Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material, comprising a polymer, a plurality of metal nanoparticles, and a surface-modifying agent (e.g., nanocellulose). Also disclosed is a method for shielding a subject from electromagnetic radiation, comprising placing one or more composite materials between the subject and a source of electromagnetic radiation, thereby reducing a dose of electromagnetic radiation received by the subject.

Abstract: Divergence of state estimation solutions for multi-area power grids typically occurs due to a single anomaly in the measurement set or network model, yet will cause failure of the state estimator to provide the solution for the entire system. Disclosed herein are methods and systems that allow detection, identification and isolation of the anomaly during the state estimation solution so that a large percentage of the system states can still be estimated, while isolating the anomaly that is causing the divergence for the estimator.

Abstract: Hybrid nanopores, comprising a protein pore supported within a solid-state membrane, which combine the robust nature of solid-state membranes with the easily tunable and precise engineering of protein nanopores. In an embodiment, a lipid-free hybrid nanopore comprises a water soluble and stable, modified portal protein of the Thermus thermophilus bacteriophage G20c, electrokinetically inserted into a larger nanopore in a solid-state membrane. The hybrid pore is stable and easy to fabricate, and exhibits low peripheral leakage, allowing sensing and discrimination among different types of biomolecules.

Abstract: Neurosupportive materials that possess strong tissue adhesion were synthesized by photocrosslinking two polymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin (MeTro). The engineered materials exhibited tunable mechanical properties by varying the GelMA/MeTro ratio. In addition, GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited 15-fold higher adhesive strength to nerve tissue ex vivo compared to traditionally used fibrin-based materials. Furthermore, the composites were shown to support Schwann cell (SC) viability and proliferation, as well as neurite extension and glial cell participation in vitro, which are essential cellular components for nerve regeneration. Finally, subcutaneously implanted GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited slower degradation in vivo compared with pure GelMA, indicating its potential to support the growth of slowly regenerating nerves.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide a systematic approach to analyzing an individual's lifestyle factors (e.g., foods consumed by the individual) that contribute to the individual's current or potential for disease, and taking further action based on that analysis. One example embodiment is a machine learning system that includes a food composition layer, chemical compounds layer, and disease layer. The food composition layer provides representations of chemical compounds of foods consumed or to be consumed by the individual. The chemical compounds layer is coupled to the food composition layer by links and filters the representations of the chemical compounds based on genetic or metabolic information of the individual, resulting in representations of personalized filtered chemical compounds.

Abstract: A double-layer concentric loading frame structure suitable for a true triaxial testing machine includes an inner-layer frame, an outer-layer frame and a base. A square slot hole is formed in a middle part of the inner-layer frame. The inner-layer frame is mounted on the base through a support platform. Actuators are mounted at a top end and a bottom end of the inner-layer frame. The outer-layer frame sleeves the inner-layer frame concentrically. Four actuators are distributed on an outer periphery of the outer-layer frame. A support plate is mounted at the top end of the inner-layer frame, and two lifting driving cylinders are mounted on the support plate. Piston rods of the lifting driving cylinders extend below the support plate and are connected to an upper surface of the outer-layer frame. A guide post is mounted on the upper surface of the outer-layer frame and extends above the support plate.

Abstract: Tunable delay circuit devices have an input port, an output port, at least three parallel paths connecting the input port and the output port, on each path, an input switch and an output switch, and on each path, a plurality of shunt resonant tanks connected between the input switch and the output switch, each shunt resonant tank periodically chargeable from the input port and dischargeable to the output port by operation of the input switch and the output switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steel material for hot stamping with ultra-fine grains and a process of making the same, a hot stamping process and a hot stamped component. The steel material for hot stamping comprises the following components by weight: 0.27 to 0.40% of C; 0.2 to 3.0% of Mn; 0.11 to 0.4% of V; 0 to 0.8% of Si; 0 to 0.5% of Al; 0 to 2% of Cr; 0 to 0.15% of Ti; 0 to 0.15% of Nb; 0 to 0.004% B; a total of less than 2% of Mo, Ni, Cu and other alloying elements that are beneficial to improving the hardenability, and other impurity elements. After hot stamping or equivalent heat treatment, the steel material or the formed component of the present invention can achieve a yield strength of 1300 MPa to 1700 MPa, a tensile strength of 1800 to 2200 MPa, and an elongation of 6 to 9% after direct hot stamping quenching and without tempering, which properties cannot be achieved by a material with a composition in the prior art in the situation of direct quenching (no tempering).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can be used for the automated production of dendritic cells (DC) from dendritic cell progenitors, such as monocytes obtained from peripheral blood, and the automated generation of immunotherapeutic products from those dendritic cells, all within a closed system. The invention makes it possible to obtain sufficient quantities of a subject's own DC for use in preparing and characterizing vaccines, for activating and characterizing the activation state of the subject's immune response, and to aid in preventing and/or treating cancer or infectious disease.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in the form of a method or corresponding apparatus for receiving or transmitting network communications carried at acoustic wavelengths via an acoustic medium. The corresponding method or apparatus may include a gate-level digital hardware module communicatively coupled to a communications module and define therein logic blocks configured to perform respective primitive processing functions, sequences of the logic blocks being capable of processing data units in accordance with any of the multiple communications protocols on a data unit-by-data unit basis without reconfiguring.

