Abstract: Bio-ink compositions comprising bio-compatible microgels or nanogels are described. The bio-inks can comprise, for example, micro- or nanogels comprising crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPam). The bio-inks can further comprise viscosity control agents, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and/or surface tension agents. Three-dimensional (3D) printing (e.g., piezoelectric printing) of the bio-inks can provide 3D printed materials comprising microgel or nanogel assemblies of the bio-ink compositions. These materials can be used as scaffolds for preparing biological tissues for use, for instance, in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a piezo-composite transducer that is flexible such that it may conform to regular or irregular shapes. A flexible piezo-composite transducer may include an active piezoelectric material, such as PZT-5H, and a passive polymer matrix formed of a flexible material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The flexible piezo-composite transducer may include a first side and a second side, where each of the first side and the second side include a first electrode and a second electrode deposited thereon, respectively. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may include a silver nanowire (AgNW) and PDMS electrode that is flexible.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to electromechanical systems and devices, and more particularly to electromechanical systems for implementing reflective devices for displays, sensors, and authentication solutions. In some embodiments a reflective device includes a thin film transistor layer and a plurality of reflective elements positioned approximately parallel to the thin film transistor layer. The plurality of reflective elements is electrically coupled with the thin film transistor layer. Each reflective element is configured for controlling a reflectance parameter of the reflective element based on a first voltage applied to the reflective element by the thin film transistor. In other embodiments, a reflective element includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of polymer-air pair layers positioned approximately parallel position to the transparent substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to photoimmunotherapy for treating cancer. More particularly, the present disclosure provides photo-responsive dermal applicators that use transdermal microneedle arrays to administer an immunogenic composition and a photo-sensitive biological pigment to a subject to treat and/or prevent cancer. Photo-responsive dermal applicators of the present disclosure provide the ability to target cancerous tumors in a manner that is safer and less invasive than conventional means.

Abstract: This invention relates to vectors for delivery of human leukocyte antigen G to the eye and/or to cornea explants and methods of using the same for treatment and/or prevention of corneal transplant rejection and other disorders associated with an immune response and/or vascularization.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for managing off-grid power supply are provided. The method includes acquiring data from one or more loads. The one or more loads are connected to the off-grid power supply. The method further includes modeling the one or more loads based on the acquired data, estimating a state of charge of an energy storage device (ESD) associated with the off-grid power supply, and determining an operational status of each of the one or more loads. The operational status is based on at least the state of charge of the ESD and a category of each of the one or more loads. Each load is controlled based on the operational status.

Abstract: A composition comprising an insulin-polymer conjugate and an insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate is described. Depending upon the amount of insulin in the environment surrounding the composition, the insulin aptamer of the insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate can bind to insulin in the insulin-polymer conjugate to form a non-covalent conjugate. When the amount of insulin in the surrounding environment rises, the insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate can be released. Thus, the composition can be used to deliver glucagon in an insulin responsive manner. The composition can be loaded into microneedles, for example, to prepare microneedle arrays for skin patches. Methods of delivering glucagon to a subject are also described.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a bioremediation composition comprising microbial cells, at least one co-metabolism substrate to induce selected enzyme production by the microbial cells, and a bead or gel encapsulating the microbial cells, such as bacterial or fungi cells, and the at least one co-metabolism substrate. For certain embodiments, the substrate is a slow release compound, such as an orthosilicate that hydrolyzes to produce an alcohol growth substrate. Embodiments of a method for using the composition to transform contaminants of concern also are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplified methods and systems provides a Volterra filter network architecture that employs a cascaded implementation and a plurality of kernels, a set of which is configured to execute an nth order filter, wherein the plurality of kernels of the nth order filters are repeatedly configured in a plurality of cascading layers of interconnected kernels to form a cascading hierarchical structure that approximates a high-order filter.

Abstract: An aggregated distribution system includes an HVAC controller, a battery controller, and an aggregated data management engine. The aggregated data management engine is configured to retrieve an HVAC energy usage profile and retrieve a battery energy usage profile. The aggregated distribution system also includes distribution engine configured to forward a first set of HVAC dual variables and forward a first set of battery dual variables to a first neighboring unit of the aggregated distribution system, receive one or more additional sets of HVAC dual variables and one or more additional sets of battery dual variables from one or more neighboring units of the aggregated distribution system, update the HVAC energy usage profile with the one or more additional sets of HVAC dual vehicles and update the battery energy usage profile with the one or more additional sets of battery dual vehicles.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for delivering adipose tissue browning agents and/or fat modulating agents.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to machines utilizing heavy rare earth (HRE) free permanent magnets. In one example, a rotor assembly including a rotor core having a plurality of rotor slots and magnets positioned within the plurality of rotor slots. At least a portion of the magnets are free of heavy rare earth (HRE) elements. The magnets can include a combination HRE segments and HRE-free segments or can be free of HRE elements. The rotor assembly can be included in an electric machine such as, e.g., a permanent magnet (PM) machine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are perovskite materials and methods of making an use thereof.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to modular multilevel converter (MMC) scale-up control methodologies which can be applied for MV and HV DC applications. In one example, an MMC includes first and second legs each with submodule (SM) groups connected in series, where each SM group includes a plurality of SMs; local group controllers that can control a corresponding SM group; and a central controller that can control output voltage of the MMC via the local group controllers. The local group controllers can provide capacitor voltage balancing (CVB) control of corresponding SM groups.

Abstract: A composition comprising a glucose-responsive charge-switchable polymer is described. In the absence of glucose or under normoglycemic conditions, the positively charged polymer can be complexed with negatively charged therapeutic agents, such as insulin. Under hyperglycemic conditions, the positive charge of the polymer is reduced, and the polymer/therapeutic agent complex can disassemble, allowing the therapeutic agent to be released. Pharmaceutical compositions, nanoparticles, and microneedle arrays of the polymer and/or polymer/therapeutic agent complex and methods of treating diabetes are also described.

Abstract: Redox catalysts having surface medication, methods of making redox catalysts with surface modification, and uses of the surface modified redox catalysts are provided. In some aspects, the redox catalysts include a core oxygen carrier region such as CaMnO3, BaMnO3??, SrMnO3??, Mn2SiO4, Mn2MgO4??, La0.8Sr0.2O3??, La0.8Sr0.2FeO3??, Ca9Ti0.1Mn0.9O3??, Pr6O11??, manganese ore, or a combination thereof; and an outer shell having an average thickness of about 1-100 monolayers surrounding the outer surface of the core region. The outer shell can include, for example a salt selected such as Li2WO4, Na2WO4, K2WO4, SrWO4, Li2MoO4, Na2MoO4, K2MoO4, CsMoO4, Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding transcription factors and methods of using these nucleic acids to modulate nicotine production in plants and to produce plants having modulated nicotine production.