Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a testbed platform for characterizing materials and inks utilized in additive manufacturing of nanocomposites. The system may include a testbed base coupled to a group of electromagnets. The base may include an aperture for housing a microscope slide and an interchangeable channel including a microfluidic flow cell of various geometric angles. The system may further include a group of needle tips in fluidic communication with the microfluidic flow cell. The needle tips may be coupled, via lock connectors, to syringes that dispense magnetic inks utilized in additive manufacturing into the microfluidic flow cell. The system may also include an inverted microscope lens and a high-speed camera in optical communication with the base. The camera may be utilized to capture images of a flow behavior of the magnetic inks for performing an analysis that determines a nozzle design for microdispensing during an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A biocompatible resin composition that is used in the manufacture of a dissolvable microneedle that is used for the transdermal delivery of one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients to a subject. The biocompatible resin composition includes lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphospinate, water, and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (molecular weight 550), and may include methacrylated hyaluronic acid, that is capable of forming a structurally stable microneedle patch. The microneedle patch is formulated with the biocompatible resin composition using a continuous, one-step process utilizing additive manufacturing. Once manufactured, the microneedle patches are formulated to adhere to an outer layer of a subject's skin. Once administered to the subject, the microneedle compositions create microscopic pathways into the subject's subdermal layers to deliver one or more active agents to the subject, such as to the subject's bloodstream.

Abstract: An osmotic sanitary collection bag for collecting fluid discharged from the vagina during menstruation. The osmotic sanitary collection bag includes an absorbent sponge having a plurality of drainage apertures disposed therethrough. Elongated adhesive strips extend away from the sponge and are adhered to a first surface of a conventional sanitary device to secure the osmotic sanitary collection bag in place. A collection bag abuts the absorbent sponge and is disposed in underlying relation to the absorbent sponge and the drainage apertures. The absorbent sponge is laced with salt, alcohol, and an odor-masking substance, such as sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods of using the compositions to treat triple negative breast cancer are presented. 4-Ethyl-N-(7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl) benzamide has been shown to downregulate the expression of several genes associated with TNBC such as amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1), inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (ID3), killer cell lectin like receptor C3 (KLRC3), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). In addition, the compound has been shown to downregulate the oncostatin M(OSM) signaling pathway.

Abstract: The practical application of a multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear optimization model for the improvement of vessel scheduling, which accounts for all major route service cost components reported in the literature and separates them in two conflicting groups. The original mixed integer nonlinear model is linearized by discretizing the vessel sailing speed reciprocal, and the Global Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm is developed to solve the linearized model. It was found that negotiation of both vessel service time windows and handling rates between liner shipping companies and marine container terminal operators may significantly reduce the total route service cost components. Furthermore, the numerical experiments show that vessel schedules are more sensitive to the unit fuel cost as compared to the unit carbon dioxide emission cost.

Abstract: A multi-component adaptor assembly including a resin reservoir adaptor disposed on a printing surface of a preexisting additive manufacturing device, and including a build platform adaptor secured to a translatable arm of the preexisting additive manufacturing device. The resin reservoir adaptor is used to modify an existing resin reservoir by creating one or more smaller reservoirs within the larger housing, thereby reducing an amount of resin stored within the device to reduce resin waste. Moreover, the rotating and/or sliding build platform adaptor is designed to selectively contact one or more of the reservoirs of the resin reservoir adaptor, thereby selectively printing components of an additive manufactured process. The multi-component adaptor assembly allows for additive manufacturing projects using less resin with fewer waste products; simultaneous printing of identical structures; and the selective printing of different components of a structure during a single printing cycle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a collaborative manufacturing system utilizing a plurality of mobile agents. The mobile agents operate dual robotic arms to improve single and multi-material builds' efficiency. In some embodiments, the dual robotic arms work together in the same area to create multi-functional components. In addition, the mobile agents can change tool heads on the arms to allow for hybrid manufacturing such as pick and place, additive, and subtractive manufacturing. One or more mobile agents interact with other mobile agents, thereby increasing the end product's efficiency and quality. Mobile agents utilize swarm manufacturing techniques to improve the manufactured product's time efficiency further and use machine learning to adjust and re-assign mobile agents constantly.

Abstract: A system and methodology for rehydrating perishable items (e.g., flowers, fresh food items, such as fruits, vegetables, other produce, and nuts) during storage and transportation thereof. The osmotic rehydration apparatus includes a pressurized chamber, a humidifier, an ozone generator, an electrostatic sprayer, a reservoir containing saline, and an air compressor. The perishable items are placed in the osmotic chamber under positive pressure. A film of saline solution is applied to the surface of the perishable items via an electrostatic sprayer. The saline/chlorine film on the perishable items is dried, and the osmotic chamber is saturated with ozone gas via an ozone generator. The osmotic chamber is then saturated with tiny pure water droplets via a humidifier or an electrostatic sprayer. The pressure within the chamber is raised to a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The osmotic chamber is then placed inside a cooler at a temperature slightly above freezing.

