Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with a conventional electrical socket of one or more types (e.g., a USB receptacle providing DC electrical power) to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. One or more first communication circuits may each include one or more transceivers that allow the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over wireless network(s) using one or multiple wireless communication protocols.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with a conventional electrical socket of one or more types (e.g., a USB receptacle providing DC electrical power) to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. One or more first communication circuits may each include one or more transceivers that allow the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over wireless network(s) using one or multiple wireless communication protocols.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with any convention light socket to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. The first communication circuit may include a transceiver that allows the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over a wireless network. The second communication circuit may include a passive receiver that allows the second communication circuit to track and monitor devices as those device move through a smart-mesh network.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling distributed operations of devices, such as for devices that are each part of or otherwise associated with a mechanical system containing actuators to manipulate a surrounding environment and optionally further containing sensors to obtain information from the surrounding environment, and with such a device controlling the associated system to perform industrial operations. The described techniques may include identifying a group of multiple such devices to perform one or more assigned tasks, such as in a cooperative distributed manner with each device performing part of the assigned tasks, and/or in a competitive manner with some or all devices independently performing at least one assigned task. The performances of the devices may further be evaluated in various manners, and the devices selected to perform one or more tasks may be identified in various manners (including based at least in part on past performance evaluations).

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling distributed operations of devices, such as for devices that are each part of or otherwise associated with a mechanical system containing actuators to manipulate a surrounding environment and optionally further containing sensors to obtain information from the surrounding environment, and with such a device controlling the associated system to perform industrial operations. The described techniques may include identifying a group of multiple such devices to perform one or more assigned tasks, such as in a cooperative distributed manner with each device performing part of the assigned tasks, and/or in a competitive manner with some or all devices independently performing at least one assigned task. The performances of the devices may further be evaluated in various manners, and the devices selected to perform one or more tasks may be identified in various manners (including based at least in part on past performance evaluations).

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with any convention light socket to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. The first communication circuit may include a transceiver that allows the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over a wireless network. The second communication circuit may include a passive receiver that allows the second communication circuit to track and monitor devices as those device move through a smart-mesh network.

Abstract: A computing device for a network of computer controlled devices that communicate with each other using a pre-determined protocol includes a computing module for sending a data message with a pre-determined message feature and a message queue module. The message queue module includes a message forwarding module and a message listening module. The message forwarding module receives data messages from its computing module and forwards the data messages to another computer controlled device of the same network. The message listening module receives data messages from another computer controlled device of the same network, checks for a match of the message features of the data messages with a pre-determined message interest feature, and if there is a match between the message feature and the pre-determined message interest feature, forwards the respective data message to the computing module.

Abstract: A computing device for a network of computer controlled devices that communicate with each other using a pre-determined protocol includes a computing module for sending a data message with a pre-determined message feature and a message queue module. The message queue module includes a message forwarding module and a message listening module. The message forwarding module receives data messages from its computing module and forwards the data messages to another computer controlled device of the same network. The message listening module receives data messages from another computer controlled device of the same network, checks for a match of the message features of the data messages with a pre-determined message interest feature, and if there is a match between the message feature and the pre-determined message interest feature, forwards the respective data message to the computing module.

Abstract: A method includes the following steps: providing a grafting device (20) including a torch (26) that produces a flame (28) in a volume of ambient air and a cooling substrate (33) positioned facing the flame (28); moving the elongate material (14) continuously through the flame (28) between the torch (26) and the cooling substrate (33); and grafting carbon nanostructures (16) continuously onto the elongate material (14) during its passage through the flame (28).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of nanoscale materials is disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, the invention is scalable and tunable to reliably produce nanoscale materials of specifically desired qualities and at relatively high levels of purity. In a preferred embodiment, combustible gas is discharged onto a substrate through a multi-zone flame facilitating the formation of nanoscale materials such as single and multi-wall nanotubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of nanoscale materials is disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, the invention is scalable and tunable to reliably produce nanoscale materials of specifically desired qualities and at relatively high levels of purity. In a preferred embodiment, combustible gas is discharged onto a substrate through a multi-zone flame facilitating the formation of nanoscale materials such as single and multi-wall nanotubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of nanoscale materials is disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, the invention is scalable and tunable to reliably produce nanoscale materials of specifically desired qualities and at relatively high levels of purity. In a preferred embodiment, combustible gas is discharged onto a substrate through a multi-zone flame facilitating the formation of nanoscale materials such as single and multi-wall nanotubes.

Abstract: Hybrid Insulating Reinforced Concrete according to the present disclosure may be designed to create insulating reinforced concrete large-scale construction components for use in commercial, industrial and residential structures. Hybrid Insulating Reinforced Concrete meets those needs by providing an insulating reinforced concrete component that can either be: (1) cast-in-place at the job site, (2) pre-cast at a plant and shipped to the jobsite, or (3) a combination of the two techniques—utilize pre-cast insulating element trucked to the construction site and complete fabrication of the large-scale construction components on-site. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.