Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from fluids, in particular gases at elevated temperature. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite, thus increasing the efficiency of the process. In select embodiments, powdered perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments powdered perlite is provided in an adsorption bed. Fluids containing metals or metal compounds in vapor form are permitted to pass through the adsorption bed until the expanded perlite powder is saturated (exhausted) with the metal and metal compounds adsorbed thereon. The perlite is then replaced, disposing of the exhausted perlite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a new diamond composite comprising a diamond material doped with a preselected transition metal or metal compounds as an illumination source with broadband white light luminosity, high efficiency, and enhanced life span. The present disclosure also provides a new method of diffusing dopants (such as transition metal or metal compounds) into an intended material (such as a diamond material).

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: A chemical and biological agent sensor includes an electrostatic thin film supported by a substrate. The film includes an electrostatic charged surface to attract predetermined biological and chemical agents of interest. A charge collector associated with said electrostatic thin film collects charge associated with surface defects in the electrostatic film induced by the predetermined biological and chemical agents of interest. A preferred sensing system includes a charge based deep level transient spectroscopy system to read out charges from the film and match responses to data sets regarding the agents of interest. A method for sensing biological and chemical agents includes providing a thin sensing film having a predetermined electrostatic charge. The film is exposed to an environment suspected of containing the biological and chemical agents. Quantum surface effects on the film are measured.

Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from fluids, in particular gases at elevated temperature. In select embodiments, powdered perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments powdered perlite is provided in an adsorption bed. Fluid containing metals or metal compounds in vapor form is permitted to pass through the adsorption bed until the expanded perlite powder is saturated (exhausted) with the metal and metal compounds adsorbed thereon. The perlite is then replaced, disposing of the exhausted perlite. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite, thus increasing the efficiency of the process.

Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from a fluid flow. In select embodiments, the perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments the perlite is provided in a fixed adsorption bed and the fluid flow permitted to pass through the bed until the perlite surface is exhausted. The perlite in the fixed bed is then replaced, with the exhausted perlite disposed of as appropriate. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite.

Abstract: Coaxial and twisted pair conductive yarn structures reduce signal crosstalk between adjacent lines in woven electrical networks. A coaxial conductive yarn structure includes an inner conductive yarn having a plurality of conductive strands twisted together. An outer conductive yarn is wrapped around the inner conductive yarn. An insulating layer separates the inner and outer yarns. A twisted pair conductive yarn structure includes first and second conductive yarns, each including a plurality of conductive strands being twisted together. The first and second conductive yarns are twisted together to form a helical structure. In a woven electrical network, at least one conductor of adjacent conductive yarn structures is connected to ground to reduce signal crosstalk. Coaxial and twisted pair yarn structures may also be formed simultaneously with weaving or knitting the threads that make up the structures into a fabric.

Abstract: Coaxial and twisted pair conductive yarn structures reduce signal crosstalk between adjacent lines in woven electrical networks. A coaxial conductive yarn structure includes an inner conductive yarn having a plurality of conductive strands twisted together. An outer conductive yarn is wrapped around the inner conductive yarn. An insulating layer separates the inner and outer yarns. A twisted pair conductive yarn structure includes first and second conductive yarns, each including a plurality of conductive strands being twisted together. The first and second conductive yarns are twisted together to form a helical structure. In a woven electrical network, at least one conductor of adjacent conductive yarn structures is connected to ground to reduce signal crosstalk. Coaxial and twisted pair yarn structures may also be formed simultaneously with weaving or knitting the threads that make up the structures into a fabric.

Abstract: Coaxial and twisted pair conductive yarn structures reduce signal crosstalk between adjacent lines in woven electrical networks. A coaxial conductive yarn structure includes an inner conductive yarn having a plurality of conductive strands twisted together. An outer conductive yarn is wrapped around the inner conductive yarn. An insulating layer separates the inner and outer yarns. A twisted pair conductive yarn structure includes first and second conductive yarns, each including a plurality of conductive strands being twisted together. The first and second conductive yarns are twisted together to form a helical structure. In a woven electrical network, at least one conductor of adjacent conductive yarn structures is connected to ground to reduce signal crosstalk. Coaxial and twisted pair yarn structures may also be formed simultaneously with weaving or knitting the threads that make up the structures into a fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biaxial load deformation testing of textile and other membrane materials including a first pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems for detachably engaging a membrane test material along opposing sides in the X direction. A second pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems is provided for detachably engaging a membrane test material along opposing sides extending in the Y direction. Each of the first pair and each of the second pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems are interconnected by a pantograph so as to be slidably extendable and slidably contractible with respect to each other and proportional to strain in the membrane test material in the X and Y directions, respectively.