Abstract: The present application relates to a system for removal of nitrate from water. The system includes a first reactor comprising a porous oxide-derived silver electrode (OD-Ag) for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (NO3?) to nitrite (NO2?) and a second reactor comprising a Pd-based catalyst for catalytic reduction of nitrite (NO2?). Also disclosed is a method of removing nitrate from water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asphalt product. The asphalt product includes an asphalt binder and a bio-oil blend comprising a mixture of a non-hydrogenated bio-oil and a partially hydrogenated bio-oil, where the bio-oil blend is mixed with the asphalt binder to form an asphalt product having a shear stiffness of 0.20 kPa to 11,000 kPa at a temperature ranging from 25° C. to 85° C. and/or a viscosity of 0.15 Pa·s to 1.50 Pa·s at a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 165° C. The present invention further relates to methods of producing an asphalt product and methods of applying an asphalt product to a surface.

Abstract: A temperature sensor including a sapphire optical fiber and a nanoporous cladding layer covering at least a portion of the sapphire optical fiber.

Abstract: A micro-alloyed copper powder was produced using gas atomization reaction synthesis, with the alloy preferably comprising Cu-0.3Zr-0.15Ag wt. %. The novel copper alloy improves the manufacturability of copper in powder bed fusion manufacturing processes by minimizing or avoiding the prior art problems associated with oxidation of the copper precursor used in additive manufacturing. Advantageously, the provided copper alloy powder maintains the high electrical conductivity of copper while addressing the prior art oxidation issue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asphalt product that comprises an asphalt component and a plurality of pellets comprising a mixture of a ground tire rubber and an elastomeric polymer, where the density difference between the asphalt component and the plurality of pellets is less than 10%. The present invention further relates to a pellet comprising a ground tire rubber (“GTR”) and an elastomeric polymer mixed with the GTR, where the GTR has a density of less than 1.12 g/cm3. Also disclosed are methods of producing improved asphalt and paving a surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to contact lens including nanopores. A contact lens can include a nanoporous film including nanopores that are on an inner surface of the contact lens, and a backing lens on the nanoporous film. Various embodiments further include a biomarker-sensing region of the nanoporous film, a drug storage and delivery region of the nanoporous film, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Textured particles and methods of making the same. A textured particle includes an inner core and a spherical solid outer shell including an outer surface. The inner core is inside the outer shell. The outer surface includes a first tier texture including a first metal, wherein the first metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the first tier texture; a second tier texture including the second metal, wherein the second metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the second tier texture; and a third tier texture including the third metal, wherein the third metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the third tier texture. The first metal, second metal, and third metals are different metals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a potential microtexture region (MTR) of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include determining a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for an actual MTR, characterizing a potential MTR as an actual MTR or a defect, characterizing an actual MTR as an acceptable MTR or not, and/or characterizing various components with potential MTRs as defective or not. The characterization may include calculating a width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a spatial correlation coefficient slope of the potential MTR and comparing the width of spatial correlation coefficient to a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or comparing the spatial correlation coefficient slope to a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for the potential MTR to be characterized as an actual MTR or a defect (crack).

Abstract: This work develops a novel microfluidic method to fabricate conductive graphene-based 3D micro-electronic circuits on any solid substrate including, Teflon, Delrin, silicon wafer, glass, metal or biodegradable/non-biodegradable polymer-based, 3D microstructured, flexible films. It was demonstrated that this novel method can be universally applied to many different natural or synthetic polymer-based films or any other solid substrates with proper pattern to create graphene-based conductive electronic circuits. This approach also enables fabrication of 3D circuits of flexible electronic films or solid substrates. It is a green process preventing the need for expensive and harsh postprocessing requirements for other fabrication methods such as ink-jet printing or photolithography. We reported that it is possible to fill the pattern channels with different dimensions as low as 10×10 ?m. The graphene nanoplatelet solution with a concentration of 60 mg/mL in 70% ethanol, pre-annealed at 75° C. for 3 h, provided ˜0.

