Abstract: An energy harvester having a plurality of bimorph beams and a plurality of piezoelectric devices, wherein at least two of the piezoelectric devices are mounted to each of the plurality of bimorph beams. A plurality of rigid beams interconnect adjacent ends of the bimorph beams to define a stacked, fan-folded shape having a first end of one of the bimorph beams mounted to a structure. A tip mass is disposed on a free end of another of the plurality of bimorph beams. Upon movement of the energy harvester, the plurality of bimorph beams is caused to deflect and thereby output electrical power from the plurality of piezoelectric devices.

Abstract: Durable icephobic materials form anti-ice coatings on a variety of substrates, including for aircraft, powerlines, vehicles, marine structures, communications towers, outdoor equipment, and the like. The icephobic may comprise an elastomeric polymer with a low crosslink density (e.g., ?1,300 mol/m3) and low initial ice adhesion strength (e.g., ?ice?100 kPa prior to exposure to icing conditions). Further, the icephobic material maintains ?ice after 10 icing/deicing cycles that is ?50% of the initial ?ice Introducing optional miscible liquids enhances interfacial slippage of chains in the elastomeric polymer. The low ?ice levels minimize ice buildup and eliminate necessary work to remove any accumulated ice via passive removal during normal operation. Other icephobic materials include linear polymers with plasticizers distributed therein or PDMS-silane coatings, both of which are free of any layers of surface liquids. Methods of making such icephobic materials are also provided.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising a metal oxide and a platinum cluster having a height to base ratio greater than 1 and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of using the nanoparticles in producing hydroxyl radicals and in photodynamic therapy, for example, in the treatment of hyperproliferative disease such cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and/or detecting cardiac events based on real-time biomedical signals are discussed herein. In various embodiments, a machine learning algorithm may be utilized to predict and/or detect one or more medical conditions based on obtained biomedical signals. For example, the systems and methods described herein may utilize ECG signals to predict and detect cardiac events. In various embodiments, patterns identified within a signal may be assigned letters (i.e., encoded as distributions of letters). Based on the known morphology of a signal, states within the signal may be identified based on the distribution of letters in the signal. When applied in the in-vehicle environment, drivers or passengers within the vehicle may be alerted when an individual within the vehicle is, or is about to, experience a cardiac event.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to novel small molecule compounds having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure (e.g., a compound having Formula I: which are useful in treating, ameliorating, or preventing various forms of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer).

Abstract: In an example of a method for simultaneously fixing and staining cells, the cells are initially incubated in a solution including a Ln(III)Zn16(HA ligand)16 metallacrown complex, wherein the HA ligand is a hydroximate ligand. The incubating cells are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The cells are allowed to continue to incubate in the solution after UV light exposure.

Abstract: A gas delivery device includes a nitric oxide generating system. The system has a medium including a source of nitrite ions. A working electrode is in contact with the medium. A Cu(II)-ligand complex is in contact with the working electrode. A reference/counter electrode is, or a reference electrode and a counter electrode are in contact with the medium and separated from the working electrode. An inlet conduit is to deliver nitrogen gas to the medium, and an outlet conduit is to transport a stream of nitrogen gas and nitric oxide from the medium. An inspiratory gas conduit is operatively connected to the outlet conduit to introduce an oxygen-containing gas and form an output gas stream of the gas delivery device.

Abstract: Provided herein are chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic and research use. Further provided herein are antiviral and antimicrobial lectin compounds and methods of their use.

