Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to stress-responsive compositions comprising (1) at least one (co)polymer comprising at least one mechanophore comprising at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group or derivative thereof and (2) at least one compound comprising at least one functional group capable of reacting with a free radical, The present disclosure is also directed to articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders comprising such stress-responsive compositions, as well as to processes of imparting the abilities of forming and maintaining protective barriers and mechanical self-healing to such articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders by incorporating such stress-responsive compositions therein.

Abstract: A method of converting a lignocellulosic biomass to monosaccharides, and optionally further converting the monosaccharides to one or both of furfural and HMF, includes contacting the biomass with a reactive liquid phase comprising LiBr, H2SO4. and water, wherein H2SO4 preferably constitutes at most 1.0 wt %, more preferably at most 0.5 wt %, and most preferably at most 0.1 wt % of the reactive liquid phase, and water preferably constitutes at most at most 60 wt %, more preferably at most 50 wt %, and most preferably at most 30 wt % of the reactive liquid phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making polymerizable bio-based monomers containing one phenolic hydroxyl group which has been derivatized to provide at least one polymerizable functional group which is an ethylenically unsaturated functional group (such as a [meth]acrylate group), where the precursors of the polymerizable bio-based monomers are derived from raw lignin-containing biomass. Also disclosed herein are bio-based copolymers prepared from such bio-based monomers and a co-monomer, and methods of making and using such bio-based copolymers. In particular, the bio-based copolymers can be used as pressure sensitive adhesives, binders, and polymer electrolytes.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for generating spectral computed tomography data for spectral X-ray image reconstruction using of pixelated k-edge apertures. A method is provided for generating a spectral computed tomography. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of X-ray beams; encoding the plurality of X-ray beams by transmitting the plurality of beams through a pixelated K-edge coded aperture structure; detecting the encoded plurality of X-ray beams; and reconstructing a spectral CT image from the encoded plurality of X-ray beams.

Abstract: A membrane having permselectivity for perchlorate ion is prepared using certain types of quaternary ammonium salts contained in a polymeric matrix material, which may be plasticized. Such membranes are useful in electrodialysis processes, whereby perchlorate-contaminated aqueous compositions are purified.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to microparticles comprising carbon, wherein a plurality of nanoparticles are supported on the surface of the microparticle. The nanoparticles comprise at least one transition metal compound selected from the group consisting of transition metal carbides, transition metal nitrides, transition metal sulfides, transition metal phosphides, transition metal carbonitrides, transition metal sulfonitrides, transition metal carbosulfides, transition metal phosphocarbides, transition metal phosphonitrides, transition metal phosphosulfides, transition metal carbosulfonitrides, transition metal carbophosphonitrides, transition metal phosphosulfonitrides, transition metal carbophosphosulfonitrides, and interstitial derivatives thereof. The present disclosure is also directed to processes for preparing such microparticles and to polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) that comprise such microparticles, as well as to the use of such PEMs in fuel cells.

Abstract: Dimethoxyphenol-based monomers containing polymerizable functional groups such as [meth]acrylate groups are useful for the preparation of polymers, wherein one or more dimethoxyphenyl moieties are part of side chains pendant to the backbones of the polymers. The polymers thereby obtained may have different, improved properties, such as higher glass transition temperatures, thermal stability and solvent resistance, as compared to polymers based on other types of lignin-derived monomers.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning discontinuous fibers, manufacturing tailored preforms, and composite materials comprised of highly aligned discontinuous fibers.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbe capable of growing in a medium comprising methanol is provided. The methanol contributes to a significant percentage (e.g., at least 40%) of the carbon source for the non-naturally occurring microbe, which expresses heterologous methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and heterologous ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway enzymes. Methods for producing liquid fuels and chemicals by the non-naturally occurring microbe and methods for preparing the non-naturally occurring microbe are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanoparticle capable of binding specifically to a target protein in a solution and precipitating with the target protein out of the solution upon addition of the target protein to the solution. The precipitation may be reversed release the target protein from the nanoparticle, which may be reused for precipitating the target protein. Also provided are a method for purifying a target protein by affinity precipitation using the nanoparticle without chromatography and a method for preparing the nanoparticle.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a modified live infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) developed from a strain of ILTV grown at a reduced incubation temperature, vaccines that include the modified live ILTV, methods for producing the live modified ILTV, and methods that include administering the modified ILTV to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbe capable of growing in a medium comprising methanol, comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a heterologous methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) derived from a Corynebacterium organism (Cor), wherein the MDH is expressed in the microbe, and wherein the MDH exhibits a Km of no more than 3 mM for methanol. Also provided are uses of the non-naturally occurring microbe for oxidizing methanol and producing a metabolite as well as the preparation of the non-naturally occurring microbe.

