Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to an antenna system comprising two oppositely directed antennas integrated in a structure including two layers of resistivity switching material, and methods for controlling transmission of radiation through the layers of resistivity switching material to thereby allow for simultaneous and switchable transmission of antenna radiation in two opposite directions.

Abstract: The Transformable Swarm Robots for Pipe Inspection and Maintenance (TSRPIM) represent a comprehensive system that include a single or multiple robots, each featuring distinct functionalities and designs, that can work independently or collaboratively to accomplish the primary objective of inspecting and maintaining different pipeline systems. The robots in TSRPIM can be physically connected/disconnected with/from other robots through an electromagnetic locking mechanism. They can bypass each other inside the pipe through overriding techniques, and they can communicate through WIFI, Bluetooth, and Long-range RF communication, thus the system has intranet and internet communications.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for reducing ambient noise generated from an acoustic domain, comprising a landing pad comprising a plurality of zones of varied porosity levels over specified sections, and a plurality of perforated channels across the plurality of zones of varied porosity levels, the perforated channels comprising a plurality of aqueous sheets placed at an inlet of the perforated channels and along the perforated channels. Also disclosed is a method of reducing ambient acoustic noise produced by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, the method comprising the steps of absorbing acoustic energy produced by the UAV via a plurality of zones of varied porosity levels, present in a UAV landing pad, resulting in reducing sound-pressure transmission-loss of propeller downwash across the plurality of zones of varied porosity.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electroanalytical sensor for the detection of meloxicam. The electroanalytical sensor comprises a carbon electrode. The carbon electrode comprises zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, wherein the ZnO nanoparticles are co-doped with silver (Ag) and cobalt (Co). The present disclosure also discloses a method of detecting meloxicam using an electroanalytical sensor. The electroanalytical sensor comprises a carbon electrode, the carbon electrode comprising zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles co-doped with silver (Ag) and cobalt (Co). The method of detecting meloxicam comprises the step of positioning a liquid droplet, comprising solvent, to be tested on a surface of the electrode. The method further comprises receiving a voltammetric response from the electrode, and analysing the voltammetric response to determine if meloxicam is present in the liquid droplet.

Abstract: Cycloalkylamine derivatives may be used for preventing or treating diseases in humans, animals, and have demonstrated efficacy specifically in treating type 2 diabetes. In an embodiment, the cycloalkylamine derivatives can include a compound selected from the group consisting of cycloheptanamine salts, cyclohexanamine salts, cyclopentanamine salts 1-cycloheptyl-[4,4?-bipyridin]-1-ium, N1,N2-dicycloheptyloxalamide, 1-[3?,5?-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-cycloheptylurea, 1,1?-(4-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(3-cycloheptylurea), 1-(2?-aminopyrimidin-4?-yl)-3-cycloheptylurea, 4-amino-N-(cycloheptylcarbamoyl)benzenesulfonamide, 4-(3?-cycloheptylureido)-N-(5?-methylisoxazol-3?-yl)benzenesulfonamide, N-(cycloheptylcarbamoyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide, 1-cycloheptylguanidine hydrochloride, (E)-amino[(amino(cycloheptylamino)methylene)amino]methaniminium chloride, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A novel NiFeAl-based catalytic material was developed for the conversion of methane, the main constituent of natural gas, to synthesis gas, which is a mixture of H2 and CO in a H2/CO molar ratio of 2, through partial oxidation by air at reasonable temperatures.

Abstract: A staining composition for staining cells and for use in a method of staining cells, a method of diagnosing mitotic activity and a method of diagnosing cancer. The composition comprises dried petunia petals at least partially dissolved in distilled water; and 400 milligrams of picric acid per gram of dried petunia petals. The method of staining cells includes rinsing a sample containing the cells with 10% of phosphotungistic acid or 10% of phosphomolybdic acid; staining the sample with the composition and dehydrating the samples with 100% Ethanol or Isopropanol. The method of diagnosing mitotic activity includes observing stained regions in the sample to identify mitotic activity indicated by stained regions. The method for diagnosing cancer includes quantifying mitotic figures in the sample which are identified by stained regions of the sample.

