Abstract: Review systems and methods facilitate active reading by providing a flexible environment in which users can examine documents. A review system can comprise a virtual workspace, a document view region, a preview region, and optional document objects. The virtual workspace can simulate a desktop or other physical workspace. The document view region can display a portion of an open document at a magnification sufficient for reading. The preview region can display the document at a magnification sufficient to enable the general layout of the entire document to be determined. The document objects can be created from the document through tools of the review system. These document objects can be independently moveable throughout the virtual workspace as needed to facilitate the user's active reading process.

Abstract: A computational framework for designing a constellation that includes a plurality of cube satellites (CubeSats) includes an orbit propagation module, a coverage estimation module, a connectivity estimation module and an annealing module. The orbit propagation module receives a plurality of static parameters for the constellation and determines a position vector, a ground track and sub-satellite points for each of the plurality of CubeSats. The coverage estimation module receives the plurality of static parameters for the constellation and estimates Earth coverage for the constellation. The connectivity estimation module receives the plurality of static parameters for the constellation and determines active inter-satellite links (ISL) in the constellation. The annealing module receives input from the orbit propagation module, the coverage estimation module and the connectivity module and employs an annealing algorithm that generates a constellation design.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite electrode comprising a charge-conducting material, a charge-providing material bound to the charge-conducting material, and a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes bound to a surface of the charge-providing material. High-capacity electroactive materials that assure high performance are a prerequisite for ubiquitous adoption of technologies that require high energy/power density lithium (Li)-ion batteries, such as smart Internet of Things (IoT) devices and electric vehicles (EVs). Improved electrode performance and lifetimes are desirable. The disclosed electrode can have a Coulombic efficiency of 99% or greater, and a stable capacity retention after 100 cycles or more. Also disclosed herein are methods of making a composite electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are acoustic transmission systems comprising an acoustic wave generator configured to generate an acoustic wave and propagate the acoustic wave through a tissue of a specimen, and a non-Hermitian complementary metamaterial (NHCMM) configured to add a first amount of energy amplification coherently to the acoustic wave to account for energy loss in the acoustic wave as a result of the wave propagating through the tissue of the specimen. The acoustic wave generator can be an ultrasound generator, and the tissue can be a cranium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time-shifted prefetching of predicted content for wireless users. Prefetching video data can include retrieving video data and feature data and generating a video candidate set including selected videos of the related video data. The method can further include determining predicted videos using a machine learning algorithm. The predicted videos can be videos of the video candidate set that are likely to be viewed by a user at a future time. The method can further include prefetching the predicted videos by downloading the predicted videos.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hybrid membranes comprising: a microporous polymer, the microporous polymer comprising a continuous polymer phase permeated by a continuous pore phase; and an atomic scale inorganic material dispersed throughout the microporous polymer within the continuous pore phase. Methods of making and use of the hybrid membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Small form-factor MEMS devices and methods of using the devices are disclosed. An exemplary MEMS device includes an accelerometer contact microphone. Certain devices described herein comprise nanometer scale sensing gaps in the out-of-plane direction to increase vibration sensitivity in a vacuum casing. Certain devices described herein provide a differential sensing mechanism. The disclosure also describes accelerometer contact microphones having an operational bandwidth ranging from 0 Hz and 10,000 Hz. The vibration acceleration sensitivity of certain devices described herein is better 100 ?g?Hz.

Abstract: A hybrid scaling and patterning apparatus for producing thin films with multi-material, customized patterns is disclosed. The apparatus includes a slot die body integrated with multiple inlets and corresponding converging channels passing materials through the die body in a planar, continuous laminar flow. The hybrid scaling and patterning apparatus may be used in a method of preparing multi-material, patterned thin film materials.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of making an improved carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane in which a precursor polymer (e.g., polyimide) is pyrolyzed at a pyrolysis temperature to form a CMS membrane that is cooled to ambient temperature (about 40° C. or 30° C. to about 20° C.). The CMS membrane is then reheated to a reheating temperature of at least 250° C. to 400° C. to form the improved CMS membrane. The CMS have a novel microstructure as determined by Raman spectroscopy. The improved CMS membranes have shown an improved combination of selectivity and permeance as well as stability for separating light hydrocarbon gas molecules such as C1 to C6 hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, ethylene, propylene, butane, butylene).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of determining a health condition of an animal is provided. First data may be received from a first sensor device. The first data may be indicative of an animal event of an animal. Second data may be received from a second sensor device. The second sensor may be separate and/or distinct from the first sensor device. The second data may confirm an occurrence of the animal event. The animal event may be a discharge event and/or a feeding event. The occurrence of the animal event may be identified based on the first data and the second data. The occurrence of the animal event may be displayed via a display device. A health condition of the animal may be determined based on the animal event. The determination of the health condition may be based on a quantity and/or a duration of the animal event.

