Abstract: A system for conveying biomass is disclosed. The system is configured to convey biomass for collection, transport, or processing. The system contains a housing comprising an opening configured for the entry of biomass, at least one shoe skid configured to offset the housing in a vertical orientation, an apparatus at least partially within the housing comprising at least one rotating blade assembly, and a conduit configured to discharge biomass from the housing so that biomass entering into the housing can be projected by the apparatus through the conduit for collection or transport.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising (1) an elastomeric body having a load carrying surface and a parallel pulley engaging surface; (2) a reinforcement ply disposed within the elastomeric body; (3) a rip detection sensor in the form of a microcoil sensor wire which is configured in an endless loop, wherein the microcoil sensor wire is comprised of an elastomeric core having an electrically conductive wire spirally wrapped around the elastomeric core.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an article sorting apparatus includes a conveyance path extending in a first conveyance direction, the conveyance path having a curve; a conveyance unit that moves along the conveyance path and conveys an article loaded on the conveyance unit in a second conveyance direction that intersects the first conveyance direction of the conveyance path; a loading portion that loads the article onto the conveyance unit; a sorting portion that sorts the article conveyed by the conveyance unit; and a controller that controls movement of the conveyance unit in the first conveyance direction and conveyance of the article in the second conveyance direction and controls the conveyance unit before entry of the conveyance unit into the curve such that if the curve has a curvature radius that is less than a predetermined threshold value, the position of the article on a load surface of the conveyance unit on which the article is placed is adjusted to a position that is offset from a middle position

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (1) for the fully-automated picking of articles that are stored in storage loading aids (2) and are picked according to an order, which includes an article store, a first conveyor system that conveys storage loading aids leaving the article store to a picking station that is operated unmanned, a fully-automated robotic gripping unit on said picking station, which removes articles to be picked from said storage loading aids and deposits them in accordance with the order, the articles deposited according to an order, particularly in an order loading aid, subsequently being conveyed away by means of a second conveyor system, an image identification device for determining possible gripping points for the gripping unit in order to grip articles from the storage loading aids, wherein the image identification device comprises at least one and preferably at least two cameras in the region of the robotic gripping unit (9) and, if at least two cameras are prov

Abstract: A method of accumulating products traveling in a conveyor system according to system conditions including: receiving products from an infeed conveyor onto a first conveyor in an accumulator; transferring by a carriage products from the first conveyor to a second conveyor in the accumulator; moving products from the second conveyor to an outfeed conveyor; detecting a density of products moving on the second conveyor; and moving the carriage with along the first and second conveyors if the detected density is above a certain density value.

Abstract: A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions.

Abstract: A component mounter which exchangeably holds rotary head in head holding unit is provided with Z-axis driving mechanism that engages lever engaging piece of the nozzle holder, which performs component pickup and mounting operations, among multiple nozzle holders held on rotary head, from above and below with pushing down roller and Z-axis lever in order to lower and raise the nozzle holder. The interval between lever engaging piece of first holder that performs component pickup and mounting operation first and lever engaging piece of last holder that performs component pickup and mounting operation last is set at a wide interval at which engagement with Z-axis lever is released, and the wide interval between lever engaging piece of first holder and lever engaging piece of last holder is used as a passage through which Z-axis lever passes in an up/down direction when rotary head is attached/removed to/from head holding unit.

Abstract: The rotary conveyor with change of pitch for transferring containers comprises a plurality of slides (5) radially guided on a rotary platform (1) rotating about a rotation axis (E) and on which a suction chamber (9) having a plurality of side openings (11) is fixed. A stationary closed-loop cam (4) not centered with respect to the rotation axis (E) is located below the rotary platform (1). Each slide (5) has fixed thereto a retention element (7) provided with a suction port (8) suitable for retaining a container and a suction conduit (10) having an outer open end connected to the suction port (8), an inner open end located inside the suction chamber (9), and an intermediate portion slidingly inserted in a corresponding one of the side openings (11) of the suction chamber (9).

