Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to controlling an accumulation conveyor that comprises at least a first zone that is upstream of a second zone and the second zone that is upstream of a third zone. A second control module associated with the second zone receives a third feedback signal, indicating that a third sensor is blocked, from a third control module associated with the third zone. The second control module sets a second drive assembly associated with the second zone to a disengaged state, and receives a first signal from a first control module associated with the first zone. The first signal indicates that one of a first article having an irregular boundary or a second article having a regular boundary exits from the first zone. The second control module controls the second drive assembly and a second brake assembly based on the indication by the first signal.

Abstract: The article transport facility includes a transport vehicle that travels along a predetermined travel route and transport articles; an unmanned aerial vehicle that flies along a route and transports articles; a transfer section at which articles are transferred to and from the transport vehicle and the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a storage unit arranged at a location along the travel route and stores articles. The storage unit includes a carry-in section to which the transport vehicle carries in articles; a carry-out section from which the transport vehicle carries out articles; one or more storage locations at which articles are stored; and a transport device that transports articles from the carry-in section to the carry-out section via the one or more storage locations. The transport vehicle transports articles from the carry-out section to the transfer section, and the unmanned aerial vehicle transports articles from the one or more storage locations to the transfer section.

Abstract: An article transport facility of the present invention includes: a transport vehicle that travels along a predetermined travel route and transports articles; an unmanned aerial vehicle that flies along a route and transports articles; a transfer section provided in correspondence with a processing device that processes articles, and to and from which articles that are processing targets of the processing device are transferred; and a storage section that is arranged at a location along the travel route and stores articles. The transport vehicle carries in articles to the storage section and carries out articles from the storage section, and the unmanned aerial vehicle transports articles between the storage section and the transfer section.

Abstract: This conveyance device comprises: a suction head which suctions and conveys an electronic component; a movement control unit which moves the suction head; a rotation control unit which controls a rotation position of the suction head centered on a predetermined axis of rotation; and a suction control unit which causes the suction head to suction the electronic component such that a load exerted on the electronic component from the suction head in conjunction with the movement of the suction head is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure. The movement control unit sets a correction amount of the predetermined pressure based on the self-weight of the suction head on the basis of the rotation position of the suction head. Using a conveyance device such as the foregoing makes it possible to improve the accuracy of load control during suction or suction release of an electronic component.

Abstract: An end of arm tool (EOAT) assembly can include a tool base subassembly having a tool base attachment surface as well as a first and second mechanized tool subassembly, each being movably attached to the tool base subassembly along the tool base attachment surface. The mechanized tool subassemblies include an elongated body oriented orthogonally relative to the tool base attachment surface, and a holding member attached to its respective elongated body. The holding members can have an engaged position to pass beneath an object to assist with lifting of the object and a disengaged position that does not contribute to lifting of the object. Movement of the first and second mechanized tool assemblies along the tool base attachment surface can provide for opening and partially closing of a gap there between to laterally provide space for engaging with the object followed by squeezing the object for lifting.

Abstract: A package receiving and storage apparatus includes a takeoff and landing section; a package receiving section; a storage section; a retrieval section at which the first package stored in the storage section is retrievable; a transport device configured to transport the package between the package receiving section, the storage section, and the retrieval section; and a gas spray device installed at the package receiving section or in a package transport path extending from the package receiving section to the storage section, and configured to spray a gas onto the first package to remove foreign matter adhering to the first package.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.

Abstract: A modular loading dock with a mobile base which includes two, opposing, adjustable leg members and top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening, the dock leveler includes a lower end and an upper end, the upper end abuts a preexisting structure and the lower end includes a lower edge having a lip, the lip is able to be activated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position. The mobile base also includes a housing with a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections and can receive a back end of a vehicle. The modular frame has a tensioned vinyl covering. The modular loading dock can also include an extension portion with a covering.

Abstract: A modular loading dock with a mobile base which includes two, opposing, adjustable leg members and top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening, the dock leveler includes a lower end and an upper end, the upper end abuts a preexisting structure and the lower end includes a lower edge having a lip, the lip is able to be activated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position. The mobile base also includes a housing with a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections include a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall has a vehicle-receiving opening to receive a back end of a vehicle.

