Abstract: Methods for determining likelihood of thrombosis based on patient-specific anatomic, valve, and flow parameters are disclosed herein. Such methods are used to select a transcatheter aortic valve that decreases likelihood of thrombosis after TAVR procedures. The methods correlate a number of fluid flow and geometric parameters such as stasis volume, neo-sinus volume, kinematic viscosity, dynamic viscosity, heart rate, the circulation, ejection time, velocity of the main jet, wall shear stress, total kinetic energy in the neo sinus volume, width of the neo-sinus, height or depth of the neo-sinus, the angle between the velocity direction and the stent of the transcatheter valve, the distance from the tip of the leaflet perpendicular to the leaflet edge and intersecting the sinotubular junction, and the cross-sectional area of the neo-sinus taken from a longitudinal or axial perspective. Such parameters are used to derive empirical or semi-empirical mathematical models to determine the likelihood of thrombosis.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for isolated voltage optimization and control. In one example, a stackable isolated voltage optimization module (SIVOM) includes a transformer having a turns ratio between a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching circuit configured to energize the secondary winding with a voltage provided from the three-phase power system or short the secondary winding; and a connection block configured to couple the switching circuitry to the first phase and a neutral, or to second and third phases of the three-phase power system. In another example, a system includes a SIVOM coupled to each phase of a three-phase power system, where each SIVOM comprises: a transformer and a switching circuit configured to boost or buck a voltage or change a phase angle of the phase coupled to that SIVOM by energizing a secondary winding of the transformer with a voltage provided from the three-phase power system.

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: Energy storage systems are disclosed. The systems may store energy as heat in a high temperature liquid, and the heat may be converted to electricity by absorbing radiation emitted from the high temperature liquid via one or more photovoltaic devices when the high temperature liquid is transported through an array of conduits. Some aspects described herein relate to reducing deposition of sublimated material from the conduits onto the photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A cross-linked polyimide of the reaction product of a crosslinking agent and a polyimide. The cross-linking agent having at least two cross-linking moieties and the polyimide has a plurality of polyimide chains having an aryl constituent with a moiety comprised of a reactive substituent. The polyimide has crosslinks from the reaction of the reactive substituent of the aryl constituents of the polyimide chains and the cross-linking moieties of the cross-linking agent. The cross-linking may be induced by thermally treating a mixture of the polyimide and crosslinking agent above about 150° C. to a temperature where the polyimide begins to decompose under an inert atmosphere. The membrane can be used for separations involving gases such as hydrogen and light hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for transient adhesive polymers, methods of making transient adhesive polymers, structures including the transient adhesive polymer attaching two portions of the structure to one another, and the like.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for managing vascular conditions by targeting microRNA. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to antisense, RNA interference, and blocking oligonucleotide therapeutic compositions and uses related thereto.

Abstract: Li-ion batteries are provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and at least one hydrofluoric acid neutralizing agent incorporated into the anode or the separator. Li-ion batteries are also provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, and a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, where the electrolyte may be formed from a mixture of an imide salt and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiClO4. Li-ion battery anodes are also provided that include an active material core and a protective coating at least partially encasing the active material core, where the protective coating comprises a material that is resistant to hydrofluoric acid permeation.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a pressure sensor and a deformable cover. A fluid cavity engineered between the deformable cover and the pressure sensor changes shape and ultimately collapses as force is applied to the sensing device. The shape and collapse of the engineered cavity, along with the entire structure of deformable cover and the pressure sensor, govern the force vs. pressure behavior of the sensing device and can be tailored as desired. A first benefit includes providing tailored properties of the sensing device by varying the structure of the deformable cover. A second benefit includes that if too much force is applied, excess force—beyond that which is required to collapse the engineered cavity—does not produce excess pressure which would cause damage to the pressure sensor. As such the sensing device is protected from accidental, or intended, over loading.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator apparatus includes a resonator member, at least one anchor structure coupling the resonator member to a substrate, and a comb-drive element connected to the resonator member. The comb-drive element includes first comb fingers protruding from the resonator member, and second comb fingers of a different material than the first comb fingers interdigitated with the first comb fingers to define sub-micron capacitive gaps therebetween. Respective sidewalls of the first comb fingers are oppositely-tapered relative to respective sidewalls of the second comb fingers along respective lengths thereof, such that operation of the comb-drive element varies the sub-micron capacitive gaps at the respective sidewalls thereof. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas separation performance properties and a process for preparing an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas separation performance properties. The process comprises treating a polymeric precursor fiber with a solution containing a modifying agent prior to pyrolysis. The concentration of the modifying agent in the solution may be selected in order to obtain an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having a desired combination of gas permeance and selectivity properties. The treated precursor fiber is then pyrolyzed to form an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas permeance.

