Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a variety of polymers derived from polycyclic olefin monomers, such as hydrocarbon functionalized norbornenes. The polymers so formed function as ionomers and are suitable as anion exchange membrane for fabricating a variety of electrochemical devices, among others. More specifically, the ionomeric polymers used herein are derived from a variety of quaternized amino functionalized norbornene monomers and are lightly crosslinked (less than ten mol %). The membranes made therefrom exhibit very high ionic conductivity of up to 198 mS/cm at 80° C. This invention also relates to using an anion conducting solid polymer electrolyte as the ion conducting medium between the two electrodes and the ion conducting medium within the electrodes acting as the ionic conduit between electroactive material and electrolyte. The electrochemical devices made in accordance of this invention are useful as fuel cells, gas separators, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for analysis systems that are configured to extract a fluid sample from a fluid (e.g., aqueous solution) in a reactor (e.g., bioreactor) at a first rate and then flow the fluid sample to a sensor system at a second rate to analyze the fluid sample. The sensor system can detect the presence and/or concentration of molecules (e.g., biomolecules such as biomarkers (e.g., metabolites, proteins, peptides, cytokines, growth factors, DNA, RNA, lipids) and cells of different types and cell properties, e.g., mechanical stiffness, etc.)). The data obtained can be used by a feedback control system to modify, as needed, the conditions in the reactor to enhance the productively of the reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible sensing interface, comprising: a sensor, comprising: a core; an inner electrode in the form of a conductive material in contact with the core; an inner dielectric material substantially encasing the inner electrode; an outer electrode in the form of a conductive material in contact with the inner dielectric material and in electrical communication with the inner electrode; and an outer dielectric material substantially encasing the outer electrode; wherein the inner dielectric material and the outer dielectric material comprise an elastic material. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include active marker devices, retrofits, systems, and methods for determining the position of interventional devices under MRI. A marker device is provided that utilizes an optical fiber, an acousto-optical sensor region that includes an electro-mechanical conversion assembly, and one or more antenna(e) The one or more antennae are configured to receive MRI radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy and produce a corresponding electrical signal corresponding to the position. The acousto-optical sensor region may include a resonator and may be modulated by acoustic waves generated responsive to the electrical signal received from the one or more antennae The acousto-optical sensor region may be interrogated by light via the optical fiber to determine the position of the device for providing an active marker in the MRI image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Li-ion battery with an anode, a cathode, a porous separator membrane, and an electrolyte that fills pores in the anode, the cathode, and the porous separator membrane; and a porous separator membrane and methods of generating the same.

Abstract: A resin for adhesive bonding to fabrics includes between about 80 wt. % and about 90 wt. % of a monomer, between about 10 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of a cross-linking agent with two or more acrylic acid groups separated by a flexible linker, between about 0.5 wt. % and about 1.5 wt. % of a photoinitiator, and between about 10 wt. % and about 15 wt. % of a thickening agent. The monomer as a melting point less than 25° C. and the flexible linker has subunits such as methylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and combinations thereof. Also, the resin forms a bond with polyurethane coated nylon fabric and the bond exhibits an adhesion strength greater than a tensile strength of the polyurethane coated nylon fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of tomographic imaging, the methods comprising emitting a beam of light from a light source to a sample and modulating the beam of light through a spatial light modulator configured to convert the beam of light to an Airy beam. The spatial light modulator can be rotatable and positioned at a first angle relative to the sample. The method can further obtain a first perspective view of the sample, rotate the spatial light modulator to a second angle relative to the sample, and obtain a second perspective view of the sample. Each of the perspective views can be generated by the Airy beam interacting with the sample on a focal plane. The method can then reconstruct a volumetric three-dimensional view of the sample using the first perspective view and the second perspective view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for simulating the structure and function of an in vivo tissue barrier. Specifically, the present invention relates to a microfluidic device that can be used as a model for new drug development and toxicity assessment and the like by simulating the structure and function of a two-dimensional-three-dimensional connective tissue barrier or a three-dimensional tissue barrier and thus replacing animal models, a method of culturing cells in the microfluidic device, and a method of simulating an organ or a body part using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Various methods of reshaping and recycling thermoset polymers and composites containing thermoset polymers are provided. The methods involve the bond exchange reaction of exchangeable covalent bonds in the polymer matrix with a suitable small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst. In some aspects, the methods are applied to a carbon fiber reinforced polymer or a thermoset polymer where the thermoset polymer matrix includes a plurality of ester bonds. Using a small molecule alcohol, the methods provide for recycling one or both of the carbon fiber and the polymer, for welding two surfaces, or for repairing a damaged surface in the materials.

