Abstract: A reactive burning rate accelerator is provided that is configured to be at least partially embedded in a solid energetic material and comprises at least one metallic component and at least one non-metallic component. The reactive burning rate accelerator is configured to ignite and combust to increase the mass burning rate of the solid energetic material. Also provided are solid energetic materials comprising the reactive burning accelerator and methods of manufacturing and using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel and improved synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from a glucose source. The synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is carried out by reacting a mixture comprising a Brønsted acid, a Lewis acid, water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile, and a glucose source.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel compounds as a fatty acid synthase inhibitor useful for the treatment of infection diseases, cancers, or metabolic diseases that malfunction of fatty acid synthase is involved. In particular this present invention directs to malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) mimetics and methods of use thereof. The invention described herein also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating diseases in mammals using compounds disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nanowire or nanorod on a patterned monolayer or thin film supported by a 2D material substrate in a nonpolar environment comprises the steps of: functionalizing a supporting 2D material substrate using a patterned monolayer or thin film of a polymerized amphiphiles comprising both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents; and then growing a nanowire or nanorod on the functionalized supporting 2D material substrate in a salt solution or suspension, wherein the patterned monolayer or thin film comprises a polymerizable phospholipid with a terminal amine. A gold nanowire or nanorod so prepared has a highly controlled diameter of about 2 nm, and a length of about 100 nm, dependent in part on molecular domain sizes in the monolayer.

Abstract: A system including a first micro-retarder array, wherein the first micro-retarder array is configured to convert a purely polarized light of an incident light into two components. The system additionally includes an optical device, wherein the optical device is configured to collimate the two components to two foci planes. Moreover, the system includes a second micro-retarder array, wherein the second micro-retarder array is configured to combine a set of two components of the incident light, thereby producing a second purely polarized light. Further the system includes a detector, wherein the detector is configured to receive the second purely polarized light.

Abstract: A process to catalytically transform natural gas liquid (NGL) into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons includes providing an NGL stream, catalytically dehydrogenating at least a portion of the NGL stream components to their corresponding alkene derivatives, catalytically oligomerizing at least a portion of the alkenes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and recovering the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. The NGL stream can be extracted from a gas stream such as a gas stream coming from shale formations. The higher molecular weight hydrocarbons can be hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically monitoring a time-varying liquid droplet whose conductivity is continuously modulated by osmoregulation response of cells. According to the method, the droplet impedance or conductance is monitored over time as the droplet shrinks due to evaporation. The monitoring data is then compared to calibration data which is obtained by monitoring a reference droplet. The result of the comparison is then used to determine the concentration of viable (live) biological material contained in the droplet.

Abstract: An electronic neuron device that includes a thresholding unit which utilizes current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT). A two-step switching scheme is implemented with the device. In the first step, a charge current through heavy metal (HM) places the magnetization of a nano-magnet along the hard-axis (i.e. an unstable point for the magnet). In the second step, the device receives a current (from an electronic synapse) which moves the magnetization from the unstable point to one of the two stable states. The polarity of the net synaptic current determines the final orientation of the magnetization. A resistive crossbar array may also be provided which functions as the synapse generating a bipolar current that is a weighted sum of the inputs of the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a process to prepare a cell culture system that mimics the structure of blood brain barrier (BBB) and are useful to study the functions thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a direct-contact coculture and triculture systems prepared by plating BMECs on a pre-formed lawn of coculture of astrocytes and pericytes on the apical surface of a culture-chamber to achieve a truly direct contact triculture model for BBB. The cell culture systems disclosed herein are also useful for studying the functions of the blood brain barrier and predicting the efficacy and potential toxicity of a drug candidate.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms includes a coherent light source configured to provide coherent light of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is configured to operationally arrange a substrate so that the colony of microorganisms on a surface of the substrate is positioned to receive the coherent light. Scattered light is generated from the colony of microorganisms receiving coherent light. A first image capture device is configured to receive the scattered light and generate a scatter image from the microorganism colony irradiated by the coherent light. The system also includes a magnifying lens configured to magnify the colony of microorganisms. A second image capture device is configured to capture a light image of the colony of microorganisms magnified by the magnifying lens. Methods of assigning organisms to categories with like organisms without necessarily identifying the organisms are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring mechanical properties of electrodes during electrochemical reactions. Such an apparatus includes a fixture having a fluid reservoir that is open to a surrounding atmosphere, first and second electrodes located within the fluid reservoir, and a contact for coupling with a sample material located in the fluid reservoir to define a third electrode. The apparatus further includes a nanoindenter configured for applying a load to a surface of the sample material to form an indentation therein and measuring the load and the size of the indentation over time, a housing enclosing the fixture and the nanoindenter within an inert atmosphere, and a potentiostat configured to charge and discharge an electrochemical cell that is defined by the first, second, and third electrodes and an electrolyte solution in the fluid reservoir while the nanoindenter is applying the load.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to naltrexone sustained release microparticle delivery systems for the treatment of diseases ameliorated by naltrexone. The injectable microparticle delivery system includes naltrexone encapsulated in biodegradable microparticles administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic assistive gloves for covering artificial prosthetic or robotic hands. The glove includes a base layer formed to fit on the artificial hand, a plurality of sensors carried by the base layer, and an encapsulation layer covering the base layer and formed of a material that mimics human skin.

