International Business Machines Corporation

Joseph F Prisco

Marvin Miles Misgen

Joseph Paul Kuczynski

Kevin J Przybylski

Debra A Neuman-Horn

Milnes P David

William J Green

Sharon Terese Spaulding

Robert Tucker Sanders

Brian P Rawson

Michael Paul Petrich

Robert F Hyland

Brandon M Kobilka

Eric B Swenson

Dennis James Wurth

Kenneth Arenella

Andrew James Frana

David J Bailey

Hemphill M Timothy

An apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The hardware processor receives, from a plurality of power supplies, a plurality of indications of electrical power disturbances detected by the plurality of power supplies and determines locations of the plurality of power supplies based on the plurality of indications. The hardware processor also determines, based on the plurality of locations, an event that caused the electrical power disturbances and classifies the event based on the location of the plurality of power supplies.

Detecting electrical power line disturbances

A system and a method for automatically determining and analyzing electrical responses related to a group of elements. In an embodiment, the method includes one or more computer processors determining a group of elements electrically connected to a power distribution unit that supplies AC power to an AC load of the group of elements. The method further includes determining a resistance corresponding to the group of elements utilizing a solid-state relay. The method further includes dictating a phase angle trigger value to activate a solid-state current-flow control device. The method further includes determining a set of inductive impedance values corresponding to the group of elements utilizing the solid-state current-flow control device to control AC current flow to the group of elements based on the dictated phase angle trigger value. The method further includes generating an analysis of the determined set of inductive impedance values corresponding to the group of elements.

Automating reactive impedance measurements

Method and apparatus to test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including a cap configured to at least partially seal a container, and a plunger mechanism configured to form a passageway for air to flow from the container into a detection area. A sensor may be attached to the cap and positioned proximate the detection area. The sensor may be configured to detect data relating to a VOC and to generate a signal. A processor may be configured to receive the signal and to determine a result relating to the VOC.

Container cap to test volatile organic compounds

Methods and systems for detecting environmental contaminants is described. In an embodiment, a method includes macerating and extracting a sample; reacting a first polymerizable compound with the sample to form a second mixture comprising a second polymerizable compound; adding an initiator to the second mixture comprising the second polymerizable compound; performing a polymerization reaction on the second mixture comprising the second polymerizable compound to form a third mixture comprising a precipitate; and performing a turbidimetric analysis on the third mixture comprising the precipitate. In another embodiment, a method includes macerating and extracting a sample; reacting a first mixture comprising the functionalized polythiophene compound and the sample to form a second mixture comprising a second functionalized polythiophene compound; performing a colorimetric analysis on the second mixture comprising the second functionalized polythiophene compound.

Facile methods to detect toxin in seafood

A wearable electronic device may alert a wearer as to a presence of either a range of allergens or to specific pollen to which the individual is allergic. As such, the device may warn the user of bioparticles likely to affect them allergenically. The device may include an airflow path. A deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) array may be positioned within the airflow path to capture bioparticles of a particular size. An imaging device may capture images of captured bioparticles. The system may include a database of bioparticles in a range of sizes. The system may be configured to compare the captured bioparticles to the information in the database. A wearer may be alerted if bioparticles potentially allergenically problematic to the person have been found in the captured bioparticles.

Allergic early detection wearable device

A plastic film is produced by blending a polymer with particles encapsulating an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. Optionally, an 'oxodegradable' and/or 'oxo biodegradable' additive that promotes degradation of the polymer in the presence of oxygen may be blended into the plastic film. The presence of the oxidizing agent within the plastic film ensures degradation of an article of manufacture, e.g., a plastic bag, when it is disposed of in an anaerobic environment, such as a landfill. In some embodiments, the particles are microcapsules and/or nanocapsules each having a polymer shell encapsulating a core that includes the oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the particles are microparticles and/or nanoparticles each having a matrix in which the oxidizing agent is encapsulated.

Method and composition to ensure degradation of plastic films in an anaerobic environment, such as a landfill

A quality-sensing bottle cap includes a sensor array having a plurality of conductive polymeric sensors. In some embodiments, each sensor is exposed within a mechanical chamber and is in electrical communication with an interrogation interface. The mechanical chamber is configured, in an inactive state, to be closed off from a headspace above a liquid contained in a bottle sealed with the quality-sensing bottle cap and configured, in an active state, to be open to the headspace. The sensor array may be tailored for a particular application, such as the detection of olive oil aroma. The sensor array may, for example, allow discrimination among olive oils of different qualities (e.g., extra virgin olive oil, lampante virgin olive oil, and refined olive oil), as well as discrimination among olive oils with negative attributes (e.g., olive oils with unpleasant aromatic notes, such as 'fusty,' 'muddy sediment,' &#x201c;musty,&#x201d; and &#x201c;rancid&#x201d;).

Verification of the quality of a liquid using a quality-sensing bottle cap

Embodiments provide a method to control a power-on phase of an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting, by a processing device, a request to a plurality of sensors, the request to read a measurement related to an environmental condition; receiving, by the processing device, the measurement from each of the plurality of sensors; and when the measurement is equal to or above a threshold value, commencing, by the processing device, the power-on phase of the electronic device.

Acclimation sensing and control of electronic equipment

An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.

Acclimation process

A self-reporting, grounded nut-clip is provided. The self-reporting, grounded nut-clip includes a support body. The support body includes first and second bends defining first, second and third support sections interleaved with the first and second bends. The first and third support sections define first and second apertures, respectively, and the second support section is interposed between the first and third support sections. The self-reporting, grounded nut-clip further includes a fastening element receiving member disposed on the first support section at the first aperture, a star washer, and an indicator. The star washer is disposed on the third support section at a location of the second aperture. The indicator is coupled to the third support section and is configured for automatic activation upon complete nut-clip installation.

Self-reporting, grounded nut-clip

A platform embedded in an electrical cable that stores and transmits data or information related to the electrical cable is designed. The embedded platform includes a non-volatile memory element to store product data describing at least one of electrical characteristics and certifications of the electrical cable. The platform also includes a current detector to detect a current that flows in the electrical cable based on a magnetic field generated by the current. The platform further includes a communication circuit to transmit at least one of the stored product data and information related to the detection of the current to a remote device.

Embedded platform in electrical cables

Embodiments described herein relate to a reusable chemical cold pack. The apparatus includes a body which defines a chamber having two volumes separated by a thin film composite membrane. The thin film composite membrane includes a fabric material sheet, a thermoplastic polymer material sheet, and a polyamide material sheet. A first volume disposed on one side of the thin film composite membrane contains a solvent and a second volume disposed on an opposite side of the thin film composite membrane contains a solute. A check valve is disposed through the thin film composite membrane and enables mixing of the solvent and the solute. The solvent and the solute may also be separated after mixing by diffusion of the solvent through the thin film composite membrane.

Reusable cold pack

An ink composition includes a fluid and a plurality of microcapsules suspended in the fluid. The fluid includes a first chemical compound that exhibits a first color characteristic in a first pH range and exhibits a second color characteristic in a second pH range, where the first color characteristic is visually distinct from the second color characteristic. A second chemical compound is contained within the microcapsules, such that rupturing at least a subset of the plurality of microcapsules releases the second chemical compound. Releasing the second chemical compound shifts a pH of the fluid from a first pH in the first pH range to a second pH in the second pH range.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

Joseph F Prisco