Abstract: Various embodiments provide a zinc oxide graphene composite. A zinc oxide graphene composite includes zinc oxide crystallites and graphene. A method of forming the composite includes combining graphene and zinc oxalate to form a mixture and heating the mixture to produce the zinc oxide graphene composite.

Abstract: A set of nesting cups includes two or more cups, each cup including a respective rim having a flange, and a respective bowl depending from the rim. The respective bowl of each cup is formed by a curved side wall and one or two straight side walls extending from the respective rim of the cup to a closed bottom of the bowl. The curved side wall of each bowl has an upper edge at the rim of the cup, the upper edge forming a circle segment completed by a perimeter of the flange. The circle segments formed by the upper edges of the curved side walls of the cups define different included angles, and the bowls of the cups are sized to nest.

Abstract: The system may include a rotatable stage configured to support a ceramic substrate and an energy emitter positioned adjacent to the ceramic substrate. In some cases, the energy emitter may be configured to transmit an energy beam toward one or more outer faces of the ceramic substrate so as to modify a surface roughness of the one or more outer faces. In some cases, the method may include identifying a target surface roughness based at least in part on a target friction coefficient, and identifying a target surface area of the ceramic substrate, transmitting an energy beam toward the surface of the ceramic substrate via an energy emitter positioned adjacent to the ceramic substrate, and heating the target surface area of the surface of the ceramic substrate until a surface roughness of the target surface area is within a predetermined range of the target surface roughness.

Abstract: A set of nesting cups includes two or more cups, each cup including a respective rim having a flange, and a respective bowl depending from the rim. The respective bowl of each cup is formed by a curved side wall and one or two straight side walls extending from the respective rim of the cup to a closed bottom of the bowl. The curved side wall of each bowl has an upper edge at the rim of the cup, the upper edge forming a circle segment completed by a perimeter of the flange. The circle segments formed by the upper edges of the curved side walls of the cups define different included angles, and the bowls of the cups are sized to nest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for braking mecanum or omnidirectional wheels, by applying force to the rollers of a mecanum or omnidirectional wheel to prevent them from rolling when in contact with the ground or the floor. In some embodiments, it engages the rollers with teeth, rods, or wedges to generate friction and prevent them from rotating. The teeth, rods, or wedges rotate with the mecanum or omnidirectional wheel on the same axle, so the force can be applied and the rollers braked whether the wheel is rotating or not. In some embodiments, the force is applied using a servo or motor to push a thrust bearing, which then engages the rollers. In some embodiments, the servo or motor applies force using one or more gear racks, levers, cam wheels, or mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A set of nesting cups includes two or more cups, each cup including a respective rim having a flange, and a respective bowl depending from the rim. The respective bowl of each cup is formed by a curved side wall and one or two straight side walls extending from the respective rim of the cup to a closed bottom of the bowl. The curved side wall of each bowl has an upper edge at the rim of the cup, the upper edge a forming a circle segment completed by a perimeter of the flange. The circle segments formed by the upper edges of the curved side walls of the cups define different included angles, and the bowls of the cups are sized to nest.