Abstract: A method embodiment involves preparing single metal or mixed transition metal chalcogenide using exfoliation of two or more different bulk transition metal dichalcogenides in a manner to form an intermediate hetero-layered transition metal chalcogenide structure, which can be treated to provide a single-phase transition metal chalcogenide.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for transducing measurements from medium of interest. One non-limiting example is in planta monitoring of plants. In one aspect, a micro- or nano-scale probe body includes one or more microprobes (e.g. microneedles or waveguides) to access desired plant tissue, and one or more microsensors on the probe body. A microcircuit on or in the probe body transduces relevant measurements from the microsensor(s). An output interface allows storage, communication, or transfer of the transduced measurement for further use. Non-limiting examples are processing into estimations of chemical concentrations or the like for biochemical sensing. As such, if used as in planta sensors, they can be minimally invasive and cost effective for both single use and use in sets for plural plants with one central station.

Abstract: One aspect of the present application relates to a method of synthesizing a thermoplastic polymer. This method includes providing a depolymerized lignin product comprising monomers and oligomers and producing lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers from the depolymerized lignin product. A thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer is then formed by free radical polymerization of the lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers. The present application also relates to a branched chain thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer which includes a chain transfer agent. The thermoplastic lignin based polymers of the present application can be used to prepare carbon fibers, and engineering thermoplastics. Mixtures of lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that utilize ion concentration polarization within water-in-oil nanoliter scale droplets for concentration enrichment, separation, and substitution of charges species are disclosed. Such devices and methods can be used for separation of multiple species by mobility of each species and for the alteration and manipulation of the droplet composition by ion exchange.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polyproteins of Mycoplasma surface proteins, all of which are useful in detecting infection and for the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against Mycoplasma infections. Detection and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention. Assays, kits, systems, and nanoparticle encapsulated compositions related to the polynucleotides, polypeptides, polyproteins, antibodies or fragments, derivatives, and variants thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracheal sampling device is used to collect or acquire cells from an animal, such as at or near the tracheo-bronchial or larynx of an animal. The device includes a flexible and elongated shaft or stem, and a collection member at a distal end of the device. The collection member could be a swab or other member to best collect mucus. The device is used by inserting the collection end into an animal to position the collection member at or near the cell collection site, which may be in or around the larynx. The collection member is removed after collecting cells, which can be reviewed, tested, or otherwise managed to determine the presence of a disease or other bacteria. The length of the shaft or stem allows for optimal positioning of the swab in a variety of animal species and ages. The device can be disposed after each use.

Abstract: The present invention is toward a base oil or lubricant additives, methods of using the same, lubricant compositions including the same, and methods of forming the lubricant compositions. A base oil or lubricant additive has Structure I or Structure II as described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to support structures for three dimensional (3D) printing, methods of preparing the support structures, and methods of using the support structures. In particular, the support structures comprise a hydrogel comprised of a cellulose derivative. Preferably, the support structures are biodegradable and easily removed without generating toxic waste.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods to generate plants with high frequency of spontaneous haploid genome doubling for use in doubled haploid production. The invention relates to the BUBR1 nucleic acid and protein sequences identified, which are associated with spontaneous haploid genome doubling.

Abstract: A product includes a material having: nickel and at least one rare earth element. The at least one rare earth element is present in the material in a weight percentage in a range of about 2% to about 20% relative to a total weight of the material. A method includes forming a material comprising an alloy of nickel and at least one rare earth element. The at least one rare earth element is present in the material in a weight percentage in a range of about 2% to about 20% relative to a total weight of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalyst which comprises a silica core having an outer surface and a mesoporous silica shell having an outer surface and an inner surface with the inner surface being inside the outer surface of said mesoporous silica shell proximate to and surrounding the outer surface of said silica core. Wherein the outer surface of the mesoporous silica shell has openings leading to pores within the mesoporous silica shell which extend toward the outer surface of said silica core. The catalyst also includes catalytically active metal nanoparticles positioned within the pores proximate to said core, wherein the catalytic metal nanoparticles comprise about 0.0001 wt % to about 1.0 wt % of the catalyst. Also disclosed are methods of making the catalyst and using it to carry out a process for catalytically hydrogenolysizing a polyolefinic polymer.