Abstract: A curable silicone elastomer composition is disclosed. The composition comprises one or more non-fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane polymers and silica filler. The silica filler is at least partially treated with a fluorinated hydrophobing treating agent. Also provided is a method of making the composition and its use in the manufacture of insulators for high voltage applications, especially high voltage direct current (HVDC) applications and accessories such as cable joints, cable terminal applications, and connectors. The fluorinated hydrophobing treating agents are selected from one or more silanol terminated fluorinated siloxane oligomer(s) having from 2 to 20 siloxane units, and/or one or more fluorinated silane diol(s), and/or one or more fluorinated trialkoxy silane(s), and/or one or more fluorinated silazane(s), or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Integrated Thermal Interface Detachment Mechanism for Inaccessible Interfaces are disclosed. According to an aspect, an exemplary device for an electronic component having a thermal interface material, comprising a heat sink configured to contact the thermal interface material and configured to heat transfer interface with the electronic component while the thermal interface material is in contiguous contact with both the heat sink and the electronic component, and a separator mechanism configured to advance a separator ram with respect to the heat sink and effect a force upon the thermal interface material, such that advancing the ram breaks the contiguous contact of the thermal interface material with at least one of the heat sink and the electronic component.

Abstract: Integrated Thermal Interface Detachment Mechanism for Inaccessible Interfaces are disclosed. According to an aspect, an exemplary device for an electronic component having a thermal interface material, comprising a heat sink configured to contact the thermal interface material and configured to heat transfer interface with the electronic component while the thermal interface material is in contiguous contact with both the heat sink and the electronic component, and a separator mechanism configured to advance a separator ram with respect to the heat sink and effect a force upon the thermal interface material, such that advancing the ram breaks the contiguous contact of the thermal interface material with at least one of the heat sink and the electronic component.

Abstract: A back-reflection Laue apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a source for generating X-ray radiation, a collimator for collimating the X-ray radiation into an X-ray beam; a back-reflection Laue chamber for transmitting the beam therethrough towards a sample, and back-reflecting visible radiation obtained from the beam being diffracted off the sample and converted to visible radiation upon re-entering the chamber, the chamber comprising a reflection side wall having an exterior surface and a reflective interior surface for back-reflecting the visible radiation, the wall being provided with a through-hole extending from the exterior surface to the reflective interior surface; and a detector assembly for detecting the back-reflected visible radiation. The collimator has a first end connected to the source and a second end terminating between the exterior surface and the reflective interior surface of the wall, within the through-hole, the beam exiting the collimator at the second end.

Abstract: A silicone based composition comprises a blend of a non-fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane polymer and a fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane polymer. The composition is useful in the manufacture of insulators for high voltage direct current (HVDC) applications and accessories such as cable joints, cable terminal applications, and connectors. In general, the composition is a curable silicone elastomer composition comprising: (A) a combination of (A)(i) and (A)(ii), where (A)(i) is a non-fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane in an amount of from 50 to 99.5% by weight of component (A) and (A)(ii) is a fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane polymer in an amount of from 0.5 to 50% by weight of component (A); (B) at least one reinforcing filler; and at least one of (C) or (D), where (C) is at least one organohydrogenpolysiloxane (C)(i), at least one hydrosilylation catalyst (C)(ii), and optionally at least one cure inhibitor (C)(iii); or (D) at least one peroxide catalyst.

