Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carbonaceous material exhibiting properties and characteristics that lend to its use in forming composite materials. In particular aspects, the carbonaceous material comprises a carbon content of greater than or equal to 85 wt. %, a surface area ranging from 150 m2/g to 500 m2/g, and an oil absorption value ranging from 50 g/100 g to 100 g/100 g. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the carbonaceous material, including forming composite polymer compositions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: A system and method applying store operational data for automated product location tracking within an environment can include collecting operational data with item identifier information, generating item event location data through a sensor monitoring system, processing the operational data and establishing a candidate item location dataset using item event location data associated with the operational data, and translating the candidate item location dataset into an item location map. Variations of the system and method can integrate with product scanning events and/or transaction data.

Abstract: A system and method for actively directing users within an environment that can include accessing item data of a user at an environment; at a sensor-based monitoring system, monitoring location of the user within the environment; and modifying state of a subset of feedback devices based on the item data and the location of the user, wherein the subset of feedback devices are part of a set of feedback devices distributed within the environment.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: An apparatus for nondestructive detection of transparent or reflective objects in a vessel includes an imager configured to acquire data that represent light reflected from spatial locations in the vessel as a function of time, a memory operably coupled to the imager and configured to store the data, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to detect the objects based on the data by (i) identifying a respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, for each location in the spatial locations based on the data representing light reflected from the spatial locations as a function of time, and (ii) determining a presence or absence of the objects in the vessel based on the number of spatial locations whose respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping product locations that can include: receiving, through a digital delivery ordering service, a plurality of orders, wherein each order includes a product list of products for delivery from a retail environment; assigning each of the plurality of orders to a user account of a plurality of user accounts for fulfillment of the orders; building a location dataset associating location data points and products, comprising for each order: determining an order to be undergoing fulfillment in association with a mobile computing device linked with the user account of the order, during fulfillment of the order, collecting location data points for products of the product list using input from the mobile computing device; and processing the location dataset for associations between the location data points and products and thereby determining an updated product location map.

Abstract: An apparatus for nondestructive detection of transparent or reflective objects in a vessel includes an imager configured to acquire data that represent light reflected from spatial locations in the vessel as a function of time, a memory operably coupled to the imager and configured to store the data, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to detect the objects based on the data by (i) identifying a respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, for each location in the spatial locations based on the data representing light reflected from the spatial locations as a function of time, and (ii) determining a presence or absence of the objects in the vessel based on the number of spatial locations whose respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: The apparati, methods, and computer program products disclosed herein can be used to nondestructively detect undissolved particles, such as glass flakes and/or protein aggregates, in a fluid in a vessel, such as, but not limited to, a fluid that contains a drug.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing activated carbon from a resin composite made up of furanic polymer. The method includes producing a resin composite from feedstock (e.g., in the presence of an acid and a salt), combining the resin composite with a base to form an impregnated material, and carbonizing the impregnated material to produce the and salt activated carbon. Provided herein are also resin composites and activated carbon materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Abstract: A method includes receiving raw data and generating a manufacturing data packet (MDP) that includes at least a portion of the raw data. Generating the MDP includes associating metadata with the raw data and associating a timestamp with the raw data. The timestamp is synchronized to a common reference time. A data model associated with the MDP is obtained. The data model includes one or more predefined data types and one or more predefined data fields. A first data type from the one or more predefined data types is determined based at least in part on characteristics of the raw data. An algorithm is determined based at least in part on the first data type. The MDP is processed according to the algorithm to produce an output. The first data type is associated with the raw data. The output is associated with a data field of the first data type.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Abstract: A vehicle traffic sensor for detecting and monitoring vehicular targets is presented. The sensor employs a planar design resulting in a reduced profile sensor. The sensor includes a multi-layer radio frequency board with RF components on one of the sides and both isolation and planar array antennas on the opposing side. The antennas are preferably tapered planar array antennas which include one transmit antenna and one receive antenna. The sensor also includes at least one logic or signal processing board populated with components on a first side and a ground plane on a second side positioned toward the RF componentry of the RF board to form an RF shield. The boards are housed within a housing that is permeable, at least on the side through which the antenna structures propagate.