Abstract:
Loud sounds with fast rise times, like gunfire and explosions, can cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Unfortunately, current models do not adequately explain how impulsive sounds cause NIHL, which makes it difficult to predict and prevent NIHL on battlefields and other hostile or rugged environments. Fortunately, the impulsive sounds experienced by soldiers and others working in rugged environments can be recorded using a compact, portable system that acquires, digitizes, and stores high-bandwidth audio data. An example of this system can be mounted on a helmet or other article and used to record hours of audio data at a bandwidth of 20 kHz or higher, which is broad enough to capture sounds with rise times less than 50 ms. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes these broadband audio signals at rate of 40 kHz or higher to preserve the impulse information. A processor transfers the digitized samples from a buffer to a memory card for later retrieval using an interrupt-driven processing technique.
Abstract:
Methods to convert the light and powdery mealworm castings into a suitable fertilizer product are disclosed. The methods can include saturating the mealworm castings using an infusion process with a liquid, such as water, until an elevated temperature is reached. The mealworm castings can be replenished and the infusion process can be repeated until the targeted N—P—K rating is achieved. The saturated mealworm castings or mealworm castings can be dried and formed into fertilizer pellets or into a granular soil-like product. In some examples, a binding agent such as dried mashed potato extract can be added to the saturated mealworm castings. In some examples, the fertilizer excludes artificially produced chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. In some examples, the fertilizer has an N—P—K rating of 4-3-2. In some examples, the mealworm castings are produced by mealworms fed wheat bran and raw carrots.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a drawer lifting mechanism, and more particularly to a mechanism that is adapted to bring stored items that are disposed on a supporting surface of a drawer lifting mechanism to a user. The drawer lifting mechanism may be actuated by human power or by use of one or more actuators. In some configurations, the drawer lifting mechanism is disposed and used in the kitchen to enable the delivery of the contents of a kitchen cabinet to a user that is disposed proximate to the cabinet.
Abstract:
Substrates for components such as a display, touch sensor, multifunction stackup, and so forth may incorporate one or more haptic actuators configured to generate haptic output. These actuators may be formed from a portion of a body of the substrate, or separate pieces bonded or otherwise affixed to the substrate. Audible output resulting from activation of the actuators may be minimized by coupling the actuators such that they produce a physical displacement of the body of the substrate within, rather than orthogonal to, the plane of the body of the substrate.
Abstract:
A method of transporting natural gas by liquefaction of natural gas at ambient temperature, achieved by mixing the natural gas at high pressure with a hydrocarbon that is a stable liquid at ambient temperature and ambient pressure. The hydrocarbon liquid may be crude oil or a distillate of crude oil. The method includes: liquefaction: mixing the natural gas with the hydrocarbon liquid at an ambient temperature and a high pressure to generate a liquid mixture, which contains the natural gas dissolved in the hydrocarbon liquid; shipping: transporting the liquid mixture using a marine tanker, during which the liquid mixture is maintained at ambient temperature and the high pressure; and regasification: at the destination, releasing a gas from the liquid mixture by lowering the pressure of the liquid mixture. The hydrocarbon liquid may be used multiple times.
Abstract:
A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from a proximal cuff secured to the limb above the joint to a distal cuff secured to the limb below the joint, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure. The device may also comprise structure for limiting the range of motion and angular velocity of the joint.
Abstract:
A device and method for supplying ozonated liquid is disclosed. Liquid in a reservoir is pumped from the reservoir to a separate ozone generator and is thereby ozonated. The ozonated liquid is retained to the reservoir so that the liquid is circulated in a loop. As the liquid is circulated through the ozone generator, the concentration of ozone increases. Once the liquid has been sufficiently ozonated, the generator is disconnected and the reservoir moved to where ozonated water is required and ozonated water is dispensed from the reservoir.
Abstract:
Methods to convert the light and powdery mealworm castings into a suitable fertilizer product are disclosed. The methods can include saturating the mealworm castings using an infusion process with a liquid such as water until an elevated temperature is reached. The mealworm castings can be replenished and the infusion process can be repeated until the targeted N-P-K rating is achieved. The saturated mealworm castings or mealworm cake can be dried and formed into fertilizer pellets or into a granular soil-like product. In some examples, a binding agent such as dried mashed potato extract can be added to the saturated mealworm castings. In some examples, the fertilizer excludes artificially produced chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. In some examples, the fertilizer has an N-P-K rating of 4-3-2. In some examples, the mealworm castings are produced by mealworms fed wheat bran and raw carrots.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for the benzylic oxidation of the lignin and related compounds. The methods include contacting lignin with a mixture containing manganese and iron, in the presence of oxygen to produce a carboxylic acid from lignin or a related compound. In some embodiments, the mixture includes cobalt.