Abstract: The invention is directed to CVD methods and systems that can be utilized to form nanostructures. Exceptionally high product yields can be attained. In addition, the products can be formed with predetermined particle sizes and morphologies and within a very narrow particle size distribution. The systems of the invention include a CVD reactor designed to support the establishment of a convective flow field within the reactor at the expected carrier gas flow rates. In particular, the convective flow field within the reactor can include one or more flow vortices. The disclosed invention can be particularly beneficial for forming improved thermoelectric materials with high values for the figure of merit (ZT).

Abstract: Fluid compositions and methods for lubrication of mammalian joints are disclosed, including both natural and artificial fluids. Synovial fluid acts to lubricate the bearing surfaces of bones and bone-like structures which are held in frictional contact within biological joints. Such fluids may be used to treat arthritic, injured, and diseased joints. Synovial fluid containing a dextran-based hydrogel with lipids provides enhanced rheological and tribological properties of such a fluid. Phospholipids are particularly useful in dextran-based compositions for synovial fluid. One phospholipid that can be used advantageously in synovial fluid is dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatment agents and methods of treatment utilizing the agents directed toward diseases in which the disease causing pathogen includes ?6?1 integrin receptors and/or ?6?4 integrin receptors on the surface of the pathogen. In one embodiment, the disease can be breast cancer. The therapeutic agents disclosed include a polypeptide comprising at least a portion of the G domain of the laminin-5 ?3 chain that has been shown to bind ?6?1 integrin receptors and ?6?4 integrin receptors. In one embodiment, the therapeutic agents can be fused or chimeric materials in which the laminin-5 ?3 chain polypeptide has been chemically bound to another material that can be useful in the destruction or neutralization of the pathogen.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions prepared by combining nanomaterials with a halide-containing polymer, thereby forming a combined polymer matrix having dispersed nanomaterials within the matrix. The nanomaterials may be carbon-based nanotubes, in some applications. A halide-containing monomer is combined with nanotubes, and then polymerized in some compositions. In other applications, a halide-containing polymer is solution processed with nanotubes to form useful compositions in the invention. Also disclosed are probes for near field detection of radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoluminescent particles. The particles include a core nano-sized particle of carbon and a passivation agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle. The passivation agent can be, for instance, a polymeric material. The passivation agent can also be derivatized for particular applications. For example, the photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be derivatized to recognize and bind to a target material, for instance a biologically active material, a pollutant, or a surface receptor on a tissue or cell surface, such as in a tagging or staining protocol.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for patterning micro- and/or nano-sized pattern elements on a substrate using field emitted electrons from an element. Disclosed methods and devices can also be utilized to form nano- and micron-sized depressions in a substrate according to a more economical process than as has been utilized in the past. Methods include single-step methods by which structures can be simultaneously created and located at desired locations on a substrate. Methods include the application of a bias voltage between a probe tip and a substrate held at a relatively close gap distance. The applied voltage can promote current flow between the probe and the substrate via field emissions. During a voltage pulse, and within predetermined energy levels and tip-to-surface gap distances, three dimensional formations can be developed on the substrate surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochromic inks and devices incorporating the inks as well as methods for forming the inks and the devices. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of colloidal nanocomposite particles in a liquid carrier. The colloidal nanocomposites of the disclosed inks include nanoparticle templates, e.g., silica nanoparticles, and an intrinsically conductive polymer polymerized at the template nanoparticles. The inks can include a dispersion of the colloidal nanocomposites in a liquid carrier such as an aprotic polar organic solvent. The disclosed inks can be formulated to be utilized in any desired printing process such as inkjet printing processes. Products encompassed by the invention include all-polymer electronic, optic, photonic, electro-optic, and energy devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are telechelic fluoropolymers and methods for forming the polymers. The fluoropolymers can be formed via step-growth polymerization of bis(trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyls with bisphenols. The formed telechelic polymers possess fluoroolefin functionality at the trifluorovinyl aromatic ether endgroups. Internal groups can include difluorodioxyvinylene groups and trifluoroethyl groups. Formation methods of the telechelic polymers can be controlled so as to control molecular weight and degree of unsaturation of the polymers. The end groups and the internal groups can be further reacted independently of each other, e.g., under different temperature conditions, to form a variety of polymers and/or crosslinked polymeric networks.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a relatively simple CVD method for forming specifically tailored carbon-based nanostructures. In general, the method is a chemical vapor deposition method in which at least a portion of the precursor materials are provided as a liquid at atmospheric conditions. The precursor materials include at least one carbon source and at least one catalyst source. Optionally, the precursor materials can also include one or more dopant sources. The carbon source and the optional dopant source can be injected as liquids into the system, and the liquid catalyst source can be either injected into the system or located on a substrate in the reactor prior to the process. Very high yield of nanostructures exhibiting particular characteristics can be attained by the process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved supercritical fluid processing technique that can be used to form particulate suspensions of biologically useful materials. The disclosed processes include variations of RESS processes. The disclosed processes do not form micelles of any stabilizing agents in the aqueous solution that receives the product materials following rapid expansion through a nozzle. In particular, stabilizing agents in the aqueous solution are either materials that will not form micelles in aqueous environments, or else they are materials that can form micelles, but are utilized at conditions that are insufficient for the formation of micelles or at least not suitable for any significant presence of micelles in the product. Through utilization of the disclosed process, particulate suspensions can be formed exclusively of very small particles, for example, particulate suspensions in which all of the particles formed are less than 100 nm in size.

