Abstract: A carbonaceous-based metallizing method and apparatus wherein a metallic oxide is converted into a carbon-containing, metallized intermediate that is melted in an induction channel furnace to produce liquid metal from said metallic oxide. In the application of iron ore in the form of fines or concentrate, using low-cost coal will greatly reduce capital and operating costs by virtue of eliminating agglomeration of ore, cokemaking, and blast furnace operation. The liquid iron so produced is efficiently converted into steel in a steelmaking furnace such as a basic oxygen furnace (BOF), especially when it is physically integrated to the induction channel furnace wherein the liquid iron is directly poured into the integrated BOF by the induction channel furnace, producing low-cost steel, little heat loss, and minimum emissions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes for use in the identification of one or more yeast species. More specifically the invention relates to the Ace2 gene, the corresponding RNA, specific probes, primers and oligonucleotides related thereto and their use in diagnostic assays to detect and/or discriminate between yeast species.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously carbonizing materials while co-producing gases in a coking chamber closed to the atmosphere, having a charger at one end comprising a pushing ram surrounding a mandrel that surrounds an air or oxygen injection lance. The other end of the coking chamber collects and separates coke from gases, with coke directed to a closed quenching chamber and gases directed to a cleanup. Thermal energy for converting coal into coke derives from combusting some metallurgical coal by said lance.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a diagnostic kit for a yeast or fungal species comprising at least one oligonucleotide probe capable of binding to at least a portion of the eIF2y gene or its corresponding mRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes to detect one or more fungal and yeast species. More specifically the invention relates to the P2, P2A and P2B gene sequences (also known as 60S acidic ribosomal protein P2, RLA-2-ASPFU, Allergen ASP f8 or Afp2), the corresponding RNA, specific probes, primers and oligonucleotides related thereto and their use in diagnostic assays to detect and/or discriminate fungal and yeast species.

Abstract: The invention relates to the SWI5 gene, the corresponding RNA, specific probes, primers and oligonucleotides related thereto and their use in diagnostic assays to detect and/or discriminate between fungal and yeast species.

Abstract: This method deals in recovering energy in-situ from an underground resource and upgrading such resource above ground. It consists of injecting a hot gas to pyrolyze it to produce gases and liquids with high hydrogen content and a residual hot char. The gases and liquids together with the injected hot gas form a mixture of gases and liquids that is brought above ground and treated into a clean mixture of gases and liquids rich in hydrogen and then used as a chemical feedstock and/or transportation fuel. Following the pyrolyzation of the resource, carbon dioxide and air are injected into the residual hot char to convert the CO2 into 2CO+N2, which is brought above ground and treated into a clean lean gas. This lean gas is used to generate efficient electric power, heat the injected gas for pyrolysis, and convert the 2CO+N2 as a feedstock into fertilizer.

Abstract: An advanced method for processing a solid feedstock such as coal and a liquid feedstock such as bitumen wherein gases produced from such fossil fuel feedstocks are divided in a way as to polygenerate various by-products which includes the conversion of a waste gas (flue gas) containing nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from the combustion of said gases to produce an intermediate made of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N2) in the form of cyanogen which in turn is converted to a fertilizer such as oxamide. This approach obviates the necessity of CO2 capture and storage in a geologic formation. Besides the making of a fertilizer from a waste gas containing N2 and CO2, the other by-products can be power in the form of electricity and/or steam from a lean gas and liquid transportation fuel like methanol/gasoline, or chemicals from a hydrogen rich gas. The method is applicable to utility as well as to industry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.

Abstract: This invention provides a comprehensive solution which comprises the production of a bed of ash-containing hot char via the pyrolysis of coal which generates a hydrogen rich gas that, subsequent to its cleanup, can be synthesized into chemicals and/or transportation fuels, while the hot char is used to: (i) reduce SO2 and NOX to elemental sulfur and to elemental nitrogen, respectively; (ii) react hot char with CO2 to reduce it to CO, a valuable chemical that can be converted into fertilizer or into a fuel gas that can be used for electric or thermal power generation; (iii) trap particulate matter in the bed of char to join the ash in the char to form a combined ash which is eventually converted to inert slag; and (iv) filter the mercury through a portion of the char to prevent it from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for recovering energy in-situ from underground resources such as coal and upgrading such energy above ground, comprising a first step consisting of injecting a hot recycling gas through said resource to devolatilize it to produce a raw hydrogen rich gas and an in-situ residual hot char wherein said hydrogen rich gas is brought above ground and is treated to become a cleaned, upgraded hydrogen rich gas serving as a feedstock to make a chemical and/or transportation fuel, and a second step consisting of injecting a waste greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide (CO2) plus an oxidant such as air into said hot char to convert said CO2 into CO+N2 which is brought above ground and treated to form a clean lean gas which can be beneficially used to: (i) generate efficient electric power, (ii) heat the hydrogen rich recycle gas, and (iii) make a needed by-product such as fertilizer.

