Abstract: A magnetic levitation system is described, including a first cylinder-shaped magnet; a second cylinder-shaped magnet coaxially aligned with the first cylinder-shaped magnet; and a first cavity coaxially aligned with the first cylinder-shaped magnet; wherein the surfaces of the like-poles of the first and second cylinder-shaped magnets are parallel to each other and face each other to result in a linear magnetic field between the first and the second magnets. Methods of using a magnetic levitation system for analyzing a diamagnetic or paramagnetic sample are also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing paramagnetic compounds is described. A paramagnetic compound made by the process is described, including its use in density-based analysis by MagLev.

Abstract: In one aspect, a kit includes a sleeve including an outer lining and an inner lining; a pouch arranged within the sleeve and including one or more polymer sheets, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of vents; and a foam precursor capable of forming a foam within the pouch. In one aspect, a method of stabilizing a body part includes providing a sleeve including an outer lining and an inner lining around a body part; providing a pouch arranged within the sleeve and including one or more polymer sheets, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of vents; providing a foam precursor in the pouch; and forming a foam within the pouch.

Abstract: A machine-readable medium and methods of reading and writing same are disclosed. The machine-readable medium comprises a substrate having an array of addressable locations thereon. Each addressable location is adapted to be physically associated with a collection of k molecules. k is 0 or an integer that is less than or equal to n. n is an integer. The molecules in each collection are selected from a set of n unambiguously identifiable molecules. Each collection is a k-combination out of the set of n molecules. Each collection is uniquely associated with a numerical value having less than or equal to n digits. The presence of the collection indicates the numerical value.

Abstract: Storage media are provided. A substrate has an array of addressable locations thereon, each addressable location adapted to be physically associated with a collection of molecules, each collection comprising at least a first subcollection of molecules and a second subcollection of molecules. The molecules in the collection are selected from a set of unambiguously identifiable molecules, the set comprising at least a first subset of molecules and a second subset of molecules. Each molecule in the first subset is identifiable by a first physical property, and each molecule in the second subset is identifiable by a second physical property, different from the first physical property. Each molecule in the set is uniquely associated with a predetermined position in a numerical value, wherein the presence of the molecule in the collection indicates a predetermined digit at the associated position and the absence of said molecule in the collection indicates a zero at said associated position.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation system is described, including a first and second magnets having surfaces of their like-poles facing each other; and a container disposed between the first and second magnets' like poles and containing a solution including a paramagnetic complex in a non-aqueous solvent, where the paramagnetic complex includes a paramagnetic metal and at least one ligand that coordinates to the paramagnetic metal via electron donation. Methods of separating a mixture of solid compounds, and/or identifying, confirming, and/or predicting the composition of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation system is described, including a first cylinder-shaped magnet; a second cylinder-shaped magnet coaxially aligned with the first cylinder-shaped magnet; and a first cavity coaxially aligned with the first cylinder-shaped magnet; wherein the surfaces of the like-poles of the first and second cylinder-shaped magnets are parallel to each other and face each other to result in a linear magnetic field between the first and the second magnets. Methods of using a magnetic levitation system for analyzing a diamagnetic or paramagnetic sample are also described.

Abstract: An actuator is described, including a first sheet comprising a plurality of first openings,; and a second sheet comprising a plurality of second openings; wherein the first and second sheets are stacked together such that at least one of the first and second openings are misaligned; and the actuator is configured to move from a first state to a second state, wherein in the first state, out-of-plane motion of the first and second sheets is permitted; and in the second state, the first and second sheets as well as the misaligned first and second openings are jammed together to restrict the out-of-plane motion of the first and second sheets. Methods of actuating and making such actuator are also described.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, including: a plate including a sample deposition tube adapted to receive a sample comprising one or more analytes, the sample deposition tube defining a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to a main surface of the plate; and a mirror positioned to project, substantially parallel to the main surface of the plate, an image of the sample deposition tube along its vertical axis, so as to allow determination of the vertical location of the one or more analytes inside the sample deposition tube. Methods for determining the density of one or more analytes using various embodiments of the device are also described.

