Abstract: Foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The foams can be three-dimensional (3D), free-standing, and/or rigid and can be used as, for example, nanofiller networks. The shape and size of the foam pore interconnected network can be tailorable/tailored. The foams can be, for example, hybrid one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) foams of 1D and 2D materials (e.g., hybrid boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)/boron nitride nanoplatelet (BNNP) foams). A freeze-drying-based method can be used to fabricate bulk porous foam, which can be used for, e.g., nanofiller for polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for steering ions used in the formation of a material layer upon a substrate during a pulsed DC physical vapour deposition process. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed incorporating the assembly for controlling thickness variation in a material layer formed via pulsed DC physical vapour deposition. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic field generating arrangement for generating a magnetic field proximate the substrate and means for rotating the ion steering magnetic field generating arrangement about an axis of rotation, relative to the substrate. The magnetic field generating arrangement comprises a plurality of magnets configured to an array which extends around the axis of rotation, wherein the array of magnets are configured to generate a varying magnetic field strength along a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The foams can be free-standing and rigid and can be used as, for example, nanofiller networks. The shape and size of the foam pore interconnected network can be tailorable/tailored. The foams can be, for example, transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) foams with a layered structure (e.g., tungsten sulfide (WS2) foams). A freeze-drying-based method can be used to fabricate bulk porous foam, which can be used for, e.g., polymer nanocomposites. A vacuum-assisted infiltration procedure can be used to fabricate a foam-polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions, systems, and methods for additive manufacturing (AM), including three dimensional printing (3DP) using Digital Light Processing (DLP), of Lunar regolith and Lunar regolith simulants including Greenland Anorthosite Lunar Regolith (GALR) with a photocurable thermosetting polymer. Certain embodiments provide a high solid content of regolith, for example, about 60 wt. % GALR; together with a lower content of additives, for example, about 40 wt. % of a photocurable thermosetting polymer. Embodiments of the provided recipe and processing method can produce parts with low shrinkage, high strength, and favorable thermal properties. Parts have been produced with less than about 6% shrinkage in multiple directions of measurement.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes receiving, by a record server computer from a first processing network computer, a token, a device identifier associated with a user device, a session identifier associated with a registration request, and metadata about the token, and then receiving a metadata request from a second processing network computer in response to the second processing network computer receiving an authorization request message comprising the token, and the device identifier and/or the session identifier. The metadata request comprises at least the device identifier and/or the session identifier. The method also includes retrieving, by the record server computer, metadata associated with the metadata request, and providing the metadata to the second processing network computer. The second processing network computer processes the authorization request message using the token and the metadata.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soya bean oil- and caffeine-based chemical product for use as an agrochemical for agriculture, animal husbandry and agricultural systems (pesticide/insecticide/larvicide/anti-parasitic agent), having a simple formula and production process and containing widely known organic plant ingredients.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product is provided for generating enhanced n-gram models for use with monitoring systems. The method includes determining that a leading pair of characters of a first data string does not match a leading pair of characters of a second data string and inserting a placeholder character at a first-index position in each data string. The method further includes inserting a placeholder character between each character pair of the first data string in which a first character matches a character of the second data string at a same index position and in which a second character matches a character of the second data string at an index position immediately following a same index position, and generating a similarity score based on the length of the data strings and triggering a remedial process in response to the similarity score exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: Shape memory polymer (SMP) epoxies and composites, and methods of manufacturing the same, are provided. A three-dimensional (3D) printing technique can be used to fabricate a pure thermoset SMP epoxy. A cryogenic sprayer assisted extrusion type 3D printing method can be used to print SMP epoxies and composites of an SMP epoxy and a nanomaterial additive, such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNP).

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A request from a user of a computer device to gain access to a communication network is routed to a captive web portal running on a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server where the device has a media access control (MAC) address that is not known to the DHCP server, rather than being routed to a DNS server that provides domain name resolution or network resources. The captive web portal prompts a user of the computer device to provide authentication information. If the user is authenticated, the DHCP server provides an actual internet protocol (IP) address that uniquely identifies the computer device on a network supporting TCP/IP and provides access to network resources.

Abstract: A food slicing machine using a linear servo motor to reciprocate a carriage holding food products through a path that includes a slicing blade. The slicing apparatus is a modular apparatus that can be mounted to and removed from slicing machines as a unit without the need for disassembly of the components of the slicing apparatus. An adjustment mechanism for the blade guide uses two shafts that extend from a bearing plate into a finger that is mounted to the blade guide. The lower shaft has a cam nut that displaces the finger about the upper shaft to bend the blade guide. There is also an adjustment mechanism for the idler pulley of the band blade apparatus.