Abstract: A device and method for emitting an electrospray of ionized particles is disclosed, comprising a reservoir, an emitter in communication with the reservoir and having openings, wherein the openings are configured to permit release of the liquid media therefrom in response to a dynamic magnetic field; and an element for generating a dynamic magnetic field that runs through the emitter. The element may comprise two orthogonal Helmholtz coil pairs. In another example embodiment, an electrospray thruster is disclosed. The electrospray thruster may comprise: a reservoir for accommodating a volume of liquid media capable of being ionized; an emitter grid comprising a plurality of emitters, wherein each emitter of the plurality of emitters is in communication with the reservoir and comprises an opening disposed therethrough; and an element for causing the liquid media to be ionized from the emitter by a dynamic magnetic field.

Abstract: A method, according to one example, includes receiving a 360-degree image that was captured by a 360-degree camera, converting the 360-degree image into a rectangular image, and copying an edge portion from a first edge of the rectangular image and pasting the copied edge portion to a second edge of the rectangular image, thereby forming a modified rectangular image. The method further includes applying a neural network to the modified rectangular image to identify objects appearing in the modified rectangular image, wherein the modified rectangular image facilitates object identification near the second edge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for processing ash. For example, in certain embodiments, the method comprises dissolving at least a portion of ash in acid. In some embodiments, the acid is produced in a reactor. In some embodiments, dissolving at least a portion of ash in acid produces refined silica (SiO2) (e.g., amorphous silica, substantially pure silica, and/or a substantial amount of silica). According to certain embodiments, the ash can be further processed (e.g., using electro winning, pH-based precipitation, and/or electrorefining) to obtain other components instead of or in addition to refined silica.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to test strips for detecting and/or monitoring the treatment of a disease in a subject. The test strips are inexpensive and disposable and can be used directly with clinical biological samples from patients including, but not limited to, blood, plasma, saliva, and urine. Also disclosed are methods of using the test strips to quantify antigens produced by a virus or microorganism causing an infectious disease. The methods can be conducted at a point of care for a patient and do not require expensive equipment or extensive operator training. The methods are also rapid to complete and can be used to monitor progress in the treatment of a disease This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and devices that pertain to a microstirring pill technology with built-in mixing capability for oral drug delivery that greatly enhances bioavailability of its therapeutic payload. In some aspects, a drug delivery device includes a pill matrix dissolvable in a fluid medium and loaded with a plurality of drug payloads; and a plurality of micro stirrers embedded in the pill matrix and configured to create a local fluid transport upon interacting with a biological fluid surrounding the microstirring pill.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, devices, systems and fabrication methods for stretchable composite materials and stretchable electronics devices. In some aspects, an elastic composite material for a stretchable electronics device includes a first material having a particular electrical, mechanical or optical property; and a multi-block copolymer configured to form a hyperelastic binder that creates contact between the first material and the multi-block copolymer, in which the elastic composite material is structured to stretch at least 500% in at least one direction of the material and to exhibit the particular electrical, mechanical or optical property imparted from the first material. In some aspects, the stretchable electronics device includes a stretchable battery, biofuel cell, sensor, supercapacitor or other device able to be mounted to skin, clothing or other surface of a user or object.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-powering biofuel cell and sensor devices, systems and techniques. In some aspects, a self-powered biosensing system includes an electronic circuit; an anode including an enzymatic layer electrically coupled to a power supply voltage terminal of the electronic circuit and configured to interact with an analyte in a fluid, such as glucose or lactate; and a cathode electrically coupled to a ground voltage terminal of the electronic circuit, where the electronic circuit is operable to control and use the electrical energy generated at the anode and cathode for powering the biosensing system and detecting a concentration of the analyte in the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for continuous and simultaneous monitoring of multiple analytes within interstitial fluid by an integrated system for a microneedle array sensor platform. In some aspects, the device includes a microneedle array sensor unit, an electronics unit and a housing structure. The electronics unit is in electrical communication with an array of electrode probe structures via an array of surface-mount, spring loaded pins, and the electronics unit includes a power source, a data processing unit, and a wireless transmitter. The housing structure is configured to encase, at least partially, the microneedle array sensor unit and the electronics unit, where the array of microneedles is exposed from a side of the housing structure. The device can be configured as a patch worn on skin of a patient user.