Abstract: A bioelectrochemical sensor utilizing a nanoporous gold electrode. The bioelectrochemical sensor is suitable for measuring redox in biologic media while having increased resistance to biofouling as compared to conventional electrodes such as planar gold electrodes, due to greater exposed surface area of the three-dimentional ligature structure defining the nanopores. The nanopores have a pore size of 5-100 nm, preferably with an average pore size of less than 50 nm, and more preferably with an average pore size of less than 20 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an engine airpath include receiving, at a supervisory controller, an engine speed corresponding to a present engine speed, a fuel target corresponding to a request for torque from a driver and one or more state estimates generated by an estimator. The supervisory controller predicts, over a prediction horizon, a constraint violation in response to the engine speed, the fuel target, and the one or more state estimates using a prediction model, adjusts an EGR rate target to a modified value, when the constraint violation is predicted, and maintains the EGR rate target at a nominal value when the constraint violation is not predicted. A nonlinear predictive controller generates one or more actuator commands based on the EGR rate target, where the one or more actuator commands control an engine actuator such that an EGR rate of the engine airpath tracks the EGR rate target.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for harvesting energy in response to application of an external force. The energy harvesting system comprises a beam member having a central member and at least one piezoelectric layer joined to the central member for deflection therewith. The beam member includes opposing first and second ends and is elastically deformable in response to application of the external force. A first mount couples the first end of the beam member and is generally stationary. A second mount couples the second end of the beam member. The second mount and the second end of the beam member are generally moveable in response to application of the external force between a first position and a second position, thereby outputting energy from the at least one piezoelectric layer in response to the movement from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A borehole drilling communication system that includes a hydraulic drill, a communication module, and a transducer. The hydraulic drill has a drill pipe and a drill head where the communication module is located, The transducer has an input end and is mounted on the drill pipe adjacent the communication module. The communication module includes a first output terminal electrically connected to the drill pipe and a second output terminal electrically connected to the input end of the transducer. The transducer includes a helical conductor that is positioned coaxially over a section of the drill pipe at the drill head, with the helical conductor terminating at an electrically isolated free end. During use in borehole drilling, data sent from the communication module is launched by the transducer and transmitted along the drill pipe as a single conductor transmission line.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is presented for use with a sensor. The wireless communication device includes: an antenna, a driver circuit and a bias circuit. The driver circuit is electrically coupled to the antenna and includes at least one pair of cross-coupled transistors. The bias circuit is electrically coupled to the driver circuit. In a transmit mode, the bias circuit biases the driver circuit with a first bias current. In response to the first bias current, the driver circuit oscillates the antenna. In a receive mode, the bias circuit biases the driver circuit with a second bias current, such that the first bias current differs from the second bias current. In response to the second bias current, the bias circuit amplifies a signal received by the antenna.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, upon receiving a request for media content, a first signal quality may be determined, a first quality level may be selected based on the first signal quality, and segments of the first quality level may be retrieved, stored in a buffer, and played from the buffer. When the buffer is sufficiently occupied first inferior segments stored in the buffer may be replaced by determining a second signal quality selecting a second quality level based on the second signal quality, identifying the first inferior segment based on the second quality level, and replacing the first inferior segment with a first replacement segment, the first replacement segment corresponding to the first inferior segment. These processes may be performed iteratively. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a quinazolinedione structure which function as reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducers and inhibitors of mitochondrial activity within cancer cells (e.g., pancreatic cancer cells), and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer) and other diseases.

Abstract: A vaneless ventilation system includes a rigid duct and a vent assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The vent assembly includes a rigid housing defining an outlet, a bendable duct disposed inside the rigid housing, a linkage assembly coupled to the bendable duct to allow deflection of the bendable duct upon movement of the linkage assembly, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein actuation of the actuation mechanism causes the linkage assembly to move, thereby deflecting the bendable duct.

Abstract: The interaction between multiple intense ultrashort laser pulses and solids typically produces a regular nanoscale surface corrugation. A coupled mechanism has been identified that operates in a specific range of fluences in GaAs that exhibits transient loss of the imaginary part of the dielectric function and X2, which produces a unique corrugation known as high spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structures (HSFL). This mechanism is unique in that the corrugation does not involve melting or ablation.

Abstract: A sensory networking device is provided that enables a sensory effect to be implemented across a sensory network. The sensory networking device includes a processor, a sensory output unit, a motion sensor and a transceiver that permits the device to detect a trigger movement and transmit a trigger signal that causes a sensory effect to be implemented on neighboring sensory networking devices and to re-transmit the trigger signal in order to propagate a sensory effect across a sensory network.

Abstract: Tissue scaffolds for neural tissue growth have a plurality of microchannels disposed within a sheath. Each microchannel comprises a porous wall having a thickness of ?about 100 ?m that is formed from a biocompatible and biodegradable material comprising a polyester polymer. The polyester polymer may be polycaprolactone, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer, and combinations thereof. The tissue scaffolds have high open volume % enabling superior (linear and high fidelity) neural tissue growth, while minimizing inflammation near the site of implantation in vivo. In other aspects, methods of making such tissue scaffolds are provided. Such a method may include mixing a reduced particle size porogen with a polymeric precursor solution. The material is cast onto a template and then can be processed, including assembly in a sheath and removal of the porogen, to form a tissue scaffold having a plurality of porous microchannels.