Abstract: An energy storage system is provided. The system includes a plurality of energy storage modules connected in parallel. Each energy storage module has an energy storage source, a bidirectional current converter configured for supplying charge to the energy storage source from a power source and for discharging current for use by an electrical device, a monitoring module for monitoring the energy storage source and the current converter, and a controller configured to control the current converter based upon monitored characteristics of the storage source and the current converter to produce a respective output signal for each module. A communications module is in connection with each output signal of the energy storage modules and configured for communicating a combined output signal with one of the power source and the electrical device.

Abstract: An alternating current-to-direct current (AC-DC) converter is provided. The converter may include a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side. A first bi-directional switch and a first inductor may be connected in series between a positive terminal of an AC source and a first terminal of the primary side of the transformer. A second bi-directional switch and a second inductor may be connected between the positive terminal of the AC source and a second terminal of the primary side of the transformer and connected in parallel with the first bi-directional switch.

Abstract: A method for obtaining operating parameters of a power plant includes data mining a historical operating condition database for the power plant with a partitional clustering algorithm to generate a statistical model, and calculating dynamic operating condition target values from the statistical model taking into account current operating condition data of the power plant. The method further includes performing a real-time energy-loss analysis based on the dynamic operating condition target values and automatically identifying at least one operating parameter of the power plant from the energy-loss analysis. The partitional clustering algorithm can be a k-means clustering algorithm.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, method of operating the MEMS device, and a method of forming the MEMS device are provided. The MEMS device includes a positioning mechanism and a locking mechanism. The positioning mechanism includes a first arm structure having a first surface and a second surface; a second arm structure having a first surface and a second surface; wherein the first surface of the first arm structure faces the first surface of the second arm structure. The positioning mechanism also includes a first actuator disposed adjacent to the second surface of the first arm structure facing away from the second arm structure; and a second actuator disposed adjacent to the second surface of the second arm structure facing away from the first arm structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming zinc oxide which includes introducing a zinc vapor and a water vapor to a reactor; providing a zinc particulate to the reactor to promote the reaction between the zinc vapor and water vapor, thereby forming zinc oxide and hydrogen. An apparatus for forming zinc oxide is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an optical device including a carrier; a light source; a receiving chamber in or on the carrier wherein the receiving chamber is configured to receive an optical element; the optical element received in the receiving chamber; a plurality of actuators; and a waveguide arranged to receive light transmitted from the light source through the optical element. At least one of the receiving chamber and the actuators is arranged and configured to adjust the position of the optical element in the receiving chamber in a first direction perpendicular to the main surface of the carrier and in a second direction in-plane with the main surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A device includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume. An anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are disposed within the volume. A controller controls a supply of electrical current from an electrical source to the first electrode and to the second electrode. The electrical current supply is controlled to switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation providing electrical current having a reverse polarity during each cycle. The electrical current is supplied at a controlled cycle rate and for a controlled duration. The cycle rate is greater than about 100 hertz and less than about 10 kilohertz.

Abstract: A desalination system and method of desalinating liquids are provided. The desalination system includes a supercapacitor desalination unit. A first liquid source to be desalinated is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit while the system is in a charging mode of operation. A second liquid source comprising saturated or supersaturated liquid is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit when the system is in a discharging mode of operation.

Abstract: A non-Faraday ionic species removal process and system is described. The system includes a power supply, a pump for transporting a liquid through the system, and a plurality of porous electrodes. The electrodes , each include an electrically conductive porous portion. The electrodes may also include a substrate contiguous with the porous portion. The porous electrode can be utilized in electrodialysis and electrodialysis reversal systems. A method for forming a porous electrode is described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming zinc oxide which includes introducing a zinc vapor and a water vapor to a reactor; providing a zinc particulate to the reactor to promote the reaction between the zinc vapor and water vapor, thereby forming zinc oxide and hydrogen. An apparatus for forming zinc oxide is also provided.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided. The assembly includes a chargeable electrode configured to adsorb oppositely charged ions, where the electrode comprises a porous material. The assembly further includes an ion exchange material in contact with the porous material of the chargeable electrode, where the ion exchange material is similarly charged as the chargeable electrode, and where the ion exchange material is permeable to the oppositely charged ions and at least partially impermeable to the similarly charged ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a particulate porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide, as well as uses of the obtained a particulate porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide. A solution of a non-ionic surfactant and either an ionic surfactant or an inorganic salt is formed in an acidic aqueous solution. A metal oxide precursor or a metalloid oxide precursor is added. The formed reaction mixture is heated under reflux upon agitation for a period sufficient to obtain a particulate porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.

Abstract: A composition comprises at least one silver nanoparticulate material, at least one conductive microparticulate material, and less than about 3% wt of an organic or polymeric resin. The composition provides a low curing temperature and upon cure good film properties. Also provided herein is a method of using an ink or paste, comprising: (i) providing the ink or paste comprising at least one silver nanoparticulate material, at least one conductive microparticulate material, and less than about 3% wt of an organic or polymeric resin; and (ii) curing the ink or paste at a temperature at lower than about 200° C. to decompose the organic resin.

Abstract: A device includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume. An anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are disposed within the volume. A controller controls a supply of electrical current from an electrical source to the first electrode and to the second electrode. The electrical current supply is controlled to switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation providing electrical current having a reverse polarity during each cycle. The electrical current is supplied at a controlled cycle rate and for a controlled duration. The cycle rate is greater than about 100 hertz and less than about 10 kilohertz.

Abstract: A method includes: coat a slurry that includes a carbon material, a water-insoluble binder, and a water-soluble polymer on a surface of a current collector to form a template structure; then dry the template structure; and finally, contact the template structure to an aqueous solution, and thereby to remove the water-soluble polymer and to form at least one electrode having a plurality of pores.

Abstract: A double hearing protection system comprises a circumaural hearing protector that covers and encircles the pinnae and an earplug device that is inserted into the ear canal. The earplug portion of the system comprises a tether that is coupled to the interior of a circumaural hearing protector. The tether retracts into the earcup when both the earplug and circumaural hearing protector are worn, ensuring that the earseal against the head is not broken by the retractable tether.

Abstract: A desalination system and method of desalinating liquids are provided. The desalination system includes a supercapacitor desalination unit. A first liquid source to be desalinated is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit while the system is in a charging mode of operation. A second liquid source comprising saturated or supersaturated liquid is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit when the system is in a discharging mode of operation.