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

Abstract: Provided are a container terminal and a control method thereof that enhance a cargo handling efficiency by reducing a movement of a yard crane to a minimum possible extent. A first transfer area 44 is provided outside one end portion of a storage lane 20, and a transfer stand 50 is provided to the first transfer area 44. The transfer stand 50 transfers a container k between a circulating transport vehicle 31 and a shuttle vehicle 32. The shuttle vehicle 32 transports the container k between the transfer stand 50 and a yard crane 13 or 14 provided to the storage lane 20 by moving back and forth in a field adjacent to the storage lane 20.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with a cargo receiving device is provided. The system includes a cargo receiving device including a base structure arrangement having a horizontal lower contact surface, and a locking mechanism configured to engage one or more corresponding holding members provided in a cargo compartment of a vehicle. The system also includes a transport device including a horizontal upper contact surface configured to be disposed in abutting contact to said lower contact surface, a drive unit configured to initiate horizontal movement of the transport device, a lift unit configured to initiate vertical movement of the upper contact surface, and an actuating unit configured to actuate the locking mechanism of the cargo receiving device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a manual feed tray, first and second regulating members regulating a width direction of a sheet, a feed portion feeding the sheet stacked on the manual feed tray, and a guide portion. The guide portion is provided at least at one of the apparatus body side and the first regulating member side and has an inclined surface that abuts against another member of the apparatus body and the first regulating member to guide the first regulating member in a direction separating widthwise from the second regulating member when the manual feed tray is moved from a sheet stacking position to a storage position.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes a main body including a drive source, and a conveyance portion to which a drive force is transmitted from the drive source. An equipped unit includes a drive portion to which the drive force is transmitted from the drive source in the main body. A first gear is provided in the main body and is rotated by the drive force transmitted thereto from the drive force. A first gear holder is provided swingably in the main body to support the first gear, and a second gear is provided in the equipped unit to transmit the drive force to the drive portion. A second gear holder is provided swingably in the equipped unit to support the second gear, and a third gear is supported by a connecting shaft connecting the first and second gear holders to engage respectively with the first and second gears.

Abstract: There provided a guide member including: a first guide member that is disposed to face a first surface of a sheet which is transported to a first direction and that guides the sheet in front and at the rear of a processing position at which a process is performed on the first surface; and a second guide member that is disposed to face a second surface of the sheet and guides the sheet, wherein the second guide member includes specific plural convex portions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a handle cover assembly. The assembly is structured to dispense and recover handle cover material, such as a hygienic handle cover material in the form of a sheet, web, sleeve, or the like. The assembly includes a housing configured and/or structured to serve as a handle and which provides an interior in which handle cover assembly components and handle cover material are at least partially contained, from which handle cover material is dispensed, and to which handle cover material is recovered. In at least some embodiments, the handle cover material is dispensed from the interior of the assembly to at least partially cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the assembly housing. The assembly can be connected to a structure, such as cart (e.g., shopping cart, luggage cart), that includes a handle as a retrofit, or installed during manufacture.

Abstract: A winding device for winding up at least one material to be wound onto at least one exchangeable tube, having at least one winding mandrel which is provided to receive the at least one tube in at least one operating state and/or drive it in rotation about a winding axis, comprising at least one winding mandrel has a first mandrel unit and at least one second mandrel unit, wherein the mandrel units are introducible from opposite sides into the at least one tube.

Abstract: A manual device for applying a coating on a medium by means of a tape, the device comprising an applicator endpiece assembled to a casing and projecting from said casing, the endpiece presenting a tongue extending along a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, an applicator portion being formed at the distal end of the tongue, the applicator portion having an applicator edge, and a tape arranged longitudinally around the endpiece covering the tongue so as to go around the applicator portion, the width of the applicator portion being greater than the width of the tape. The width of the applicator edge is greater than or equal to the width of the tape and less than the width of the applicator portion, recesses being provided in the applicator portion in the vicinity of the lateral ends of the applicator edge, and width being measured along the lateral direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing wire or cable from a reel assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly for dispensing wire from any surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly and the external bay. The external bay is capable of freely rotation relative to the outer flange assembly and the inner flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. In yet another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay.

