Abstract: A lane departure warning system which uses at least one detection device, such as a stereo camera, to map the surrounding environment in three-dimensions, which provides for a determination of the distance of various objects in a given image obtained by the camera. With the information obtained by the camera, or cameras, additional data, such as the color of each pixel in an image, it is possible to identify which pixels in the image correspond to the road. Once the pixels that correspond to the road are identified, the width of the road is determined, as well as the position of the vehicle on the road. With the width of the road being known, the road is “virtually” divided into virtual lanes, and it is determined which of the virtual lanes the vehicle is travelling, and the vehicle is monitored to ensure that the vehicle remains within one of the virtual lanes.

Abstract: A lane departure warning system which uses at least one detection device, such as a stereo camera, to map the surrounding environment in three-dimensions, which provides for a determination of the distance of various objects in a given image obtained by the camera. With the information obtained by the camera, or cameras, additional data, such as the color of each pixel in an image, it is possible to identify which pixels in the image correspond to the road. Once the pixels that correspond to the road are identified, the width of the road is determined, as well as the position of the vehicle on the road. With the width of the road being known, the road is “virtually” divided into virtual lanes, and it is determined which of the virtual lanes the vehicle is travelling, and the vehicle is monitored to ensure that the vehicle remains within one of the virtual lanes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using large-scale active growth structures are generally described. In addition, systems and methods related to the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using basalt and/or titanium (e.g., elemental titanium) are generally described. The carbon-based nanostructures can be grown by exposing the large-scale active growth structures, basalt, and/or titanium to a set of conditions selected to cause formation of carbon-based nanostructures on (e.g., directly on) the large-scale active growth structure, basalt, and/or titanium. When basalt and/or titanium are used as all or part of an active growth structure, the basalt and/or titanium can be in any suitable form such as, for example, a planar or non-planar active growth structure (which can have, in some cases, a first cross-sectional dimension of at least about 1 mm) comprising basalt and/or titanium (e.g., a fiber comprising basalt and/or titanium) and/or particles (e.g.

Abstract: An auxiliary ramp is designed to ease the task of replacing a tire on a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the body of the ramp is a rectangular prism with a diagonal cut in the front end of it, allowing a vehicle to go on it. A diagonal cut in the bottom rear area with wheels enabling the ramp to slide when necessary, an audible warning device is configured to indicate the right position on the ramp to perform the tire change. The ramp allows a user to easily raise the car and the tire subject to replacement. By using it, the car will reach a better height for jack insertion preventing any excessive effort when lifting the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network.

Abstract: Nanostructure reinforced articles and related systems and methods are generally described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using large-scale active growth structures are generally described. In addition, systems and methods related to the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using basalt and/or titanium (e.g., elemental titanium) are generally described. The carbon-based nanostructures can be grown by exposing the large-scale active growth structures, basalt, and/or titanium to a set of conditions selected to cause formation of carbon-based nanostructures on (e.g., directly on) the large-scale active growth structure, basalt, and/or titanium. When basalt and/or titanium are used as all or part of an active growth structure, the basalt and/or titanium can be in any suitable form such as, for example, a planar or non-planar active growth structure (which can have, in some cases, a first cross-sectional dimension of at least about 1 mm) comprising basalt and/or titanium (e.g., a fiber comprising basalt and/or titanium) and/or particles (e.g.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: A method for controlled nucleation and growth of microtubules on substrates. The substrate is functionalized with a nucleating agent for microtubule growth. The method can be employed to generate nanoscale structures on substrates or between substrates by additional attachment of MT capture agents which function to capture the ends of growing MT to form connecting MT structures. The method can be used to form 2-and 3-D structures on or between substrates and can function to establish interconnects between nanoscale devices or molecular electronic devices and electrodes. A specific method for metallization of biological macromolecules and structures is provided which can be applied to metallized the MT formed by the growth and capture method. The metallization method is biologically benign and is particularly useful for copper metallization of MTs.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network.

