Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of distributed renewable energy sources/storages utilizing a cascaded DC-AC inverter, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC converter. The ability to segment the energy sources and energy storages improves the maintenance capability and system reliability of the distributed generation system, as well as achieve wide range reactive power compensation. In the absence of a DC-DC converter, single stage energy conversion can be achieved to enhance energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Nanocomposite materials and methods of making composite materials reinforced with carbon nanotubes are disclosed. The composite material includes an array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes having a degree of functionalization of about 1% to about 10%; and a polymeric matrix material bonded to the array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Described is a device comprising a substrate, and a quorum sensor array on the substrate. The quorum sensor array comprises quorum sensors that release signal molecules in response to one or more environmental signals being sense by the quorum sensors to thereby amplify the one or more environmental signals by causing a signal chain reaction in neighboring quorum sensors of the quorum sensor array. Each of the quorum sensors comprises a lipid multilayer structure. Also described is a method comprising providing data for changes in optical properties of at least part of the quorum sensor array in response to exposing the quorum sensor array to one or more environmental signals, and determining the presence of the one or more environmental signals based on the data.

Abstract: An actuator configured to rapidly vary the throat geometry of a microjet nozzle. Varying the throat geometry rapidly changes the characteristics of the microjet produced by the microjet nozzle. The inventive device is capable of producing pulsed flow. In some embodiments it is also capable of producing rapidly variable flow in order to provide active control.

Abstract: A lithium air battery cell includes an anode having lithium, a cathode having a Ag2Mn8O16 catalyst, and an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt. A cathode for a lithium air battery cell and a lithium air battery with a cathode including buckypaper and a Ag2Mn8O16 catalyst are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors and methods for producing such electrochemical capacitors. The electrochemical capacitor can have an initial charged state and a cycled charged state and can include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode can include a first mixture having a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity. The cathode can include a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than said first average porosity. The electrolyte can be physically and electrically contacting said anode and said cathode, and the first mixture in the cycled charged state can be substantially free of lithium metal particles and can further include a plurality of lithium ions intercalating the first plurality of carbon comprising particles. The mass ratio of the cathode and the electrolyte can be less than 1.

Abstract: A polymer and a method of forming a polymer are provided. The polymer has the general structure (I): wherein M is an organic moiety; X is a main group element selected from S, P, As, Se, Te, and Sb; R1 is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between M and X or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms; R2 is a hydrocarbyl moiety; R3 is an organic linking group; Y has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; Z has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; YY has a value of 0, 1 or 2; and Y, YY, and Z are such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Abstract: An article for controlling the attachment and growth of cells on a surface of the article, and a method for the use of the article is provided. The article comprises a substratum having a surface and a film on the surface, the film comprising a network of a net positively charged composition and a net negatively charged composition, wherein the net positively charged composition comprises a net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged composition comprises a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte, and the net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged polyelectrolyte contain (i) a polymer repeat unit having at least two fluorine atoms, or (ii) a polymer repeat unit having a zwitterion group. The method comprises contacting the article with living tissue, living organisms, or with water in an aqueous system comprising living organisms.

Abstract: Methods of treatment using D-serine to target brain cells expressing GluN3 subunit-containing triheteromeric NMDARs are disclosed. The methods include inhibiting calcium ion uptake by brain cells, treating epilepsy, and treating seizures by artificially administering D-serine.

Abstract: An article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex comprising an interpenetrating network of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer, the polyelectrolyte complex further comprising a plurality of closed-shell pores, the plurality of pores having at least one average transverse dimension between about 100 nanometer and about 1000 micrometers.

Abstract: A cable termination comprising an upper cryostat chamber containing a liquid cryogen and a lower cryostat chamber containing a gaseous cryogen to maintain dielectric integrity and thermal management of an electric connection. A gaseous cryogen recirculation system may cause the gaseous cryogen to flow through the lower cryostat chamber and a power cable enclosure.

Abstract: Methods of using portions of the N-terminal domain of prion protein for binding hemin are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method comprises administering at least one isolated amino acid sequence comprising a peptide from the octarepeat region of PrPC to a solution containing hemin, wherein the isolated amino acid sequence is effective for forming one or more chemical bonds with hemin.

Abstract: Methods of regulating uterine contractions using light are described. An exemplary method of regulating uterine contractions comprises suppressing a nocturnal endogenous melatonin level of a pregnant female experiencing uterine contractions by exposing the pregnant female during nighttime to a light source emitting visible light.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making ceramic preforms having two-dimensional interconnected channels therein. The methods include (i) positioning a sacrificial material having a selected profile within a bed of ceramic powder; (ii) compacting the bed of ceramic powder to form a compacted mass; (iii) heating the compacted mass to thermally transform the sacrificial materials into a fluid without cracking the compacted mass; and (iv) removing the fluid from the compacted mass, thereby leaving a two-dimensional network of interconnected channels having the selected profile of the sacrificial material within the compacted mass. Ceramic preforms are also provided which include a compacted mass of ceramic powder and two-dimensional interconnected channels therein.

Abstract: A polymer and a method of forming a polymer are provided. The polymer has the general structure (I): wherein M is a main group element, a transition metal element, or an organic moiety; X is a main group element selected from S, P, As, Se, Te, and Sb; R1 is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between M and X or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms; R2 is a hydrocarbyl moiety; R3 is an organic linking group; Y has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; Z has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; YY has a value of 0, 1 or 2; and Y, YY, and Z are such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of using vitamin B12 to influence amyloid-beta peptide aggregation. A preferred method comprises contacting at least one amyloid-beta peptide oligomer formed from a plurality of amyloid-beta peptide monomers with an effective amount of vitamin B12, the effective amount being sufficient to stimulate dissociation of the amyloid-beta peptide monomers from the amyloid-beta peptide oligomer or fibril. Also provided are methods of treating Alzheimer's disease and diagnostic tests for detecting the presence of amyloid-beta peptides.

Abstract: Photoreactive DNA cleaving conjugate compounds are provided comprising a DNA cleaving moiety which comprises an aryl alkyne group and a polyfunctional pH-regulated DNA-binding moiety which comprises at least one or two amino groups.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of carbon-based structures, particularly graphene substructures and ribbons, from oligo- and poly-alkyne starting materials.

Abstract: Nanocomposite materials and methods of making composite materials reinforced with carbon nanotubes are disclosed. The composite material includes an array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes having a degree of functionalization of about 1% to about 10%; and a polymeric matrix material bonded to the array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes.