Abstract: A method of preparing a lithium-ion conducting garnet via low-temperature solid-state synthesis is disclosed. The lithium-ion conducting garnet comprises a substantially phase pure aluminum-doped cubic lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li7La3Zr2O14). The method includes preparing nanoparticles comprising lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7-np) via pyrolysis-mediated reaction of lanthanum nitrate (La(NO3)3) and zirconium nitrate (Zr(NO3)4). The method also includes pyrolyzing a solid-state mixture comprising the La2Zr2O7-np, lithium nitrate (LiNO3), and aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3) to give the Li7La3Zr2O14 and thereby prepare the lithium-ion conducting garnet. A lithium-ion conducting garnet prepared via the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs, as well as their nucleotide sequences, useful for modulating gene expression in plants. The invention also provides transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising the recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, as are methods of their use.

Abstract: A fuel injection method includes applying a first method current to close a spill valve according to a first method, applying a control valve current to open a control valve, and discontinuing the application of the control valve current to thereby cause the control valve to close. The method also includes applying a second method current to maintain the spill valve closed according to a second method and detecting a timing of a closing of the control valve while applying the second method current according to the second method, the second method being different than the first method.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods and compositions for transfer of nuclear and/or plastomic genomes, or portions thereof, or cytoplasmic component(s) and/or genetic material, between plant cells. Methods for production of a wounded mixed cell culture, or mixing two or more cell cultures after wounding, and transfer of genetic and/or cytoplasmic component(s), such as transfer of nuclear and/or plastid gene(s) or mutations, edits or alleles, between cells of the mixed culture, are also provided. Wounded mixed cell cultures produced by such methods, and resulting cells and regenerated plants, plant parts, and progeny plants are further provided. Molecular and genetic analyses, and screenable and selection markers, are also provided to confirm transfer and presence of cytoplasmic and/or nuclear component(s) and/or gene(s), mutation(s) or allele(s) in cells and plants produced by these methods.

Abstract: A handheld article carrier is designed to accommodate dumbbells and other personal items such as water bottles, cellphone, keys etc. The carrier may be formed from a single piece of sheet metal material and is generally U-shaped. The carrier includes sidewalls each having a slot for supporting the shaft portion of one or more dumbbells. The carrier includes a handle that may be integrally formed in a central portion of the frame of the carrier, or attached as a separate piece. The article carrier can be made from a single sheet of metal, multiple sheets of metal, a combination of metal and natural materials, all natural materials, a combination of metal and synthetic materials, or all synthetic materials.

Abstract: An engine has an injector communicating with a combustion chamber to introduce a plurality of dosing shots to mix with exhaust gases and regenerate an aftertreatment device downstream of the combustion chamber. An apportionment strategy can apportion a per cylinder quantity, representing the quantity of dosing fuel to introduce per cylinder per combustion cycle, among a predefined number of dosing shots each having a first per shot quantity. The strategy compares the predefined number of dosing shots with a temporal dosing window to determine if predefined number of dosing shots can be conducted within the temporal dosing window. If so, the strategy proceeds to introduce the predefined number of dosing shots and if not, the strategy may recalculate a reduced number of dosing shots and reapportions a second per shot quantity.

Abstract: A method of making a passively impact resistant composite electrolyte and separator layer includes providing a suspension composition including electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. A particle suspension solvent is provided for suspending the particles. The suspension composition is applied to a porous separator material. A portion of the particles and suspension solvent penetrate the pores and the remainder of the particles in the suspension composition are distributed across the surface of the separator material. The suspension solvent is evaporated from the separator material to provide a shear thickening particle loaded separator. A separator assembly and a passivated battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a passively impact resistant composite electrolyte and separator layer includes providing a suspension composition including electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. A particle suspension solvent is provided for suspending the particles. The suspension composition is applied to a porous separator material. A portion of the particles and suspension solvent penetrate the pores and the remainder of the particles in the suspension composition are distributed across the surface of the separator material. The suspension solvent is evaporated from the separator material to provide a shear thickening particle loaded separator. A separator assembly and a passivated battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an atomic vapor source includes positioning a glass base of a vapor cell in a vacuum chamber, providing an alkaline-earth metal in the glass base, and positioning a linear motion feedthrough mechanism adjacent the vacuum chamber in line with the glass base. The method includes sealing and evacuating the vacuum chamber, and positioning, using a linear motion actuator of the linear motion feedthrough mechanism, a glass lid to contact the glass base of the vapor cell to form an optical contact bond therebetween.

Abstract: A vapor cell heating assembly, method, and high temperature optical system including a vapor cell having exterior surfaces; a slide disposed on at least one exterior surface of the vapor cell; a heating element disposed on the at least one exterior surface, the heating element including a frame and a first opening in the frame to pass light through the frame to the at least one exterior surface; and a shell disposed on the vapor cell to hold the slide and heating element to the vapor cell, wherein the shell includes a plurality of structural elements, each structural element disposed on a corresponding exterior surface of the vapor cell and aligned to adjacent structural elements at edges, and wherein each structural element includes a second opening to pass light through the structural element to a respective exterior surface.

