Abstract: A reference electrode assembly includes a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a variable resistor. The reference electrode comprises a foil of a first metal or a foil coated with the first metal, has a width ?0.5 mm and a length ?the width. A surface of the reference electrode has an average roughness (Ra)?1 ?m. The counter electrode comprises a foil of a second metal or a foil coated with the second metal. The reference and counter electrodes are spaced apart. The reference electrode is configured to be electrically coupled directly or indirectly to a (?) power terminal of an external power source, and the counter electrode is configured to be electrically coupled directly or indirectly to a (+) power terminal of the external power source. The variable resistor is positioned between the external power source and either the counter electrode or the reference electrode.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques for a current-limiting control strategy for single-loop droop-controlled grid-forming inverters. In aspects, a hysteresis module is configured to compare an output current detected across one or more transistors in an inverter controlled by the single-loop droop converter with a specified maximum current and to generate an overcurrent signal. The overcurrent signal presents a fault signal responsive to the output current exceeding the specified maximum current. A logic array is configured to logically combine gate control signals generated by the single-loop droop controller to selectively direct the one or more transistors to allow the output current to flow therethrough with the overcurrent signal to present modified gate control signals to the one or more transistors.

Abstract: Recombinant Aspergillus genetically modified to increase expression of g8846, renamed herein as aconitic acid exporter (aexA), are provided, which in some examples are also genetically inactivated for an endogenous cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (cadA) gene. Such recombinant Aspergillus produce more aconitic acid as compared to native Aspergillus. Also provided are methods of using such recombinant Aspergillus to increase production of aconitic acid and other organic acids, such as citric acid, itaconic acid, and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP).

Abstract: Shear-assisted extrusion assemblies are provided. The assemblies can include a billet containing assembly containing a billet comprising a billet outer material and a billet inner material in at least one cross-section; a tool operably engaged with the billet; an extrudate receiving channel configured to receive extrudate from the tool, wherein the extrudate comprises extruded outer material and extruded inner material in at least one cross-section, the extruded outer material being the same material as the billet outer material, and the extruded inner material being the same as the billet inner material. Methods for producing multi-material shear-assisted extrudate are also provided.

Abstract: A garment is wearable on an anatomical region and includes electrodes contacting the anatomical region when the garment is worn on the anatomical region. An electronic controller is configured to detect electromyography (EMG) signals as a function of anatomical location and time using the electrodes, and identify tremors as a function of anatomical location and time based on the EMG signals.

Abstract: A supercapacitor-like device is described that uses a porous, conductive foam as the electrodes. After the device is charged, an explosive wave front can be used to remove electrolyte from the metal foam. This creates a large net charge on each electrode, which will readily flow through a load placed across the electrodes. The removal of charge can potentially occur on a time scale of microseconds, allowing a supercapacitor to be used in pulsed power applications. The creation of this net charge requires significant energy, meaning this concept may also be suitable for removing kinetic energy from objects.

Abstract: A multimodal inspection system (MIS) is disclosed herein. The MIS may use one or more modalities to inspect a sample. Some of the modalities include, but are not limited to, Raman, visible (VIS), terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, longwave infrared (LWIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), laser profilometry (LP), electromagnetic interference (EMI) near field probing, and/or, Millimeter Wave (MMW) radar.

Abstract: A modular radio frequency (RF) device includes N base units, each including a differential segmented array (DSA) tile with a support board and a two-dimensional (2D) array of electrically conductive tapered projections disposed on the support board. Neighboring pairs of the electrically conductive tapered projections form RF pixels. The N DSA tiles are arranged to form an RF aperture. The N base units are programmed to switch the RF aperture between a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the N base units are operated as at least two independent subsets with each subset operating as an RF transmitter or receiver independently of the other subsets. In the second operating mode all N base units coherently combine as a single phased array RF transmitter or receiver.

Abstract: A multispectral inspection (MSI) device for analyzing an electronic item having a printed circuit board (PCB). An electronic power supply powers the electronic item in accordance with one or more test vectors. An optical imaging scanner, terahertz (THz) imaging scanner, and a functional imaging scanner are each operative to scan the electronic item. An electronic processor is programmed to scan the various scanners and control the power supply to acquire optical, THz, and functional images of the electronic item. The images are combined to form a standard three-dimensional (3D) signature and artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers are applied to the 3D signature to perform non-destructive analyses of the electronic item.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit (IC) assessment method, an artificial intelligence (AI) component comprising at least one artificial neural network (ANN) is trained to transform layout rendering tiles of a rendering of a reference IC into corresponding reference layout image tiles extracted from at least one layout image of the reference IC. Using the trained AI component, standard cell layout renderings of a library of GDSII or OASIS standard cell layout renderings are transformed into as-fabricated standard cell layout renderings forming a library of as fabricated standard cell layout renderings. Instantiated standard cells and their placements in the layout image of an IC-under-test are identified by matching the instantiated standard cells with corresponding as-fabricated standard cell layout renderings retrieved from the library of as fabricated standard cell layout renderings.

