A feedback system (10) that identifies characteristics of an object (44, 164, 74) and utilizes the characteristics to initiate and adjust a field applied to the object (44, 164, 74) is provided. The system includes an array (49) of array phase elements (42a, 42b) made of metamaterials that allow precise shaping of the field to be applied to a particular portion of an object (44, 164, 74) based on characteristics (23, 25) of the object (44, 164, 74). Sensors (41, 54, 71) are utilized to monitor a condition of the object (44, 164, 74) being supercooled. Specifically, characteristics (23, 25) of the object (44, 164, 74) are measured at different points, areas, or volumes on the object and the measurements (23, 25) are used to determine whether a desired result is being achieved. Based on the measurements, parameters (23, 25) of the field can be adjusted (88).
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
A23L 3/26 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by irradiation without heating
A feedback system (10) and method that identify characteristics of a colloid (62) and utilize the characteristics to initiate and adjust a field applied to the colloid are described. Machine learning can be leveraged to automatically identify a condition (23, 25) of the colloid and adjust the field parameters (23, 25). Sensors are utilized e.g. during supercooling to monitor a condition of the colloid being supercooled. Specifically, characteristics of the colloid are measured and used to determine whether supercooling is being achieved or whether the colloid is starting to undergo an undesirable phase change. Based on the measurements, parameters of the field can be adjusted. When desired, rate of phase change can be controlled to achieve desired characteristics of the colloid. Further, under some circumstances, a phase change (such as freezing or melting) of a colloid (such as chocolate) may be desired.
A contact interfacing conductive receptacle (47) is provided. The contact interfacing conductive receptacle (47) includes a housing sized to receive an object (28) including water. The housing includes one or more non-transfer material pieces (48) and two or more transfer material pieces (46). Each transfer material piece (46) is configured to provide conductivity and provides a field to a different portion of the object (28). The transfer material pieces (46) are integrated with the non-transfer material pieces (48).
A23L 3/32 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with electric currents without heating effect
A method (30) for feedback-based supercooling. One or more composition characteristics of an object, such as a food object, are identified (31). A value for the identified composition characteristics, such as a fat content, is determined. One or more parameters are determined (32) for one or more fields, including electromagnetic, magnetic or electric fields based on the determined values for one or more of the identified composition characteristics. The object is supercooled by applying (33) the fields to the object using the parameters. One or more of the composition characteristics or characteristics of the field are monitored (35) during application of the fields via at least one feedback sensor and one or more of the parameters for the field are adjusted (37) based on the monitored composition characteristics or field characteristics.
A feedback-based device (11) for nucleation control is provided. A supercooling tray (40) is sized to hold an object (44). Field generators (42 a,b, 43 a,b) include at least one magnet (42 a,b) or a pair of electrodes (43 a,b) located on opposite sides of the supercooling tray. One or more feedback sensors (41) are configured to determine characteristics of the object (44) at one or more spatial locations at multiple time points and each feedback sensor (41) includes one of a reflectivity, electrical, acoustic, or hyperspectral sensor. A controller (45) is configured to determine supercooling parameters based on the characteristics determined at the multiple time points and to control application of a field directed at the object (44) by the field generators (42 a,b, 43 a,b) based on the supercooling parameter.
A method (40) for forming crystallized forms of water is provided. Water is maintained (41) in a container. A field is applied (53) to the water, and the water is maintained (42) in liquid form at a below freezing temperature via the applied field. Movement of the water in liquid form is created (44) out of the container and ice is formed from the water upon the movement from the container.
A method (30) for feedback-based beverage (27) supercooling is provided. An object is identified as a liquid beverage (27). Cooling is applied (34) to the beverage. The beverage (27) reaches a temperature in a range of -1° C and -20° C and maintains a liquid form. The beverage (27) maintains a liquid form via at least one field applied to the beverage (27). The field is adjusted (38) based on a change in characteristics of the beverage to maintain the liquid form.
F25D 23/12 - Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
A23L 3/32 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with electric currents without heating effect
8.
CONTROLLING CELL FUNCTIONING AND MOTILITY WITH THE AID OF A DIGITAL COMPUTER
A feedback-based system 10 and method 30 that identifies (32, 36) characteristics (23, 25) of one or more cells (53, 56, 58) and utilizes the characteristics to initiate (34) and adjust (39) a field applied to the one or more cells (53, 56, 58) are provided. Machine learning can be leveraged to automatically identify characteristics (23, 25) of the cells and adjust (39) the parameters (23, 25) of the field based on the characteristics (23, 25). Sensors (71) are utilized during the application of the field to monitor (36) characteristics (23, 25) and parameters (23, 25). Characteristics (23, 25) of the cells are measured (36) at different points, and the measurements (23, 25) are used to determine whether the desired effect has been achieved. Parameters (23, 25) of the field can be adjusted (39) to achieve the desired effect on cell functioning, cell motility, or both.
