Abstract: A backflow preventer for preventing a reverse flow of water in a plumbing system including a body having an inlet and an outlet. The body forms an intermediate zone between the inlet and outlet. An inlet check valve prevents the reverse flow of water from the intermediate zone through the inlet. An outlet check valve prevents the flow of water from the outlet into the intermediate zone. An inlet pressure sensor, an intermediate pressure sensor and an outlet pressure sensor provide readings for the respective zones. A controller monitors a pressure differential between the outlet pressure zone and the intermediate pressure zone to compare the pressure differential to a pre-set range. The controller generates a warning/error message when the pressure differential is outside the pre-set range. The controller can also monitor an inlet pressure in the inlet zone to generate a message if the inlet pressure varies inappropriately.

Abstract: Provided are novel P-selectin inhibitors, compositions and uses thereof, and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lithium metal anode electrode that suppresses the growth of lithium dendrites which may deteriorate the electrochemical performance of a battery and cause catastrophic damage to a battery structure, and in particular, a method of manufacturing an anode electrode having a three-dimensional highly porous structure or a metal-or-carbon-based three-dimensional network structure, including irradiation of photoelectromagnetic energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a lithium battery electrode with enhanced electrical and ionic conductivity. The method includes applying photoelectromagnetic energy using IPL, laser, plasma or microwaves, thereby making it possible to apply energy to electrode nanocomposites including active materials, binders and conductive carbon additives.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode for a lithium secondary battery having encapsulated active material using energy application, and the method helps to minimize the volume change of an electrode or negative side effects, such as high internal stress, a fracture, pulverization, delamination, electronic isolation from a conductive agent, the formation of an unstable solid-electrolyte interphase, and a loss of energy capacity of the batteries.

Abstract: A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or metal oxides are incorporated in a polymer to form a sensing element that may be applied on to a surface for sensing hydrocarbon leakage, mechanical stress, and/or temperature change of a hydrocarbon transportation and/or storage structure. Electrical signals from the sensing element are processed to check for indicators of leakage, stress and/or temperature change.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals is presented that enables high speed transmission without repeaters. At the transmitter, a piezoelectric transducer is used to create acoustic waves through the drill string assembly walls. Transmission occurs at more than one passband and each carrier frequency undergoes different modulation and channel coding schemes as the channel permits. At the receiver with multiple accelerometers with known distance, the acoustic signal is processed using several signal diversity techniques to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. A lock-in amplifier extracts the attenuated signals, and a sensor fusion estimation algorithm is performed to decrease the effect of noise. In addition, the wave speed determined from the multiple accelerometer configuration is used for cancellation of echoes and reflections.

Abstract: A contaminated medium (such as soil and/or groundwater) contaminated with petrogenic and/or other organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons, light non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), persistent organic pollutants (i.e. sulfolane), chlorinated compounds, and volatile organic compounds, can be mixed with enhanced stimulators and be thermally remediated. The enhanced stimulators are heat induced to undergo exothermic reactions, which initiate a series of in-situ chemical reactions to such as to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas causes hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbons to produce light hydrocarbons which can be recovered such as for future use.

Abstract: A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for enhanced oil recovery utilizing enhanced sensitizers with chemical blowing agents (CBAs) includes irradiation of electromagnetically activated sensitizers with electromagnetic (EM) waves. The injected enhanced sensitizers absorb the energy from EM waves which increases the temperature. The elevated temperature then activates chemical blowing agents to aid in fluidity of heavy oil or bitumen extractions. The released gases from CBAs also aid in upgrading by releasing desired gases which in turn reduces long hydrocarbon chains at elevated temperature along with catalysts.

Abstract: A contaminated medium (such as soil and/or groundwater) contaminated with petrogenic and/or other organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons, light non- aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), persistent organic pollutants (i.e. sulfolane), chlorinated compounds, and volatile organic compounds, can be mixed with enhanced stimulators and be thermally remediated. The enhanced stimulators are heat induced to undergo exothermic reactions, which initiate a series of in-situ chemical reactions to such as to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas causes hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbons to produce light hydrocarbons which can be recovered such as for future use.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for enhanced oil recovery utilizing enhanced sensitizers with chemical blowing agents (CBAs) are described. The process includes irradiation of electromagnetic (EM) waves. The injected enhanced sensitizers absorb the energy from EM waves which increases the temperature. The elevated temperature then activates chemical blowing agents to aid in fluidity of heavy oil or bitumen extractions. The released gases from CBAs also aid in upgrading by releasing desired gases which in turn reduces long hydrocarbon chains at elevated temperature along with catalysts.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or metal oxides are incorporated in a polymer to form a sensing element that may be applied on to a surface for sensing hydrocarbon leakage, mechanical stress, and/or temperature change of a hydrocarbon transportation and/or storage structure. Electrical signals from the sensing element are processed to check for indicators of leakage, stress and/or temperature change.