Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a smart antenna system to maximize energy efficiency while maintaining spectral efficiency and signal integrity. In accordance with certain aspects of a particularly preferred embodiment, antenna beamforming may be optimized at a base station by combining a recursive least squares beamforming technique with Kaiser windowing functions to enable side lobe cancellation in the emitted beam, thus enhancing the capacity and service quality of smart antenna systems. With respect to further aspects of a particularly preferred embodiment, processing methods may be implemented at the base station of a cellular network to cluster mobile stations in a way that improves overall energy efficiency of a base station in the cellular network.

Abstract: Compositions including metal nano- and/or micro-particles in solution with photosynthetic bioproduct producing microorganisms. These light harvesting complexes increase growth rates and photosynthetic efficiency of the constituent microorganisms, reducing the light required for a specific production level, or increases production for a specific light level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for processing signals from multiple users at an antenna array, and to provide beamforming for transmitting to those multiple users, and more particularly for channel estimation and wireless signal recovery in wireless networks carrying transmissions in the millimeter wave frequency bands to enable such beamforming. Such methods and systems enable MIMO communications at millimeter wave frequencies for multiple users communicating with a MIMO antenna system, such as a massive MIMO multi-antenna system (multi-antenna arrays that consist of hundreds of antenna elements). Such methods and systems may characterize the communications link (i.e., channel) at that frequency band, and directly provide a precoding matrix for beam steering towards a particular user that is in communication with the antenna system.

Abstract: The localized formation of graphene and diamond like structures on the surface of boron carbide is obtained due to exposure to high intensity laser illumination. The graphitization involves water vapor interacting with the laser illuminated surface of boron carbide and leaving behind excess carbon. The process can be done on the micrometer scale, allowing for a wide range of electronic applications. Raman is a powerful and convenient technique to routinely characterize and distinguish the composition of Boron Carbide (B4C), particularly since a wide variation in C content is possible in B4C. Graphitization of 1-3 ?m icosahedral B4C powder is observed at ambient conditions under illumination by a 473 nm (2.62 eV) laser during micro-Raman measurements. The graphitization, with ˜12 nm grain size, is dependent on the illumination intensity. The process is attributed to the oxidation of B4C to B2O3 by water vapor in air, and subsequent evaporation, leaving behind excess carbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining authenticity of objects using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). The fluorescent security feature of a flat object Q is identified under illumination with ultraviolet light. Then the security feature is illuminated by a beam of light at continuously varied excitation wavelength, while the intensity of emitted light (fluorescence) is recorded at the continuously varied, yet different emission wavelength. The difference between the wavelengths of emission and excitation is held constant, and the spectrum SFS(Q) is obtained. The same procedure is conducted with a known authentic (A) object, resulting in its synchronous fluorescence spectrum SFS(A). A comparison of SFS(Q) and SFS(A) is conducted. If SFS(Q) and SFS(A) are the same, the Q object is concluded to be authentic.

Abstract: In this study, we demonstrated a unique application of our Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization (MAMAD) technique for the de-crystallization of uric acid crystals, which causes gout in humans when monosodium urate crystals accumulate in the synovial fluid found in the joints of bones. Given the shortcomings of the existing treatments for gout, we investigated whether the MAMAD technique can offer an alternative solution to the treatment of gout. Our technique is based on the use of metal nanoparticles (i.e., gold colloids) with low microwave heating to accelerate the de-crystallization process. In this regard, we employed a two-step process; (i) crystallization of uric acid on glass slides, which act as a solid platform to mimic a bone, (ii) de-crystallization of uric acid crystals on glass slides with the addition of gold colloids and low power microwave heating, which act as “nano-bullets” when microwave heated in a solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a trusted computing environment that provides data security in commodity computing systems. Such systems and methods deploy a flexible architecture comprised of distributed trusted platform modules (TPMs) configured to establish a root-of-trust within a heterogeneous network environment comprised of non-TPM enabled IoT devices and legacy computing devices. A data traffic module is positioned between a local area network and one or more non-TPM enabled IoT devices and legacy computing devices, and is configured to control and monitor data communication among such IoT devices and legacy computing devices, and from such IoT devices and legacy computing devices to external computers. The data traffic module supports attestation of the IoT devices and legacy computing devices, supports secure boot operations of the IoT devices and legacy computing devices, and provides tamper resistance to such IoT devices and legacy computing devices.

Abstract: A recombinant strain of F. diplosiphon was made by transforming wild type F. diplosiphon with a pGEM-7Zf (+) plasmid containing sterol desaturase gene (SD) via electroporation. The recombinant strain was designated B481-SD and overexpressed the sterol desaturase gene to result in enhanced lipid production. Selection made on NaCl enabled growth of the transformant to thrive up to 50 g L?1 NaCl. This strain was designated B481-SDH.

