Abstract: The present disclosure relates to 2-dimensional MXenes surface-modified with catechol derivatives, a method for preparing the same, MXene organic ink including the same, and use thereof (e.g. flexible electrodes, conducive cohesive/adhesive materials, electromagnetic wave-shielding materials, flexible heaters, sensors, energy storage devices). Particularly, the simple, fast, and scalable surface-functionalization process of MXenes using catechol derivatives (e.g. ADOPA) organic ligands significantly improves the dispersion stability in various organic solvents (including ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and acetonitrile) and produces highly concentrated organic liquid crystals of various MXenes (including Ti2CTx, Nb2CTx, V2CTx, Mo2CTx, Ti3C2Tx, Ti3CNTx, Mo2TiC2Tx, and Mo2Ti2C3Tx). Such products offer excellent electrical conductivity, improved oxidation stability, excellent coating and adhesion abilities to various hydrophobic substrates, and composite processability with hydrophobic polymers.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film annealed at high temperatures and a polymer composite comprising the same. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film comprising: obtaining a MXene aqueous solution containing dispersed 2-dimensional (2D) MXenes through an acid etching process; filtering the obtained MXene aqueous solution through a vacuum filtration process to produce a free-standing film; and annealing the produced free-standing film at high temperatures to obtain a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film. In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding method comprising: superposing a coating comprising a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film on at least one surface of an object in a contact or non-contact manner.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for selecting an optimal financial account for a financial transaction. In an embodiment, a multi-account payment card is used to initiate a financial transaction. Transaction information of the financial transaction including a multi-account payment card ID is transmitted to a server for processing. The server determines that the multi-account payment card ID is associated with a plurality of financial accounts, wherein each of the plurality of financial accounts is associated with any one of a credit card, a debit card, an automatic teller machine (ATM) card, a gift card, or a credit line. A financial account of the plurality of financial accounts is selected by the server based on financial account information, such as reward information, associated with the plurality of financial accounts and the transaction information of the financial transaction. The financial transaction is then charged to the selected financial account.

Abstract: A combination tool apparatus selectively stows and deploys a plurality of variously configured implements for spreading materials. A housing defines a coupling end portion and includes first and second plate members extending longitudinally from the coupling end portion to define a stowage compartment therebetween. A blade set includes a plurality of blade members respectively defining spreading portions of various configuration. Each of the blade members is angularly displaceable between stowed and deployed positions with respect to the housing. When stowed, each blade member is disposed substantially within the stowage compartment of the housing. When deployed, each blade member has at least a portion extending outward from the stowage compartment. A coupling member disposed at the coupling end portion of the housing is pivotally coupled to the blade members for angular displacement thereabout between the stowed and deployed positions. The blade members are biased to remain in the stowed position.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and computer readable mediums for optimized throughput of an object based storage system. The systems, methods and computer readable mediums including receiving an I/O request to the storage system, determining a busy ratio based on a number of blocks available in a local cache and a queue size, determining an I/O speed to the storage system, the I/O speed based at least in part on the busy ratio and an upload speed, wherein the I/O speed does not exceed a current speed of the storage system, and executing the I/O request to the storage system at the I/O speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single ultrasound imaging probe 101 comprising a single ultrasound transducer array 103 comprising a first array segment 201 comprising a K plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103a and an orthogonally arranged second array segment 202 comprising an M plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103b such that the first array segment 201 and the second array segment 202 comprise a K plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103a plus an M plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103b which are electrically connected to provide for the simultaneous display of a scan-converted transverse view ultrasound image and of a scan-converted longitudinal view ultrasound image in a video display 406 of a target scan region for three-dimensional alignment, guided by a projected light beam, of an exterior device in order to access an interior structure below the exterior target region.

Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: A system and a control method for generating multiple independent alternating current (AC) voltages from a direct current (DC) voltage source in a single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) inverter are disclosed. The system comprising: a DC voltage source (101) for providing electrical energy; a front-stage DC-DC power converter (105) comprising exactly one inductor as an energy storage element for power conversion and a main switching element; a plurality of selectable output branches (106), wherein each output branch comprises an output selection switch (107), a resonant tank (110), and a transmitter coil (109), wherein the resonant tank converts output power of the DC-DC power converter into AC power for feeding the transmitter coil; and a controller (104) for determining ON/OFF states of the main switching element and the output selection switch of each of the output branches.