Abstract: Safety related information for an elevator installation can be transmitted via a serial connection using serialization and deserialization modules. These serialization and deserialization modules can comprise redundant components, such as processors and interfaces, and can be configured to cross check various data inputs and outputs to identify data corruption, component failures, or inconsistencies in data.

Abstract: A lanyard assembly for lifting a rescue stretcher, includes a lifting gear with a lower fastening arrangement to be fixed at different fastening points of the stretcher, and a rope assembly to connect the lifting gear with a lifting device, wherein the rope assembly includes a set of rope sections, each rope section having a fixed length and a first end being connectable to the lifting device and an opposite second end being connectable to the first end of any other rope section or to the lifting gear.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable and reversible saddle that replaceably, angularly, and reversibly attaches to a ground-based hoist including a boom having a free distal end with a lateral through bore, and replaceably supports a component. For example, when applied to the automotive industry, the ground-based hoist can be a motor hoist and the component can be any component requiring positioning from below the automobile, such as, a transmission, a gas tank, a rear end, etc. The angularly adjustable and reversible saddle includes a receiver and a mounting apparatus. The receiver replaceably supports the component. The mounting apparatus depends from the receiver and replaceably, angularly adjustably, and reversibly attaches to the ground-based hoist via the lateral through bore of the free distal end of the boom of the ground-based hoist.

Abstract: A power bucket having a first and second swing arm, each having two ends. The first end of each swing arm are pivotally secured together. A first bucket half is then pivotally secured to the other end of the swing arm and, likewise, a second bucket half is pivotally mounted to the second swing arm and the bucket halves are in turn pivotally secured together. A first and second hydraulic actuator are operatively connected between the first swing arm and the first bucket half and the second swing arm and the second bucket half, respectively. The hydraulic rods for the actuators are movable between a retracted position in which the bucket is open, and an extended position in which the bucket is closed.

Abstract: A telescopic boom extending along a longitudinal axis includes a base section intended to be connected to a frame of a machine for lifting loads, a plurality of movable sections, a hydraulic cylinder connecting the base section to a first movable section of said plurality for extending the first movable section relative to the base section, at least one extension chain between the base section and a second movable section for extending the second movable section relative to the first movable section, at least one further extension chain interposed between the first movable section and a third movable section for extending the third movable section relative to the second movable section, the extension chain and the further extension chain located at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Load manipulator comprising a boom arm (1) and a return arm (3) parallel to each other, a loading bar (2) and a counterbar (4) so as to form a deformable parallelogram, an approximately horizontal pivot axis on which one of the arms of the parallelogram is articulated, and balancing means (8) applying a force at an compensation application point (C) to compensate for the force due to the load, said point being a point on the return arm (3) and a point on the counterbar such that it is always in line with point (M) on the loading bar at which the force due to the load is applied and the rotation axis, in which the balancing means (8) comprise a first counterweight (10) and a second counterweight (12) and a jack to compensate for the value of the force due to the load, the first counterweight (10) and the jack applying a force onto the compensation application point (C) and the second counterweight (12) applying a force on the boom arm (1).

Abstract: A winch for a ship and for hauling in or laying out chain (3) or wire and comprising a driving motor (18). A driving shaft (1), a driving wheel (2), and a turntable (5) for supporting the driving wheel are adapted so that the driving shaft (1) is essentially vertically and axially displaceable between a position in which the driving shaft (1) is positioned at one side of the top side of the turntable (5) and a position in which the driving shaft (1) is positioned at both sides of the top side of the turntable (5).