A feedback system (10) and method (30) that identifies characteristics (23, 25) of one or more cells (56) being grown on a metasurface (62) and utilizes the characteristics to initiate (35) and adjust (40) a field applied to the metasurface (62) to control adhesion of the cells (56) to and from the metasurface (62) are provided. The metasurface (62) includes a plurality of structures (57) whose resonances have a wavelength range of 250nm-3microns. In one embodiment, the system (10) and method (30) leverage machine learning to automatically identify characteristics (23, 25) of the one or more cells (56) or the metasurface (62) and adjust (40) the parameters. Sensors (71) are utilized during field application to monitor characteristics (23, 25) of the cells (56) or the metasurface (62) and parameters (23, 25) of the field. Parameters (23, 25) can be adjusted (39) to achieve the desired effect on the detachment.
The present disclosure is directed to an electrodialytic stack with a concentrate stream that moves through a concentrate flow path bounded by a central ion exchange membrane and a first outer ion exchange membrane. A dilute stream moves through a dilute flow path bounded by the central ion exchange membrane and a second outer ion exchange membrane. A redox shuttle loop is separated from the concentrate and dilute streams by the first and second outer ion exchange membranes, respectively. The outer ion exchange membranes are a different type than the central ion exchange membrane. Electrodes are operable to apply a voltage across the stack. At least one collection of ion exchange materials is located in at least one of the flow paths. The ion exchange materials migrate ions between the central ion exchange membrane and at least one of the outer ion exchange membranes.
C02F 1/469 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrochemical separation, e.g. by electro-osmosis, electrodialysis, electrophoresis
B01D 61/48 - Apparatus therefor having one or more compartments filled with ion-exchange material
An electrodialysis apparatus comprises a first reservoir wherein salt dissolved in solvent is reduced below a threshold concentration and a second reservoir wherein the salt concentration increases. A first electrode contacts a first solution of a first redox-active electrolyte material, and a second electrode contacts a second solution of a second redox-active electrolyte material. A first type of membrane is disposed between the first and second reservoirs and a second type of membrane is disposed between the first electrode and the first reservoir and between the second electrode and the second reservoir. A color measuring device is coupled to at least one of the solutions, and a control system is configured to modify the value of a property of at least one of the first and second solutions in response to detecting a color value of one of the solutions exceeding a threshold color value.
F24F 3/14 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification
A porous polymer aerogel, wherein the aerogel has greater than 5 wt% of amine containing vinyl monomers integrated into a polymer backbone. A method of fabrication of a porous polymer aerogel amine material, includes preparing a solution comprising at least a solvent, amine monomers having protected amino groups, one or more crosslinkers, one or more radical initiators, and a nitroxide mediator, removing oxygen from the solution, heating the solution to promote polymerization and to produce a polymerized material, performing solvent exchange with the polymerized material, causing a deprotection reaction in the polymerized material to remove groups protecting the amino groups, soaking and rinsing the material to remove excess reagents and any byproducts of the deprotection reaction, and drying the material to produce the amine sorbent. A system to separate CO2 from other gases, comprising a polymer porous aerogel sorbent having greater than 5 wt% of amine containing vinyl monomers integrated into a polymer backbone.
B01J 13/00 - Colloid chemistry, e.g. the production of colloidal materials or their solutions, not otherwise provided for; Making microcapsules or microballoons
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
13.
LIQUID METAL CONDENSATE CATALYZED HYDROCARBON PYROLYSIS
Methods comprising: evaporating a catalyst source to produce a catalyst gas; condensing the catalyst gas to produce a catalyst vapor comprising catalyst droplets suspended in a gas phase; and contacting the catalyst vapor with a hydrocarbon gas to catalyze a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen gas and carbon. And, systems comprising: a catalyst source evaporator that provides a first stream to a reactor; a hydrocarbon source that provides a second stream to the reactor; a cooling column coupled to the reactor via a third stream comprising hydrogen, catalyst liquid, solid carbon, optionally catalyst gas, and optionally unreacted hydrocarbon gas such that the cooling column receives the third stream from the reactor; and wherein the cooling column has effluent streams that include (a) a fourth stream that comprises hydrogen and optionally catalyst gas and (b) a fifth stream that comprises catalyst liquid.
