Abstract: This disclosure includes vehicle cross members and related methods. Some cross members include an elongated beam having a sidewall extending between first and second ends to define a first channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the beam and across at least longitudinally adjacent first and second sections of the beam, the first channel being open on a first side of the beam, and a second channel extending along the longitudinal axis and across at least the second section, the second channel being disposed below the first channel and open on a second side of the beam that is opposite the first side. Some cross members include a composite body having a plastic material and one or more laminates, where the body defines the beam such that at least one of the laminate(s) borders a majority of an inner cross-sectional perimeter of each of the first and second channels.

Abstract: A version of the invention comprises a device for controlling or interfacing with a computer or other form of communicable machine based on the pyroelectric effect, and includes at least one optically- and infrared- (IR-) transparent graphene electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methodology, including the method and system to enable the same, for detection and classification of microscopic particles by an image analysis approach employing grayscale pixel intensity contour data generated from microphotographs, identifying discrete particles therein by applying user-defined filters, and outputting a statistically-processed report of the outcome thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for wellbore pressure control with separated fluid columns. One embodiment is a composition comprising: a base fluid, a hectorite clay, a secondary clay comprising at least one clay selected from the group consisting of an attapulgite clay, a sepiolite clay, a polygorskite clay, and any combination thereof, and a plurality of fibers. Another embodiment is a method comprising: introducing a first fluid into a wellbore; introducing a barrier pill into the wellbore, wherein the barrier pill comprises: a base fluid, a hectorite clay, and a plurality of fibers; and introducing a second fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: The invention relates to the papermaking art and, in particular, to the manufacture of paper substrates, paper-containing articles such as file folders, having improved reduction or inhibition in the growth of microbes, mold and/or fungus.

Abstract: Some of the present vehicle cross members have a composite body including a plastic material and one or more laminates, where the body defines an elongated beam extending between first and second ends and where at least one of the laminate(s) is at least partially disposed along the beam. In some cross members, the laminate(s) at least partially disposed along the beam span a total distance along the beam that is less than 50% of a length of the beam. In some cross members, at least one of the first and second ends of the beam defines one or more openings into the beam for securing the beam to a vehicle. In some cross members, the body defines a first support unitary with and extending from the beam, where at least one of the laminate(s) is at least partially disposed along each of the beam and the first support.

Abstract: Graphene and ferroelectric materials are used as tunable sensors for detecting and measuring radiation, such as infrared radiation. The low absorption and reflectance of graphene and interconnected graphene networks, for example in the infrared, are exploited for use in such tunable sensors. The active layer makes use of a unique property of ferroelectric materials, known as the pyroelectric effect, for measuring the intensity of impinging radiation. Using graphene electrodes may offer a significant increase in sensitivity, tunability and mechanical flexibility of sensors, such as infrared sensors. In one method, intensity of radiation is measured using variations in the doping level of the graphene electrode.

Abstract: A version of the invention comprises a device for controlling or interfacing with a computer or other form of communicable machine based on the pyroelectric effect, and includes at least one optically- and infrared- (IR-) transparent graphene electrode.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining dynamic barite sag in drilling fluids includes measuring rheological properties with viscometers and/or rheometers, and introducing the parameters into an equation to obtain the sag rate.

