Abstract: A method of forming an article, including: inserting a conductive material within a via a wafer, wherein the conductive material comprises a first alloy comprising a first metal and a second metal; and contacting the conductive material with a solution comprising ions of a third metal, wherein the ions of the third metal galvanically displace a portion of the second metal from the first alloy to form a second alloy with the first metal.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide apparatuses and methods for controlling the position and/or orientation of a moveable component of an actuator, using at least two shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires and at least one sensor for sensing position/orientation of the moveable component.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media for initiating, facilitating and/or performing financial transactions are disclosed. A request associated with a financial transaction may be received on behalf of a requestor. At least one financial account to be debited and at least one financial account to be credited in connection with the financial transaction may be identified based on information included or provided in association with the request. Respective payment networks that provide access to the financial accounts may be identified. One or more of the financial accounts may be accessible in real-time via a respective payment network. A respective debit or credit instruction may be transmitted to each of the identified payment networks to post a debit or credit to a corresponding financial account. Corresponding debit and/or credit status information may be received, and various status indications may be generated and transmitted, potentially for presentation to the requestor.

Abstract: A process for the bio-neutralisation of red mud, the process including: feeding an alkaline red mud into a bio-digester; feeding biomass including insoluble organic matter into the bio-digester, the biomass supporting a microbial consortium; mediating the digestion of the biomass in the bio-digester or through a train of bio-digesters with microbes in the microbial consortium, to thereby produce organic acid(s) which neutralise alkalinity of the red mud and reduce pH of the red mud; producing a bio-neutralised red mud product having a pH of 10 or less.

Abstract: A shape charge venting apparatus and method for venting gases generated during deflagration. The venting apparatus and method including vent grooves inside the shape charge providing a pathway for deflagration gases to escape the shape charge. The venting apparatus and method also may include using a retainer ring in addition to the vent groove in order to hold the components of the shape charge in place. The venting of the gases during deflagration facilitates pressure relief within the shape charge and increases safety from accidental detonation during a fire.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to moment-resisting frames, kits for assembling such moment-resisting frames, and methods of repairing such moment-resisting frames. In an embodiment, a moment-resisting frame includes a beam connected to a column using a moment-resisting connection. The moment-resisting connection may include at least one exterior doubler plate (“EDP”) that is connected to the column and two or more connectors that are connected to both the beam and the EDP. In some embodiments, the moment-resisting frame may require less welding than conventional beam-to-column connections. Additionally or alternatively, such a moment-resisting frame may eliminate the need for components typically used in conventional beam-to-column connections (e.g., continuity plates).

Abstract: A device for perforating a perforating gun body, while leaving adjacent tubulars unperforated, adapted for situations where it may be desirable to use a perforating gun with a loaded number of shaped charges that is less than its full capacity.

Abstract: A link jet system using a combination of a one piece cast zinc alloy case and interlocking linked shaped charges for minimizing debris left in a downhole wellbore when fired, reducing components in system, and providing an easy method for changing the shaped charge phase.

Abstract: A blood pump is disclosed. The blood pump apparatus is arranged to provide pulsatile flow, and comprises a flexible inner cylindrical duct providing a blood flow region, and an outer cylindrical duct arranged to surround the inner cylindrical duct and arranged to accommodate a pumping fluid. In the pump the inner cylindrical duct is described as comprising a blood inlet for receiving blood into the region, a blood outlet for passing blood out from the blood flow region and a passageway therebetween. There is also described the feature of the inner duct comprising a non return valve at the blood inlet and a non return valve at the blood outlet, the outer cylindrical duct having a fluid port for a pumping fluid, and a pump device arranged to cyclically deliver and withdraw pumping fluid to the fluid port thereby cyclically compressing and expanding the flexible inner cylindrical duct urging blood through the blood flow region and delivering a pulsating blood flow through the blood outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking a detonating cord against a shaped charge.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for increasing at least one of root biomass and above-ground biomass and in a Poaceae plant by expressing a PEAPOD protein, or fragment thereof, in the Poaceae plant. The invention also provides methods and materials producing a Poaceae plant with at least one of increased root biomass and increased above-ground biomass, by expressing a PEAPOD protein, or fragment thereof, in the Poaceae plant.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a reconfigurable simulative and predictive digital assistant/platform for simulation of a multi-stage processing facility. The digital assistant generates and assembles digital representations of the individual physical processing stages and components of the multi-stage processing facility in a reconfigurable manner according to a set of configuration commands generated using user inputs in a graphical user interface. At least one of the digital representations include a reusable predictive model that is trained when the digital representation is generated by the digital assistant. The digital assistant further performs simulation of the multi-state processing facility “as is” or in alternative “what-if” scenarios by simulating the digital representations according to a set of timing signals in the set of configuration commands.

