Abstract: A message management server may receive selections, from a message publisher, to build a message series. The message series includes one or more messages and a live chat triggering condition. The message management server may generate a message series preview of the message series. The message series preview includes a simulation of a message in the message series. The message management server may receive a command from the message publisher to launch the message series. The message management server may transmit at least one of the messages in the message series to an end user. The message management server may determine that the live chat triggering condition is met. The message management server may launch a live chat based on the live chat triggering condition being met. The live chat connects the end user to a natural person agent.

Abstract: A cooking device and method that allow food, including eggs, to be cooked in a microwave or rapid cook oven are provided. The device includes a base having at least one receptacle with a base surface, the base having a susceptor that is embedded in a first insulator and positioned to be in thermal contact with the base surface, and at least one yolk cap having a phase change material embedded in a third insulator that is in thermal contact with the bottom surface of the yolk cap. The yolk cap is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the receptacle. A lid having a top surface, a bottom surface, a second insulator and at least one shield that is embedded in the second insulator and shaped to cover the receptacle is provided. The bottom surface of the lid is sized and shaped to cover the receptacle.

Abstract: A message management server may receive selections, from a message publisher, to build a message series. The message series includes one or more messages and a live chat triggering condition. The message management server may generate a message series preview of the message series. The message series preview includes a simulation of a message in the message series. The message management server may receive a command from the message publisher to launch the message series. The message management server may transmit at least one of the messages in the message series to an end user. The message management server may determine that the live chat triggering condition is met. The message management server may launch a live chat based on the live chat triggering condition being met. The live chat connects the end user to a natural person agent.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an overlay, which is further comprised of cup members that may be detached or cut away from the overlay so that the overlay can be adjusted in size and shape. Also, in some embodiments, the overlay is further comprised of a pressure venting valve to maintain a predetermined level of reduced pressure at the site of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the overlay. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an overlay that covers the wound.

Abstract: Coatings configured to change between a relatively higher reflectivity state and a relatively lower reflectivity state depending at least partially upon temperature are generally disclosed. Some example coatings may include a selectively reflective layer including a plurality of microcapsules, which may include an ionic liquid and/or a surfactant within a shell. The microcapsules may have a relatively higher reflectivity when at temperatures above a cloud transition temperature and/or a relatively lower reflectivity when at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature. When at temperatures above the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a first fraction of the incident light. When at temperatures below the cloud transition temperature, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a second fraction of the incident light. The first fraction of the incident light may be greater than the second fraction of the incident light.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an overlay, which is further comprised of cup members that may be detached or cut away from the overlay so that the overlay can be adjusted in size and shape. Also, in some embodiments, the overlay is further comprised of a pressure venting valve to maintain a predetermined level of reduced pressure at the site of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the overlay. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an overlay that covers the wound.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor comprising a body comprising an inlet and an outlet and a flight-tube interconnecting there between. A plurality of electrodes are disposed along the flight tube. The electrodes are electrically operable to introduce a marker to the fluid at a first position in the form of a local fluid composition variation and to detect the position of the marker at least at a second position downstream of the first position, thereby determining the displacement of a fluid volume in the flight-tube and infer the volumetric flow rate of the fluid at a flow pulse.

Abstract: Examples that are described herein provide systems and methods for creating virtual areas for realtime communications. Some examples provide a quick and easy process for creating a virtual area for a set of communicants and provisioning those communicants for realtime communications in the virtual area. Some examples provide a quick and easy way for a user to wrap a realtime communications framework around a network service. Through seamless integration of realtime communications (e.g., realtime audio, video, chat, screen sharing, and file transfer) in persistent virtual areas, these examples are able to enhance and improve communicants' experiences with a network service relative to traditional browser based methods of collaborating on network service based projects.

Abstract: Techniques related to nanocomposite dielectric materials are generally described herein. These techniques may be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods and/or processes for making and using such material. An example process may include: providing a film having a plurality of nanoparticles and an organic medium; comminuting the film to form a particulate; and applying the particulate to a substrate. The example process may also include providing a nanoparticle film having nanoparticles and voids located between the nanoparticles; contacting the film with a vapor containing an organic material; and curing the organic material to form the nanocomposite dielectric film. Various described techniques may provide nanocomposite dielectric materials with superior nanoparticle dispersion which may result in improved dielectric properties.

Abstract: A glue composition can include: one or more glue proteins selected to undergo a conformational change responsive to a pH change; and one or more pH components selected to change the pH of the one or more glue proteins in response to a change in one or more conditions. The glue can be prepared by: providing one or more glue proteins selected to undergo a conformational change in response to a pH change; and combining the glue proteins with one or more pH components selected to change the pH of the one or more glue proteins in response to a change in one or more conditions.

