Abstract: A coating process and coated article are disclosed. The coating process includes positioning an article relative to an inductor, heating the article with the inductor, then applying a coating material over the article to form a crystalline coating. The heating of the article increases a first temperature of a surface of the article to a second temperature favoring crystal formation. Another coating process includes positioning an article, uniformly heating a surface of the article to a second temperature favoring crystal formation, then applying an environmental barrier coating material over the surface of the article to form a crystalline environmental barrier coating. The application of the environmental barrier coating is performed through air plasma spray deposition. The coated article includes an article having a complex geometry, and a crystalline coating applied on a surface of the article. The crystalline coating includes increased resistant to delamination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of rare-earth constituents from environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are provided. One method includes for separating rare-earth (RE) containing constituents from a particulate feedstock containing a mixture of RE silicates and non-magnetic constituents includes disposing a collection member in a vicinity of the feedstock and magnetizing the collection member to generate a magnetic field sufficient to selectively attract the RE silicates to the collection member. The method further includes removing the RE silicates from the collection member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of rare-earth constituents from environmental barrier coatings are provided. One method includes extracting rare-earth (RE) oxide constituents from a feedstock containing RE silicates and non-RE contaminants. The method includes leaching the REs from the feedstock into an acid to form an acid solution, performing an oxalate precipitation on the acid solution to form an RE oxalate hydrate, and separating the RE oxalate hydrate from the acid solution. The method also includes heat treating the RE oxalate hydrate to form an RE oxide containing the RE elements extracted from the feedstock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of rare-earth constituents from environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are provided. One method includes for separating rare-earth (RE) containing constituents from a particulate feedstock containing a mixture of RE silicates and non-magnetic constituents includes disposing a collection member in a vicinity of the feedstock and magnetizing the collection member to generate a magnetic field sufficient to selectively attract the RE silicates to the collection member. The method further includes removing the RE silicates from the collection member.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to prediction of traffic dynamics. A descriptive model is provided that uses historical probe data to create “tidal-like” patterns for the usual dynamics on the road network and creates a framework for taking a future time, e.g. in terms of month, day, time, and suggesting a typical speed for the specified road network link at that specific time. With this model, better predictions for estimated time of arrival will be derived. As opposed to blindly extrapolating from a static model, the disclosed embodiments dynamically adapt to current conditions using real time data to adapt, based on current conditions, the model from which a predicted speed may be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of rare-earth constituents from environmental barrier coatings are provided. One method includes extracting rare-earth (RE) oxide constituents from a feedstock containing RE silicates and non-RE contaminants. The method includes leaching the REs from the feedstock into an acid to form an acid solution, performing an oxalate precipitation on the acid solution to form an RE oxalate hydrate, and separating the RE oxalate hydrate from the acid solution. The method also includes heat treating the RE oxalate hydrate to form an RE oxide containing the RE elements extracted from the feedstock.

Abstract: A coating process and coated article are disclosed. The coating process includes positioning an article relative to an inductor, heating the article with the inductor, then applying a coating material over the article to form a crystalline coating. The heating of the article increases a first temperature of a surface of the article to a second temperature favoring crystal formation. Another coating process includes positioning an article, uniformly heating a surface of the article to a second temperature favoring crystal formation, then applying an environmental barrier coating material over the surface of the article to form a crystalline environmental barrier coating. The application of the environmental barrier coating is performed through air plasma spray deposition. The coated article includes an article having a complex geometry, and a crystalline coating applied on a surface of the article. The crystalline coating includes increased resistant to delamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The invention further provides for apparatus and systems for using the microfluidic devices, analyze reactions carried out in the microfluidic devices, and systems to generate, store, organize, and analyze data generated from using the microfluidic devices. The invention further provides methods of using and making microfluidic systems and devices which, in some embodiments, are useful for crystal formation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a platen having a platen face with one or more fluid ports therein. The fluid ports spatially correspond to one or more wells on a surface of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a vacuum coating to a workpiece, including: a coating chamber containing a coating material, with the coating chamber being operable at an elevated temperature and a sub-atmospheric pressure; an electron beam gun projecting an electron beam into the coating chamber and onto the coating material, where the electron beam gun is operable to melt the coating material and to evaporate molten coating material; and, a mechanism for supporting manipulating the workpiece in the coating chamber. The supporting mechanism further includes: a coupling device for retaining the workpiece; a joint connected to the coupling device enabling movement of the workpiece in all directions; an intermediate member connecting the coupling device and the joint; and, a device connected to the intermediate member for moving the workpiece in a designated vertical plane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: A system for generating three-dimensional images within an enclosed volume wherein the images are oriented with X, Y, and a Z axes. The system includes a transparent housing capable of allowing a collimated light to pass therethrough, at least one laser for producing at least one beam of collimated light, a plurality of light activated units capable of emitting light at threshold ? when activated by the collimated light generated by the laser apparatus. In addition, the system also includes a suspension medium for suspending light-activated units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated article made using a plating process, either electroless or electrolytic, whereby nickel is plated on the article using a solution that includes a suspension of powders or containing one or more of the following elements: Ni, Cr, Al, Zr, Hf, Ti, Ta, Si, Ca, Fe, Y and Ga. Optionally, the coating is then heat treated at a temperature above about 1600.degree. F. for an effective amount of time to allow to homogenize the coating by allowing effective interdiffusion between the species. The level of aluminum may be altered to produce a coating of the predominantly beta phase of the NiAl alloy composition. Optionally, a TBC layer is applied over the predominantly beta phase NiAl alloy composition metallic bond coat.

Abstract: A modular luggage system, including a core bag module and an additional bag module. The core module includes a housing, at least one internal compartment and a docking frame positioned on the surface of the housing. The additional bag module has its internal compartment and a rim located on the surface of the additional bag module. The rim of the additional bag module is engageable with the docking frame of the core bag module so as to removably secure the additional bag module on the core bag module.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a vacuum coating to a workpiece, including: a coating chamber containing a coating material, with the coating chamber being operable at an elevated temperature and a sub-atmospheric pressure; an electron beam gun projecting an electron beam into the coating chamber and onto the coating material, where the electron beam gun is operable to melt the coating material and to evaporate molten coating material; and, a mechanism for supporting manipulating the workpiece in the coating chamber. The supporting mechanism further includes: a coupling device for retaining the workpiece; a joint connected to the coupling device enabling movement of the workpiece in all directions; an intermediate member connecting the coupling device and the joint; and, a device connected to the intermediate member for moving the workpiece in a designated vertical plane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: A system and method for performing parallel magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) with a polarizable or hyperpolarizable contrast agent are provided. The contrast agent may be provided in the form of a gas, a liquid, or a solid. The system may include a phased-array rigid coil with, e.g., a 24-channel phased-array for a receiver and a 2-channel large loop for a transmitter. The phased-array rigid coil can be connected to a low impedance preamplifier for decoupling the strong coupling between two adjacent coils in the phased-array rigid coil. The system and method may be used for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio, and/or reducing the scan acquisition time of acquired images in a parallel MRI scan of a patient who is breathing a hyperpolarized gas.