Abstract: A flake-less molecular ink suitable for printing (e.g. screen printing) conductive traces on a substrate has 30-60 wt % of a C8-C12 silver carboxylate or 5-75 wt % of bis(2-ethyl-1-hexylamine) copper (II) formate, bis(octylamine) copper (II) formate or tris(octylamine) copper (II) formate, 0.1-10 wt % of a polymeric binder (e.g. ethyl cellulose) and balance of at least one organic solvent. Conductive traces formed with the molecular ink are thinner, have lower resistivity, have greater adhesion to a substrate than metal flake inks, have better print resolution and are up to 8 times less rough than metal flake inks. In addition, the shear force required to remove light emitting diodes bonded to the traces using Loctite 3880 is at least 1.3 times stronger than for commercially available flake-based inks.

Abstract: A nickel hydroxide includes stacked nickel hydroxide layers. Each of the nickel hydroxide layers includes Ni2+ and OH?. At least one of the nickel hydroxide layers further includes a type of polyatomic anions. The polyatomic anions include a type of anions that are not SO42? or CO32?.

Abstract: A composite includes a plastic substrate and an electrical insulator layer formed on the plastic substrate. The electrical insulator layer contains boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which may be unmodified or modified BNNTS. The composite is suitable for use in making printed electronic devices. A process includes providing a plastic substrate and forming on at least a portion of a surface of the plastic substrate a layer that contains the BNNTs. A metallic ink trace is formed on a portion of the layer, such that the metallic ink trace is spaced-apart from the substrate. Using photonic or thermal sintering techniques, the metallic ink trace is then sintered.

Abstract: In a polymeric microfluidic valve, an adhesion control surface with discrete micro- or nano-scale structured surfaces are separated by fluid filled voids at an interface between an elastomeric membrane seals against a substrate layer. The structured surfaces reduce adhesion between the membrane layer and the substrate layer and prevent permanent bonding, while at the same time providing a good balance of adhesion at the valve seat to provide a sealing engagement. Microstructured adhesion control surfaces on and around valve bodies permit opening the valve, by reducing contact surface area.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a system, method and device for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In some embodiments, the LIBS system comprises a silicon photomultiplier (Si PM) operated in a time-gated photon counting mode. Some such embodiments allow for the provision of a portable LIBS device. Also provided are embodiments for the measurement of constituent carbon, gold and/or other precious metal group elements in a target sample.

Abstract: N. gonorrhoeae has become resistant to almost every conventional antibiotic. Described herein is the use of CMP-nonulosonate analogues to counter gonococcal complement evasion. The nonulosonate sugar is incorporated into the lipooligosaccharide of the N. gonorrhoeae which in turn reduces the serum resistance of the bacteria. This provides a novel therapeutic strategy against the global threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea.

Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide with an inscribed Bragg grating, where the Bragg grating is stable at high temperature, has low scattering loss and high reflectivity. Also provided is a method for inscribing a Bragg grating in an optical waveguide, the method comprising irradiating the optical waveguide with electromagnetic radiation from an ultrashort pulse duration laser of sufficient intensity to cause a permanent change in an index of refraction within a core of the optical waveguide, where the irradiating step is terminated prior to erasure of a Bragg resonance, and heating the optical waveguide to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove a non-permanent grating formed in the optical waveguide by the irradiating step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new process for the production of recombinant proteins, by transient transfection of suspension-grown human embryonic kidney cells (293 cell line and its genetic variants) with an expression vector, using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a transfection reagent. In a preferred embodiment, the process uses 293E cells expressing the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA 1 protein, in combination with an oriP-based episomal expression vector having an improved cytomegalovirus expression cassette comprising the CMV5 promoter. The process combines in a single step the cell growth, transfection and protein expression, is carried out without changing the culture medium, and allows to achieve high expression levels in a short period of time. The process may be carried out in a serum-free, low-protein culture medium, is easily scalable, compatible with continuous production processes, and fully adapted to high-throughput production of milligram quantities of recombinant proteins.

Abstract: A technique for producing an artificial biointerface involves providing a patterned microfluidic chip having: a chamber divided by a fluid-permeable fencing into a central region and two flanking channels; and at least 3 fluid paths, each of the paths extending across one of the central region and the two flanking channels. A porous packing of rigid beads is placed within the central region to define a bead bed, the beads being of a size to be retained by the fencing. A biowall can be grown on at least one segment of the fencing separating the central region from one flanking channel, the biowall formed at least in part by live cells cultured on the beads. Beads may be modified, coated or functionalized to improve cell attachment and growth, and for reporting, or dosing particles or molecules can be conveniently added to the bead bed.

