Abstract: Strengthening the dry and wet tenacity of regenerated cellulosic fibers can be performed through the addition of an aldaric acid, such as (but not limited to) glucaric acid. In some embodiments, regenerated cellulosic fibers that include an aldaric acid or a salt thereof, produced by the disclosed methods are also described. The produced fibers have advantageous properties due at least in part to the inclusion of the aldaric acid.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy apparatus and method that enable observing charge generation transients with nanometer spatial resolution and nanosecond to picosecond time resolution, the timescale relevant for studying photo-generated charges in the world's highest efficiency photovoltaic films. The AFM apparatus includes an AFM, a light source for illumination of a sample operatively coupled to the AFM, a voltage source operatively coupled to the AFM, and a control circuitry operatively coupled to the light source and the voltage source. The AFM apparatus improves the time resolution and enables rapid acquisition of photocapacitance transients in a wide array of solar-energy-harvesting materials.

Abstract: A drift is inserted into a first end of a first pipe and a first actuator is pressed against a second end of the first pipe. A valve in the first actuator is opened and a valve in a second actuator is closed. When a vacuum is turned on, suction is applied to the first actuator, drawing the drift through the first pipe. The drift is removed from the second end and inserted into a second end of a second pipe. The second actuator is pressed against a first end of the second pipe. The valve in the first actuator is closed, the valve in the second actuator is opened, and suction is applied, drawing the drift through the second pipe. The back-and-forth process is repeated for each of a number of pipes. If the drift encounters an obstruction, the pipe can be set aside for further inspection.

Abstract: One disclosed method includes filtering incoming emergency data using at least one filtering criteria, as the emergency data is received in response to initiation of emergency events; generating at least one data bin representing a tally of emergency data meeting the at least one filtering criteria, without storing any of the emergency data used to generate the at least one data bin; and generating a statistical report using the at least one data bin. The statistical report may be generated real-time and displayed on a remote display.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy apparatus and method that enable observing charge generation transients with nanometer spatial resolution and nanosecond to picosecond time resolution, the timescale relevant for studying photo-generated charges in the world's highest efficiency photovoltaic films. The AFM apparatus includes an AFM, a light source for illumination of a sample operatively coupled to the AFM, a voltage source operatively coupled to the AFM, and a control circuitry operatively coupled to the light source and the voltage source. The AFM apparatus improves the time resolution and enables rapid acquisition of photocapacitance transients in a wide array of solar-energy-harvesting materials.

Abstract: Strengthening the dry and wet tenacity of regenerated cellulosic fibers can be performed through the addition of an aldaric acid, such as (but not limited to) glucaric acid. In some embodiments, regenerated cellulosic fibers that include an aldaric acid or a salt thereof, produced by the disclosed methods are also described. The produced fibers have advantageous properties due at least in part to the inclusion of the aldaric acid.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy apparatus and method that enable observing charge generation transients with nanometer spatial resolution and nanosecond to picosecond time resolution, the timescale relevant for studying photo-generated charges in the world's highest efficiency photovoltaic films. The AFM apparatus includes an AFM, a light source for illumination of a sample operatively coupled to the AFM, a voltage source operatively coupled to the AFM, and a control circuitry operatively coupled to the light source and the voltage source. The AFM apparatus improves the time resolution and enables rapid acquisition of photocapacitance transients in a wide array of solar-energy-harvesting materials.

Abstract: One disclosed method includes filtering incoming emergency data using at least one filtering criteria, as the emergency data is received in response to initiation of emergency events; generating at least one data bin representing a tally of emergency data meeting the at least one filtering criteria, without storing any of the emergency data used to generate the at least one data bin; and generating a statistical report using the at least one data bin. The statistical report may be generated real-time and displayed on a remote display.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy apparatus and method that enable observing charge generation transients with nanometer spatial resolution and nanosecond to picosecond time resolution, the timescale relevant for studying photo-generated charges in the world's highest efficiency photovoltaic films. The AFM apparatus includes an AFM, a light source for illumination of a sample operatively coupled to the AFM, a voltage source operatively coupled to the AFM, and a control circuitry operatively coupled to the light source and the voltage source. The AFM apparatus improves the time resolution and enables rapid acquisition of photocapacitance transients in a wide array of solar-energy-harvesting materials.

Abstract: A material spraying machine is disclosed herein, for example, as the machine may be used to spray flock material. In an example, the material spraying machine includes a hopper configured to hold a material to be sprayed. An agitator in the hopper moves the material from the hopper into an airlock. Vanes in the airlock move the material into an airstream generated by the blower, wherein the material is discharged through an outlet without coming into contact with a blower. The machine is described herein for purposes of illustration as it may be used to spray flock material. However, the machine may have other applications and be used in other industries, including but not limited to, blow-in insulation, confetti, mulch, glitter, etc.

Abstract: A vacuum machine is provided, comprising: an engine secured to a frame and having an engine shaft; an impeller coupled to the engine shaft; a shroud surrounding the impeller and having an inlet and an outlet; a disk secured to the frame between the engine and the shroud, the disk having a plurality of spaced-apart notches around its perimeter; and a spring-loaded latch pin secured to the shroud and configured to engage one of the notches when in a first, locking position, and to disengage from the notch when in a pulled-back, unlocked position, thereby permitting the shroud to rotate about the impeller and lock in any of a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of notches.

Abstract: An interlocking intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis can include a left prosthetic body and a right prosthetic body that interlock with one another. A kit for replacing an intervertebral disc with an interlocking intervertebral disc prosthesis is also provided. A method for surgically implanting an interlocking intervertebral disc prosthesis is also provided.