Abstract: A cassette drawing-in device in an embodiment includes a lever, a guide section, and an urging member. The lever includes an engaging groove opened on a first side in a first direction. The engaging groove includes an entrance for a cassette pin at an end portion in a longitudinal direction. The cassette pin projects to a second side in the first direction from a cassette. The cassette is capable of moving in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The lever rotates around the rotation axis to thereby draw in, in the second direction, the cassette pin engaging in the engaging groove. The guide section is formed in the entrance of the engaging groove and guides the cassette pin to the first side in the first direction. The urging member urges the lever to the first side in the first direction.

Abstract: A paper feeding cassette is configured to be inserted into an apparatus and drawn out from the apparatus. The paper feeding cassette includes a placement unit at which a sheet is to be placed, and at least one accommodation unit configured to accommodate an accommodated article. The accommodation unit includes a top plate and a side wall intersecting the top plate. The side wall includes an opening part opened toward an inner side of the paper feeding cassette. The placement unit and the accommodation unit are provided at positions different from each other.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet feeding apparatus provided with a storage chamber for storing sheets, a sheet feeding unit including a delivery roller for contacting the sheet stored in the storage chamber to deliver the sheet from the storage chamber, a support member for supporting the storage chamber to allow the chamber to be installed and pulled out in/from an apparatus main body, and a press force switch mechanism including an operation member to switch a press force used for the delivery roller to contact the sheet, the sheet feeding unit is configured to be capable of being installed and pulled out in/from the main body apparatus integrally with the storage chamber, and the press force switch mechanism is provided in the sheet feeding unit.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a blowing unit that floats a plurality of stacked media by blowing air to side end portions of the media and that has a first blowing unit which blows the air from a defined region to the media and a second blowing unit which blows the air from a changing region to the media, a feeding unit that feeds the floating media, and a control unit that has a control mode in which the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit simultaneously perform air blowing on the media.

Abstract: An endless conveyer belt is stretched between drive and idle rollers. A carriage is arranged so as to reciprocate along the endless conveyer belt. A suction box is arranged between upper and lower belt portions of the endless conveyer belt and fixed to the carriage. A stopper plate is fixed to the carriage and extends across a conveyer surface and upward from the conveyer surface. A conveyance roller pair is arranged at the upstream end of the conveyer surface. A region of the conveyer surface from a stopper plate to the upstream end u forms a sheet accumulation area. A cover sheet covers a region upstream of the suction box in the sheet accumulation area. The cover sheet is subjected to tension in the longitudinal direction by a winding-type constant force plate spring and continually tensed spaced apart from the endless conveyer belt.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet conveyance device includes a plurality of conveyance rollers, a sheet sensor, and a control unit. The conveyance rollers convey a sheet on a conveyance path. The sheet sensor is provided at least at a first position and a second position on the conveyance path for the sheet and senses passage of a front end of the sheet and passage of a rear end of the sheet.

Abstract: A document conveying apparatus is provided with a document tray and a discharge tray disposed below the document tray. The document tray includes an upper tray member, a lower tray member, a movable tray member, and a driving portion configured to move the upper tray member and the movable tray member integrally to a raised position and a lowered position. The movable tray member is configured to be moved in a width direction between a first position and a second position in which the movable tray member is retracted into below the upper tray member. The document tray includes a shutter configured to cover a gap created between the upper tray member and the lower tray member. The gap is created by the upper tray member and the movable tray member being moved to the raised position and the movable tray member being moved to the second position.

Abstract: This application relates to a winding and unwinding apparatus and a preparation system of electrode plate. The apparatus includes supports, a rotating shaft, a rotating turret, and a power assembly. The rotating shaft is rotatably disposed on the support. The rotating turret is disposed on the rotating shaft and capable of rotating along with the rotating shaft so as to switch between at least two target operation positions. The power assembly includes a first power source and a magnetic powder clutch. The rotating shaft and the first power source are in transmission connection with each other via the magnetic powder clutch. The magnetic powder clutch is configured to control the rotating shaft to remain stationary when the rotating turret is hovering at each target operation position.

