Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite membrane comprising a porous base membrane and a polyamide coating disposed on said porous base membrane, said polyamide coating comprising a C3-C8 cyclic carbonyl compound and a C1-C8 amide compound, said amide compound comprising at least one N—H moiety. In addition the present invention provides a method of preparing a composite membrane comprising contacting under interfacial polymerization conditions an organic solution comprising a polyacid halide with an aqueous solution comprising a polyamine, said contacting being carried out on a surface of a porous base membrane, said organic solution further comprising a C3-C8 cyclic carbonyl compound, said aqueous solution comprising a C1-C8 amide compound, said amide compound comprising at least one N—H moiety.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the presence of a ruthenium-promoted cobalt-based catalyst.

Abstract: A Bernoulli Effect pick-up device (1) for the handling of products (20) comprises a surface (4) adapted such that gaseous fluid flow across said surface (4) provides a pick-up force to be generated, by the Bernoulli Effect, in a direction towards said surface (4), and a conduit (2) for the supply of the gaseous fluid. The conduit (2) has an outlet opening (5) at the surface (4) and is adapted to supply gaseous fluid in a direction opposed to the pick-up direction. The outlet (5) of the conduit (2) is associated with a deflector (9) for directing gaseous fluid across the surface (4) and preventing direct impingement of the fluid on a product (2) that has been picked-up by the device (1). The product (20) may for example be a slice of a foodstuff, e.g. tomato or hard-boiled egg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unitary axle nut and tang washer assembly suitable for use in an aircraft landing gear wheel and brake structure. The assembly includes an axle nut in communication with a tang washer having a retainer wire groove formed therebetween; and a retainer wire held in the retainer wire groove.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of polishing, cleaning and texturing back contacts of thin-film solar cells. According to various embodiments, the methods involve irradiating sites on the back contact with laser beams to remove contaminants and/or smooth the surface of the back contact. The back contact, e.g., a molybdenum, copper, or niobium thin-film, is smoothed prior to deposition of the absorber and other thin-films of the photovoltaic stack. In certain embodiments, laser polishing of the back contact is used to enhance the diffusion barrier characteristics of the back contact layer, with all or a surface layer of the back contact becoming essentially amorphous. In certain embodiments, the adhesion of the absorber layer is enhanced by the textured back contact and by the presence of the amorphous metal at the deposition surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of polishing and texturing surfaces thin-film photovoltaic cell substrates. The methods involve laser irradiation of a surface having a high frequency roughness in an area of 5-200 microns to form a shallow and rapidly expanding melt pool, followed by rapid cooling of the material surface. The minimization of surface tension causes the surface to re-solidify in a locally smooth surface. the high frequency roughness drops over the surface with a lower frequency bump or texture pattern remaining from the re-solidification.

Abstract: Provided herein are textured substrates for thin-film solar cells. According to various embodiments, the textured substrates are characterized by substrate patterns exhibiting low-frequency roughness or flatness and long range order. The substrates may be metallic or non-metallic substrates, and in certain embodiments are stainless steel foils. According to various embodiments, the substrates may be provided in the form of a web, ready for deposition of thin-film photovoltaic stacks. Also provided are textured back contact thin films.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of incorporating additives into thin-film solar cell substrates and back contacts. In certain embodiments, sodium is incorporated into a substrate or a back contact of a thin-film photovoltaic stack where it can diffuse into a CIGS or other absorber layer to improve efficiency and/or growth of the layer. The methods involve laser treating the substrate or back contact in the presence of a sodium (or sodium-containing) solid or vapor to thereby incorporate sodium into the surface of the substrate or back contact. In certain embodiments, the surface is simultaneously smoothed.

Abstract: A fluid connection assembly (10) includes a metal tube (22) having a flared end and a plastic manifold (12) having a port (14). The port (14) includes an annular collar (16) and an annular recess (18) that receives a seal (20). The metal tube (22) is arranged over the port (14) and engages the seal (20). The flared end of the metal tube (22) abuts the annular collar (16) of the port (14) when the metal tube (22) is installed. A plastic retainer (28) is molded over the annular collar (16) of the port (14) and the flared end of the metal tube (22) to retain the metal tube (22) axially on the port (14) of the manifold (12).

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.

Abstract: In a driveline for a motor vehicle that includes an automatic transmission having an output shaft that drives a transfer case, an oil sump located in the transfer case, a pump supplied with fluid from the first sump, delivers fluid to a lubrication circuit in the transmission, a second sump supplies fluid to the inlet of a second pump, whose output supplies a second lubrication circuit located in the transfer case. Both of the hydraulic pumps are continually driveably connected to a set of the vehicle's drive wheels.

Abstract: In an image display device figured to be connected to a network, a method of communicating over the network with a remote device on the network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a message sent to a multicast address on the network by the remote device, wherein the message includes an instruction to the image display device to perform a function; and performing the function instructed by the message.

Abstract: An Internet-based personalized, online, scientific interface is described, operating from at least a proprietary web server connected to the Internet for sending display images produced at the web server from any software application to a client web browser. The interface is personalized and includes, in addition to providing a gateway to different information databases, a search function, an archiving function, a specific bookmark function, an access to uploaded abstracts, and a personalized area. The interface includes a tool for upload, creation, venue presentation, and highly interactive web delivery presentation of a scientific paper or a poster by an author, linked with an internal tool for reviewing, accepting, and grading submitted abstracts for review.

Abstract: There is provided a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomaterial may be ceramic, metallic and/or polymeric. It will usually be in the form of a solid, but could be a semi-solid or hydrogel. There is also provided a method of making a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers, said method comprising adsorbing, grafting or synthesising in situ bi-functional semi-dendrimers onto the surface of a biomaterial. There is further provided a biomedical device which is coated with or formed from a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomedical device may be a medical implant, for example, such as a stent, artificial hip joint or replacement heart valve. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional semi-dendrimer structure suitable for biomaterial functionalisation according to the present invention.

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: 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 crosslinked proton conductor; and sulfonating the proton conductor. Disclosed herein too is an article comprising a porous substrate; and a sulfonated crosslinked proton conductor disposed within pores of the porous substrate.

Abstract: A solar panel interconnection system in which electrical interconnection distance is minimized irrespective of one of landscape or portrait panel orientation includes a first solar panel having first diagonally opposed corners, a first edge, a second edge and a tap to provide electrical connectivity thereto, and a second solar panel having second diagonally opposed corners, a first edge, a second edge and a tap to provide electrical connectivity thereto. The first edge and the second edge of the first solar panel extend from one of the first diagonally opposed corners and the tap on the first solar panel is disposed at the same corner thereof. The first edge and the second edge of the second solar panel extend from one of the second diagonally opposed corners and the tap on the second solar panel is disposed at the same corner thereof.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly includes a trace that includes a plurality of electrically conductive portions. The plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured both to collect current from a first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell. In addition, the plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of the plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.

Abstract: Within the Fire Suppression Delivery System the fire extinguishment encasement is modified to produce a hybrid smart fire extinguishment encasement incorporating drone-like functions to effect fire suppression. This will allow for standard smart fire extinguishment encasement deployment or an extended range, propulsion assisted smart fire extinguishment encasement with the capacity to navigate within a structure and hover within same, in anticipation of access to an obstructed fire zone, discharge while hovering, surface attached or on-the-fly.