Abstract: A perpendicular axis turbine having at least two blades, wherein the blades are longitudinally offset with respect to one another, reducing the effects of blade-vortex interaction and providing increased power generation. In one embodiment, the blades are longitudinally offset such that the attachment point of one blade is halfway between the attachment points for the other blade.

Abstract: A smart ink, comprising microparticles, with each microparticle comprising: a) an exterior shell; b) a liquid encapsulated within the shell; and c) a Janus microparticle suspended in the liquid, wherein the Janus microparticle either comprises: i) two or more distinct assemblies of particles; or ii) a core loaded with particles, the core having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is functionally distinct from the first surface portion. An apparatus and method for production of the microparticles are also provided.

Abstract: An enzymatic-based process of extracting value added products from oil seed and grain biomasses is described. The process comprises an alkaline pretreatment step followed by treatment with a proteolytic enzyme, and provides increased product yield and solubility. The products obtained can be soluble protein/peptide and purified dietary fiber. The use of such a process in the production of a food, drink, cosmetics, feed or feed additive product is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hemagglutinin-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and uses thereof. More specifically, these antibodies and fragments thereof are able to recognize antigen from multiple influenza strains.

Abstract: Fatty acids, and methods for the production thereof, are provided. Transgenic organisms, microbes, plants, seeds, and cells useful in the production of fatty acids, along with related expression vectors, phages, plasmids, nucleic acids, and enzymes, are also provided. Methods for the production of fatty acids such as docosadienoic acid and docosatrienoic acid, involving the use of winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) EhELO1 elongase, are described in detail.

Abstract: A single-walled carbon nanotube composition includes single-walled carbon nanotubes substantially enriched in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes in association with a polymer having one or more oligoether side groups. The oligoether side groups render the composition dispersable in polar organic solvents, for example alkyl carbitols, permitting formulation of ink compositions containing single-walled carbon nanotubes substantially enriched in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes. Such ink compositions may be readily printed using common printing methods, such as inkjet, flexography and gravure printing.

Abstract: A technique for automated online inspection of manufacture of a fibre reinforced polymer composite part during automated ribbon placement (e.g. ATL or AFP) uses interferometric inspection (e.g. OCT) to detect deviations from a planned lay-up for the part, to identify defects. On line, real-time inspection (i.e. on-the-fly) is demonstrated, and edge type defects and whole surface defects are identifiable. A sensor is demonstrated that does not extend a working envelope of the robotic head used for rib bon placement.

Abstract: A vibration reduction (VR) human support has exactly two paths to ground in each degree of VR: one provided by respective displacement actuators (DAs) for active VR, the other by one or more elastomeric damping bodies (EDBs). These paths extend from a frame for carrying a support structure for a live human, to a grounding for fixing the VR system in a vibrating environment. Each EDB is composed of a material having a dynamic Young's Modulus of 0.1-2.5 MPa, and a resilience test rebound height less than 40, and is positioned between the grounding and frame to provide elastic restorative forces and damping in each of the respective directions. The use of EDBs simplifies construction, and allows for a more compact arrangement, without reducing VR efficiency.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter and method are provided for converting a low voltage DC input to a higher voltage DC output. The DC-DC converter has an oscillator with a first relatively voltage sensitive and relatively low power transistor and a second relatively voltage insensitive and relatively high power transistor, the oscillator producing an AC signal from the low voltage DC input. The inclusion of the voltage sensitive transistor allows the oscillator to turn on at a relatively low voltage. The inclusion of the higher power transistor allows the oscillator to operate at a higher power once it turns on. The DC-DC converter can be used for converting energy harvested from low voltage sources.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible element configured for pressing against composite material received on a mold surface of a mold during cure, including placing a porous material over the mold surface, forming a sealed enclosure containing the mold surface and the porous material, infusing a curable liquid material such as silicone in liquid form into the enclosure under vacuum and through the porous material, curing the liquid material to form the flexible element, and opening the enclosure and disengaging the flexible element from the mold. In a particular embodiment, the flexible element is a pressure pad.

Abstract: Phosphorylated heptose compounds are useful in modulating an immune response in a subject. Also, the compounds are useful as adjuvants.