Abstract: A coil replacing device. Material tapes output by a first unreeling assembly and a second unreeling assembly can be alternately used as a working materials tape and a spare materials tape. When the unreeling of the working material tape by the first unreeling assembly is about to be finished, a first cutting assembly cuts off the working material tape fixed by a fixing mechanism and a first positioning assembly, and the spare material tape unreeled by the second unreeling assembly can be aligned with the working material tape fixed by the first positioning assembly. Then, a swing assembly drives an adhesive attaching driver to swing from an adhesive preparation position to an adhesive attaching position, and an adhesive attaching mechanism drives two suction plates to be folded, connecting the spare material tape with the working material tape to form a new working material tape.

Abstract: A coil replacing device. When a first unreeling assembly at an unreeling station finishes unreeling, a fixing suction member can be driven by a first driver abutting against a first suction member clamping a working material tape, a first cutting assembly cuts off the working material tape, and the cut working material tape is sucked by the fixing suction member. Then, a vertical plate slides to make a second unreeling assembly enter the unreeling station, a material tape sucked by a second suction member will also enter the unreeling station as a spare material tape, and the first unreeling assembly will be removed from the unreeling station. The fixing suction member is driven by the first driver to abut against the second suction member, so as to realize coil replacing, and the first unreeling assembly can be loaded with a new material tape to serve as a spare material tape.

Abstract: A apparatus for processing sheets includes: a conveyance unit conveying a sheet; a processing unit provided with processing members processing the sheet along a conveyance direction, and a moving unit moving the processing members in a width direction; and a controller. When a processing position in the width direction to be processed by the processing members is different between a sheet conveyed ahead by the conveyance unit and a subsequent sheet, the controller processes the subsequent sheet by using a processing member having a minimum movement distance from the processing position of the sheet conveyed ahead among the processing members.

Abstract: A vehicle carriable barbed wire fence pulling assembly incorporating a trailer having a load bed; a plurality of spindles, each spindle being mounted upon the load bed, each spindle being adapted for receiving a barbed wire spool; a winch and traction cable combination overlying the load bed, the combination being adapted for, upon a longitudinal extension of the combination's traction cable from the load bed, pulling the cable oppositely longitudinally; an anchoring assembly attaching an oppositely longitudinal end of the winch and traction cable combination to the load bed, the anchoring assembly including an elastically deformable link adapted for oppositely longitudinally translating the cable pull; an electronic strain gauge fixedly attached to the elastically deformable link; a strain meter electrically connected to the electronic strain gauge, the strain meter being adapted for displaying a magnitude of the cable pull; and a hitch adapted for attaching the trailer to the vehicle.

Abstract: An elevator system selects a wireless communication system. The elevator system includes: an elevator car, a car control unit, and an elevator control unit. The car control unit and the elevator control unit establishes at least two wireless communication systems for providing wireless communication between the elevator control unit and the car control unit. The elevator control unit is configured to obtain selection data representing at least one selection parameter. The at least one selection parameter includes at least one elevator related selection parameter and/or at least one wireless communication system related selection parameter. The elevator control unit selects based on the obtained selection data the most appropriate wireless communication system at each point of time to be used to provide the wireless communication connection between the elevator control unit and the car control unit.

Abstract: People counting device for an elevator car for determining a person entering or leaving the car, having a presence sensor at the entrance of the car for detecting the presence of a person in the region of the entrance or the passage of a person through the entrance and for outputting a detection signal in the event of presence or passage, having an accelerometer on the car, for detecting the vertical acceleration of the car and for outputting positive and negative acceleration values in relation to the upwards direction of movement of the car, and having an evaluation device that is designed, upon receipt of the detection signal, to receive a series of current acceleration values for a certain duration and to analyze whether one of the acceleration values or the motion profile resulting therefrom exceeds an upper threshold value or falls below a lower threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (210, 120) for managing a maintenance of a conveyor system (110), the apparatus (210, 120) configured to: receive (410) data indicative of an access right to perform the maintenance; generate (430), in response to a detection (420) of an access right to perform the maintenance, a first control signal to disable communicatively reaching the sub-system (225); generate (450), in response to a receipt (440) of an acknowledgement signal indicative of a predefined state of the maintenance, a second control signal to enable the interface (215, 260) to communicatively reach the sub-system (225). The invention also relates to a method, a computer program, and a conveyor system.

