Abstract: The invention relates to the development of chimeric OspA molecules for use in a new Lyme vaccine. More specifically, the chimeric OspA molecules comprise the proximal portion from one OspA serotype, together with the distal portion from another OspA serotype, while retaining antigenic properties of both of the parent polypeptides. The chimeric OspA molecules are delivered alone or in combination to provide protection against a variety of Borrelia genospecies. The invention also provides methods for administering the chimeric OspA molecules to a subject in the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease or borreliosis.

Abstract: A reconfigurable computing platform includes a reconfigurable computing device, electro-optical transceiver, and first voltage converter disposed on a multilayer board. The electro-optical transceiver converts an optical signal at least one of to and from an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is operatively coupled to the reconfigurable computing device. The electro-optical transceiver is disposed in proximity to the reconfigurable computing device, and the first voltage converter is operatively coupled to a common voltage distributed around a periphery of the multilayer board. The first voltage converter converts the common voltage to a first operating voltage, and the first voltage converter is disposed in proximity to the reconfigurable computing device. The first operating voltage is provided to the reconfigurable computing device as a first power source.

Abstract: A binder-free, self-supporting electrode including an electrochemically active material in the absence of a binder and a current collector is claimed. The electrochemically active material is a self-supporting transition metal oxide. A method of regenerating the electrode to restore capacity of the electrode is also claimed.

Abstract: A composition comprising a synthetic growth factor analogue comprising a non-growth factor heparin binding region, a linker and a sequence that binds specifically to a cell surface receptor and an osteoconductive material where the synthetic growth factor analogue is attached to and can be released from the osteoconductive material and is an amplifier/co-activator of osteoinduction.

Abstract: An anode configured for fast charging a lithium-ion battery includes an anode substrate and a coating provided on a surface of the anode substrate for increasing an overpotential of Li metal to inhibit Li metal plating during extreme fast charging a lithium-ion battery fabricated with the anode. The anode is fabricated by a process of applying a coating to the anode substrate surface that comprises a nanolayer of Cu, or a nanolayer of Ni or a composite nanolayer of Cu and Ni.

Abstract: A composition comprising a synthetic growth factor analogue comprising a non-growth factor heparin binding region, a linker and a sequence that binds specifically to a cell surface receptor and an osteoconductive material where the synthetic growth factor analogue is attached to and can be released from the osteoconductive material and is an amplifier/co-activator of osteoinduction.

Abstract: A photodetector including graphene and poly(3-hexylthiopene) (P3HT) nanowires is claimed. A method of making the hybrid photodetector is also claimed.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods and systems effective for etching nanostructures in a substrate. The methods may comprise depositing a patterned block copolymer on the substrate. The patterned block copolymer may include first and second polymer block domains. The methods may comprise applying a precursor to the patterned block copolymer to generate an infiltrated block copolymer. The precursor may infiltrate into the first polymer block domain and generate a material in the first polymer block domain. The methods may comprise applying a removal agent to the infiltrated block copolymer to generate a patterned material. The removal agent may be effective to remove the first and second polymer block domains from the substrate. The methods may comprise etching the substrate. The patterned material on the substrate may mask the substrate to pattern the etching. The etching may be performed under conditions to produce nanostructures in the substrate.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods and systems effective for flex plates. The flex plates may comprise a base plate. The base plate may include walls that define an insert location opening in the base plate. The insert location opening in the base plate may be in communication with a securement area. The flex plates may comprise an insert. The insert may include a reservoir region and a crystallization region separated by a wall including channels. The reservoir region and the crystallization region may include a backing. The insert may further include securement tabs. The securement tabs may be configured to secure the insert to the base plate at the securement area.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods and systems effective for flex plates. The flex plates may comprise a base plate. The base plate may include walls that define an insert location opening in the base plate. The insert location opening in the base plate may be in communication with a securement area. The flex plates may comprise an insert. The insert may include a reservoir region and a crystallization region separated by a wall including channels. The reservoir region and the crystallization region may include a backing. The insert may further include securement tabs. The securement tabs may be configured to secure the insert to the base plate at the securement area.

