Abstract: A capillary cavity 19 and an inlet 13 protruding circumferentially outward from an axial center 107 are connected by a guide section 17 formed so as to extend circumferentially inward and on which a capillary force acts. A sample liquid collected from a leading end of the inlet 13 is transferred to a separation cavity 23. A bent section 22 and a recess 21 are formed at a connected section of the guide section 17 and the capillary cavity 19 so as to change the direction of a passage.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a surface, which defines a flow path for a liquid, and a liquid inlet, which is in fluid communication with said surface, so as for a liquid introduced via the inlet to advance along a propagation direction on the flow path. Also included are a set of two or more electrical contacts, and a set of electrodes which include sensing portions that extend across the flow path, transversally to the propagation direction. The electrodes are connected to the two or more electrical contacts. Also included are material spots on at least some of the sensing portions of the electrodes. Still, material spots of a same material are only on a subset of the sensing portions of the electrodes, so that the spots can alter an electrical signal detected from the electrical contacts, upon a liquid advancing along the flow path, in operation of the device.

Abstract: A method for testing a microfluidic device includes interfacing a microfluidic device to a fluidic parameter testing system. The microfluidic device has an internal rotary valve and internal fluidic channels. Each channel has a port with a predetermined port position that the rotary valve is to align to in order to select any one of a plurality of reagents which flow through the channels. The rotary valve is rotated via the testing system to a plurality of rotary valve position of the rotary valve. A fluidic parameter of the microfluidic device is measured at each rotary valve position. The fluidic parameter is mapped relative to the rotary valve positions. It is determined from the mapping if the rotary valve aligns with each of the predetermined port positions for a flow of the reagents through the channels.

Abstract: A micro-total analysis system and a method thereof are provided. The micro-total analysis system includes: a microfluidic device, configured to accommodate a liquid to be detected; an optical unit, configured to form a first light irradiated to the microfluidic device; and a detection unit, configured to detect the liquid to be detected and output a detection signal to obtain detection information.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of fluid channels, each fluid channel having an opening providing access to an interior of the fluid channel, and a gasket disposable on the microfluidic chip in an aligned configuration, the gasket including a first side configured to face the microfluidic chip in the aligned configuration, a second side opposite the first side, and an aperture extending through the gasket from the first side to the second side, the aperture being sized and positioned to allow a communication of pressure from the second side of the gasket to the openings of at least two fluid channels when the gasket is in the aligned configuration.

Abstract: A circuit with electrical interconnect for external electronic connection and sensor(s) on a die are combined with a laminated manifold to deliver a liquid reagent over an active surface of the sensor(s). The laminated manifold includes fluidic channel(s), an interface between the die and the fluidic channel(s) being sealed. Also disclosed is a method, the method including assembling a laminated manifold including fluidic channel(s), attaching sensor(s) on a die to a circuit, the circuit including an electrical interconnect, and attaching a planarization layer to the circuit, the planarization layer including a cut out for the die. The method further includes placing sealing adhesive at sides of the die, attaching the laminated manifold to the circuit, and sealing an interface between the die and fluidic channel(s).

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and device for improving the capture and interrogation of a rare cell population in a biological fluid such as in circulating tumor cells (CTC) in blood or Diagnostic Leukapheresis. ReFLECT-CTC is designed to capture CTC in a continuous fashion and interrogate isolated individual CTC. ReFLECT-CTC has the advantage of sampling large volumes of a biological sample which is especially useful in assessing the heterogeneity of a CTC population. The invention has application in cancer diagnostics where assessing tumor cells found in individual cancer patients will determine which drugs are most likely to be effective for an individual.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.

Abstract: A passive, hydrodynamic technique implemented using a microfluidic device to perform co-encapsulation of samples in droplets and sorting of said droplets is described herein. The hydrodynamic technique utilizes laminar flows and high shear liquid-liquid interfaces at a microfluidic junction to encapsulate samples in the droplets. A sorting mechanism is implemented to separate sample droplets from empty droplets. This technique can achieve a one-one-one encapsulation efficiency of about 80% and can significantly improve the droplet sequencing and related applications in single cell genomics and proteomics.

