Abstract: A method for manufacturing silicon nitride from waste silicon kerf includes the steps of reducing agglomerations in the waste silicon kerf, adding and mixing calcium oxide to the waste silicon kerf, placing the waste silicon kerf in a ceramic crucible, placing the ceramic crucible in a furnace, heat treating the waste silicon kerf in the ceramic crucible in the furnace under a vacuum to disassociate silicon dioxide into silicon and silicon monoxide, and heat treating the waste silicon kerf in the ceramic crucible in the furnace while introducing nitrogen gas into the furnace to create the silicon nitride.

Abstract: A system for recovering bitumen, granules, and limestone fillers from asphalt shingles includes: a mixer; a filter; a first dryer; a centrifuge; a second dryer; and a distillation unit. The mixer receives and mixes asphalt shingles and a solvent to produce a slurry. The filter processes the slurry to generate a cake material and a filtrate. The cake material is received and heated by the first dryer to isolate a first constituent of the asphalt shingles. The filtrate is received and separated by the centrifuge into a first phase material and a second phase material. The first phase material is received and heated by the second dryer to isolate a second constituent of the asphalt shingles. The second phase material is processed by the distillation unit to isolate a third constituent of the asphalt shingles. A method for recovering bitumen, granules, and limestone fillers from asphalt shingles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system may support adaptive user interfaces (UIs) for computer-aided technology (CAx) applications. The system may include a CAx tracking engine configured to track command usage of a computer-aided technology (CAx) application to obtain command usage data for the CAx application and a CAx training engine configured to train a machine learning model with the command usage data. The system may also include a CAx adaptive UI engine configured to obtain real-time command usage by a user of the CAx application; and apply the machine learning model to adaptively transform a UI of the CAx application, including by inputting the real-time command usage of the CAx application to the machine learning model to determine a predicted command based on the real-time command usage and dynamically updating a selected sub-section of the UI of the CAx application to present the predicted command to the user.

Abstract: Fabry-Pérot filters having different cavity thicknesses are formed in arrays on a substrate for spectral sensing. The filter array can be coupled to a detector array to make a compact, low size, weight and power spectral sensor that detects spectral information in a scene viewed by the detector array. The spectral sensor can be used in a compact spectrometer to detect the presence of harmful chemical vapors.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, the skin can dispatch signals to the brain in the form of exosomes, referred to herein as a “skin-brain axis.” Therefore, disclosed herein is a method for diagnosing a brain disease, disorder, or injury in a subject that involves isolating exosomes from the subject and assaying the exosomes for the presence of one or more biomarkers of the disease, disorder, or injury. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject with a brain disease, disorder, or injury that involves engineering the skin of the subject to produce therapeutic exosomes. Also disclosed are methods of collecting skin-produced exosomes and loading them with therapeutic cargo that can treat one or more diseases, disorders, or injuries of the brain. Also disclosed herein is a method to reduce exosomal release from the skin to reducing trafficking to the brain.

Abstract: A system may support adaptive user interfaces (Us) for computer-aided technology (CAx) applications. The system may include a CAx tracking engine configured to track command usage of a computer-aided technology (CAx) application to obtain command usage data for the CAx application and a CAx training engine configured to train a machine learning model with the command usage data. The system may also include a CAx adaptive UI engine configured to obtain real-time command usage by a user of the CAx application; and apply the machine learning model to adaptively transform a UI of the CAx application, including by inputting the real-time command usage of the CAx application to the machine learning model to determine a predicted command based on the real-time command usage and dynamically updating a selected sub-section of the UI of the CAx application to present the predicted command to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to scintillators and related devices and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to quantum dot scintillators for use, for example, in radiation detection, including gamma-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray and neutron detection.

