Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are artificial ribosomes that synthesize nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids with full control over peptide sequence. Also provided herein are methods for programmed synthesis of nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids. In particular, provided herein are methods for scalable synthesis of a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for low-cost, low-equipment detection of pathogens in biological sample. In particular, provided herein is a low-cost method for detecting norovirus that provides reliable, visible test with femtomolar, attomolar, and zeptomolar detection limits and that uses materials suitable for deployment of the methods in the field.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for rapid, highly sensitive detection of Valley fever in biological samples. In particular, provided herein is a low-cost method for detecting Valley fever that provides reliable, visible test results and does not require elaborate biosafety precautions or sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting the presence of a pathogen are described. In particular, this document provides a method of detecting a pathogen-associated nucleic acid in a biological sample of a subject, where the method comprises using one or more unimolecular aptamer-based sensors comprising an aptamer-fluorophore complex and an amplification step to detect the pathogen-associated nucleic acid. Methods specific for detecting the presence of malaria and other mosquito-borne virus infections are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic nucleic acid molecules known as loop-mediated riboregulators that have single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sensitivity and ultralow OFF state signal levels. Loop-mediated riboregulators can activate or repress gene expression in response to trigger RNAs bearing completely arbitrary sequences. Also provided herein are methods of using such synthetic nucleic acid molecules for detecting the presence or absence of a particular target RNA in, for example, a biological sample.

Abstract: A method of separating carbon nanotubes by electronic type includes centrifuging a carbon nanotube composition in contact with a first fluid medium comprising a first density gradient; and separating the carbon nanotube composition into two or more separation fractions. The carbon nanotube composition comprises two or more non-ionic amphiphilic surface active components and a carbon nanotube population comprising double-walled carbon nanotubes having a semiconducting outer wall (s-DWCNTs), and double-walled carbon nanotubes having a metallic outer wall (m-DWCNTs). The two or more separation fractions comprise a first separation fraction comprising a carbon nanotube subpopulation comprising a higher percentage of s-DWCNTs than the carbon nanotube population, and a second separation fraction comprising a carbon nanotube subpopulation comprising a higher percentage of m-DWCNTs than the carbon nanotube population.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic nucleic acid molecules and methods of using such synthetic nucleic acid molecules for strong repression of target gene expression. In particular, provided herein are methods for altering expression of a protein in a cell, where the method comprises introducing into a cell a protein coding sequence operably linked to a near-threshold translational repressor having first and second trigger recognition sequences that are fully or partially complementary to a repressing trigger RNA; and introducing into a cell the repressing trigger RNA.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.

Abstract: Removing heavy metal ions from an aqueous composition includes contacting an aqueous composition including a heavy metal with nanoflakes comprising MoS2 for a length of time sufficient to form nanoclusters of the heavy metal on the nanoflakes. A composite may include a porous polymeric matrix and MoS2 nanoflakes coupled to the porous polymeric matrix. Making a porous MoS2-polymer composite may include combining a solution phase dispersion of MoS2 with a polymer precursor solution to yield a mixture, treating the polymer precursor solution to yield a composite precursor, and drying the composite precursor to yield a porous MoS2-polymer composite.

Abstract: The present teachings provide methods for sorting nanotubes according to their wall number, and optionally further in terms of their diameter, electronic type, and/or chirality. Also provided are highly enriched nanotube populations provided thereby and articles of manufacture including such populations.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a RNA-based riboregulator that detects protein translation and uses this stimulus to regulate expression of an unrelated protein. In one embodiment, provided herein is a synthetic nucleic acid molecule configured as a translation-sensing riboregulator, where the synthetic nucleic acid molecule comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, a translation-sensing riboswitch (TSR), and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the translation-sensing riboswitch comprises a stop codon of the first nucleotide sequence, a fully or partially double-stranded stem-forming domain, and translation initiation elements of the second nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The Present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a lithium-free metal dichalcogenides functionalization method where a metal dichalcogenide including a surface of predominantly semiconducting 2H phase is reacted with an aryl diazonium salt by exposing at least a portion of transition metal dichalcogenide to the aryl diazonium salt in the absence of alkyl lithium or alkyl lithium. A substantial portion of the reaction of the at least one aryl diazonium salt with the at least one transition metal dichalcogenide occurs with the semiconducting 2H phase. The aryl diazonium salt can be 4-nitrobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate or 4-carboxybenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate, and the metal dichalcogenide can be MoS2. The semiconducting 2H phase of the transition metal dichalcogenide is derived directly from mechanical exfoliation such as mechanical cleaving and/or sonication.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of producing metal diboride nanomaterials having thickness down to the atomic scale and lateral areas from 10 nm to over 1 ?m by preparing a mixture of a metal diboride and a suspending solution. The suspending solution can be an organic solvent or a solution containing water, and optionally can include a dispersion agent, such as a surfactant, a polymer, small molecule, or biopolymer. Further, the method includes exfoliating the metal diboride by exposing the mixture to ultrasonic energy, centrifuging the mixture forming supernatant that includes a dispersion of exfoliated metal diborides, and extracting the dispersion from the supernatant. Some embodiments include extracting the supernatant and casting the solution by diluting the dispersion with a second suspending solution that includes dissolved polymer. This can result in a composite film includes a dispersion of the exfoliated metal diborides and provides improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a process by which an engineer can provide as input the design, functional verification goals, and other abstract design details, and receive as output an agent which can be integrated into traditional test benches and will generate stimuli to automatically hit the functional coverage goals for the design. The present invention may employ a system which includes a learning configurator, a learning-based test generator, and a test bench. The learning test generator is communicatively coupled to the generator and notably comprises a learning algorithm.

Abstract: The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), by electronic type using centrifugation of compositions of SWNTs and surface active block copolymers in density gradient media.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for recycling domestic greywater. Greywater is drawn from a greywater waste pipe through an overflow pipe of a sanitary fixture, thereby, permitting greywater to be collected for reuse without the need for complicated and expensive retrofitting and/or reconfiguration of existing plumbing infrastructure. The system and method of the present invention can easily operate independently or be integrated with domestic utility systems to supply these utility systems with grey-water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for recycling domestic greywater. Greywater is drawn from a greywater waste pipe through an overflow pipe of a sanitary fixture, thereby, permitting greywater to be collected for reuse without the need for complicated and expensive retrofitting and/or reconfiguration of existing plumbing infrastructure. The system and method of the present invention can easily operate independently or be integrated with domestic utility systems to supply these utility systems with greywater.