Abstract: A method of learning a rescue time period by an elevator system (101). The elevator system (101) includes an elevator car (103) moved by a machine (111) and a machine brake (120), arranged such that braking of the machine (111) by the machine brake (120) brakes motion of the elevator car (103). The method includes releasing the machine brake (120) for at least one test time period, at the end of which the machine brake (120) is engaged, detecting a corresponding at least one maximum travel speed of the elevator car (103) reached as a result of releasing the machine brake (120) for each at least one test time period, checking whether each at least one maximum travel speed is an acceptable speed, and setting the rescue time period based upon said checking.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of load bearing wires, a polymer-based conductive adhesive coating on each of the plurality of the wires, and a jacket surrounding the wires. The jacket is adhered to the wires by the polymer-based conductive adhesive coating. A method of making a load bearing member for an elevator system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an elevator mounting assembly are provided. The elevator mounting assembly includes an elevator wall panel that is coupled to an elevator car wall by a hanger, specifically a side mount hanger. The hanger includes a lower wall that is spaced laterally apart from the elevator wall panel. At least a portion of the lower wall is in lateral alignment with the elevator wall panel. An intermediate wall extends from the lower wall in a direction toward the elevator car wall. Further, an upper wall extends from the intermediate wall, such that the upper wall is positioned nearer than the lower wall to the elevator car wall. The upper wall is coupled to the elevator car wall at a location above the elevator wall panel. Additionally, an elevator ceiling panel is coupled to the lower wall. In specific embodiments, the upper wall includes a plurality of wall mounting channels.

Abstract: A main rope of an elevator includes a load support portion made of a composite material of high-strength fiber and resin. A design method for the elevator includes setting a design parameter so that a maximum compressive stress at the load support portion bent along a sheave including a drive sheave and a deflector sheave does not exceed compressive strength, and setting the design parameter so that a sum of a maximum tensile stress at the load support portion bent along the sheave and a mean stress additionally applied to the load support portion when a load required to decelerate a car running in a maximum loading state by gravitational acceleration is applied to the main rope does not exceed tensile strength.

Abstract: A portable vacuum lifter system having a power source, drive motor, vacuum pump and reservoir contained in a readily carriable case. The system also has a vacuum pad in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via a vacuum line and a solenoid operated valve. The system is removably mountable on a small host vehicle for use in confined areas.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus that can handle a bulky and/or heavy object such as construction materials including lifting, transporting, and setting down the object. The apparatus includes a weighed base platform with a mast erected at the front. A cable-based hoisting mechanism is built over the platform such that the cable travels over the top of the mast to the front for securing and hoisting the object. The apparatus includes further stability features.

Abstract: A vehicle crane having a superstructure that is rotatably mounted on a lower carriage and has a telescopic main jib, where the superstructure consists of a base superstructure and an attachment superstructure arranged in a detachable manner thereon, and the attachment superstructure receives at least one main counterweight. At least one auxiliary support is provided that acts as a hinged support and is fastened to the attachment superstructure, where the rear end of which auxiliary support is suspended via a guying member, and an auxiliary counterweight is suspended from the rear end of the at least one auxiliary support. The invention also relates to a method for rigging such a vehicle crane.

Abstract: A method for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a vehicle-mounted lifting gear, which lifting gear comprises an articulated crane arm system having a crane and a crane base, includes taking into account a determined position of at least one point of the crane arm system. A deformation of the crane arm system arising under the action of dynamic and/or static forces is taken into account when determining the position of the at least one point. An oblique position of the lifting gear resulting from an inclination of the crane base relative to a predetermined or predeterminable direction in space is determined and taken into account when determining the position of the at least one point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screw jack a hollow standard, internally threaded screw portion encased in the hollow standard; a socket suitable for engaging a rotational impact wherein the impact incorporates turning capacity from a power drill for the engagement that provides a lifting or lowering of the jack in use. A method of use is further included.

