Retroreflective glass or plastic beads have fluorescent properties when irradiated with ultraviolet light and are emplaced in signs in... Show moreRetroreflective glass or plastic beads have fluorescent properties when irradiated with ultraviolet light and are emplaced in signs in patterns indicative of alphanumeric characters, or embedded in a hot melt comprising road stripes or embedded in the road asphalt or aggregate during construction of the road, to provide effectively bright and clear indications of signs or the extent and direction of the road. The glass beads comprise spherodized soda lime, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or aluminosilicate glasses with low levels of rare-earth dopants mixed therein, such as compounds containing one of the rare earths, or lanthanides. The plastic beads may have fluorescent materials mixed therein, typically organic pigments or dyes based on coumarin and rhodamine or the like. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
Howell Mountain is a distinct and unique location in the heart of Napa Valley California. The 45 acres site rests on the mountain’s south west... Show moreHowell Mountain is a distinct and unique location in the heart of Napa Valley California. The 45 acres site rests on the mountain’s south west slopes and is planted with high quality grapes used in the production of red wine. When the fog rolls off the ocean and into the Napa Valley, the weather on Howell Mountain is generally sunny and cool. The appellation owes its distinctive climate to the fact that it is positioned high above the valley floor. The program includes both the wine production facilities and the hospitality facilities for visitors. The driving concept of the project is to merge those two, often opposing, programmatic elements. From west to east, the site has a 43% grade change. By designing a gravity flow winery, this facility can take advantage of that significant slope. Show less
A method for producing crystals and for screening crystallization conditions of chemical materials on distinct metallic islands with specific... Show moreA method for producing crystals and for screening crystallization conditions of chemical materials on distinct metallic islands with specific functional groups by using multi-functional substrates comprising a plurality of self-assembled monolayers having at least two different functionalities, for preparing and screening conditions necessary to promote specific polymorphs of a crystal, and a means for testing and screening the more precise conditions suitable for achieving desired sizes or forms of a crystal. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A monitoring system for chemical shipments having an apparatus for detection of a leak from a shipment vessel having a shroud. A first... Show moreA monitoring system for chemical shipments having an apparatus for detection of a leak from a shipment vessel having a shroud. A first chemical sensor is in communication with a chamber of the shroud for detecting the presence of a substance leaking from the vessel. A second sensor is in communication with the ambient environment surrounding the shroud. A monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor monitors a first chemical sensor output and a second chemical sensor output and signals an information unit dependant on the increase of at least one of the first and second chemical sensors. The information unit emits a signal to an alarm or output device in response to an increase of the magnitude and/or rate of increase of at least one of the first chemical sensor output and the second chemical sensor output. A physical sensor can be in combination with the monitoring circuit. The information unit can be a remote information unit to which the monitoring circuit signals by wireless communication means. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
An electro-mechanical drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle. The electro-mechanical drive train includes a housing and a pinion shaft... Show moreAn electro-mechanical drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle. The electro-mechanical drive train includes a housing and a pinion shaft having a first end disposed within the housing and a second end in communication with a combustion engine. A differential is disposed within the housing and in combination with the end of the pinion shaft. An electric motor is also disposed within the housing and in actuating combination with the pinion shaft. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less