Abstract: A wideband amplifier includes a first diplexer receiving broadband input signals and divides them by frequency into a low band input signal and a high band input signal. The amplifier has separate high band and low band amplifiers coupled to amplify the low and high band input signals, and a second diplexer coupled to combine outputs of the low and high band amplifiers to form a wideband output. A method of amplification of an input signal includes separating the input signal into high and low band signals, separately amplifying the high and low band signals, and combining amplified high and low band signals into an output signal.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices, and associated materials and methods, are generally described. In some embodiments, an electrochemical device comprises an electroactive material. The electroactive material may comprise an alloy having a solid phase and a liquid phase that co-exist with each other. As a result, such a composite electrode may have, in some cases, the mechanical softness to permit both high energy densities and an improved current density as compared to, for example, a substantially pure metal electrode.

Abstract: Devices and methods for filtering, drying, and mechanically processing active pharmaceutical ingredients are generally described.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to detecting and modulating novel gene signatures for the treatment and prognosis of cancer. The novel gene signatures predict overall survival in cancer and can be targeted therapeutically.

Abstract: An optical neural network is constructed based on photonic integrated circuits to perform neuromorphic computing. In the optical neural network, matrix multiplication is implemented using one or more optical interference units, which can apply an arbitrary weighting matrix multiplication to an array of input optical signals. Nonlinear activation is realized by an optical nonlinearity unit, which can be based on nonlinear optical effects, such as saturable absorption. These calculations are implemented optically, thereby resulting in high calculation speeds and low power consumption in the optical neural network.

Abstract: A retrographic sensor includes a transparent structure, a transparent elastomeric pad, and an at least partially reflective layer. One or more excitation light sources emit light toward a side surface of the transparent structure. The side surface may include a fluorescent layer, where the light from the one or more excitation light sources excites fluorescent emissions from the fluorescent layer. The fluorescent emissions may illuminate the at least partially reflective layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable article, comprising a fabric. In some embodiments, the fabric comprises an inner material layer which forms an inner surface of the wearable article, an outer material layer which forms an outer surface of the wearable article; and one or more intermediate material layers disposed between the inner and outer material layers. In some embodiments, the inner, outer, and one or more intermediate material layers are knitted together to provide a combination of two or more of: two or more compression zones; two or more mobility zones; two or more materials; or one or more electronic components.

Abstract: The invention, in part, includes methods of single molecule protein sequencing that include using weak binding spectra in the amino acid identification.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the storage, organization, access, and retrieval of information encoded by sequence controlled polymers such as data storage nucleic acids are provided. In some embodiments, organization, storage, and/or selective retrieval of the data is facilitated by hybridization of barcode sequence of the sequence controlled polymer to the reverse complementary sequence of an oligonucleotide. The plurality of oligonucleotides can be arrayed using a known organization scheme, and selectively capture and localize the corresponding sequence controlled polymer. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods utilize recombinant bacteriophage, typically featuring a minigenome having a bacteriophage origin of replication and packaging signal separated from a data storage sequence by barcodes.

Abstract: Active cantilever probes having a thin coating incorporated into their design are disclosed. The probes can be operated in opaque and/or chemically harsh environments without the need of a light source or optical system and without being significantly negatively impacted by corrosion. The probes include a substrate that has a cantilever, a thermomechanical actuator associated with the cantilever, a piezoresistive stress sensor disposed on the cantilever, and a thin coating disposed on the cantilever and the piezoresistive stress sensor. The coating is bonded to the substrate, is thermally conductive, and has a low thermal resistance. Further, the thin coating is configured to have little to no impact on one or more of a mass of the active probe, a residual stress of the cantilever, or a stiffness of the active probe. Techniques for performing topography and making other measurements in an opaque and/or chemically harsh environment are also provided.

