Abstract: A method is provided, comprising creating at least one crack at a point on an edge of a stack of at least a substrate and a superstrate; propagating the crack along the periphery; and moving the superstrate relative to the substrate to complete separation of the superstrate from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for performing authentication of a client device using a hash chain includes: receiving a first data request from a client device, the first data request including at least a user identifier and a first hash value; transmitting a first data response message to the client device; receiving a second data request from the client device, the second data request including at least the user identifier and a second hash value; generating a validating hash value by applying a hashing algorithm to the second hash value; validating the first hash value as being equal to the generated validating hash value; and transmitting a second data response message to the client device upon successful validation of the first hash value, wherein the second data response message includes one or more data values associated with the user identifier.

Abstract: A system for communicating between blockchains on heterogeneous blockchain networks. The system can include a sending blockchain configured to transmit a first message via a sending blockchain protocol, wherein the sending blockchain forms a part of a sending blockchain network. The system can include a sending adapter node configured to receive the first message from the sending blockchain and translate the first message from the sending blockchain protocol to an adapter protocol. The system can include a receiving adapter node configured to receive the first message from the sending adapter node and translate the first message from the adapter protocol to a receiving blockchain protocol. The system can include a receiving blockchain configured to receive the first message from the receiving adapter node, and validate the first message, wherein the receiving blockchain forms a part of a receiving blockchain network.

Abstract: A system for enabling communication between blockchains on heterogeneous blockchain networks. The system can include a sending blockchain network comprised of a sending blockchain that includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a block header and one or more transaction values associated with an identification request transmitted by the sending blockchain. The system can include a directory service node configured to receive the identification request from the sending blockchain, and identify a receiving blockchain, which forms part of a receiving blockchain network. The system can include an identity service node configured to receive a trust request from the directory service node to determine whether a valid trust certificate is available for the receiving blockchain and enable communication between the sending blockchain and the receiving blockchain, when the valid trust certificate is determined to be available.

Abstract: An inverted Stewart platform assembly includes a first platform having a first surface, a second platform having a second surface facing the first surface of the first platform, and six legs extending between and coupling the first platform and the second platform. The six legs are configured to be actuated between a first arrangement in which adjustable lengths of the six legs, measured from the first platform to the second platform, are substantially equal to one another, and a plurality of second arrangements in which the adjustable lengths of the six legs are not substantially equal to one another, wherein each leg of the six legs forms, in the first arrangement, an angle of less than or equal to 45 degrees with a plane defined by the first platform.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering control system useful for providing stable control during high-speed operation of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering control system utilizes a sensor for detecting and regulating a position of a single steering cylinder associated with a first caster, a damper being free of sensing and providing passive damping to the second caster.

Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating a flame effect. An embodiment includes a nozzle assembly with an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. At least a portion of the inner nozzle is nested within at least a portion of the outer nozzle. The system also includes a fuel source with two or more separate types of fuel.

Abstract: Cable handling devices, methods and systems are provided for securing and deploying, or retracting, one or more cables or hoses into or out of a pipe or cavity allowing inspection of the pipe or cavity. The cables and/or hoses may be coupled and moved together, or decoupled enabling them to be moved independently. A hand-held device with a housing for at least partially enclosing one or more cables or hoses, at least one coupling mechanism integrally attached to the housing, and a coupling control for coupling and decoupling the one or more cables or hoses may be provided. One or more of the cables may be connected to a camera disposed at the distal end of a cable thereby facilitating inspection of the pipe or cavity. Tools such as cutting devices or a jetter may be provided at the end of the one or more cables and/or hoses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining an average travel environment associated with a vehicle and for generating a related risk profile. In various aspects telematics data may be received via wireless communication over one or more radio links from a computing device traveling with a vehicle. An average travel environment, that can account for an average amount of pedestrian traffic or an average amount of vehicle traffic that the vehicle typically travels in, may be determined from processor analysis of the telematics data. The average travel environment may be used to generate a risk profile. An auto insurance policy option may be generated based upon the risk profile auto and transmitted via wireless communication to the computing device to facilitate an insured's review and approval of the auto insurance policy option that is provided based upon a risk associated with the average travel environment.