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: A system and method performs speech command verification to determine if audio data includes a representation of a speech command. A first neural network may process portions of the audio data before and after a representation of a wake trigger in the audio data. A second neural network may process the audio data using a recurrent neural network to determine if the audio data includes a representation of a wake trigger.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and methods are described that relate to microneedle-assisted aptamer-based electrochemical sensing for label-free, continuous real-time monitoring of biomarkers in a biofluid. One example device for electrochemical monitoring of one or more analytes in a biofluid includes a substrate and at least two microneedles coupled to the substrate. Each microneedle in the at least two microneedles includes a protruded needle structure and an electrode probe structure. The electrode probe structure of a first microneedle in the at least two microneedles includes an aptamer sequence which is specific for a first analyte and the electrode probe structure of the first microneedle is operable as a working electrode for detection of the first analyte using a first electrochemical detection technique.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for in situ payload delivery via a degradable microneedle. In some aspects, a microneedle therapeutic payload delivery device includes a substrate; an activation particle; and one or more degradable microneedle structures coupled to the substrate and including a polymeric matrix structured to embed the activation microparticle and one or more therapeutic payloads, the one or more degradable microneedle structures each including an exterior wall spanning outward from a base surface and forming an apex at a terminus point of the exterior wall, wherein the polymeric matrix of a microneedle structure of the one or more degradable microneedle structures is degradable under an environmental parameter of a biofluid surrounding the microneedle structure to dissolve and allow the one or more therapeutic payloads and the activation particle to the surrounding biofluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable microneedle sensor platform for minimally-invasive, real-time monitoring of key biomarkers. In some aspects, a device includes a wearable epidermal sensor comprising an array of hollowed needles, each hollowed needle having a protruded needle structure including multiple layers forming a hollow interior, at least one hollowed needle including a working electrode to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the protruded needle structure, at least one hollowed needle including a counter electrode to measure an electrical potential difference with the working electrode; and a wireless transmitter in communication with the sensor to generate output signals based on the electrical potential difference with the working electrode. The output signal represents ?-hydroxybutyrate as a biomarker of ketone bodies.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combining predictive analytics with a cutting-edge electrochemical sensor having specialized coatings designed to reduce biofouling to (1) monitor drug concentration data of a patient in real-time; and (2) predict future pharmacokinetic parameters for the patient more accurately than existing technologies. Embodiments may construct highly accurate and patient-specific pharmacokinetic models which can dynamically adjust predictions of future pharmacokinetic parameters as they receive real-time drug concentration data from the electrochemical sensor. Certain embodiments may automatically adjust administration of a drug to a patient based on the aforementioned predictions and pharmacokinetic models. Other embodiments may provide a notification to a clinician containing, e.g., a recommended course of drug administration before a patient is woken up.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for minimally-invasive and continuous analyte monitoring for closed-loop applications, such as drug delivery. In some aspects, a multi-modal microneedle sensing platform for continuous minimally-invasive orthogonal electrochemical monitoring of levodopa (L-Dopa) is disclosed, which uses parallel simultaneous independent enzymatic-amperometric and non-enzymatic voltammetric detection of L-Dopa using different microneedles on the same sensor array patch.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing a portable enzymatic-ink dispensing system. The system includes an enzymatic-ink including one or more biocompatible binders, one or more biocompatible mediators, an enzyme, an enzyme stabilizer, and a conductive material. The system includes a dispenser including a chamber to hold the enzymatic-ink and an applicator to apply the enzymatic ink dispensed from the chamber onto a target substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for monitoring one or more biomarkers using an electrochemical immunosensor sensor with an integrated enzymatic and immunosensing electrochemical detection capability. In some aspects, an electrochemical sensor device for monitoring glucose and insulin includes a substrate; and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate, the plurality of electrodes including a first electrode to sense glucose, a second electrode to sense insulin, and a counter electrode to the first and second electrodes, in which the first electrode includes a glucose oxidase enzyme linked to a surface of the first electrode, and the second electrode includes an insulin capture antibody linked to a second electrode through a self-assembly monolayer, and in which, when the device is electrically coupled to an electronics unit, the device is operable to detect insulin and glucose from a fluid.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.