Abstract: Dry adhesive materials, particularly in the form of a film or tape, for adhering one or more wet surfaces comprising: (i) one or more hydrophilic polymers; (ii) one or more amine coupling groups, and (iii) one or more cross linkers. The dry adhesive material, when placed in contact with the one or more wet surfaces, absorbs liquid from the one or more wet surfaces, swells to form temporary crosslinking with the wet surface, and forms covalent crosslinking with the one or more wet surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a controlled fluidic device to develop spatially complex environments to enhance the rate of evolution in cell populations. The method further provides an enhanced understanding in the emergence, for example, drug resistance during cancer chemotherapy.

Abstract: A protective layer can be deposited on a surface of an porous polymer separator placing on a Li-metal electrode to protect against adverse electrochemical activity in a battery. The protective layer can be a multilayered structure including graphene oxide.

Abstract: Redox flow devices are described including a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector, and an ion-permeable membrane separating said positive and negative current collectors, positioned and arranged to define a positive electroactive zone and a negative electroactive zone; wherein at least one of said positive and negative electroactive zone comprises a flowable semi-solid composition comprising ion storage compound particles capable of taking up or releasing said ions during operation of the cell, and wherein the ion storage compound particles have a polydisperse size distribution in which the finest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume, is at least a factor of 5 smaller than the largest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume.

Abstract: A device, comprising a base, and a plurality of microneedles attached to the base, wherein the microneedles comprise dehydrated honey having water content of less than 5% by weight. The dehydrated honey can be a Manuka dehydrated honey. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating and using the disclosed device.

Abstract: A visibly transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is disclosed. The LSC includes a transparent substrate having at least one edge surface. A dye layer is coupled to the substrate, the dye layer having a peak absorption wavelength outside the visible band, the dye layer being configured to re-emit light at a peak emission wavelength outside the visible band, at least a portion of the re-emitted light being waveguided to the edge surface of the substrate. A photovoltaic device is coupled to the edge surface of the transparent substrate, the photovoltaic device being configured to absorb light at the peak emission wavelength and generate electrical energy.

Abstract: Described herein, is a sensing textile for a spacecraft, comprising an aerospace-grade fabric substrate having a surface and one or more sensing fibers coupled to the aerospace-grade fabric substrate, wherein at least a subset of the sensing fibers extends above the surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the sensing fibers comprises one or more of an impact sensor, a charge sensor, a thermal sensor or radiative surface. Some embodiments, the sensing fibers are configured to form one or more patterned topologies about the surface of the aerospace-grade fabric substrate. In some embodiments, the patterned topologies comprises one or more of a pile, looped pile, waffle, spacer, seersucker, plissé, or an embroidery.

Abstract: Autonomous systems for control of heavy object tumbling and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, the autonomous system may include one or more tethers connected to a heavy object, each tether position and location controlled by one or more actuators. The control system may include one or more processors in communication with the actuators to maintain constant quasi-static control of the heavy object during a tumbling process, in which the object is manipulated (e.g., rotated about an axis relative to a supporting surface) to provide access to alternate faces of the object. In some embodiments, the control system may reduce the risk of uncontrollable tumbling by alternating between position and tension control of the tethers depending on the orientation of the object and/or progression of the tumbling process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer (100). In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: removing a portion of a deposited layer and a protective layer thereon using a first slurry to provide an intermediate surface (1123). In the described embodiment, the deposited layer includes an epitaxial layer (112) and the protective layer includes a first dielectric layer (113). The first slurry includes particles with a hardness level the same as or exceeding that of the epitaxial layer (112). A slurry for use in wafer fabrication for reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Vehicles having the versatility to be used as farm vehicles while also being able to be used as a transportation method, such as a motorcycle, are provided. The vehicles can generally include a three-wheel configuration in which first and second drive wheels are substantially vertically aligned, and the third wheel is offset from the vertically aligned drive wheels. The third wheel can be aligned with the second wheel, or it can be disposed at a location that is between the first and second wheels while still being offset from the vertical alignment. A tool for performing farming actions is also provided. In some instances the tool can be laterally offset from the vertically aligned wheels, located between the drive wheels, while in other instances the tool can be disposed distal of the rear wheel. Many vehicle and tool configurations are disclosed, as are methods for operating the same.