Abstract: One example includes a device that includes an insulator panel, a plurality of electrical inputs, and a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrical inputs may be disposed on the insulator panel and individually receive an actuation voltage. The plurality of electrodes may be disposed on the insulator panel and are coupled to the plurality of electrical inputs. Two or more of the plurality of electrodes may be coupled to a single one of the plurality of electrical inputs for each of the plurality of electrical inputs. The plurality of electrodes may be actuated with the actuation voltage individually received at a respective electrical input to create an electric field over associated electrodes to subject a droplet proximate to the associated electrodes actuated with the actuation voltage to an electrowetting force.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two related techniques for digital microfluidic (DMF) processing of liquids that rely on electrostatic actuation of fluid through a strip of solid, porous media. In the first technique, droplets in a DMF device containing particles of different sizes are driven through a solid porous medium, allowing for filtering, concentration, and recovery of the particles into droplets on the basis of size. In the second technique, an aliquot of liquid media is loaded directly onto a solid porous medium, where it is wicked into a DMF device, such that the filtrate can be collected into droplets. Both techniques may be useful for generating plasma from whole blood on a DMF device, an operation that will have far-reaching implications for diagnostic applications of digital microfluidics.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises upper and lower spaced apart substrates defining a fluid chamber therebetween; an aperture for introducing fluid into the fluid chamber; and a fluid input structure disposed over the upper substrate and having a fluid well for receiving fluid from a fluid applicator inserted into the fluid well. The fluid well communicates with a fluid exit provided in a base of the fluid input structure, the fluid exit being adjacent the aperture. The fluid well comprises first, second and third portions, with the first portion of the well forming a reservoir for a filler fluid; and the second portion of the well being configured to sealingly engage against an outer surface of a fluid applicator inserted into the fluid well. The third portion of the well communicates with the fluid exit and has a diameter at the interface between the third portion and the second portion that is greater than the diameter of the second portion at the interface between the third portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is suitable for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., ?80° C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (?80° C.).

Abstract: A device and method for cleaning flowers and buds of plants of leaves and plant matter and particulate is provided. The buds are cleaned within a rotating drum having openings in a circular sidewall which rotates adjacent jets emitting gas. Freezing of the plant material and concurrent impacts from ice crystals formed by emitting gas, cleans the buds and flowers of unwanted plant material and particulate.

Abstract: Method for recycling electronic waste are included that enable electronic waste separation and recycling to a high level of separation efficiency and end product purity which are improvements over prior methods. In preferred methods, separated electronic waste which has been subjected to magnetic separation to remove ferrous materials and shredded to an average width of less than about 40 mm is provided and then introduced to a first water tank treated so as to have a specific gravity of about 1.20 to about 1.30 and allowing a first portion of the electronic waste to float in the first water tank and a second portion of the electronic waste to sink in the first water tank; and the second portion of the electronic waste is introduced to a water vibrating table, wherein the remaining second portion of the electronic waste leaving the water vibrating table yields at least about 98% sorted recovered materials comprising pure and clean copper, aluminum, wire, circuit boards, stainless steel and mixed plastics.

Abstract: A machine is described for magnetic separation of material, wherein the machine includes a supporting structure and at least one magnetic rotating drum supported by the supporting structure, wherein the machine further includes a vehicle for moving and transporting the supporting structure. The magnetic drum includes an outer rotating shell and a magnetic portion including at least one magnet positioned and housed within the outer shell, wherein the outer shell is rotatable around a central axis by a drive mechanism and the at least one magnet is positioned in a fixed location within the outer shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for a selective fractionation of ultrafine particles includes at least three separating columns fluidically connected in series by connecting lines. An infeed is arranged to feed into a connecting line which is arranged upstream of each separating column. Each connecting line comprises an inlet for a suspension of ultrafine particles to be separated and an inlet for at least one additional mobile phase. The inlets are alternately operated. A discharge branches off from a connecting line which is arranged downstream of each separating column. Each connecting line comprises an outlet for a first and a second discharge suspension of the ultrafine particles. The outlets are alternately operated. A control means provides a simultaneous switching of the through-flow switching position of the shutoff valves at the inlets and outlets. At least one magnetic field source for a magnetic field is arranged in each separating column.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator module and a desulfurization system are capable of easily discharging wash water from a wet electrostatic precipitator module. The electrostatic precipitator module includes an arrangement of discharge electrodes and collecting electrodes alternately disposed and spaced apart from each other, the discharge electrodes configured to be charged to a predetermined voltage for generating a corona discharge between the discharge electrodes and the collecting electrodes; and tie rods for fixing the discharge electrodes and the collecting electrodes. Each collecting electrode has a lower edge inclined downward with respect to the ground. The lower edge of each collecting electrode includes separate lower edge portions respectively inclined downward from opposite side ends of the collecting electrode and a lowermost point at which wash water is concentrated and discharged to a discharge guide installed directly under the lowermost points.