Abstract: A thermal oxidative barrier coating for organic matrix composites includes a bond coat having nano-particles dispersed in a polyimide matrix and a thermal barrier layer comprising a silsesquioxane or an inorganic polymer. The nano-particles may include clay platelets, graphite flakes or a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The coated article may be utilized in gas turbine engine applications, particularly for a flow path duct adapted for exposure to high temperature, oxygen-containing environments.

Abstract: Methods for forming thermal oxidative barrier coatings for organic matrix composites include applying a bond coat having nano-particles dispersed in a polyimide matrix to a hot side surface of a component and overlying the bond coat with a thermal barrier layer comprising a silsesquioxane or an inorganic polymer. The nano-particles may include clay platelets, graphite flakes or a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The bond coat may be applied as a liquid. The thermal barrier layer may be applied as a liquid, film, prepreg, molding compound, or a spray.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a process for displaying a graphical indicator on an Internet enabled device which conveys relationships between an entity associated with a website and third party entities with respect to the website entity. One example method may include obtaining the relationship data from a credential service provider, using a portion of a uniform resource identifier as a key to access the relationship data on the credential service provider, and rendering a representation of the relationship data, wherein the rendering of the relationship data is performed in a graphical user interface of a web browser, and wherein the web browser displays a rendering of the representation of the relationship data such that there is a relationship between an entity associated with the uniform resource identifier and a third party entity.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to determine current-voltage characteristics of a plurality of electronic devices under test. The electronic circuit is comprised of a plurality of individual test cells, each of the plurality of test cells is configured to electrically couple to a first terminal of one of the plurality of electronic devices under test and to a first current source. A second terminal of each of the plurality of electronic devices under test couples to a second current source. The circuit employs a current-based measurement method.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic layer on the surface of a turbine component. This method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a turbine component having a surface; (b) providing at least one ceramic tape overlaying the component surface; and (c) manually pressing the at least one ceramic tape against the component surface at a temperature of from about 150° to about 700° F. (from about 66° to about 371° C.) so as to cause the at least one ceramic tape to adhere to the component surface.

Abstract: An advanced method for processing a solid feedstock such as coal and a liquid feedstock such as bitumen wherein gases produced from such fossil fuel feedstocks are divided in a way as to polygenerate various by-products which includes the conversion of a waste gas (flue gas) containing nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from the combustion of said gases to produce an intermediate made of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N2) in the form of cyanogen which in turn is converted to a fertilizer such as oxamide. This approach obviates the necessity of CO2 capture and storage in a geologic formation. Besides the making of a fertilizer from a waste gas containing N2 and CO2, the other by-products can be power in the form of electricity and/or steam from a lean gas and liquid transportation fuel like methanol/gasoline, or chemicals from a hydrogen rich gas. The method is applicable to utility as well as to industry.

Abstract: A tethered swing training device that attaches to one or more cords. The cords, at ends opposite to the swing training device may be elastic and anchored to a fixed object or attached to a pulley and weight system. The swing training device includes cutouts and engagement members that are recessed within the cutouts. The engagement members allow for attachment of a cord to provide resistance for training and warm-up exercises.

Abstract: A device for fixing a module to the internal wall of a tire. This device includes a support secured to the tire and of a flexible strip, the support including means for fixing said strip, the ends of the strip having at least two independent means for attaching the module, and the strip having means for immobilizing the module.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to determine current-voltage characteristics of a plurality of electronic devices under test. The electronic circuit is comprised of a plurality of individual test cells, each of the plurality of test cells is configured to electrically couple to a first terminal of one of the plurality of electronic devices under test and to a first current source. A second terminal of each of the plurality of electronic devices under test couples to a second current source. The circuit employs a current-based measurement method.