Abstract: A process and apparatus of separating CO2 gas from industrial off-gas source is provided in which the CO2 containing off-gas is introduced deep within an injection well. The CO2 gases are dissolved in the liquid within the injection well while non-CO2 gases, typically being insoluble in water or brine, are returned to the surface. Once the CO2 saturated liquid is present within the injection well, the injection well may be used for long-term geologic storage of CO2 or the CO2 saturated liquid can be returned to the surface for capturing a purified CO2 gas.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for modulating winter dormancy in a perennial plant using the herein disclosed winter dormancy genes and variants and homologues thereof.

Abstract: A method and product are provided for the treatment of connective tissue weakened due to destruction of tissue architecture, and in particular due to elastin degradation. The treatment agents employ certain unique properties of phenolic compounds to develop a protocol for reducing elastin degradation, such as that occurring during aneurysm formation in vasculature. According to the invention, elastin can be stabilized in vivo and destruction of connective tissue, such as that leading to life-threatening aneurysms in vasculature, can be tempered or halted all together. The treatment agents can be delivered or administered acutely or chronically according to various delivery methods, including sustained release methods incorporating perivascular or endovascular patches, use of microsphere carriers, hydrogels, or osmotic pumps.

Abstract: A compound derived from an extract of vegetative tissue of plants of the Genus Shortia demonstrates antitcarcinogenic potential by inhibiting the growth and development formation of tumors in living tissue in response to an organism known to cause the initiation of tumors in living tissue and by reducing mutation rates in living tissues exposed to a known mutagen.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a process for decreasing waste material. The process includes loading organic material into a vessel, supplying ozone and water into the vessel, separating the organic material into solid material and liquid material, and reconditioning water from the liquid material for use again. The ozone oxidizes and breaks down at least a portion of the organic material.

Abstract: A mixed culture of Dehalococcoides species is provided that has an ability to catalyze the complete dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes such as PCE, TCE, cDCE, 1,1-DCE and vinyl chloride as well as halogenated ethanes such as 1,2-DCA and EDB. The mixed culture demonstrates the ability to achieve dechlorination even in the presence of high source concentrations of chlorinated ethenes.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.

Abstract: The invention provides a means to produce reconstructed refractive index spatial maps that reveal and allow visual separation of normal soft tissue and certain types of tumors. Detector fiber optic bundles positioned on the surface of a soft tissue organ receive and transmit scattered light data, from light in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum delivered to the surface of the organ by separate fiber optic bundles to a computer. Based on an established grid and certain assumed values, the data are analyzed by means of a complex algorithm to produce calculated refractive index values. Through iteration, the values are recalculated to minimize the difference between the observed scattering and calculated values to yield a stable map indicating spatial variation in refractive index and such variation in the form of displayed images indicates the presence of tumors in normal soft tissue.

Abstract: A method and product are provided for the treatment of connective tissue weakened due to destruction of tissue architecture, and in particular due to elastin degradation. The treatment agents employ certain unique properties of phenolic compounds to develop a protocol for reducing elastin degradation, such as that occurring during aneurysm formation in vasculature. According to the invention, elastin can be stabilized in vivo and destruction of connective tissue, such as that leading to life-threatening aneurysms in vasculature, can be tempered or halted all together. The treatment agents can be delivered or administered acutely or chronically according to various delivery methods, including sustained release methods incorporating perivascular or endovascular patches, use of microsphere carriers, hydrogels, or osmotic pumps.