Abstract: A transcatheter prosthetic heart valve includes a stent frame and a leaflet material. The stent frame includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The leaflet material includes a lower portion attached to the stent frame and an upper portion that includes leaflets capable of moving between an open configuration and a closed configuration. At least a portion of the leaflet material weaves through the stent frame. The transcatheter prosthetic heart valve also includes one or more reinforcement components coupled to the stent frame and/or to the leaflet material to enhance performance of the transcatheter heart valve.

Abstract: As monitoring systems for applications such as earthquake detection, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and meteorological studies continue to advance in size and data quality, the task of data acquisition becomes equally challenging. Wireless systems for such monitoring applications are required to transfer data in a time-sensitive manner while conserving power in order to extend the operational life of the sensing/monitoring devices. Systems and methods for data acquisition for such scenarios are disclosed, with the objective of collision prevention and power conservation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a electrocatalyst from waste tires. The method comprises the steps of providing rubber pieces; optionally contacting the rubber pieces with a sulfonation bath to produce sulfonated rubber; pyrolyzing the rubber to produce tire-derived carbon composite comprising carbon black, wherein the pyrolyzing comprises heating to at least 200° C.-2400° C.; activating the tire-derived carbon composite by contacting the tire-derived carbon composite with an alkali anion compound to provide activated tire-derived carbon supports; and loading the activated carbon-based supports with platinum cubes. In another embodiment, the tire-derived carbon composite is activated by annealing in a carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst and a method for making the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a porous carbon composite impregnated with a salt. The catalyst comprises a porous carbon composite impregnated with a salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of isolating a cancer-associated cell, such as a cancer stem cell or tumor initiating cell or a cell derived therefrom, from a mixture of cells, for example, a mixture of adherent cells in culture. Cell isolation is achieved by the application of selective detachment forces.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a first network of compromised computers in a second network of computers, comprising: collecting Domain Name System (DNS) data for the second network; examining the collected data relative to DNS data from known comprised and/or uncompromised computers in the second network; and determining the existence of the first network and/or the identity of compromised computers in the second network based on the examination.

Abstract: Power flow controllers based on Imputed DC Link (IDCL) cells are provided. The IDCL cell is a self-contained power electronic building block (PEBB). The IDCL cell may be stacked in series and parallel to achieve power flow control at higher voltage and current levels. Each IDCL cell may comprise a gate drive, a voltage sharing module, and a thermal management component in order to facilitate easy integration of the cell into a variety of applications. By providing direct AC conversion, the IDCL cell based AC/AC converters reduce device count, eliminate the use of electrolytic capacitors that have life and reliability issues, and improve system efficiency compared with similarly rated back-to-back inverter system.

Abstract: Active AC snubbers for AC/AC converters are provided. The active snubbers are actively-controlled AC snubbers that may be used in AC/AC power converters including direct AC converters. The active snubbers provide a free-wheeling path for AC/AC converters, ensuring that the converters are tolerant of errors in measurements and timings and of faults. The desired safe commutation of the switching devices when accurate measurements of voltage and current polarities become difficult or under fault contingencies when trapped energy needs to be dispatched safely is ensured. In addition, the active AC snubber may provide equal voltage sharing among the series-connected devices and clamp output voltages.

Abstract: An electronic HEMT transistor structure comprises a heterojunction formed from a first layer, called a buffer layer, of a first wide bandgap semiconductor material, and a second layer of a second wide bandgap semiconductor material, with a bandgap width EG2 larger than that Eg1 of the first material, and a two-dimensional electron gas flowing in a channel confined in the first layer under the interface of the heterojunction. The first layer furthermore comprises a layer of a BGaN material under the channel, with an average boron concentration of at least 0.1%, improving the electrical performance of the transistor. Application to microwave power components.

Abstract: A method of refurbishing a gas turbine engine rotor is disclosed and includes an initial step of inspecting a rotor for defects such as cracks. A strain is then generated around any detected cracks in the rotor to create enhanced plasticized zones about the detected defects that delay defect propagation. Strain is generated by rotating the rotor at speeds greater than operational speeds to induce the desired strain and delay the propagation of defects.

