Abstract: A flow battery includes a liquid electrolyte having an electrochemically active specie. A flow field plate includes a first flow field channel and a second flow field channel that is separated from the first flow field channel by a rib. There is a flow path for the liquid electrolyte to flow over the rib between the channels. An electrode is arranged adjacent the flow field plate such that the liquid electrolyte that flows over the rib must flow through the electrode. The electrode includes a carbon paper that is catalytically active with regard to liquid electrolyte. The carbon paper defines a compressive strain of less than 20% at a compressive stress of 0.8 MPa and an uncompressed porosity in the range 60-85%.

Abstract: Disclosed is an endotracheal tube having an absorbent device attached so that the absorbent device is able to absorb and block any procedure produced debris. The absorbent device has strings that are attached to a device around an endotracheal tube so that the absorbent device is properly dislodged at the end of the procedure.

Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a porous, wettable plate body including a first reactant gas channel having an inlet portion, a second reactant gas channel having an outlet portion that is adjacent the inlet portion of the first reactant gas channel, and at least one moisture reservoir fluidly connected with pores of the porous, wettable plate body. The at least one moisture reservoir can selectively collect and release moisture received from a reactant gas in the outlet portion to thereby selectively move the moisture from the outlet portion toward the adjacent inlet portion.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may have a physical sensor configured to measure physical parameter values of a machine. The control system may also have a virtual sensor network system configured to receive the physical parameter values measured by the physical sensor as input parameter values, and generate output parameter values based on the input parameter values. Further, the control system may have an electronic control module configured to store an output parameter value default rate of change and an output parameter value threshold rate of change, compare a rate of change of the output parameter values generated by the virtual sensor network system to the output parameter value threshold rate of change, and control the machine based on the output parameter value default rate of change if the rate of change of the output parameter values exceeds the output parameter value threshold rate of change.

Abstract: A container (10) is provided for housing a medical accessory (20), such as a valve of a flexible medical endoscope, during processing (cleaning and high level disinfection) thereof following its use on a patient. The container (10) has a closure mechanism (15) comprising first and second complementary members (16, 17) adapted to engage with one another. Once engaged, the first and second complementary members (16, 17) cannot be disengaged from one another without the container (10) breaking. The container (10) is thus suitable only for single use, so as to prevent cross-contamination, and to comply with appropriate public health guidelines.

Abstract: A liquid cooled brake is provided having an improved housing that provides strong yet lightweight structural support. The brake includes end plates disposed about a driven shaft and axially spaced from one another. A plurality of axially extending pins connect the end plates. A friction plate is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and is axially movable relative to the driven shaft. Another friction plate defines a fluid jacket and is coupled to the pins. The friction plate is fixed against rotation, but axially movable, relative to the pins. A pressure plate is configured for selective movement towards the friction plates. Support columns are disposed radially outwardly of each pin and fixed to the end plates The support columns prevent undue strain on the pins. Ventilated guards may also be located between each pair of columns to limit access to internal working components of the brake.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell includes platinum catalysts, carbon support particles and an ionomer. The carbon support particles support the platinum catalysts, and the ionomer connects the platinum catalysts. The electrode has a platinum less than about 0.2 mg/cm2 and an ionomer-to-carbon ratio between about 0.5 and about 0.9. A membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane, a cathode layer and an anode layer. The cathode layer includes platinum catalysts, carbon support particles for supporting the platinum catalysts and an ionomer connecting the platinum catalysts. The cathode layer has a platinum loading less than about 0.2 mg/cm2 and an ionomer-to-carbon ratio between about 0.5 and about 0.9. The anode layer includes platinum catalysts, carbon support particles for supporting the platinum catalysts and an ionomer connecting the platinum catalysts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of users that are each currently associated with a second computing device that is currently in a discoverable mode; have a commonality among them based at least in part on social-graph information associated with the users; and are currently at or near a common geo-location. The method also includes sending to each of the users a suggestion to interact with the other users based at least in part on their commonality and the users currently being at or near the common geo-location.

Abstract: An exemplary device for managing moisture content within a fuel cell includes a reactant distribution plate having a plurality of members that establish reactant flow channels that are open on at least one side of the plate. A wicking layer is against the one side of the plate. The wicking layer includes a first portion that is uninterrupted and covers over at least some of the channels. A second portion of the wicking layer extends along ends of at least some of the members such that sections of the channels coextensive with the second portion are open toward the one side.