Abstract: A shellfish basket washing apparatus configured to hang over the side rail of an oyster harvester or other boat having a support assembly arranged to straddle and be supported on said side rail, a basket holder and a high pressure nozzle assembly connected to a water side of said support assembly, and a working platform, including a pressure washer pump and a water tank, connected to an onboard side of said support assembly.

Abstract: A multi-band, multi-mode software defined radio (MBMM SDR) platform having a multi-band front end (MBFE), a multi-mode digital radio (MMDR), a configuration & control (C2) subsystem, and a power distribution subsystem. The MBFE provides wideband operations, L/S/C-Band telemetry band selection, and channel tuning. The MMDR provides high-speed signal processing and flexible programming to support multiple telemetry waveforms that are implemented using system-on-chip technology. An integrated pulse code modulation/frequency modulation (PCM/FM) and shaped offset quadrature shift keying (SOQPSK-TG) transmitter and a non-coherent PCM/FM receiver has been developed. The C2 subsystem allows for pre-test configuration and control of the MBFE and MMDR subsystems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant cyanobacterium with enhanced halotolerance and compositions thereof, methods of producing the recombinant cyanobacterium, and methods of using the same for biofuel production. The invention also relates to transformed F. diplosiphon strains with enhanced salt tolerance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using visible light communication (“VLC”) to perform indoor position location. Through use of a system and method configured as set forth herein, the position of any appropriately marked person or item may be found indoors using data interconnected modules that communicate with one another via RF and visible light. A mobile receiver in the form of a tag or badge attached to the person or item to be tracked receives a VLC signal from a plurality of lighting modules, and transmits back to a mesh network formed by the modules the data it received to determine the tag's or badge's physical position with respect to the individual network modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the combustion of biomass material employing a swirling fluidized bed combustion (SFBC) chamber, and preferably a second stage combustion carried out in a cyclone separator. In the combustion chamber, primary air is introduced from a bottom air box that fluidizes the bed material and fuel, and staged secondary air is introduced in the tangential direction and at varied vertical positions in the combustion chamber so as to cause the materials in the combustion chamber (i.e., the mixture of air and particles) to swirl. The secondary air injection can have a significant effect on the air-fuel particle flow in the combustion chamber, and more particularly strengthens the swirling flow, promotes axial recirculation, increases particle mass fluxes in the combustion chamber, and retains more fuel particles in the combustion chamber. This process increases the residence time of the particle flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant cyanobacterium with enhanced halotolerance and compositions thereof, methods of producing the recombinant cyanobacterium, and methods of using the same for biofuel production. The invention also relates to transformed F. diplosiphon strains with enhanced salt tolerance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using visible light communication (“VLC”) to perform indoor position location. Through use of a system and method configured as set forth herein, the position of any appropriately marked person or item may be found indoors using data interconnected modules that communicate with one another via RF and visible light. A mobile receiver in the form of a tag or badge attached to the person or item to be tracked receives a VLC signal from a plurality of lighting modules, and transmits back to a processor the data it received so that the processor is able determine the tag's or badge's physical position with respect to the individual network modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant cyanobacterium with enhanced halotolerance and compositions thereof, methods of producing the recombinant cyanobacterium, and methods of using the same for biofuel production. The invention also relates to transformed F. diplosiphon strains with enhanced salt tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for rapid crystallization of amino acids, drug molecules, proteins and DNA/peptides. One method for rapid crystallization of functional group-containing molecules selected from the group consisting of amino acids, drug molecules, proteins and DNA/peptides includes (A) providing at least one metal or metal oxide in particulate or thin film form to provide (a) selective nucleation sites for crystallization of the functional group-containing molecules due to interactions of their functional groups and metal surfaces or engineered metal surfaces and (b) a microwave-transparent medium to create a thermal gradient between the metal surfaces or engineered metal surfaces and a warmer solution containing functional group-containing molecules to be crystallized, and (B) conducting microwave heating to cause the functional group-containing molecules to be crystallized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for rapid crystallization of amino acids, drug molecules, proteins and DNA/peptides. One method for rapid crystallization of functional group-containing molecules selected from the group consisting of amino acids, drug molecules, proteins and DNA/peptides includes (A) providing at least one metal or metal oxide in particulate or thin film form to provide (a) selective nucleation sites for crystallization of the functional group-containing molecules due to interactions of their functional groups and metal surfaces or engineered metal surfaces and (b) a microwave-transparent medium to create a thermal gradient between the metal surfaces or engineered metal surfaces and a warmer solution containing functional group-containing molecules to be crystallized, and (B) conducting microwave heating to cause the functional group-containing molecules to be crystallized.