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a mechanical winch. The mechanical winch includes a body and a spool axle. The spool axle is slidably disposed within the body and coupled to the body by at least one spring. A spool is disposed about the spool axle. A non-electrically-conductive tether is coupled to the spool. A brake axle is slidably disposed within the frame and located a fixed distance from the spool axle. Actuation of the spool applies increasing tension to non-electrically-conductive tether and causes compression of the at least one spring.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for guiding a vehicle onto a service lift having a pair of runways for receiving the wheels of the vehicle. In one embodiment, sensors attached to the runways generate sensor signals responsive to a position of the vehicle relative to the runways. The sensor signals are processed to determine and monitor the position of the vehicle relative to the runways, and a visual reference is displayed to guide an operator of the vehicle to drive the vehicle wheels onto the runways. In another embodiment, each runway includes a turntable for receiving the wheels. An actuator is connected to one runway and to its corresponding turntable, and is configured to move the turntable relative to the runway. The sensor signals are processed to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the runways, and to cause the actuator to align the turntable with the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A track roller assembly for supporting telescoping boom sections of aerial devices. The track roller assembly is positioned in an interior channel of a hollow first boom section. The track roller assembly supports a majority of the weight of a second boom section and facilitates the second boom section telescoping in and out of the first boom section. The track roller assembly comprises a bracket to securely couple the track roller assembly to the interior channel of the first boom section, a plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the bracket, and a continuous track engaging the plurality of rollers on an interior surface and adjacent to the second boom section on an exterior surface.

Abstract: A liquid pouring device for bottles includes a tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial cavity open at the ends for the passage and pouring of the liquid contained in the bottle, an anchorage element of the tubular body to the neck of a bottle, a pouring spout slidably inserted in the cavity in order to be moved between an inoperative position completely contained in the cavity and an operative position in which it has at least one longitudinal end portion projecting outwardly of the cavity for allowing the controlled pouring of the liquid. The longitudinal end portion in operative position is inclined by a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal axis in order to define a selective orientation for the spout during the pouring of the liquid. An orienting apparatus for capping plants is also described.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrical connections in an integrated MEMS device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a MEMS substrate which includes forming one or more cavities in a first semiconductor layer; forming a second semiconductor layer; and providing a dielectric layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer The MEMS substrate providing step further includes bonding the first semiconductor layer to a second semiconductor layer; etching at least one via through the second semiconductor layer and the dielectric layer; and depositing a first conductive material onto the second semiconductor layer surface and filling the at least one via.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope that comprises two seismic masses suspended to form a plane of masses. The seismic masses are excited into rotary oscillation about a common primary axis that is in the plane of masses. Detected angular motion causes a rotary oscillation of the first seismic mass about a first detection axis, and of the second seismic mass about a second detection axis. The detection axes are perpendicular to the plane of masses and separated by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a body accommodating a microelectromechanical structure; and a cap bonded to the body and electrically coupled to the microelectromechanical structure through conductive bonding regions. The cap including a selection module, which has first selection terminals coupled to the microelectromechanical structure, second selection terminals, and at least one control terminal, and which can be controlled through the control terminal to couple the second selection terminals to respective first selection terminals according, selectively, to one of a plurality of coupling configurations corresponding to respective operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical system includes creating a sacrificial layer at a substrate surface. A structural material is deposited at a sacrificial layer surface and at a support structure for later supporting the structural material. At least one hole is created in the structural material extending from an exposed surface of the structural material to the surface of the sacrificial layer. The at least one hole leads to a margin region of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed using a removal process through the at least one hole, to obtain a cavity between the surface of the substrate and the structural material. The method also includes filling the at least one hole and a portion of the cavity beneath the at least one hole close to the cavity. A corresponding micromechanical system and a microelectromechanical transducer are also described.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a MEMS device includes providing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) substrate having a sacrificial layer on a first side, providing a carrier including a plurality of cavities, bonding the first side of the MEMS substrate on the carrier, forming a first bonding material layer on a second side of the MEMS substrate, applying a sacrificial layer removal process to the MEMS substrate, providing a semiconductor substrate including a second bonding material layer and bonding the semiconductor substrate on the second side of the MEMS substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor manufacturing processes include providing a first substrate having a first passivation layer disposed above a patterned top-level metal layer, and further having a second passivation layer disposed over the first passivation layer; the second passivation layer has a top surface. The processes further include forming an opening in a first portion of the second passivation layer, and the opening exposes a portion of a surface of the first passivation layer. The processes further include patterning the second and first passivation layers to expose portions of the patterned top-level metal layer and bonding a second substrate and the first substrate to each other. The bonding occurs within a temperature range in which at least the exposed portion of the first passivation layer undergoes outgassing.

