Abstract: A training apparatus has an input device and a wearable computing device with a bio-signal sensor and a display to provide an interactive virtual reality (“VR”) environment for a user. The bio-signal sensor receives bio-signal data from the user. The user interacts with content that is presented in the VR environment. The user interactions and bio-signal data are scored with a user state score and a performance scored. Feedback is given to the user based on the scores in furtherance of training. The feedback may update the VR environment and may trigger additional VR events to continue training.

Abstract: An agricultural application is provided herein that includes a nozzle assembly positioned along a boom assembly and configured to selectively dispense an agricultural product therefrom. One or more sensors can be operably coupled with the boom assembly and can be configured to capture data associated with one or more application variables. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and to a display. The computing system can be configured to receive the data associated with the one or more application variables; convert the one or more application variables to a scaled integer to determine a spray quality index; generate a geo-located application map of the scaled integer; and present the geo-located application map on the display.

Abstract: A superabrasive element may be produced by laser ablating at least a portion of a superabrasive element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached volume and an unleached volume.

Abstract: Method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include laser ablating at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached polycrystalline diamond volume and an unleached polycrystalline diamond volume.

Abstract: PDCs, methods of fabricating the PDCs, and methods of using the PDCs are disclosed herein. The PDCs include a PCD table bonded to a substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface having a plurality of recessed features formed therein. The plurality of recessed features are configured to attract at least some cracks that form in the PCD table. As such, the plurality of recessed features limit or prevent crack propagation into other portions of the PCD table and limit a volume of the PCD table that spalls. Methods of fabricating the PDCs include partially leaching the PCD table and, after leaching the PCD table, forming the plurality of recessed features in the upper surface thereof. Method of using the PDCs include rotating a PDC that has spalled relative to a rotary drill bit such that a portion of the upper surface of the PDC that has not spalled forms a cutting surface thereof.

Abstract: Method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include laser ablating at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached polycrystalline diamond volume and an unleached polycrystalline diamond volume.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond element includes a polycrystalline diamond table having a body of bonded diamond particles with interstitial regions. A first volume of the body includes an interstitial material and a second volume of the body has a lower concentration of interstitial material within the interstitial regions than the first volume. The polycrystalline diamond element includes an element face and a peripheral surface. The first volume is adjacent to a central portion of the element face and the second volume is adjacent to the peripheral surface. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes forming a concave region in the polycrystalline diamond element, exposing at least a portion of the concave region to a leaching solution, and removing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element that was exposed to the leaching solution from the polycrystalline diamond element.

Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) grids. A grid holding element holds a cryo-EM grid in place while a sample deposit element deposits liquid sample from a sample supply onto the grid. A sample shaping element shapes the liquid sample and then a cryogenic sample vitrifying element vitrifies the liquid sample. The shaping element may direct a gas jet towards the grid to reduce the thickness of the liquid sample. The gas jet may mix first and second liquid samples together in midair or on the grid. A storage element stores vitrified cryo-EM grids and includes an electromagnetic field (EMF) source that creates an EMF within the storage element such that the vitrified sample is exposed to the EMF. As a result of being exposed to the EMF, a protein provided with the sample is re-oriented from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) grids. A grid holding element holds a cryo-EM grid in place while a sample deposit element deposits liquid sample from a sample supply onto the grid. A sample shaping element shapes the liquid sample and then a cryogenic sample vitrifying element vitrifies the liquid sample. The shaping element may direct a gas jet towards the grid to reduce the thickness of the liquid sample. The gas jet may mix first and second liquid samples together in midair or on the grid. A storage element stores vitrified cryo-EM grids and includes an electromagnetic field (EMF) source that creates an EMF within the storage element such that the vitrified sample is exposed to the EMF. As a result of being exposed to the EMF, a protein provided with the sample is re-oriented from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond element includes a polycrystalline diamond table having a body of bonded diamond particles with interstitial regions. A first volume of the body includes an interstitial material and a second volume of the body has a lower concentration of interstitial material within the interstitial regions than the first volume. The polycrystalline diamond element includes an element face and a peripheral surface. The first volume is adjacent to a central portion of the element face and the second volume is adjacent to the peripheral surface. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes forming a concave region in the polycrystalline diamond element, exposing at least a portion of the concave region to a leaching solution, and removing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material that was exposed to the leaching solution from the polycrystalline diamond element.

Abstract: An electron microscope (EM) preparation and imaging system including an EM device and a sample preparation device for forming a vitreous ice layer containing a liquid sample through vitrification, which are located within a sealable environment. The sample preparation apparatus includes a cryogenically-cooled stage that receives a sample deposit surface, such as a cryo-EM grid, which is cryogenically cooled through direct contact with the stage. A sample dispenser is movable with respect to the stage and is configured to deposit a liquid sample onto the sample deposit surface at a selected rate of deposition. Once the liquid sample is deposited onto the sample deposit surface by the sample dispenser, it is vitrified automatically in place.