Abstract: Aspects relate to method of zinc-comprising nanowire fabrication, the method comprising forming a starting material comprising zinc metal or zinc metal alloy and at least one reactive metal, and exposing the starting material to one or more alcohols to obtain a reaction product comprising zinc-comprising nanowires, wherein the at least one reactive metal is more reactive than zinc to the one or more alcohols.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for cell sorting or cell fractionation are disclosed. A microfluidic device can comprise one or more inlets, a first wall and a second wall, and two or more outlets. The first and second walls can be substantially planar to each other and the first wall having can have a plurality of ridges protruding from the first wall and defining a compression gap between the ridge and a surface of the second wall. The microfluidic device can also be a cell sorting device for sorting a plurality of cells based on one or more biophysical cellular properties including size, elasticity, viscosity, and/or viscoelasticity wherein the cells are subjected to one or more compressions due to the compression gap. Also disclosed are methods for cell sorting based on a variety of biophysical cellular properties.

Abstract: A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system, a passive device and a cable. The articulated leg system has a leg portion. The passive device is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable is drawn away from the articulated leg system, the second force moves the leg portion in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable, the passive device exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: As an IV infiltration occurs and fluid leaks into surrounding tissues, several physiological changes are expected locally. The systems and methods described herein provide a scalable automated IV infiltration detection device to provide medical staff an early warning of a possible infiltration such that they can respond accordingly. The systems and methods capture the physiological state of the user at or around a peripheral catheter insertion site by incorporating one or more modalities of wearable sensing, processing the data collected from these wearable sensors, detecting the presence of extravascular fluid, and providing an indication to a medical professional.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an example architecture for providing a delay line for optical techniques. The delay line architecture includes a focusing element that has a focal axis disposed parallel to its length. The line of symmetry provided by the focal axis obviates path-length-dependent aberrations caused by the off-axis beam translations. The systems described herein also provide varying geometries of movable mirrors, including a galvanometer mirror and a rotating polygonal mirror. The systems and methods described herein also provide techniques for generating and detecting coherent Raman spectra using a picosecond probe pulse.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions including method of producing H2, variable volume reactors, methods of using variable volume reactors, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are air electrode materials suitable for use in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). The disclosed cells can operate in a dual function modes, i.e., as a fuel cell and as an electrolysis cell. In both cases, chemical energy and electrical energy can be directly convert from one mode to the other; thereby providing a highly efficient energy conversion process that can be used as a sustainable energy source.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to recombinant or chimeric FVIII proteins, variants, and vectors encoding the proteins containing one or more ancestral mutations. In certain embodiments, one or more protein domains comprise amino acid sequences that are derived from ancestrally reconstructed amino acid sequences. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the proteins or vectors and related methods of inducing blood clotting.

Abstract: An antenna system includes an antenna waveguide having a waveguide surface. A set of printed electronics includes conductors deposited onto the waveguide surface of the antenna waveguide. The system further includes at least one transceiver integrated circuit (IC), the transceiver integrated circuit having a surface assembly, wherein the surface assembly is adhesively coupled to the antenna waveguide and directly connected to the waveguide surface of the antenna waveguide.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided that comprises a composite material comprising one or more nanocomposites. The nanocomposites may each comprise a planar substrate backbone having a curved geometrical structure, and an active material forming a continuous or substantially continuous film at least partially encasing the substrate backbone. To form an electrode from the electrode composition, a plurality of electrically-interconnected nanocomposites of this type may be aggregated into one or more three-dimensional agglomerations, such as substantially spherical or ellipsoidal granules.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system for forming ammonia, the system comprising: an anode; a cathode in electrical communication with the anode; and a catalyst material positioned in an electrical communication pathway between the cathode and the anode, the catalyst material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles comprising at least one of a conductor and a semiconductor, each of the nanoparticles comprising an interior cavity, wherein the system is configured to use nitrogen and water to generate ammonia.