Abstract: A novel oxide material (MIN-I) comprising YO2; and X2O3, wherein Y is a tetravalent element and X is a trivalent element, wherein X/Y=O or Y/X=30 to 100 is provided. Surprisingly, MIN-I can be reversibly deswollen. MIN-I can further be combined with a polymer to produce a nanocomposite, depolymerized to produce predominantly fully exfoliated layers (MIN-2), and pillared to produce a pillared oxide material (MIN-3), analogous to MCM-36. The materials are useful in a wide range of applications, such as catalysts, thin films, membranes, and coatings.

Abstract: A void detection system for detecting voids in fresh concrete is disclosed. The void detection system includes at least one probe disposed on a vibrator and adapted to detect voids in the fresh concrete, and an indicator in communication with the at least one probe and adapted to receive real-time data from the at least one probe. Upon receiving the real-time data, the indicator relays information to a user indicative of the fresh concrete's consolidation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for fabricating parts from photopolymer resin. In one aspect, a method includes iteratively determining a deviation measurement based on a simulated cured geometry and adjusted target geometry data until the deviation measurement is at or less than a threshold. The simulated cured geometry is determined, based in part, on an inhibition model.

Abstract: A novel oxide material (MIN-I) comprising YO2; and X2O3, wherein Y is a tetravalent element and X is a trivalent element, wherein X/Y=O or Y/X=30 to 100 is provided. Surprisingly, MIN-I can be reversibly deswollen. MIN-I can further be combined with a polymer to produce a nanocomposite, depolymerized to produce predominantly fully exfoliated layers (MIN-2), and pillared to produce a pillared oxide material (MIN-3), analogous to MCM-36. The materials are useful in a wide range of applications, such as catalysts, thin films, membranes, and coatings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating the length of elongated elements in a sample. The disclosed systems and methods may include using a direct current stimulus to determine a direct current base length region corresponding to at least a portion of the sample. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include using an alternating current stimulus to determine that the direct current base length region corresponds to a first set of elongated elements and a second set of elongated elements. The first set of elongated elements may have a first base length and the second set of elongated elements may have a second base length. The elongated elements may comprise, for example, chain molecules, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), or proteins. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include measuring an ion current through a nanopore, the ion current produced by the alternating current stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of obtaining Z. mobilis mutant strains that are more tolerant to one or more inhibitors or more capable of efficiently fermenting one or more carbohydrates. Such inhibitors include ethanol, aliphatic acids, such as acetic acid, formic acid; furan derivatives, such as 2-furaldehyde, 2-furoic acid; and phenolic compounds, such as vanillin and hydroxybenzoic acid. Such carbohydrates may include xylose, arabinose, mannose and mixtures thereof. These mutant strains may be employed to, for example, effectively and efficiently prepare ethanol from biomass.

Abstract: In a method of producing ultra-thin graphitic layers, a carbide crystal is placed into a graphitic enclosure. The carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are placed into a chamber. The carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are subjected to a predetermined environment. Once the predetermined environment is established, the carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are heated to a first temperature for a predetermined period of time sufficient to cause at least one non-carbon element to evaporate from a crystal face of the carbide crystal so as to form at least one graphitic layer on the crystal face of the carbide crystal.

Abstract: Polymers, polymer precursors, and other materials are described, having at least one heterocycle and being useful for fabrication of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs). In representative examples, the heterocycle is a fluorinated imidazole ring. The heterocycle can be chosen to have a low value of pKa, and may be a triazole ring, other nitrogen-containing heterocycle, or derivative thereof. Polymers and composites were prepared having excellent proton conductivity. Applications of these materials include fuel cells and other ion-conducting applications.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is a force sensor for a probe based instrument. The force sensor can comprise a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance over a selected portion of the gap, the change in distance at the selected portion orienting a probe tip of the force sensor for multi-directional measurement.

Abstract: A new generation polarimetry apparatus and methodology is disclosed, which involve passing polarized light through a sample including a chiral analyte, where the analyte is under the influence of a periodically varying magnetic field. The apparatus also utilizes optical heterodyne detection and lock-in detection at higher order harmonics of the magnetic field modulation frequency to improve sensitivity and detection limits of optical properties of chiral analytes.