Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal management using separable heat pipes and methods of manufacture thereof. Various embodiments provide a porous insert that can be used to join or connect heat pipes. Further embodiments provide thermal management systems that are modular, expandable, reparable, by allowing for joining of evaporators, condensers, and adiabatic sections via porous inserts. Various embodiments allow for two-phase thermal management systems, where liquid and gaseous phases can be transported simultaneously. Certain embodiments incorporate heat generating components with embedded evaporators and/or condensers. Many embodiments are additively manufactured, including via 3D printing.

Abstract: On-chip generation of coherent radiation, i.e. laser-like radiation, can be tuned over broad and/or hard-to-access wavelength regions in an integrated platform. Target spectral coverage is beyond what could be achieved with existing integrated laser systems.

Abstract: Interplanetary networks for space internet and space positioning are presented. The described networks deploy spacecraft swarms along the solar system to form a science and communications platform. The disclosed network nodes are placed around planetary Lagrange points. Creation of optical synthetic apertures using smallsat swarms for inter- and intranet communications is further described. Exemplary subnetworks such as the cislunar network are also presented.

Abstract: A communication system including a first detector; a first scattering medium; a second detector; an intensity modulator; a second scattering medium; wherein electromagnetic radiation transmitted from a first spot at the first scattering medium, and scattered by and through the first scattering medium and then the second scattering medium, forms a first speckle pattern detected by the second detector. The intensity modulator outputs a second spot of electromagnetic radiation representing the “ones” in a data stream at locations of the bright speckles (or at locations of the dark speckles to represent the “zeros” in the data stream) so that the electromagnetic radiation, transmitted from the second spot and scattered by and through the second scattering medium and then the first scattering medium, forms one or more second bright or dark speckles on the first detector. The data stream can be constructed from the second bright or dark speckles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a pre-trained brain machine interface based on brain state data is disclosed. An initial session of determining brain state data during performance of a task by a subject at a first time is conducted. The brain state data correlated with task performance are recorded. A pre-training set of the brain state data is assembled. A decoder module of the brain machine interface system is pre-trained via the pre-training set of the recorded brain state data to decode intentions of the subject correlated with brain state. A current session is conducted at a second time subsequent to the first time. The current session includes the decoder module accepting a brain state data input of the brain of the subject, decoding a brain state output from the brain state data input, and generating a control signal to perform the task based on the determined brain state output.

Abstract: An integrated photonic platform for a transceiver aperture. New functions that can only be realized in the integrated platform are further described.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.

Abstract: An auto-powered biosensor capable detecting a target molecule, and a method of powering the same, wherein the biosensor is fabricated with a microfluidics layer, a multimodal sensing layer comprising a biofuel cell and an electrode, and a logic circuit that may include a processor and non-transitory memory with computer executable instructions embedded thereon.

Abstract: A system configured to be at least partially implanted along an aorta includes an inelastic, static member and a pinching member. The pinching member is configured to receive an activation signal at an activation rate and in response to the activation signal, repeatedly compress the aorta at the second location at the activation rate to pump fluid within the aorta in a desired pumping direction. The system is configured to selectively control wave reflections in order to achieve both improved wave dynamics to reduce cardiac load and increased (or at least non-diminished) blood flow to targeted organs within the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and techniques for converting (i.e., transducing) a quantum-level (e.g., single photon) signal between the three wave forms (i.e., optical, acoustic, and microwave). A suspended crystalline structure is used at the nanometer scale to accomplish the desired behavior of the system as described in detail herein. Transducers that use a common acoustic intermediary transform optical signals to acoustic signals and vice versa as well as microwave signals to acoustic signals and vice versa. Other embodiments described herein include systems and techniques for storing a qubit in phonon memory having an extended coherence time. A suspended crystalline structure with specific geometric design is used at the nanometer scale to accomplish the desired behavior of the system.