Abstract: A link jet system using a combination of a one piece cast zinc alloy case and interlocking linked shaped charges for minimizing debris left in a downhole wellbore when fired, reducing components in system, and providing an easy method for changing the shaped charge phase.

Abstract: A device for depth mapping of an object comprises an emitter comprising a laser and an optical component, an actuator and a control processor unit. The actuator is arranged to change the relative position and/or relative orientation of the optical component to the laser. The control processor unit is configured to receive information relating to change in the location and/or orientation of the device during use of the device, and to instruct the actuator to change the relative position and/or relative orientation of the optical component to the laser so as to compensate for change in the location and/or orientation of the device during use of the device.

Abstract: A device for determining the rheological properties of blood may include a channel having at least one channel sub-section that has a substantially constant cross-section; apparatus for determining a pressure differential along at least a portion of the sub-section of the channel; a first reservoir that is adapted to be located at a first end of the channel and to be placed in fluid communication with the channel, the first reservoir being of variable internal volume; a second reservoir that is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with first reservoir via the channel, the second reservoir being of variable internal volume; means for allowing blood to be introduced into the device; an outlet for allowing gas to be expelled from the device; and means for varying the volume of the first reservoir.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte material represented by Formula 1: L1+2x(M1)1?x(M2)(M3)4??Formula 1 wherein 0.25<x<1, L is at least one element selected from a Group 1 element, M1 is at least one element selected from a Group 2 element, a Group 3 element, a Group 12 element, and a Group 13 element, M2 is at least one element selected from a Group 5 element, a Group 14 element, and a Group 15 element, and M3 is at least one element selected from a Group 16 element, and wherein the solid electrolyte material has an I-4 crystal structure.

Abstract: A screw includes a shank having a head, a point, a threaded section and a knurling section. The threaded section is located between the head and the point. The knurling section is located between the head and the threaded section. The knurling section includes a first set of grooves consisting of a plurality of first grooves and a second set of grooves consisting of a plurality of second grooves. The plurality of first grooves extends in a first angle relative to an axis of the shank. The plurality of second grooves extends in a second angle relative to the axis of the shank not parallel to the first angle. The first angle is equal to or larger than 0 degrees. The first grooves have unequal spacing. The first grooves intersect with the second grooves to form a plurality of intersecting zones with peaks and ridges of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for an ensemble of decision trees that assists in selection of a predicted action to achieve a desired outcome based on an input comprising a set of feature values, such as an input feature vector for a particular instance. The predicted action may represent an optimal or best action, from the plurality of possible actions, for achieving the desired outcome.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to moment-resisting frames, kits for assembling such moment-resisting frames, and methods of repairing such moment-resisting frames. In an embodiment, a moment-resisting frame includes a beam connected to a column using a moment-resisting connection. The moment-resisting connection may include at least one exterior doubler plate (“EDP”) that is connected to the column and two or more connectors that are connected to both the beam and the EDP. In some embodiments, the moment-resisting frame may require less welding than conventional beam-to-column connections. Additionally or alternatively, such a moment-resisting frame may eliminate the need for components typically used in conventional beam-to-column connections (e.g., continuity plates).