Abstract: A dust collecting module for reducing vibration by maintaining a distance between electrodes includes an arrangement of discharge electrodes and dust collecting electrodes alternately disposed and spaced apart from each other, the discharge electrodes configured to be charged to a predetermined voltage for generating a corona discharge between the discharge electrodes and the dust collecting electrodes, at least one dust collecting electrode of the dust collecting electrodes having a first hole; a first hole jig received in the first hole and fixed to the at least one dust collecting electrode, the first hole jig having a larger thickness than the at least one dust collecting electrode; a first tie rod coupled to the discharge electrodes and configured to pass through and fix the discharge electrodes by being fitted into the first hole jig; and a second tie rod coupled to the dust collecting electrodes to fix the dust collecting electrodes.

Abstract: A showerhead assembly for dispersing liquid is disclosed herein, comprising a back part; a front part coupled to the back part to form a plurality of dispersion chambers; an inlet boss disposed between the front part and back part for connecting a liquid supply line; a liquid supply rail disposed between the front part and the back part and connected to the inlet boss for leading liquid to the dispersion chambers; and a plurality of support members slidably coupled to the front part such that the support members can slide between the front part and the back part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cold spray gun and a cold spray apparatus using the same capable of stably heating a raw material powder to a specific high temperature with an achievement of compactness and lightweight of the apparatus. In order to achieve the above described object, there is provided a cold spray gun configured to form a coating film by spraying a raw material powder carried on a carrier gas from a nozzle outlet by a supersonic flow together with a working gas heated to a temperature equal to or lower than a melting point or a softening point of the raw material powder, and causing the raw material powder to collide with a base material in a solid state, the cold spray gun including; a chamber containing the working gas to be delivered to the nozzle; and is characterized in that a gas heating pipe constituted from a heating resistor which causes resistance heating by being energized is arranged in the chamber, and the working gas flowing into the interior of the gas heating pipe is heated.

Abstract: A piston is formed by an outer edge of the cap. The piston and an inner wall of the nozzle body form a dynamic seal for the air cylinder, so that a main body of the air pump is formed. The cap extends downwardly to form a hydraulic cylinder. The hollow compression rod connects a pump component of the hydraulic cylinder and the mixing chamber of the head, so that a main body of the liquid pump is formed. The hollow compression rod is provided with an upper disk. The upper end of the upper disk passes the air outlet of the nozzle body and is inserted into the connecting pipe of the head in snap fit, and the upper disk opens or closes the air outlet. A fastening position is designed to form a gap between the head and the nozzle body to realize a floating valve function at the head.

Abstract: A container appendage is disclosed comprising a mounting ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, an exterior edge and an interior edge for defining a mounting aperture. A platform member is coupled to the mounting ring. The mounting ring is coupled between the bottle and the spray body for defining a mounting ring couple. The platform member cantilevers above the handling neck and adjacent to the rear surface for defining a rear ergonomical handling member for conforming to the hand and improving ergonomical grasping of the handling neck, actuating the trigger and lifting the spray bottle by the hand.

Abstract: A digitally controlled, wearable or stationary chemical dispersal device using a pump and activity-based or environmental-based feedback monitoring is described. The system contains a liquid chemical reservoir which can be replaced or refilled for multi-use operation. Electronic controls are used to drive the pump's liquid or air flow rate periodically with user control features and/or monitored, embedded digital sensors. Feedback from the sensors monitoring either the activity of a wearer of the device or the local environment can be used to adjust the pump's flow rate automatically. In addition, user selectable operation mode via Bluetooth is also described.