Abstract: A back-reflection Laue apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a source for generating X-ray radiation, a collimator for collimating the X-ray radiation into an X-ray beam; a back-reflection Laue chamber for transmitting the beam therethrough towards a sample, and back-reflecting visible radiation obtained from the beam being diffracted off the sample and converted to visible radiation upon re-entering the chamber, the chamber comprising a reflection side wall having an exterior surface and a reflective interior surface for back-reflecting the visible radiation, the wall being provided with a through-hole extending from the exterior surface to the reflective interior surface; and a detector assembly for detecting the back-reflected visible radiation. The collimator has a first end connected to the source and a second end terminating between the exterior surface and the reflective interior surface of the wall, within the through-hole, the beam exiting the collimator at the second end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an organopolysiloxane. The method comprises polymerizing an organopolysiloxane fluid having at least two silicon-bonded hydroxyl groups per molecule in the presence of a catalyst and a terminating agent to prepare the organopolysiloxane. The terminating agent has the general formula R3SiX, wherein each R is independently selected from H and a hydrocarbyl group and X is a halogen atom, to provide the organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: A method for improving the heat stability or heat resistance of a cured fluorosilicone elastomer is disclosed. The method comprises I) mixing a stabilizer with a fluorosilicone elastomer base and a cure agent, to form a curable fluorosilicone elastomer composition. The stabilizer comprises B1) yellow iron oxide, and B2) optionally, an acid acceptor. The method further comprises II) vulcanizing the fluorosilicone elastomer composition containing the stabilizer.

Abstract: Mixed concrete is pumped under pressure along a primary flow path to a typically lengthy supply line. In the event a clog, blockage or other supply line concern is detected, a branch conduit in communication with the primary flow path permits a portion or all of the pressurized flow to pass through a diverter valve and a recirculation conduit back into an open-to-atmosphere reservoir or hopper from which the concrete originally was pumped. The recirculation system of this invention permits supply line pressure to be safely regulated, diminished, relieved and jogged, all without there being any need to discharge or waste valuable mixed concrete, and without having to dangerously open one or more connections of a pressurized supply line.

Abstract: Mixed concrete is pumped under pressure along a primary flow path to a typically lengthy supply line. In the event a clog, blockage or other supply line concern is detected, a branch conduit in communication with the primary flow path permits a portion or all of the pressurized flow to pass through a diverter valve and a recirculation conduit back into an open-to-atmosphere reservoir or hopper from which the concrete originally was pumped. The recirculation system of this invention permits supply line pressure to be safely regulated, diminished, relieved and jogged, all without there being any need to discharge or waste valuable mixed concrete, and without having to dangerously open one or more connections of a pressurized supply line.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes an emitter having a plasma bulb and a driver which provides an RF signal to the emitter to drive the plasma bulb. The lighting apparatus may be used for various applications including illuminating plants and organisms in an aquatic environment, growing plants, facility lighting, and other applications.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for collecting and assessing wildfire hazard data comprising a mobile device with an application installed on the mobile device for on-site collection of wildfire hazard data and a wildfire risk assessment provider server. The data collected on the mobile device is merged with data at the wildfire risk assessment provider server to produce underwriting risk scores and reports for insurers, education-aimed recommendations and reports for policyholders, wildfire risk alerts for mobile device application users, strategies for client-to-policyholder wildfire awareness communication, and strategies for wildfire response teams used to drive pre-suppression and active fire actions. A method utilizing the system described above.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a housing, a light emitter located in an interior region of the housing, a driver for the emitter, and a heat sink coupled to the driver. The heat sink includes a plurality of fins for cooling the driver. The apparatus further includes a driver mounting portion having a mounting surface and a side wall. The side wall is coupled to one of the heat sink and the driver so that the plurality of fins of the heat sink are exposed. The mounting surface of the driver mounting portion is coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes an emitter having a plasma bulb and a driver which provides an RF signal to the emitter to drive the plasma bulb. The lighting apparatus may be used for various applications including illuminating plants and organisms in an aquatic environment, growing plants, facility lighting, and other applications.

Abstract: A mobile lighting apparatus includes a portable frame such as a moveable trailer or skid having a light tower thereon. The light tower is moveable from a stowed position to a deployed position. A hydrogen-powered fuel cell is located on the portable frame to provide electrical power to an array of the energy efficient lights located on the light tower.

Abstract: Silicone elastomer base compositions containing a stabilizer are disclosed that provide cured silicone elastomers having improved high temperature performance. The stabilizer comprises carbon black, calcium carbonate, iron oxide, and optionally zinc oxide.