Abstract: Transition metal MXene catalysts and methods for using with electrochemical cells for reduction of carbon dioxide and production of hydrocarbons. The transition metal catalysts include nanostructured transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The method includes electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide in an electrochemical cell, by contacting the carbon dioxide with at least one transition metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst in the electrochemical cell and applying a potential to the electrochemical cell. Also an apparatus and method for energy production and carbon sequestration. A photovoltaic cell is paired with an electrochemical cell, wherein a cathode side of the electrochemical cell reduces carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon, and an anode side of the electrochemical cell oxidizes water to oxygen. The hydrocarbon outlet can be connected to a heating element of an air handling unit, and the oxygen can likewise be introduced to the unit for air improvement.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method of operation. The circuit breaker includes a first current path including a mechanical switch, such as an ultrafast mechanical switch, and a second current path in parallel connection to the first current path, and including a current injector, such as a transient commutation current injection circuit, in series with bidirectional power electronic switch. A short circuit fault current from a mechanical switch path is communicated to the electronic path via a current injection, followed by interrupting the fault current. A pulse current is generated to the electronic switch in the second current path, and the mechanical switch is opened during the pulse current. The pulse current and the electronic switch reduce or eliminate arcing upon the opening the mechanical switch.

Abstract: A cell therapy structure and method, including a matrix of fibers of a proteinaceous material and an electrically conductive material. The aligned fibers are spun from a combination the electrically conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, and a fibroin material or a collagen material. A method of tissue engineering includes seeding a cell culture on a matrix of electrically conductive protein fibers, applying an electric current to the matrix to stimulate the cell culture, and applying the simulated cell culture to a tissue.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method of operation. The circuit breaker includes a first current path including a mechanical switch, such as an ultrafast mechanical switch, and a second current path in parallel connection to the first current path, and including a current injector, such as a transient commutation current injection circuit, in series with bidirectional power electronic switch. A short circuit fault current from a mechanical switch path is communicated to the electronic path via a current injection, followed by interrupting the fault current. A pulse current is generated to the electronic switch in the second current path, and the mechanical switch is opened during the pulse current. The pulse current and the electronic switch reduce or eliminate arcing upon the opening the mechanical switch.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte composition for a lithium battery. The composition includes a polymeric matrix material, inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in or chemically bonded with the polymeric matrix material, and a lithium salt. The nanoparticles are formed of a compound including lithium and a different semi-metal element or metal element. Exemplary inorganic nanoparticles include a Li-rich super ionic conductor having a LixMyPzSq structural formula, wherein M refers to the different semi-metal element or a metal element.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte composition for a lithium battery. The composition includes a polymeric matrix material, inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in or chemically bonded with the polymeric matrix material, and a lithium salt. The nanoparticles are formed of a compound including lithium and a different semi-metal element or metal element. Exemplary inorganic nanoparticles include a Li-rich super ionic conductor having a LixMyPzSq structural formula, wherein M refers to the different semi-metal element or a metal element.

Abstract: An apparatus, composition, and method for generating odor on demand. The apparatus includes a dispersing mechanism with a plurality of blister pockets each including a releasable aroma. A triggering mechanism is in combination with each of the plurality of blister pockets and configured to separately rupture individual blister pockets to release a corresponding releasable aroma. A controller is in actuating combination with the triggering mechanism. The controller is configured to monitor for at least one predetermined stimulus to actuate the triggering mechanism. The stimulus can include a predetermined text, sound, image, and/or location generated by the electronic device. A smart material can be used for holding and releasing the aroma or other compound. The smart material can include a porous polymer matrix, wherein the porous polymer matrix releases the material upon an actuation of the triggering mechanism.

Abstract: A wireless-controlled smart plug device and methods of use and operation, using a solid state switch to provide electrical power from an outlet to a load, and provide protection against overload, short circuit, ground, arc, or voltage surge faults. The switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch with two back-to-back connected transistors, such as silicon power MOSFETs, silicon insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), silicon carbide (SiC) transistors, or gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, each configured to control the current flow from the electrical receptacle to the external electrical load.

Abstract: An adhesive apparatus with an electrostatic adhesive including a microstructured adhesive disposed over an electrode and/or a piezoelectric element. The adhesive can be added to any robotic gripper, such as a gripper finger formed of a flexible material and including a grip surface. The electrode and/or a piezoelectric element can be used for applying an electrostatic field and/or ultrasonic vibration, configured for cleaning the microstructured adhesive, releasing the adhesive, and/or sensing a load on the adhesive apparatus.

Abstract: A conductive coil for an electric application having a cooling channel for a coolant liquid or gas. The coil includes a wire winding of a plurality of wire turns. The wire winding is compressed about a cooling channel which is disposed between adjacent turn segments of the plurality of wire turns. The wire winding is formed and pressed against a shaping element to form the coolant channel within the compressed winding.