Abstract: Examples that are described herein provide systems and methods for creating virtual areas for realtime communications. Some examples provide a quick and easy process for creating a virtual area for a set of communicants and provisioning those communicants for realtime communications in the virtual area. Some examples provide a quick and easy way for a user to wrap a realtime communications framework around a network service. Through seamless integration of realtime communications (e.g., realtime audio, video, chat, screen sharing, and file transfer) in persistent virtual areas, these examples are able to enhance and improve communicants' experiences with a network service relative to traditional browser based methods of collaborating on network service based projects.

Abstract: Techniques related to nanocomposite dielectric materials are generally described herein. These techniques may be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods and/or processes for making and using such material. An example process may include: providing a film having a plurality of nanoparticles and an organic medium; comminuting the film to form a particulate; and applying the particulate to a substrate. The example process may also include providing a nanoparticle film having nanoparticles and voids located between the nanoparticles; contacting the film with a vapor containing an organic material; and curing the organic material to form the nanocomposite dielectric film. Various described techniques may provide nanocomposite dielectric materials with superior nanoparticle dispersion which may result in improved dielectric properties.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for method and systems effective to at least partially alter a defect in a layer including graphene. In some examples, the methods may include receiving the layer on a substrate where the layer includes at least some graphene and at least some defect areas in the graphene. The defect areas may reveal exposed areas of the substrate. The methods may also include reacting the substrate under sufficient reaction conditions to produce at least one cationic area in at least one of the exposed areas. The methods may further include adhering graphene oxide to the at least one cationic area to produce a graphene oxide layer. The methods may further include reducing the graphene oxide layer to produce at least one altered defect area in the layer.

Abstract: Corrosion control in reinforced concrete is generally disclosed. Some example embodiments may include concrete including aggregate, cement, and/or microcapsules distributed within the cement, where the individual microcapsules may include a high pH salt substantially contained within an acid-soluble shell. If the pH of the concrete decreases, the acid soluble shell may swell and/or dissolve, such as below a pH of about 11, which may release the high pH salt. The high pH salt may locally increase the pH of the concrete. By increasing the pH above about pH 11, corrosion of steel rebar may be prevented and/or reduced.

Abstract: Techniques related to nanocomposite dielectric materials are generally described herein. These techniques may be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods and/or processes for making and using such material. An example process may include: providing a film having a plurality of nanoparticles and an organic medium; comminuting the film to form a particulate; and applying the particulate to a substrate. The example process may also include providing a nanoparticle film having nanoparticles and voids located between the nanoparticles; contacting the film with a vapor containing an organic material; and curing the organic material to form the nanocomposite dielectric film. Various described techniques may provide nanocomposite dielectric materials with superior nanoparticle dispersion which may result in improved dielectric properties.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a reservoir for use with a micro-electromechanical device having a first surface area to be lubricated. The reservoir comprises a solid component with a porous structure having a second surface area. The second surface area is greater than the first surface area. The reservoir also comprises a lubricant capable of reversibly reacting with either the solid component or the first surface area of the microelectromechanical device.

Abstract: Implementations and techniques for sensing hydroxyl radicals in ozone washing systems are generally disclosed. In some examples, the disclosure describes an ozone washing system having an ozone reservoir coupled to a washing machine and a control unit configured to direct the insertion of ozone from the ozone reservoir to the washing machine based on sensed hydroxyl radical levels in fluid samples from the washing machine.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to a portion of a body of a patient. The reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an enclosure that encloses the portion of the body to be treated for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the enclosed portion of the body. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the portion of the body to be treated in the volume under the enclosure. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means.

Abstract: Techniques related to nanocomposite dielectric materials are generally described herein. These techniques may be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods and/or processes for making and using such material. An example process may include: providing a film having a plurality of nanoparticles and an organic medium; comminuting the film to form a particulate; and applying the particulate to a substrate. The example process may also include providing a nanoparticle film having nanoparticles and voids located between the nanoparticles; contacting the film with a vapor containing an organic material; and curing the organic material to form the nanocomposite dielectric film. Various described techniques may provide nanocomposite dielectric materials with superior nanoparticle dispersion which may result in improved dielectric properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to supports and scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. The supports disclosed herein are composed of a thermally responsive material, containing pillars, that is coated with an acrylic polymer, thereby imparting an amphipathic matrix foundation. When exposed to a change in temperature, the coated support reacts by facilitating or repelling hydromolecular interactions. Further disclosed herein are methods for making hydrogels that can support tissue growth.