Abstract: A non-contacting spherical air bearing-based stable platform for use by a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) is provided by attaching a spherical ball-shaped bearing to a rotational stage of the GGI and integrating a concave spherical cup in the linear stage and mounting base assembly of the GGI which is fixedly attached to a host vehicle or platform. The spherical cup supports the spherical ball-shaped bearing on a thin cushion of air provided by a source of compressed air or gas at the concave surface of the spherical cup. The spherical ball-shaped bearing is supported, providing three degrees of rotational freedom of motion without the need for slip rings, flex capsules, races, or mechanical bearings, thereby reducing or eliminating gradient disturbance signals owing to parasitic torques and jitter in the output of the accelerometers of the GGI.

Abstract: A method for rebalancing a group of accelerometers in a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) includes the steps of defining and implementing a number of group-wise actuation constrainment modes based on a design of the gravity gradiometer instrument and its accelerometers. Implementing one constrainment mode comprises differentially scaling and distributing a single electrical current to multiple accelerometers' rebalance circuitry to cancel a specific acceleration effect experienced by the group of accelerometers or gradiometer as a whole. Superposition of a number of such modes enables rebalancing the full acceleration environment experienced by the group of accelerometers, given negligible local differential acceleration effects specific to, say, an individual accelerometer of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for magnetic detection includes a nitrogen vacancy (NV) diamond material comprising a plurality of NV centers, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the NV diamond material, an optical excitation source configured to provide optical excitation to the NV diamond material, an optical detector configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the NV diamond material, and a controller. The optical signal is based on hyperfine states of the NV diamond material. The controller is configured to detect a gradient of the optical signal based on the hyperfine states emitted by the NV diamond material.

Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.

Abstract: High surface area tin oxide nanoparticles prepared by a facile hydrothermal method followed by electroreduction to tin act as electrocatalysts toward CO2 reduction to formate, in some embodiments. At certain of these nano-structured tin catalysts, CO2 reduction occurs selectively to formate at low overpotentials and with high Faradaic efficiencies, with high stability and significant current densities.

Abstract: A gravimeter for measuring the gravitational field of the Earth without an inertial reference comprises accelerometer pairs disposed on a platform where the sensitive axis of each accelerometer is arranged on the platform to measure plumb gravity. At least one accelerometer pair is spatially configured to define a baseline therebetween. The gravimeter is positioned so that the baseline is maintained parallel to a linear survey path. Each accelerometer outputs a signal representative of the sum total of the accelerations detected, including accelerations due to gravity and kinematic accelerations of the host vehicle and mounting structure. A processor subtracts the accelerometer pair outputs for common-mode rejection determination of a down gravity gradient and combines with a direct plumb gravity measurement to obtain an enhanced gravity data output that is not subject to frequency limits attributed to the performance limitations of inertial reference devices.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for harvesting light comprising a first molecule joined to a metal oxide surface through a surface linking group and a second molecule joined to the metal oxide surface. Such assemblies can harvest light to do useful chemistry, such as in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell, or a molecular catalyst-solar cell system. In other embodiments, the harvested light can be converted into electricity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for stabilizing a chromophore or a catalyst on a surface. These methods are applicable, for example, to dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells where the surface-bound chromophores are known to be unstable under aqueous conditions.

Abstract: A method for mapping and monitoring of hydraulic fracture includes capturing, using an array of sensors, a first magnetic image of a well pay zone. A second magnetic image is captured using the array of sensors, after a well bore is padded with a fluid. A background is established based on the first and the second magnetic images. A third magnetic image is captured using the array of sensors, after a doped proppant is injected into a stage. The third image is processed to subtract the background and to obtain information regarding distribution of the fluid and the proppant in the stage.

Abstract: A method for rebalancing a group of accelerometers in a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) includes the steps of defining and implementing a number of group-wise actuation constrainment modes based on a design of the gravity gradiometer instrument and its accelerometers. Implementing one constrainment mode comprises differentially scaling and distributing a single electrical current to multiple accelerometers' rebalance circuitry to cancel a specific acceleration effect experienced by the group of accelerometers or gradiometer as a whole. Superposition of a number of such modes enables rebalancing the full acceleration environment experienced by the group of accelerometers, given negligible local differential acceleration effects specific to, say, an individual accelerometer of the assembly.

Abstract: A capsule comprising two non-directly contacting halves enables otherwise coupling loads between experiment and gauging to be re-routed through the outer-most portable body (e.g. a logging sonde housing) having substantial inertia, thus serving to attenuate the parasitic loads. For co-located leveled experiment and gauging, a pair of concentric bearings (shaft in shaft) is utilized. Independent bearing sets and shock/vibration isolation support each capsule half within the outer sonde housing. A first half of the capsule supports the experiment, which the second half supports the gauging apparatus.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for harvesting light, comprising a first molecule joined to a second molecule through mutual coordination to an ion, and the first molecule is linked to a metal oxide surface having a high surface area. Such assemblies can form multilayer films, in other embodiments. The assemblies and multilayer films can harvest light to do useful chemistry, such as in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell, or can convert the harvested light into electricity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: A Dye Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cell (DSPEC) splits water with visible light using a derivatized, core/shell nanostructured photoanode with the core having a high surface area conductive metal oxide film—such as nanoITO (indium tin oxide) or nanoATO (antimony tin oxide)—coated with a thin outer shell of, for example, TiO2 formed by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). A “chromophore-catalyst assembly” 1, [(PO3H2)2bpy)2Ru(4-Mebpy-4-bimpy)Ru(tpy)(OH2)]4+, which combines both light absorber and water oxidation catalyst in a single molecule, is attached to the TiO2 shell. Visible photolysis of the resulting core/shell/assembly structure with a Pt cathode results in water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some embodiments, hybrid materials having reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) and nanoparticles of a conductive, transparent metal oxide such as tin-doped indium oxide (ITO). The material can further include one or more transition metal catalysts, such as {Ru(Mebimpy)[4,4?-((HO)2OPCH2)2bpy](OH2)}2+. Oxidation of water, benzyl alcohol, and other useful reactants is possible when the material is employed as an electrode.

Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of a catalyst, a chromophore, and a redox couple. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has an atomic layer by layer deposited semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.

Abstract: A multi-mode hand truck is convertible to assume a hand-truck mode, a reclined load-assist mode, and a push-cart mode.

Abstract: A database schema is disclosed that can significantly reduce the quantity of data required to describe the geometry of a train track and the geo-locations of features (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.) along the track. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a railroad track is represented as a plurality of partitions, each of which has its geometry contained within unique track point elements. Multiple track partitions are then joined together by common track point elements at their boundaries to create continuous rail networks. A compact table schema is employed that enables continuous sections of three-dimensional track splines to be rendered accurately in the track database, irrespective of the location of vertical and horizontal curvature along track segments. The data representation scheme also enables efficient storage of the geo-locations of features along a track, as well as the direct reconstitution of accurate three-dimensional track splines.