Abstract: A video game controller is equipped with an electronic input that can read a game identification code from an electronic key. When the user presents the key to the game controller, it relays the game ID to the game console. This electronic key may be read via RFID from a detachable faceplate for the controller. The game console utilizes the game ID to quickly find and launch the game from game storage. The game console itself may also be equipped with such an electronic input. The game storage can be built into the console, or on a server accessed through a home network or through the internet. Such use of an electronic key and detachable faceplate is extended to rapid and easy personalization, customization, and function enhancement of entertainment and other consumer electronics devices as well.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improved video transmission, particularly in security settings. An improved security controller combines the interfaces and functionality for high quality video delivery over often less-than-perfect wireless networks, multi-camera analog/digital video controllers and encoders, multi-frequency wireless camera support, connectivity for serial controllers, network switching, and distributed digital video recording with optional object and motion detection. The video transmission is enhanced using wireless adaptive video encoding, mobile viewing optimization, and wireless bandwidth improvement.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improved video transmission, particularly in security settings. An improved security controller combines the interfaces and functionality for high quality video delivery over often less-than-perfect wireless networks, multi-camera analog/digital video controllers and encoders, multi-frequency wireless camera support, connectivity for serial controllers, network switching, and distributed digital video recording with optional object and motion detection. The video transmission in enhanced using wireless adaptive video encoding, mobile viewing optimization, and wireless bandwidth improvement.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improved video transmission, particularly in security settings. An improved security controller combines the interfaces and functionality for high quality video delivery over often less-than-perfect wireless networks, multi-camera analog/digital video controllers and encoders, multi-frequency wireless camera support, connectivity for serial controllers, network switching, and distributed digital video recording with optional object and motion detection. The video transmission is enhanced using wireless adaptive video encoding, mobile viewing optimization, and wireless bandwidth improvement.

Abstract: A video game controller is equipped with an electronic input that can read a game identification code from an electronic key. When the user presents the key to the game controller, it relays the game ID to the game console. This electronic key may be read via RFID from a detachable faceplate for the controller. The game console utilizes the game ID to quickly find and launch the game from game storage. The game console itself may also be equipped with such an electronic input. The game storage can be built into the console, or on a server accessed through a home network or through the internet. Such use of an electronic key and detachable faceplate is extended to rapid and easy personalization, customization, and function enhancement of entertainment and other consumer electronics devices as well.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improved video transmission, particularly in security settings. An improved security controller combines the interfaces and functionality for high quality video delivery over often less-than-perfect wireless networks, multi-camera analog/digital video controllers and encoders, multi-frequency wireless camera support, connectivity for serial controllers, network switching, and distributed digital video recording with optional object and motion detection. The video transmission in enhanced using wireless adaptive video encoding, mobile viewing optimization, and wireless bandwidth improvement.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A composite, layered shield for protecting a vehicle housing explosives in an ammunition stowage compartment from the detonation of said explosives while in said compartment. Said shield comprises, in a layered fashion, a first layer of an energy absorbing rubber, a pusher plate layer, a crush element layer, and a second layer of an energy absorbing rubber. In order to protect the vehicle, the ammunition stowage compartment is lined with the composite, layered shield of the present invention. The shield is mounted in such a manner that the energy absorbing rubber is closest to the explosives, followed by the pusher plate, then the crush element, and finally the second energy absorbing rubber layer. The overall areal density of the shield is about 17.6 pounds per square foot. Said shield is light weight and provides effective blast and shock protection for the walls of the explosive containing stowage compartment as well as for the vehicle housing the stowage compartment.

Abstract: A form for providing a support for the application of artificial fingernail material is disclosed herein. The form is generally horseshoe-shaped, the improvement comprising the addition of a lip member on the portion of the platform adjacent to the finger. The lip member provides additional support and attachment sites for the form to the finger and prevents bowing of the form as a result of notches provided on each side of the lip member accommodate folds of skin on the sides of the nail.

Abstract: An electrical solder pot has a base with a hollow interior. A housing member also having a hollow interior attaches to the top of the base. The housing member further includes an opening at its top. A threaded socket is fitted in the base so as to accept a heating element which is oriented vertically within the hollow interior of the combined base and housing member. The heating element includes a threaded connector positioned near the opening in the top of the housing and accepts a threaded solder container. The solder container attaches to the top of the heating element and is positioned above the opening in the housing. The heating element includes an internal thermal conducting member located within a tube with an appropriate socket connector on the tube so as to connect to the socket in the base. A monolithic burnt ceramic heater is positioned within a cavity in the thermal conducting member.

Abstract: An electric soldering iron includes an elongated metal housing tube enclosing a metallic heat conducting member having a first zone snugly fit within the housing and having a portion projecting out of the front end thereof for removably receiving a soldering tip. A second zone of the member extends rearwardly from the first zone and has a smaller cross section than the interior of the tube to create an insulating space therebetween. The heat conducting member is formed with an opening sized and shaped to receive the end of an elongated flat ceramic heater having embedded therein an electric heating element. The portion of the ceramic heater not located within the heat conducting member is surrounded and positioned by a refractory heat insulating tube abutting the rear end of the heat conducting member.