Abstract: A method of creating a polymer surface with surface structures is disclosed. The method includes creating a mold, forming a metal sheet into the molds, creating a surface structure on a surface of the metal sheet by exposing the surface to laser pulses, and bringing a curable polymer to be in contact with the surface of the metal sheet containing the surface structure, curing the curable polymer, and separating the cured polymer from the metal sheet, resulting in a polymer surface containing the surface structure. The polymer surfaces with the surface structures can be hydrophobic or superhydrophobic depending on the micro and nano features contained by the surface structures.

Abstract: This invention relates to 4-substituted isoquinoline compounds and their derivatives and uses thereof for treatment of cancer, for example, acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition and its use in the oligomerization reaction converting a portion of a C2 to C5+ alkene feed stream to C4 to C6+ olefin derivatives. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII noble metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, and combinations thereof, on a support. The support can be silica, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, metal modified silica, silica-pillared clays, silica-pillared micas, metal oxide modified silica-pillared mica, silica-pillared tetrasilicic mica, silica-pillared taeniolite, zeolite, molecular sieve, and combinations thereof. The catalyst composition is an active and selective catalyst for the catalytic oligomerization of alkenes to olefins and olefin derivatives.

Abstract: An integrated triad system to measure a patient's blood pressure at different body positions, to instruct the patient when to move from one position to the next to alleviate vascular hypertension based on an algorithm stored in the system calculating blood pressure changes and predictive risk, and to transmit the result to a remote medical location. Using the integrated triad system to perform the test over a period can increase test sensitivity by accommodating the variable onset of the disease.

Abstract: Methods of embedding a heating circuit in an article fabricated by additive manufacturing. The methods describe techniques such as co-extruding a wire, capable of being heated, along with print material in additive manufacturing of the article, and placing a pre-shaped wire capable of being heated between adjacent layers of the article. A third method includes dispensing a wire, capable of being heated, during the additive manufacturing of the article, and compacting the wire into the printed material. An apparatus for embedding a heating circuit in an article fabricated by additive manufacturing. The apparatus contains a wire dispenser, a cutter to control the length of the wire dispensed, and a compactor capable of embedding the wire capable of being heated into the printed material. An article made by additive manufacturing is disclosed. The article contains at least one heating element embedded in the article during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis using swabs. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a probe having a conductive proximal portion coupled to a porous material at a distal portion of the probe that is configured to retain a portion of a sample that has contacted the porous material, and a mass spectrometer having an inlet. The system is configured such that the porous material at a distal portion of the probe is aligned over the inlet of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A communication interference rejection system comprising a relatively low-impedance voltage mode driver output which receives a signal from a sensor, the sensor near a user's skin, a receiver operatively connected to a device connected to a body of a user, wherein the receiver configured to receive a signal transmitted through the body of the user. The signal comprises a relatively substantially small constant amplitude component and a relatively large sinusoidal or modulated interference component, the interference component due to human body antenna effect, the receiver comprising a high-impedance termination to minimize channel loss, the receiver further configured to receive frequencies in the 10 KHz to 10 MHz range.