Abstract: A method for selectively etching a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an epilayer is grown on top of the substrate. A resistive element may be defined and etched into the epilayer. On the other side of the substrate, the substrate is selectively etched up to the resistive element, leaving a suspended resistive element.

Abstract: A method and device for the rapid detection of biomolecules (320) diffusing in a nanometer-confined slit (204) is claimed. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel concept of fluidic side apertures (205) that facilitates the filling of the device, the surface coating with biomolecules and that measures the affinity between fluorescently labeled biomolecules in aqueous solution with other biomolecules immobilized on surfaces.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit for producing optical signals in response to electrical energizing signals, including: a tilted charge light-emitting device having an electrical input port and an optical output port, the device having an optical output response which is a function of input frequency; and an input interface circuit coupled with the electrical input port of the device, and having a transfer function substantially proportional to an inverse of the optical output response of the device; whereby application of the electrical energizing signals to the input interface circuit is operative to produce optical signals from the output optical port of the device. The input interface circuit includes a passive RLC circuit having a transfer function characterized by a region of increasing amplitude versus frequency.

Abstract: Provided are a photoelectrode including a zinc oxide hemisphere, a method of fabricating the same, and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the same. The photoelectrode includes a conductive substrate, a zinc oxide hemisphere disposed on the conductive substrate, and a porous metal oxide layer covering the zinc oxide hemisphere. Light scattering effects of photoelectrodes can be increased, and recombination losses of electrons can be minimized to improve photovoltaic properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of polymer coating. The present disclosure provides improved systems and methods for continuous polymer coating of particles (e.g., nanoparticles). The present disclosure provides for a solid hollow fiber cooling crystallization (SHFCC) technique to continuously coat the nanoparticles with polymer. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure embraces continuous coating of particles from about 1 nm to about 10 microns. A polymer solution containing a suspension of submicron particles flows in the lumen of a solid polymeric hollow fiber, and controlled cooling of the polymer solution allows for polymer nucleation on the surface of the particles, and the precipitated polymer forms a thin film around the particles (the thickness of which can be varied depending on the operating conditions). The systems, methods and assemblies of the present disclosure are easily adaptable for coating nano-sized drug particles as well.

Abstract: A process is described for flowing an oxygenate feed over a catalyst in an adiabatic fixed bed reactor to product a reactor effluent and heat. The reaction inside the adiabatic fixed bed reactor occurs at a reaction temperature from about 200° C. to about 375° C. The reactor effluent is then condensed to separate the liquid products and the gaseous products. A separation step then separates the gaseous products into hydrogen and off-gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen production module by an integrated reaction/separation process, and a hydrogen production reactor using the same, and more specifically, provides a hydrogen production apparatus which laminates a plurality of layered unit cells, is mounted in a pressure-resistant chamber, and can be operated at a high pressure, wherein the unit cell comprises a first modified catalyst, and a second modified catalyst opposite to a hydrogen separator. The hydrogen production module can produce hydrogen using a hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an alcohol as sources. Particularly, all the modified catalysts are formed into a porous metal plate form, thereby maximizing the heat transfer effect necessary for reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparing a mesoporous metal oxide, i.e., transition metal oxide, Lanthanide metal oxide, a post-transition metal oxide and metalloid oxide. The process comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous metal oxide. A mesoporous metal oxide prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous metal oxides. The method comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous metal oxides. Mesoporous metal oxides and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous metal oxides.

