Abstract: In an example of a selective, real-time gas sensing method, a gas sample, potentially including a specific gas molecule to be sensed, is supplied to an interface between a working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. Based on at least one unique electrochemical reaction of the specific gas molecule to be sensed, a driving force is implemented to initiate a series of reactions involving the specific gas molecule. In response to the implementation of the driving force, a signal indicative of the specific gas molecule is monitored for.

Abstract: A fertilizer desiccant system including a container for holding a fertilizer-based liquid desiccant, a pump or other supply providing means, a fluid conduit, and air mover. In embodiments, the fertilizer-based liquid desiccant comprises a concentrated fertilizer solution and/or a vapor pressure gradient between the liquid and indoor ambient air drives vapor transport towards the liquid desiccant.

Abstract: A fluid modulator includes a fluid manifold, fluid valve, and pressure/flow controller. The manifold may include a primary tee, exhaust tee, secondary tee, loop conduit, and joining tube. The valve may include a common port, normally-open output port connected to the secondary tee, and normally-closed output port connected to the primary tee. The controller may be configured to provide auxiliary fluid to the common port. In embodiments, the primary tee, exhaust tee, and secondary tee are configured with the primary tee and secondary tee situated at ends of the fluid manifold and the exhaust tee disposed therebetween. In other embodiments, the exhaust tee, the primary tee, and the secondary tee are distributed in a linear fashion with the exhaust tee and secondary tee situated at ends of the fluid manifold and the primary tee disposed therebetween. An embodiment with a single, unitary 5-port fluid manifold is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example of a selective, real-time gas sensing method, a gas sample, potentially including a specific gas molecule to be sensed, is supplied to an interface between a working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. Based on at least one unique electrochemical reaction of the specific gas molecule to be sensed, a driving force is implemented to initiate a series of reactions involving the specific gas molecule. In response to the implementation of the driving force, a signal indicative of the specific gas molecule is monitored for.

Abstract: A fertilizer gradient energy system includes a membrane module. A membrane module may include a first section and a second section. The first and second sections may be separated by a semipermeable membrane. A load may be connected to the membrane module. The first section may be configured to receive a concentrated fertilizer solution. The second section may be configured to receive a freshwater feed solution. In embodiments, a semipermeable membrane may be configured to facilitate pressure retarded osmosis of the freshwater feed solution from the first section to the second section to increase a fluid pressure in the second section. The semipermeable membrane may include an anion exchange membrane. The membrane module may include a third section. A cation exchange membrane may separate the first and third section. Anion and cation exchange membranes may facilitate reverse electrodialysis. Methods of capturing energy via a membrane module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid system includes a membrane module including a first section and a second section that are separated by a semipermeable membrane, a feed pump connected to the first section, a draw pump connected to the second section, a load connected to the second section, a flush valve, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control one or more of the feed pump, the draw pump, the flush valve, and the load. The ECU may be configured to control the feed pump, the draw pump, the flush valve, and/or the load according based on or according to net power generation.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first light source configured to provide a first light to an object, a second light source configured to provide a second light to said object, a color camera configured to capture an image of the object, a first mirror disposed between the first light source and said object, a second mirror disposed between the second light source and said object, a beam splitter disposed between the color camera and said object, a first filter for the first light source, a second filter for the second light source, and a processor configured to determine at least one of a shape, a deformation, and a strain measurement of said object from the image.

Abstract: Embodiments of a shearography system may include light sources configured to produce beams of light to illuminate a test area. Each of the beams of light may include a different wavelength. A camera may be configured to obtain intensity information corresponding to reflections of the lights off of the test area. An optical shearing device may be disposed in an optical path between the light sources and the camera and the optical shearing device may be configured to provide a shearing angle.

Abstract: Real-time and end point determination of antibiotic effects are disclosed herein. In one example, a surface of a label free biosensor is exposed to a sample including a gram-negative bacteria. A frequency and/or a current of the biosensor is then allowed to reach a constant value. The surface of the biosensor is then exposed to an antibiotic. Using the biosensor, i) a frequency change versus time and a damping resistance versus time, or ii) a current versus voltage or the current versus time at a fixed potential, or iii) both i and ii are then measured. The frequency change versus time and the damping resistance versus time and/or the current versus voltage or the current versus time are correlated to determine an effect of the antibiotic on the gram-negative bacteria. Examples of the label free biosensors and methods for detecting gram-negative bacteria using the label free biosensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring cell-to-cell interactions, a quartz crystal microbalance surface is exposed to a medium including a first cell. The first cell is exposed to a sample including a suspect cell. The first cell is activated prior to or simultaneously with the first cell exposure. Frequency and motional resistance changes versus time are measured after each of: surface exposure to the medium, first cell activation prior to the exposure to the sample, and first cell exposure to the sample; or after each of: surface exposure to the medium and simultaneous first cell activation and sample exposure. From the frequency and motional resistance changes versus time, any of i) a level of adhesion of the suspect cell to the activated first cell, ii) a type of the suspect cell, iii) a behavior or activity of the suspect cell is determined, or iv) activation of the first cell is determined.

