Abstract: Generally, this disclosure enables various mounting interfaces, devices therewith, accessories therefor, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, these mounting interfaces include a latch configured to engage with a detent of an accessory (e.g., a smartphone, a dedicated navigation device, a storage container, a drinking bottle) in order to (a) allow the accessory to be easily mounted thereon and unmounted therefrom and (b) hold the accessory sufficiently securely when the accessory is mounted thereon.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for an improved method of stabilizing spray-dried bacterial extracts with a composition comprising a stabilizer such that the extracts can be used in cell-free protein synthesis. Also provided herein are formulations for stable, spray-dried bacterial extracts that have increased protein synthesis activity compared to spray-dried bacterial extracts that do not contain a stabilizer.

Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produce purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for delivering a laser beam from a stationary end to a movable end. One exemplary apparatus comprises multiple segments of articulated tubes with mirrors encapsulated inside the tubes for deflecting the laser beams and a self-balancing suspension system to support this beam delivery system to allow at least one of its ends to be movable.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus for identifying items. For instance, the mobile apparatus may include a main frame, a chassis attached to the main frame, and a basket that attaches to the chassis in order to prevent the basket from contacting the main frame. One or more sensors, such as weight sensor(s), may be located between the basket and the main frame. The mobile apparatus may further include a shelf that extends substantially horizontally from the main frame, where a gate separates the basket from the shelf. A user may then place first item(s) within a receptacle of the basket and second item(s) within a receptacle of the shelf. The mobile apparatus may further include a handlebar module attached to the main frame, where the handlebar module includes an opening for inserting a removable battery of the mobile apparatus.

Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include swellable smart gel sealants and methods of using smart gel sealants. In certain embodiments, the smart gel sealants reversibly swell when exposed to a certain trigger, such as carbonic acid and/or sulfuric acid. In specific embodiments, the smart gel is comprised within a cement composition.

Abstract: A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information.

Abstract: A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information.

Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.

Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A transparent plastic container comprising an aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition wherein the liquid detergent composition comprises: from 5 to 60 wt. % of surfactant; and from of 0.0005 to 0.01 wt. % of an amylase and/or from 0.0005 to 0.01 wt. % of a protease; and from 0.00005 to 0.02 wt. % of a dye comprising an anthraquinone chromophore which contains an amine group or an acid amide group in the 1-position of the anthraquinone ring; and wherein the container has an internal volume of from 0.1 to 10 L.

Abstract: An optical communication system including a hub optical transceiver, a power splitter, and a plurality of spoke transceivers. The hub optical transceiver is configured for receiving a spectrum of wavelengths. The power splitter is coupled to the hub optical transceiver, and operates as a passive device that is configured to replicate the spectrum of wavelengths and output a plurality of replicated spectrum of wavelengths, and each replicated spectrum of wavelengths has a corresponding power that is a fraction of a total power received from the hub optical transceiver. The plurality of spoke transceivers is coupled to the power splitter and each of the plurality of spoke transceivers is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of replicated spectrum of wavelengths, wherein each spoke transceiver is tunable to select a band of wavelengths that set a bandwidth for the each spoke transceiver.

Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produces a purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.

Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to polymerization process comprising contacting ethylene and optionally one or more ?-olefins in solution in the presence of one or more catalyst systems and a chain transfer agent, wherein the catalyst system comprises a metal-ligand complex according to formula (I).

Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.

Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.