Abstract: A method of making a passively impact resistant composite electrolyte and separator layer includes providing a suspension composition including electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. A particle suspension solvent is provided for suspending the particles. The suspension composition is applied to a porous separator material. A portion of the particles and suspension solvent penetrate the pores and the remainder of the particles in the suspension composition are distributed across the surface of the separator material. The suspension solvent is evaporated from the separator material to provide a shear thickening particle loaded separator. A separator assembly and a passivated battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte solvent, up to 6M of an electrolyte salt, and shear thickening ceramic particles having an outer surface. The shear thickening ceramic particles have an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening ceramic particles have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, and an average particle size of in a range of 50 nm to 1 um. The ceramic particles have bonded to the outer surface steric stabilizing polymers. The steric stabilizing polymers have a chain length of from 0.5 nm to 100 nm. A passively impact resistant laminated battery and a method of making the electrolyte composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte composition includes an aprotic electrolyte solvent, from 0.5 to 6M of an electrolyte salt, and shear thickening particles having a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening particles have thereon an electrochemical double layer. The composition further includes a stabilizing surfactant. The stabilizing surfactant includes a first portion for adsorbing to the particles, and a second portion that is absorbed in the solvent. The length of the surfactant from the first portion to the second portion is greater than twice the thickness of the electrochemical double layer. Batteries and electrochemical devices incorporating the electrolyte composition are disclosed. Methods of making the electrolyte composition and of operating a battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, the method comprising: (i) producing hydrogen chalcogenide-containing vapor from a microbial source, wherein said microbial source comprises: (a) chalcogen-reducing microbes capable of producing hydrogen chalcogenide vapor from a chalcogen-containing source; (b) a culture medium suitable for sustaining said chalcogen-reducing microbes; (c) at least one chalcogen-containing compound that can be converted to hydrogen chalcogenide vapor by said chalcogen-reducing microbes; and (d) at least one nutritive compound that provides donatable electrons to said chalcogen-reducing microbes during consumption of the nutritive compound by said chalcogen-reducing microbes; and (ii) directing said hydrogen chalcogenide-containing vapor into a metal-containing solution comprising a metal salt dissolved in a solvent to produce metal chalcogenide nanoparticles in said solution, wherein said chalcogen is sulfur or selenium, and said chalcogenide is sulfide or selenide, res

Abstract: A canister system having a cylindrical housing and a modular electronic rack system disposed within the cylindrical housing. The modular electronic rack system includes a thermal contact member that is in at least selective physical contact with an interior surface of the cylindrical housing to permit conductive heat transfer there through. An input/output device extends along at least a portion of the modular electronic rack system and includes a power input and a signal output electrically coupled thereto. A plurality of electronic slots disposed at a position generally along the modular electronic rack system is provided.

Abstract: A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte composition includes an aprotic electrolyte solvent, from 0.5 to 6M of an electrolyte salt, and shear thickening particles having a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening particles have thereon an electrochemical double layer. The composition further includes a stabilizing surfactant. The stabilizing surfactant includes a first portion for adsorbing to the particles, and a second portion that is absorbed in the solvent. The length of the surfactant from the first portion to the second portion is greater than twice the thickness of the electrochemical double layer. Batteries and electrochemical devices incorporating the electrolyte composition are disclosed. Methods of making the electrolyte composition and of operating a battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improved plant breeding using gene editing and haploid induction are provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical catheter is provided. The catheter may comprise one or more hydrophobic barrier layers made from an ethylene-pertfluoroethylenepropylene (“EFEP”) copolymer. Additionally, the catheter may comprise another polymer layer made from a reactive polar polymer. In at least one embodiment, the reactive polar polymer may be a modified-poly(ether block amide) (“PEBA”) copolymer, such as an amine-terminated PEBA. Moreover, in various embodiments, a composition is provided that may comprise a reactive polar polymer bonded to an EFEP copolymer.

Abstract: A handheld article carrier is designed to accommodate dumbbells and other personal items such as water bottles, cellphone, keys etc. The carrier may be formed from a single piece of sheet metal material and is generally U-shaped. The carrier includes sidewalls each having a slot for supporting the shaft portion of one or more dumbbells. The carrier includes a handle that may be integrally formed in a central portion of the frame of the carrier, or attached as a separate piece. The article carrier can be made from a single sheet of metal, multiple sheets of metal, a combination of metal and natural materials, all natural materials, a combination of metal and synthetic materials, or all synthetic materials.

Abstract: An engine has an injector communicating with a combustion chamber to introduce a plurality of dosing shots to mix with exhaust gases and regenerate an aftertreatment device downstream of the combustion chamber. An apportionment strategy can apportion a per cylinder quantity, representing the quantity of dosing fuel to introduce per cylinder per combustion cycle, among a predefined number of dosing shots each having a first per shot quantity. The strategy compares the predefined number of dosing shots with a temporal dosing window to determine if predefined number of dosing shots can be conducted within the temporal dosing window. If so, the strategy proceeds to introduce the predefined number of dosing shots and if not, the strategy may recalculate a reduced number of dosing shots and reapportions a second per shot quantity.