Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having the structure of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are as described herein. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) and to a process for the synthesis of a polymer using the compound of formula (I) through controlled free radical polymerization.

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: The present invention relates to relates to a method of optimizing a plastic composition formed from a plurality of resin feedstocks. A plurality of resin feedstocks are provided. The plurality of resin feedstocks are blended to form the plastic composition. One or more properties of the plastic composition, including radiation absorption, radiation transmission, gas evolution, radiation fluorescence, or melting properties, are measured. The ratio of the plurality of resin feedstocks being blended into the plastic composition is adjusted, based on said measuring, to form an optimized plastic composition. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of wireless bipolar electrodes is disclosed. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix. The disclosed device can isolate 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 a thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer comprising plural acrylated polyol monomeric units having different degrees of acrylation of hydroxyl groups. The acrylated polyol monomeric units have an average degree of acrylation greater than 1 and less than the number of the hydroxyl groups of the polyol. The present invention also relates to a method of making the thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer, and using them in various applications, such as asphalt rubber modifiers, adhesives, or an additive in a fracking fluid for oil fracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer comprising plural acrylated polyol monomeric units having different degrees of acrylation of hydroxyl groups. The acrylated polyol monomeric units have an average degree of acrylation greater than 1 and less than the number of the hydroxyl groups of the polyol. The present invention also relates to a method of making the thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer, and using them in various applications, such as asphalt rubber modifiers, adhesives, or an additive in a fracking fluid for oil fracking.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of probiotic selection and use based on the capability of microbial biogenic amine uptake as a method for targeted clinical and veterinary applications, including promoting health and well-being and/or treating therapeutic conditions. The present invention utilizes a microbially-focused approach for the development of drug selection and/or probiotic administration in a variety of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for high-resolution patterning of various substrates with functional materials, including nanomaterials. A technique of preparing a patterned substrate in a high-resolution mold for stick and transfer process is disclosed with promotes integrity of the high-resolution pattern onto the substrate. One example of a substrate is an adhesive tape. The transferred pattern(s) are scalable and can be implemented in different fabrication processes. One example is a roll-to-roll processes. In one embodiment, the transferred pattern comprises nanomaterials and the substrate comprises a flexible substrate for use in flexible and conformal assemblies for a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, electrical-based sensors on non-planar inanimate surfaces, plant body surface, or human or animal skin.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for transducing measurements from a 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: The present invention relates to a modified polymer having the structure of Formula (I) and Formula (IV): wherein A, R1, R2, R3, a, and n are as described herein and wherein R, R?, R?, x, and k are as described herein and methods for preparation thereof. The present invention also relates to a compound having the structure of Formula (II): wherein A, R1, R2, R3, a, and n are as described herein. The present invention also relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to unsaturated polymers that exhibit electrocaloric properties. The polymers can be useful as heat transfer materials in heating and cooling applications.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for quantification of pre-determined particles in a soil or feces sample with certain automated steps. In one aspect it includes an input station for inputting a soil or feces sample; a sieving/filtering station for separating soil or feces from particles or particle carriers, and/or separating particle carriers from particles; and a collection station for receiving the extracted particles. It can include quantification of the collected sample with an imaging station to digitally image the particles and recognize and count the particles collected. A mechanism can mechanically move the filtered particles from the sieve/filter station to the collection station. A controller can be programmed to automatically control at least certain functions of the mechanism. An optional feature includes acquisition of chemical, biological, physical, or other parameters of the sample with one or more sensors positioned or positionable at the sample.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions to produce high resolution, highly scalable patterns on a variety of substrates. A high resolution sacrificial negative of the desired pattern in inkjet printed on the substrate with an inkjet printable ink. A viscous solution is coated or deposited over the negative pattern and substrate. The solution is stabilized such as by drying and adheres to the substrate. The sacrificial negative is removed, leaving the dried solution in the high resolution form factor defined by the removed negative. This allows the solution to be formulated without regard to meeting inkjet printing requirements but results in a high resolution final positive pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and methods of using them include a biodegradable or bioerodible polyanhydride nanoparticle comprising 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) and 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) copolymers, an immunogenic protein of an Influenza Virus and an adjuvant entrapped within an interior of the nanoparticle, and an excipient. The immunogenic composition may be administered to a subject to confer both local and systemic immunity to the Influenza Virus.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for post-processing a printed graphene ink pattern or other deposition on a substrate. A pulsed UV laser is tunable between various energy densities to selectively modify the printed ink or deposition in electrical or physical properties. In one example, radical improvements in electrical conductivity are achieved. In another example, controlled transformation from essentially 2D printed or deposited graphene to surface topology of 3D nanostructures are achieved. The 3D structures are beneficial in such applications as electrochemical sensors of different types and characteristics. In another example, hydrophobicity of the printed or deposited graphene can be manipulated starting from a hydrophilic to super hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a mixed-halide perovskite is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of mixing a first single-halide perovskite and a second single-halide perovskite to form a solid phase mixture and heating the solid phase mixture at a temperature below a first decomposition temperature of the first single-halide perovskite and below a second decomposition temperature of the second single-halide perovskite for a time sufficient to form the mixed-halide perovskite. During the mixing, the first and second single-halide perovskite are both in the solid phase. A mixed-halide perovskite made according to the method is also disclosed herein. The mixed-halide perovskite is free of amorphous and/or semicrystalline phases. The mixed-halide perovskite can be utilized in a photovoltaic cell in a solar panel.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for on-the-go soil nitrate level sensing, and optionally using the sensing to inform or instruct nitrogen fertilizer application across the field. In one form, the apparatus includes a soil sensing tool which carries a diamond ATR cell in combination with an FTIR field ruggedized spectrometer. The optical surface of the diamond ATR cell can be adjusted in pitch and depth to the soil. A processor is programmed to manipulate acquired spectra to derive a prediction of nitrate level for a given soil position in the field. This can be used to modulate a fertilizer applicator operation or coupled with georeference data collected simultaneously to generate a map of soil nitrate levels for the field, which can be used as a prescription for nitrogen fertilizer application.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wax composition comprising a plurality of fatty acid amide compounds having the Formula (I): where R1, R2, n1, n2, m1, and m2 are as described herein. This invention also relates to a wax composition comprising: a) one or more fatty acid amide compounds having the Formula (II): and b) one or more fatty acid amide compounds having the Formula (III): where R1, R2, n1, and n2 are as described herein. This invention also relates to a fatty acid amide compound having the Formula (I) and a process for preparing a compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pyrolysis method. The method involves providing a biomass and subjecting the biomass, in a reactor operating under conditions of parasitic heat loss of less than 1% of the biomass' chemical energy content, to partial oxidation where, during steady state operation of the reactor, oxygen is provided to the reactor in sufficient quantity to achieve an equivalence ratio of 0.06 to 0.15 to release sufficient energy to support endothermic pyrolysis reactions and produce condensable organic compounds as the major portion of the pyrolysis products.

Abstract: Magnet microstructure manipulation in the solid state by controlled application of a sufficient stress in a direction during high temperature annealing in a single-phase region of heat-treatable magnet alloys, e.g., alnico-type magnets is followed by magnetic annealing and draw annealing to improve coercivity and saturation magnetization properties. The solid-state process can be termed highly controlled abnormal grain growth (hereafter AGG) and will make aligned sintered anisotropic magnets that meet or exceed the magnetic properties of cast versions of the same alloy types.