Abstract: A system for inline inspection of a pipeline where the system includes: an inline vehicle to transport the system along the pipeline; a depth camera array (DCA) of multiple RGBD cameras located on an end of the vehicle, circular lights attached around the cameras to illuminate inside the pipeline, and a controller connected to the DCA.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an ordered cell-containing microarray, and a system for preparing an ordered cell-containing microarray.

Abstract: Provided here are ion conducting materials including one or more macrocycles, and either one or more pendant groups or one or more backbone repeat units. The ion conducting materials exhibit distinctly high ion conductivity in thin film and bulk membrane applications, and further exhibit one or more of ion permselectivity, mechanical strength, self-assembly, stacking, and gating behavior. Further provided are methods for preparation and methods for use of the ion conducting materials.

Abstract: A magnetic gear assembly includes a first magnet ring comprising first magnetic pole-pairs disposed evenly along the first magnet ring, a second magnet ring comprising second magnetic pole-pairs disposed evenly along the second magnet ring, a third magnet ring comprising third magnetic pole-pairs disposed evenly along the third magnet ring, wherein each of the first magnetic pole-pairs, the second magnetic pole-pairs, and the third magnetic pole-pairs comprises two opposing magnets, and a fourth ring comprising ferromagnetic pieces disposed evenly along the fourth ring. The first, second, third, and fourth magnet rings are arranged along an axis, wherein the first and the second magnet rings are positioned on either side of the third magnet ring along the axis, and wherein magnetic flux generated by the third magnet ring is distributed between the first and the second magnet rings during operation of the magnetic gear assembly.

Abstract: This document provides hemp fiber biocomposites and methods and materials for making and using hemp fiber biocomposites. For example, hemp fiber biocomposites that can be used as a hydroponic growth medium are provided. Methods for making hemp fiber biocomposites also are provided.

Abstract: An electronic module is provided, which comprises a plurality of first field effect transistors (FETs), a plurality of second FETs paired with the first FETs, a controller connected to gate nodes of the first and second FETs, and a plurality of spring assemblies disposed between the paired first and second FETs. Each spring assembly has two ends comprises a disc spring that is clamped and at least one conductive path that connects both ends of the spring assembly. One end of the spring assembly is connected to a press-buffer that contacts at least one first FET, while the other end is connected to another press-buffer that contacts at least one second FET.

Abstract: Provided here are hemp-based concrete compositions and methods of production of these compositions. These compositions contain an aggregate containing coarse hemp hurd and an alkali-activated binder including a hemp powder derived from a woody core of a hemp plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method of tracking animals is provided. Such a method typically includes recognizing, by using at least one data processor, individual animals in images of a plurality of the animals; and tracking the animals using a probabilistic tracking-by-detection process. In another aspect, a system for recognizing animals is provided. Such a system typically includes an instance detection and part localization module; a visual marker classification module; a fixed-cardinality track interpolation module; and a maximum a posteriori estimation of animal identity module.

Abstract: An articulated instrument and method of its manufacture includes a plurality of segments connected to one another end-to-end, each having a hollow tubular shape defined by a wall, the wall comprising three or more rectangular panels connected along their respective edges at acute angles. A plurality of tendons extends at least partially through the plurality of segments and is configured to apply tension that selectively causes two adjacent segments from the plurality of tendons to bend relative to one another along a pivot joint disposed between the two adjacent segments. The plurality of segments is formed by staggered rectangular portions of a single sheet of stock material, each rectangular portion being folded to form the hollow tubular shape and connected to an adjacent rectangular portion by a tab, each tab defining a respective pivot joint.

Abstract: An electrical filter is disclosed. The electrical filter can include a conductive concrete structure including at least one of a conductive carbon material, a magnetic material, or a conductive metallic material. The conductive concrete structure is characterized by an electrical conductivity greater than 0.5 siemens per meter. The electrical filter also includes at least one electrical cable disposed within the conductive concrete structure. The at least one electrical cable includes an input to receive an electrical signal and an output to output an attenuated electrical signal.