Abstract: A multifunctional mason jar sealing device comprises a mason jar main machine and a sealing converter; the mason jar main machine comprises an isolation plate and a first sleeve, an other side of the isolation plate is arranged with a receiving cavity, and a vacuum pump is arranged in the receiving cavity, the first sleeve is used to install the first mason jar body; both ends of the seal converter are respectively arranged with a connecting part detachably connected with the first and second sleeve, and a circle lid is arranged in the second sleeve; when the mason jar body extends into the sleeve, the vacuum pump draws out the air in the mason jar body and the sleeve to seal the mason jar body and the circular lid. The disclosure can seal the mason jar by the self-contained vacuum pump, and seal the mason jars of different diameters.

Abstract: A rotating lid opener having two opposing handles facilitates removal of a screw lid from a container (e.g., a jar), particularly when used with a separate container securing device to hold the container while the screw lid is being removed using the two-handled device. In certain embodiments, the two opposing handles are one-way foldable and include a locking mechanism to hold the handles in an open/extended position for operating the rotating lid opener to loosen a screw lid from a container.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for cutting a can are provided. The system includes a can cutting device having a main body, a can support assembly, and a cutter. The can support assembly has a can support rotatable about a can support longitudinal axis. The can is positionable in a mounted position that holds the can body in contact with the can support at least at a cutting location. When the can is positioned in the mounted position, the can is rotatable about a can axis of rotation. When the cutting surface is in contact with the can body supported by the can support at the cutting location and the can is rotated about the can axis of rotation, the cutting surface cuts the portion of the can body at the cutting location.

Abstract: A filling apparatus configured to simultaneously fill multiple containers of different shapes and sizes. The filling apparatus including a feed conveyor mechanism including two or more feed conveyors, wherein each of the two or more conveyors is respectively configured to transport an empty fluid container of a different size along a manufacturing line, a turntable mechanism including two or more concentric rings, wherein each of the two or more concentric rings is configured to receive an empty fluid container from the respective two or more feed conveyors and rotate about a common axis while filling the empty fluid containers via at least to fill ports, and an output conveyor mechanism including two or more output conveyors, wherein each of the two or more output conveyors is respectively configured to receive a filled fluid container of a different size from the turntable mechanism for transport along the manufacturing line.

Abstract: A container and system therefor is provided herein, wherein the containers are configured to store and transport user chosen contents therein, such as supplements or powders for mixing with liquids in a secondary container. A removable upper lid of the container is configured to form a stand when frictionally engaged to a lower lid engaged to the body. In use, the containers having a funnel shape that are positionable to a funneled engagement with the secondary container for depositing of the contents thereof into a fluid or other container. The containers are configured for a nesting engagement of a kit having multiple container bodies to nest in a compact stack.

Abstract: A beater bar for use within a beverage machine includes a shaft and a plurality of arms extending radially away from the shaft. An end cap of a plurality of end caps extends away from each arm of the plurality of arms. A scraper blade is secured to the plurality of arms by engagement with the plurality of end caps respectively secured to the plurality of arms.

Abstract: There is provided a beverage distribution system comprising: a plurality of reusable and portable beverage containers where each of the plurality of beverage containers carries a unique identification tag, the system further comprising a plurality of identification tag readers, where at least some tag readers are located at different geographical locations, the tag reader being configured to read the identification tags, said tag readers being connected to a server, said server being configured to store a state of each of the plurality of beverage containers in a digitally stored dataset, where the state is that the beverage container is present at one of the tag readers, where the system is configured to apply machine learning to the data set to produce a decision rule for making a decision about taking an individual beverage container out of service.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage dispenser attachment that simulates human movement thereby allowing automation of beverage dispensing activity.