Abstract: An infant play mat with a flexible central mat portion having a fabric surface that forms a first infant play area and including multiple flexible flaps extending from straight edges of the play mat. The infant play mat has a polygonal perimeter with multiple straight edges, with two of the edges defining a corner therebetween. Multiple flexible flaps extend from a respective one of the perimeter edges and define a fold line. Each flap has an upper flap surface exposed when the flap is extended, and hidden when the play mat is folded at the fold line to cover a region of the central mat portion. The central mat portion and lower surfaces of the flaps together form a second infant play area when the play mat is folded at all of the fold lines. Two of the flaps extend from the two edges to define the corner and are shaped such that, when overlaying the central mat portion, the two flaps do not overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for evaluating the radial compressive strength of ceramic honeycomb samples. The apparatus includes a housing defining a testing compartment. A pressure subsystem is configured to introduce a pressurizing fluid into the testing compartment. A flexible member is in fluid communication with the pressure subsystem. The flexible member defines a testing area within the testing compartment configured to receive the ceramic honeycomb sample. The flexible member expands inwardly and subjects the honeycomb sample to a compressive force by engaging against the outer surface of the honeycomb sample when pressurized by the pressurizing fluid. An end cap covers an end face of the ceramic honeycomb sample when the ceramic honeycomb sample is positioned in the testing compartment. An acoustic sensor disposed on the end cap is configured to translate acoustic waveforms propagating through the acoustic sensor to a signal representative of the acoustic waveforms.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformed webs that comprise polymer films having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein, the polymer films comprising a polymer blend of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and a copolyester that comprises (a) dicarboxylic acid residues (e.g., dicarboxylic acid residues that comprise terephthalic acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional dicarboxylic acid residues) and (b) diol residues (e.g., diol residues comprising ethylene glycol residues and, optionally, one or more additional diol monomer residues). Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Abstract: An infant play mat with a flexible central mat portion having a fabric surface that forms a first infant play area and including multiple flexible flaps extending from straight edges of the play mat. The infant play mat has a polygonal perimeter with multiple straight edges, with two of the edges defining a corner therebetween. Multiple flexible flaps extend from a respective one of the perimeter edges and define a fold line. Each flap has an upper flap surface exposed when the flap is extended, and hidden when the play mat is folded at the fold line to cover a region of the central mat portion. The central mat portion and lower surfaces of the flaps together form a second infant play area when the play mat is folded at all of the fold lines. Two of the flaps extend from the two edges to define the corner and are shaped such that, when overlaying the central mat portion, the two flaps do not overlap.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformed webs that comprise polymer films having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein, the polymer films comprising a polymer blend of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and a copolyester that comprises (a) dicarboxylic acid residues (e.g., dicarboxylic acid residues that comprise terephthalic acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional dicarboxylic acid residues) and (b) diol residues (e.g., diol residues comprising ethylene glycol residues and, optionally, one or more additional diol monomer residues). Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Abstract: A non-contact method of characterizing the isostatic strength of a ceramic member or article includes capturing a digital image of the ceramic article, and then forming a two-dimensional representation of the ceramic article and the web therein based on the captured digital image. The method also includes performing finite-element analysis on the two-dimensional representation of the ceramic article using a select amount of simulated isostatic pressure to determine a maximum stress value within the two-dimensional representation of the web. The method further includes using the maximum stress value to characterize the isostatic strength of the ceramic article.

Abstract: A honeycomb body having a honeycomb structure and a peripheral skin, the honeycomb structure having walls defining a plurality of cells including peripheral cells disposed directly adjacent to the peripheral skin. One or more of the peripheral cells is at least partially defined by a first wall surface, a second wall surface, and a skin surface portion extending between the first wall surface and the second wall surface. A continuously-varying radius extends from a first tangent to the first wall surface along the skin surface portion and to a second tangent to the second wall surface. Other honeycomb bodies, structures, and extrusion dies for forming honeycomb structures are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a honeycomb body. The method includes capturing a first image. Instances of at least one feature in the first image that correlates to a structural characteristic of the honeycomb body are detected. One or more detected instances of the at least one feature identified in the first image are abstracted by creating a graphical representation of each of the one or more detected instances of the at least one feature. A second image is generated by augmenting the first image with the graphical representation in place of or in addition to each of the one or more detected instances of the at least one feature identified in the first image. The second image is analyzed using a machine learning algorithm to classify the honeycomb body with respect to the structural characteristic of the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted spreader for spreading materials such as sand, salt, or other granular chemicals onto snow and ice covered road surfaces comprises a hopper for containing the material to be spread, a spinner for spreading the material, a conveyor for conveying the material from the hopper to the spinner, a vehicle speed sensor, a load sensor, and a controller programmed with an intended density of material (e.g., pounds per acre) and desired width of coverage; within the controller the vehicle speed sensor measurement and load sensor inputs are processed to generate outputs to control the speed of the conveyor and spinner, to both control the rate of material distribution and the pattern of material distribution to approach the intended density and width.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformed webs that comprise polymer films having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein, the polymer films comprising a polymer blend of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyethylene furanoate (PEF), and a copolyester that comprises (a) dicarboxylic acid residues (e.g., dicarboxylic acid residues that comprise terephthalic acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional dicarboxylic acid residues) and (b) diol residues (e.g., diol residues comprising ethylene glycol residues and, optionally, one or more additional diol monomer residues). Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformed webs that comprise polymer films having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein, the polymer films comprising a polymer blend of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and a copolyester that comprises (a) dicarboxylic acid residues (e.g., dicarboxylic acid residues that comprise terephthalic acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional dicarboxylic acid residues) and (b) diol residues (e.g., diol residues comprising ethylene glycol residues and, optionally, one or more additional diol monomer residues). Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a universal adapter having a back end for attachment to a motor, a forward opening receiving area, an outer magnet assembly rotatable around the receiving area by a motor, and a forward mounting plate surrounding the forward opening receiving area and having mounting features adapted for attachment to the back cover of each of a variety of pump assemblies. The back cover includes mounting features for alignment with the mounting features of the forward mounting plate of the universal adapter.