Abstract: A lasing device includes an active layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal material and a laser dye, and a liquid crystal cell including spaced apart substrates defining a cell gap in which the active layer is disposed. The substrates include electrodes arranged to bias the active layer into an oblique helicoidal (ChOH) state. At least one substrate of the liquid crystal cell is optically transparent for a lasing wavelength range of the device.

Abstract: A fast flexoelectro-optic switching device containing bimesogen-doped and polymer-stabilized vertical standing helix (PSVSH) in a cholesteric liquid crystal. The PSVSH device exhibits a response time of less than 0.7 millisecond, high contrast and negligible hysteresis which is suitable for applications including blur-free displays, field-sequential color displays and active optical elements.

Abstract: Compositions targeting sperm calcineurin may be used as topical and reversible contraceptives. The compositions may include calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus (e.g. FK506) and/or Cyclosporin A. The compositions may be gels, creams, or lotion-based formulations and may be used reversibly and locally for both males and females.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring normal and shear stress at a surface. The apparatus includes a substrate; and a plurality of sensing units on the substrate. Each sensing unit includes a mechanical transducer having a receiving surface and a sensing surface; and a plurality of normal force sensors between the sensing surface and the substrate.

Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.

Abstract: A fatty acid-like platinum (IV) prodrug is useful for treating cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer). The fatty acid-like platinum (IV) prodrug may be used in combination with a M1 macrophage.

Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.

Abstract: Modified cell lines and methods for use in the production of cultured meat are disclosed. The inventive methods provide for insertion of cell cycle regulatory genes or genes that encode for animal myoglobin into the genome of an animal cell to proliferate and flavor cell productions, followed by excising the inserted genes to terminate proliferation.

Abstract: A speckle reduction system is provided and includes a speckle reduction component and a control module. The speckle reduction component includes electrode layers and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the electrode layers and configured to receive light from a coherent light source. The control module is configured to (i) supply a first voltage signal having a first voltage to the electrode layers to provide a first speckle pattern output, and (ii) supply a second voltage signal having a second voltage to the electrode layers to provide a second speckle pattern output, wherein the first voltage and the second voltage are greater than zero. The control module is configured to transition between providing the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal in less than at least one of half an integration time of a human eye or 8 milliseconds.

Abstract: Liquid crystal lenses of different apertures with suppressed chromatic aberration utilizing twisted vertical alignment configuration are demonstrated. A plurality of substrates are provided with electrodes, including a patterned electrode to generate a lens effect. The liquid crystal material is homeotropically aligned, such as via alignment layers. Setting the ratio between cell thickness and chiral pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystals provides correction of axial chromatic aberrations of electrically-tunable focal lengths in the device.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting non-hazardous and especially hazardous gases and/or vapors comprises a liquid crystal cell generally having a standard substrate and a conductive electrode layer thereon. An alignment layer is desirably located on the electrode layer and contains one or more types of metal nanoparticles that cover at least a portion of the alignment layer. The nanoparticles contain at least one type of ligand thereon that is capable of sensing a specific type of non-hazardous or hazardous gas. The sensor is very sensitive and can detect the gases or vapors contained within air, or the like, up to 1 part per million.

Abstract: A method for controlling self-propelled particles includes providing the particles to a liquid crystalline medium having predesigned local ordering. The method may control at least one of: a local concentration, trajectory, and net flow of self-propelled particles.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

Abstract: A display panel and a display apparatus are provided. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged oppositely. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer has dielectric anisotropy of parameter in a range from ?1 F/m to 1 F/m, a sum of a bending flexural coefficient and a splaying flexoelectric coefficient of the liquid crystal layer is greater than 1 pc/m, and liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are deflected by a flexoelectric effect, so that deflecting speed of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is improved and the response time of the liquid crystal layer is shortened.

Abstract: An ionic liquid crystal elastomer composition includes a liquid crystal elastomer; and an ionic liquid.

Abstract: Films, systems, and methods for measuring shear stress are described. In an embodiment, the film comprises an optically transmissive polymer matrix disposed on a substrate; and a liquid crystal dispersed in the optically transmissive polymer matrix, wherein at least a portion of the liquid crystal protrudes from or is exposed on a side of the optically transmissive polymer matrix opposite the substrate.

Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.

Abstract: An optical display device includes a coherent light source generating a coherent light beam in visible, ultraviolet, or infrared ranges. The coherent light beam is directed at a liquid crystal component. A plurality of liquid crystals and a plurality of nanoparticles having an average diameter of ?about 450 nm are disposed in an interior compartment. An electrical source is in electrical communication with the first and the second electrodes. When no voltage or current is applied, a filtered light beam transmitted or reflected from the liquid crystal component exhibits a first speckle contrast ?about 0.28. When voltage or current is applied, the microparticles are induced to move and the filtered light beam has a second speckle contrast that is ?about 0.2 and in certain aspects may be ?about 0.03. A method of reducing speckle in an optical device having a coherent light source is also provided.

Abstract: An optical device (e.g., display device) includes a coherent light source generating a coherent light beam in a visible, ultraviolet, or infrared range. The coherent light beam is directed at a liquid crystal component. A plurality of liquid crystals and a plurality of microparticles having an average diameter of ?about 450 nm to ?about 20 micrometers (?m) are disposed in an interior compartment. An electrical source is in electrical communication with the first and the second electrodes. When no voltage or current is applied, a filtered light beam transmitted or reflected from the liquid crystal component exhibits a first speckle contrast ?about 0.6. When voltage or current is applied, the microparticles are induced to move and the filtered light beam has a second speckle contrast that is ?about 0.6. A method of reducing speckle in an optical device having a coherent light source is also provided.