Abstract: A system and method for identifying a customer's location at a business and provide notification to a company representative upon arrival of the customer at the business location. Real-time location determinations for the customer and customer location tracking can be provided. One or more wireless beacons communicate with the customer's electronic device. The beacons provide the system with real-time data about the customer's whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking of the customer at the location. A first non-limiting example of use, include a company that provides food and beverage allowing the customer to place an order for food and beverages on their electronic device and having the order delivered to the person at their current location as determined by the system. Another non-limiting example includes a company using the notification system to have assigned staff members notified of the customer's arrival.

Abstract: Provided herein are screening methods to select catalysts having a desired set of target properties from a reference catalyst, and catalysts so obtained, as well as related catalysts material, composition, methods and systems.

Abstract: Methods and related structures to splice two sizes of cores in a manner to directly interface the facets of the cells and avoid the common practice of using fillers, casting materials, and expanding adhesives is useful to optimize the specific strength of the design and minimize the weight while maximizing the load carrying capability of the structure and to allow the core to vent moisture and other gasses.

Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining a mass concentration of an airborne or respirable species in real time are provided. Methods can include drawing in a particulate species through an inlet and into a chamber of a resonator of a monitoring device and directing a laser beam into the chamber of the resonator and toward the particulate species such that the particulate species absorbs energy from the laser beam and transmits heat to the surrounding air within the chamber of the resonator. A power of the laser beam as it leaves the resonator and a sound pressure within the chamber of the resonator can be determined. Determining a mass concentration of the particulate species based on a ratio of the measured sound pressure and power of the laser beam, and whether the mass concentration of the particulate species exceeds a threshold concentration can be achieved.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing, preventing, and/or inhibiting germination of C. difficile spores, including methods for inhibiting C. difficile germination to prevent or treating C. difficile-associated diseases and disorders such as, for example, severe diarrhea and colitis in a subject. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a person's location at a school, hotel, office, business, restaurant or other venue and tracking the movements of that person during their visit to the venue. One or more wireless virtual beacons communicate with the person's electronic device. The virtual beacons provide the system with real-time data about the person's whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking of the person at the location. A first non-limiting example of use, include a company that provides food and beverage allowing the person to place an order for food and beverages on their electronic device and having the order delivered to the person at their current location as determined by the system. Another non-limiting example includes a company performing analytics on the time and movement of its employees and customers.

Abstract: Interstory drift measurement systems and methods of using the same can include a laser beam source configured to emit a beam having at least a first width in a first direction and a sensor system comprising a plurality of diodes spaced apart from one another in the first direction. The plurality of diodes can include a first diode and a diode spacing width in the first direction as measured between a centerline of the first diode and a centerline of an adjacent diode of the plurality of diodes in the first direction. The beam width in the first direction is at least two times the diode spacing width.

Abstract: A method of extracting purified lithium sulfate brine from sedimentary rock is disclosed. The method includes the steps of sizing sedimentary rock ore, suspending the sized ore in an aqueous solution, and separating the aqueous solution into lithium bearing slurry and low lithium gangue. The lithium bearing slurry is then treated with an acid, dissolving lithium from the sedimentary rock and forming precipitates which are subsequently removed the slurry, forming an acidic lithium sulfate filtrate solution. The pH of the acidic lithium sulfate filtrate solution is then modified to form further precipitates which are then separated. The neutralized lithium sulfate solution is then crystallized to remove magnesium and potassium, and treated with quicklime, soda ash solution, and/or oxalic acid to form additional precipitates. Finally the additional precipitates are separated from the solution, and the solution is passed through an ion exchange apparatus, forming a purified lithium sulfate brine.

Abstract: Herein provided is a new potato variety designated ‘UNR-01’ as well as the tubers, seeds, plants, plant parts, and derivatives of the new potato variety ‘UNR-01’. This transgenic variety was generated using CRISPR-Cas9 and deleting a portion of the StMYB93 (PGSC0003DMG400006408) gene. This transgenic variety has a sprout suppressed phenotype that results in a longer storage life in cold storage conditions without the application of sprout-inhibiting chemicals. These potatoes were not impacted in reduced sugar levels, wound healing capacities, and native periderm suberin content. Also provided are tissue cultures of the new potato variety ‘UNR-01’ and the plants regenerated therefrom. Methods for producing potato plants by crossing the new potato variety ‘UNR-01’ with itself or another potato variety and plants produced by such methods are also provided. ‘UNR-01’ potatoes exhibit suppressed sprouting and longer storage life in cold storage conditions without the application of sprout-inhibiting chemicals.