Abstract: A semi-passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a digital circuit with switching components operating within an interrogation range of an incident carrier wave. A plurality of input connections and output connections direct data communications through the switching components within the digital circuit, and the data communications are subject to switching operations of the switching components between at least one of the input connections and at least one of the output connections. A backscatter response reflected from the digital circuit upon arrival of the incident carrier wave, wherein the backscatter response is a modulated backscatter response in the presence of the switching operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for culturing cells are disclosed. A system can comprise an auxetic scaffold substrate. The substrate can comprise scaffold units at least a portion of which comprise living cells. Scaffold units can be configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. Units can comprise an interior void having a contracted volume in the contracted state and an expanded volume in the expanded state, in which the expanded volume is greater than the contracted volume. Units can be configured to pass a fluid into the interior void of the corresponding unit when the unit transitions from the contracted state to the expanded state. Units can be configured to pass the fluid out of the interior void of the corresponding unit when the unit transitions from the expanded state to the contracted state.

Abstract: Lipid nanoparticles and compositions thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary nanoparticle composition includes an ionizable lipid, a phospholipid, a PEG-lipid, and a cholesterol modified with a hydroxyl group near the D-sterol ring. The disclosed nanoparticle compositions can target liver Kupffer cells and endothelial cells more preferentially than hepatocytes which should be beneficial in treating liver diseases in which dysfunctional Kupffer cells and endothelial cells are involved in disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power tines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

Abstract: Endonucleases play an essential role in genetic engineering and molecular biology. A major barrier to the clinical adoption of nucleases and engineered nucleases remain the overall lack of specificity and activity. Off-site cleavage, cleavage at loci other than the target loci, typically occurs resulting in mutations, unexpected gene-knockouts, or translocations. Provided herein are systems and methods for identifying the off-site cleavage loci and predicting the activity of engineered endonucleases for a given genome. It is expected that these tools and methods will be useful for designing nucleases and other related DNA binding domains (e.g. TAL effectors) for genomic therapy and engineering.

Abstract: Core-shell nanostructures with platinum overlayers conformally coating palladium nano-substrate cores and facile solution-based methods for the preparation of such core-shell nanostructures are described herein. The obtained Pd@Pt core-shell nanocatalysts showed enhanced specific and mass activities towards oxygen reduction, compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are surgical suture materials that facilitate the sustained delivery of releasable components. The suture materials are processed by the disclosed methods to create a layer of pores extending inward from the outer surface of the suture. Particularly, the surgical suture materials are swollen in a calcium-ion containing solution, then freeze-dried to create pores which can be filled with a releasable component for ultimate delivery to the tissue. In one particular embodiment, the suture has an outer sheath that defines a lumen. Elongated filaments extend through the lumen. This suture embodiment is processed by the disclosed methods to yield a surgical suture material with a porous outer sheath. The pores enable efficient loading of a releasable component into the lumen, facilitating sustained delivery of the releasable component from the suture.

Abstract: A machine for fabricating three-dimensional interlaced composite components including a frame, a deposition surface, a first set of two or more warp heads, a second set of two or more of warp heads, and a weft inserter. An interlaced composite component including a first set of two or more warp filaments parallel to each other and a first set of two or more weft filaments parallel to each other. Warp filaments are interlaced with, and bonded to, weft filaments. Warp filaments and weft filaments are interlaced in at least two different weave patterns. Warp filaments and weft filaments are continuous, and the weave patterns transition from one pattern to another.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes devices and methods for detecting rare cells in whole blood samples using a microfluidic device. Such devices include a housing with a microfluidic chamber having first and second microfluidic layers, each microfluidic layer having an array of microscale structure. Other disclosed devices also include a housing including a chemically functionalized hydrogel matrix and a pump connected to the housing. Disclosed methods include constructing, with an additive manufacturing device, a microfluidic device having a microfluidic chamber, removing, by a thermal release process, at least some of the sacrificial support material deposited by the additive manufacturing device, and chemically functionalizing at least a portion of the microfluidic chamber. Other disclosed methods include chemically functionalizing a hydrogel matrix and connecting the chemically functionalized hydrogel matrix to a pump.