Abstract: A directional tunnel device for a subcutaneous implantable device is provided. The tunnel device includes an elongate outer sleeve having an open proximal end and an open distal end. An elongate outer trough has a trough proximal end, a trough distal end, and a concave cradle extending between the trough proximal end and the trough distal end. The outer trough is sized to slidingly fit inside outer sleeve such that the outer sleeve is slidable externally along the outer trough. An inner glide rests in the cradle. The inner glide includes an inner trough, a guide arm connected to a distal end of the inner trough, and a pivot arm connected to a distal end of the guide arm.

Abstract: Off-spec fly ash-based spherical lightweight aggregate (LWA), designated SPoRA, was manufactured and its engineering properties, including specific gravity, dry rodded unit weight, water absorption, mechanical performance, and pore structure, were evaluated. Using the characterized SPoRA, lightweight concrete (LWC) samples were made and properties of the LWC were assessed and compared with samples made using the traditional LWA. The results indicated that fine and coarse SPoRA had 72 h absorption capacities of 16.4% and 20.9%, respectively, which were higher than that of traditional LWA. SPoRA had a saturated surface dry (SSD) specific gravity higher than traditional LWA, which resulted in higher fresh density for the LWC prepared with SPoRA. Large spherical type pores were found for SPoRA similar to the traditional slate-based LWA. The pore size distribution of SPoRA, characterized using a dynamic vapor sorption analyzer, indicated that more than 97% of the pores had pore diameters greater than 50 nm.

Abstract: An electrolyte solvent having a dielectric constant of 10 or less comprising: a) 0% to 30% by volume of one or more of components i)-iii), based on a total volume of the electrolyte solvent: i) one or more unsubstituted cyclic carbonate(s): ii) one or more unsubstituted lactone(s); and iii) one or more unsubstituted oxazolidine(s); and b) 70% to 100% by volume of one or more of components iv)-vii), based on the total volume of the electrolyte solvent: iv) one or more substituted cyclic carbonate(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms: v) one or more substituted lactone(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms; and vi) one or more substituted oxazolidine(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms; and vii) one or more acyclic carbonate(s) having 2-20 carbon atoms. A method of making a cathode and cathodes and batteries made by the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) have been witnessing an impressive progress with the aid of wide bandgap (WBG) devices such as silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs. Along with obtaining high efficiency as the result of low on-state resistance, response times have been gaining remarkable achievements in microseconds range. Not only that, the reported successes in control and gate drivers design and incorporating fault detection/location techniques in SSCBs are promising. A MOV-resistive capacitive switch (MOV-RCS) snubber for solid state circuit breakers addresses the following: 1) the MOV degradation issue in DCCBs is solved, 2) the maximum allowable DC bus voltage on DCCBs is extended. The solid state circuit breaker and an active clamping snubber includes a first circuit including a fault current bypass based solid state breaker for low voltage direct current systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a solid, a first layer of an ionic liquid including an anion and a cation, a second layer including an ionically conductive ionomer, and a catalyst including a metal positioned on the solid, where the ionic liquid forms a first layer on the solid, the first layer is positioned between the second layer and the solid, and the catalyst is positioned between the solid and the first layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are thin films and methods of forming thin films. An example thin film may comprise Ba—Ti—O configured to exhibit a structure where a distance of one or more neighboring Ti—Ti atoms is less than 3 ?.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing acoustically-sensitive microbubbles. The method includes the steps of: i) preparing a first surfactant solution comprising a first micelle-forming surfactant at a concentration above the critical micelle concentration (CMC); ii) adding one or more pharmaceutical compounds in a solvent to the first surfactant solution, thereby loading the micelles with the one or more pharmaceutical compounds; iii) preparing a second surfactant solution comprising a second surfactant, wherein the second surfactant comprises one or more matrix forming surfactants; iv) adding heat to the second surfactant solution to melt the surfactant and allowing the mixture to cool under rapid stirring; v) combining the second surfactant solution with the loaded micelles; vi) purging the surfactant mixture with a purging gas; vii) agitating the purged mixture under a constant stream of the purging gas; and, viii) separating the formed microbubbles by size.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for reducing inflammation in a patient including locally administering a composition comprising a complex comprising octadecylamine surface-functionalized nanodiamonds with dexamethasone bound to octadecylamine. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for reducing inflammation in a patient comprising locally administering a composition including octadecylamine surface-functionalized nanodiamonds, wherein no therapeutic agent is bound to the nanodiamonds.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a human-safe method of killing or controlling insects using a non-toxic composition comprising erythritol ((2R,3S)-butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol). The disclosure also provides non-toxic compositions comprising erythritol suitable for killing insects in residential, commercial, and agricultural locales.

