Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.

Abstract: Coated irregular surfaces, replicas made therefrom, and methods of making the same. A particle-coated substrate includes a coating including undercooled liquid metallic particles. The particles include a solid shell comprising a metal oxide, and a liquid metallic core that is below the melting point of the liquid metallic core. The particle-coated substrate also includes a substrate including an irregular surface, wherein the coating is on the irregular surface.

Abstract: The present application relates to a concrete pre-mix composition comprising a cementitious material and a plurality of conductive carbon microfibers mixed with said cementitious material, where said conductive carbon microfibers are present in the concrete pre-mix composition in an amount such that, when said concrete pre-mix composition is hydrated to form concrete and cured, the conductive carbon microfibers are dispersed in the cured concrete in an amount of 0.75% to 2.00% of total mass of the concrete. The present application further relates to a concrete composition, a method of producing an electrically conductive concrete composition, an electrically conductive cured concrete form, and a system for heating pavement.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for agricultural management-zone delineation to be done over broad geographic extents without overly-localized field-specific data. The instant innovation guides precision agricultural sampling and management by delineating enhanced management zones based upon remote sensing and artificial intelligence and combining the two with data derived from an existing countrywide soil survey database. In an embodiment, the instant innovation uses artificial intelligence from multiple sources to provide granular zone detail. Output of the present innovation can be aggregated to produce management zone sizes that have a level of uncertainty compatible with the needs of the customer-farmer and implementable given the capabilities of available equipment.

Abstract: An alloy includes aluminum, a rare earth element, and an alloying element selected from the following: Si, Cu, Mg, Fe, Ti, Zn, Zr, Mn, Ni, Sr, B, Ca, and a combination thereof. The aluminum (Al), the rare earth element (RE), and the alloying element are characterized by forming at least one form of an intermetallic compound. An amount of the rare earth element in the alloy is in a range of about 1 wt. % to about 12 wt. %, and an amount of the alloying element in the alloy is greater than an amount of the alloying element present in the intermetallic compound.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of cell assay units is disclosed. Each cell assay unit in turn comprises at one bipolar electrode, micropocket, reaction chamber, and leak channel. In some embodiments, the cell assay unit further comprises two or more split BPEs inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix and then analyze the isolated cell inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed device can isolate and analyze cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

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: The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds having a monoterpenoid and/or phenylpropanoid moiety and methods of their making and use as pesticidal compounds, such as seed treatments.

Abstract: The present application relates to a multiblock copolymer comprising at least one PA block, at least one PB block, and at least one PC block. PC block is positioned between PA block and PB block, where PC block is a rubber block, and where PA represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A, PB represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B, and PC represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer C, with monomers A and B being the same or different.

Abstract: Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to conductive graphene matrix-encapsulated cells. A matrix-encapsulated cell includes an encapsulating polymer matrix including a biopolymer and graphene. The matrix-encapsulated cell also includes one or more of the cells encapsulated within the encapsulating polymer, wherein the graphene directly contacts at least some of the cells. The matrix encapsulating the one or more cells is electrically conductive.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine or immunogenic compositions comprising novel antigens derived from the equine strain of influenza H3N8. These proteins and specific immunogenic domains are effective as primary universal influenza antigens. The disclosed vaccines or immunogenic compositions are highly effective in inducing HA specific antibodies reactive to different influenza viruses, mucosal and systemic immune responses, and cross-protection regardless of influenza virus subtypes. In some embodiments, the vaccine is cross-protective against two or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) subtypes of influenza with or without the use of an adjuvant.

Abstract: Provided are Ce/Co/Cu permanent magnet alloys containing certain refractory metals, such as Ta and/or Hf, and optionally Fe which represent economically more favorable alternative to Sm-based magnets with respect to both material and processing costs and which retain and/or improve magnetic characteristics useful for GAP MAGNET applications.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition comprising amphiphilic Janus particles and a waterborne binder, wherein the particles are self-stratified, and methods of making and using the same. The disclosure also relates to the synthesis of amphiphilic Janus particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an Al—Ce—Mn alloy for use in additive manufacturing. The disclosed alloy embodiments provide fabricated objects, such as bulk components, comprising a heterogeneous microstructure and having good mechanical properties even when exposed to conditions used during the additive manufacturing process. Methods for making and using alloy embodiments also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a nanocomposite organo gel having a continuous polymeric network structure, wherein polymer chains are held together by ionic interaction between polymer chain ends, interparticle chain entanglements, layered silicate surface modifier, ionic salt, and layered silicate. The present application is also directed to methods of making and using the nanocomposite organo gel.

Abstract: A magnetic ink composition for three-dimensional (3D) printing a bonded magnet is provided. The magnetic ink composition includes magnetic particles, a polymer binder and a solvent. A 3D printing method for fabrication of a bonded magnet using the magnetic ink composition is also provided.

Abstract: A cathode is provided for electrolysis of water wherein the cathode material comprises a multi-principal element, transition metal dichalcogenide material that has four or more chemical elements and that is a single phase, solid solution. The pristine cathode material does not contain platinum as a principal (major) component. However, a cathode comprising a transition metal dichalcogenide having platinum (Pt) nanosized islands or precipitates disposed thereon is also provided.