Abstract: A headset for experiencing an augmented and/or a virtual reality environment may include a housing defining an interior cavity, with optical components received in the interior cavity of the housing. A front face may be rotatably coupled to a front portion of the housing to selectively enclose the interior of the housing. A computing device including a display may be received in a slot defined between the front portion of the housing and the front face. A face pad may be removably coupled to the housing, opposite the front face, so as to enclose the optical components in the housing. A user may view an augmented/virtual reality environment displayed on the display through the optical components received in the housing. An adjustable head strap assembly may adjustably position the headset on the head of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing write error rate in MeRAM applications in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for a writing mechanism for a magnetoelectric random access memory cell, the method including applying a voltage of a given polarity for a given period of time across a magnetoelectric junction bit of the magnetoelectric random access memory cell, wherein application of the voltage of the given polarity across the magnetoelectric junction bit reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and magnetic coercivity of the ferromagnetic free layer through a voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy effect, and lowering the applied voltage of the given polarity before the end of the given period of time, wherein the given period of time is approximately half of a precessional period of the ferromagnetic free layer.

Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an automated transaction-based risk assignment. A risk relationship data store may contain electronic records that represent a plurality of risk relationships between an enterprise and a plurality of entities, and each record may include a relationship identifier and attribute resource values associated with risk attributes. A back-end application computer server may receive an indication of a transaction between a first and second entity and interact with the first entity to create a definition document for the transaction. The server may also receive from the first entity an indication that a transaction-based risk relationship should be created with the enterprise in connection with the transaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a windshield wiper assembly configured to be easily assembled to a driving arm equipped in a vehicle. In the windshield wiper assembly, an adaptor is provided with a first coupling part, into which a side pin protruding from the side surface of the driving arm is inserted, and a first entrance of the first coupling part, into which the side pin is inserted, is open upward.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a windshield wiper assembly that is capable of securely holding a spoiler, thereby preventing poor operation of a wiping rubber member. In the windshield wiper assembly, a base part, formed at one end of the spoiler to support the wiping rubber member, is inserted into an end cap through an outer plug.

Abstract: A system and a control method for generating multiple independent alternating current (AC) voltages from a direct current (DC) voltage source in a single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) inverter are disclosed. The system comprising: a DC voltage source (101) for providing electrical energy; a front-stage DC-DC power converter (105) comprising exactly one inductor as an energy storage element for power conversion and a main switching element; a plurality of selectable output branches (106), wherein each output branch comprises an output selection switch (107), a resonant tank (110), and a transmitter coil (109), wherein the resonant tank converts output power of the DC-DC power converter into AC power for feeding the transmitter coil; and a controller (104) for determining ON/OFF states of the main switching element and the output selection switch of each of the output branches.

Abstract: In many power electronics systems, there is an intermediate DC-link stage for facilitating the power processing of different sources to their loads. A device called a plug-and-play ripple pacifier (RP) directly plugged into the DC-link, and actively removes undesired DC-link ripple, thereby eliminating the reliance on electrolytes capacitors for stabilizing the system and remove ripple. Importantly, the use of this device is non-invasive to the operation of its host systems, and requires no modification of existing hardware. It is suitable for the protection of DC utilities/systems and can also be used as a direct replacement of ripple-canceling E-Caps in power converters device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing write error rate in MeRAM applications in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for a writing mechanism for a magnetoelectric random access memory cell, the method including applying a voltage of a given polarity for a given period of time across a magnetoelectric junction bit of the magnetoelectric random access memory cell, wherein application of the voltage of the given polarity across the magnetoelectric junction bit reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and magnetic coercivity of the ferromagnetic free layer through a voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy effect, and lowering the applied voltage of the given polarity before the end of the given period of time, wherein the given period of time is approximately half of a precessional period of the ferromagnetic free layer.

Abstract: An electronic data communication network includes source terminal nodes connected to the network; moving c-nodes; and one or more destination terminal nodes connected to the network. The source terminal nodes send IP packets over the c-nodes to the destination terminal nodes to accomplish arbitrary communications between arbitrary groups of the source terminal nodes to arbitrary groups of the destination terminal nodes. The moving node comprises a mobile communication device. The moving node comprises a starting node that sends the data, a relay node that relays the data, and an ending node that receives data. A virtual circuit is formed along a path comprising the relay nodes for data communication. The virtual circuit is identified by the path. Routing of data from the starting node to the ending node is performed with P2P routing algorithm.

Abstract: Reverse pulse schemes for reducing write error rate in magnetoelectric random access memory applications can be implemented in many different ways in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a method for a writing mechanism for a magnetoelectric random access memory cell, the method including applying a voltage of a given polarity for a period of time across a magnetoelectric junction bit of the magnetoelectric random access memory cell and applying a voltage of a polarity opposite the given polarity across the magnetoelectric junction bit at the end of the application of the voltage of the given polarity, wherein application of the voltage of the given polarity across the magnetoelectric junction bit reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and magnetic coercivity of the ferromagnetic free layer through a voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy effect.