Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved systems and methods utilizing colloidal/ultrafine superdisintegrant-based composite particles for dispersion and/or dissolution of active pharmaceutical agents. In general, the present disclosure utilizes a surfactant-free or near surfactant-free formulation by incorporating a wet milled SDI as a dispersant in the formulation. As such, the present disclosure provides for the preparation of surfactant-free or substantially surfactant-free formulations (e.g., nano-composite micro-particle formulations) by incorporating a wet-milled superdisintegrant (SDI) as the dispersant in the formulations. The advantageous SDI particles (e.g., colloidal/ultrafine SDI particles) of the present disclosure can be used to break-up the aggregates (e.g., nanoparticle aggregates) of the active agents (e.g. poorly water-soluble drugs) in the formulations (e.g.

Abstract: A three-terminal device that exhibits transistor-like functionality at cryogenic temperatures may be formed from a single layer of superconducting material. A main current-carrying channel of the device may be toggled between superconducting and normal conduction states by applying a control signal to a control terminal of the device. Critical-current suppression and device geometry are used to propagate a normal-conduction hotspot from a gate constriction across and along a portion of the main current-carrying channel. The three-terminal device may be used in various superconducting signal-processing circuitry.

Abstract: A blue light emitting semiconductor nanocrystal having an quantum yield of greater than 20% can be incorporated in a light emitting device.

Abstract: A hydrogel matrix and an osmotically active material immobilized in the matrix can be combined into superabsorbent preparations that are capable of adsorbing large amounts of water. The superabsorbent preparations of the invention have advantages in the use of absorbent materials for physiological fluids, such as diapers, incontinence products, wound dressings and the like, as well as agricultural and environmental applications. In addition, biodegradable superabsorbents of the invention can be prepared.

Abstract: High throughput system for in vivo screens on vertebrate larvae. The system includes a source of vertebrate larvae in a liquid medium and loading tube means for aspirating a larva. A detector assembly is provided to differentiate passage of a larva from bubbles and/or debris. An imaging means is provided for both confocal imaging and wide-field fluorescence imaging of the larva. A laser is provided for optical manipulation of the larva.

Abstract: A mirror or mirror assembly fabricated by molding, pressing, assembling, or depositing one or more bulk metal glass (BMG), bulk metal glass composite (BMGMC), or amorphous metal (AM) parts and where the optical surface and backing of the mirror can be fabricated without machining or polishing by utilizing the unique molding capabilities of this class of materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in wireless energy transfer, which includes a first resonator structure configured to transfer energy non-radiatively with a second resonator structure over a distance greater than a characteristic size of the second resonator structure. The non-radiative energy transfer is mediated by a coupling of a resonant field evanescent tail of the first resonator structure and a resonant field evanescent tail of the second resonator structure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for manipulating particles can include a substrate and one or more obstacles, each obstacle comprising a plurality of aligned nanostructures including a plurality of nanoparticles or a plurality of polymer layers, or a combination thereof. The obstacle on a substrate can be forests with intra-carbon nanotube spacing ranging between 5-100 nm for isolation of particles such as very small viruses and proteins.

Abstract: A hierarchical digital material comprises a set of self-similar digital voxels and connectors. Each voxel is connectable to other self-similar digital voxels by means of the connectors and each voxel is configured to accept connectors of differing sizes. Voxels and connectors may be of differing sizes. Voxels and connectors of the same or differing sizes are connectable to each other in order to assemble two- and three-dimensional structures. The voxels within a structure may be made of differing materials, as may the connectors.

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced anti-fouling of a submerged surface includes a bath of a feed liquid that includes water; a fouling structure in contact with the feed liquid; and a gas feed configured to introduce a gas into contact with the fouling structure and the feed liquid to separate the fouling structure from the feed liquid with a gas layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for training memristive learning systems (MLSs) using stochastic learning algorithms and the training system apparatus designed to implement the stochastic learning algorithms.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber including a cladding material that is disposed along a longitudinal-axis fiber length. A plurality of spherical particles are provided, separated from one another and disposed in a longitudinal line parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis. The particles are in a sequence with controlled periodic spacing between particles along at least a portion of the fiber length. Each spherical particle has a spherical particle material that is embedded within and elementally different than the fiber cladding material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new approach for delivering compounds and drugs to the cytosol of living cells through the use of engineered protein transporters. The engineered protein transporters include a pore and a pore specific delivery protein, wherein a reagent such as a drug is attached to one or more of the engineered protein transporters.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of identifying wound healing metakaryotic stem cells, identifying molecules to modulate proliferation and/or migration of metakaryotic stem cells and molecules to treat wound healing disorders, such as blood vessel wound healing disorders, including restenosis. The invention also provides methods of diagnosing and treating wound healing disorders, such as blood vessel wound healing disorders and also of treating wounds by the use of metakaryotic stem cell transplant(s).

Abstract: A method for producing a flocculent three dimensional fibrous bioactive material using an electrospinning process includes electrospinning a biodegradable fiber by applying an electrical charge to a nozzle of an electrospinning apparatus such that a spinning solution contained therein is made into an electrospun fiber, which is attracted toward a collector container that is electrically grounded and is filled with an ethanol liquid; receiving the electrospun fiber emitted from the nozzle on a surface of the ethanol liquid in the collector container; recovering and drying the electrospun fiber to obtain the flocculent three dimensional fibrous bioactive material having a bulk density of from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3 as measured in accordance with JIS L 1097.

Abstract: A robotic system for simulating a wearable device actuation delivery mechanism and the source removed from the actuation delivery mechanism that is linked to the actuation delivery mechanism by at least one cable. A sensing system detects a physiological feature of the subject and, based on feedback from the sensing system, a control system linked to both the sensing system and the actuation source modulates the actuation source, and thereby modulating actuation of the joint of a subject in response to the physiological future sensed by the sensing system. A method for simulating a wearable robotic system employs the robotic system of the invention to thereby provide a model on which to base design of an ambulatory prosthetic for a subject.

Abstract: Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein.

Abstract: In an automated method for in vivo multiple cell patch clamping, cell patch clamping devices are automatically moved into position and targeted to multiple corresponding cells. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping devices as they are moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve cell-attached or gigaseal formation and subsequent cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells according to the methodology by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.