Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for uncertainty based contingency model predictive control of a vehicle in uncertain road conditions. Applications may be found for collision imminent steering, on-road autonomous vehicles and real time decision-making influenced by an unknown environment. An uncertainty road coefficient of friction may be estimated using an Unscented Kalman filter, and the controller may be updated based upon the estimated uncertainties to provide for collision avoidance in unknown conditions.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system including at least one processor and at least one memory including instructions executed by the at least one processor to implement a lane change system is provided by the present disclosure. The method includes receiving, from at least one of a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle, information associated with a location of an object longitudinally ahead of the vehicle, determining a sequence of control inputs associated with a time horizon to avoid a collision between the vehicle and the object based on a constraint and the location of the object, and the determining the sequence of control inputs including minimizing a maximum tire slip angle of the vehicle during the time horizon subject to the constraint, and causing a vehicle control system of the vehicle to perform a vehicle maneuver based on the sequence of control inputs.

Abstract: A vehicle has a steering mechanism coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The steering mechanism is adjustable to alter a vehicle trajectory. The vehicle also comprises a collision imminent steering (CIS) control system. The collision imminent steering control system includes a controller in electrical communication with the steering mechanism and is configured to adjust a steering sequence of the steering mechanism to alter the vehicle trajectory when an obstacle is detected at a distance from the vehicle less than a calculated safe braking distance. The controller simultaneously calculates a predicted optimal vehicle path around the obstacle and a steering sequence determined to follow the predicted optimal vehicle path around the obstacle using feedback received by the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle has a steering mechanism coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The steering mechanism is adjustable to alter a vehicle trajectory. The vehicle also comprises a collision imminent steering (CIS) control system. The collision imminent steering control system includes a controller in electrical communication with the steering mechanism and is configured to adjust a steering sequence of the steering mechanism to alter the vehicle trajectory when an obstacle is detected at a distance from the vehicle less than a calculated safe braking distance. The controller simultaneously calculates a predicted optimal vehicle path around the obstacle and a steering sequence determined to follow the predicted optimal vehicle path around the obstacle using feedback received by the controller.

Abstract: A method and device for collection and concentration of microbes via selectively attracting microbes to specific substrates chemically conjugated to a solid surface, such as a particle, are provided. Further, a method for selectively enriching for specific microorganisms using a device for collecting populations of microorganisms from an environmental sample comprising a solid support having a surface for attachment of an enrichment media is provided. The method for selectively enriching one or more populations of microorganisms from an in situ environment includes providing a device which has a container having a plurality of solid support particles in the container and a selective microbial enrichment media chemically attached thereto the particles. The container also has permeable openings for the microorganisms to provide entry of them therein so that the microbes will contact the enrichment media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes from complex or dilute microbial populations in aqueous or terrestrial environments. The present invention also relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes using monomers of polymeric substances conjugated to surface materials.

Abstract: Bacteria lacking the ability to secrete autoinducer-2 may nonetheless be regulated by contacting the bacteria with an amount of an autoinducer-2 effector that is sufficient to regulate the bacterium. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that colonizes the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients with often devastating effects on health, is a preferred target for regulation.