Abstract: Devices and methods for rapidly and incrementally or continuously, measuring rheological properties of polymers under different shear rates. The device includes a pump configured to accept a continuous stream of sample solution during an interval of time, an injector configured to inject a flow of the sample solution through two or more viscometers, and a computing and processing device configured to monitor and measure rheological properties of the solution under at least two shear rates simultaneously in the two or more viscometers.

Abstract: Provided are synthetic dendrimer calibrants for mass spectrometry. The calibrants are distinguished by their relative case and rapidity of synthesis, comparatively low cost, long shelf life, high purity, and amenability to batch synthesis as mixtures. The latter characteristic enables parallel preparation of higher molecular weight compounds displaying useful distributions of discrete molecular weights, thereby providing multi-point mass spectrometry calibration standards. Methods of making, tuning and using said calibrants are provided.

Abstract: A hybrid receiver for a concentrator photovoltaic-thermal power system combines a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module and a thermal module that converts concentrated sunlight into electrical energy and thermal heat. Heat transfer fluid flowing through a cooling block removes waste heat generated by photovoltaic cells in the CPV module. The heat transfer fluid then flows through a helical tube illuminated by sunlight that misses the CPV module. Only one fluid system is used to both remove the photovoltaic-cell waste heat and capture high-temperature thermal energy from sunlight. Fluid leaving the hybrid receiver can have a temperature greater than 200° C., and therefore may be used as a source of process heat for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The hybrid receiver can maintain the photovoltaic cells at temperatures below 110° C. while achieving overall energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%.

Abstract: Devices and methods for rapidly and incrementally or continuously, measuring rheological properties of polymers under different shear rates. The device includes a pump configured to accept a continuous stream of sample solution during an interval of time, an injector configured to inject a flow of the sample solution through two or more viscometers, and a computing and processing device configured to monitor and measure rheological properties of the solution under at least two shear rates simultaneously in the two or more viscometers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are precursor compounds, composite electrodes comprising the same, and methods of making and use thereof.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining the cumulative distribution of a polymer property in a reactor without physical separation of reaction subcomponents. The device includes a means of measuring an instantaneous property of the polymers being produced in a reaction vessel a plurality of times during a polymerization reaction as well as a means of determining the corresponding change in polymer concentration in the reaction vessel between measurements of the instantaneous polymer property. The device also includes a means of computing a statistical distribution appropriate to the polymer characteristic and applying the statistical distribution to a recently measured instantaneous value of the polymer property so as to have an instantaneous distribution of the polymer property and a means of adding together the instantaneous distributions of the polymer property in order to obtain the cumulative distribution of the polymer property in the reactor.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a previously unknown population of adipocytes marked by active intracellular Wnt/?-catenin signaling. The present invention provides methods of making populations of adipocytes in which the proportion of these “Wnt+ adipocytes” is much higher than those in naturally occurring populations. Wnt+ adipocytes can be used to improve blood glucose control and exosomes secreted by Wnt+ adipocytes can be administered to reduce blood glucose levels in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A spectrum splitting, transmissive concentrating photovoltaic (tCPV) module is proposed and designed for a hybrid photovoltaic-solar thermal (PV/T) system. The system may be able to fully utilize the full spectrum of incoming sunlight. By utilizing III-V triple junction solar cells with bandgaps of approximately 2.1 eV, 1.7 eV, and 1.4 eV in the module, ultraviolet (UV) and visible light (in-band light) are absorbed and converted to electricity, while infrared (IR) light (out-of-band light) passes through and is captured by a solar thermal receiver and stored as heat. The stored heat energy may be dispatched as electricity or process heat as needed. The tCPV module may have an overall power conversion efficiency exceeding 43.5% for above bandgap (in-band) light under a standard AM1.5D solar spectrum with an average concentration ratio of 400 suns. Passive and/or active cooling methods may be used to keep cells below 110° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and method for changing the conditions of a solution flowing in a serial path. In particular, disclosed herein is a device that includes a chemical reactor, a first system, and a second system that are each serial to one another. Each of the first system and the second system include a mixing chamber, a solvent reservoir, a solvent pump, and one or more detectors. Also disclosed herein is a method for changing the condition of a solution that includes flowing a liquid sample in a path, serially mixing the sample with at least two discrete solvents while it flows through the path, and detecting the condition of the sample after it is mixed with each solvent.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to ATPA technology that provides a method for the real-time assessment of the polymerization of a sample, e.g., whole blood or blood plasma coagulation, by a non-contact acoustic tweezing device. The acoustic tweezing technology integrates photo-optical tests used in plasma coagulation assays with mechanical (viscoelastic) tests used in whole blood analysis. Its key disruptive features are the increased reliability and accuracy due to non-contact measurement, low sample volume requirement, relatively short procedure time (less than 10 minutes), and the ability to assess the level of Factor XIII function from measurements of the fibrin network formation time.

Abstract: A medical device for cooperating with a body surface of a patient includes an elastically deformable substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of pores extending from the first surface towards the second surface to define a plurality of spaced-apart projections. A lubricant is provided in the pores. Applying a compressive force to the substrate with the body surface elastically deforms the projections to displace the lubricant out of the pores and provide hydrodynamic lubrication between the medical device and the body surface.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing, or reducing the effects of, an infection by coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, that bind human ACE2. The compositions are fusion proteins with mutated forms of the extracellular domain of the ACE2 receptor which can bind viral particles of these coronaviruses. When sprayed or inhaled into an individual’s nasal passages or airway, the inventive fusion proteins bind particles of such coronaviruses, keeping them from reaching and infecting the individual’s cells. When administered parenterally, the fusion proteins can enter the fluid lining the inside of the lung, binding particles of such coronaviruses and keeping them from binding to and infecting cells.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel calibrants containing between 1 and 5 iodine atoms and methods of making them using linear polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and biological polymers (including but not limited to proteins and peptides.) Methods of using the calibrants are also disclosed, such as mass spectrometry. The novel calibrants disclosed herein have a more cost- and time-efficient synthesis than other calibrants.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, kits, and devices for detecting the number and locations of polymorphic LINE-1 (pL1s) elements present in the genome of an individual and for detecting previously unknown pL1s. The inventive compositions, methods, kits, and devices permit the identification of numbers and patterns of pL1 insertions that render a person with such numbers and patterns at higher risk of developing cancer or cognitive disorders compared to persons without such numbers and patterns.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: A method for measuring a refractive index of a medium includes exciting a first antisymmetric resonance of a first metasurface, including a first periodic array of resonators formed on a substrate surface, with illumination incident on the first metasurface at a non-normal incidence angle with respect to the substrate surface, the first metasurface including the medium encapsulating the first periodic array of resonators. The method also includes determining a refractive index of the medium from a first amplitude of a first transmitted signal that includes a portion of the illumination transmitted through the first metasurface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid, concentrating photovoltaic-solar thermal (CPV/T) system and components thereof, and methods for converting solar energy to electricity at high efficiencies while capturing and storing solar thermal energy for later deployment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining the cumulative distribution of a polymer property in a reactor without physical separation of reaction subcomponents. The device includes a means of measuring an instantaneous property of the polymers being produced in a reaction vessel a plurality of times during a polymerization reaction as well as a means of determining the corresponding change in polymer concentration in the reaction vessel between measurements of the instantaneous polymer property The device also includes a means of computing a statistical distribution appropriate to the polymer characteristic and applying the statistical distribution to a recently measured instantaneous value of the polymer property so as to have an instantaneous distribution of the polymer property and a means of adding together the instantaneous distributions of the polymer property in order to obtain the cumulative distribution of the polymer property in the reactor.