Abstract: An osmotic food production system designed to produce fruits, vegetables, and freshwater from urine or saltwater. In some embodiments the osmotic food production system also produces oxygen. In some embodiments, the osmotic food production system is portable and capable of transporting on a vehicle capable of space travel. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to address the existing problems of food production, waste disposal/utilization, oxygen generation, and water conservation in an efficient way to allow for prolonged space travel or colonization of distant planets and moons.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method for detecting or sensing damage within a target material, as well as related devices. In some embodiments, a damage sensing system including a target material, an optical fiber embedded into the target material, where the optical fiber has an outer surface running the length of the optical fiber, a photosensitive receiver, and a triboluminescent coating coated on the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods of forming multimaterial fibers via a thermal drawing process used to produce fibers with controlled compositions and alignments. The multimaterial fibers are usable as feedstock for additive manufacturing printing, as well as other applications that require elongated fibers with improved physical characteristics. The multimaterial fibers are formed from a mixture of low dimensional materials (LDM's), such as metal nanoparticles, and thermoplastic matrices. During fabrication of the fibers, a composite of LDM's and thermoplastics is heated and experiences a pulling force on one end in a direction away from an opposing end, thereby drawing the composite into an elongated fiber. The fiber includes a set of physical properties determined by the LDM's, and is usable as a filament across various applications.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an anti-icing and ultra-violet (UV) reflective apparatus for vehicle windshields and windows. The apparatus may include a housing including a hinged door covering interior components contained therein. The components may include a cover component coupled to an interior of the housing that stores a cover for covering a vehicle windshield and vehicle windows and that reflects UV radiation. The components may further include a roller component, coupled to an interior of the housing, that stores a set of rollers in an anti-freezing compound utilized for coating the cover. The components may also include a turning mechanism coupled to the cover component through an exterior side of the housing that extends the cover onto the vehicle windshield and/or the vehicle windows to protect the at least one of the vehicle windshield and the one or more vehicle windows against freezing and the UV radiation.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a magnetic and osmotic inner tube for insertion in vehicle tires. The magnetic and osmotic inner tube may include a nonpermeable membrane ring coupled to a semipermeable membrane ring, an O-ring, and a group of polar magnets. The nonpermeable membrane ring may be coated with a sealant and store hypertonic fluid and plugging materials. The semipermeable membrane ring may store hypotonic fluid and plugging materials. When a vehicle tire is punctured by an object, the hypotonic fluid and the plugging materials are drawn by osmosis through the semipermeable membrane ring into the hypertonic fluid of the nonpermeable membrane ring to create an osmotic pressure on the nonpermeable membrane ring that causes the O-ring to seal the puncture. The polar magnets may be arranged, in parallel, to generate opposing magnetic forces that create a magnetic field that supports a vehicle weight.

Abstract: A methodology and/or system to automatically generate an optimal collaborative agreement, according to which multiple vessel arrival time windows, start and end times for each time window, and multiple handling rates during each time window are offered by the marine container terminal operator to the liner shipping company at each port of the given liner shipping route. The vessel scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model, where the total liner shipping route service cost is minimized. A set of linearization techniques are applied to the original model, and the linearized model is solved using CPLEX. A number of computational experiments were performed for the Pacific Atlantic 1 liner shipping route, served by the NYK liner shipping company, with results showing effectiveness of the proposed collaborative agreement and the adopted solution methodology to improve liner shipping operations.

Abstract: A system and methodology for rehydrating perishable items (e.g., flowers, fresh food items, such as fruits, vegetables, other produce, and nuts) during storage and transportation thereof. The osmotic rehydration apparatus includes a pressurized chamber, a humidifier, an ozone generator, an electrostatic sprayer, a reservoir containing saline, and an air compressor. The perishable items are placed in the osmotic chamber under positive pressure. A film of saline solution is applied to the surface of the perishable items via an electrostatic sprayer. The saline/chlorine film on the perishable items is dried, and the osmotic chamber is saturated with ozone gas via an ozone generator. The osmotic chamber is then saturated with tiny pure water droplets via a humidifier or an electrostatic sprayer. The pressure within the chamber is raised to a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The osmotic chamber is then placed inside a cooler at a temperature slightly above freezing.

Abstract: A formulation and method for treating or reducing ocular surface inflammation and associated diseases and disorders. The formulation includes targeted micelles that encapsulate tacrolimus within a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the formulation is coated in arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a solid lipid nanoparticle of ibuprofen utilizing hot melt extrusion which avoids additional steps such as high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, or solvent evaporation. The continuous process includes preparing a pre-emulsion comprising a lipid, and continuously processing the pre-emulsion through a hot melt extruder device.

Abstract: A method of treating psychosis, and the underlying antipsychotic formulation. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of synthetic agents that selectively recruit ?-arrestin to D2 receptors and have little-to-no binding to culprit receptors associated with weight gain and Type II diabetes. The synthetic agents can include SYA16263 and SYA16264, and/or derivatives or analogs thereof. The 1-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazine moiety was found to play a significant role in recruiting ?-arrestin to D2 receptors. In other embodiments, the current invention relates to synthetic agents that are selective of D4 receptors for treatment of psychosis and erectile dysfunction. The synthetic agents can include SYA27287 and/or derivatives or analogs thereof. In all embodiments, extrapyramidal side effects are eliminated or minimized.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivars of grapevine, Vitis spp., which is an early to midseason ripening white wine grapevine that is resistant to Pierce's disease, exhibits low fruit ripening rot, and is able to produce premium white wines. The new and distinct cultivar produces a premium white wine with a pale yellow color and consistent yield. The cultivar has moderate-vigorous vine growth with moderate fruit yield. The cultivar produces wines with pale yellow color, smooth mouthfeel, and a harmonious blend of tropical fruit taste with a long and generous clear finish. The cultivar has inflorescences that develop generally from the 4th to 6th nodes of a shoot.