Abstract: A method of forming nanoparticles from aluminum cans is provided, wherein the nanoparticles may be used to fabricate effervescent tablet for suspension production. The method includes collecting, cleaning, and drying aluminum cans; shredding and melting the aluminum cans and forming the melted aluminum cans into small parts; milling the small parts into a powder; sieving the powder to obtain a sieved powder; and ball milling the sieved powder to obtain nanoparticles. The particles may then be mixed with effervescent agents and surfactant and pressed to form the effervescent tablet. The effervescent tablet may be added to water to produce the suspension.

Abstract: The modular intramedullary fixation device is a multi-piece bone fixation device for insertion into the medullary cavity of a bone. In one embodiment, the modular intramedullary fixation device is formed from a plurality of substantially Z-shaped modular elements, which are assembled together to a desired length and width. In additional embodiments, the modular intramedullary fixation device includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a connector for connecting the two portions to each other. The connector may be provided in a wide variety of configurations, including an adjustable connector for adjusting the length of the modular intramedullary fixation device. Each of the proximal and distal portions may further have an adjustable length.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the dispersion stability of carbon black-based aqueous suspensions is provided. The method includes forming a thin sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) monolayer on the outer surface of the carbon black materials before the carbon black materials are dispersed in a base fluid. This is done by mixing SDS with dry carbon black powder at a ratio of about 1:0.5 by weight for about 15 minutes, under a controlled environment. After mixing the SDS with dry carbon black powder, the resulting mixture is added to distilled water and dispersed for 45 minutes using a sonicator. Once the dispersion process is completed, the suspension is stored for future use.

Abstract: An effervescent tablet including a marine-derived biosurfactant and zinc oxide particles and a method of manufacturing the effervescent tablet are provided. The method includes providing a biosurfactant derived from nudibranch mucus, providing a ZnO powder, mixing the biosurfactant and the ZnO powder under a first set of controlled conditions to form a first mixture, adding malic acid and potassium carbonate to the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, mixing the second mixture under a second set of controlled conditions, and then consolidating the second mixture into a tablet form using a hydraulic tablet press. The effervescent tablets may be added to deionized water to start a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of improved suspensions.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the dispersion stability of carbon black-based aqueous suspensions is provided. The method includes forming a thin sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) monolayer on the outer surface of the carbon black materials before the carbon black materials are dispersed in a base fluid. This is done by mixing SDS with dry carbon black powder at a ratio of about 1:0.5 by weight for about 15 minutes, under a controlled environment. After mixing the SDS with dry carbon black powder, the resulting mixture is added to distilled water and dispersed for 45 minutes using a sonicator. Once the dispersion process is completed, the suspension is stored for future use.

Abstract: Methods of preparing biosurfactants derived from marine organisms are provided. The methods include providing one or more nudibranchs of the species Dendrodoris fumata, stimulating production of mucus by the nudibranchs, collecting mucus from the nudibranchs, concentrating the bioactive components in the mucus, determining the pH of the mucus, categorizing the mucus as acidic or alkaline, and freeze-drying the mucus.

Abstract: A method for detecting and treating Type II Diabetes includes the use of hsa_piR_020485, a PIWI-interacting RNA isolated from urinary extracellular vesicles (ECVs), as a biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The method is non-invasive, utilizing the differential expression of hsa_piR_020485 in diabetic versus non-diabetic subjects to identify subjects in need of treatment for T2DM. The method includes obtaining a urine sample from a subject, isolating urinary ECVs from the urine sample, extracting total RNA from the isolated urinary ECVs, quantifying hsa_piR_020485 levels from the total RNA, determining if the hsa_piR_020485 expression level exceeds a threshold, and administering one or more T2DM treatments.

Abstract: A 99mTc labeled CB7-GA complex, its synthesis, and its use as an anti-viral and anti-liver disease agent.

Abstract: The left ventricle imaging phantom includes a housing, a syringe, a balloon and a reservoir for receiving a liquid. The syringe has a barrel and a plunger, with the barrel having a fluid port. The balloon is in fluid communication with the fluid port of the barrel. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the balloon and the fluid port of the barrel of the syringe. The plunger is selectively and controllably moved within the barrel of the syringe. The balloon is selectively and controllably compressed and decompressed in a manner which is synchronized with the movement of the plunger within the barrel in order to selectively drive the liquid in and out of the balloon. A controller controls the movement of the plunger within the barrel of the syringe and the compression and decompression of the balloon to simulate functioning of a left ventricle of a human heart.

Abstract: A method of recycling unused gases in a water aeration process includes providing a confined plunging liquid jet reactor system; producing a water jet at an outlet of a nozzle; entraining air in the water jet as the water jet flows from the outlet of the nozzle to obtain an entrained air water jet; entraining oxygen in the entrained air water jet to obtain an entrained oxygen air water jet; flowing the entrained oxygen air water jet into a water in a fluid reservoir thereby forming small water bubbles as the entrained oxygen air water jet penetrates into the water; forming large water bubbles as the small water bubbles ascend toward the surface layer of the water; and recycling unused gases under a hood by flowing the unused gases toward the outlet of the nozzle, thereby entraining the unused gases in the entrained air water jet.

Abstract: A system for automated vehicle washing uses a spray arm having horizontal and vertical arm portions joined orthogonally to each other. The spray arm performs various cleaning operations including detergent dispensing, water rinsing and air drying, and is in fluid connection to respective reservoirs and dispensers of detergent, water, and compressed air. A support frame is configured for movement of the spray arm thereon. Means are included for two-dimensional horizontal movement, rotational movement, and vertical movement of the spray arm. A controller of the system is configured to raise or lower the spray arm between an upper height and lower height to accommodate a variety of vehicle types and sizes. A control interface may be in the form of a mobile application and operated by a touchscreen device. The spray arm may include ultrasonic proximity sensors mounted thereon for automated operation.

