Abstract: The present invention is directed to water-soluble membrane proteins, methods for the preparation thereof and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation into electric power is provided, comprising a first layer comprising a first semiconductor material, an absorber in contact with the first layer, a second layer comprising a second semiconductor material, the second layer being in contact with the absorber, and a reflector to reflect at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation passing through the second layer. According to some aspects, a method of forming an apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation into electric power is provided, comprising forming a reflector on a substrate, forming a first layer in contact with the reflector, the first layer comprising a first semiconductor material, forming an absorber in contact with the first layer, and forming a second layer in contact with the absorber, the second layer comprising a second semiconductor material.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate to structurally interrelate two components using inserts made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a method of structurally interrelating two components includes: forming an insert from a metallic glass-based composition; where the formed insert includes a metallic glass-based material; affixing the insert to a first component; and structurally interrelating the second component to the first component using the insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present application provides, among other things, compounds and methods for metathesis reactions. In some embodiments, a provided compound has the structure of formula I, II or III. In some embodiments, R1 of formula I, II or III comprises an electron-withdrawing group. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for preparing provided compounds.

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: Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.

Abstract: Provided herein are lipidoids that may be prepared from the conjugate addition of alkylamines to acrylates. In some embodiments, provided lipidoids are biodegradable and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the amino moiety of the lipidoids, they are well-suited for the delivery of polynucleotides, in addition to other agents. Nanoparticles containing the inventive lipidoids and polynucleotides have been prepared and have been shown to be effective in delivering siRNA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of forming olefins, especially linear alpha olefins from fatty acids or anhydrides, each method comprising: contacting an amount of precursor carboxylic acid anhydride with a palladium catalyst comprising a bidentate bis-phosphine ligand in a reaction mixture so as to form an olefin in a product with the concomittant formation and removal of CO and water from the reaction mixture, either directly or indirectly, wherein the reaction mixture is maintained with a sub-stoichiometric excess of a sacrificial carboxylic acid anhydride, an organic acid, or both, said sub-stoichiometric excess being relative to the amount of the precursor carboxylic acid anhydride. The precursor carboxylic acid anhydride may be added to the reaction mixture directly or formed in situ by the reaction between at least one precursor carboxylic acid with a stoichiometric amount of the sacrificial acid anhydride.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for the alignment of certain materials including liquid crystals. In some cases, a photoresponsive material include a moiety capable of undergoing a di-pi-methane rearrangement. Methods described herein may provide chemically and/or thermally stable alignment materials for use in a various technologies, including transistors, luminescent devices, and liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement tailored metallic glass-based strain wave gears and strain wave gear components. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a flexspline of a strain wave gear includes: forming a MG-based composition into a flexspline using one of a thermoplastic forming technique and a casting technique; where the forming of the MG-based composition results in a formed MG-based material; where the formed flexspline is characterized by: a minimum thickness of greater than approximately 1 mm and a major diameter of less than approximately 4 inches.

Abstract: Vehicles designed to use ground effect forces to control a positioning of the vehicle relative to a surface as well as their methods of use are described.

Abstract: Vehicles designed to use ground effect forces to control a positioning of the vehicle relative to a surface as well as their methods of use are described.

Abstract: An in-membrane micro fuel cell comprises an electrically-insulating membrane that is permissive to the flow of cations, such as protons, and a pair of electrodes deposited on channels formed in the membrane. The channels are arranged as conduits for fluids, and define a membrane ridge between the channels. The electrodes are porous and include catalysts for promoting the liberation of a proton and an electron from a chemical species and/or or the recombination of a proton and an electron with a chemical specie. The fuel cell may be provided a biosensor, an electrochemical sensor, a microfluidic device, or other microscale devices fabricated in the fuel cell membrane.

Abstract: The present invention, among other things, provides compounds, compositions and methods for treatment of cancer. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for treating blood cancer using agelastatin alkaloids.

Abstract: An Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) catalyst includes a metal oxide that includes oxygen, cerium, and one or more second metals. In some instances, the cerium is 10 to 80 molar % of the metals in the metal oxide and/or the catalyst includes two or more second metals. The OER catalyst can be included in or on an electrode. The electrode can be arranged in an oxygen evolution system such that the Oxygen Evolution Reaction occurs at the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spectroscopic imaging system using autofluorescence and reflectance images to diagnose tissue. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a plurality of light sources to illuminate a tissue region to provide the fluorescence and reflectance images, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosed Hi-C protocol can identify genomic loci that are spatially co-located in vivo. These spatial co-locations may include, but are not limited to, intrachromosomal interactions and/or interchromosomal interactions. Hi-C techniques may be applied to many different scales of interest. For example, on a large scale, Hi-C techniques can be used to identify long-range interactions between distant genomic loci.

Abstract: Single-mode, distributed feedback interband cascade lasers (ICLs) using distributed-feedback gratings (e.g., lateral Bragg gratings) and methods of fabricating such ICLs are provided. The ICLs incorporate distributed-feedback gratings that are formed above the laser active region and adjacent the ridge waveguide (RWG) of the ICL. The ICLs may incorporate a double-ridge system comprising an optical confinement structure (e.g., a RWG) disposed above the laser active region that comprises the first ridge of the double ridge system, a DFB grating (e.g., lateral Bragg grating) disposed above the laser active region and adjacent the optical confinement structure, and an electric confinement structure that passes at least partially through the laser active region and that defines the boundary of the second ridge comprises and the termination of the DFB grating.