Abstract: Video on demand is orchestrated between systems by linear program (LP) based multimedia storage and retrieval. An LP based storage and retrieval system can partition multimedia data into an integral number of segments. Further, the LP based storage and retrieval system can store a first amount of the integral number of segments in a storage device of storage devices of a storage network in response to a determination that a storage size of the storage device satisfies a first condition with respect to the first amount of the integral number of segments. Furthermore, such system can store a segment of a second amount of the integral number of segments in a remote storage device of the remote storage devices in response to a determination that the segment satisfies a second condition with respect to a defined number of remote storage devices of the storage devices that have stored the segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, and related kits and methods, for formation of hydrogels. The compositions comprise one or more chemically crosslinkable agents dissolved in an aqueous solution to form a precursor solution. The chemically crosslinkable agents useful in the present invention are selected from polymers modified with a molecule selected from acrylate, maleimide, vinylsulfone, N-hydroxysuccinimide, aldehyde, ketone, carbodiimide, carbonate, iodoacetyl, mercaptonicotinamide, quinone, thiol, amine, and combinations thereof. The precursor solution is characterized as being in an aqueous form at a non-physiologic physical-chemical condition and undergoing gelation when in contact with another fluid or body at a physiologic physical-chemical condition.

Abstract: Roll-to-roll fabrication of predetermined or ordered three-dimensional nanostructure arrays is described. Provided methods can comprise imprinting a substrate with a two-dimensional (2-D) pattern by rolling a cylindrical pattern comprising a 2-D array of structures against a substrate. In addition, control or determination of nanostructure parameters via control of process parameters is provided.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for forming thin film transistors having a polycrystalline silicon active layer formed by metal-induced crystallization (MIC) of amorphous silicon in an oxidizing atmosphere. In an aspect, a transistor device, is provided that includes a source region and a drain region formed on a substrate, and an active channel region formed on the substrate and electrically connecting the source region and the drain region. The active channel region is formed with a polycrystalline silicon layer having resulted from annealing an amorphous silicon layer formed on the substrate and having a metal layer formed thereon, wherein the annealing of the amorphous silicon layer was at least partially performed in an oxidizing ambience, thereby resulting in crystallization of the amorphous silicon layer to form the polycrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A dispersed mobile-phase countercurrent chromatography system is described in which solutes are carried by a stream of dispersed mobile phase solvent through a column, or array of serially-connected columns, of stationary phase solvent with which the mobile phase solvent is immiscible. Solutes carried along by the stream of dispersed mobile-phase solvent will be equilibrated between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent. Because the mobile-phase is dispersed into mini-droplets much smaller in diameter than the column of stationary phase, the enhanced surface/volume ratio of the droplets expedites countercurrent equilibration of different solutes between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent in accordance with the distribution-coefficients of the solutes between the two solvents.

Abstract: Signal interference associated with multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) full-duplex wireless communication systems is reduced. In an example, first streams are received by a MIMO base station from uplink user devices based on a first availability of channel matrices and second streams are transmitted to downlink user devices based on a second availability of the channel matrices. A weighted sum of a first data rate for a first linear transceiver matrix and a second data rate of a second linear transceiver matrix is maximized based on the channel matrices, the first streams, and the second streams. The base station generates a first linear transceiver vector used in transmission of the first streams to the base station from the uplink user devices and a second linear transceiver vector used in transmission of the second streams from the base station to the downlink user devices.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a polarization grating is provided. The method includes providing a polarization-sensitive material; and causing two orthogonally polarized lights to scan the polarization-sensitive material and to meet on the polarization-sensitive material.

Abstract: A differential difference amplifier Type-III compensator of a voltage-mode switching converter can be designed to help regulate an input voltage from a power source. A voltage-mode switching converter can comprise a power stage and a voltage-mode controller. A voltage-mode controller can comprise a compensator, which comprises a differential difference amplifier. The design of the differential difference amplifier Type-III compensator can reduce production costs and enhance power transfer efficiencies.

Abstract: A projection device including a light source, a reflective spatial polarization modulator, a polarization grating, and a projection lens is provided. The light source is configured to provide a light beam. The reflective spatial polarization modulator is disposed on a path of the light beam and configured to reflect the light beam and modulate a polarization state of the light beam. The polarization grating is disposed on the path of the light beam between the light source and the reflective spatial polarization modulator, wherein the reflective spatial polarization modulator reflects the light beam from the reflective spatial polarization modulator back to the polarization grating. The projection lens is disposed on the path of the light beam from the reflective spatial polarization modulator, wherein the polarization grating is disposed on the path of the light beam between the reflective spatial polarization modulator and the projection lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling flow of ER fluid. The apparatus has a first channel 10 for conveying carrier fluid 1 of a first dielectric constant and droplets 2 of a second dielectric constant in the carrier fluid. The apparatus further comprises a second channel 20 conveying the ER fluid and a first conductor 100 for conveying an electrical potential from the second channel to the first channel. A circuit 61 is provided for applying potential difference between the first and second channels. When a droplet is present in the first channel, the ER fluid is solidified in the second channel; when no droplet is present, the ER fluid flows as liquid in the second channel. Therefore the apparatus acts as an IF gate. Arrangements for other types of fluidic logic gate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) backlight system includes: a light source, configured to generate light; a patterned polarization grating polarization converter (PPG-PC) assembly, configured to convert the generated light from a first polarization state to a second polarization state. The PPG-PC further includes: a patterned polarization grating (PPG) having a plurality of domains, wherein the plurality of domains of the PPG include at least two different types of domains, and wherein each domain of the PPG is configured to diffract incident light into first and second types of light beams corresponding to a first diffraction order; and a patterned retarder (PR), having a plurality of domains, the plurality of domains of the PR including domains corresponding to areas where the first type of light beams output from the PPG and including domains corresponding to areas where the second type of light beams output from the PPG converge.

