Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described herein. The autonomous vehicle is configured to determine that a person is proximate the autonomous vehicle at a location that is external to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is further configured to determine that the person is attempting to hail the autonomous vehicle through use of a gesture. The autonomous vehicle identifies the gesture being performed by the person, and responsive to identifying the gesture, identifies a travel intent that the person is imparting to the autonomous vehicle by way of the gesture. The autonomous vehicle then operates based upon the travel intent.

Abstract: A radiation powered device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a semiconductor disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a radioactive source configured to generate a flow of electrons through the semiconductor between the first and second electrodes, wherein the semiconductor comprises diamond material, wherein the radioactive source is embedded within the diamond material, wherein the radioactive source comprises a beta-emitting radioisotope, and atoms of the radioisotope are either substitutionally or interstitially integrated into the diamond material, wherein the diamond material comprises a plurality of regions in the form of layers within a continuous crystal lattice of the diamond material, and wherein at least one layer of the diamond material comprises the radioactive source and at least one layer of the diamond material does not comprise the radioactive source.

Abstract: A radiation powered device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a semiconductor disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a radioactive source configured to generate a flow of electrons through the semiconductor between the first and second electrodes, wherein the semiconductor comprises diamond material, wherein the radioactive source is embedded within the diamond material, wherein the radioactive source comprises a beta-emitting radioisotope, and atoms of the radioisotope are either substitutionally or interstitially integrated into the diamond material, wherein the diamond material comprises a plurality of regions in the form of layers within a continuous crystal lattice of the diamond material, and wherein at least one layer of the diamond material comprises the radioactive source and at least one layer of the diamond material does not comprise the radioactive source.

Abstract: Provided herein is a radiation powered device comprising a semiconductor comprising a diamond material.

Abstract: An adjustable barrier for use with a building having a door frame with a door frame opening, a track assembly, and a garage door positioned between the track assembly to selectively cover the door frame opening, the adjustable barrier comprising a barrier bracket and an extendable barrier panel. The adjustable barrier is adapted to seal off a garage door gap located between the garage door and the door frame, and is positioned between the door frame and the track to create a barrier preventing a pest from bypassing the garage door and entering the building through the garage door gap. The extendable barrier panel selectively extends and retracts to adjust to the distance between the track and the door frame, and may further be tapered to allow the adjustable barrier to maintain contact with the track when the track curves away from the door frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting nuclear waste, for example drums of intermediate level nuclear waste, are disclosed. In particular, a single laser pulse may be directed at a pitcher-catcher laser target structure, with subsequent separate detection of the generated X-rays and neutrons.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described herein, The autonomous vehicle is configured to determine that a person is proximate the autonomous vehicle at a location that is external to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is further configured to determine that the person is attempting to hail the autonomous vehicle through use of a gesture. The autonomous vehicle identifies the gesture being performed by the person, and responsive to identifying the gesture, identifies a travel intent that the person is imparting to the autonomous vehicle by way of the gesture. The autonomous vehicle then operates based upon the travel intent.

Abstract: Provided herein is a radiation powered device comprising a semiconductor comprising a diamond material.

Abstract: An adjustable barrier for use with a building having a door frame with a door frame opening, a track assembly, and a garage door positioned between the track assembly to selectively cover the door frame opening, the adjustable barrier comprising a barrier bracket and an extendable barrier panel. The adjustable barrier is adapted to seal off a garage door gap located between the garage door and the door frame, and is positioned between the door frame and the track to create a barrier preventing a pest from bypassing the garage door and entering the building through the garage door gap. The extendable barrier panel selectively extends and retracts to adjust to the distance between the track and the door frame, and may further be tapered to allow the adjustable barrier to maintain contact with the track when the track curves away from the door frame.

