Abstract: In situ measuring devices, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same are provided herein. The in situ measuring devices can include a capillary tube having a reference material sealed inside the capillary tube, where the capillary tube is positioned inside of a solid state or MAS NMR rotor. A target sample can also be positioned in the interior of the solid state or MAS NMR rotor but is sequestered from the reference material by a capillary tube wall. The in situ measuring devices can be used in solid state MAS NMR spectroscopy to quantify one or more parameters of a target sample, such as the quantity of a sample, chemical identity of a sample, or temperature of a sample.

Abstract: A method to synthesize radioactive nanoparticles includes the production of metallic and multimetallic nanoparticles in a single step by providing an aqueous solution of the metal precursor, and irradiating the aqueous solution thereby producing nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles include one or more radioactive isotopes of gold, such as 198Au and 199Au as well as radioisotopes of silver when the obtained nanoparticles are bimetallic. The aqueous solution is irradiated in a radiation field that includes neutrons and gamma rays. The radiation field may be provided by a nuclear reactor. The aqueous solution may include silver, and bimetallic nanoparticles may be produced. Duration of the irradiation time is selected to control the particle size distribution of the produced nanoparticles. The bimetallic nanoparticles can include core-shell nanoparticles and alloyed nanoparticles.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, method of manufacturing, and fabricated part. The system uses a material joining laser system to join together foil sheets to form a metal part. The material joining laser system can be configured to join adjacent foil sheets together in a substantially uniform manner. The manufacturing system also includes a material removal system that removes material from selected locations of the foil sheets to shape the foil sheets to correspond with selective slices of the part. The material removal system can be a laser system, such as a laser system configured to remove material from a foil sheet without removing material from an underlying layer. One embodiment involves the manufacture of amorphous alloy components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.

Abstract: A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.

Abstract: A method for joining a second alloy material to a first alloy material where the two alloy materials are incompatible, comprising forming three successive interface layers over a substrate comprising the first alloy material, followed by forming a structure of the second alloy material over the interface layers, wherein the composition and deposition method for each of the layers is selected so that brittle intermetallics are not formed between elements of the adjacent layer compositions.

Abstract: Novel urethane-acrylate (UAC) Star monomers and polyurethane-acrylate (PUAC) aerogel polymers derived therefrom are described herein, along with other novel, related monomers and polymers. Also described herein are processes for preparing the UAC Star monomers, the PUAC aerogel polymers, and the other related monomers and polymers. The PUAC and related polymers herein are useful in various applications including in structural and thermal insulation.

Abstract: A solid-state nuclear energy conversion system includes a crystalline insulator bombarded with radiation to create electron-hole pairs. A voltage source provides a potential bias across the crystalline insulator, causing electrons and holes to collect at opposing ends. A diode is incorporated in a circuit including the crystalline insulator, voltage source, and a load, inhibiting current flow from the voltage source to the load. Thus, a radiation-driven current flows to the load.

Abstract: Combining the functionality of sleep transistors with logic devices in power-gating circuits by utilizing fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) transistors. In an embodiment, a back gate of a FDSOI transistor controls the threshold voltage to eliminate the need for standalone sleep transistors.

Abstract: Methods for disaggregating nanodiamond clusters, for example, by using ultrasound to break apart nanodiamond aggregates in a sodium chloride aqueous slurry. Compositions, such as aqueous nanodiamond dispersions and dry particulate compositions that may be produced using these methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanoparticle immunoconjugates useful for therapeutics and/or diagnostics. The immunoconjugates have diameter (e.g., average diameter) no greater than 20 nanometers (e.g., as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in aqueous solution, e.g., saline solution). In certain embodiments, the conjugates are silica-based nanoparticles with single chain antibody fragments attached thereto.

Abstract: Herein a Bacillus exosporium antigen delivery (BEAD) system that provides a means to introduce recombinant proteins or small molecules into the exosporium of members of the B. cereus family of bacteria, i.e. B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, is disclosed. The system results in the surface display of recombinant proteins or small molecules such that they can stimulate an immune response. In addition, methods of making and using the system are described.

Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus includes a neutron detector and an analyzer. The neutron detector includes a plurality of neutron detector assemblies, where each of the neutron detector assemblies includes a plurality of neutron detection devices. The neutron detector also includes a moderating volume. The plurality of neutron detector assemblies are disposed within the moderating volume so as to form a three-dimensional array of neutron detection devices within the moderating volume. The analyzer is communicatively coupled to each of the neutron detection devices of the plurality of neutron detector assemblies. The analyzer configured to receive one or more measured response signals from each of the neutron detection devices, and perform one or more analysis procedures to determine one or more characteristics associated with the one or more neutron sources based at least on the received one or more measured response signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a subsurface cavity. A source applies a force to ground under inspection and a plurality of sensors coupled to the ground detect resulting surface waves. A processor is configured to extract phase and frequency components of the acquired seismic data, identify a phase shift in surface waves in the ground under inspection based on the extracted phase and frequency components, and determine one or more physical characteristics of a subsurface cavity based on the identified phase shift.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an iron-based alloy comprising forming targeted fine oxide and/or carbide dispersoids in a melt, and sequentially precipitating transition-metal nitrides on the dispersoids for heterogeneous nucleation of equiaxed grains. An iron-based cast alloy having a highly equiaxed fine grain structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for improving the efficiency of artificial activation of unfertilized mammalian oocytes by reducing the intracellular concentration of Zn2+ in the oocyte. The methods of the invention may additionally comprise a preceding step of increasing the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in the oocyte prior to reduction of the intracellular Zn2+ concentration. The invention further provides unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods and viable mammalian animals produced from unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A DC/DC power converter provides high voltage gain using integrated boost and voltage multiplier (VM) stages. The boost cell operates according to a switching sequence to alternately energize and discharge a primary winding. A VM cell electrically coupled to the primary winding of the boost cell charges a multiplier capacitor to a DC output voltage greater than the input voltage when the primary winding is energized and discharges the multiplier capacitor when primary winding is discharged.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal of endotoxins from fluids. The methods can include the use of polymeric nanoparticles for binding endotoxins present in a fluid. The polymeric nanoparticles can be associated with a support member. The polymeric nanoparticles can have an endotoxin removal capacity of at least 1×109 endotoxin units per gram of polymeric nanoparticle (EU/g) and/or a removal efficacy per unit surface area of the polymeric nanoparticles of at least 1×106 EU/cm2.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for generating electron dense air plasmas at atmospheric pressures. In particular, this disclosure relate to self-contained toroidal air plasmas. Methods and apparatuses have been developed for generating atmospheric toroidal air plasmas. The air plasmas are self-confining, can be projected, and do not require additional support equipment once formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for physically separating the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from the excipients in a pharmaceutical formulation before the API is fully characterized by standard techniques. The presently disclosed method is based on making use of the difference in density of the API and that of the excipients. In the method, the API is not dissolved, nor is the crystal form of the API changed.