Abstract: In an aspect, provided herein are low density materials, including shell-based materials, with three-dimensional architectures formed, in part, via self-assembly processes. Shell-based materials of some embodiments exhibit a combination of ultralow density (e.g., ?100 mg cm?3 and optionally ?10 100 mg cm?3) and non-periodic architectures characterized by low defect densities and geometries avoiding stress concentrations. Low density shell based materials of some embodiments have architectures characterized by small curvatures and lack of straight edges providing enhance mechanical response. In some embodiments, for example, the present low density materials, including shell-based materials, providing a combination target mechanical properties including high stiffness-to-density ratios, mechanical resilience and tolerance for deformation.

Abstract: A dual-pathway system for CO2 capture in both acidified and basified streams is provided. The system may be embodied in an off-shore stand-alone facility to allow for the operation of oceanic CO2 capture to be more efficient and cost effective. Systems maintain high environmental standards by containing all intermediate acidic and alkaline solutions in a closed system so that the effluent discharged back into the ocean is at the similar pH and salinity as the feed oceanwater, with only CO2 removed. Acid and base produced by an electrodialyzer unit is used to achieve oceanwater decarbonization via gaseous CO2 removal and solid CaCO3 precipitates removal. The system is configured to require the processing of a very small fraction of the total oceanwater intake for the acid-base generation process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of hearing loss. In some examples, a composition for preventing or treating hearing loss comprises at least one compound that activates AMPK in at least one hair cell.

Abstract: Separator membranes for ion batteries and methods of producing such separator membranes are disclosed herein. The separator membranes have vertically-aligned pores that have as small as submicron diameters at one or both membrane surfaces. The separator membranes may be fabricated via a novel and innovative bidirectional freeze-casting process that produces a temperature gradient in two directions. The separator membranes disclosed herein and fabricated by this method can be used in ion batteries, such as sodium ion batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include circuits, compositions, nucleic acids, populations, systems, and methods enabling cells to sense, control, and/or respond to their own population size. In some embodiments, an orthogonal communication channel allows specific communication between engineered cells. Also described herein, in some embodiments, is an evolutionarily robust ‘paradoxical’ regulatory circuit architecture in which orthogonal signals both stimulate and inhibit net cell growth at different signal concentrations. In some embodiments, engineered cells autonomously reach designed densities and/or activate therapeutic or safety programs at specific density thresholds. Methods of treatment are also provided in some embodiments.

Abstract: A substrate for sensing, a method of manufacturing the substrate, and an analyzing apparatus including the substrate are provided. The substrate for sensing includes: a support layer; a plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters arranged on the support layer; and a plurality of perforations arranged among the plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters. The plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters each comprise a plurality of metal nanoparticles stacked in a three-dimensional structure. Each of the plurality of perforations transmits incident light therethrough.

Abstract: The present application discloses nanoparticles carrying therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeutic agents, and targeting ligands suitable for delivering these therapeutic agents through the blood brain barrier and methods of using these patients on those patients in need of such treatment.

Abstract: An optical device. In some embodiments, the device comprises: an input waveguide, configured to receive light; a first electro-absorption modulator, coupled to receive light from the input waveguide, and operable to produce a first output or a second output, wherein the second output has a lower amplitude than the first output; a second electro-absorption modulator, coupled to receive light from the input waveguide, and operable to produce a third output or a fourth output, wherein the fourth output has a lower amplitude than the third output; and an output waveguide, coupled to receive light from the first electro-absorption modulator and the second electro-absorption modulator, and output a combined signal comprising an output of the first electro-absorption modulator and an output of the second electro-absorption modulator.

Abstract: An enhanced stethoscope device and method for operating the enhanced stethoscope are provided. The enhanced stethoscope device generally operates by providing stethoscope sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and other sensors to obtain a series of measurements about a subject. The series of measurements may be correlated, such as by machine learning, to extract clinically relevant information. Also described are systems and methods for ultrasonic beamsteering by interference of an audio signal with an ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are programmable, conditionally activated small interfering RNA constructs (Cond-siRNAs) and methods of making and using the same as therapeutic agents. The Cond-siRNA comprises a sensor strand, a core strand, and a guide strand, which crossover to form a sensor duplex and a RNAi duplex attached to each other to form a single structure. Upon binding an input strand to the sensor strand, the Cond-siRNA is activated and releases RNAi targeting a desired gene.