Abstract: A control unit for an aerosol generating device includes: a sensor that outputs a value related to a temperature of a power source capable of being charged and discharged to a load for atomizing an aerosol source; and a controller configured to execute one or more functions of operating the power source when an output value of the sensor is within a first range having at least one of a first upper limit and a first lower limit. The first upper limit or the first lower limit is smaller or larger than a second upper limit or a second lower limit of a second range that is a range of a value related to a temperature at which the one or more functions can be executed, a range of a value related to a temperature at which deterioration of the power source is suppressed, a range of a value related to a temperature at which the power source deteriorates due only to a factor that is the same as normal temperature, or a range corresponding to an operating temperature of the power source.

Abstract: A support stand for a spray gun hopper assembly includes a box that defines an interior space. The box has a bottom, a top, opposing sides, a back, and a front that is open. A cutout extends into the top from the front toward the back. The cutout is configured to insert a hopper of the spray gun hopper assembly, positioning a spray gun of the spray gun hopper assembly in the interior space. The box is configured to support the hopper in a position for a user to add a compound to the hopper, such as a gravity fed texturing material.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate is disclosed. The dispenser includes a liquid supply and a dispenser module. The dispenser module includes a nozzle body having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber for receiving the liquid. The dispenser module also includes a central valve body attached to the nozzle body that defines a piston chamber and a valve member having a piston portion disposed within the piston chamber of the central valve body and a needle portion extending form the piston portion into the chamber of the nozzle body. The dispenser further includes a heater block for heating the nozzle body. The heater block defines a liquid passage for transporting liquid from the liquid supply to the dispenser, a first surface of the heater block directly contacts the nozzle body, and the entirety of the central valve body is spaced from the heater block.

Abstract: Various approaches for improving reliability in an ultrasound system having transducer elements, phase transmission lines, and a switch matrix having beamforming switches for connecting the phase transmission lines to the transducer elements involve operating the beamforming switches to avoid “hot” switching as the activation pattern of the transducers changes.

Abstract: Separation of mixed materials is accomplished by causing a stream of the materials to fall on an inclined separation ramp, while directing a stream of air onto the ramp. Lower-density materials having higher aerodynamic drag, such as paper scraps, are blown up and over the ramp into a first collection zone, while more dense materials having less aerodynamic drag, such as glass fragments, will tend to descend the ramp and fall into a separate collection zone.

Abstract: A singulating system for parcels comprises: an inner wall; a first section comprised of a series of driven rollers, which are skewed relative to a longitudinal direction of travel, so that the parcels are conveyed not only in the longitudinal direction of travel, but also toward the inner wall; a second section for receiving the parcels from the first section, and then identifying and moving parcels in a side-by-side arrangement and/or parcels with an irregular shape; and a third section for receiving the parcels from the second section. In some embodiments, the singulating system also includes a visioning subsystem, including a camera for acquiring image data of the parcels as the parcels move toward or into the second section, and a computer to receive and analyze the image data from the camera to identify parcels in a side-by-side arrangement and/or parcels with an irregular shape.

Abstract: An object sorting system is presented which includes a hopper, a feeder, a roller pair, a pair of orientation flaps, an adjustable assembly, a first and second camera boxes and an ejection assembly. Feeder receives the shells from the hopper and feeds them uniformly over the gap between the rollers which guides and provides fixed orientation to the shells passing through them and conveys the shells which are relatively bigger than the gap between the rollers to one side of the pair of rollers towards the first collection chute by inclining the roller assembly in the range of 0 to 15 degrees towards the first collection chute. A pair of orientation flaps is placed parallel and exactly below the pair of rollers to avoid the deflection of shells caused immediately after passing through the roller gaps.