Abstract: A right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit provides a first end having a first disc extending radially therefrom and a second disc, proximate to the first disc. The second disc extends radially from the first end. An expandable lumen section extends between the first disc and the second disc. The conduit also has a second end, distal from the first end.

Abstract: In absence of electrical approaches for realization of highly stable RF oscillator, opto-electronic oscillators (OEO) techniques are provided, where self-forced oscillation techniques using long optical delays demonstrate significant short-term and long-term frequency stability. Fully integrated opto-electronic oscillator chip (IOEC) may be the most efficient realization of an RF frequency synthesizer in terms of operation frequency (covering microwave and millimeter wave), size (<10 cm3), ruggedness to environmental effects of temperature (?40 to 80C), vibration (up to 40g), low timing jitter (<5fs for 40 GHz carrier), and wall-plug efficiency (output power >10 dBm from under 1 W power). A free-running III-V (primarily InP) based multi-mode laser (MML) diodes is designed with large mode number (e.g., over 60 modes) and intermodal oscillation frequency compatible with desired RF carrier signal (e.g., 1-40 GHz).

Abstract: A polymerizable monomer prepared by reacting at least one epoxidized cardanol with (meth)acrylic anhydride or (meth)acryloyl chloride in the presence of one or more of triethylamine, tertiary amines, pyridines and pyridine derivatives; wherein the epoxidized cardanol is formed by epoxidation of an unsaturation site of a cardanol having the formula (I): wherein R is selected from hydrogen and an alkyl, or alkenyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, and n is 7, 10, or 13, a polymer and resin made form the polymerizable monomer, and a method of preparing such a polymer. The resin created from this monomer is suitable for moderate temperature composites and coatings applications.

Abstract: A deep vein thrombosis prevention device (DVT-PD) is a wearable device for the lower extremities senses the user's dynamic or static movements and actuates accordingly to lower DVT risks. The device uses a comprehensive control system together with an integrated machine learning model. to classify, manage, direct, and regulate signals and the behavior of the device.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film annealed at high temperatures and a polymer composite comprising the same. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film comprising: obtaining a MXene aqueous solution containing dispersed 2-dimensional (2D) MXenes through an acid etching process; filtering the obtained MXene aqueous solution through a vacuum filtration process to produce a free-standing film; and annealing the produced free-standing film at high temperatures to obtain a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film. In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding method comprising: superposing a coating comprising a heat-treated transition metal carbonitride MXene film on at least one surface of an object in a contact or non-contact manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating actinic keratosis of tissue of a patient, the method including contacting non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma over areas of the tissue having actinic keratosis for a time and at treatment conditions effective to give rise to an at least partial amelioration of the keratosis.

Abstract: Ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Pyr13FSI) was introduced into a hybrid network to obtain a series of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). Mechanical and electrochemical properties of the GPEs were tuned through controlling the network structure and ionic liquid contents, and ionic conductivity higher than 1 mS cm?1 at room temperature was achieved. The newly developed GPEs are flame-retardant and show excellent thermal and electrochemical stability as well as ultra-stability with lithium metal anode. Symmetrical lithium cells with the GPEs exhibit a stable cycling over 6800 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm?2 and stable lithium stripping-plating at 1 mA cm?2, the highest current density reported for ionic liquid-based GPEs. Moreover, Li/LiFePO4 batteries with the obtained GPEs exhibit desirable cycling stability and rate performance over a wide temperature range from 0° C. to 90° C.

Abstract: A key-based interleaver for enhancement the security of wireless communication includes a physical layer communication channel key to provide security even when the software encryption key is compromised. A method of creating a secure communication link using a physical layer interleaving system includes implementing a key policy implementation that utilizes temporal dependency and interleaving bits using a flexible inter and intra-block data interleaver.

Abstract: The present invention(s) is directed to novel conductive Mn+1Xn(Ts) compositions exhibiting high volumetric capacitances, and methods of making the same. The present invention(s) is also directed to novel conductive Mn+1Xn(Ts) compositions, methods of preparing transparent conductors using these materials, and products derived from these methods.

Abstract: A system for delivering physical therapy to a user includes an active video gaming system that has a motion detector capable of detecting the physical motions of a user. The system includes parameters related to movement restrictions that a user may have and the system creates a gaming environment based on the parameters.

Abstract: Methods of making a cathode active material, including steps of: a) mixing a conductive polymer, a nitrogen containing polymer or a combination of a conductive polymer and a nitrogen-containing polymer with sulfur in the presence of a solvent to form a mixture, using a weight ratio of the conductive polymer and/or nitrogen containing polymer to the sulfur of from about 1:2 to about 1:8; and b) heating the mixture to a temperature of from about 250#C to about 400#C under a pressure of from about 0.05 bar to about 2.0 bar to form the cathode active material. A cathode active material formed by the method and cells and batteries employing the cathode active material.