Abstract: A radiation detection device (10) comprising a data processor (14) arranged to be communicatively coupled to a position sensor (16) mounted on an unmanned vehicle and a solid state radiation sensor (18) mounted on the unmanned vehicle. The data processor is configured to receive position data from the position sensor, receive radiation data from the solid state radiation sensor and periodically associate the position data with radiation data to form combined data.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an ambient environment at which inorganic scale will form in a downhole fluid includes a stress chamber disposed in a borehole in a production zone at a location within a specified range of maximum pressure and configured to receive a sample of the fluid from the production zone and to apply an ambient condition to the sample that causes the formation of inorganic scale. An inorganic scale sensor is configured to sense formation of inorganic scale within the chamber and an ambient environment sensor is configured to sense an ambient environment within the chamber at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive measurement data from the inorganic scale sensor and the ambient environment sensor and to identify the ambient environment at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an ambient environment at which inorganic scale will form in a downhole fluid includes a stress chamber disposed in a borehole in a production zone at a location within a specified range of maximum pressure and configured to receive a sample of the fluid from the production zone and to apply an ambient condition to the sample that causes the formation of inorganic scale. An inorganic scale sensor is configured to sense formation of inorganic scale within the chamber and an ambient environment sensor is configured to sense an ambient environment within the chamber at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive measurement data from the inorganic scale sensor and the ambient environment sensor and to identify the ambient environment at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an ambient environment at which organic scale will form in a downhole fluid includes a stress chamber disposed in a borehole in a production zone at a location of maximum pressure and configured to receive a sample of the fluid from the production zone and to apply an ambient condition to the sample that causes the formation of organic scale. A sensor is configured to sense formation of organic scale within the chamber and an ambient environment sensor is configured to sense an ambient environment within the chamber at which the formation of organic scale occurs. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive measurement data from the organic scaling sensor and the ambient environment sensor and to identify the ambient environment at which the formation of organic scale occurs using the organic scaling sensor measurement data and ambient environment sensor measurement data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting nuclear waste, for example drums of intermediate level nuclear waste, are disclosed. In particular, a single laser pulse may be directed at a pitcher-catcher laser target structure, with subsequent separate detection of the generated X-rays and neutrons.

Abstract: An aircraft nacelle comprising an outer cowl having an inner wall and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall. The inner wall may have an inner opening formed therethrough and the outer wall may have an outer opening formed therethrough at an aft end of the nacelle. The nacelle may further comprise a translating panel configured to cover the inner and outer openings in a stowed position and to translate aft to a deployed position. The translating panel may be fixed to cascade guide vane panels which rest between the inner and outer wall in the stowed position and are exposed to airflow via the inner and outer openings when translated aft to the deployed position, thereby increasing a nozzle area of the nacelle. Guide vanes of the cascade guide vane panels are angled slightly aftward to direct the nacelle's airflow outward and aftward.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an ambient environment at which inorganic scale will form in a downhole fluid includes a stress chamber disposed in a borehole in a production zone at a location within a specified range of maximum pressure and configured to receive a sample of the fluid from the production zone and to apply an ambient condition to the sample that causes the formation of inorganic scale. An inorganic scale sensor is configured to sense formation of inorganic scale within the chamber and an ambient environment sensor is configured to sense an ambient environment within the chamber at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive measurement data from the inorganic scale sensor and the ambient environment sensor and to identify the ambient environment at which the formation of inorganic scale occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an ambient environment at which organic scale will form in a downhole fluid includes a stress chamber disposed in a borehole in a production zone at a location of maximum pressure and configured to receive a sample of the fluid from the production zone and to apply an ambient condition to the sample that causes the formation of organic scale. A sensor is configured to sense formation of organic scale within the chamber and an ambient environment sensor is configured to sense an ambient environment within the chamber at which the formation of organic scale occurs. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive measurement data from the organic scaling sensor and the ambient environment sensor and to identify the ambient environment at which the formation of organic scale occurs using the organic scaling sensor measurement data and ambient environment sensor measurement data.

Abstract: A radiation detection device (10) comprising a data processor (14) arranged to be communicatively coupled to a position sensor (16) mounted on an unmanned vehicle and a solid state radiation sensor (18) mounted on the unmanned vehicle. The data processor is configured to receive position data from the position sensor, receive radiation data from the solid state radiation sensor and periodically associate the position data with radiation data to form combined data.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. Accordingly, one method includes: incrementing tournament entry points based on a predetermined percentage of a player's wager for base game play; presenting the player with two or more tournament games for play, wherein the player selects multiple tournament games from the two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game; and initiating the tournament games, using a processor, selected by the player on a secondary display of the gaming device, the secondary display using an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a main processor of the gaming device.