Abstract: Devices and methods for fabrication of a multiscale porous high-temperature heat exchanger for high-temperature and high-pressure applications are disclosed. The heat exchanger can include a core with macrochannels formed in a checkerboard pattern to facilitate alternative flow of working fluid having hot and cold temperatures between adjacent macrochannels. Each macrochannel can include a two-dimensional microchannel array that further distributes flow throughout the heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer and mechanical strength without significant pressure drop penalty. The heat exchanger can further include a header integrated therewith to distribute working fluid flowing through the heat exchanger through the outlets such that it flows evenly therethrough. Methods of fabricating heat exchangers of this nature are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid cathode for a Li—S battery may include an intercalation-type material and a conversion-type material. The conversion-type material, such as sulfur, may increase the gravimetric energy density, Eg, of the battery. The intercalation-type material may increase the electrical and ionic conductivity of the cathode and contribute to the capacity of the battery, enabling replacement of partial high-surface-area conductive carbon and increasing the volumetric energy density, Ev. In combination, the conversion-type material and the intercalation-type material may be used to increase Eg and Ev simultaneously while providing sufficient rate capability. In one example, a hybrid cathode includes an electrode and a cathode material. The cathode material includes a first concentration of an intercalation compound, a second concentration of sulfur, and a third concentration of carbon. Furthermore, the intercalation compound and sulfur contribute to the capacity of the Li—S battery within a voltage window of 1.

Abstract: An optical modulator is disclosed that includes an optical resonator structure. The optical resonator structure includes at least one non-linear portion, the at least one non-linear portion comprising at least one radial junction region. The at least one radial junction region is formed between at least first and second materials, respectively, having different electronic conductivity characteristics. A principal axis of the at least one radial junction region is oriented along a radius of curvature of the at least one non-linear portion. The optical modulator includes an optical waveguide that is coupled to the at least one non-linear portion of the optical resonator structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a general, scalable, high-throughput, and high-resolution approach for experimental dissection of regulatory regions and driver nucleotides in the context of human biology and disease. Applicants present HiDRA, a novel high-resolution global screen for transcriptional regulatory activity in accessible chromatin regions, enabling high-efficiency, high-throughput, and high-resolution inference of regulatory activity.

Abstract: Polymers comprising fluorinated side chains that can be used for water resistance coatings on substrates and are deposited by initiated chemical vapor deposition are generally described.

Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods presented herein use a heart pump to obtain measurements of cardiovascular function. The heart pumps described herein can operate in parallel with and unload the heart. The system can quantify the functioning of the native heart by measuring certain parameters/signals such as pressure or motor current, then calculate and display one or more metrics of cardiovascular function. These metrics, such as left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular pressure, and contractility, provide valuable information to a user regarding a patient's state of heart function and recovery.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an electric field management layer. The electric field management layer comprises a material with a relatively high dielectric constant that minimizes the risk of an electric field within the semiconductor device breaking down and damaging the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The disclosure features compositions and methods for ameliorating cognitive impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly those associated with anterodorsal (AD) thalamus hyperexcitability in the brain of a subject. Various embodiments of the disclosure provide for personalized and targeted therapeutic approaches for screening, diagnosing, preventing, and treating cognitive impairments and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract: Methods for identifying patients susceptible to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors are provided herein. Also provided are reagents for analyzing T cell responses for understanding resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy and understanding therapeutics for overcoming that resistance. Therapeutic strategies, for instance, for treating cancer, are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a firebrick checkerwork and an electrode. The firebrick checkerwork includes one or more conductive firebrick layers, each including a plurality of electrically conductive doped metal oxide firebricks with one or more airflow vents. The electrode includes one or more electrode firebrick layers, each layer including a plurality of electrode firebricks. The firebrick checkerwork is heated due to application of electrical power to the electrode. Air flowing through the firebrick checkerwork may then be heated for use in heat-related applications (e.g., an industrial application, commercial application, residential application, transportation application, etc.) some of which may relate to electricity production or in other applications which may relate to other purposes that require heat that are unrelated to electricity production.

