Abstract: A protective helmet for use with motorsports and cycling activities has a head receiving helmet body that includes a head receiving interior, and an exterior having a front surface, a rear surface, and a perimetral lip for defining a forward-facing aperture. A transparent shield member is engageable with the helmet body and is configured to be placeable adjacent to the forward-facing aperture of the helmet body. The shield member includes a perimetral edge that is sized and configured for engaging the perimetral lip of the helmet body. A strap is coupled to the shield and is configured to engage the rear surface of the helmet body. The engagement of the perimetral edge of the shield member with the perimetral lip of the helmet body enables an increasing force exerted against the shield to be exerted against the helmet, rather than directly against the user's face, and resists the intrusion of dust into the interior of the helmet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a method for contacting a methane composition with a catalyst system to produce H2 and a carbon co-product. In some aspects, the catalyst system comprises (i) a Ni—Cu alloy catalyst comprising Ni and Cu, and (ii) a support. In some additional aspects, the Ni and Cu are present at a Ni:Cu mass ratio ranging from greater than zero to 4.5. Also disclosed herein are aspects of a method for making the disclosed catalyst system.

Abstract: A protective helmet for use with motorsports and cycling activities has a head receiving helmet body that includes a head receiving interior, and an exterior having a front surface, a rear surface, and a perimetral lip for defining a forward-facing aperture. A transparent shield member is engageable with the helmet body and is configured to be placeable adjacent to the forward-facing aperture of the helmet body. The shield member includes a perimetral edge that is sized and configured for engaging the perimetral lip of the helmet body. A strap is coupled to the shield and is configured to engage the rear surface of the helmet body. The engagement of the perimetral edge of the shield member with the perimetral lip of the helmet body enables an increasing force exerted against the shield to be exerted against the helmet, rather than directly against the user's face, and resists the intrusion of dust into the interior of the helmet.

Abstract: A laminate and a process for making it are disclosed. The laminate comprises a metal substrate and a polymer layer that adheres to at least one plasma-treated surface of the metal substrate. The polymer layer comprises a blend of a first polyolefin and a grafted polyolefin. The laminate can be prepared by plasma-treating at least one surface of a metal substrate and extruding onto the plasma-treated surface a polymer layer comprising a blend of a first polyolefin and a grafted polyolefin.

Abstract: A system includes a first source including a first reactant; a second source including a second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant to form a first product; and a reactor. The reactor includes a first element having a wall connecting a first point and a second point, the wall extending more than 180° around the first point; and a second element movably engaged with the first element to define a reconfigurable reaction chamber capable of being in fluid communication with the first and second reactants.

Abstract: A thermolysis process for treating algal biomass, consisting substantially of dried algal cells, in which the algal biomass is heated from ambient to 460° C. in a flowing stream that contains one or more of carbon dioxide, acetic acid or other organic acids and that produces a condensable hydrocarbon product whose mass yield is greater than the dry, ash-free mass fraction of lipids in the starting algal biomass and whose higher enthalpy of combustion exceeds 25 MJ/kg plus a char, and a hydrocarbon-laden gaseous product. In another feature, the present invention includes heating the previously dried, algal biomass in a readily available, waste acid gas, such as flue gas that is rich in carbon dioxide, or to intimately mix the algal biomass with a solid acid, such as a protonated, large pore zeolite, and then heating the mixture in a non-oxidizing sweep gas.

Abstract: A laminate and a process for making it are disclosed. The laminate comprises a metal substrate and a polymer layer that adheres to at least one plasma-treated surface of the metal substrate. The polymer layer comprises a blend of a first polyolefin and a grafted polyolefin. The laminate can be prepared by plasma-treating at least one surface of a metal substrate and extruding onto the plasma-treated surface a polymer layer comprising a blend of a first polyolefin and a grafted polyolefin.

Abstract: A system includes a first source including a first reactant; a second source including a second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant to form a first product; and a reactor. The reactor includes a first element having a wall connecting a first point and a second point, the wall extending more than 180° around the first point; and a second element movably engaged with the first element to define a reconfigurable reaction chamber capable of being in fluid communication with the first and second reactants.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operating same are provided with direct injection of gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber and an ignition assist apparatus disposed within the combustion chamber. An ignition assist apparatus disposed within the combustion chamber comprises an electric incandescent ignitor with a sleeve disposed around the ignitor and a catalytic alloy. The catalytic alloy comprises a first catalytic element with a greater affinity for oxygen than that of a second catalytic element, and the second catalytic element having a greater affinity for the fuel than that of the first catalytic element.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for conversion of hydrocarbon feed streams into liquid products. One embodiment of an apparatus includes a pressure vessel that contains a synthesis gas production device, a synthesis gas conditioning device and a synthesis gas conversion device wherein the synthesis gas production device and the synthesis gas conditioning device are nested within the synthesis gas conversion device. One embodiment of a method includes providing a hydrocarbon feed stream and producing a synthesis gas stream from the hydrocarbon feed stream in a synthesis gas production device. Subsequently, the synthesis gas stream is conditioned by removing heat from the synthesis gas stream through a first hollow body into a reactant feed stream that is then fed into the synthesis gas production device. Finally, the synthesis gas stream is converted to form a liquid product stream.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a collapsible frame assembly having a collapsible main frame assembly and leg mechanism for supporting a portion of the main frame assembly at a desired elevation above the ground. At least one clamp assembly securely attaches the main frame assembly to at least a portion of a motor vehicle. A main cover is supported by the main frame assembly. The cover provides shelter adjacent to the motor vehicle. The use of the collapsible frame assembly which attaches via the clamp assembly to the motor vehicle provides utilization of the motor vehicle's mass and stability to provide structural integrity to the apparatus.