Abstract: A cryo formulation-based microneedle device for transdermal delivery of bioactive therapeutic agents. The microneedle device includes: one or more microneedle patches each including an array of miniaturized needles, wherein each miniaturized needle defining a base end and a tip; and a substrate to which the base end of the array of miniaturized needles is attached or integrated thereto; wherein the microneedle patch is in a cryo status; wherein each of the one or more microneedle patch is adapted to be applied on a skin surface, in which the miniaturized needles penetrates into skin; wherein the miniaturized needles is further arranged to melt so as to release one or more bioactive therapeutic agents into the skin to achieve a targeted therapeutic effect; and wherein the bioactive therapeutic agents includes protein and/or antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable single-inductor multiport converters comprising a single inductor, a primary input port, a primary output port and a plurality of reconfigurable cells, each including a bidirectional port which is reconfigurable to be an auxiliary input port configured to share the inductor and work with the inductor to form an input cell or an auxiliary output port configured to work with a corresponding capacitor to form an output cell; and a plurality of switches arranged for facilitating the bidirectional port to act as auxiliary input port or auxiliary output port; and regulating bidirectional power flowing through the bidirectional port. The present invention provides a simple and low-cost solution for integrating multiple sources and loads simultaneously. The adoption of single-inductor design minimizes the use of magnetic components and the independent output cells configuration avoids cross-regulation problem among output ports, which simplifies the control design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lens antenna with a 3D near-field focus-steering capability that operates at gigahertz and terahertz frequencies. The novel antenna includes a pair of discrete dielectric lenses fed by a stationary horn source. In-plane synchronous counter-rotation and co-rotation of the lens pair steers its near-field focus radially and azimuthally, respectively, while linear translation of the upper lens moves the focal point longitudinally. The steering focus beam enables fast imaging. In imaging applications, the radiated beam from the novel lens antenna focused in the target area can reduce undesired interference from neighboring structures and increase the system dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A self-filtering, space-time coding, waveguide-driven metasurface antenna includes at least first and second metal layers, and first dielectric layer between the first and second metal layers. A series of vias is formed in the first dielectric layer. A substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is formed from the first and second metal layers and from the metal vias in the first dielectric layer. A series of meta-atoms is formed in the first metal layer, each meta-atom including a slot cooperating with two switching elements for switching the meta-atom between an on and off state. Each meta-atom behaves as a magnetic dipole antenna element that radiates electromagnetic waves into free space. In this manner, the propagating guided waves inside the substrate integrated waveguide are converted and molded into arbitrary selected out-of-plane free-space waves in both a frequency domain and a momentum domain.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a biomarker that enables selection of an embryo having a high rate of implantation and pregnancy, that is, an embryo having high fertility, from embryos obtained through embryo culture after in vitro fertilization in infertility treatment, and a criterion therefor. Provided is a criterion that enables identification of an ovum suitable for implantation and pregnancy based on measurement of the concentration of soluble CD163 which is present in follicular fluid collected at the same time as an ovum in ovum pick up in infertility treatment, or which is present in serum immediately before the ovum pick up.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to the artificial intelligence (AI) automatic methods, computer program product, and systems and methodology for dietary and medical treatment planning, food waste estimation, analyzing three-dimensional food image construction, measurement, nutrient estimation, nutritional assessment, evaluation, prediction and management. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to utilizing an AI-based algorithm that can automatically, detect food items from images acquired by cameras for dietary assessment, dietary planning, and for estimating food waste. In one aspect, the method may include food calorie estimation techniques using machine learning and computer vision techniques for dietary assessment. In another aspect, the tools may apply to personalized nutrition. The method may also include the automation of nutrition planning.

Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating an optical printed circuit board. The method includes preparing a first printed circuit board portion with an array of optical fibers attached thereon, assembling an optical fiber connector with the first printed circuit board portion such that the optical fiber connector is arranged at ends of the array of optical fibers, and attaching one or more second printed circuit board portions to the first printed circuit board portion to form an optical printed circuit board with the optical fiber connector embedded therein. The optical fiber connector includes an engagement mechanism arranged for engagement with an external optical device.

Abstract: An omnidirectional biconical antenna, which includes a first funnel-shaped plate having a wide end and a narrow end; a second funnel-shaped plate having a wide end and a narrow end; and an annular metal lens delimited by the second funnel-shaped plate and the first funnel-shaped plate. The second funnel-shaped plate is inversely positioned relative to the first funnel-shaped plate, such that the narrow ends of the second funnel-shaped plate and the first funnel-shaped plate point to each other.

Abstract: A method comprising: obtaining a plurality of data sets, each of the plurality of data sets being generated, at least in part, by using by a different one of a plurality of sensors, each of a plurality of sensors including a wearable sensor that is worn by a user or a sensor that is positioned at a same location as the user; combining the plurality of data sets to produce a fused data set; processing the fused data set to identify at least one of a performance of the user in completing a task, a cognitive load of the user, and/or one or more objects that are positioned at the same location as the user; and outputting an indication of a state of the user based on an outcome of the processing.