Abstract: Microtubules are excellent candidates for the fabrication of nanostructures, including nanowires. A method for controlled nucleation and growth of microtubules on substrates (e.g., gold on a silicon wafer) is provided. The substrate is functionalized with a nucleating agent for microtubule growth. The method can be employed to generate nanoscale structures on substrates or between substrates by additional attachment of MT capture agents which function to capture the ends of growing MT to form connecting MT structures. The method can be used to form 2- and 3-D structures on or between substrates and can function to establish interconnects between nanoscale devices or molecular electronic devices and electrodes. A specific method for metallization of biological macromolecules and structures in provides which can be beneficially applied to metallized the MT formed by the growth and capture method. The metallization method is biologically benign and is particularly useful for copper metallization of MTs.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: Microtubules are excellent candidates for the fabrication of nanostructures, including nanowires. A method for controlled nucleation and growth of microtubules on substrates (e.g., gold on a silicon wafer) is provided. The substrate is functionalized with a nucleating agent for microtubule growth. The method can be employed to generate nanoscale structures on substrates or between substrates by additional attachment of MT capture agents which function to capture the ends of growing MT to form connecting MT structures. The method can be used to form 2- and 3-D structures on or between substrates and can function to establish interconnects between nanoscale devices or molecular electronic devices and electrodes. A specific method for metallization of biological macromolecules and structures in provides which can be beneficially applied to metallized the MT formed by the growth and capture method. The metallization method is biologically benign and is particularly useful for copper metallization of MTs.

Abstract: Novel, quick, and reliable detection methods for determining the authenticity of optical and/or audio disc articles (such as compact discs, digital video discs, CD-ROM discs, and the like) are provided. Such a method basically entails the incorporation of an identifier or marking means within the edges of target optical discs or within any other portion of a target disc such that exposure to non-visible light sources will provide the desired identification upon irradiation or detection of the marking means therein. Such an identifier or marking agent thus may be utilized in conjunction with a transparent holding case whereby the needed light source may be exposed through the transparent walls thereof to permit detection of counterfeit or authentic discs without requiring opening of the case itself. Such a method may also be utilized for discs that are removed from or have not been placed and sealed within such a case as well.

Abstract: Novel, quick, and reliable detection methods for determining the authenticity of optical and/or audio disc articles (such as compact discs, digital video discs, CD-ROM discs, and the like) are provided. Such a method basically entails the incorporation of an identifier or marking means within the edges of target optical discs or within any other portion of a target disc such that exposure to non-visible light sources will provide the desired identification upon irradiation or detection of the marking means therein. Such an identifier or marking agent thus may be utilized in conjunction with a transparent holding case whereby the needed light source may be exposed through the transparent walls thereof to permit detection of counterfeit or authentic discs without requiring opening of the case itself. Such a method may also be utilized for discs that are removed from or have not been placed and sealed within such a case as well.

Abstract: A polymer product useful for adsorbing small molecular size solutes in the presence of large molecular size solutes comprises a matrix polymer, an affinity ligand, and a shielding ligand. The affinity ligand forms complexes with small molecular size solutes, while the shielding ligand prevents large molecular size solutes from forming complexes with the affinity ligand. The matrix polymer, affinity ligand, and shielding ligand are covalently bonded together. The affinity ligand and shielding ligand may both be independently bonded to the matrix polymer, or the affinity ligand may be bonded to the matrix polymer, and the shielding ligand bonded to the affinity ligand.

Abstract: Surfactants bound to a ligand and dissolved in a single phase aqueous solution form a precipitate when a multivalent antiligand is added to the solution. This invention can be used in an affinity precipitation test procedure (and kit) for detecting the presence or absence of a multivalent antiligand in a sample suspected of containing the multivalent antiligand, in an affinity precipitation inhibition test procedure (and kit) for detecting the presence or absence of a target ligand in a sample suspected of containing the target ligand, and in a process for separating a multivalent antiligand from a crude material containing the multivalent antiligand.