Abstract: A method of producing boron nitride nanosheets comprising: milling a hexagonal boron nitride crystal material in a ball mill to exfoliate substantially two-dimensional nanosheets from the boron nitride crystal material, wherein ball milling is undertaken within a viscous liquid ball milling medium having a viscosity of 100 to 100,000 mPa·s.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymer electrolyte. The polymer electrolyte includes a lithium salt polymer including an anionic functional group and a salt with lithium, and a substance having plastic crystal properties. The present disclosure provides the polymer electrolyte improved in electrical performance, in particular, the polymer electrolyte improved in lithium ion transport number.

Abstract: A method of controlling corrosion in a metallic structure subjected to cathodic protection is disclosed. The method includes providing a probe that is capable of simulating at least one condition of the metallic structure and measuring at least one characteristic at the probe indicative of one or more states of the probe. At least one parameter of the cathodic protection applied to the metallic structure is controlled in response to the at least one measured characteristic. A control system for controlling a corrosion protection system and to a cathodic protection system applied to an apparatus for monitoring and controlling corrosion in a metallic structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in part, are nanometers-thin and uniformly thick polymer films comprising an electrochemically polymerized polymer and a polyelectrolyte. Methods of preparing said nanometers-thin and uniformly thick polymer films are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for forming a stabilised precursor that is suitable for the manufacture of carbon materials, such as carbon fibre. The process can convert a precursor comprising polyacrylonitrile into a stabilised precursor with greater efficiency. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a carbon fibre that utilises the stabilised precursor.

Abstract: A sodium electrochemical cell that supports a current density at the negative electrode of at least 500 ?A/cm2, the electrochemical cell comprising (i) a negative electrode and (ii) a sodium-ion ionic liquid electrolyte having a sodium-ion concentration that is no less than 75% of its saturation limit in the electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode has a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formed as a result of the electrochemical cell having undergone a polarisation cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for forming a stabilised precursor that is suitable for the manufacture of carbon materials, such as carbon fibre. The process can convert a precursor comprising polyacrylonitrile into a stabilised precursor with greater efficiency. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a carbon fibre that utilises the stabilised precursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. More particularly, the invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing silk fibroin biocompatible polyurethane membranes using a solvent, which have improved biodegradation, mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a material in the form of nanosheets by ball milling of crystals of the material, wherein the ball milling takes place in the presence of a reactive gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. The invention also provides for compositions and methods for preparing composite silk fibroin and glycerol membranes using formic acid, where the membranes have improved mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

Abstract: A system for simulating surgical methods includes a method for thorax simulation modelling. The thorax simulation modeling is generally useful in facilitating the development and optimization of person specific surgical methods and materials.

Abstract: A method of operating a multicopter comprising a body and n thrusters, each thruster independently actuated to vector thrust angularly relative to the body about at least a first axis, the method comprising modelling dynamics of the multicoptor with a mathematical model comprising coupled, non-linear combinations of thruster variables, decoupling the mathematical model into linear combinations of thruster control variables, sensing at least one characteristic of multicopter dynamics, comparing the sensed data with corresponding target characteristic(s), computing adjustments in thruster control variables for reducing the difference between the sensed data and the target characteristic(s) according to a control algorithm, and actuating each thruster according to the computed thruster control variables to converge the multicopter towards the target characteristic(s), wherein the control algorithm is based on the decoupled mathematical model such that each thruster control variable can be adjusted independently.

Abstract: A sodium-ion electrolyte composition for use in an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte composition comprising a mixture of a phosphonium salt and a sodium salt, wherein the electrolyte composition presents as a solid up to at least 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of neurological diseases and disorders involving administration of trans 10-HDA. In particular, the methods of the present invention are useful in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of acquired or progressive neurodevelopmental disorders and conditions in mammals. More particularly, methods are taught herein for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and disorders such as autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract: The present application provides a motion simulator apparatus and method of use. The motion simulator apparatus may include an anthropomorphic robot arm adapted to provide at least six degrees of freedom of movement, a user pod for receiving a user and being operatively connected to the anthropomorphic robot arm, and a haptic interface operatively associated with the user pod for providing haptic feedback to the user in correspondence with the movement of the user pod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. More particularly, the invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing silk fibroin biocompatible polyurethane membranes using a solvent, which have improved biodegradation, mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an EpCAM aptamer or an EpCAM aptamer conjugate having bi-functional activity and to uses thereof. In particular, the present disclosure also relates to an aptamer conjugate which binds to the transferrin receptor (TfR) and EpCAM which is useful for treatment of brain tumours and/or brain metastasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or disorder of the central nervous system comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a xanthone-rich plant extract, or a compound derived from a xanthone-rich plant extract. The invention also relates to use of a xanthone-rich plant extract, or a compound derived from a xanthone-rich plant extract, in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or disorder of the central nervous system and to a xanthone-rich plant extract, or a compound derived from a xanthone-rich plant extract, for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or disorder of the central nervous system.

Abstract: An anode for a Li-ion cell, protected with an SEI by pre-treatment in an SEI-formation cell, is stable for cell cycling even in the presence of substantial water in the cell electrolyte. A method for making the protected anode includes forming an SEI on a lithium electrode by performing multiple charge/discharge cycles on the electrode in a first cell having an SEI formation electrolyte to produce the protected anode. The SEI formation electrolyte includes an ionic liquid having at least one of eight organic cations.

Abstract: An electrolyte for Li-ion and other secondary electrochemical cells includes an FSI anion and at least one of methyltriethylphosphonium; trimethylisobutylphosphonium; methyltributylphosphonium; and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium. The electrolyte uniquely enables stable cell cycling even when water is present in the electrolyte at levels as high as 5000 ppm. Methyltriethylphosphonium and trimethylisobutylphosphonium-containing electrolytes are particularly effective in this water-stabilizing capacity.