Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for monitoring and improving water quality to mitigate eutrophication or harmful algal blooms using smart rafts, including a raft made from a mycomaterial; one or more tube-shaped pods formed in the raft and configured to hold seed or media and configured with a root channel at the bottom of the pods extending through a bottom of the raft; and a sensor holder formed in the raft and configured to hold a water quality sensor accessing a water channel extending through a bottom of the raft. Remedial plants are grown in the tube-shaped pods with roots of the remedial plants passing through the water channel into water underneath the raft.

Abstract: A system, and method for capture of multiple liquid samples from an aerial drone, including an aerial drone; one or more liquid sample receptacles disposed within respective receptacle containing units provided on the aerial drone; and a gear drive mechanism configured to lower and raise the one or more liquid sample receptacles and the respective receptacle containing units into a body of liquid to capture multiple liquid samples from the body of liquid.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for monitoring and improving water quality to mitigate harmful algal blooms using smart rafts, including a raft made from a mycomaterial; one or more tube-shaped pods formed in the raft and configured to hold seed or media and configured with a root channel at the bottom of the pods extending through a bottom of the raft; and a sensor holder formed in the raft and configured to hold a water quality sensor accessing a water channel extending through a bottom of the raft. Remedial plants are grown in the tube-shaped pods with roots of the remedial plants passing through the water channel into water underneath the raft.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for monitoring and improving water quality to mitigate harmful algal blooms using smart rafts, including a raft made from a mycomaterial; one or more tube-shaped pods formed in the raft and configured to hold seed or media and configured with a root channel at the bottom of the pods extending through a bottom of the raft; and a sensor holder formed in the raft and configured to hold a water quality sensor accessing a water channel extending through a bottom of the raft. Remedial plants are grown in the tube-shaped pods with roots of the remedial plants passing through the water channel into water underneath the raft.

Abstract: A cable management system is used in neurological monitoring and imaging procedures, particularly MRI. The system enables quickly disconnecting and quickly and accurately reconnecting the patient to the neurological monitoring equipment. The cable management system uses plural color-coded, two-part, cable pairs that include an electrode cable and an extension cable in each pair. The electrode and the short electrode cable remain attached to the patent during monitoring while the extension cable is disconnected and removed. A plug and socket combination that connects in a preselected orientation that enables the two parts to be quickly and accurately disconnected and reconnected. Metal is minimized in the electrode and electrode conductor in part by its short length, it thinness, the use of metal coating on plastic electrodes, and the use of alternative conductive materials.

Abstract: A container is adapted to transport food or other articles. The container includes a floor, two end walls coupled to the floor, a left closure coupled to the end walls and the floor, and a right closure coupled to the end walls and the floor.

Abstract: A transducer is fixedly positioned within a supporting frame, covered by a shield in underlying relation to an enclosure within which explosion pulses are generated for testing purposes. The explosion pulses are profiled during emergence thereof through an aperture in the shield onto a specimen of cellular protective material to be tested by positioning thereof on the transducer. The enclosure is filled with a fluid media such as water to establish a water column corresponding for example to an underwater environment within which such explosion pulses would be generated. The energy of the profiled explosion pulses, not absorbed within the specimen, is measured through the transducer and recorded as a function of time for evaluation of the explosion protective capability of the specimen material being tested.

Abstract: A platform assembly of circular plates are yieldably held positioned by a support mounted on an underwater vehicle propelled under remote control within seawater to a location below an underwater surface such as the bottom of a ship hull, for surface measurement survey of such surface through sensors that are projected upwardly from the positioned platform assembly into contact with the surface under spring bias pressure established during survey measurement.

Abstract: A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.

Abstract: A system for identifying an individual is determined either by generating an identification profile based on a distinctive biometric characteristic possessed by that person (e.g. voice analysis, finger print, facial scan, DNA etc.), or by means of verifying some digital “signature” representation assigned to that person. The biometric information or digital signature may then be used in a variety of functions to enhance both the security and convenience of conducting electronic transactions. The system may provide an algorithm for creating a PIN number for use as a preliminary or secondary identification steps, and/or an algorithm for generating unique tone codes for use in personal identification via telephone or modem. Further, security of online transactions may be greatly improved by placing access key information in a medium outside the computer host or client.

Abstract: An implement grip having a built-in shock absorber. The shock absorber may have a coiled configuration or interspersed coils. Implements range from sports equipment such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and baseball bats to tools such as hammers.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device for attachment to a vehicle wheel or vehicle steering wheel is disclosed. The device has a first rod segment attached to a second rod segment wherein the second rod segment is designed for insertion through openings in a wheel or steering wheel in use. The first rod segment is elongated to prevent rotation of a vehicle wheel or steering wheel by contacting vehicle components, such as a vehicle undercarriage or dashboard. The device also has first and second flanges designed to be positioned in contact with opposing sides of a vehicle wheel or steering wheel when installed. The first flange may be securely attached to the first rod segment and the second flange may be of a design that is easily secured to or removed from the second rod segment.

Abstract: A method for reconstituting superabsorbent polymer fines comprising the following steps: wetting the superabsorbent polymer fines sufficient to form a continuous amorphous gel of the fines; grinding the gel; and drying the gel which has been around to form a superabsorbent polymer material. Drying can optionally be followed by grinding and classification of the reconstituted superabsorbent polymer fines to desired sizes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process and apparatus for dispensing a uniform flow of carbon black from a tank. The process is carried out by stirring the carbon black in a surge tank, providing equal movement of the carbon black away from the center of the surge tank towards the outlet(s) of the surge tank and removing caked carbon black from the wall of the tank and/or minimizing caking of carbon black on the wall of the surge tank. The apparatus includes horizontal blades for stirring the carbon black, lifters for lifting carbon black from the bottom of the tank, impeller vanes shaped in the form of curves such that each segment of rotation of the vanes causes an equal movement of the carbon black away from the center of the surge tank towards the tank outlet(s), and side scrapers for removing caked carbon black from the wall of the tank and/or minimizing caking of carbon black on the wall of the surge tank.

Abstract: The strain energy that is released when a structural member fails is emitted, among other ways as a broad frequency acoustic emission which is detected by a piezoelectric crystal sized for a preselected natural frequency. This piezoelectric crystal converts the acoustic energy into an electronic signal which is filtered to permit passage of only predetermined frequencies. The filtered signals are then passed through a device which matches the line impedance. A differential amplifier provides signal amplification, and rejects noise, in the received signals which are then passed through a level detector, preset to only allow passage of predetermined signals which in turn trigger a latch for a light emitting diode indicating that a structural failure has occurred.A built-in tester allows for a periodic check to be made to insure system operation.