Abstract: A de-coupling mechanism includes a link slidably received in a link aperture of a bracket. A pin is slidably received in a pin bore of the link and a receiving bore of the bracket. A first block is connected to the bracket and includes an initiator receiving passage in communication with the pin bore. An initiator is positioned in the initiator receiving passage and retained against a connecting passage edge and oppositely contacts an end face of a cap connected to the first block. A second block connected to the bracket includes a longitudinal channel having a channel diameter larger than a pin diameter so the pin is freely displaceable into the longitudinal channel. An end face of a retaining cap is connected to a second block end wall. The retaining cap includes a stepped portion having a step diameter smaller than the channel diameter and the pin diameter.

Abstract: Methods of binding and detecting a microorganism on a solid substrate. The microorganism is bound on a solid substrate covalently bound to a capture agent having a saccharide moiety. A lectin capable of binding to the microorganism and the saccharide moiety of the capture agent is added to the sample to bind the microorganism on the solid substrate. Further provided are biosensor devices, such as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device or a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) device, that incorporate the solid substrate for the detection of microorganisms.

Abstract: An alkane gas is supplied to an interface between an activated surface of a platinum or palladium working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. The alkane adsorbs at or near an interface complex formed at the interface. The ionic liquid electrolyte is selected from a group consisting of 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-propyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-pentyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-heptyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-octyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-nonyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and 1-decyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An aerobic method for oxidizing an alkane is disclosed herein. At least a portion of a surface of a platinum working electrode is activated at an interface between the platinum working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte (i.e., 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-propyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-pentyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-heptyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-octyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-nonyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and 1-decyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imidem, and combinations thereof). An interface complex is formed at the interface. An alkane gas is supplied to the interface. The alkane adsorbs at or near the interface complex.

Abstract: An alkane gas is supplied to an interface between an activated surface of a platinum or palladium working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. The alkane adsorbs at or near an interface complex formed at the interface. The ionic liquid electrolyte is selected from a group consisting of 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-propyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1 -pentyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1 -heptyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1 -octyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1 -nonyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and 1-decyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imidem, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods of binding and detecting a microorganism on a solid substrate. The microorganism is bound on a solid substrate covalently bound to a capture agent having a saccharide moiety. A lectin capable of binding to the microorganism and the saccharide moiety of the capture agent is added to the sample to bind the microorganism on the solid substrate. Further provided are biosensor devices, such as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device or a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) device, that incorporate the solid substrate for the detection of microorganisms.

Abstract: A stretch-bend-draw simulator (SBDS) apparatus for approximating die stamping of a metal is disclosed. The simulator includes a tool having a surface for contacting a sheet metal strip clamped in a jaw grip adapted to pull the sheet metal strip to provide a force measurement. A tool holding and moving device can be included for mounting, translating, and positioning the tool with respect to the sheet metal strip. The tool can be mounted on the tool holding device at a distal end or on a mounting plate of the apparatus. The tool holding device is coupled to a contact force measuring load cell for measuring the contact force. A draw bead block holder is provided that is adapted to mount a corresponding male and female draw bead blocks. The holder includes a compressing means for compressing the draw bead blocks together to clamp the strip. A clamping force measuring load cell is provided for measuring a clamping force resulting from the draw bead blocks clamping on the sheet metal strip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a micromachined CMOS-MEMS integrated device as well as the devices/apparatus resulting from the method. In the disclosed method, the anisotropic etching (e.g., DRIE) for isolation trench formation on a MEMS element is performed on the back side of a silicon wafer, thereby avoiding the trench sidewall contamination and the screen effect of the isolation beams in a plasma etching process. In an embodiment, a layered wafer including a substrate and a composite thin film thereon is subjected to at least one (optionally at least two) back side anisotropic etching step to form an isolation trench (and optionally a substrate membrane). The method overcomes drawbacks of other microfabrication processes, including isolation trench sidewall contamination.

Abstract: An electrochemical piezoelectric sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate, three (or more) electrodes over a first surface of the substrate, and another electrode over a second (opposing) surface of the substrate. An ionic liquid in the form of a film is adhered, bound, immobilized, or otherwise positioned over the substrate and electrodes of the first surface. The ionic liquid film permits the absorption and detection of analytes from a gaseous sample, for environmental gases, example explosive vapors and/or explosive vapor species in the gaseous sample. Detection (optionally including analyte quantitation and qualitative identification) can be performed by both electrochemical and piezoelectric techniques using a single sensor. Systems incorporating and methods of using the electrochemical piezoelectric sensor also are disclosed.

Abstract: A MEMS switch includes a latch mechanism, first and second electrical conductors, a first latch actuator, a second latch actuator, and an axial actuator. The latch mechanism may include a transfer rod and a contact member, the contact member extending radially outwardly from a position along the axial length of the transfer rod. The first and second electrical conductors may extend along, and may be radially offset from, a portion of the transfer rod. The first latch actuator may include a first latch pin, and the second latch actuator may include a second latch pin, the first and second latch actuators being configured to move toward and away from the transfer rod, and the first and second latch pins configured to engage the contact member. The at least one axial actuator may be configured to move the contact member towards and away from the first and second electrical conductors.