Abstract: Ultra-large graphene oxide (UL-GO) sheets are formed using a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin film process. Sulfuric acid and nitric acid are applied to interlayers of natural graphite flake to form graphite intercalation compound (GIC) powders. The GIC powders are expanded at a high temperature, and intercalating agents are used to further oxidize the expanded GIC powders by to exfoliating the EG into monolayer graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The GO is sequentially centrifuged and UL-GO sheets are collected. An LB thin film is prepared from the collected sheets and the thin films are reduced and chemically doped.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide CO2 into carbon monoxide CO using hydrocarbons are described. In further embodiments, processes and apparatuses for generating synthesis gas and processes and apparatuses for converting synthesis gas into synthetic functionalized and/or non-functionalized hydrocarbons using CO2 and hydrocarbons are described. The processes and apparatuses are adapted to convert CO2 emitted by industrial processes, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere may be reduced.

Abstract: The zeolite structure is a porous zeolite structure constituted of a formed article obtained by extruding a zeolite raw material containing zeolite particles and an inorganic binding material including at least basic aluminum chloride, a ratio P1 (P1=V2/V1×100) of a volume V2 of the inorganic binding material in the zeolite structure with respect to a volume V1 of the zeolite structure is from 10 to 50 vol %, and a relation of equation (1) is satisfied: P2/P1?1.0??(1), in which P1 is the ratio of the volume V2 of the inorganic binding material in the zeolite structure with respect to the volume V1 of the zeolite structure and P2 (P2=Vb/Va×100) is a ratio of volumes Vb of pores having pore diameters of 0.003 to 0.03 ?m with respect to the whole pore volume Va of the zeolite structure.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method for directly preparing pure phase aluminosilicate molecular sieves having the IFR framework type using a colloidal aluminosilicate composition in the presence of N-benzyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane cations as a structure directing agent.

Abstract: An ammonia capture recovery system is disclosed. The ammonia capture recovery system may include pretreatment with conventional solid removal devices and a single or a series of hydrophobic membrane concentrators receiving a heated ammonium containing influent either heated to a sufficient temperature to convert ammonia to ammonium or containing sufficient alkali to convert ammonia to ammonium in the influent. The heated ammonium containing liquid is pumped through the hydrophobic membrane concentrator and the hydrophobic membrane concentrator receives an acid. The acid then reacts with the extracted gaseous ammonia and ultimately forms a saturated ammonium salt product that is discharged from the hydrophobic membrane concentrator, the hydrophobic membrane concentrator includes a feed line, a plurality of hydrophobic membrane modules, a diluted acid source and a concentrated acid source and tanks to receive the saturated ammonium salt product and the low ammonia effluent.

Abstract: The present invention features a high-capacity anode material for rapidly chargeable and dischargeable lithium secondary batteries, which is composed of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles. The Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles of the present invention exhibit excellent crystallinity and high rate capability compared to those synthesized using a conventional polyol process or solid reaction process by converting Li4Ti5O12, which is a zero-strain insert material spotlighted as an anode active material for lithium secondary batteries, into Li4Ti5O12, having a high crystalline nanostructure using a solvothermal synthesis process without performing additional heat treatment. The present invention also features methods of, and a method of preparing the high-capacity anode materials described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is lithium titanate having excellent rate properties and useful for electricity storage devices, which is produced by preparing lithium titanate secondary particles that are aggregates of lithium titanate primary particles and forming at least macro-pores on the surfaces of the secondary particles. The lithium titanate can be produced by a process which comprises drying and granulating a slurry comprising crystalline titan oxide, a titanic acid compound and a lithium compound and firing the granulated product to thereby produce lithium titanate secondary particles, wherein (1) the crystalline titan oxide to be used comprises at least two types of crystalline titan oxide particles having different average particle diameters from each other, and/or (2) the crystalline titan oxide is used in an amount at least four-fold larger than that of the titanic acid compound in terms of TiO2 content by weight.