioned on the roll-back platform engage the forward and/or rear tires of the vehicle being loaded and move the forward and/or rear end of the vehicle transversely relative to the longitudinal centerline of the platform. Once the position has been adjusted, the vehicle can be pulled forward on the platform to continue the loading process. Transverse adjusted movement of the forward and/or rear end of the vehicle can be made throughout the loading process until the vehicle is fully loaded and properly positioned on the platform of the roll-back truck.

Abstract: A method for creating original, interactive television programming is described. In one embodiment, a Short Messaging System (SMS) gateway is used to route text messages from a user's wireless device through a wireless carrier to a server, and from that server, the SMS data is converted to a graphical format, which can be added to a broadcast television signal.

Abstract: A method for fine tuning a microstrip antenna which has eight tuning tabs for tuning the antenna frequency of the microstrip antenna. The antenna is designed to operate around 430 MHz with a tuning step size of approximately 1.5 MHz. The method utilizes the eight tuning tabs to tune the antenna from a center frequency of 427.2 MHz when all eight tuning tabs are connected to the cooper radiating or antenna element of the antenna incrementally to a center frequency of 439.3768 MHz when the eight tuning tabs are disconnected from the cooper antenna element.

Abstract: An online auction process for derivative securities is used to determine a fair market value of an asset or benefit provided to others, such as employee stock options. In one embodiment, the derivative securities track the intrinsic value realized by employees when exercising the employee stock options granted to them by their employers. The derivative securities may include rules for handling modifications to an employee stock option grant and/or rules for handling forfeitures of some or all of the employee stock options.

Abstract: An online auction process for derivative securities is used to determine a fair market value of an asset or benefit provided to others, such as employee stock options. In one embodiment, the derivative securities track the intrinsic value realized by employees when exercising the employee stock options granted to them by their employers. The derivative securities may include rules for handling modifications to an employee stock option grant and/or rules for handling forfeitures of some or all of the employee stock options.