Abstract: The substrate for diffusing volatile substances comprises a dispersible binder and a natural material, and the percentages by weight in the dry state are: dispersible binder: 15-45%; and natural material: 55-75%. It may also comprise a preservative. It provides a substrate that provides constant and durable air diffusion properties.

Abstract: A nanocomposite electrode includes a porous copper substrate, Co3O4 and/or Cu/Co(OH)x nanoparticles electrolytically deposited on the porous copper substrate. Fabricating the nanocomposite electrode includes contacting the porous copper substrate with a solution comprising cobalt, and electrodepositing the cobalt on the porous copper substrate to yield the nanocomposite electrode. Reducing nitrate to ammonia includes contacting the nanocomposite electrode with an aqueous solution comprising nitrate, and electrocatalytically reducing the nitrate to yield ammonia.

Abstract: The substrate for diffusing volatile substances comprises a dispersible binder and a biodegradable material, the percentages by weight on the dry state being preferably: dispersible binder: 15-45% and biodegradable material: 55-75%. It may also comprise a biodegradable preservative such as sodium benzoate. It permits to provide a biodegradable substrate to diffuse volatile substances, which has a short biodegradation time.

Abstract: The diffusion device comprises a refill (1) in which liquid containing the volatile substances is housed, the refill (1) comprising: a hole (2) for the passage of the liquid; a sealing element (3) movable between a closed position in which it prevents the passage of the liquid and an open position in which it allows the liquid to pass through the hole (2); and an elastic element (4) that presses the sealing element (3) into its closed position, wherein the sealing element (3) comprises a housing (8) for housing an activation element (7) that moves the closure element (3) from the closed position to the open position against the action of the elastic element (4). It permits to provide a device that only works when the refill is original and is inserted in the correct position.

Abstract: A water-disinfecting apparatus includes a vessel with a cathode, an insert with a photoanode, an ultraviolet light source configured to be positioned in the insert, and a power source. The cathode forms an electrically conductive layer on an inner surface of the vessel. The photoanode is configured to be positioned in the cathode. The power source is configured to be operably coupled to the cathode, the photoanode, and the light source.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for combining electronic payment and rewards redemption at retail points of sale are disclosed. A point of sale (POS) system may be configured to facilitate contactless payments while securing customer payment data. When a customer with a payment application installed on a mobile device initiates a transaction, the application obtains reference data associated with a customer account from an account services server of the POS. The reference data is then passed from the application of the mobile device to a POS terminal, such as by near field communication. Upon receiving the token, the POS terminal obtains customer payment data from the account services server and rewards program data for the customer from a rewards program server. Available rewards may be automatically applied prior to processing payment using the payment data to complete the contactless payment transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to displays. In one arrangement a plurality of pixels is provided in which each pixel comprises a phase change material thermally switchable between a plurality of stable states. Each pixel comprises a switching device configured to heat the phase change material, and thereby thermally switch the phase change material, in response to a control signal. The switching device comprises a single electronic component capable of being switched between different states by the control signal and configured such that heat received by the phase change material of the pixel during the thermal switching of the phase change material of the pixel consists predominantly of heat generated within the single electronic component.

Abstract: A nanocomposite electrode includes a porous copper substrate and platinum nanoparticles electrolytically deposited on the porous copper substrate. Making a nanocomposite electrode includes contacting a porous copper substrate with a solution including platinum, and electrodepositing the platinum on the porous copper substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an electrical bus plug on a busway, where the electrical bus plug is universal and configured to fit a plurality of busways. An adapter may fit on the electrical bus plug to allow the bus to properly electrically connect with the specific type of busway. Optional mounting brackets can also be removably attached to the universal electrical bus plug to permit attachment to a specific type of busway. Therefore, a single/universal electrical bus plug can be used to electrically connect to a plurality of busway types through the use of an adapter and mounting hardware that attached to the universal bus plug.

Abstract: A water-disinfecting apparatus includes a vessel with a cathode, an insert with a photoanode, an ultraviolet light source configured to be positioned in the insert, and a power source. The cathode forms an electrically conductive layer on an inner surface of the vessel. The photoanode is configured to be positioned in the cathode. The power source is configured to be operably coupled to the cathode, the photoanode, and the light source.

Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive substrate with a coating containing boron-doped diamond (BDD) nanoparticles. Fabricating the electrode can include dispersing BDD nanoparticles in a solvent to yield a suspension, coating a conductive substrate with the suspension, and drying the suspension to yield the electrode. In some cases, fabricating the electrode includes combining BDD nanoparticles with a polymeric resin precursor to yield a mixture including a metal oxide, coating a conductive substrate with the mixture to yield a coated substrate, and calcining the coated substrate to yield a metal oxide coating including BDD nanoparticles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to displays. In one arrangement a plurality of pixels is provided in which each pixel comprises a phase change material thermally switchable between a plurality of stable states. Each pixel comprises a switching device configured to heat the phase change material, and thereby thermally switch the phase change material, in response to a control signal. The switching device comprises a single electronic component capable of being switched between different states by the control signal and configured such that heat received by the phase change material of the pixel during the thermal switching of the phase change material of the pixel consists predominantly of heat generated within the single electronic component.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber coupled to a light source for inactivating pathogens on surfaces or in water. The coated optical fiber includes a substantially UV-transparent core, particles optically coupled to the core, and a substantially UV-transparent polymer coating in contact with the particles. Coating the optical fiber includes optically coupling particles to a surface of an optical fiber core to yield a functionalized core, coating the functionalized core with a polymerizable material, and polymerizing the polymerizerable material to yield a substantially UV-transparent polymer coating on the functionalized core.

Abstract: A nail lamp is configured to cure light-curable nail product on a user's nail. The lamp includes a base and a support with discrete light sources that each may emit with the same or different light wavelength profiles, and each may emit continuously or with the same or different pulsing functions. The lamp also includes source reflectors and a ring reflector. The different wavelength profiles are configured to, in combination, cure a light-curable nail product. The pulsing function is used to cure the nail product more efficiently. The source reflectors and ring reflector are used to target specific areas of the nail. A space is disposed between the base and the support and is sized to accommodate therein the nails of an appendage of a user so as to expose the user's nails to light from the discrete light sources.

Abstract: A blowout preventer is disclosed that includes a housing defining a central passage. The central passage is configured to receive a tubular string therethrough. In addition, the blowout preventer includes a packing element disposed in the central passage. The packing element includes an elastomeric member, and a rigid insert mounted to the elastomeric member. The insert includes an extendable tip assembly configured to extend a movable member away from the rigid insert.

Abstract: A device for detecting the location of an object within two or more at least partially overlapping sensing volumes of the device. The device is configured to illuminate the sensing volumes and generate a sensing signal individually for each sensing volume by sensing light modulated by any object in the sensing volume. Spatial encoding is applied to the sensing volumes. The device comprises a processor configured to determine the presence of an object in the sensing volumes based on the sensing signals generated for the sensing volumes and on the spatial encoding.

Abstract: A wiper (200a) for a blowout preventer having an adapter ring (102a) and a piston (104a) slideable relative to the adapter ring along an interface can include a base (202) adapted to couple the wiper to the adapter ring and a head (204) coupled to the base. The head can include a first portion adapted to bridge the interface and contact the piston and a second portion adapted to contact the adapter ring and support the first portion. The second portion of the head can be adapted to at least partially resist rotation of the wiper. A blowout preventer can include one or more wipers as shown and described.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for residential splash pads can include a housing disposed at an interface of the residential splash pad and one or more channels configured to direct a flow of a fluid out of the nozzle assembly and into the residential splash pad. An energy-emitting fixture (such as an LED) can be disposed within the housing and configured to emit energy into the residential splash pad. The nozzle assembly can include a generator and a turbine connected to the generator. The nozzle assembly can further include a flow-diverting mechanism to direct the flow of the fluid to the turbine and increase the velocity of the flow of the fluid at a turbine interface.

Abstract: A nail lamp is configured to cure light-curable nail product on a user's nail. The lamp includes a base and a support with discrete light sources that each may emit with the same or different light wavelength profiles, and each may emit continuously or with the same or different pulsing functions. The lamp also includes source reflectors and a ring reflector. The different wavelength profiles are configured to, in combination, cure a light-curable nail product. The pulsing function is used to cure the nail product more efficiently. The source reflectors and ring reflector are used to target specific areas of the nail. A space is disposed between the base and the support and is sized to accommodate therein the nails of an appendage of a user so as to expose the user's nails to light from the discrete light sources.

Abstract: A nail lamp is configured to cure light-curable nail product on a user's nail. The lamp includes a base and a support with discrete light sources that each may emit with the same or different light wavelength profiles, and each may emit continuously or with the same or different pulsing functions. The lamp also includes source reflectors and a ring reflector. The different wavelength profiles are configured to, in combination, cure a light-curable nail product. The pulsing function is used to cure the nail product more efficiently. The source reflectors and ring reflector are used to target specific areas of the nail. A space is disposed between the base and the support and is sized to accommodate therein the nails of an appendage of a user so as to expose the user's nails to light from the discrete light sources.