Abstract: In some aspects, a method of carbonation control can include monitoring, via a first sensor, an environmental condition in a contactor unit, the contactor unit including a plurality of carbonation vessels including carbonation medium, monitoring, via a second sensor, an environmental condition at a location outside of the contactor unit, predicting, based on the measured environmental condition in the contactor unit and the measured environmental condition at the location outside of the contactor unit, a local humidity in a carbonation vessel from the plurality of carbonation vessels, a water content of the carbonation medium in the carbonation vessel from the plurality of carbonation vessels, and a carbonation extent of the carbonation medium in the carbonation vessel from the plurality of carbonation vessels for a carbonation forecasting period, and executing an action on the plurality of carbonation vessels based on the predicted water content and predicted carbonation extent.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-slice bacon shingle is provided, comprising introducing a bulk meat product, such as a pork belly or other non-pork meat product, into a slicer; setting the slicer to control predetermined slicing parameters, namely blade speed, extent of overlap between adjacent bacon slices, and separation between successive bacon shingles; slicing the bulk meat product into bacon slices in accordance with the slicing parameters to produce a plurality of bacon shingles, wherein the adjacent bacon slices of each bacon shingle form a predetermined overlap between the adjacent bacon slices; and cooking the bacon shingles to a predetermined cook condition, wherein the adjacent bacon slices are caused to adhere to one another at the predetermined overlap.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for sorting messages sent and received, for example in a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), according to whether the receiving device is within a radially defined region of space. The space may be defined by one or more parameters set by the sending device. A wireless PAN may define the range of peer-to-peer transmission and reception of radio waves between at least two wireless devices. Location and orientation information may be transmitted by a communication device and combined with user and/or software defined boundary limits to filter short range wireless messages.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time, in-line calculations of opto-electronic properties and thickness of the layers of multi-layered transparent conductive oxide stacks of photovoltaic devices is provided. The method and system include taking measurements of each layer of the stack during deposition thereof. The measurements are then used to calculate the opto-electronic properties and thicknesses of the layers in real-time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for sorting messages sent and received, for example in a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), according to whether the receiving device is within a radially defined region of space. The space may be defined by one or more parameters set by the sending device. A wireless PAN may define the range of peer-to-peer transmission and reception of radio waves between at least two wireless devices. Location and orientation information may be transmitted by a communication device and combined with user and/or software defined boundary limits to filter short range wireless messages.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for sorting messages sent and received, for example in a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), according to whether the receiving device is within a radially defined region of space. The space may be defined by one or more parameters set by the sending device. A wireless PAN may define the range of peer-to-peer transmission and reception of radio waves between at least two wireless devices. Location and orientation information may be transmitted by a communication device and combined with user and/or software defined boundary limits to filter short range wireless messages.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an empty food can into a pressure cooker, a container for steam pressure, or a boiler comprised of an apparatus base (10), sealing lid (20) with an internally threaded orifice (80) for a device that either releases or regulates steam pressure, a plurality of connecting rods (30) and typical fasteners (40), (42), when assembled with a proper sized food can, shall achieve an airtight seal on the opening of the food can and when placed on or above a heat source of such significance as to bring the contents of the food can to a boil shall allow the generation of steam pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time, in-line calculations of opto-electronic properties and thickness of the layers of multi-layered transparent conductive oxide stacks of photovoltaic devices is provided. The method and system include taking measurements of each layer of the stack during deposition thereof. The measurements are then used to calculate the opto-electronic properties and thicknesses of the layers in real-time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that allow users to create Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) services that are associated with namespaces. The created services may be stored at a server and associated, on the server, with namespaces. Users of communication devices may search for and download service identifiers of interest. Communication devices within the WPAN may advertise stored service identifiers and scan for other devices having matching service identifiers. As such, users of devices can discover other users having mutual interests.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for sorting messages sent and received, for example in a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), according to whether the receiving device is within a radially defined region of space. The space may be defined by one or more parameters set by the sending device. A wireless PAN may define the range of peer-to-peer transmission and reception of radio waves between at least two wireless devices. Location and orientation information may be transmitted by a communication device and combined with user and/or software defined boundary limits to filter short range wireless messages.

Abstract: Prioritized user interfaces are disclosed. A user interface may include a menu including a plurality of selectable items displayed in respective menu positions. A menu position of at least one of the plurality of selectable items is assigned based on a prioritization level of the at least one selectable item. The prioritization level is based at least partially on a selection metric for the at least one selectable item. The user interface may also include a menu locator indicating a location of a menu within a multi-level menu structure. The menu locator may include a first indicator of a position within a first level of the multi-level menu structure and a second indicator of a position within a second level of the multi-level menu structure.

Abstract: Described herein is a contact for a photovoltaic device and method of making the same. The contact has a transparent conductive oxide stack, where a first portion of the transparent conductive oxide stack is formed by atmospheric pressure vapor deposition and a second portion of the transparent conductive oxide stack is formed by physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A structure includes a barrier layer which can include a silicon aluminum oxide, and a transparent conductive oxide layer which can include a layer of cadmium and tin.

Abstract: A multilayered structure including a first barrier layer adjacent to a substrate, a barrier bi-layer adjacent to the first barrier layer, the barrier bi-layer comprising a second barrier layer and a third barrier layer, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the barrier bi-layer, and a buffer layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer and method of forming the same. A multilayered substrate including a barrier layer structure having a plurality of barrier layers being alternating layers of low refractive index material and high refractive index material, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the barrier bi-layer and a buffer layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer. The multilayered structure may serve as a front contact for photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing. A conductive lower support is in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP, and a conductive upper support is disposed above the input surface of the MCP. A shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown is disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support. The SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing. An SMA upper surface is configured to provide an axial force against the upper support, and an SMA lower surface is in contact with the input surface of the MCP.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing. A conductive lower support is in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP, and a conductive upper support is disposed above the input surface of the MCP. A shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown is disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support. The SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing. An SMA upper surface is configured to provide an axial force against the upper support, and an SMA lower surface is in contact with the input surface of the MCP.

Abstract: A device for enhancing vision for a hair curling iron for conventional curling iron of the general type having clamping members, two heating members, two bases and two styling members wherein the improvement comprises a mirror element attached to one of the bases. In another embodiment, a styling iron comprising an upper body having inner and outer surfaces, an upper cover attached to the upper body, a heating element between the upper cover and the inner surface, a lower body operationally attached to the upper body, the lower body having inner and outer surfaces, a lower cover attached to the lower body, a second heating element between the lower cover and the inner surface of the lower body, and a mirror attached to the outer surface of the upper body. Moreover, the styling iron may further comprise an insulating element between the heating element and the mirror.

Abstract: A solar cell with a doped transparent conductive oxide layer is disclosed. The doped transparent conductive oxide layer can improve the efficiency of CdTe-based or other kinds of solar cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-layered structure can include annealing a stack, where the annealing can include heating the stack in the presence of an inert gas, and where the stack includes a layer including cadmium and tin.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device can include a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to a substrate and a barrier layer, which can include a silicon-containing material.