Abstract: A method of generating uniform large-scale optical focus arrays (LOT As) with a phase spatial light modulator (SLM) includes identifying and removing undesired phase rotation in the iterative Fourier transform algorithm (IFTA), thereby producing computer-generated holograms of highly uniform LOT As using a reduced number of iterations as compared to a weighted Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. The method also enables a faster compensation of optical system-induced LOT A intensity inhomogeneity than the conventional IFTA.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and constructs for engineering circular RNA Disclosed is a vector for making circular RNA, said vector comprising the following elements operably connected to each other and arranged in the following sequence: a) a 5? homology arm, b) a 3? group I intron fragment containing a 3? splice site dinucleotide, c) an optional 5? spacer sequence, d) a protein coding or noncoding region, e) an optional 3? spacer sequence, f) a 5? Group I intron fragment containing a 5? splice site dinucleotide, and g) a 3? homology arm. This vector allows production of a circular RNA that is translatable or biologically active inside eukaryotic cells. In one embodiment, the vector can comprise the 5? spacer sequence, but not the 3? spacer sequence. In yet another embodiment, the vector can also comprise the 3? spacer sequence, but not the 5? spacer sequence.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, comprising a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more piezoelectric transducers having a diameter of about 10 mm and a thickness of about 2 mm, embedded in the substrate. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more cavitation chambers having a depth of about 1 mm, each of the one or more cavitation chambers disposed between respective ones of the one or more piezoelectric transducers and the top surface of the substrate, wherein the one or more piezoelectric transducers generate vibrations within a frequency range about 20 kHz to about 1 MHz in the cavitation chambers that cause a substance stored in the cavitation chambers to be forcibly moved through the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In aspects, the invention provides novel compositions and methods for dominant inhibition of viral infection.

Abstract: Retrographic sensors described herein may provide smaller sensors capable of high-resolution three-dimensional reconstruction of an object in contact with the sensor. Such sensors may be used by robots for work in narrow environments, fine manipulation tasks, and other applications. To provide a smaller sensor, a reduced number of light sources may be provided in the sensor in some embodiments. For example, three light sources, two light sources, or one light source, may be used in some sensors. When fewer light sources are provided, full color gradient information may not be provided. Instead, the missing gradients in one direction or other information related to a three-dimensional object in contact with the sensor may be determined using gradients in a different direction that were provided by the real data. This may be done using a trained statistical model, such as a neural network, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Reaction schemes involving acids and bases; reactors comprising spatially varying chemical composition gradients (e.g., spatially varying pH gradients), and associated systems and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for growth of silicon carbide over a layer comprising graphene and/or hexagonal boron nitride, and related articles, are generally described. In some embodiments, a SiC film is fabricated over a layer comprising graphene and/or hexagonal boron nitride, which in turn is disposed over a substrate. The layer and/or the substrate may be lattice-matched with the SiC film to reduce defect density in the SiC film. The fabricated SiC film may then be removed from the substrate via, for example, a stressor attached to the SiC film. In certain cases, the layer serves as a reusable platform for growing SiC films and also serves a release layer that allows fast, precise, and repeatable release at the layer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of obtaining a derivative Raman spectrum using an excitation or Raman pump beam whose wavelength is modulated in any suitable manner such as, for example, stochastically. Shifting the wavelength of the input excitation by a small amount in approaches like SERDS can isolate the Raman scatter from other spectral artifacts and reduce the false detection rate. For example, an input excitation sequence can be correlated with the response of an individual pixel of a detector. From this, pixels that have captured Raman scattered photons can be separated from pixels capturing non-Raman photons. These techniques can be expanded to other fields and/or types of spectroscopies that utilize a dispersive element detector with time-dependent spectral features.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products associated with in vivo enzyme profiling. In particular, biomarker nanoparticles capable of quantitatively detecting enzymatic activity in vivo are described. These nanoparticles can be used to detect in vivo enzyme activity. The invention also relates to products, kits, and databases for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Emulsion-based and micromolded (“MM”) or three dimensional printed (“3DP”) polymeric formulations for single injection of antigen, preferably releasing at two or more time periods, have been developed. Formulations are preferably formed of biocompatible, biodegradable polymers. Discrete regions encapsulating antigen, alone or in combination with other antigens, adjuvants, stabilizers, and release modifiers, are present in the formulations. Antigen is preferably present in excipient at the time of administration, or on the surface of the formulation, for immediate release, and incorporated within the formulation for release at ten to 45 days after initial release of antigen, optionally at ten to 90 day intervals for release of antigen in one or more additional time periods. Antigen may be stabilized through the use of stabilizing agents such as trehalose glass. In a preferred embodiment for immunization against polio, antigen is released at the time of administration, and two, four and six months thereafter.