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: A microchannel for processing cells by compression of the cells including an inlet, ridges and an outlet. Each ridge including a compressive surface and a cell adhesion entity. The outlet configured to remove at least one of a first portion of the cells and a second portion of the cells from the microchannel. Each ridge oriented at an angle of from 25 degrees to 70 degrees relative to a center axis of the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity configured such that the first portion of the cells has a first adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a first trajectory through the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity further configured such that the second portion of the cells has a second adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a second trajectory through the microchannel. The first trajectory is different from the second trajectory.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first member including a first electrode, a second member coupled to the first member about an axis, including a second electrode, and a surface layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second member is rotatable with respect to the axis by an energy flow to change triboelectric charges on the electrodes, and to affect a flow of electrons between the electrodes. A self-powered sensor for detecting a chemical including a generator having an electrode, and a superhydrophobic surface layer for receiving an energy flow carrying triboelectric charges, the surface layer includes a TiO2 layer with nanostructures, and a power indicator indicative of whether the chemical is present based on power output of the triboelectric generator, the energy flow is a solution flow, the solution comprising the chemical and water, and the chemical removes at least one triboelectric charge from the water.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for defending against powerful, automated attacks on facial authentication systems are disclosed. A first verification is performed based at least in part on determining a response time for a response to a CAPTCHA or other challenge. In response to determining that the response time is within a threshold, a second verification is performed based at least in part on extracting a face feature or a voice feature from a plurality of samples associated with the response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbon molecular sieves and methods of making the same through the pyrolysis of a polymer precursor in the presence of a reactive gas stream including a hydrogen source.

Abstract: Apparatus, including an insertion tube, configured to be inserted into a body cavity and having a first lumen having a first lumen diameter and a distal opening, and a tubular channel, having a second lumen and an outer channel diameter smaller than the first lumen diameter, inserted into the first lumen. The apparatus includes a support structure, configured to be passed through a space between an inner wall of the insertion tube and an outer wall of the tubular channel to the distal opening in a folded state and to unfold, upon exit of the support structure through the distal opening, in a direction transverse to the first lumen to reach a support dimension that is greater than the first lumen diameter. A plurality of planar two-dimensional arrays of ultrasonic transducers are supported by the support structure, the arrays having transverse dimensions less than the first lumen diameter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting histone lysine demethylases are provided. Several new DFP-based KDM inhibitors which alter the velocity of HP1-mediated heterochromatin gene repression are provided.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are provided that variously comprise anode and cathode electrodes, an electrolyte, a separator, and, in some designs, a protective layer. In some designs, at least one of the electrodes may comprise a composite of (i) Li2S and (ii) conductive carbon that is embedded in the core of the composite. In some designs, the protective layer may be disposed on at least one of the electrodes via electrolyte decomposition. Various methods of fabrication for lithium-ion battery electrodes and particles are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for imaging cells. Quantitative phase imaging uses variations in the index of refraction of a sample as a source of endogenous contrast, providing label-free information of sub-cellular structures and allowing for the reconstruction of valuable biophysical parameters, such as cell dry-mass at femtogram scales, mass transport, and sample thickness and fluctuations at nanometer scales. As a result, QPI has become a valuable tool in biology and medicine. However, QPI has suffered from the need for trans-illumination through relatively thin objects in order to gain access to the forward-scattered field, which carries crucial low spatial frequency information of a sample and avoid contributions from multiple scattered light or out-of-focus planes. The disclosed methods and systems can provide for reconstruction of QPI and corresponding analysis for imaging samples of cells in thick samples using an epi-illumination configuration.