Abstract: The autonomous hull biofouling cleaning system includes a floating platform mounted on pontoons and having thrusters to move the platform close to a hull needing cleaning. The floating platform includes both axial and transverse sliding ballast to prevent the platform from overturning from the collection of debris. Mounted on the platform is a solar power apparatus for providing power to the various modules, a motorized hose reel, concentric hoses mounted on the reel, an ozone pumping apparatus, a vacuum debris collection apparatus, and modules for sanitizing the debris to discharge sanitized water. A submersible remotely operating cleaning system (SROCS) is attached to the hose and includes thrusters to move adjacent to the hull, electromagnetic coils to attach to the hull, and rubbing discs to remove the biofouling, the hose first pumping ozone on the biofouling and the vacuum debris hose removing the biofouling to the floating platform for processing.

Abstract: Antimicrobial bi-metallic polymeric composites are provided. The bi-metallic polymeric composites include a first metal, a second metal, and a polymeric material and demonstrate especially rapid clearance of a wide variety of bacterial species. Thus, the bi-metallic polymeric composites may be useful in forming or surface treating materials where anti-bacterial properties are desired, including but not limited to surfaces requiring regular sanitization, such as high-contact surfaces in public facilities, medical facilities, or for use in the home. The first metal and the second metal may be any metals affording an electromotive force and may be selected to provide a particular electromotive force.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spherical optical lens formed in a liquid or a gas, the spherical optical lens is formed by refractive index modulations associated with an acoustic wave, wherein a spherical aberration and focal length of the acoustic wave are controllable. Also disclosed is a method of forming an acousto-optic spherical lens in a homogeneous medium, comprising the steps of introducing an alteration in a refractive index of the medium using acoustic field of a spherical wave, thereby forming a shape of the acousto-optic spherical lens, passing an optical beam through the altered or perturbed medium, exposing the optical beam to a modulated refractive index owing to an inner most wave front of the altered or perturbed medium being accompanied with high pressure modulation, thereby resulting in bending of the optical beam.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying conformers of a molecule are provided. The methods for classifying conformers of a molecule include selecting a target molecule, generating a list of conformers of the target molecule, completing a quantum mechanics (QM) simulation for each conformer, extracting an electronic energy for each conformer from the corresponding QM simulation, calculating average electron density (AED) values corresponding to a most electronegative group of the target molecule, generating a plot of the electronic energies vs. the calculated AED values, and classifying conformers based on this plot. Similar methods can also be used to predict shapes of electrostatic potential (ESP) maps for conformers of a molecule. These ESP maps can, in turn, be used to identify conformers of the molecule having desired chemical or pharmaceutical properties.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing styrene at atmospheric pressure with high selectivity (in the range of 91% to 96%) to styrene comprising: providing gaseous phenylacetylene; providing gaseous hydrogen; providing a cerium bimetallic catalyst comprising one of Ni-5% NbCe and Ni-10% NbCe; reducing the cerium bimetallic catalyst with hydrogen at 500° C. for about 2 hours; reacting the phenylacetylene with the hydrogen in the presence of the cerium bimetallic catalyst at a temperature of 300° C.; and thereby obtaining an end product comprising a styrene fraction of about 54% to 71% of the end product and a waste fraction. The catalyst is found to be stable for about 5 cycles of manufacturing styrene without losing selectivity to styrene and without reduced conversion rate.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing NH2-MIL-125(Ti) for use in mitigating ingress of chlorine ions in concrete, comprising dissolving 2-amino-benzene dicarboxylic acid in a 1:1 ratio of dimethylformamide and methanol, adding a titanium (IV) isopropoxide to the mixture at 150° C. with constant stirring to form NH2-MIL-125(Ti), submerging the NH2-MIL-125(Ti) in dichloromethane for about 3 hours and separating the NH2-MIL-125(Ti). NH2-MIL-125(Ti) produced is activated and ready for use in cement-based concrete structures. NH2-MIL-125(Ti) is enabled to reduce the ingress of chlorine ions in concrete by at least 20%.

