Abstract: A system and method for electrical tree simulation based on a modification of a discharge avalanche model with an application of a charge simulation method to determine partial discharge data during the growth of electrical trees in an insulation system and a method of using the model to determine the remaining useful life of an insulation system.

Abstract: A three-port bidirectional DC-DC converter for grid-interactive renewable energy source system applications. The three-phase topology is suitable for residential power requirements. The control of the backup battery system and the renewable energy source system are naturally decoupled. In addition, the port interface with the renewable energy is current type, which can implement maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and soft switching under wide variations in the renewable energy source terminal voltage.

Abstract: Provided are fusicoccane derivatives and methods of making fusicoccane derivatives. The methods may include contacting a tethered chromophore with light to initiate a photoinduced pericyclic reaction cascade to form a 5-8-5 carbotricycle. The 5-8-5 carbotricycle may be further functionalized.

Abstract: Methods of aligning fibers with an electric field are provided. The fibers may include dielectric fibers, such as carbon fibers. The fibers may be aligned in a liquid that is curable. Composite materials also are provided that include aligned fibers.

Abstract: Articles are provided comprising a substrate and a coating. The coating comprises a polyelectrolyte complex having surface roughness. The polyelectrolyte complex has a thickness of at least 10 micrometers and a roughness of at least 1 micrometer.

Abstract: The cognitive flexibility of a subject may be improved by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a TrkB receptor antagonist to the subject in need thereof. The TrkB receptor antagonist compound may be administered in a pharmaceutical dosage form.

Abstract: Provided herein are perovskite-polymer films, methods of forming polymer-perovskite films, and devices including polymer-perovskite films. The polymer-perovskite films may include a plurality of methylammonium lead chloride (CH3NH3PbCl3) nanopillar crystals embedded in a polymer matrix. The devices can be optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes, which include polymer-perovskite films. The polymer-perovskite films of the devices can be hole transport layers in the devices. The methods of making films may include spin casting a precursor solution followed by thermal annealing.

Abstract: Provided herein are all-inorganic perovskite-based films, devices including all-inorganic perovskite-based films, and methods of forming all-inorganic perovskite-based films. The methods may include casting a precursor formulation that includes an all-inorganic perovskite, a liquid, and a polymer. The amount of polymer in the precursor formulation may be less than the amount of all-inorganic perovskite in the precursor formulation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making composite materials. The methods may include infiltrating a carbon nanoscale fiber network with a ceramic precursor, curing the ceramic precursor, and/or pyrolyzing the ceramic precursor. The infiltrating, curing, and pyrolyzing steps may be repeated one or more times. Composite materials also are provided that include a ceramic material and carbon nanoscale fibers.

Abstract: Composite structures and methods of their manufacture are provided. In one embodiment, the composite structure includes a substrate which includes a relatively soft material, and nanoparticles which include a relatively hard material and which are embedded (i) within at least a surface region of the substrate, or (ii) uniformly within and throughout the substrate, in an amount effective to improve the wear resistance of the substrate. Methods for forming these composite structures include a hot-rolling process, a roll-bonding process, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for rapid assessment of sensor response times as the sensor is rapidly switched between two or more calibration fluids discharged from a multi-fluid jet nozzle. The novel method includes exposing the sensor to a first calibration fluid and then rapidly exposing it to a second calibration fluid without removing the sensor from the fluid phase. The sensor's output is then assessed to determine its response time. This method is simpler and less expensive than other methods and allows improved precision timing of the change in calibration fluids without changing flow velocity or exposure to other media or viscosities. An embodiment of the novel device is a dual-fluid jet nozzle that ejects two distinct jets of calibration fluid at the same velocity through a single nozzle discharge aperture divided by a sharply-edged boundary wall.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing impurities from a carbon nanotube structure and then orienting the nanotubes within the structure. The process may use environmentally benign materials and minimize damage to the carbon nanotubes. The process may provide a cost-effective way to manufacture nanomaterials based macroscopic parts and components, whose properties approach to those of the individual nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system and method employing a hybrid method for predicting sub-seasonal forecasts of winter storms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs). In various embodiments, the method includes, deriving a lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation from a plurality of forecasts generated by an operational numerical model for seasonal weather forecasts, detecting one or more PULSE events in the lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation to determine a state of the stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events and generating a sub-seasonal forecast of winter snowstorms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs) by linking the state of stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events to one or more maps of surface temperature and wintery precipitation based on historical observation data.

Abstract: An ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch that is simple, compact, does not require high energy to operate, ultralow loss, clean, and capable of being automatically reset. The invention includes a fast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism integrated into the switching chamber. The integration of the drive mechanism into the switching chamber provides faster contact travel and therefore a faster switching operation. Additionally, the switching chamber is a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum. The invention further includes an ultrafast disconnect switch. The invention generally is an integrated piezoelectric-actuator-based mechanical switching mechanism. The mechanism has a central piezoelectric actuator that extends to pull contacts inwards in order to obtain two disconnects within a millisecond or less. Surrounding the piezoelectric actuator is a polymer insulating shell and beyond the shell is the metallic conductor.

Abstract: Soluble polyphosphides were successfully generated in a number of organic solvents by a reaction between shelf-stable red phosphorus and potassium ethoxide or other nucleophilic activators. The species were identified by 31P-NMR in solution. The reaction was scaled up to gram quantities by using a flow-chemistry process.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a working electrode which includes a plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a hybrid sensitizer. The hybrid sensitizer includes a nanoporous titanium oxide layer coated on the plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns, a microporous titanium oxide layer coated onto the nanoporous titanium oxide layer, and dye particles and quantum dots disposed in the pores of the microporous titanium oxide layer. In addition, the dye-sensitized solar cell includes a conducting electrode which includes at least one carbon nanotube yarn disposed about the hybrid sensitizer. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a solid state electrolyte disposed about the hybrid sensitizer.

Abstract: An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery including an anode, a separator and an air cathode is provided. The apparatus includes a non-metallic anode container portion, a non-metallic cathode container portion, and non-metallic connecting structure and sealing structure for connecting and sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define a hermetically sealed interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion. The cathode container portion includes an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air chamber portion can be adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode. A method of evaluating an air cathode battery and a battery assembly for the NMR spectroscopy of an air cathode battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are all-inorganic perovskite-based films, devices including all-inorganic perovskite-based films, and methods of forming all-inorganic perovskite-based films. The methods may include casting a precursor formulation that includes an all-inorganic perovskite, a liquid, and a polymer. The amount of polymer in the precursor formulation may be less than the amount of all-inorganic perovskite in the precursor formulation.

Abstract: A wave propagation apparatus. The apparatus includes a container enclosing a base layer/liquid and an overlying layer/liquid separated from each other. Above the overlying layer is a driver sprocket and a driven sprocket, which rotate about their respective central shafts, which are fixed across a width of the container. A closed chain loop is disposed around the sprockets, with a plurality of paddles secured thereto at a spaced distance away from each other. The chain rotates about the sprockets as they rotate about the central shafts. The driver sprocket rotates via a motor, which is controlled by a controller and powered by a power source. The paddles travel through the overlying layer but not through the base layer, thus displacing the fluid in the overlying layer and causing a dragging wave to appear in the base layer, due to the surface friction between the base layer and the overlying layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an assistive assessment platform directed to improving the efficiency of student assessment administration, the ease of monitoring student progress, evaluator accountability, and the scoring of education outcomes, such as, for example, in pre-kindergarten (pre-K) to twelfth grade environments. The assistive assessment platform described herein allows for the simultaneous remote evaluation of a single student by an arbitrary number of authenticated teachers.