Abstract: A system for sorting objects is provided. For instance, the system includes a first and second sensor for observing the objects before and after sorting and a controller having an action agent module and a learning agent module. The controller updates, by the learning agent module, a policy matrix after sorting previously sorted objects. The policy matrix includes state data of the previously sorted objects including sensor data, an action performed by the sorting actuator, and a sorting score. The controller actuates the sorting actuator, calculates a specific sorting score based on a specific action performed by the sorting actuator, and updates the policy matrix to create an updated policy matrix including updated sorting rules. The updated policy matrix is used in sorting subsequent objects. In another example, the controller loads a policy matrix that was determined incrementally during sorting of previously sorted objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems of producing collectible cards are disclosed. An example method includes producing a first stack of cards including a first card type and a second card type from a single substrate sheet, separating the first stack of cards into a first sub-stack and a second sub-stack. The first sub-stack includes the first card type and the second sub-stack includes the second card type. The example method includes comparing a first top card of the first sub-stack to a first reference card and, based on the first top card being substantially similar to the first reference card, automatically transferring the first sub-stack to a first tray designated to receive the first card type.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a stacking assembly accepts mail-pieces traveling from a re-direct mechanism in a first direction and urges a leading edge portion of a mail-piece toward a registration wall of a sortation bin. The stacking assembly may include a plurality of neighboring cam shafts, each with at least one cam, arranged along the first direction, such that rotation of the cam shafts results in synchronized rotation of the cams to guide an incoming mail-piece. Rotation of the cam shafts may also urge a previously stacked mail-piece away from the cams, and into the sortation bin, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention discloses a maintenance device for a yellow flower pear bracelet string, which includes a bottom plate. A power mechanism is provided on a front surface of the bottom plate, and the power mechanism includes a motor installed on the front surface of the bottom plate. The motor serves as a power source. Can drive the entire device to run, a rope is provided on the front side of the bottom plate, eighteen yellow pear beads are stringed on the rope, a maintenance mechanism is provided on the upper side of the power mechanism, and the maintenance mechanism includes a top that can be moved forward and backward The cloth piece and the bottom piece.

Abstract: The invention discloses a keyboard cleanliness maintenance device, which includes a cleaning block. The cleaning block is provided with a working chamber. The working chamber is provided with a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes a left end fixed to the working chamber. A wall motor, a suction mechanism is provided on the right side of the cleaning mechanism, the suction mechanism includes a garbage frame fixed on the upper end wall of the working chamber, a disinfection mechanism is provided on the right side of the suction mechanism, and the disinfection mechanism includes a alcohol frame on the upper end wall of the working cavity is simple to operate. The device removes the garbage on the keyboard surface from the keyboard by means of friction, rotation and blowing, and sucks away a small amount of garbage. The device avoids cleaning the keyboard surface by tapping. It can reduce the wear on the keyboard.

Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.

Abstract: The present invention is a deep cleaning process for carpets through its unique restorative cleaning process. The present comprises a use of restorative cleaning agent and cleansers according to the pH level of the stain, and a method either of agitating with hand-held polyester carpet brush or of rotary power scrubbing with polyester brush. Through its unique deep cleaning process including anti-ghost stain treatment to prevent the stain from re-appearing, the present invention will yield cleaner cleaning process than the industry standard cleaning method. In an alternative embodiment of the Restorative Cleaning Process of the present invention, man-made carpet fibers are cleaned using a series of cleaning steps designed to extract soil particulates from the fibers of the carpet and decrease the time it takes for the carpet to dry. In addition, an anti-reappearing ghost spot device utilizing the anti-reappearing ghost spot post-treatment is used to prevent spots from re-appearing.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device that cleans a substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member having an opening for exposing a substrate. This cleaning device includes a cleaning bath configured to house the substrate holder, an actuator configured to separate the second holding member from the first holding member, and a cleaning nozzle configured to discharge a cleaning liquid to the substrate holder housed in the cleaning bath. The cleaning nozzle is configured to pass through the opening of the second holding member.

Abstract: A compact versatile cell-type cleaning device and cell-type drying device is provided. A cleaning apparatus includes: a cover having a loading port formed on a wall surface of a cleaning chamber, and an unloading port formed on a wall surface of a drying chamber; a partition plate having an intermediate transfer port for dividing into the cleaning chamber and the drying chamber; an intermediate door that opens and closes the intermediate transfer port; a turntable disposed inside the drying chamber and having a first gripping device that grips an object, and a moving device having a gripping device that grips the object through a loading port, cleans the object inside the cleaning chamber while gripping the object, and moves the object to the turntable.

