Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying optimized ablation targets for treating and preventing arrhythmias sustained by reentrant circuits are described. The methods comprise receiving at least one mesh generated from one or more images of a patient's heart, receiving activation data generated from one or more simulations of electrical-signal propagation over the at least one mesh, generating at least one flow graph based on the activation data and the at least one mesh, and applying a max-flow min-cut algorithm to the at least one flow graph to determine at least one of a number, one or more dimensions, and one or more locations of one or more ablation targets. Non-transitory computer-readable media storing a set of instructions for treating and preventing arrhythmias sustained by reentrant circuits are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passivation layer comprising a photocrosslinked fluoropolymer and a process for forming the layer. Passivation layers comprising the crosslinked fluoropolymer have low dielectric constants, low water absorptivity and are able to be photoimaged so as to provide the very fine features needed for modern electronic equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene. A plasma nozzle is coupled to a reaction chamber. A process gas is supplied to the plasma nozzle, the process gas comprising a carbon-containing species. Radio frequency radiation is supplied to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to produce a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species. The plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species also passes into the reaction chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombines within the afterglow, so as to form the graphitic products including graphene.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer with perfluoroether pendant groups. The perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof is particularly well-suited for use in chemically and thermally aggressive environments, in part by virtue of the highly stable perfluoroalkyl crosslink. The perfluroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof can be prepared by crosslinking in situ a crosslinkable precursor in the form of a shaped article. A crosslinkable precursor is a fluoropolymer having a dichloroamino-functionalized functionalized perfluoroether pendant group.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel fluoropolymer characterized by a dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant group that terminates in —CF2NCl2. The polymer so formed is crosslinkable and useful for the preparation of shaped articles and photo-imaged coatings. The novel fluoropolymer can be thermally treated to form crosslinked fluoropolymers with highly stable perfluoroalkylene crosslinks. The novel fluoropolymer is conveniently prepared by treating a cyano-functionalized fluoropolymer with Cl—F.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel thermal process for converting a fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups into a novel perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer having perfluoroether pendant groups. The process comprises heating the fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups in the presence of Cl—F to a temperature in the range of 200 to 300° C. The fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups can first be formed into a shaped article, and the shaped article then subject to treatment in situ with Cl—F.

Abstract: An electrode (31c) for fuel cell comprises: a catalyst carrier (110) that is an electrically-conductive carrier (130) with a catalyst (120) supported thereon; a first electrolyte resin (141); and a second electrolyte resin (142). The first electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in an environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%. The second electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in the environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst layer used for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that includes an electrolyte membrane is provided. The cathode catalyst layer comprises a catalyst having weight of not greater than 0.3 mg/cm2 of a reaction surface of the cathode catalyst layer that is adjoining the electrolyte membrane; and an electrolyte resin having oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2*10?14 mol/m/s/Pa in an environment of temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer with perfluoroether pendant groups. The polymer so formed is highly useful in the form of shaped articles with excellent chemical and thermal stability, including photoimaged coatings. The azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof is advantageously formed by exposure to UV radiation of a fluorinated polymer having dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups. In one embodiment, a fluorinated polymer having dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups is formed into a shaped article that is then UV-treated in situ.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain photocrosslinkable fluoropolymers, processes for crosslinking the fluoropolymers using UV radiation, and the photocrosslinked fluoropolymers produced.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel thermal process for converting a fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups into a novel perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer having perfluoroether pendant groups. The process comprises heating the fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups in the presence of Cl—F to a temperature in the range of 200 to 300° C. The fluoropolymer having cyano-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups can first be formed into a shaped article, and the shaped article then subject to treatment in situ with Cl—F.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer with perfluoroether pendant groups. The polymer so formed is highly useful in the form of shaped articles with excellent chemical and thermal stability, including photoimaged coatings. The azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof is advantageously formed by exposure to UV radiation of a fluorinated polymer having dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups. In one embodiment, a fluorinated polymer having dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups is formed into a shaped article that is then UV-treated in situ.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel fluoropolymer characterized by a dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant group that terminates in —CF2NCl2. The polymer so formed is crosslinkable and useful for the preparation of shaped articles and photo-imaged coatings. The novel fluoropolymer can be thermally treated to form crosslinked fluoropolymers with highly stable perfluoroalkylene crosslinks. The novel fluoropolymer is conveniently prepared by treating a cyano-functionalized fluoropolymer with Cl—F.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a thermal treatment process for converting azo crosslinks in an azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer having perfluoroether pendant groups to perfluoroalkyl crosslinks. The perfluoroalkyl crosslinks exhibit greater thermal and chemical stability than to the azo crosslinks. According to the treatment, an azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer having perfluoroether pendant groups is subject to heating in the temperature range of 300 to 350° C. in order to effect a high degree of conversion to the perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer with perfluoroether pendant groups. The perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof is particularly well-suited for use in chemically and thermally aggressive environments, in part by virtue of the highly stable perfluoroalkyl crosslink. The perfluroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof can be prepared by crosslinking in situ a crosslinkable precursor in the form of a shaped article. A crosslinkable precursor is a fluoropolymer having a dichloroamino-functionalized functionalized perfluoroether pendant group.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an imageable article comprising a substrate having a surface, and an imageable film disposed upon said surface, said imageable film comprising a solvent soluble fluoropolymer having dichloroamino-functionalized perfluoroether pendant groups. When subject to imagewise exposure to UV radiation, the solvent soluble fluoropolymer will undergo crosslinking to an azo-crosslinked fluoropolymer having perfluoroether pendant groups. Under imagewise exposure, some portions of the imageable film undergo crosslinking while other portions do not. The portions that do not, can be washed away, leaving behind an image on the substrate, thereby preparing the imaged article hereof.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine high pressure rotor with first and second high pressure turbine stages include first and second stage disks having first and second stage disk bores and a single tie rod therethrough. First and second bore annular flowpaths are radially located between first and second stage disk bores and tie rod. A means for increased cooling and/or heating in second stage disk bore is axially located within second stage disk bore. The means may include an airflow accelerator such as one or more annular ribs on the tie rod. A bore annular cross-sectional flow area between the second stage disk hub and the ribs may be substantially smaller than between the second stage disk hub and the tie rod. An axially unobstructed inlet into the second bore annular flowpath allows fully axially flowing and axially unobstructed flowing of second stage bore cooling air into inlet.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Amorphous hydrofluoroolefin telomers are prepared by a free-radical polymerization process conducted at high temperature and pressure in the presence of non-monomeric chain transfer agent.

Abstract: Processes, systems, and devices for the automated scheduling of visits with persons having limited access to communications or limited ability to travel are provided. This involves the receipt of a machine-readable visit request. The visit request is used to schedule either a videoconference or a contact visit using a scheduling database. Systems for the automated arrangement of confidential visits (both in person and via videoconference) and systems for dynamically revising scheduled visits in response to updates from a jail management system are also provided.