Methods for producing small crystals on islands formed on specialized substrates by, inter alia, subjecting the substrate to a hydrophilic... Show moreMethods for producing small crystals on islands formed on specialized substrates by, inter alia, subjecting the substrate to a hydrophilic SAMs solution for self-assembling hydrophilic SAMs on certain portions of the substrate surface and subjecting the substrate to a hydrophobic SAMs solution for self-assembling hydrophobic SAMs on certain other portions of the substrate surface. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Primary US Patent Classification 430/324 International Patent Classification G03F 7/20 Show less
The invention enables the digital management of large scale image databases, to efficiently classify and index image data independent of... Show moreThe invention enables the digital management of large scale image databases, to efficiently classify and index image data independent of language. Complex processing requirements are required only on reduced and operably small subsets of the entire collection, thereby effectively scaling large document collections. Embodiments of the present invention provide image-based classification and retrieval of documents based on image recognition, e.g., signatures, logos, stamps, or word-spotting; in documents within real time for large datasets such as in the millions of documents. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
An apparatus for generating generally uniform compression forces over a film of a relatively low-viscosity liquid by passing the low-viscosity... Show moreAn apparatus for generating generally uniform compression forces over a film of a relatively low-viscosity liquid by passing the low-viscosity liquid through a porous plate, from an upstream face to a downstream face of the porous plate. The porous plate has a specified porosity and arrangement of the through holes or other pores that results in forming a uniform pressure through and uniform compression forces over a film of the low-viscosity liquid that is at or near the upstream face of the porous plate. The apparatus of this invention results in homogeneous deformation of a material, such as molten polymer, polymer solution, multiphase polymer systems, asphalts or foods. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A method for controlling multiple access of a transmission channel wherein a plurality of different patterns are assigned to a plurality of... Show moreA method for controlling multiple access of a transmission channel wherein a plurality of different patterns are assigned to a plurality of sending stations so that each sending station corresponds to a unique pattern, preferably a pattern represented by a Binomial coefficient. Each unique pattern is transmitted from a corresponding sending station to the transmission channel by way of a control minislot. Ternary feedback is received from the control minislot. A summation of different patterns within each control minislot are analyzed to detect whether a collision exists between the different patterns within each control minislot. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A system and method provide for preferential in situ heating of earth formations. A plurality of elongated conductive electrodes are emplaced... Show moreA system and method provide for preferential in situ heating of earth formations. A plurality of elongated conductive electrodes are emplaced in earth formations in respective spaced rows bounding a particular volume of the earth formations and forming a transmission line, preferably a triplate line, extending in the direction of the electrodes with the particular volume of the earth formations providing a dielectric medium between respective rows of electrodes. Electromagnetic energy is supplied to the transmission line at a frequency at which the spacing between respective rows is less than about twice the skin depth at the frequency of the applied energy. Reactance means are disposed along respective electrodes to provide predetermined effective transmission line characteristics to develop a predetermined heating pattern in the earth formations. The reactance means may be reactances disposed discretely between sections of respective electrodes. The reactance means may also be disposed between respective electrodes and the earth formation, as by a dielectric coating. A heating pattern may be developed to heat hydrocarbon rich deposits preferentially. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
This invention relates to a parallel hybrid electric conversion kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a driveshaft and a... Show moreThis invention relates to a parallel hybrid electric conversion kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a driveshaft and a transmission, such as, rear wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy duty multiple-driven-axle vehicles and/or all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversion kit includes a motor-generator, a torque coupler, a battery, a power electronics module and a controller. Suitable torque couplers include transfer cases and/or rear-through differentials. The conversion kit provides an aftermarket solution to increased performance, fuel economy and/or reduced emissions by modifying the drivetrain after the transmission. According to one embodiment of this invention, the control scheme of the installed conversion kit receives input signals from the engine and the motor-generator, but only sends control signals to the motor-generator, facilitating installation of the conversion kit. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
Improved accuracy of size measurement and size distribution of particles in a fluid have been obtained in an electrical zone sensing apparatus... Show moreImproved accuracy of size measurement and size distribution of particles in a fluid have been obtained in an electrical zone sensing apparatus by a flow control director means which directs the fluid in a more streamlined, less turbulent flow through an aperture at which the particles are electrically sensed. Also, the particles were directed and guided to flow substantially parallel to longitudinal axis for the aperture. The preferred flow control detector means comprises a contoured orifice having a smooth tapered inlet wall blended at an intersection with a central cylindrical wall defining a tubular shaped aperture. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
The present invention is directed to a method for converting municipal waste containing plastics to a high quality synthetic crude oil which... Show moreThe present invention is directed to a method for converting municipal waste containing plastics to a high quality synthetic crude oil which can be separated by fractionation into gasoline, diesel fuel and gas oils suitable as a feedstock to a catalytic cracker. The presence of cellulosic and proteinaceous waste materials in the municipal waste does not inhibit the process of the invention for converting the municipal waste into a synthetic crude oil. The process generally includes the steps of heating the municipal waste in a reaction gas, of a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen or hydrogen at moderate temperatures and pressures. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less