Abstract: A machine-readable medium and methods of reading and writing same are disclosed. The machine-readable medium comprises a substrate having an array of addressable locations thereon, each addressable location adapted to be physically associated with a collection of non-polymeric molecules. The molecules in each collection are selected from a set of unambiguously identifiable molecules, each molecule uniquely associated with a predetermined position in a numerical value, wherein the presence of the molecule in the collection indicates a predetermined digit at the associated position and the absence of said molecule in the collection indicates a zero at said associated position.

Abstract: A shear force actuator is described, including: two substantially parallel first structural components disposed along a first axis; a plurality of substantially parallel second structural components disposed between and bridging the two first structural components; a plurality of joint sections each joining the second structural component with the first structural components at an oblique angle of between 0 and 90 degrees to define a plurality of cells, each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; an elastic surface covering the remaining surfaces of the cells in a fluid-tight manner, wherein at least one of the joint section, the first structural components, and the second structural components is elastic so that cell collapses upon removal of fluid from the cell to generate a linear force along the first axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.

Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.

Abstract: Fabrication of a low-cost and miniaturized solid-contact thread-based ion sensing electrode (ISE) that is suitable for point-of-care applications is described. The fabrication process is simple and scalable. Different types of threads and a variety of different conductive ion-to-electron transducer inks can be used to fabricate the thread-based ISEs with Nernstian responses. Multiple thread-based sensors can be easily bundled with the reference electrode to fabricate a customized sensor for multiplexed ion-sensing in small sample volumes. The thread-based electrodes can be used in both single-use and reusable fashion. The thread-based multiplexed ion-sensor is used for detection of a wide array of ions in many different types of aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A soft robot is described, including: a flexible and/or stretchable body; a common fluid pressurization unit; and a plurality of fluid chambers each embedded in the flexible and/or stretchable body and capable of fluidic connection with the common fluid pressurization unit through a pressurizing valve; wherein the pressurizing valve is capable of being activated to allow the pressurized fluid to flow from the common fluid pressurization unit into the fluid chamber to result in actuation. Methods of using the soft robot are also described.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting a gas or vapor includes providing a sensor comprising an electrode pair in electrical contact with a layer of porous material, the porous material layer having water adsorbed on its surface; contacting the sensor with a gas or vapor sample to be analysed; applying a voltage across the electrode pair of the sensor; and measuring a response, the response correlating to the presence of a target gas or vapor.

Abstract: A soft robot having an integrated electrical component includes an expandable or collapsible body, the body comprising an inlet that is configured to communicate with a fluid source and a flexible strain limited layer secured to a portion of the expandable or collapsible body, wherein the strain limited layer includes at least one electrical component.

Abstract: A multi-phase system includes a phase-separated solution comprising at least two phases, each phase having a phase component selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a surfactant and combinations thereof, wherein at least one phase comprises a polymer, wherein the phases, taken together, represent a density gradient. Novel two-phase, three-phase, four-phase, five-phase, or six-phase systems are disclosed. Using the disclosed multi-phase polymer systems, particles, or other analyte of interest can be separated based on their different densities or affinities.

Abstract: A shear force actuator is described, including: two substantially parallel first structural components disposed along a first axis; a plurality of substantially parallel second structural components disposed between and bridging the two first structural components; a plurality of joint sections each joining the second structural component with the first structural components at an oblique angle of between 0 and 90 degrees to define a plurality of cells, each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; an elastic surface covering the remaining surfaces of the cells in a fluid-tight manner, wherein at least one of the joint section, the first structural components, and the second structural components is elastic so that cell collapses upon removal of fluid from the cell to generate a linear force along the first axis.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting a gas or vapor includes providing a sensor comprising an electrode pair in electrical contact with a layer of porous material, the porous material layer having water adsorbed on its surface; contacting the sensor with a gas or vapor sample to be analysed; applying a voltage across the electrode pair of the sensor; and measuring a response, the response correlating to the presence of a target gas or vapor.