Abstract: A barrier system includes first and second barrier segments connected to one another. The connection between the segments includes a pair of wedge-shaped connectors disposed between angled faces formed at the opposing ends of the segments. Elastic pads are sandwiched between the respective segment faces and connectors.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be configured for fire suppression and ignition. In some examples, the UAV includes an aerial propulsion system, an ignition system, and a control system. The ignition system includes a container of delayed-ignition balls and a dropper configured, by virtue of one or more motors, to actuate and drop the delayed-ignition balls. The control system is configured to cause the UAV to fly to a site of a prescribed burn and, while flying over the site of the prescribed burn, actuate one or more of the delayed-ignition balls. After actuating the one or more delayed-ignition balls, the UAV drops the actuated one or more delayed-ignition balls from the UAV onto the site of the prescribed burn.

Abstract: A pipe inspection robot includes first and second bodies connected by a connection mechanism, at least two legs connected to the first body, and at least two additional legs connected to the second body, each of the at least two legs and the at least two additional legs including a linkage connected at one end to the first or second body, and a pipe engaging member connected at another end of the linkage; wherein each linkage is configured to operate between a stowed position, in which the pipe engaging member is disposed adjacent the first or second body, and an extended position, in which the linkage is adapted to cause the pipe engaging member to slide against an inner surface of a pipe.

Abstract: An electrical filter is disclosed. The electrical filter can include a conductive concrete structure including at least one of a conductive carbon material, a magnetic material, or a conductive metallic material. The conductive concrete structure is characterized by an electrical conductivity greater than 0.5 siemens per meter. The electrical filter also includes at least one electrical cable disposed within the conductive concrete structure. The at least one electrical cable includes an input to receive an electrical signal and an output to output an attenuated electrical signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for an additive manufacturing heat transfer simulation. For example, an additive manufacturing heat transfer simulation system converts a model of an object into a node representation of the object, and generates a network graph of the object based on the node representation. For each block of nodes in the node representation the system applies a simulated heat to the block of nodes, estimates a diffusion of heat to other nodes based on the network graph, and estimates a heat loss to atmosphere. The system generates a representation of an estimated heat distribution within the object.

Abstract: Methods and materials for treating a mammal having Alzheimer's disease (AD) are described. For example, one or more Zika virus (ZIKV) polypeptides can be administered to a mammal having, or at risk of developing, AD to treat the mammal.

Abstract: Systems for and methods for improving mechanical properties of ceramic material are provided. The system comprises a heat source for heating the ceramic material to a temperature greater than a brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the ceramic material; a probe for mounting the ceramic material and configured to extend the ceramic material into the heat source; a plasma-confining medium and a sacrificial layer disposed between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium; and an energy pulse generator such as a laser pulse generator. The sacrificial layer is utilized to form plasma between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium.

Abstract: A crash impact attenuator system for deployment in front of a structure includes a rail and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the rail. Each of the plurality of diaphragms moves along the rail, so that when a front end of the crash attenuator system receives an impact force from a vehicle, a first one of the diaphragms moves rearwardly along the rail and impacts a second one of the diaphragms so that both the first and second diaphragms move further rearwardly along the rail, this process continuing with additional ones of the diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated. A tearing member on the crash attenuator system engages material forming a side or fender panel of the crash attenuator system, the tearing member tearing material forming the side panel to attenuate the impact force.

Abstract: A composite panel may be a three-layer composite panel including a bottom concrete layer, a middle insulation layer, and a top concrete layer. The middle insulation layer may include an insulation material which is selected to insulate the bottom concrete layer from the top concrete layer. The insulation material may include organic materials to reduce or eliminate the carbon footprint of the composite panel. The composite panel may include trusses which connect between the bottom concrete layer and top concrete layer through the middle insulation layer. The trusses may include prestress strands disposed in the bottom concrete layer and top concrete layer, truss webs, and joints which join the prestress strands and the truss webs.

Abstract: A system for inline inspection of a pipeline where the system includes: an inline vehicle to transport the system along the pipeline: a depth camera array (DCA) of multiple RGBD cameras located on an end of the vehicle, circular lights attached around the cameras to illuminate inside the pipeline, and a controller connected to the DCA.