Abstract: A method of assaying the interaction of a molecule and a lipid bilayer is described. The method employs a microfluidic device comprising a substrate having at least one concave microcavity with a metallic surface defining an aperture and a liquid disposed within the microcavity, a lipid bilayer suspended across the aperture, and a microfluidic channel containing a liquid disposed on top of the substrate in fluid communication with the lipid bilayer. The method comprises the steps of passing a liquid containing a test molecule across the microfluidic channel, and monitoring lipid bilayer molecule interactions by plasmonically enhanced Raman or fluorescence spectroscopy configured for plasmonic enhancement of a detection signal evolving from the test molecule or lipid bilayer. Also described in a microfluidic device configured to perform the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a two-dimensional motor piston pump, including a two-dimensional motor and a two-dimensional piston pump. The two-dimensional motor and the two-dimensional piston pump are nested with each other and arranged coaxially. The two-dimensional motor includes a stator and an outer rotor, and the outer rotor is coaxial with the stator and is sleeved outside the stator. The two-dimensional piston pump includes: a flow distribution mechanism including a flow distribution rotor and a pump body, a piston mechanism including a left cam and a right cam; a roller assembly including a roller and a roller shaft, and a pump housing, a left end cover, and a right end cover.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge tube includes a quartz tube, the middle of the quartz tube is sleeved with a high-voltage electrode, an inner electrode is arranged in the quartz tube, a drive fan is arranged at the end of the inner electrode, a discharging needle set is arranged on the surface of the inner electrode, and a spiral discharging wire is suspended and arranged at the tip of the discharging needle set. After a high voltage electric field is applied to the high voltage electrode, the discharging needle set and the spiral discharging wire discharge, the discharging needle set and the spiral discharging wire discharge at different time points. When the gas passes through the driving fan, the flow direction of the gas is changed. A cyclone can be generated to drive the gas to flow towards the discharging area.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer composite material and a preparation method thereof. The polymer composite material includes a polymer base layer and a metal thin film layer provided on a surface of the polymer base layer. The metal thin film layer is made of amorphous alloy. The surface of the polymer base layer is provided with a metal thin film with an amorphous structure. In this way, the arrangement of the metal thin film with amorphous structure can not only improve the mechanical properties, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the polymer substrate material, but also can greatly improve the toughness of the polymer substrate material, to simultaneously improve the strength and toughness of the polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personalized, three-dimensional printed, human auricle-specific multiple auricular points' bio-signal acquisition, health status monitoring, and bio-stimulation device, including an artificial ear model made of at least one bio-compatible, flexible polymer, a plurality of sensing and stimulating electrodes with at least one sensing end and a signal acquisition/processing end penetrating through a body of the ear mold conformably with a human auricle so that a surface of the ear mold where sensing end of the electrodes is disposed creates an electrode-human skin interface for bio-signal detection and bio-stimulation responsive thereto. Methods of fabricating the device based on 3-D printing, 3D scanning and modelling techniques and using thereof for bio-signal acquisition, analysis, health status monitoring and bio-stimulation are also provided.

Abstract: A two-dimensional motor combination piston pump by combining two independent two-dimensional piston pumps into one structure is provided. The combination piston pump includes a two-dimensional motor and a two-dimensional piston pump. The outer rotator serves as the piston and the flow distribution mechanism of the two-dimensional piston pump. While operating, outer rotator rotates and moves axially.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method are provided, comprising: a core plate having a male protrusion; a cavity plate having a female cavity configured to be mated with the male protrusion; a first insert plate; a second insert plate connected to the first insert plate by a rotating arm; a motor; connected to the rotating arm, operable to rotate the first insert plate and the second insert plate in and out of the female cavity of the cavity plate; and an induction heating device, positioned outside of the cavity plate, operable to cause an induction current on a surface of either the first insert plate or the second insert plate when either are rotated outside of the female cavity.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for improving the translation efficiency of mRNA. The mRNA includes: a 5? untranslated region of an mRNA encoding a protein; and a 3? untranslated region having 40% or more and 80% or less complementarity to the 5? untranslated region.

Abstract: An ultraflat and ultralow-friction metallic glass thin film is fabricated. The metallic glass thin film is a binary alloy, wherein a content of one metal element of the binary alloy is between 45 atomic % and 64 atomic %. The metallic glass thin film has an atomically smooth surface with a surface roughness Ra less than 0.1 nm and a total height of profile Rt less than 0.15 nm; the friction coefficient is below 1×10?2. Due to the metallic glass thin film being treated by ion bombardment, the metallic glass thin film is thermally ultrastable.

Abstract: An electro-optical converter that converts an electric signal to an optical signal. An optical signal is dragged from one optical channel to another optical channel using exciton polaritons that are generated in a layer that is adjacent the optical channels. The exciton polaritons are generated in response to an electrical signal which thereby results in the selective production of the optical signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen electric hybrid power plant for a hovercar. The hydrogen electric hybrid power plant comprises a first-stage duct, a transition duct and a second-stage duct. An air outlet end of the first-stage duct is connected to the second-stage duct through the transition duct. A hydrogen reactor is arranged in the first-stage duct, and the hydrogen reactor is fixed with the first-stage duct through a plurality of supporting pieces A. A primary filter screen is arranged at a front end of the first-stage duct and fixed on the first-stage duct through a hoop, so that low-altitude sundries and dust are prevented from entering the reactor. A return pipe is arranged, and the problems of oxygen supply, heat dissipation and cooling and the like of the hydrogen reactor are solved through ducted airflow. A motor power supply requirement of a ducted fan is met.