Abstract: An aqueous treating medium may include water; an acid selected from the group consisting of: HCl, HBr, HNO3, H2SO4, H2SO3, H3PO4, H3PO2, HOAc, citric acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, EDTA, methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the acid in the aqueous treating medium is from 0.5 M to 1.5 M; a salt, wherein a concentration of the salt in the aqueous treating medium is from greater than 0 M to 2 M; a fluoride-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: HF, NaF, NH4HF2, and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the fluoride-containing compound in the aqueous treating medium is from 0.026 M to 0.26 M; and silica, wherein the aqueous treating medium is saturated with silica.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A pet door assembly that includes a support structure that defines an access opening through which a pet can pass. A connecting arrangement is positioned on the support structure to permit the support structure to be connected to at least one connector fastenable to an inwardly facing surface of a closure frame. A self-closing door is mounted on the support structure to be displaceable between a closed position in which the door closes the access opening and an open position.

Abstract: A clamp assembly that can be installed on and removed from its mounting on an elongated structure (e.g., 2×4) without the need for sliding past an end of the structure is disclosed. The clamp assembly may include a pair of clamp bodies with pads for engaging a workpiece. Each of the clamp bodies includes a clamp mount with a movable member arranged to be moved into forced engagement with an exterior surface (e.g., side) of the 2×4 to fix the clamp body on the 2×4. At least one of or both of the clamp bodies include a releasable connection that, when released, allows for the removal of the clamp body from the 2×4 without the need to longitudinally slide the body past an end of the 2×4.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing formed of a metallic material. A component is disposed within an anode compartment of the cell that contains an alkali metal. The component comprises a sacrificial metal that has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of the housing material. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: Among the embodiments disclosed herein is an antenna assembly comprising the combination of a dielectrically loaded antenna and a housing, the housing incorporating a connector for coupling the antenna to host equipment. The antenna comprises an insulative core which has an outer surface and is shaped to define a central axis, and a laminate board on the central axis, the laminate board extending proximally from a proximal core surface portion oriented transversely with respect to the axis. The housing comprises a housing body which forms a hollow conductive shield for the laminate board, and is centered on the antenna axis, and the housing is shaped to provide a mounting surface which, in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axis, defines a periphery of an area in the said plane which area is at least as great as the cross-sectional area of the said proximal portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: Fin-based current collectors provide high performance and cost savings in electrochemical cells. Embodiments of the invention provide a current collector for a sodium-metal halide electrochemical cell having at least one substantially flat and elongated metal fin being electrically conductive and having at least one bend with respect to a dominant longitudinal axis of the current collector. The at least one substantially flat and elongated metal fin is configured to be joined to a metal ring of the electrochemical cell via one of welding or brazing.

Abstract: A clamp includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a first connection, a second connection, and an actuator. The first jaw and the second jaw include a first clamp surface and a second clamp surface, respectively. The first connection operatively connects the first jaw to the second jaw in a manner that permits relative movement between the first jaw and the second jaw. The second connection is operatively connected between the first jaw and the second jaw. The actuator is configured to shorten a length of the second connection to thereby reduce a relative distance between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.

Abstract: A modular saw arrangement includes a main saw frame structure and a detachable handle structure. A second end portion of the detachable handle structure includes a first blade connector and a second blade connector. A blade tensioner arrangement of the main saw frame structure and the first blade connector are configured to be connected with opposite ends of a blade when a first end portion of the detachable handle structure is connected with an upper frame portion of the main saw frame structure so as to form a hacksaw configuration. The second blade connector that enables attachment of the blade in a grip configuration to enable the detachable handle structure to be configured as a stand-alone detachable handle saw when the first end portion is disconnected with the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A clamp assembly that can be installed on and removed from its mounting on an elongated structure (e.g., 2×4) without the need for sliding past an end of the structure is disclosed. The clamp assembly may include a pair of clamp bodies with pads for engaging a workpiece. Each of the clamp bodies includes a clamp mount with a movable member arranged to be moved into forced engagement with an exterior surface (e.g., side) of the 2×4 to fix the clamp body on the 2×4. At least one of or both of the clamp bodies include a releasable connection that, when released, allows for the removal of the clamp body from the 2×4 without the need to longitudinally slide the body past an end of the 2×4.

Abstract: A backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz includes a dielectric core having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from a distal core surface portion towards a proximal core surface portion; a feed structure having an axially extending elongate laminate board including a transmission line section acting as a feed line which extends through a passage in the core from the distal core surface portion to the proximal core surface portion, and an antenna connection section having an integrally formed proximal extension of the transmission line section the width of which, in the plane of the laminate board, is greater than the width of the passage; and a

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a radiofrequency circuit assemblies and dielectrically-loaded antennas for use in the assembly, the assembly and the antenna being for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz. The disclosed assemblies and antennas should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with one another.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus including: (a) a backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz comprising: an electrically insulative dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface including oppositely directed distal and proximal surface portions extending transversely of an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the transversely extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from the distal core surface portion towards the proximal core surface portion; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongate laminate board comprising at least a transmission line section acting a

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.

Abstract: An energy storage device is provided that includes a reservoir in operative communication with a positive electrode such that the positive electrode remains fully flooded, even at the top of the charge cycle. The device more particularly includes a housing receiving therein, in a coaxial manner, an ion conducting member, and a current collector member received coaxially within the ion conducting member. In this device, a first region is provided in the space between the housing and the ion conducting member and a second region is provided in the space between the ion conducting member and the current collector member. The interior of the current collector member defines a reservoir having a certain volume at least equal to the volume of the void space created in the second region during charging of the device.