Abstract: An improved method for concentrating dispersions of graphene oxide, coating a substrate with a layer of a graphene oxide solution, and producing a supported graphene membrane stabilised by controlled deoxygenation; and graphene-based membranes that demonstrate ultra-fast water transport, precise molecular sieving of gas and solvated molecules, and which show great promise as novel separation platforms.

Abstract: Ultrathin plasmene nanosheets are demonstrated as a new class of flexible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate capable of conformal attachment and sensitive and reproducible detection of chemicals on topologically complex surfaces. Engineering building block morphologies allows for fine-tuning of the SERS performance. In a preferred application the plasmene nanosheets are demonstrated as the next generation plasmonic and/or SERS coded labels, such as for example, anti-counterfeit security label for banknotes. Engineering the morphologies of plasmene-constituent nanoparticles and varying of SERS molecular labels offer virtually unlimited coding capacities.

Abstract: A gel film or an isolated gel film comprising sheets of graphene or chemically converted graphene at least partially separated by a dispersion medium, such as water, and arranged in a substantially planar manner to form an electrically conductive matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to graphene-based foam, the graphene-based foam having a structure defined by a three-dimensional network of interconnected and ordered open cells, the open cells being defined by cell walls, the cell walls (i) being formed of graphene sheets, partially reduced graphene oxide sheets, reduced graphene oxide sheets, or a combination thereof, and (ii) having a thickness defined by the thickness of a plurality of graphene sheets, partially reduced graphene oxide sheets, reduced graphene oxide sheets, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A magnetic circuit (400) comprises a magnetic path which includes at least one magnetic source (102) arranged to generate magnetic flux within the magnetic path. A magnetic flux-concentrating element 402 is magnetically coupled to the magnetic source, and arranged to concentrate magnetic-flux generated by the magnetic source within a volume adjacent to the magnetic flux-concentrating element (402). Some embodiments of the magnetic circuit (400) comprise at least first (102) and second (104) magnetic sources, which may advantageously be arranged to generate magnetic flux in a common direction within the magnetic path.

Abstract: A novel peptide analogue of the Heterometrus spinnifer toxin HsTX1 is disclosed along with its application as, for example, a therapeutic agent for treating an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The analogue comprises a peptide with an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 14 of the wild-type (WT) peptide sequence (or a position corresponding to position 14 of the WT peptide sequence). The analogue exhibits selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1 and other potassium channels relative to the WT peptide.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration membrane comprising: (i) a first polymer, and (ii) a second, charged polymer wherein the first polymer and second polymer have different hydrophobicities.

Abstract: A visual image processing method is based on received spatial field information (302) from a spatial field sensor (116). A data store (804) is accessed, which contains a sensor map data structure (206) comprising a set of predefined regions (208) within a spatial field corresponding with the information received via the sensor input. Each predefined region is associated in the data structure with one or more of a set of stimuli (204) applicable to a biological visual system, and each stimulus corresponds with a visual percept (210). The spatial field information associated with each region is processed to generate stimulus control information which is applied to select, from within the sensor map data structure, stimuli from the set of stimuli for application to the biological visual system. Output stimulus signals (310) are generated, which are suitable for application to the biological visual system based upon the selected stimuli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging of a human or animal heart, particularly imaging of movement of the heart and can be used for imaging function and form in a wide range of research, medical, veterinary and industrial applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for imaging a subject heart, the method including the steps of (1) recording at least one in vivo image of a lung of the subject in one or more regions; (2) applying said at least one in vivo image to a 2D or 3D heart model; and (3) reconstructing a 2D or 3D image field of the subject heart.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive portion in an insulating material. The insulating material includes carbon and at least one other constituent. The method includes exposing the insulating material to ions to preferentially remove the other constituent.

Abstract: A method for dynamic investigation of a subject lung, the method comprising the steps of: (i) imparting an oscillation to the lung at one or more forcing frequencies so as to elicit a lung response, (ii) sensing the response of the lung simultaneously with the imparting of the oscillation to elicit a lung response, (iii) choosing at least one parameter used in the sensing to define the lung motion associated with the lung response, (iv) comparing one of the chosen parameters at each forcing frequency with the response at the forcing frequency in at least one region of the lung, and (v) recording the comparison of step (iv).

Abstract: A prosthetic processing apparatus (200) for use by a visually-impaired subject comprises at least one sensor (104) configured to capture and output physical information of a spatial field, an output interface (208) coupled to a sensory input device which is configured to apply a signal to a sensory pathway of the visually impaired subject, and a processor (202) operatively coupled to the sensor (104) and to the output interface (208). The processor (202) is configured to receive (402) the physical information of the spatial field from the sensor (104), and to process (404) the received information to identify one or more salient features of a predetermined category (such as edges, plane surfaces, human faces and/or bodies) within the spatial field.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of designing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) which have applications in extracting bioactive compounds from a range of bioprocessing feedstocks and wastes. The present invention is further directed to MIPs designed by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising (i) a semiconductor preferably comprising one or more metal-(Group VIb) semiconductors, and (ii) a semiconductor material having elevated phosphorous content preferably comprising one or more metal-(Group VIb))-phosphorous species.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing amine compounds. The amine compounds include diammonium compounds and amino acid derivatives.

Abstract: A 2D or 3D velocity field is reconstructed from cross-correlation analysis of image pairs of a sample, without first reconstructing images of the sample spatial structure. The method can be implemented via computer tomographic X-ray particle image velocimetry, using multiple projection angles, with phase contrast images forming dynamic speckle patterns. Estimated cross-correlations may be generated via convolution of a measured autocorrelation function with a velocity probability density function, and the velocity coefficients iteratively optimized to minimize the error between the estimated cross-correlations and the measured cross-correlations. The method may be applied to measure blood flow, and the motion of tissue and organs such as heart and lungs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, stabilization, and/or storage of active agents, particularly therapeutic proteins and polypeptides such as Interleukin-2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ionic liquid compositions comprising active pharmaceutical, biological, and nutritional compounds, and methods of use. Further disclosed are compositions of matter including liquid ion pairs alone or in solution and their use; compositions of ionic liquids that are ‘solvated,’ for example, ‘hydrated’ and their uses.

Abstract: Compounds according to Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula V, Formula VI, or to Formula VII, and pharmaceutical compositions of compounds that conform to Formula IV or Formula VIII: where R1 through R33 are prescribed, selectively inhibit P. falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Accordingly, a method for preventing and treating malaria attaches to such compounds, as well as to pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, tautomers, and prodrugs thereof.