Abstract: The buffing dust waste/polystyrene thermal insulator is a polymer composite containing 0.1%-25% by weight buffing dust waste from a leather tannery, the balance being polystyrene. The composite has extremely low thermal conductivity (e.g., 0.0447 W/m-K for a composite 10% budding dust by weight), making it a good insulator, while still having relatively high mechanical properties. The thermal insulator is made by mixing the buffing dust with the polystyrene polymer in a twin-screw extruder and pouring the mixture into a steel mold. The mold is heated and compressed in a hot press machine, e.g., at 500 kg force at 180° C. for 20 minutes, which may be followed by 500 kg force at 125° C. for an additional 20 minutes. The resulting composite polymer is suitable for use as thermal insulation in buildings.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of producing metal-organic framework (MOF) incorporated concrete to capture CO2 and reduce carbon footprint, the method comprising mixing cement, a plurality of fine aggregates and a plurality of coarse aggregates for a predefined time under ambient conditions in a concrete mixer to form a dry concrete mix, mixing water in the dry concrete mix to form a wet concrete mix, incorporating MOF homogeneously into the wet concrete mix to form the MOF incorporated concrete, mixing the MOF incorporated concrete for two minutes and casting the MOF incorporated concrete by placing the MOF incorporated concrete into a mold, and curing the MOF incorporated concrete via a three-stage curing process. A quantity of the MOF in concrete is 3, 6 and/or 9% by cement mass.

Abstract: A system and method of desalinating a brine stream are provided. The multistage desalination process with carbon dioxide capture recovers valuable products where the reject brine is passed through seven stages. In each stage, a specific metal ion is recovered. In stage 1, a ˜100% recovery of magnesium ions as magnesium hydroxide solid was obtained by chemical reaction with ammonia solution. In stage 2, Na+ reduction, as sodium bicarbonate, and CO2 uptake was achieved. In stage 3, electrocoagulation (EC) was used to recover sulfate ions as pure calcium sulfate solid and to regenerate NH3 as ammonium hydroxide. In stage 4, CaO was added to the treated brine. In stage 5, more recovery of NaHCO3 was attained by adding ammonium bicarbonate, while in stage 6, the treated brine mixture was passed through another modified Solvay process. In stage 7, EC was again used to recover CaCl2 solution and NH3 compounds.

Abstract: The solar dome atomized desalination system with enhanced evaporation includes several features for enhancing evaporation of water within the solar distillation dome. The system includes a transparent solar dome with a peak point. The transparent solar dome is supported on a base that includes a bottom panel and sidewalls that form the outer perimeter of a freshwater basin. A saltwater basin is concentrically located within the freshwater basin, both of which may be square in shape. A first evaporation enhancement feature includes a plurality of reflectors for directing additional solar rays into the dome. A second evaporation enhancement feature includes an ultrasound generator centrally located on the bottom of the saltwater basin to atomize the saltwater in the saltwater basin. A third evaporation enhancement feature includes a plurality of copper structures extending from the peak of the solar dome to the perimeter of the freshwater basin.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of fabricating a copper-cobalt (Cu—Co) oxysulfide nanoarchitecture, the method comprising dissolving cobalt nitrate hexahydrate and copper nitrate in de-ionized (DI) water forming a growth solution, mixing disodium thiosulfate and urea to the formed growth solution, immersing a pre-cleaned Ni-foam substrate in the growth solution forming a total solution and transferring the total solution to a sealed glass bottle. The method further comprises heating the sealed glass bottle in an oil bath, thereby forming a flower-like morphology sample of copper-cobalt oxysulfide and cleaning and drying the formed sample of copper-cobalt oxysulfide. Also disclosed is a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) comprising copper-cobalt (Cu—Co) oxysulfide nanosheets (NFs) on Ni foam as positive electrode; and copper-cobalt (Cu—Co) oxysulfide nanosheets (NFs) on porous carbon as negative electrode.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material for dehydration of gases includes the steps of grinding date palm wood fibers to produce a fiber powder, immersing the fiber powder in an alkali solution, filtering fiber powder from the alkali solution to obtain treated fiber powder, drying the treated fiber powder, mixing the dried treated fiber powder with melted polylactic acid to form a composite material, extruding the composite material, and molding and pressing the extruded composite material. The resultant composite material may then be used to dehydrate gas by contacting the gas with the composite material such that water from the gas is adsorbed onto the surface of the composite material.

Abstract: The heat sinks with vibration enhanced heat transfer are heat sinks formed from a first body of high thermal conductivity material. The first body of high thermal conductivity material is received within a thermally conductive housing such that at least one contact face of the first body of high thermal conductivity material is exposed, forming a direct contact interface with a heat source requiring cooling. The heat source requiring cooling may be a liquid heat source, including but not limited to water. The thermally conductive housing is disposed such that at least one contact face of the thermally conductive housing is in direct contact with the vibrating base. The vibrating base applies oscillating waves to the heat sink, thereby increasing heat transfer between the heat source and the heat sink.