Abstract: A responsive hydrogel-based material may be used as a carrier system for the in situ delivery of various cargo substances, including bioactive moieties. The hydrogel structure, which includes photodegradable and thioether moieties in its three dimensional network, enables finely tuned local release of cargo substances as a function of the in vivo tissue environment (e.g., enzyme concentration or reducing environment) and externally applied stimuli (e.g., light) by selective spatiotemporal hydrogel degradation.

Abstract: A method for catalytically converting a dihydrotetrazine 1 into a tetrazine 2, wherein one R group on the dihydrotetrazine 1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl, or heteroatom-containing group, and the other R group is selected from the group consisting of H and substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl,—or heteroatom-containing groups; 1, 2 wherein the method comprises oxidizing dihydrotetrazine 1 in a reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst and a stoichiometric oxidant.

Abstract: A substituted trans-cycloheptene according to formula (I); wherein: a) Z and L are each selected from the group consisting of SiR1R2, CH2, CHOH, and CHR2; R1 is phenyl or CH3; R2 is phenyl, CH3, (CH2)nCN, or (CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5; Ra and Rb are each individually selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and CH3; and Z and L are not both SiR1R2; or b) Z is BocN, L is CH2, Ra is H, and Rb is H; or c) Z is C=0, L is CH2, Ra is H, and Rb is H.

Abstract: Spectral imaging sensors and methods are disclosed. One spectral imaging sensor includes a light source, an array of coded apertures, one or more optical elements, and a photodetector. The light source is configured to emit a plurality of pulses of light toward an object to be imaged. The array of coded apertures is positioned to spatially modulate light received from the object to be imaged. The optical elements are configured to redirect light from the array of coded apertures. The photodetector is positioned to receive light from the one or more optical elements. The photodetector comprise a plurality of light sensing elements. The plurality of light sensing elements are operable to sense the light from the one or more optical elements in a plurality of time periods. The plurality of time periods have a same frequency as the plurality of pulses of light.

Abstract: A coating head includes a coating device and at least a first flexible blade that is capable of being shaped into contact with a solvent-containing film on a substrate upon pressing the first flexible blade against the film, thereby providing contact between the blade and the film over a contact distance when the coating head is drawn over the substrate. The coating device and the blade are separated by a spacing distance such that partial loss of solvent occurs from a starting film formed on the substrate by the coating device as the coating head is drawn over the substrate, the partial solvent loss forming the solvent-containing film. A method of producing a film having a hierarchical structure includes drawing a coating head across a substrate to form on the substrate via the coating device a starting film including a solvent and a material for forming the hierarchical structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM) derivatives having Formula I, wherein Xa is selected from the group consisting of X1-X59, Ya is selected from the group consisting of H, monophosphate, uridine diphosphate and ethyl azide linker prepared from 2-azido-ethanol, and Za is selected from the group consisting of OH, an ethylene diamine coupled fluorophore, a peptide and a peptide with an ethylene diamine coupled fluorophore, wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of a monopeptide, a dipeptide, a tripeptide and a pentapeptide. Also provided are methods for synthesizing NAM derivatives and methods for modulating Nod2 in cells, modifying bacterial cell wall or modulating innate immune response by a subject to bacterial cells upon exposure to NAM derivatives.

Abstract: The improved footwear system of the present application uses composite materials in the design of an advanced modular in-shoe foot orthosis and a new container assembly which includes a high performance energy storage and return element orthosis. The footwear system uses a method of manufacture incorporating a new last model. The advantages of the footwear system over standard issue combat boots include lower weight, improved treatment of lower extremity overuse injuries and reduction of the occurrence of such overuse injuries by protecting at-risk feet with advanced footwear which can be customized to meet the biomechanical needs as well as the specific activities of the wearer.

Abstract: An assay mixture includes a hydrogel of a shear-thinning ?-hairpin peptide, a plurality of cells, and one or more predetermined compounds being investigated for ability to affect the growth, viability, reproduction characteristics, or activity of the cells. A high throughput screening device includes a plurality of sample wells adapted for high throughput screening, wherein each well contains the assay mixture. A method of using the high throughput screening device includes a) depositing in each of the wells a ?-hairpin hydrogel including the cells; depositing in at least some of the wells one or more of the compounds, either along with the ?-hairpin hydrogel or separately; and c) measuring the growth, viability, reproduction characteristics, or activity of the cells in each of the plurality of wells.