Abstract: A determining unit 31 determines an image region of a foreign material in an imaged image generated by an imaging unit 22 by using an imaging optical system 21. A setting unit 32 sets a pressure, injection time, an injection direction of air injected to the foreign material, an injection pattern obtained by combining them and the like based on a determination result. A foreign material removal processing unit 33 adjusts air injection by an air injection adjusting unit 331 based on the setting by the setting unit 32 and injects from an air injecting unit 332 to the imaging optical system 21 to remove the foreign material adhering to the imaging optical system 21. The air is injected according to an adhesion condition of the foreign material, so that the foreign material adhering to the imaging optical system may be optimally removed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a glassware cleaning and drying equipment for medical experiments, which includes a device cabinet, wherein a cleaning space is provided in the device cabinet, a brushing space communicating with the cleaning space is provided on a bottom wall of the cleaning space, and a water pump is fixedly installed in the left inner wall of the brushing space. The nozzle is fixedly installed on the output pipe. The brushing motor is started. The brushing motor drives the gear shaft to rotate. The brush cylinder and the washing brush that the gear shaft rotates rotate. The medical glassware is cleaned and disinfected. The effect of individual treatment is better and the disinfection is more thorough. The chuck can be changed according to the size of the clamped utensils. There is no need to change the mold for clamping the utensils.

Abstract: A diverter valve for conveying material to be conveyed, the diverter valve being cleanable using a method for CIP cleaning, comprises a housing with at least three passage openings to feed or discharge the material to be conveyed, the passage openings defining a conveying plane. The diverter valve further comprises a rotary part having an axis of rotation and an outer contour designed conically in relation to the axis of rotation at least in sections, the rotary part being arrangeable in the housing in a sealed manner, the rotary part being displaceable along the axis of rotation in an axially driven manner and being arranged such as to be drivable for rotation about the axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being oriented perpendicular to the conveying plane, a passage duct arranged in the rotary part, which—depending on a rotary position of the rotary part—connects in each case two passage openings for conveying material along the passage duct through the diverter valve.

Abstract: A system for measuring and converting food waste is provided. The system includes multiple food waste monitoring devices and a food waste analysis device. These food waste monitoring devices are deployed at different geographical locations. Each of the food waste monitoring devices is configured for obtaining food waste data that includes a reason for waste, a destination of the food waste, and a category of food waste. The food waste data further includes an estimation of the weight of food waste generated by converting the volume of the food waste based on the nature of the food waste. The food waste data is transmitted to the food waste analysis device, which is configured to perform various analysis on the collected food waste data.

Abstract: Sintered Wave Porous Media Treatment and Apparatus and Process is disclosed, which uses an automated static enclosed arrangement to efficiently remove water, organic contaminants (petroleum, solvents, pcbs, pesticides) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorinated related compounds from large volumes of porous media such as a mixture of soil, gravel, rocks, sediments or other porous media. The Sintered Wave technology is a multipurpose treatment device that uses a Sinter Craft as a treatment vessel that allows earth moving machines to easily enter and exit during loading/unloading. The soil is then conditioned to accommodate treatment by sintering (densifying) by vibrating the soil bed, which removes soil vapor and fluids. The soil bed is then shaped by placing hexagonal holes or slots containing 120 degree angles from top to the bottom of the soil bed.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press comprises: a mantle having an elongate body comprising an axial bore; an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore. The liner comprises a longitudinally extending passage through which a billet is advanced, and an elongate slot adjoining the passage. The container also comprises a vacuum conduit in fluid communication with the passage for removal of gases from the passage during extrusion.

Abstract: A stretch forming device includes a die and gripping portions gripping both end portions of an elongate material. The cross-sectional shape of the die has a curved shape bulging a central side of a forming surface; the length in a longitudinal direction of the elongate material is less than that of the forming surface; a second die having a second forming surface along the forming surface is installed removably on a central portion of the forming surface; and the stretch forming device has a first mode wherein, when the second die is installed on the forming surface, only the second die is pressed against the elongate material while a tensile force is applied to the elongate material, and a second mode wherein, when the second die is removed from the forming surface, the die is pressed against the elongate material while a tensile force is applied to the elongate material.

Abstract: A joining method for members according to the present invention includes: providing a steel component including insertion holes, an aluminum pipe having a hollow shape, and a support component; inserting the aluminum pipe into the insertion holes of the steel component; and enlarging the aluminum pipe through deformation and joining the aluminum pipe to the steel component by press-fitting. The press-fit joining is performed while at least part of the support component is disposed in a press-fitting region.

Abstract: A metal cup and method of forming the same is provided. Metal cups of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of thin, straight-walled sections and a tapered profile. A domed portion is provided in the bottom of the cup. The cup may comprise a disposable cup, a reusable cup, or a recyclable cup.