Abstract: System and method for generating quantum-entangled photons. First and second laser sources are coupled to each of a plurality of multi-mode optical fibers. The first laser source is coupled into one guided mode and the second laser source is coupled into another guided mode for each of the fibers. Intermodal four-wave mixing the outputs of the fibers separates the signals. A signal combiner recombines the filtered outputs to produce a broadband source of quantum-entangled photons.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides collagen bioink compositions and chemically uncrosslinked and crosslinked collagen structures including collagen microparticles and scaffolds. Also provided are methods of their fabrication and use. Applications for using these collagen structures include treatments of damaged tissue, particularly those caused by osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carborane derivatives of Formula I or Formula V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use as neuromuscular blocking agents. The carborane is substituted with two cationic functional groups selected from amines that form ammonium cations, ethers and/or alcohols that form oxonium cations, sulfides and/or thiols that form sulfonium cations, and phosphanes and/or phosphines that form phosphonium cations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for systemically editing a gene in a subject and for systemically treating a genetic condition in a subject using a dual-vector CRISPR-Cas therapy. The methods comprise administering to the subject, via systemic administration, a gene editing AAV vector encoding a CRISPR effector protein (e.g., a Cas protein) and a targeting AAV vector providing one or more gRNAs targeted to the gene. In the methods, the ratio of the targeting AAV vector to the gene editing vector is greater than or equal to 2. Also provided are dual-vector systems for editing a gene or treating a genetic disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly concerned with mineralization methods that assist in permanent carbon storage. The methods provide a storage mechanism for oxalic acid generated by existing or future-developed carbon capture and conversion methods that convert CO2 to oxalic acid. That oxalic acid can be injected into a subsurface rock formation containing non-carbonate rock to form oxalates or oxalate hydrates. Alternatively, oxalic acid can be mixed with mine tailings, well drilling dirt, crushed rocks, etc., that contain desired non-carbonate rock minerals, to promote mineralization.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting virus, including virus particles and/or genetic sequences, and method of fabrication. The sensor includes a field effect transistor (FET) having source and drain electrodes formed on a substrate and a two-dimensional virus sensing transduction material (VSTM) film formed on the FET. The VSTM film is configured to collect a sample collected from a subject and comprises MXene-graphene. The VSTM film has an antibody corresponding to the virus particles to be detected linked to the film. A drain-source current response of the FET is representative of an amount of the virus particles in the sample for indicating an infection.

Abstract: A variable resistance device includes first and second body elements and a force-generating system disposed therebetween. The force-generating system includes a resiliently deflectable beam extending relative to the first body element and toward the second body element, an interface element, and a cam projecting relative to the second body element and toward the first body element. The cam presents a cam surface. The interface element shifts along the cam surface upon application of a driving force to at least one of the body elements relative to the other and consequent shifting of the body elements relative to each other, resulting in corresponding bending of the beam and consequent generation of a resistance force by the beam. The cam surface presents a profile that varies along a length thereof, such that the resistance force generated by the beam varies irregularly as the interface element moves along the cam surface.

Abstract: A storage fluid heater and methods of its use are disclosed for storing, heating, and/or delivering water. The storage fluid heater includes a secondary structure with a pump and heat transfer surface to pump up colder water from the bottom of the tank that has entered via the fluid inlet, heat the water, and release the water at the top of the tank to be withdrawn via the fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides an oscillating heat pipe, wherein the oscillating heat pipe comprises a 3-phase working fluid that includes at least one liquid phase portion, at least one vapor phase portion, and at least one solid phase portion, wherein in addition to a phase change between liquid and vapor, there is also a phase change from solid to liquid during a heat transfer process involving the oscillating heat pipe.

Abstract: Novel compounds and polymer aerogels derived from these compounds are provided. The highly porous, monolithic polymer aerogels are extremely robust having high surface areas, large micropore volumes. and high density of nitrogen and oxygen functionalities. Due to these extraordinary properties, the polymer aerogels possess a high carbon dioxide (CO2) sorption capacity and are highly selective towards CO2 versus other gases, such as H2 and N2. As a result, the polymer aerogels can be used to effectively capture or remove CO2 from the air and/or from flue gases.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a bio-ink system that can be used to print cellularized scaffolds for biomedical applications. In certain configurations, the ink has rheological properties suitable for extrusion-based printing techniques and adipose stem cells infused in the ink remain viable seven days after printing. The ink may comprise a mixture of alginate hydrogels, which provide the structural integrity of the printed scaffolds, and gelatin hydrogels, which support the cell proliferation. Borophosphate glass particles are added to the hydrogel mixture where they release Ca-ions that control the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel before and after printing. Borophosphate glasses described herein promote significantly better ASC viability than previously employed glasses.

Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments and methods for providing effective immunomodulation with chimeric proteins including FasL moieties for selective and long-lasting regulation of the immune response.

Abstract: A miniature, micrometer-accuracy, three-dimensional (3D) position-to-optical displacement sensor that has at least one extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) in Z direction and a series of plasmonic metasurface resonators with distinctive wavelength-selective characteristics in X and Y directions. The interferometer comprises at least one single mode optic fiber for light propagation, and a substrate mirror to create a light interference fringe as a function of distance between the mirror and the distal end of the optic fiber. Each plasmonic resonator is capable of modifying the substrate mirror and comprises an array of multiple unit nanostructure unit cells that are arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) square lattice or array in the X-Y plane. The nanostructure unit cells are preferably inscribed in the top layer of a three-layer thin film via the focused ion beam (FIB).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to triblock peptides comprising a lipid moiety, a peptide block and a zwitterion-like block. Another aspect of the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the triblock peptides of the present in invention arranged in micelles in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are vaccine compositions, which may further comprise an adjuvant. Another aspect of the invention is directed to methods of using the triblock peptides and compositions of the invention to treat a disease or condition.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for use in a treatment for prevention of arthrofibrosis that includes a first and a second substantially L-shaped frames, each L-shaped frame having a first member and a second member extending from the first member in a substantially perpendicular direction and terminating in a first end, a fixed plate extending between the first members of the L-shaped frames, the fixed plate being parallel with the first members of the L-shaped frames, a movable plate pivotally coupled to the first ends of the first members of the L-shaped frames with, a pneumatic piston coupled to the movable plate and the fixed plate, a hand operated valve operatively coupled to the pneumatic piston and a goniometer coupled to the movable plate and one of the L-shaped frames, the goniometer adapted and configured to indicate the angle between the movable plate and the fixed plate.

Abstract: A method of depositing a nanoscale-thin film onto a substrate is disclosed. The method generally comprises depositing a layer of a solid or gaseous state functionalizing molecule onto or adjacent to the first surface of the substrate and exposing the first surface to a source of ionizing radiation, thereby functionalizing the first surface of the substrate. Once the layer of functionalizing molecule is removed, a nanoscale-thin film is then deposited onto the functionalized first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a component comprising bombarding nanoparticles in a dispersion with a laser to transform the ligand and cause the nanoparticles to drop out of the dispersion and deposit onto a substrate; and bombarding additional nanoparticles in the dispersion with the laser to transform the ligand and cause the nanoparticles to drop out of the dispersion and deposit onto the nanoparticles previously deposited out of the dispersion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes ferromagnetic, magnetostrictive layer that exhibits a biaxial magnetic anisotropy and an underlying structure exhibits a spin Hall effect to provide a conversion between electrical energy and magnetic energy with more than two distinctive magnetic states, wherein the underlying structure includes a piezoelectric material structure and a spin Hall metal layer.

Abstract: The current invention describes a method for developing bioactive borate glass (BBG)-hydrogel constructs based on 3D printing technology for healing of burn wounds and low-tomoderate exuding wounds. The hydrogels serve as a water reservoir and binder for BBG, to provide hydration of the BBG-hydrogel construct and to make the bioink printable, while 3D printing technology enables the layer-by-layer deposition of multiple materials including BG and hydrogels such as alginate, gelatin, GelMa, cellulose, chitosan and other like materials, as well as control of pore geometry to increase the available surface area for wound-dressing contact and more favorable cell-biomaterial interactions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating 3D models of surfaces that accurately reconstruct both the global structure of an object and its local features are described. The methods and systems generally operated by fusing point features from the point cloud data with voxel features extracted from voxelization procedures. Furthermore, the methods and systems utilize voxelization at multiple spatial resolutions. The use of point-voxel fusion and multiple spatial resolutions may permit the extraction of both global and local geometric features, increasing the accuracy of 3D modeling of objects.