Abstract: Nitride stabilized metal (M or Pt(M)) nanoparticles and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment the metal nanoparticles have a nonporous noble metal shell with a nitride-stabilized non-noble metal core. The nitride-stabilized core provides a stabilizing effect under high oxidizing conditions suppressing the noble metal dissolution during potential cycling. Introduction of nitrogen into the core by annealing produces metal nitride(s) that are less susceptible to dissolution during potential cycling under high oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing quantum computing includes multiple qubits, each of at least a subset of the qubits comprising a loop formed of a Dirac or Weyl semimetal and having at least two stable quantum states. The apparatus further includes at least one terahertz cavity coupled with the qubits, the terahertz cavity being configured to detect the quantum states of the qubits. Each of at least the subset of qubits is configured to receive a circularly polarized radiation source. The radiation source is adapted to excite a chiral current in each of at least the subset of qubits, the quantum states of the plurality of qubits being a function of the chiral current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel species of Enterobacter, Enterobacter sp. 638, and to its use in connection, for example, with a method for increasing growth in a plant, increasing biomass in a plant, increasing fruit and/or seed productivity in a plant, increasing disease tolerance and/or resistance in a plant, and increasing drought tolerance and/or resistance in a plant, as compared to a control or wild-type plant grown under identical conditions without application of the inventive method or composition. The methods include applying an effective amount of a composition, which includes an isolated culture of Enterobacter sp. 638, to the plant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for their preparation that provide efficient intramolecular fission, such that local order and strong nearest neighbor coupling is no longer a design constraint. Inventive materials include organic oligomers and polymers designed to exhibit strong intrachain donor-acceptor interactions and provide intramolecular singlet fission, whereby triplet populations can be generated in very high yields of, e.g., 170% or more.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods to fabricate lasers to amplify light. The methods may comprise depositing nanoparticles on a substrate. The length, width, and height of the nanoparticles may be less than 100 nm. The methods may further comprise distributing the nanoparticles on the substrate to produce a film. The nanoparticles in the film may be coupled nanoparticles. The coupled nanoparticles may be in disordered contact with each other within the film. The distribution may be performed such that constructive interference of the light occurs by multiple scattering at the boundaries of the coupled nanoparticles within the film. The methods may comprise exposing the film to a power source.

Abstract: Technologies are described for semiconductor radiation detectors. The semiconductor radiation detectors may comprise a semiconductor material. The semiconductor material may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may be opposite from the second surface. The semiconductor material may include at least one metal component. The semiconductor material may be effective to absorb radiation and induce a current pulse in response thereto. The semiconductor radiation detector may comprise an electrode contact. The electrode contact may include a metal doped oxide deposited on the first surface of the semiconductor material. The metal doped oxide may include the metal component element of the semiconductor material.

Abstract: Nitride stabilized metal nanoparticles and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment the metal nanoparticles have a continuous and nonporous noble metal shell with a nitride-stabilized non-noble metal core. The nitride-stabilized core provides a stabilizing effect under high oxidizing conditions suppressing the noble metal dissolution during potential cycling.

Abstract: Technologies are described for apparatus, methods and systems effective for filtering. The filters may comprise a first plate. The first plate may include an x-ray absorbing material and walls defining first slits. The first slits may include arc shaped openings through the first plate. The walls of the first plate may be configured to absorb at least some of first x-rays when the first x-rays are incident on the x-ray absorbing material, and to output second x-rays. The filters may comprise a second plate spaced from the first plate. The second plate may include the x-ray absorbing material and walls defining second slits. The second slits may include arc shaped openings through the second plate. The walls of the second plate may be configured to absorb at least some of second x-rays and to output third x-rays.

Abstract: Heterologous expression of E. coli cyclopropane synthase in genotypic and phenotypic fad2fae1 plants facilitates accumulation of cyclopropane fatty acids. Co-expression of Sterculia foetida transferases, including lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), and Phospholipid Diacyl Glycerol Acyltransferase (PDAT), with E. coli cyclopropane synthase further enhances cyclopropane fatty acid accumulation in fad2fae1 plant seeds.

Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. More particularly, polycrystalline CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) based thin-film photovoltaic devices having independently tunable sublayers are disclosed. Also provided are methods of producing an n-doped graphene.