Abstract: An exemplary flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a plurality of inlet flow channels. A plurality of outlet flow channels are also included. The flow channels are arranged such that at least two of the inlet flow channels are immediately adjacent each other on a first side of the two of the inlet flow channels. At least one of the outlet flow channels is immediately adjacent each of the two inlet flow channels on a second, opposite side of each of the two inlet flow channels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system accesses for a first user contact information of one or more second users. The computer system then determines one or more contemporaneous attributes of the first user, determines one or more contemporaneous attributes of each of the second users, and then dynamically sorts the contact information of the second users based at least on the contemporaneous attributes of the first user and the contemporaneous attributes of the second users. The computer system then provides the sorted contact information of the second users for display to the first user.

Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field with a plurality of channels extending between a channel inlet end and a channel outlet end, a first flow distribution portion adjacent the channel inlet end for distributing a fluid to the plurality of channels, and a second flow distribution portion adjacent the channel outlet end for collecting the fluid from the plurality of channels. A first flow guide within the first flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution to the plurality of channels, and a second flow guide within the second flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution from the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A catalyst layer for use in a fuel cell includes catalytic nanoparticles and a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer. The catalytic nanoparticles have a palladium or palladium alloy core and an atomically thin layer of platinum on an outer surface of the palladium or palladium alloy core. The PFSA ionomer has an equivalent weight equal to or greater than about 830. A unitized electrode assembly is also described.

Abstract: Parallel stage power output rectifiers for radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices and related components and methods are disclosed. An RFID tag receives a radio-frequency (RF) signal comprising RF input energy through an input such as an antenna. The RF input energy provided to a rectifier splits the RF input energy into two or more stages having parallel electrical outputs. The parallel electrical outputs allow for a more efficient use of the input energy in terms of current draw and improves voltage droop, thus improving the range and operation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, and systems are disclosed for automatically detecting connections between RFID tags. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes periodically placing a charge on a node shared between a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag. The method also comprises sensing a voltage at the node at a time subsequent to the placing of the charge. The method also comprises automatically determining whether a connection exists between the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag based on the sensing of the voltage at the node. The first RFID tag and/or the second RFID tag may include circuitry configured to perform the method.

Abstract: Diaphragm assemblies for use with fluid control devices are described. An example diaphragm assembly includes a body defining a plurality of chambers to be fluidly coupled to an outlet pressure of a fluid control device. Each of the chambers is spaced along a stem at least partially disposed in the chambers, and the stem is to move to control a flow of fluid through the fluid control device. Additionally, the example diaphragm assembly includes a first plurality of diaphragms, each of which is disposed in a corresponding one of the chambers, and each of which is coupled to the stem to move the stem in response to the outlet pressure of the fluid control device.

Abstract: A container (10) is provided for housing a medical accessory (20), such as a valve of a flexible medical endoscope, during processing (cleaning and high level disinfection) thereof following its use on a patient. The container (10) has a closure mechanism (15) comprising first and second complementary members (16, 17) adapted to engage with one another. Once engaged, the first and second complementary members (16, 17) cannot be disengaged from one another without the container (10) breaking. The container (10) is thus suitable only for single use, so as to prevent cross-contamination, and to comply with appropriate public health guidelines.

Abstract: A characteristic forecasting system is disclosed. The characteristic forecasting system may have a memory module and a processor. The memory module may store instructions, that, when executed, enable the processor to determine a forecast function that includes one or more variables and represents forecasted characteristics of the target item. The processor may also be enabled to implement a genetic algorithm to generate one or more chromosomes having a data value for each of the variables of the forecast function, determine a chromosome value for at least one of the chromosomes that is based on a goal function including one or more measurable business goals. Moreover, the processor may be further enabled to select a chromosome from among the one or more chromosomes based on the chromosome value, and forecast the characteristics of the target item using the selected chromosome.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of depositing a catalyst ink directly onto a membrane to form a catalyst coated membrane and hot pressing the catalyst coated membrane. The catalyst coated membrane has a catalyst layer that includes a catalyst and an ionomer.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may have a physical sensor that may output a physical output value, and a virtual sensor network that may output a virtual output value. The control system may also have an electronic control module that may be configured to receive the physical output value from the physical sensor and receive the virtual output value from the virtual sensor. The electronic control module may be further configured to determine a trust level of the physical sensor based on the physical output value, and determine that the trust level of the physical sensor is below a first threshold trust value. The electronic control module may control a machine based on the virtual output value responsive to determining that the trust level of the physical sensor is below the first threshold trust value.