Abstract: An amusement park system in accordance with present embodiments includes a tower having a central passage disposed therethrough, a ride vehicle disposed within the central passage, and a drive system coupled to the ride vehicle. The drive system is configured to displace the ride vehicle vertically within the central passage of the tower, and the tower is configured to rotate about the drive system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for preparing a catalyst system comprising contacting in an aliphatic solvent at least one support material, at least one hydrocarbyl aluminum compound and at least one non-hydrolytic active oxygen-containing compound to form a supported alumoxane (catalyst system precursor) and contacting the supported alumoxane with at least one catalyst compound having a Group 3 through Group 12 metal atom or lanthanide metal atom. The supported alumoxane may be heated prior to contact with the catalyst compound.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system configured to mitigate signal interference, the system comprising a plurality of RFID readers, comprising a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader; and a plurality of antennas, wherein a first antenna is connected to the first RFID reader and a second antenna is connected to the second RFID reader. Prior to the first RFID reader transmitting a signal through the first antenna, the first RFID reader samples a received radio frequency (RF) signal from the first antenna, and if the received RF signal meets predetermined strength and frequency criteria, the first RFID reader inhibits transmission of the signal through the first antenna.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving vehicle awareness and safety by generating and transmitting alerts in response to detecting a hazard in the environment omnidirectional to a vehicle awareness system. Omnidirectional environment data, representing kinematic information pertaining to one or more physically detectable elements omnidirectional to the primary vehicle, is acquired by one or more sensors communicatively coupled to ta vehicle. The system analyzes the omnidirectional environment data to detect if one or more hazards in the omnidirectional environment data, representing a change in the kinetic behavior of the one or more physically detectable elements omnidirectional to the vehicle awareness system, has occurred. When the system detects one or more hazards in the omnidirectional environment data, the system generates and transmits an alert to vehicles, vehicle operators, mobile devices, or pedestrians at risk from the hazard.

Abstract: An array of processing elements are arranged in a three-dimensional array. Each of the processing elements includes or is coupled to a dedicated memory. The processing elements of the array are intercoupled to their nearest neighbor processing elements. A processing element on a first die may be intercoupled to a first processing element on a second die that is located directly above the processing element, a second processing element on a third die that is located directly below the processing element, and the four adjacent processing elements on the first die. This intercoupling allows data to flow from processing element to processing element in the three directions. These dataflows are reconfigurable so that they may be optimized for the task. The data flows of the array may be configured into one or more loops that periodically recycle data in order to accomplish different parts of a calculation.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In a further example, the park brake interface module includes recessed fixed parking brake actuation switches. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example, “pinch to park” and “reach to release.

Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing ceramic proppant and infused ceramic proppant obtained therefrom are provided. The method can include introducing ceramic proppant and a chemical treatment agent to a mixing vessel, mixing the ceramic proppant and the chemical treatment agent in the mixing vessel to provide a mixture, introducing microwave energy to the mixing vessel to heat the mixture to a temperature sufficient to produce infused ceramic proppant containing at least a portion of the chemical treatment agent, and withdrawing the infused ceramic proppant from the mixing vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a resin including nanoparticles including surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying alkyl groups. The present invention provides a resin component that includes a curable resin. The resin component also includes nanoparticles dispersed in the resin. The nanoparticles each independently include surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups. At least one of the (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups is a (C1-C50)alkyl group and at least one of the surface-bonded hydrophobically-modifying (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl groups is a (C6-C50)aryl group.

Abstract: A turbine engine air control valve including a valve body having a fluid flow passage and a valve member disposed in the valve body. The valve member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis between a maximum flow position and a minimum flow position. The valve member includes a vane and a floating member operatively coupled to the vane. The floating member is configured to float relative to the vane, such that when the valve member is in the minimum flow position, the floating member is spaced apart from the valve body to form an annular flow gap that provides a controlled amount of minimum fluid flow across the valve member as the fluid flows through the annular flow gap.