Abstract: A material for moisture removal and/or water harvesting from air may include a hydrophilic material containing micropores and a low water activity material confined within the micropores of the hydrophilic material. Apparatuses containing such materials and methods for moisture removal and/or water harvesting from air by using such materials are also described.

Abstract: A system for annotating user images with non-user generated labels corresponding to a plurality of users and generating user profiles includes: one or more processor-readable media, configured to store processor-executable instructions for image analysis and user profile generation; and one or more processors, configured to, based on execution of, the stored processor-executable instructions: annotate user images with non-user-generated labels, wherein the non-user-generated labels correspond to visual features of the user images and generate user profiles based on non-user-generated tags associated with images corresponding to each respective user.

Abstract: A sound absorbing metamaterial comprises an acoustic impedance-matched surface configured to minimize reflection from an incident acoustic wave. The surface is comprised of an elastic or flexible membrane and a substantially rigid mass mounted on the membrane. A relatively solid surface is provided as a reflective surface and is positioned behind the membrane. The reflective surface is separated by a predetermined distance from the elastic or flexible membrane and forms a fluid space between the membrane and the solid surface. The mass mounted on the membrane, in combination with the elastic membrane establish a plurality of eigenfrequencies.

Abstract: A phase-change chamber, a method for fabricating a phase-change chamber and a heat dissipation apparatus for electronic device cooling are disclosed. The phase-change chamber includes: a phase-change medium capable of transitioning between a plurality of phases; a first surface for transitioning a portion of the phase-change medium from a first phase into a second phase; a second surface for transitioning a portion of the phase-change medium from the second phase into the first phase; and at least one supporting member along the circumference of the first surface and the second surface for separating and enclosing the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is patterned on a first plate and includes regions of high and low affinity to the phase-change medium. The second surface is received on a second plate and comprises low affinity to the phase-change medium.

Abstract: A fluorophore or conjugated polymer with aggregation-induced emission characteristics useful for drug tracking and delivery, identification and labeling of biological subjects, such as cells or parts of a cell, as well as for imaging, and image-guided photodynamic therapy are described herein.

Abstract: A wireless coverage characterization platform uses an autonomous vehicle or robot, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or other small robot, to autonomously collect key wireless coverage parameters for an indoor environment. One or more vehicles or robots are equipped with integrated simultaneous localization and mapping sensors as well as wireless signal measurement sensors. As a vehicle traverses the indoor environment, on-board processing components process the sensor measurement data to simultaneously build an indoor map of the environment and to learn the wireless coverage characteristics of the environment incrementally. The vehicle's navigation system guides the vehicle through the environment based on the sensor measurements and the learned indoor map until a complete map of the wireless signal strength at all locations throughout the environment is obtained.

Abstract: Sound attenuation is performed using a sound attenuation panel using an electromagnetic or electrostatic response unit to modify resonance. The sound attenuation panel has an acoustically transparent planar, rigid frame divided into a plurality of individual cells configured for attenuating sound. In one configuration, each cell has a weight fixed to the membrane. The planar geometry of each said individual cell, the flexibility of the membrane, and the weight establish a base resonant frequency for sound attenuation. The electromagnetic or electrostatic response unit is configured to modify the resonant frequency of the cell.

Abstract: Distributive content delivery techniques are applied in a content delivery system. A content delivery overlay is generated as a function of delay times, bandwidth requirements, and throughput of a network. Helpers are added to the content delivery network as a function of delay times, bandwidth requirements, and throughput. Further, content can be transmitted without exchanging buffermaps or waiting for whole packets to be transmitted.

Abstract: Locating mobile devices based on a junction of signal tiles is disclosed herein. Mobile devices are mapped to a convex hull within which the mobile device is likely to be located in based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with an access point (AP). Using the RSSI from a set of APs, the mobile device can be located within a junction of a set of convex hulls, or tiles using a linear programming function. To mitigate signal noise and improve the accuracy of the location determination, the localization system can use the RSSIs of the APs that have signals with a predetermined signal dynamic range that leads to smaller tiles. Additionally, the localization system can reduce the search complexity of matching fingerprints to APs by partitioning the space into clusters with reference points that have similar signal vectors.