Abstract: Ultrasensitive, miniaturized, and inexpensive ion and ionizing radiation detection devices are provided. The devices include an insulating substrate, metallic contact pads disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a strip of an ultrathin two-dimensional material having a thickness of one or a few atomic layers. The strip is in contact with the contact pads, and a voltage is applied across the two-dimensional sensor material. Individual ions contacting the two-dimensional material alter the current flowing through the material and are detected. The devices can be used in a network of monitors for high energy ions and ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A reconfigurable implantable system for ultrasonic power control and telemetry includes a charging device that includes an ultrasonic transducer to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals transmitted through a biological body, and a signal generator to drive the ultrasonic transducer to transmit an ultrasonic charging signal through the biological body. The system further includes an implantable device configured to communicate wirelessly with the charging device through the biological body via an ultrasonic communication link between the implantable device and the charging device. An implantable ultrasonic transducer receives the ultrasonic charging signal from the charging device and transmits ultrasonic signals through the biological body. A power unit coupled to the ultrasonic transducer harvests energy from the received ultrasonic charging signal when the implantable device is in an energy harvesting mode.

Abstract: An implant system includes an electrode portion comprising plural electrodes to perform nerve stimulation and nerve sensing, an impedance controller configured to selectively connect the plural electrodes between a stimulator to perform nerve stimulation and a sensor to perform nerve sensing based on a control signal, and set an impedance of each of the plural electrodes, and a processor configured to control a contact impedance by the plural electrodes by generating the control signal to control at least one of plural switches connected respectively to the plural electrodes, or variable resistors connected respectively to the plural electrodes, based on at least one of a selectively set purpose of the plural electrodes or a position of an electrode to which nerve stimulation is to be provided.

Abstract: A distributed wireless radio frequency-based charging system includes hardware and software platforms. The hardware platform includes adaptive energy harvesters and programmable energy transmitters. The software platform manages the hardware profiles, resources (e.g., energy waveforms and transmission powers), schedules the beams of the energy transmitters, and switches between modes of wireless charging and data access point. This allows the energy transmitters to be configured adaptively based on the ambient energy availability, energy needs and number of energy-requesting devices in the network. Under the software control, the energy transmitters can cooperatively form focused beams of energy and power for transmission to energy harvesters in the energy-receiving devices, such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled appliances, and mobile/wearable equipment.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus and methods can be used to provide an energy efficient Internet of Things (IoT) communication method that can be deployed on a city-wide scale using existing infrastructure and that can target individual sensors or devices. An example apparatus is a decoder including an energy detector and a processor. The energy detector is configured to detect average subframe energy levels of a plurality of subframes during reception of at least one frame of data defined by a first communications protocol (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE)). The average subframe energy levels of the plurality of subframes form a pattern of relatively higher and lower energy levels. The processor is configured to interpret, according to a second communications protocol, the pattern of energy levels to decode a block of data represented by the pattern of energy levels. Another embodiment is a method producing index modulation signals of the second communications protocol.

Abstract: The invention provides a device, method, and system for high throughput detection of nucleic acid expression in individual cells. Cells are encapsulated in aqueous microdroplets which are merged with a biocompatible matrix, allowing on-chip fluorescence in situ hybridization on both adherent and non-adherent cells. The invention also provides multiplexed detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cellular activity. The device and methods can be used to assess cellular interactions and to test the effects of antitumor agents.

Abstract: A nanomechanical magnetoelectric antenna includes a thin film heterostructure that has a magnetic element and a piezoelectric element. The heterostructure is suspended on a substrate and is capable of resonating at acoustic resonance frequencies. In the transmission mode of the antenna, oscillating mechanical strain produced by voltage-induced acoustic waves is transferred to the thin film heterostructure through strain mediated magnetoelectric coupling. This gives rise to magnetization oscillation or magnetic current that radiates electromagnetic waves at the acoustic resonance frequencies. In the receiving mode, the heterostructure senses magnetic components of electromagnetic waves arriving at the antenna, converting these into a piezoelectric voltage output.

Abstract: An embodiment is a scientific fluidic device and a method of assembly of single and multilayer fluidic devices via laser cut and assembly of double sided adhesives. The device includes a member defining a cavity and having two sides, both sides including an adhesive compound, and at least one substrate defining at least two plenums and coupling to the member, forming a flow path. The components of the fluidic device are produced via laser cut and assembly methods. The fluidic device remains intact via adhesive coupling between the substrate(s), member(s), and membrane(s). Altogether, the fluidic device requires assembly that is efficient and economical, resulting in high throughput manufacturing of the fluidic devices.

Abstract: An ultra-miniaturized, low-cost, and maintenance-free chemical sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the concentration of specific volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors released from crop plants and green plants under distress from pests or disease. The sensor is based on micromechanical structures and relies on the mechanical actuation induced by the chemical interaction between the VOCs and materials in the microstructure to passively generate a wake-up bit when the concentration of VOCs exceeds a predetermined value. The sensor does not consume power while in standby mode (i.e., when certain VOC vapors are not present), and wirelessly communicates the location of impending outbreaks upon detection of a predetermined concentration of certain VOC vapors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method, a corresponding a computer program product and a corresponding apparatus for distributing cached content in a network, the computer-implemented method comprising: collecting statistics regarding requests made and paths taken by the requests from source nodes to server nodes via intermediate nodes, the source nodes, intermediate nodes, and server nodes interconnected by edges having queues with respective queue sizes associated therewith, the requests including indications of content items to be retrieved; storing the content items at the server nodes; caching, by the intermediate nodes, the content items up to a caching capacity; and performing caching decisions that determine which of the content items are to be cached at which of the intermediate nodes, based upon costs that are monotonic, non-decreasing functions of the sizes of the queues.