Abstract: A product, and a method for forming a product, that includes a composite material having a polymeric carrier resin and a shape memory polymer material capable of transformation between a temporary shape and a permanent shape in the presence of an external stimuli, wherein said transformation from said temporary shape to said permanent shape changes at least one property of said composite material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query from a first user of an online social network; and accessing, from a data store of the mobile client system, a set of nodes of a social graph of the online social network. The social graph includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include a first node corresponding to the first user and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes accessing, from the data store of the mobile client system, a set of grammar templates. Each grammar template includes one or more non-terminal tokens and one or more query tokens. The query tokens include references to zero or more second nodes and one or more edges and each grammar template is based on a natural-language string.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device receives from a mobile device a request for one or more images. The computing device adjusts one or more of the images based at least in part on one or more display capabilities of the mobile device, and one or more tagged regions within one or more of the images. The computing device sends to the mobile device one or more of the images as adjusted.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for recovering energy, such as by generating electricity from thermal energy. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within a working fluid circuit, two heat exchangers configured to be thermally coupled to a heat source (e.g., waste heat), two expanders, two recuperators, two pumps, a condenser, and a plurality of valves configured to switch the system between single/dual-cycle modes. In another aspect, a method for recovering energy may include monitoring a temperature of the heat source, operating the heat engine system in the dual-cycle mode when the temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and subsequently, operating the heat engine system in the single-cycle mode when the temperature is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query from a first user of an online social network; and accessing, from a data store of the mobile client system, a set of nodes of a social graph of the online social network. The social graph includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include a first node corresponding to the first user and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes accessing, from the data store of the mobile client system, a set of grammar templates. Each grammar template includes one or more non-terminal tokens and one or more query tokens. The query tokens include references to zero or more second nodes and one or more edges and each grammar template is based on a natural-language string.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depowering an automotive battery in a controlled manner. The methods comprise (i) providing a depowering medium comprising one or more non-ionic electric conductors (for example, a carbon conductor) dispersed in a substantially non-ionic aqueous medium; (ii) contacting terminals of the battery with the depowering medium; and (iii) maintaining contact between the depowering medium and terminals for a period of time sufficient to depower the battery. The systems comprise (i) the depowering medium; and (ii) a container configured to receive a battery and the depowering medium such that the battery body is contacted with the depowering medium prior to the terminals.

Abstract: Waste heat energy conversion cycles, systems and devices use multiple waste heat exchangers arranged in series in a waste heat stream, and multiple thermodynamic cycles run in parallel with the waste heat exchangers in order to maximize thermal energy extraction from the waste heat stream by a working fluid. The parallel cycles operate in different temperature ranges with a lower temperature work output used to drive a working fluid pump. A working fluid mass management system is integrated into or connected to the cycles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depowering a rechargeable battery in a rapid, yet controlled, manner. The methods comprise (i) providing a depowering medium comprising expanded graphite (and optionally, one or more dispersible non-ionic electric conductors) dispersed in a substantially non-ionic aqueous medium; (ii) contacting terminals of the battery with the depowering medium; and (iii) maintaining contact between the depowering medium and terminals for a period of time sufficient to depower the battery. The systems comprise (i) the depowering medium; and (ii) a container configured to receive a battery and the depowering medium such that the battery body is contacted with the depowering medium prior to the terminals.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a shape memory polymer which functions similar to a traditional mechanical clamp. A shape memory polymer may exhibit adhesive properties when heated above its glass transition temperature. The shape memory polymers may function as a reversible dry adhesive clamp.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a set of nodes of a social graph of an online social network. The social graph includes a number of nodes and a number of edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges between two of the nodes representing a single degree of separation between them. The nodes include a first node that corresponds to the first user and a number of nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes accessing one or more grammar tokens. Each grammar token includes references to zero or more nodes and one or more edges. Each grammar token corresponds to a particular type of completion token. Each grammar token may be based on a natural-language string. The method also includes receiving from the first user a selection of one or more of the grammar tokens and one or more of the completion tokens.

Abstract: Techniques for mining API method usage patterns from source code are described. These techniques include parsing the source code to generate API method call sequences that include an API method. These call sequences are clustered to obtain clusters. Based on the clusters, frequent closed sequences are determined and then clustered to obtain an API usage pattern. In addition, optimal clustering parameters may also be determined. In some instances, a graphical representation is generated based on the API usage pattern in response to a query associated with the API method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query from a first user of an online social network; and accessing, from a data store of the mobile client system, a set of nodes of a social graph of the online social network. The social graph includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include a first node corresponding to the first user and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes accessing, from the data store of the mobile client system, a set of grammar templates. Each grammar template includes one or more non-terminal tokens and one or more query tokens. The query tokens include references to zero or more second nodes and one or more edges and each grammar template is based on a natural-language string.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising: a first layer comprising a first ionomer and an additive, the additive comprising a metal oxide comprising an oxide at least one of of Ce, Mn, V, Pt, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, W, Co, Mo, or Sn, and wherein the additive is present in at least 0.1 weight percent of the ionomer is disclosed as one embodiment of the invention, and performance and durability are advantaged wherein one or all of the metal oxide consists essentially nanoparticles.

Abstract: A photonic device is provided having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected members with alterable spacing between the members. The structure is composed of a shape memory polymer configured to be thermo-mechanically tunable to display a plurality of optical properties under a series of temperature changes and stress. A method of producing a photonic device based on a shape memory polymer is provided. A mold, having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected components with a characteristic spacing between the components, is infiltrated with a shape memory polymer precursor to form a composite structure. The composite structure is solidified. The mold is removed from the composite structure to form a photonic device as an inverse replica of the mold.

Abstract: A video frame producer, a method of generating content frames and a video viewing device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the video frame producer includes: (1) a content provider configured to generate content frames for a display and (2) a viewing smoother configured to direct the content provider to generate the content frames at a frame rate based on a display refresh rate of the display.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle is operated in conjunction with various thermodynamic cycle working fluid circuits to cool a target fluid that may be used in a separate system or duty. In one embodiment, the refrigeration cycle includes an ejector that extracts a motive fluid from the working fluid cycles in order to entrain a suction fluid that is also extracted from the working fluid circuits. Expanding the suction fluid reduces the pressure and temperature of the suction fluid for cooling the target fluid in an evaporator, which evaporates the suction fluid before being entrained into the ejector by the motive fluid. A mixed fluid is discharged from the ejector and injected into the working fluid circuits upstream from a condenser that cools the mixed fluid and the working fluid circulating throughout the working fluid circuits.

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a curable adhesive formulation comprising a curable liquid precursor capable of frontal polymerization, wherein the liquid precursor comprises a monomer and a polymerization catalyst, and frontal-polymerization-triggering susceptors in contact with, or contained within, the liquid precursor. The susceptors may include conducting and/or magnetic solid particles capable of induction heating in the presence of a remotely applied electromagnetic field. Other variations provide a polymer-curing system comprising a curable liquid precursor, frontal-polymerization-triggering susceptors, and an apparatus configured to remotely produce an alternating electromagnetic field in line-of-sight with the susceptors (but not necessarily in line-of-sight with the liquid precursor), thereby generating induction heating to initiate the frontal polymerization. The susceptors may be about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of the curable formulation.

Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a rechargeable charge storage device including a microcapsule disposed within said rechargeable charge storage device; and a thermal retardant chemical species contained within said microcapsule, wherein said microcapsule is adapted to release said chemical species upon being exposed to a triggering event either prior to or during an unstable rise in temperature of said charge storage device.