Abstract: An apparatus and process for delivering aerosol-based amendments into a subsurface region is provided. The apparatus used to form the aerosol has an ability to restrict the aerosol particle size to a preferred particle size range such that undesired particle sizes are not introduced. By maintaining a proper ratio of aerosol particle size to subsurface pore size, the efficiency of an aerosol introduction can be enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibrous activated materials that can remove and/or deactivate potentially dangerous airborne agents from a gas or air stream. Disclosed materials are multi-layer materials that include a fibrous nonwoven interceptor layer and an active layer immediately adjacent the interceptor layer. The interceptor layer is a fibrous membrane of very low basis weight and defines a relatively low porosity, and the active layer describes geometries, chemistries, etc. that can entrap and/or decontaminate compounds contained in an airstream passing through the material. Disclosed materials can be utilized in forming protective garments, face masks, and the like.

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 of forming three dimensional arrays of aligned nanofibers in an open, loose structure of any desired depth. The arrays are formed according to an electrospinning process utilizing two parallel conducting plates to align the fibers and rotating tracks to distribute the fibers throughout the array. Arrays can be used as formed, for instance in tissue engineering applications as three dimensional scaffolding constructs. As-formed arrays can be combined with other materials to form a composite 3-D structure. For instance, composite polymeric materials can be electrospun to form composite nanofibers within the array. Multiple polymeric materials can be electrospun at different areas of the array to form a composite array including materially different nanofibers throughout the array. The arrays can be loaded with other fibrous or non-fibrous materials to form a composite array. Arrays can also be rolled to form a uniaxial fiber bundle.

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: The present invention relates to a device that can be used in individual weight control protocols that is capable of detecting in real time information with regard to number of bites taken, time between bites, and so forth. The weight control device can detect bites through motion detection via a sensor worn on the wrist or hand of a user. The device can include notification capabilities that can alert a user as to excessive eating speed, excessive amounts of food intake, and the like so as to provide immediate feedback for purposes of weight control.

Abstract: Disclosed are fermentative enrichment cultures and two pure isolates there from for use in biotransformation of halomethanes. Disclosed bioaugmentation cultures are dominated by Enterobacteriaceae, and are implemented together with one or more electron donors such as corn syrup, glucose, and the like, and a corrinoid catalyst such as vitamin B12. Disclosed cultures and implementation methods can be utilized to transform single halomethanes or mixtures of halomethanes at high rates to non-toxic end products being primarily carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and, organic acids.

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: Disclosed is a process for producing lactide-based copolymers and copolymers produced by the process. The copolymers are formed by the copolymerization of a lactide monomer with a secondary material. In one embodiment, the secondary material can be derived from renewable resources, providing a product copolymer completely derived from renewable resources. The disclosed materials may display improved hydrolytic and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials. Exemplary secondary materials that can be copolymerized with lactide can include polyhydroxy alkanoates, long chain primary alcohols, and depsipeptides.

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: 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: 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: Single, acentric, rhombohedral, fluoroberyllium borate crystals of a size sufficient for use in a variety of laser and non-optical applications are formed by a hydrothermal method.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for imaging objects, more particularly radiologically dense objects. The currently disclosed technology has particular applicability in the medical field as a tool and methodology for investigation of radiologically dense breast tissue of young patients by using microwave energy in concert with an ultrasonic initial investigation of the tissue. The use of an ultrasonic initial investigation operates as an initial evaluation point for the subsequent microwave investigation.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and systems useful in determining the existence of radionuclides in an aqueous sample. The materials provide the dual function of both extraction and scintillation to the systems. The systems can be both portable and simple to use, and as such can beneficially be utilized to determine presence and optionally concentration of radionuclide contamination in an aqueous sample at any desired location and according to a relatively simple process without the necessity of complicated sample handling techniques. The disclosed systems include a one-step process, providing simultaneous extraction and detection capability, and a two-step process, providing a first extraction step that can be carried out in a remote field location, followed by a second detection step that can be carried out in a different location.