Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO2+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O2+ and O2? ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of elevator braking, in particular to an action state detection method and system for an elevator brake, comprising: acquiring matching pairs of brake linings in the same braking state; constructing normal record data sets based on the matching pairs; grouping the normal record data sets based on braking power corresponding to samples in the normal record data sets to determine a median of elevator running speed corresponding to the samples in each group; dividing the operating state levels of the elevator brake according to the size of the median; constructing a data training set; training a constructed network model to obtain a trained network model; acquiring the operating state levels of an elevator to be detected by the trained network model, evaluating the elevator brake according to the operating state levels, and controlling the elevator.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating T cell dysfunctional and effector states by modulating glucocorticoid and IL-27 signaling. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of microfluidic systems and methods of manufacturing are described herein, which utilize an automated microfluidic plumbing technology with addressable ports capable of minimally disruptive additive and subtractive (including probing) cell and/or fluid manipulation at any desired location(s) within living cultures. The addressable microfluidic ports may be integrated throughout cell cultures in microfluidic systems for microfluidic tissue scaffolds, in two- or three-dimensional spatial arrangements. The addressable microfluidic ports may be used for controlling and/or monitoring cell behavior over time at different user-selected locations within cell cultures. Also provided are methods for fabricating such microfluidic devices and microfluidic tissue scaffolds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions related to the recycling and/or recovery of activating materials from activated aluminum are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aqueous solution's composition may be controlled to maintain aluminum ions dissolved in solution during reaction of an activated aluminum. In another embodiment, aluminum hydroxide containing the activating materials may be dissolved into an aqueous solution to isolate the activating materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a system and method for performing an inspection of an underwater environment. Embodiments may include providing an autonomous underwater vehicle (“AUV”) and performing an inspection of an underwater environment using the AUV. Embodiments may further include acquiring real-time sensor data during the inspection of the underwater environment and applying an active simultaneous localization and mapping (“SLAM”) algorithm during the inspection, wherein applying includes estimating one or more virtual landmarks based upon, at least in part, at least one past measurement and a current estimate of AUV activity.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present description provide a method and device for risk prediction of thermal runaway in LIB. The method includes: acquiring knowledge of a mechanism for thermal runaway in LIB; describing an evolution process of thermal runaway in LIB by adopting a fault tree; mapping a fault tree structure to a dynamic Bayesian network model for thermal runaway in LIB to obtain quantitative results of a risk of thermal runaway in LIB; and taking the quantitative results of a dynamic Bayesian network as inputs of a machine learning model to obtain prediction results of the risk of thermal runaway. By using the method in the present embodiment, an evolution trend of battery thermal runaway can be predicted by fusing multiple thermal runaway causes and multi-source data, and thus, the prediction results are relatively accurate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the fabrication of composite materials are generally described. Certain inventive methods and systems can be used to fabricate composite materials with few or no defects. According to certain embodiments, composite materials are fabricated without the use of an autoclave. In some embodiments, composite materials are fabricated in low pressure environments.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes photonic materials that reversibly change color in response to the material being stretched or otherwise mechanically deformed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a photonic integrated circuit and methods for controlling a photonic integrated circuit that can utilize the resonant frequency of one or more components of the photonic integrated circuit to enhance the response of the circuit. At least one component of the photonic integrated circuit can be driven by an electrical signal whose frequency is substantially equal to the mechanical resonance frequency of the component such that the response of the optical component is increased. The component of the photonic integrated circuit can include a phase shifter that can impart a phase shift on a received optical signal. By driving the phase shifter with an electrical signal that is equal to the mechanical resonance frequency of the optical phase shifter, less power can be required to impart a desired phase shift on a received optical signal. The optical components can be implemented using piezoelectric cantilevers.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for selecting specific cells by introducing precise mutations utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system.

Abstract: A method and application of flash imaging lidar to measure the attenuation coefficient of water bodies are provided. In this novel method, the real time remote measurements are achieved on the attenuation coefficient of fresh water using flash imaging lidar based on the adjacent frame difference (AFD) method and water body backscattering model. The method solves the problems of low accuracy and high error of data obtained from real-time remote sensing measurement of attenuation coefficients of water bodies in the prior art; the slow speed of measurement data obtained when measuring water bodies, and the poor feasibility and reliability effect of the remotely measured attenuation coefficients of water bodies obtained. The experimental and theoretical analyses fully illustrate the feasibility of real-time remote sensing measurement of the attenuation coefficient of water bodies using the AFD method, which has a strong practical value.

Abstract: A method for producing a polycarbonate, including reacting a dihydroxy component with a fluorine-containing carbonate component in a presence of a condensation catalyst to obtain a prepolymer, and heating the prepolymer at a temperature lower than a melting temperature of the prepolymer and subjecting the prepolymer to a solid state polymerization while discharging a by-produced fluorine-containing alcohol outside a system,

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for capturing a space target. The system includes a plurality of capturing devices, a delivery device, a launching device, and a deceleration and recovery device, each of the plurality of capturing devices is configured to be launched into a target orbit to capture a defunct space target, the delivery device is configured to deliver, along a preset delivery trajectory, each of the plurality of capturing devices to a first preset location in the launching device, the launching device is configured to launch each of the plurality of capturing devices located at the first preset location into the target orbit to capture the defunct space target, and the deceleration and recovery device is configured to decelerate each of the plurality of capturing devices after it is launched and flies a preset distance.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to training a scene simulator for rendering 2D scenes using data from real and simulated agents. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring trajectories and three-dimensional (3D) views for multiple agents from observations of real vehicles. The method also includes generating a 3D scene having the multiple agents using the 3D views and information from simulated agents. The method also includes training a scene simulator to render scene projections using the 3D scene. The method also includes outputting a 2D scene having simulated observations for a driving scene using the scene simulator.

Abstract: Articles and methods for processing aluminum are generally described. The aluminum can include compositions of gallium and/or indium such that the aluminum is activated to react with water.

Abstract: An artificial cornea and an associated manufacturing method are disclosed. The artificial cornea has two sides, each of which has an associated microstructure. In an embodiment, microlines can be provided on an anterior side, and a posterior side can have micropores. Both the geometry of the microstructures and their dimensions can be customized for an individual patient. The geometry of the artificial cornea itself and its dimensions can also be customized as such. In addition, the lifetime of the artificial cornea can be significantly enhanced by adding co-polymer(s) into the hydrogel to strengthen its mechanical properties. Patient recovery can be aided by adding peptides into the artificial cornea surfaces to improve cell growth post-operation.

Abstract: Methods of sensing carbon dioxide, sensors, and related articles and systems are generally described.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments. A magnetic levitated linear motor functions to propel the transportation stage in a linear direction along a defined axis of travel and to magnetically levitate the transportation stage.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure describe a blood pressure measurement apparatus and method that enable continuous, non-invasive blood pressure measurement using sound and ultrasound transducers. In one implementation, a blood pressure measurement device includes: a first transducer configured to emit multiple soundwaves having multiple frequencies, the soundwaves configured to cause a blood vessel of a subject to vibrate; a second transducer configured to capture one or more ultrasound images of the blood vessel; and a processing device configured to: determine, based on the one or more ultrasound images, a wall thickness, a radius, and a resonant frequency of the blood vessel; and calculate, based on the wall thickness, the radius, and the resonant frequency, a blood pressure of the subject.