C01B 3/26 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds of hydrocarbons using catalysts
Methods comprising: evaporating a catalyst source to produce a catalyst gas; condensing the catalyst gas to produce a catalyst vapor comprising catalyst droplets suspended in a gas phase; and contacting the catalyst vapor with a hydrocarbon gas to catalyze a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen gas and carbon. And, systems comprising: a catalyst source evaporator that provides a first stream to a reactor; a hydrocarbon source that provides a second stream to the reactor; a cooling column coupled to the reactor via a third stream comprising hydrogen, catalyst liquid, solid carbon, optionally catalyst gas, and optionally unreacted hydrocarbon gas such that the cooling column receives the third stream from the reactor; and wherein the cooling column has effluent streams that include (a) a fourth stream that comprises hydrogen and optionally catalyst gas and (b) a fifth stream that comprises catalyst liquid.
C01B 3/26 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds of hydrocarbons using catalysts
Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.
A system includes an electrodialysis device with a salinate chamber through which a salinate stream flows. A desalinate chamber is separated from the salinate chamber by a central, ion-selective membrane. A desalinate stream flows through the desalinate chamber. An anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber are on opposite outer sides of the salinate and desalinate chambers and separated therefrom by first and second ionic exchange membranes. A solvent exchange interface is in contact on a first side with the salinate stream and is in contact a media flow on a second side. The solvent exchange interface moves a solvent from the media flow to the salinate stream.
Disclosed are methods and systems of providing carbon nanotubes decorated with polymer coated metal nanoparticles. Then, annealing the metal coated carbon nanotubes to reduce a quantity of hydrophilic components of the polymer coating.
G01N 27/12 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid
Devices and methods are provided for fluid delivery. The device may include a housing having an outer surface which includes a porous membrane, a fluid reservoir disposed in the interior region of the main housing and formed at least in part by a wall structure, a puncture mechanism operable to puncture the wall structure and form a fluidic path between the fluid reservoir and one or more channels in fluid communication with the porous membrane, and a positive displacement mechanism operable, following puncture of the wall structure, to drive a fluid out of the fluid reservoir, through the one or more channels, and into the porous membrane.
A Hydrodynamic separation device using curved channels is provided. High aspect ratio channels improve the focusing dynamics of the hydrodynamic separator and leads to improved channel design choices.
Hydrodynamic separation of suspended particles using curved channels offers advantages in many applications, since it is a fast continuous flow technology that can handle neutrally and near neutrally buoyant particles without the need of a physical barrier or the addition of chemical aids. Designs are provided for a flow splitter at the end of the separation channel, to maintain smooth, counter-vortex-free laminar flow and improve particle separation efficiency while reducing clogging and fouling propensities.
Retention devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing configured for intraluminal deployment into a human or animal subject and at least one reservoir contained within the housing. The reservoir may have an actuation end and a release end and contain at least one drug formulation. A plug may be contained within the reservoir and be moveable from the actuation end toward the release end. The device may also include an actuation system operably connected to the actuation end of the reservoir and configured to drive the drug formulation from the reservoir. The device may also include at least one retention member affixed to the housing and movable between a non-stressed position, a deployment position, and a retention position for retaining the device in an intraluminal location in the subject.
Devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing configured for intraluminal deployment into a human or animal subject and first and second reservoirs within the housing, each reservoir having an actuation end, an opposed release end, and a plug moveable from the actuation end toward the release end. First and second drug formulations may be contained in the first and second reservoirs, respectively. The device may also include one or more actuation systems configured to drive the first and second plugs so as to drive the first and second drug formulations from the first and second reservoirs. The housing may include a porous membrane sidewall in fluid communication with the release ends of the first and second reservoirs, the porous membrane sidewall being configured to distribute the first and second drug formulations driven from the first and second reservoirs.
Devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing configured for intraluminal deployment into a human or animal subject and a reservoir contained within the housing and having an actuation end and a release end. The release end may include at least one outlet. A first drug formulation and a second drug formulation may be disposed within the reservoir and adjacent to each other and immiscible, or separated from each other by a first barrier. The device may also include a plug within the reservoir at the actuation end, the plug being movable toward the release end to drive the first and second drug formulations out of the reservoir. The device may also include an actuation system operably connected to the actuation end of the reservoir and configured to drive the plug toward the release end and release the drug formulations from the reservoir.
Devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing having a first compartment containing a drug in a dry, solid form, a second compartment containing a liquid carrier for the drug, and an expansion member located within or adjacent to the first or second compartment. The second compartment may be fluidly connectable to the first compartment by a rupturable barrier or mechanical valve. The device may also include an actuation system configured to expand the expansion member to rupture the rupturable barrier or open the mechanical valve and permit the liquid carrier to flow into the first compartment and mix with the drug to form a reconstituted drug solution.
