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: 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: Embodiments of the present invention provide graphic processing techniques and configurations including an apparatus comprising a storage medium having stored therein a table comprising information about respective positions and sizes of a number of rectangular blocks, the rectangular blocks to substantially form at least one plane having an arbitrary shape object, and at least one overlay engine operatively coupled with the table and associated with the at least one plane to request the information about the respective positions and the sizes of the number of rectangular blocks to provide graphics overlay of the arbitrary shape object. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A polymer material system that consists of multiple SMP layers of different shape memory transition temperatures in a multilayer construction to achieve and tailor a multiple shape memory effect. Wherein two SMP layers of different shape memory transition temperatures are utilized, a triple shape memory effect is achieved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server receives from a mobile device a request for one or more images. The server adjusts one or more of the requested images, based at least partly on the display capabilities of the mobile device, to have a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation, then sends the adjusted image to the mobile device.

Abstract: One exemplary method includes providing a first polymer and a second polymer each comprising a first shape memory polymer backbone having at least one surface free side chain, the first polymer and the second polymer each transformable between a permanent shape and a temporary shape; creating an adhesive bond between the first polymer and the second polymer, wherein the creating of the adhesive bond transforms the first polymer to its temporary shape and transforms the second polymer to its temporary shape; and wherein the at least one surface free chain of the first polymer in its temporary shape is interdiffused with the at least one surface free chain of the second polymer in its temporary shape by the creation of the adhesive bond.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a substrate having a plurality of molecular chains, each chain comprising a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic segment, and a reversible crosslinker.

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: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a system that includes a detection device and a processor. The detection device is configured to sense that a handheld device has not been placed on or near a surface. In response to sensing that the handheld device has not been placed on or near a surface, the detection device is configured to transmit an indicator to the processor. The processor is configured to receive a first audio signal, and determine that the handheld device has not been placed on or near a surface by receiving the indicator from the detection device. In response to determining that the handheld device has not been placed on or near a surface, the processor is further configured to apply a compensating function to the first audio signal to generate a second audio signal, and transmit the second audio signal to a speaker.

Abstract: A method of forming an adhesive bond between a first substrate and a second substrate includes applying a semi-crystalline polymeric adhesive composition to a bonding area of the first substrate, and, after applying, disposing the second substrate adjacent to and in contact with the composition to form a workpiece. After disposing, the method includes heating the workpiece to cure the composition and thereby form a crosslinked polymeric adhesive material. After heating, the method includes cooling the workpiece such that the material has a crystalline molecular structure. Concurrent to cooling, the method includes imposing a stress on the material to thereby orient the crystalline molecular structure in a desired direction, and, after imposing, dissipating the stress along the crystalline molecular structure in the desired direction to thereby form the adhesive bond between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A capsule-in-capsule system comprising at least two segregated chemical reactants is described. An inner capsule contains one reactant and is itself contained, with a second chemical reactant, in an outer capsule. The inner capsule and its contents is fabricated first; then it is incorporated into the second reactant; and the combination of the second reactant and inner capsule is encapsulated in the outer capsule. The reactants may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic and present as fluids, solids or combinations of solid(s) and fluids(s). When subjected to suitably high pressure, the capsule wall materials will fracture or rupture, releasing and preferably mixing all encapsulates to enable their prompt reaction. The utility of the invention is illustrated by its application to development of a corrosion inhibiting passive film on magnesium auto body material and to the adhesive bonding of members where precise positioning is desired.

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: Aspects of the disclosure generally provide a heat engine system with a working fluid circuit and a method for starting a turbopump disposed in the working fluid circuit. The turbopump has a main pump and may be started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump reaches a self-sustaining speed of operation, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally provide a heat engine system and a method for regulating a pressure and an amount of a working fluid in a working fluid circuit during a thermodynamic cycle. A mass management system may be employed to regulate the working fluid circulating throughout the working fluid circuit. The mass management systems may have a mass control tank fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit at one or more strategically-located tie-in points. A heat exchanger coil may be used in conjunction with the mass control tank to regulate the temperature of the fluid within the mass control tank, and thereby determine whether working fluid is either extracted from or injected into the working fluid circuit. Regulating the pressure and amount of working fluid in the working fluid circuit selectively increases or decreases the suction pressure of the pump to increase system efficiency.

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: One exemplary embodiment includes a thermo-reversible polymer adhesive including a dry adhesive layer and shape memory polymer layer, the shape memory polymer material capable of transitioning from a first shape to a second shape upon heating and imposition of a load to conform to the surface topography of a substrate to which the adhesive is applied.

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

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: An exemplary embodiment discloses a polymer system including a shape memory polymer material and a graphene material.

Abstract: An improved laser line generating device is provided for use in construction layout tasks. The laser line generating device is comprised of a first laser light generator operable to emit from a housing a first plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the first plane of light perpendicular to a horizontal plane; and a second laser light generator operable to emit from the housing a second plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the second plane of light perpendicular to the first plane of light and perpendicular to the horizontal plane, such that the first plane of light intersects with the second plane of light at two points.