Abstract: An electron microscope (EM) preparation and imaging system including an EM device and a sample preparation device for forming a vitreous ice layer containing a liquid sample through vitrification, which are located within a sealable environment. The sample preparation apparatus includes a cryogenically-cooled stage that receives a sample deposit surface, such as a cryo-EM grid, which is cryogenically cooled through direct contact with the stage. A sample dispenser is movable with respect to the stage and is configured to deposit a liquid sample onto the sample deposit surface at a selected rate of deposition. Once the liquid sample is deposited onto the sample deposit surface by the sample dispenser, it is vitrified automatically in place.

Abstract: A method for customizing bedplates for a plurality of wind turbines having different loading requirements. The method includes forming a plurality of baseline bodies for the bedplates that includes a near net shape of one of the bedplates. Further, the method includes determining a loading requirement of the bedplates of each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes applying additional material to an exterior surface of the plurality of baseline bodies via an additive manufacturing process so as to customize a structural capacity of each of the bedplates such that the structural capacity of each of the bedplates can withstand the loading requirement for each of the wind turbines. Accordingly, the structural capacity of each of the plurality of baseline bodies may be the same or may be different.

Abstract: A method for customizing bedplates for a plurality of wind turbines having different loading requirements. The method includes forming a plurality of baseline bodies for the bedplates that includes a near net shape of one of the bedplates. Further, the method includes determining a loading requirement of the bedplates of each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes applying additional material to an exterior surface of the plurality of baseline bodies via an additive manufacturing process so as to customize a structural capacity of each of the bedplates such that the structural capacity of each of the bedplates can withstand the loading requirement for each of the wind turbines. Accordingly, the structural capacity of each of the plurality of baseline bodies may be the same or may be different.

Abstract: PDCs, methods of fabricating the PDCs, and methods of using the PDCs are disclosed herein. The PDCs include a PCD table bonded to a substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface having a plurality of recessed features formed therein. The plurality of recessed features are configured to attract at least some cracks that form in the PCD table. As such, the plurality of recessed features limit or prevent crack propagation into other portions of the PCD table and limit a volume of the PCD table that spalls. Methods of fabricating the PDCs include partially leaching the PCD table and, after leaching the PCD table, forming the plurality of recessed features in the upper surface thereof. Method of using the PDCs include rotating a PDC that has spalled relative to a rotary drill bit such that a portion of the upper surface of the PDC that has not spalled forms a cutting surface thereof.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond element leaching assembly includes a polycrystalline diamond element, a protective leaching cup surrounding at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element, and a protective layer positioned between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes covering a selected portion of a polycrystalline diamond element with a curable resin layer, curing the curable resin layer to form a protective layer, and exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent. Another method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes depositing a curable resin within a protective leaching cup and positioning a polycrystalline diamond element within the protective leaching cup such that the curable resin is displaced so as to surround at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element.

Abstract: At one node in a wireless communications network, a transmitter (i) encodes an outgoing data stream as a sequence of outgoing symbols of a symbol constellation, (ii) applies a sequence of random rotations to the outgoing symbols to generate an outgoing sequence of rotated symbols in the same symbol constellation, and (iii) transmits wireless signals based on the rotated symbols. At another network node, a receiver, having knowledge of the sequence of random rotations, (i) recovers an incoming sequence of rotated symbols from the received wireless signals, (ii) applies a corresponding sequence to de-rotations to the recovered rotated symbols to generate a sequence of de-rotated symbols, and (iii) decodes the de-rotated symbols to recover an incoming data stream that is ideally identical to the outgoing data stream. An eavesdropping node in the network that does not have knowledge of the sequence of random rotations is unable to recover meaningful data.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a combustion chamber assembly, representatively a sealed combustion chamber assembly, operative to create from combustion air delivered thereto via a circumferentially limited vertical side portion thereof a flow of primary combustion air to the underside of a centrally disposed fuel burner within the assembly via a first location underlying the burner, a first flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via the first location, and a second flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via a second location outwardly circumscribing the first location.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a combustion chamber assembly, representatively a sealed combustion chamber assembly, operative to create from combustion air delivered thereto via a circumferentially limited vertical side portion thereof a flow of primary combustion air to the underside of a centrally disposed fuel burner within the assembly via a first location underlying the burner, a first flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via the first location, and a second flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via a second location outwardly circumscribing the first location.