Abstract: A beverage production system, comprising a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups, a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage, and a turntable assembly. The turntable assembly comprising a central axis, an inner turntable including a first row of cup receptacles, and an outer turntable including a second row of cup receptacles. The outer turntable is disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable, and the outer turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the second row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station. The turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in a cup receptacle in the second row with an opening in a cup receptacle in the first row. A slide assembly includes an arm configured to slide a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the second row into the aligned opening of the cup receptacle in the first row.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) package includes a first substrate on which at least one connection pad is disposed; a second substrate disposed adjacent to the first substrate; an element unit disposed on one surface of the second substrate; a connecting member connected to the connection pad and a metal pad included in the element unit; a sealing layer which encloses the second substrate; an insulating layer which covers the sealing layer; a redistribution layer connected to the connection pad; and an external connection terminal connected to the redistribution layer and exposed externally from the insulating layer. The element unit is spaced apart from the first substrate, the external connection terminal is exposed externally from the insulating layer disposed on a surface of the package that is opposite to a surface thereof on which the first substrate is disposed.

Abstract: An operating method is disclosed for a dehydrogenation reaction system. The method includes providing a system having: an acid aqueous solution tank including an acid aqueous solution; a dehydrogenation reactor including a chemical hydride of a solid state and receiving an acid aqueous solution from the acid aqueous solution tank to react the chemical hydride with the acid aqueous solution to generate hydrogen; and a fuel cell stack receiving hydrogen generated from the dehydrogenation reactor to be reacted with oxygen to generate water and simultaneously to generate electrical energy. The method also includes recycling the water generated from the fuel cell stack to one or all of the acid aqueous solution tank, the dehydrogenation reactor, and a separate water tank. The acid is formic acid and, in in the dehydrogenation reactor, the temperature is in a range of 10° C. to 400° C. and the pressure is in a range of 1 bar to 100 bar.

Abstract: Provided are a method by which hydrogen can be continuously and efficiently produced through a dehydrogenation reaction of a formic acid solution even at a low concentration and/or low grade, and a system therefor. This method involves a reaction step for, while supplying formic acid, catalytically degrading the formic acid into carbon dioxide and hydrogen to thereby continuously produce hydrogen. This method is characterized by involving an extraction step for extracting formic acid from the formic acid solution serving as the starting material with the use of carbon dioxide obtained in the reaction step, and then supplying the formic acid to the reaction step.

Abstract: Chemical looping reform methods comprising heating an oxygen carrier in the presence of a catalyst and plasma radicals to react the oxygen carrier with a fuel to provide a reduced oxygen carrier; and contacting the reduced oxygen carrier with water or carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen or carbon monoxide, respectively, and regenerate the oxygen carrier. The chemical looping reform methods are carried out at low temperatures such as from 150° C. to 1000° C., preferably from 150° C. to 500° C. Catalyst used in the chemical looping reform methods include a sintered rare earth metal oxide oxygen carrier and perovskite. Methods of preparing the catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating NO and delivering NO in controlled amounts. A system for generating nitric oxide (NO) is provided, and in some embodiments can include a converter configured to convert a source material to a NO-containing gas, at least one controller configured to independently control a conversion of the source material to the NO-containing gas and a delivery of the NO-containing gas to an inspiratory pathway, and one or more sensors configured to communicate, to the at least one controller, information related to the conversion of the source material to the NO-containing gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for nitric oxide generation are provided for use with various ventilation and/or medical devices and having a humidity control system associated therewith. In some embodiments, a system for generating nitric oxide comprises at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas, a scrubber configured to remove nitric dioxide NO2 from the product gas, and a humidity control device configured to alter a water content of at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to control humidity within the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method of a battery composite material, wherein a precursor with the chemical formula FePO4 is formed by introducing air or oxygen during calcination. The precursor is then reacted with a first reactant containing lithium atoms and a carbon source to form a battery composite material with the chemical formula LiFePO4.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing graphene from spent lithium-ion batteries are disclosed. One method includes applying an acid leaching solution to an anode of a lithium-ion battery to produce expanded graphite, applying a hydrothermal process to the expanded graphite to produce purified graphite, and subjecting the purified graphite to a shear mixing process to produce dispersed graphene. In some examples, the shear mixing process is combined with a hydrogen passivation process, which collectively improves each of graphene quality, graphene conversion rate, and graphene production efficiency.