Abstract: In an optical carrier injection method, a pulsed optical beam having pulse duration of 900 fs or lower is applied on a backside of a substrate of an integrated circuit (IC) wafer or chip, and is focused at a focal point in an active layer on a frontside of the substrate. Photons of the optical beam are absorbed at the focal point by nonlinear optical interaction(s) to inject carriers. The pulsed optical beam may be applied using a fiber laser in which the fiber is doped with Yb and/or Er. An output signal may be measured, comprising an electrical signal or a light output signal produced by the IC wafer or chip in response to the injected carriers. By repeating the applying, focusing, and measuring over a grid of focal points in the active layer, an image of the IC wafer or chip may be generated.

Abstract: A MOF production system and method of making are detailed for continuous and controlled synthesis of MOFs and MOF composites. The system can provide optimized yields of MOFs and MOF composites greater than or equal to 95%.

Abstract: An air interface plane (AIP) of a radio frequency (RF) aperture includes: a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; and a matrix of tapered elements arranged on the first side of the circuit board and secured to the circuit board, the matrix of tapered elements cooperating to at least one of receive or transmit an over-the-air RF signal. Suitably, each tapered element of the matrix has: a central hub extending along a longitudinal axis from a hub base which is proximate to the first side of the circuit board to an apex of the tapered element which is distal from the first side of the first circuit board; and a plurality of arms extending from the central hub at the apex of the tapered element, each of the plurality of arms including a first portion that projects the arm radially away from the longitudinal axis and a second portion that projects the arm longitudinally toward the first side of the circuit board.

Abstract: Methods for the near real-time detection of airborne analytes using imprinted micelles and electrochemical cells are described. The methods demonstrate selectivity to the imprinted micelles over others that are of similar size and configuration and are compatible with airborne aerosol sampling techniques. The detection method can be used to monitor and detect any airborne analyte, including pathogens (such as SARS-CoV-2), toxins, proteins, organic molecules, inorganic particles, chemicals, explosive particles, and environmental pollutants.

Abstract: Apparatus include a plurality of electrodes arranged in a sequence along a propagation axis between an ion inlet and an ion outlet to define an ion path and volume, wherein the electrodes are configured to receive respective voltages to produce an electric field in the volume that urges ions to propagate along the ion path downstream towards the ion outlet, wherein the sequence includes at least a first sequence portion including first and last electrodes configured to receive voltages according to a first function, and including at least one intermediate electrode situated between the first and last electrodes wherein the at least one intermediate electrode is configured to receive a voltage defining a voltage dip relative to the first function. Atmospheric flow tubes include a tube body and a central electrode configured to receive a time varying voltage configured to reduce a loss of the ions as the gas and ions flow along the flow tube volume to the flow tube outlet.

Abstract: Activity-based probes that can be used to selectively identify and characterize enzymes that are involved in different phases of xenobiotic metabolism in a host and its microbiota population(s) are described. The activity-based probes described specifically label only their target active enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and therefore provide a measurement of true protein functional activity rather than transcript or protein abundance. The activity-based probes also provide multimodal profiling of these active enzymes. Methods for preparing the activity based probes and exemplary methods for their use also are disclosed.

Abstract: Materials for binding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are disclosed. A fluidic device comprising the materials for detection and quantification of PFAS in a sample is disclosed. The fluidic device may be configured for multiplexed analyses. Also disclosed are methods for sorbing and remediating PFAS in a sample. The sample may be groundwater containing, or suspected of containing, one or more PFAS.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device includes electrodes arranged to apply functional electrical stimulation to a body part of the user. FES stimulation is performed by: receiving values of a set of user metrics for the user; receiving a target position of the body part represented as values for a set of body part position measurements; determining a user-specific energization pattern for producing the target position based on the received target position and the received values of the set of user metrics for the user; and energizing the electrodes of the FES device in accordance with the determined user-specific energization pattern. The determination may utilize an FES calibration database with records having fields containing: values of the set of user metrics for reference users; energization patterns; and values of the set of body part position metrics for positions assumed by the body part in response to applying the energization patterns.

Abstract: A system detects extravasation or infiltration by segregating active components that drive a passive sensor for economical single use. A receiving antenna of the passive sensor receives a transmitted signal comprising RF electromagnetic power. A first circuit transmits a first portion of the received signal through a body portion. A sensor detects a resultant signal from the body portion. A second circuit combines a reference signal comprising a second portion of the received signal with the resultant signal so as to define an output signal. A transmit antenna transmits the output signal to a receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular armored vehicle system that includes a plurality of armored components removably affixed to a vehicle frame, wherein the plurality of armored components includes an armored roof component comprising a forward roof section, a middle roof section, and a rear roof section, wherein each of the plurality of armored components comprise a plurality of bends to form-fit onto the vehicle frame. The modular armored vehicle system further includes a first side armored component of the plurality of armored components removably affixed to the vehicle frame, wherein the first side armored component comprises a flange portion to overlap the armored roof component. Further, the modular armored vehicle component further includes a side pillar armored component of the plurality of armored components removably affixed to the vehicle frame.