Abstract: Graphene and ferroelectric materials are used as tunable sensors for detecting and measuring radiation, such as infrared radiation. The low absorption and reflectance of graphene and interconnected graphene networks, for example in the infrared, are exploited for use in such tunable sensors. The active layer makes use of a unique property of ferroelectric materials, known as the pyroelectric effect, for measuring the intensity of impinging radiation. Using graphene electrodes may offer a significant increase in sensitivity, tunability and mechanical flexibility of sensors, such as infrared sensors. In one method, intensity of radiation is measured using variations in the doping level of the graphene electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a graphene tape. In particular, it relates to the manufacture, the application and possible uses of such a graphene tape. A graphene tape comprising (a) a support layer; and (b) a first nano-composite layer, the nanocomposite layer comprising a thin film layer and a graphene layer, wherein the thin film layer is disposed between the support layer and the graphene layer. A method of manufacture comprising (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a graphene layer on the substrate; (c) depositing a thin film layer on the graphene layer; (d) applying a supporting layer on the thin film layer; (e) removing the substrate; and (f) applying a protective layer in place of the substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with a version of the invention, graphene with a ferroelectric material is used as the transparent electrode material in an electrochromic device. The use of curved and dynamically flexing substrates enables flexible and stretchable applications for electrochromic films. Furthermore, the nonreactive and impermeable nature of graphene increases the durability of the device through increased resistance to external impurities. In addition, the incorporation of ferroelectric materials allows the device to exhibit nonvolatile usage; that is, devices can remain transparent with no external power source. Furthermore, devices may exhibit a charging effect, permitting recovery of energy stored in alignment of ferroelectric dipoles within the ferroelectric material.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method that includes: receiving data encoding parameters defining a study plan of a clinical trial with more than one participant clinical sites; adding a first cohort to the study plan; adding a second cohort to the study plan, the second cohort having no overlapping patient with the first cohort; subsequent to onset of the clinical trial, receiving de-identified information encoding attributes of participant human subjects at each of the clinical sites; parsing the received de-identified information to map the participant human subjects to a particular cohort of the study plan; in response to receiving update information encoding attributes of the participant human subjects at each of the clinical sites, longitudinally tracking the de-identified participant human subjects as mapped to corresponding cohorts of the study plan while the clinical trial progresses at the clinical sites; and providing analytics of the cohorts of the study plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to the papermaking art and, in particular, to the manufacture of paper substrates, paper-containing articles such as file folders, having improved reduction or inhibition in the growth of microbes, mold and/or fungus.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining dynamic barite sag in drilling fluids includes measuring rheological properties with viscometers and/or rheometers, and introducing the parameters into an equation to obtain the sag rate.

Abstract: A method of making a corrugating linerboard includes supplying a web of coated linerboard having a first side, a second side and a thickness defined by a distance between the first side and the second side, the first side being coated with a moisture-repellant material; and impregnating the coated linerboard with a hydrophobic material from the second side such that the hydrophobic material penetrates into the thickness of the coated linerboard.

Abstract: A method for increasing the long term storageability of a cellulosic paper or paperboard product. The method includes providing a paper or paperboard product made from cellulosic fibers having a basis weight ranging from about 80 to about 300 pounds per 3000 square feet. A holdout material is applied to at least one surface of the paper or paperboard product. The web is then coated with an ink receptive material selected from the group consisting of an aqueous acrylic polymer coating material, an aqueous biocidal agent and a combination of aqueous acrylic polymer coating material and aqueous biocidal agent and dried to provide a paper or paperboard product having enhanced long term storageability. Webs made according to the invention are suitable for making file folders which exhibit improve long term storageability by resisting damage from moisture and/or biological activity.

Abstract: A method for increasing the long term storageability of a cellulosic paper or paperboard product. The method includes providing a paper or paperboard product made from cellulosic fibers having a basis weight ranging from about 80 to about 300 pounds per 3000 square feet. A holdout material is applied to at least one surface of the paper or paperboard product. The web is then coated with an ink receptive material selected from the group consisting of an aqueous acrylic polymer coating material, an aqueous biocidal agent and a combination of aqueous acrylic polymer coating material and aqueous biocidal agent and dried to provide a paper or paperboard product having enhanced long term storageability. Webs made according to the invention are suitable for making file folders which exhibit improve long term storageability by resisting damage from moisture and/or biological activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing sized paper and paperboard which incorporates in the paper and paperboard at the size press size a composition comprising one or more “hydrophobic polymers” wherein hydrophobic polymers, the amount of such polymers and the weight ratio of starch to such polymer in the composition are selected such that the paper and paper board exhibits a Cobb Value equal to or less than about 25 and to a sized paper or paperboard web formed by the process.

Abstract: A method for increasing the long term storageability of a cellulosic paper or paperboard product. The method includes providing a paper or paperboard product made from cellulosic fibers having a basis weight ranging from about 80 to about 300 pounds per 3000 square feet. A holdout material is applied to at least one surface of the paper or paperboard product. The web is then coated with an ink receptive material selected from the group consisting of an aqueous acrylic polymer coating material, an aqueous biocidal agent and a combination of aqueous acrylic polymer coating material and aqueous biocidal agent and dried to provide a paper or paperboard product having enhanced long term storageability. Webs made according to the invention are suitable for making file folders which exhibit improve long term storageability by resisting damage from moisture and/or biological activity.