Abstract: A Coanda system for controlling directions of an aircraft. The system includes a fluid passage defined in part by a casing wall having an inner surface facing the fluid passage. The fluid passage is configured to pass fluid from a first end inlet to a second end outlet. A fluid control element including a Coanda surface is disposed at the second end outlet. The fluid control element is moveable within the second end outlet to direct the fluid exiting the fluid passage between an upper gap and a lower gap, around the Coanda surface. A contour element is disposed on the inner surface of the casing wall upstream of the fluid control element, and further assists in directing the fluid to the open gap.

Abstract: Transition metal MXene catalysts and methods for using with electrochemical cells for reduction of carbon dioxide and production of hydrocarbons. The transition metal catalysts include nanostructured transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The method includes electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide in an electrochemical cell, by contacting the carbon dioxide with at least one transition metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst in the electrochemical cell and applying a potential to the electrochemical cell. Also an apparatus and method for energy production and carbon sequestration. A photovoltaic cell is paired with an electrochemical cell, wherein a cathode side of the electrochemical cell reduces carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon, and an anode side of the electrochemical cell oxidizes water to oxygen. The hydrocarbon outlet can be connected to a heating element of an air handling unit, and the oxygen can likewise be introduced to the unit for air improvement.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method of use, including an anode of metal, an air permeable cathode, an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode, and a transition metal phosphide catalyst on the cathode or between the cathode and the electrolyte. Also, a method of generating electrical current with an electrochemical cell by introducing a transition metal phosphide catalyst on a cathode side of the electrochemical cell. The catalyst can be in the form of any suitable nanostructure, such as molybdenum phosphide nanoflakes.

Abstract: A composition and method for preventing and treating infections caused by enveloped viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 virus. The invention includes compounds having a catalytic domain of a glycosidase and a binding domain that binds the compound to the surface of the targeted virus. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical formulation comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to deliver the active portion of the compound to the infecting virus within an infected human or animal. The pharmaceutical formulation can be an inhalant or a nasal spray to the infected human or animal. The invention also includes methods of using a glycosidase or the catalytic part of a glycosidase to deactivate enveloped virus by removing glycans from the viral surface protein.

Abstract: A momentary circuit interrupter in series connection with a mechanical switch to provide protection against short circuit faults in a DC power circuit. The momentary circuit interrupter injects a transient voltage pulse via a pulse transformer to reduce a DC fault current to near zero in a DC circuit branch, thus allowing the mechanical switch to disconnect the faulty branch under a near zero-current condition. The power electronic circuit on the primary side of the transformer controls the discharge of a plurality of pre-charged capacitors to generate the transient voltage pulse during the fault interruption process, but otherwise does not incur any power loss during normal operation. The secondary winding of the pulse transformer conducts the main DC current, and is highly conductive to minimize the conduction power loss.

Abstract: A system and method for executing input/output (I/O) tasks for clients in a distributed computing system. One or more I/O requests made by a client are received. The operation instructions for the request data in the I/O requests are separated from the request data. A data representation called data label (or label) is created for executing operation instructions of the I/O requests. A data label corresponds to each of the I/O request and includes a unique identifier, information to the source and/or destination for the request data, and an operation instruction separated from the request data. The data label is pushed into a distributed label queue and is dispatched to an individual worker node according to a scheduling policy. The worker node executes the I/O tasks by executing the dispatched data label. The system and method can execute I/O tasks independently and decoupled from the client applications.

Abstract: A Coanda system for controlling directions of an aircraft. The system includes a fluid passage defined in part by a casing wall having an inner surface facing the fluid passage. The fluid passage is configured to pass fluid from a first end inlet to a second end outlet. A fluid control element including a Coanda surface is disposed at the second end outlet. The fluid control element is moveable within the second end outlet to direct the fluid exiting the fluid passage between an upper gap and a lower gap, around the Coanda surface. A contour element is disposed on the inner surface of the casing wall upstream of the fluid control element, and further assists in directing the fluid to the open gap.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an image of an object in an analyzer-based system with a polychromatic x-ray beam from an x-ray source, wherein an analyzer crystal and a detector simultaneously acquire a rocking curve of the x-ray beam for all energies of the x-ray beam. The x-ray beam is diffracted through the object using an asymmetrical monochromator. A detector movement is synchronized with one of the x-ray source or the object. The synchronization includes moving the detector at a first rate that is different than a second rate of the object or the x-ray source, wherein a ratio between the first rate and the second rate is determined by the magnification of the system.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte composition for a lithium battery. The composition includes a polymeric matrix material, inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in or chemically bonded with the polymeric matrix material, and a lithium salt. The nanoparticles are formed of a compound including lithium and a different semi-metal element or metal element. Exemplary inorganic nanoparticles include a Li-rich super ionic conductor having a LixMyPzSq structural formula, wherein M refers to the different semi-metal element or a metal element.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating hydrogen gas with an electrocatalytic energy conversion cell by introducing a tri-transition metal phosphide catalyst at or on an electrode of the electrocatalytic energy conversion cell. The electrocatalytic energy conversion cell includes a first electrode including a tri-transition metal phosphide catalyst, such as M03P, a second electrode of an anodic material, an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electric potential source connected to both electrodes. Oxidation and reduction reactions, such as hydrogen evolution reactions, occur at the first electrode.