Abstract: The present invention relates to the selective separation of methane (“CH4”) from higher carbon number hydrocarbons (“HHC”s) in streams containing both methane and higher carbon number hydrocarbons (e.g. ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, etc.) utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate methane from higher carbon number hydrocarbons in natural gas streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the selective separation of hydrogen (“H2”) hydrocarbons in streams containing both hydrogen and hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, etc.) utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in either a pressure swing adsorption process, a temperature swing adsorption process, or a membrane separations process to separate hydrogen from hydrocarbons present in hydrogen production streams or petrochemical/petroleum refining product streams and intermediate streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from nitrogen (“N2”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from combustion gas (e.g., flue gas) streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide produced in combustion processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from methane (“CH4”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and methane utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the natural gas.

Abstract: A system and method for emulation of a network link include an application programming interface (API) for testing distributed applications by way of a network emulator. According to aspects of the invention, a method and computer program product are disclosed for providing an interface to a user application for configuring a network emulator. According to another aspect of the invention, a system for configuring a network emulator by way of a user application is provided. The API includes exposed functions for creating a virtual channel, creating a virtual link in the virtual channel, deleting the virtual channel, deleting the virtual link, obtaining trace data, obtaining a packet filter for the virtual channel, obtaining a link rule and the number of instances of the virtual link, initializing the emulator, modifying the virtual channel, modifying the virtual link, setting trace information for the emulator, shutting down the emulator, and stopping the emulation.

Abstract: A rapid, simple and versatile metal organic framework molecule (MOF) synthesis method particularly adapted to make non-linear MOFs includes heating MOF precursors, such as a metal or metal oxide and an organic ligand, in a microwave oven for a period sufficient to achieve crystallization. Microwave-assisted MOF synthesis yields high quality MOF crystals in a reaction time ranging from about 5 seconds to about 2.5 minutes, compared to hours and days required in conventional solvothermal and hydrothermal methods. In addition, microwave assisted methods provide MOF materials with uniform crystal size and well-defined shape. Further, microwave synthesis of MOFs allows the size and shape of MOF crystals to be tailored for use in a wide range applications by manipulating reaction conditions. Secondary growth processes may also be employed to grow larger crystals using seeds obtained from microwave-assisted synthesis methods.

Abstract: A network emulator provides both per-connection and non-connection-based emulation. The emulator includes a host computer, and a kernel-mode emulator driver and user-mode application component running on the host computer. The application component supplies configuration parameters to the driver. The driver includes a packet filter list that filters a captured packet, a virtual network link that receives the packet from the packet filter list, a link group list that applies an emulation procedure to the packet, a timer management component that manages a timer associated with the emulation procedure, and a packet dispatcher component that sends out the packet. A connection pool component facilitates per-connection emulation.

Abstract: A method and system for emulating a network bandwidth condition includes maintaining a queue for holding packets that are received, maintaining a virtual time that is updated whenever a packet timer is scheduled, and, for a selected packet waiting in the queue, calculating a timer expiration time based on the virtual time. A bandwidth emulation module is controlled by an emulator link that comprises a virtual network link to which a first computer is connected. One or more computers may be linked to the first computer.

Abstract: Emulating a packet reorder condition in a network includes maintaining a counter variable to count packets sent out since the most recent reordered packet. When a new packet arrives, if the counter variable is less than or equal to zero, a current packet lag value is determined. If the current packet lag value is not equal to zero, the new packet is delayed before being sent out in accordance with the lag value, and the counter is updated with the lag value. Otherwise, the new packet is sent out without delay and the counter is decreased by one. The current packet lag value is computed based on supplied configuration parameters. Delaying the new packet includes applying a latency to the packet, the latency comprising a time cost to transmit the packet multiplied by the current packet lag value.

Abstract: The present interactive recording and playback technique provides the ability to archive the content, the discussions and the metadata of a meeting or similar event; then aggregate, search and annotate across this data; and finally edit, combine, or split various recordings to create new presentations. This interactive recording and playback technique provides rich productivity and innovation that is unavailable today.

Abstract: Systems and methods for block-based fast image compression are described. In one aspect, a digital image is segmented into multiple blocks. A respective set of statistical characteristics is identified for each of the segmented blocks. Each of the blocks is encoded with a particular encoding algorithm of multiple encoding algorithms. The particular encoding algorithm that is used to encode a particular block segmented from the digital image is selected to efficiently encode the block in view of statistical characteristics associated with the block. Thus, blocks of different block types may be encoded with different encoding algorithms.

Abstract: A system and method for emulation of a network link include an application programming interface (API) for testing distributed applications by way of a network emulator. According to aspects of the invention, a method and computer program product are disclosed for providing an interface to a user application for configuring a network emulator. According to another aspect of the invention, a system for configuring a network emulator by way of a user application is provided. The API includes exposed functions for creating a virtual channel, creating a virtual link in the virtual channel, deleting the virtual channel, deleting the virtual link, obtaining trace data, obtaining a packet filter for the virtual channel, obtaining a link rule and the number of instances of the virtual link, initializing the emulator, modifying the virtual channel, modifying the virtual link, setting trace information for the emulator, shutting down the emulator, and stopping the emulation.

Abstract: Emulating a packet reorder condition in a network includes maintaining a counter variable to count packets sent out since the most recent reordered packet. When a new packet arrives, if the counter variable is less than or equal to zero, a current packet lag value is determined. If the current packet lag value is not equal to zero, the new packet is delayed before being sent out in accordance with the lag value, and the counter is updated with the lag value. Otherwise, the new packet is sent out without delay and the counter is decreased by one. The current packet lag value is computed based on supplied configuration parameters. Delaying the new packet includes applying a latency to the packet, the latency comprising a time cost to transmit the packet multiplied by the current packet lag value.

Abstract: A method and system for emulating a network bandwidth condition includes maintaining a queue for holding packets that are received, maintaining a virtual time that is updated whenever a packet timer is scheduled, and, for a selected packet waiting in the queue, calculating a timer expiration time based on the virtual time. A bandwidth emulation module is controlled by an emulator link that comprises a virtual network link to which a first computer is connected. One or more computers may be linked to the first computer.

Abstract: A network emulator provides both per-connection and non-connection-based emulation. The emulator includes a host computer, and a kernel-mode emulator driver and user-mode application component running on the host computer. The application component supplies configuration parameters to the driver. The driver includes a packet filter list that filters a captured packet, a virtual network link that receives the packet from the packet filter list, a link group list that applies an emulation procedure to the packet, a timer management component that manages a timer associated with the emulation procedure, and a packet dispatcher component that sends out the packet. A connection pool component facilitates per-connection emulation.