The synthesis of carbon, particularly in an activated form, from sludge materials such as composed of biosolids and the like is described... Show moreThe synthesis of carbon, particularly in an activated form, from sludge materials such as composed of biosolids and the like is described wherein the treated material is subjected to processing including chemical activation, light and humidity treatment, pyrolysis and physical activation to result in an activated carbon of high surface area and microporosity. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
In the disclosed embodiments the video signal is recorded on successive longitudinal tracks with high frequency bias. The sound may be... Show moreIn the disclosed embodiments the video signal is recorded on successive longitudinal tracks with high frequency bias. The sound may be recorded transversely on adjacent tracks or may be recorded with the video as pulse modulation in the horizontal blanking intervals. The video bias frequency is selected so as to avoid beat notes with the video signal. The horizontal and vertical sync signals may be amplified separate from the composite video and then added thereto so as to record sync signals of increased amplitude. The picture signal from a television receiver may be recorded without further amplification. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
An improved ternary lanthanum-zinc-borate glass composition having improved ultraviolet light transmission in near ultraviolet spectral range,... Show moreAn improved ternary lanthanum-zinc-borate glass composition having improved ultraviolet light transmission in near ultraviolet spectral range, and a process for preparing such a glass composition wherein the near ultraviolet light transmission is improved by small amounts of compounds such as lanthanum and zinc fluorides and chlorides, and tin, arsenic and antimony oxides. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
An apparatus and method for precise angular positioning of an object. A first pivot arm and a second pivot arm each is pivotally mounted with... Show moreAn apparatus and method for precise angular positioning of an object. A first pivot arm and a second pivot arm each is pivotally mounted with respect to a base. A pivot base flex member is operatively connected to the first pivot arm and allows the first pivot arm to pivot with respect to the base, within a particular plane. A second pivot base flex member is operatively connected to the second pivot arm and allows the second pivot arm to pivot with respect to the base, and also within either the same plane or a different plane as the plane within which the first pivot arm pivots. Support structures maintain each of the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm within the particular plane or planes. An interconnect flex member connects the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm. With a relatively small base and thus overall apparatus, an input movement, such as a linear input of about 10 mm can be translated into an output movement of about 7200 radians. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
An energy-efficient method for killing noxious biological organisms (bacteria, insects, etc.) in contaminated materials ranging from liquid,... Show moreAn energy-efficient method for killing noxious biological organisms (bacteria, insects, etc.) in contaminated materials ranging from liquid, semi-liquid, and solid foods pharmaceuticals and hospital wastes comprises passing the contaminated material through an exposure chamber; screening, comminution, addition of fluid or foam, limited heating, or other pretreatment steps may be required. As it flows through the exposure chamber the contaminated material is subjected to a nonuniform, high-intensity electric field; in that chamber, excessive current flows, including arcing and current "streamers", are suppressed by limiting the current density. The amplitude of the applied current density and the electric field in the exposure chamber are controlled, in accordance with the conductivity and/or dielectric constant of the contaminated material, so that the electric field intensity is of the order of 3,000 volts/centimeter or more. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
Power supply systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a supply of phase change material in... Show morePower supply systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a supply of phase change material in thermal contact with at least one cell element capable of a heat-generating charge or discharge of power. Also disclosed, such as for increased or improved heat transfer and dissipation, is battery module incorporation of a heat-conductive containment lattice member such as having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material can be disposed as well as the inclusion of a plurality of module housing-protruding heat transfer fins. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A system for producing variable amplitude pneumatic pulses, such as may be used to prevent flow separation on airfoil and diffuser surfaces to... Show moreA system for producing variable amplitude pneumatic pulses, such as may be used to prevent flow separation on airfoil and diffuser surfaces to control stalling, utilizes a source of pressurized air which is regulated and fed to parallel outlet lines. Each outlet line has a control valve therein attached to a controller for activation of the valves. The first parallel line leads to an actuator which supplies the pulsed air to a desired surface. The second parallel line leads to the atmosphere. By cycling the valves at about ninety degrees out of phase, pneumatic pulses of large amplitude are obtained with a simple device capable of being transported on the aircraft. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
In one exemplary embodiment errors due to tape flutter are overcome by recording along with the analog signal clock pulses having a rate... Show moreIn one exemplary embodiment errors due to tape flutter are overcome by recording along with the analog signal clock pulses having a rate sufficient for sampling of the highest frequency component of the analog signal. Then on playback, the reproduced clock pulses control sampling and storage of samples of the reproduced analog signal. By reading out the samples from storage at a uniform clock rate, the effect of flutter on the reproduced signal is eliminated. In another example the recorded clock rate overcomes tape skew and other mechanical irregularities in recording and reproducing multiplexed analog or digital data. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less