A modeled-based reasoning system and method including dynamic domain abstraction, includes the use of an abstraction determining module configured to identify an appropriate abstraction level for a system model of a real-world system to be analyzed, from a plurality of potential abstraction levels. A system reasoning module is configured to perform analysis on the system model of the real-world system at the abstraction level determined to be appropriate by the abstraction determining module.
A method and system for diagnosing any combination of persistent and intermittent faults. The behavior of a system under test is obtained by measuring or probing the system at a particular location(s). The predicted behavior of a modeled system corresponding to the system under test is investigated by drawing inferences based on at least conditional probabilities, prior observations and component models. The predictions are compared to their corresponding points in the system under test. A determination is made if a conflict exists between the measured behavior and the predicted behavior, and the conditional probabilities are adjusted to more and more accurately reflect the action fault(s) in the system under test. The conflicts or deviations between the obtained predicted behavior and the actual behavior are used to isolate the components of the system causing the faults.
A method and computer product is provided to generate a signal model for use in analyzing a model system including imposing an explicit time assumption for each time instant of the system model. The time assumptions are defined so that any two assumptions contradict each other, thereby separating all inferences into the respective times. A non-monotonic rule is applied to instantiate component models of the model system. Results are defined as not depending on the existence of a previous time instant and, a simplified signal model is generated, wherein the signal model represents the evolution of a value in the model system over time.
Fabrication methods for making thin film devices on transparent substrates are described. Gate, source, and drain electrodes of a transistor are formed on a transparent substrate. The widths of the drain electrode and source electrodes are greater than a width of the gate electrode. A dielectric layer is formed on the gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is deposited proximate to the gate, source and drain electrodes. Photoresist is deposited on the semiconductor. The photoresist is exposed to light directed through the transparent substrate so that the gate electrode masks the photoresist from the light. The semiconductor layer is removed in regions exposed to the light.
H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
H01L 27/12 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.
A system may include an optical element, a thermal-sprayed material disposed on the optical element, and a solar cell coupled to the optical element. Some aspects provide thermal spraying of a first material onto an optical element, and coupling of a solar cell to the optical element. Thermal spraying the first material may include spraying a molten metal powder onto the optical element.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 31/18 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
31.
SOLAR CONCENTRATING PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH RESILIENT CELL PACKAGE ASSEMBLY
A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror and the secondary mirror onto a photovoltaic cell, which is disposed in a central cavity formed in the optical element. A resilient, optically transmissive material is disposed in the central cavity between the PV cell and the optical element. The photovoltaic cell as a squarish upper surface including metal electrical contact structures disposed on each of the four corners of the upper surface and arranged to define a circular active area. The PV cell is mounted on a heat slug that is disposed in the central cavity during assembly. The heat slug includes resilient fingers that contact the surface of the cavity to facilitate self-alignment of the PV cell.
H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
H02N 6/00 - Generators in which light radiation is directly converted into electrical energy (solar cells or assemblies thereof H01L 25/00, H01L 31/00)
H01L 31/00 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof
32.
PASSIVELY COOLED SOLAR CONCENTRATING PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE
A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted on a central portion of heat spreader that extends over the primary mirror. The heat spreader transmits waste heat from the photovoltaic cell in a manner that evenly distributes the heat over the optical element, thereby maximizing the radiation of heat from the aperture surface into space. The heat spreader includes a thick copper layer formed on a flexible substrate (e.g., polyimide film) that is patterned with radial arms that facilitate mounting onto the convex surface of the optical element.
A solar concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) device in which concentrator elements (optics, PV cells and wiring) are laminated to form a composite, substantially planar structure. The concentrator optics are implemented by a solid (e.g. glass) optical element that defines a focal point at which solar light received by the optical element is concentrated. Using vacuum lamination techniques, a printed circuit structure attached by way of an adhesive layer onto a surface of the optical element. The printed circuit structure includes one or more non-conductive layers and conductors that are disposed on the non-conductive layers. The PV cell is connected to printed circuit structure, and is positioned at the focal point of the optical element. Optional front and/or back protective layers are also attached prior to the lamination process. A CPV array includes multiple devices formed on an optical tile using a string-like flexible printed circuit structure.
A concentrating solar collector that utilizes a solar collector optical system to concentrate solar light onto a PV cell (image plane), wherein the solar collector optical system includes an array of first optical elements that divide the solar light into separate beams, and a secondary optical system that integrates (superimposes) the separate beams in a defocused state at the image plane, thereby forming a uniform light distribution pattern on the PV cell. The secondary optical system is positioned at a distance from the aperture plane, whereby the rays of each separate beam leaving the secondary optical element are parallel. The image plane (PV cell) is located at the back focal point of the second image element, whereby all of the separate beams are superimposed on the PV cell in a defocused state. Optional intervening third optical elements are used to increase the acceptance angle.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
patents
