Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for producing a yarn comprising the steps of: (a) producing a plurality of dope filaments by spinning a polymer solution in sulfuric acid through a multi-hole spinneret, the polymer comprising imidazole groups; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into an as-spun yarn; (c) contacting the yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11; and (d) rinsing the yarn.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, fiber further having: i) a halide anion, the halide anion being present in an amount of 0.05 to 20.1 weight percent, based on weight of fiber; and ii) sulfur, wherein the sulfur is present in the fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 3 weight percent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried sulfur-containing fiber in a yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11 to release at least a portion of said sulfur, said sulfur comprising, at least in part, sulfate anions and said yarn comprising fiber derived from polymer comprising imidazole groups; and b) rinsing said yarn to remove at least a portion of released sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: a) contacting never-dried sulfate anion-containing polymeric-fiber with an halide-containing acid to displace at least a portion of the sulfate ions with halide anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove the displaced sulfate ions.

Abstract: A method to synthesize choline salts to be used as inexpensive ingredients for application in ionic liquids or other applications is disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer device (10) which comprises an outer housing (24), an inner body (26) formed within the housing (24), the inner body (26) having a conduit (66) extending therethrough to provide fluid communication between upper and lower chambers, the conduit (66) having a piercing tip (68) at a lower end, a cap (54)having a top wall and a downwardly extending wall (58), the cap being retained in position such that access cannot be had to the inner body (26), and a pushing member (44) which has at least one leg (48) extending upwardly, the pushing member having an activated position where the leg (48) will extend upwardly to the upper chamber and move the cap (54) such that access may be had to the inner body (26).

Abstract: A membrane for use as a packaging or in microbial fuel cells having a first layer of a polymer having a high oxygen permeability and a second supporting layer made of a woven or a non-woven material, wherein both layers are dot laminated and/or pattern laminated together by using an adhesive.

Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for the selective removal of CO2 from a mixture of gases. The method comprises contacting a first gaseous mixture containing CO2 in an absorber with an absorbent having substantial selectivity for CO2, thereby forming a second mixture of absorbed CO2 and absorbent. After separating any nonabsorbed gases from the second mixture of CO2 and absorbent, the second mixture enters a separator wherein the CO2 is released from the absorbent. The absorbent is recycled back to the absorber to start the process over. The released CO2, is then compressed in one or more stages. Each stage provides a compression step to heat the released CO2, followed by a cooling step. The heat generated during the cooling of the CO2 is captured by intercoolers and recycled to operate the capture and separating process in a substantial manner, if not entirely.

Abstract: An adjustable food flavoring device with removable smoker box for use in a gas grill is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inverted V-shaped upper plate, an inverted V-shaped lower plate, a feature or features to prevent the movement of the assembly once a user obtains the desired length, a plurality of tabs to keep ceramic briquettes in their desired locations, and a removable smoker box in which to place articles for heating and burning to produce smoke that flavors the food being cooked on the grill.

Abstract: A method to synthesize choline salts to be used as inexpensive ingredients for application in ionic liquids or other applications is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to adsorbents useful for storing hydrogen and other small molecules, and to methods for preparing such adsorbents. The adsorbents are produced by heating carbonaceous materials to a temperature of at least 900° C. in an atmosphere of hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention relates methods and apparatus to separate charged species such as carbon nanotubes by their electrical conductivity. Carbon nanotubes of varying electrical conductivity may be separated by hybridizing the nanotubes with nucleic acids such as DNA and then passing a dispersion of the hybrids through an electrochemical cell with an electrical potential on the working electrode which absorbs or desorbs nanotubes of a desired electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.

Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: An electron beam emitter includes an electron generator for generating electrons. The electron generator can have a housing containing at least one electron source for generating the electrons. The at least one electron source has a width. The electron generator housing can have an electron permeable region spaced from the at least one electron source for allowing extraction of the electrons from the electron generator housing. The electron permeable region can include a series of narrow elongate slots and ribs formed in the electron generator housing and extending laterally beyond the width of the at least one electron source. The electron permeable region can be configured and positioned relative to the at least one electron source for laterally spreading the electrons that are generated by the at least one electron source.

Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.

Abstract: A method of estimating user location involving collecting data from the access points in the network. The data can then be used to define a relationship, for example the loss of power experienced by a transmitted signal, between the access points. The relationship can be stored within a matrix, database or any other suitable storage method that can be referenced to determine the position of a user device within the network and correlated with corresponding measurements from a user device to determine the location of the user device within the network.

Abstract: A transfer device (10) which comprises an outer housing (24), an inner body (26) formed within the housing (24), the inner body (26) having a conduit (66) extending therethrough to provide fluid communication between upper and lower chambers, the conduit (66) having a piercing tip (68) at a lower end, a cap (54)having a top wall and a downwardly extending wall (58), the cap being retained in position such that access cannot be had to the inner body (26), and a pushing member (44) which has at least one leg (48) extending upwardly, the pushing member having an activated position where the leg (48) will extend upwardly to the upper chamber and move the cap (54) such that access may be had to the inner body (26).

Abstract: A method for selecting an operative component to combine first and second immiscible phases includes selecting a first operative component and computing the value of the free energy of mixing for it and the first and second immiscible phases. If the computed free energy is greater than zero, the sigma profile of the first candidate is mutated to define a hypothetical sigma profile of a candidate substitute operative component. The free energy of mixing for the substitute and the first and second immiscible phases is computed. The mutation and computation are repeated for a predetermined number of repetitions or until the free energy of the candidate substitute component and the first and second phases is less than zero, whichever first occurs. A material exhibiting a sigma profile corresponding to that of the candidate substitute producing a free energy of solvation less than zero is selected.