Abstract: Methods of making improved nanolubricants are providing including dispersing carbon nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of graphene (GN), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a base fluid, such as POE. The carbon nanoparticles are dispersed by adding the carbon nanoparticles to the base fluid to obtain a mixture and mixing the mixture for about 5 minutes using a magnetic stirrer to obtain a suspension. The resulting suspension is then further dispersed using a bath ultrasonicator for about 60 minutes starting at about 25° C. The temperature may be varied up to about 49° C. and back down to about 25° C. over the course of the 60-minute period.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser and leachate collector used in a system for obtaining a soil sample, dispensing liquid into the soil sample, collecting the resulting leachate, and extracting a soil layer from the obtained soil sample. The fluid dispensing unit may be cylindrical in shape and include a perforated disc therein as well as bladed disc situated on top of the perforated disc. The bladed disc is rotatable on the perforated disc to expose or cover select patterns of perforations allowing for different fluid flowrates through the soil sample. The fluid dispensing unit may contain a nanoparticle suspension and a magnetic stirring system be used to mix the nanoparticle suspension. A pump may be included for dispensing the fluid in a top-down or bottom-up configuration. The fluid dispensing unit may include a threaded mating interface allowing for direct coupling onto the sample tube.

Abstract: A multi-bit binary counter outputs a predetermined binary number of bits reflecting a number of times of triggering an input pin, and providing a binary counter output having a decimal equivalent. A multi-bit binary counter is implemented as a multi-bit synchronous counter IC chip with a ripple carry-out pin and loading functionality. An active output count indication pin is connected to cause the IC to transition states, such as from a HIGH state to a LOW state, when the counter output's decimal equivalent exceeds single-digit numbers. In one configuration, the counter functions selectively as a MOD-10 (decade) or MOD-16 binary counter.

Abstract: A system for obtaining a soil sample, dispensing liquid, such as a nanoparticle suspension, into the soil sample, collecting the resulting leachate, and extracting a soil layer from the obtained soil sample. A sample tube is used for obtaining and holding a soil sample, and includes a removable section and stationary section joined in sliding relation to each other. A fluid dispensing unit is configured to attach to the sample tube to dispense fluid through the soil sample and may include a magnetic stirrer, pump, and different flow rate configurations. A collection unit attaches to the sample tube and collects the resulting leachate. A soil layer extraction tool holds the sample tube, creates an opening in the sample tube exposing the soil sample, and extracts a layer of soil for analysis using extractor blades. The extractor blades include an upper blade and lower blade connected by a vertical blade.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nitrogen/sulfur-rich activated carbon, of exceptionally high surface area and microporous nature, the method comprising: preparing an aromatic oligomer including a heteroatom using an oxidative polymerization solution, wherein the oxidative polymerization solution comprises a first oxidizer and an organic solvent; mixing the oligomer with an activating agent to obtain a mixture; subjecting the mixture to carbonization and activation in a tube furnace; holding the mixture at a set temperature; cooling the mixture to room temperature to obtain a carbon material; purifying the carbon material by washing; washing the carbon material with water and methanol; drying the carbon material under vacuum to obtain a microporous carbon of high surface area and nitrogen/sulfur-rich composition.

Abstract: A method of detecting a second target protein in a sample can include preparing a tracer bound-first target protein; determining a diffusion coefficient for the tracer bound-first target protein before contacting the tracer bound-first target protein with a sample to obtain a first value; contacting the tracer bound-first target protein with a sample; determining a diffusion coefficient for the tracer bound-first target protein after contacting the sample to obtain a second value; and identifying a presence of the second target protein in the sample when a change in the diffusion coefficient values is determined.

Abstract: A sample tube is disclosed in a system for obtaining a soil sample, dispensing liquid into the soil sample, collecting the resulting leachate, and extracting a soil layer from the soil sample. The sample tube includes a removable section and stationary section joined in sliding relation. The removable section includes a first vertical wall, second vertical wall, and top ring. The stationary section has openings covered by the first vertical wall and second vertical wall of the removable section. Stabilizing means such as flanges are included for preventing rotation of the removable section within the stationary section. The flanges contact sides of the removable section. A drilling head and T-shaped handle may attach to the sample tube for extraction of a soil sample.

Abstract: A Confined Plunging Liquid Jet Reactor (CPLJR) is used for determining the effect of discharge of an effluent into seawater. A tank is provided and a plurality of water injectors supply sample effluents into the tank at multiple locations, using a pump to provide the supplied effluents. A water movement generator is used to simulate environmental movement of water in the tank, and soap bubble measurement meters/sensors are used to measure bubbles in the supplied effluents supplied by at least a subset of the water injectors, with respective ones of the bubble measurement sensors sensing bubbles associated with individual ones of the subset of water injectors. Dye injection and bubble sensors are used to observe and measure flow of injected effluent. A plurality of oxygen sensors are used for measuring oxygenation at different locations or levels in the tank.

Abstract: The tactile directional guide system provides directional information in the form of vibrations for use during emergency evacuations and the like. The tactile directional guide system includes a vibrational module adapted for mounting on a support surface, such as the floor or wall of a hallway or corridor, as non-limiting examples. The vibrational module includes a plurality of members linearly arrayed along a longitudinal direction and a plurality of vibrators respectively coupled to the plurality of members. A controller is in communication with the plurality of vibrators and is configured to selectively sequentially actuate the plurality of vibrators in either a forward longitudinal direction or a rearward longitudinal direction to provide a tactile directional output.