Abstract: A footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component is provided along with an embellished shoe that incorporates the construction unit. The construction unit comprises an upper unit body and a weight-bearing wall extending downwardly from the upper unit body, which together at least partially define an interior upraised area that, in some aspects of the invention, accommodates at least a portion of the decorative component to elevate the decorative component above the walking surface and to protect it from dirt and abrasion. In other aspects of the invention, the decorative component may extend across the arch, down the inner heel, through a décor-receiving channel inset in the weight-bearing wall, and/or onto other surfaces herein disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for compensating vision loss for a patient. In some embodiments, a computer processor receives vision loss data associated with a vision loss region of an eye of a patient from a head mounted display (HMD) device worn by the patient, generates a parameterized perceptual loss model, and then generates inverse data to correct for color loss, contrast and luminance desaturation, and visual rotational and spatial distortion suffered by the eye of the patient. The computer processor then transmits the inverse data to the HMD device being worn by the patient for use in correcting the visual rotational and spatial distortion loss of the eye of the patient.

Abstract: A modular and expandable 3D printer frame includes frame members to be coupled together to form a base defining an inner area. Each frame member includes at least one coupling member to removably couple the frame member to another of the frame members. The printer frame further includes first modular plates to be disposed within the inner area, and second modular plates to be disposed within the inner area and removably coupled to the first modular plates. The first and second modular plates, when coupled together, define a printer footprint.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that facilitate articulation of a scraping tool within a surgical space (e.g., a vertebrae), and are configured to remain locked in position when scraping and removing tissue. The surgical instruments include a handle and a retention shaft that insertably engages the handle. The retention shaft includes a split distal end having flexible first and second portions that include means for securing a removeable tip therebetween, the tip being configured to scrape/remove tissue and insertably engage the split distal end between the first and second portions. A pivot lock mechanism engages the handle and receives the retention shaft therein with means for moving same axially. The surgical instrument is moveable between an unlocked state in which the tip is moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein, and a locked state in which the tip is not moveable relative to the split distal end when secured therein.

Abstract: A parallel manipulator with six degrees of freedom may include a base that attaches to a unmanned aerial vehicle and a movable gripper element that may be positioned below the UAV. The positioning of the gripper element my reduce impact of the center of gravity of the attached UAV. The gripper element may include a geometric shape that complements objects routinely used in high-throughput screening (HTS) laboratories, such as microplates. The parallel manipulator and gripper element may be used to quickly, safely, and securely move objects in HTS laboratories and/or the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods useful for reducing, preventing, and/or inhibiting germination of C. perfringens spores, including methods for inhibiting C. perfringens germination to reduce necrotizing enteritis (NE, also referred to as necrotic enteritis) in animals. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described of an unmanned aerial vehicle having a wing. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first body of the wing with a first end proximate a body of the vehicle. A second end is opposite the first end. A first joint is on the first end of the first main body of the wing. The joint rotatably couples the wing to the vehicle. A second joint is on the second end of the vehicle. A second body of the wing is rotatably coupled to the first body via the second joint.

Abstract: A modular, hybrid robotic system for inspecting a structure can include a rigid frame, a modular propulsion system associated with a flight mode of the robotic system, the propulsion system comprising a plurality of propellers, a modular locomotion system associated with a climbing and/or driving mode of the robotic system, the locomotion system comprising a plurality of wheel systems, each wheel system comprising a support leg coupled to the rigid frame and at least one wheel coupled to the support leg, and a modular floating system associated with a swimming mode of the robotic system. In operation, all or some of the components of the propulsion system, locomotion system, and floating system can be included depending on a desired function.

Abstract: A method of extracting purified lithium sulfate brine from sedimentary rock is disclosed. The method includes the steps of sizing sedimentary rock ore, suspending the sized ore in an aqueous solution, and separating the aqueous solution into lithium bearing slurry and low lithium gangue. The lithium bearing slurry is then treated with an acid, dissolving lithium from the sedimentary rock and forming precipitates which are subsequently removed the slurry, forming an acidic lithium sulfate filtrate solution. The pH of the acidic lithium sulfate filtrate solution is then modified to form further precipitates which are then separated. The neutralized lithium sulfate solution is then crystallized to remove magnesium and potassium, and treated with quicklime, soda ash solution, and/or oxalic acid to form additional precipitates. Finally the additional precipitates are separated from the solution, and the solution is passed through an ion exchange apparatus, forming a purified lithium sulfate brine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for recovering metal from electrode active materials. In particular embodiments, the method comprises recovering at least one metal from a lithium-ion battery (LIB), wherein a lixiviant is used without the need for an extraneous reducing agent. In particular aspects of the disclosure, a particular solid-to-liquid ratio of the electrode active material and lixiviant is used to promote selective recovery of lithium. In yet other aspects, reaction temperature and/or stirring speeds can be used to improve selective lithium recovery and efficiency using lixiviants disclosed herein.