Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming an electrolyte membrane comprising forming a mixture; the mixture comprising a polyhydroxy compound, an aromatic polyhalide compound and an alkali metal hydroxide; disposing the mixture on a porous substrate; reacting the mixture to form a proton conductor; and crosslinking the proton conductor to form a cross-linked proton-conducting network. Disclosed herein too is an article comprising a porous substrate; and a crosslinked proton conductor disposed on the porous substrate.

Abstract: Tape articles having improved properties are made from ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) multi-filament yarns. The tape articles can have a ratio of the low temperature area under the curve (120° C. to Tm-onset) to the total area under the curve (120° C. to 165° C.) of less than about 0.15 as calculated from an increasing temperature DSC scan from a temperature of 30° C. to a temperature of 200° C. at a constant rate of 10° C. per minute. Additionally, in some examples the tape articles can also have a tenacity at least about 24 g/d (2.06 GPa) when measured by ASTM D882-09 at a 10 inch (25.4 cm) gauge length and at an extension rate of 100%/min. Further, the tape articles can have no long period of less than 450 Angstroms (?) when measured by small angle x-ray analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing. Additionally, apparatus kits are disclosed that enable the use of the same shields in the observation of prepared samples.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation thermal management apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing. A heat sink means is configured to conduct heat away from the sample undergoing sample preparation in the ion beam.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises a tilting ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing. The tilting ion beam irradiating means may direct ions at the sample from more than one tilt angle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include identifying a security event condition associated with a device. One or more security rules may be identified for execution based on the device and the identified security event condition, wherein the one or more security rules define security related actions to be performed upon occurrence of the security event condition. The security related actions may be initiated by at least one processor on the device to secure the device from unauthorized use.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing a thin film composite membrane comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes include contacting under interfacial polymerization conditions an organic solution comprising a polyacid halide with an aqueous solution comprising a polyamine to form a thin film composite membrane on a surface of a porous base membrane; at least one of the organic solution and the aqueous solution further including multi-walled carbon nanotubes having an outside diameter of less than about 30 nm.

Abstract: Method for SOx remediation in a manufacturing operation includes providing a process stream including an organic compound and an amount of a sulfur-containing compound, an oxidation stream including at least one chemical oxidant, and combining at least a portion of the oxidant stream with at least a portion of the process stream to obtain an organic stripper feed stream, in which the amount of the sulfur-containing compound is reduced upon reaction with the at least one chemical oxidant. The method can further include directing at least a portion of the organic stripper feed stream to a combustion operation, and emitting a SOx remediated off gas from the combustion operation. A system using the disclosed method also is provided.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing a thin film composite membrane comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes include contacting under interfacial polymerization conditions an organic solution comprising a polyacid halide and carbon nanotubes with an aqueous solution comprising a polyamine to form a thin film composite membrane on a surface of a porous base membrane, wherein the organic solution additionally comprises a saturated cyclic C5-C20 hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing multiple SoCs (System on a Chip) to a single, shared memory device are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure provides for controlling the downloading of operating code to two or more SoC controller circuits sharing a memory containing the operating code and a common communications bus, where each controller is a master controller of the communications bus in normal operation. The system and method involves sequentially controlling access of each of the controller circuits to the communications bus to allow each device to separately download the common operating code. The system and method utilize a separate initializing circuit or device along with chaining the controllers together in a series such that each controller be held in a reset state to prevent communications bus access until the previous controller in the chain has completed its code download.

Abstract: A housing for use in a monitoring system having at least one monitoring module includes a shell defining an interior cavity. At least one opening is defined in the shell, and the at least one opening is in flow communication with the interior cavity. The housing includes at least one gasket coupled to the shell about an outer perimeter of the at least one opening. The at least one gasket facilitates insulating the interior cavity from electromagnetic radiation when the at least one monitoring module is positioned within the housing.

Abstract: An isolation region (14) is formed between an edge termination region (2) having deep trenches (20,34) and the central region (4). The isolation region includes gate fingers (18) extending from the edge gate trench regions (28) to the gate trenches (6) in the central region (4) to electrically connect the edge gate trench regions to the gate trenches (6) in the central region. The isolation region also includes isolation fingers (22,24) extending from the edge termination region (2) towards the central region (4) and gate between the gate fingers (18) for reducing the breakdown voltage with a RESURF effect.

Abstract: A packaging system for storing and transporting one or more flat panel products, the packaging system comprising a plurality of tines, a method of machine-assisted loading a packaging system comprising a plurality of tines, and a method of storing and transporting one or more flat panel products using a packaging system comprising a plurality of tines with alternating channel depths.

Abstract: A waterproof slide fastener is provided. A pair of tapes has coupling elements attached thereto. A coating of polymeric material is provided on at least one surface of the tape and extends continuously therealong. The coating includes in cross-section a fin with a bulbous region. The coating is not extendable beyond the coupling elements when the slide fastener is in an open arrangement.

Abstract: Reaction products prepared from reactants including: (a) at least one compound of structural Formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from aryl and heteroaryl; X is selected from a direct bond, —O—, —S—, —NH—, alkylene, cycloalkylene, heterocyclylene, arylene, alkarylene, and heteroarylene; Y is a substituted alkylene group having at least two contiguous carbon atoms and which can be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, or —NH— moieties as defined herein, wherein the alkylene group of Y has substituents independently selected from —OH, —NH2, —SH, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, or two hydrogen atoms on the same carbon atom of Y are replaced by carbonyl, and wherein at least two substituents of Y are each independently selected from —OH, —NH2, and —SH, as defined herein; and (b) at least one isocyanate functional material.

Abstract: Provided are bypass diode assemblies for use in photovoltaic modules. Also provided are methods of fabricating such assemblies and a method of fabricating photovoltaic modules using such assemblies. A diode assembly may include an insulating strip, at least one lead-diode assembly having a diode and two leads, and at least two interconnecting conductors overlapping with and electrically contacting the leads of the lead-diode assembly. The insulating strip supports the lead-diode assembly and conductors and at least partially insulates these components from photovoltaic cells. Specifically, during module fabrication, the interconnecting conductors make electrical connections to the back sides of the cells through cutouts in the insulating strip. The electrical connections may be made to every cell in a row or a subset of selected cells in that row. In certain embodiments, the same interconnecting conductor is connected to two or more cells positioned in adjacent rows.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include receiving first monitored information relating to a user at a time of initial user authentication with a particular application or resource. It may be determined that a second authentication is required at a second time subsequent to the time of initial user authentication. Second monitored information may be captured at the second time. The second monitored information may be compared to the first monitored information to determine whether continued authentication is maintained. Access to the particular application or resource when it is determined that continued authentication is not maintained.

Abstract: A first backplane for being electrically coupled to a second backplane, a system monitoring module, and at least one transducer monitoring module includes a system interface bus configured to be coupled to the system monitoring module and the second backplane. The intermediate backplane also includes at least one monitor interface bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the second backplane and an intermediate backplane bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the system monitoring module.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for mounting through a wall having a first face and a second face defining a thickness there between. The valve assembly includes a valve body housing having an axially-extending inner bore. A valve body is telescopically received in the inner bore of the valve body housing, such that the valve body is axially movable with respect to the valve body housing. A valve is nested in a recess of the valve body. A locking element selectively engages the valve body housing and the valve body to lock a position of the valve body relative to the valve body housing.