Abstract: An autonomous vehicle configured to autonomously pass a cyclist includes an imaging device and processing circuitry configured to receive information from the imaging device. Additionally, the processing circuitry of the autonomous vehicle is configured to identify a cyclist passing situation based on the information received from the imaging device, and plan a path of an autonomous vehicle based on the cyclist passing situation. The autonomous vehicle also includes a positioning system and the processing circuitry is further configured to receive information from the positioning system, determine if the cyclist passing situation is sufficiently identified, and identify the cyclist passing situation based on the information from the imaging device and the positioning system when the cyclist passing situation is not sufficiently identified based on the information received from the imaging device.

Abstract: Plasmonic nanostructures function as an antenna-reactor nanostructure to focus and convert light into thermal/chemical energy, and thus have significant potential for sustainable solar water disinfection. However, the insufficient energy harvesting efficiency resulting from inconsistent nano-features linked with arrangement and scaling is a persistent challenge. An integrated optofluidic fabrication method is presented to produce a high density integrative plasmonic dimer array to enhance solar water disinfection. The plasmonic dimer array is constructed by a combined fabrication of self-assembly monolayer method and block-co-polymer lithography approaches. This combination leads to a two-dimensional hexagonal array of dimer structures consisting of 1.3 nm nanogap. The uniformity and high density of the nanogaps in the plasmonic dimer array allows strong light focusing and a rapid and highly efficient harvesting of photothermal energy at visible and near-infrared region.

Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic (PV) may include III-V semiconductors, silicon, a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a gold-to-gold metal bridge electrode. The semiconductors include p-typed and n-typed regions. To form a tandem PV structure, bottom and top PV cells can be independently fabricated. The bottom and the top PV cells are electrically connected by the gold-to-gold metal bridge interconnection, which is positioned between the bottom and the top PV cells. The metal bridge may be formed by cold-welding compression technique. This structure is compatible to the development of tandem PVs as well as thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells.

Abstract: An enclosed multi-dimensional system for converting electromagnetic (EM) energy into electricity. An electromagnetic energy convertor (EMEC) device comprises a plurality of electromagnetic (EM) energy converting cells disposed in a single-piece, at-least-partially transparent, insulating medium selected from a list of luminescent, transmissive, absorptive, diffusive, refractive, dispersive, conductive, and dielectric materials or a combination thereof. The medium facilitates the propagation of the electromagnetic energy within the EMEC device and helps to optimize its conversion to electricity by the plurality of electromagnetic (EM) energy converting cells. The plurality of electromagnetic (EM) energy converting cells are disposed at least partially within the medium.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for increasing butyrate production in a subject. In particular, provided herein are compositions, probiotic compositions, and combinations thereof that promote butyrate production in a subject.

Abstract: An actuated telescoping system for navigation within a vascular lumen and thrombectomy of a thrombus. The system includes a tubular catheter member having an open distal end defining a catheter lumen, a vacuum source, a rotational drive system, a flexible shaft having a channel coupled to the rotational drive system for rotational movement in response thereto, and an optional guidewire selectively inserted at least partially within the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft is at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member configured for uncoupled rotational and translational motion therein and to optionally define a corkscrew motion in response to rotational driving force by the drive system that results in formation of hydrodynamic vortices within the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A method for processing a video stream includes obtaining frame data of a current frame of the video stream, determining frame difference data based on a comparison of the frame data of the current frame and scene cache data for a previous frame of the video stream, the scene cache data being stored in a scene cache for the video stream, determining, based on the frame difference data, regions of the video stream to be re-sampled at a higher resolution than the frame data, obtaining re-sampling data for the determined regions, updating the scene cache data based on the obtained frame data and the re-sampling data, and providing the re-sampling data to a processor to update an analysis scene cache for the video stream.

Abstract: A metalens configured to shape the focus light into a flexibly designed pattern. The present teachings demonstrate the engineering of metalens with artificial focus pattern by creating line and ring-shaped focus as ‘drawing tools’. These metalens are fabricated through a single layer of silicon-based material through CMOS compatible nano fabrication process. The mechanism to generate artificial focus pattern can be applied to a plethora of future on-chip optical devices with applications ranging from beam engineering to next generation nano lithography.

Abstract: Methods and systems perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by obtaining scan data of a sample at a low-resolution over a k-space and obtaining other scan data at a high-resolution over the k-space. This scan data may be captured over the same regions, different regions, or where one scan data is captured over a sub-region of the other. The low-resolution and high-resolution scanning is repeated according to a scanning ratio between the first scan data and the second scan data to generate interleaved low-resolution and high-resolution scan data. From that interleaved low-resolution and high-resolution scan data, high-resolution tissue property maps of the sample are generated.

Abstract: A progressive cellular architectures has been presented for vapor-phase chemical analyzers. The progressive cellular architecture consists of a series of heterogeneous micro-gas chromatography cells. Each individual cell targets vapor species within a specific volatility range by using a unique combination of a preconcentrator and a separation column. The cells are connected progressively in series to cover a broad range of volatile analyte chemical vapors. Valves may inadvertently absorb or adsorb and subsequently release target chemical analyte molecules, thereby interfering with quantitative analysis. Therefore, the inlet to the cells is configured without a valve.

Abstract: A magneto-inductive DC magnetometer is provided that is operable to output fluxgate quality measurements in a low mass, volume, power and cost package. The magnetometer enables constellation-class missions not only due to its low-resource requirements, but also due to its potential for commercial integrated circuit fabrication. In addition, the magnetometer will be part of a ground-based Space Weather Underground Citizen Science instrument package that enables dense arrays of space weather-relevant observations at mid-latitudes. The magneto-inductive operating principle is based on a simple resistance-inductor (RL) circuit and involves measurement of the time it takes to charge and discharge the inductor between an upper and lower threshold by means of a Schmitt trigger oscillator. This time is proportional to the inductance that in turn is proportional to the field strength.

Abstract: The present application can provide a preparation method that can effectively produce a polymer having desired molecular weight characteristics and solubility in a solvent, and having a monomer composition, which is designed freely and variously according to the purpose, without unnecessary components with excellent polymerization efficiency and conversion rates, and a dispersion comprising the polymer formed by the preparation method.

Abstract: A computer system includes memory hardware configured to store a multitask neural network, an optimization model, a material database, material feature vector inputs, and computer-executable instructions which include training the multitask neural network with the material feature vector inputs to generate a material structural parameter output, obtaining at least one of a target optical perception parameter and a target optical response, supplying the target optical perception parameter or target optical response and at least two of the multiple material data structures of the material database to the multitask neural network to output the at least one predicted material and the predicted structural parameter distribution, processing, by the optimization model, the predicted structural parameter distribution to generate a tuned structural parameter output, and transmitting the at least one predicted material and the tuned structural parameter output to a computing device to facilitate generation of an optica

Abstract: A mote includes an optical receiver that wirelessly receives a power and data signal in form of NIR light energy within a patient and converts the NIR light energy to an electrical signal having a supply voltage. A control module supplies the supply voltage to power devices of the mote. A clock generation circuit locks onto a target clock frequency based on the power and data signal and generates clock signals. A data recovery circuit sets parameters of one of the devices based on the power and data signal and a first clock signal. An amplifier amplifies a neuron signal detected via an electrode inserted in tissue of the patient. A chip identifier module, based on a second clock signal, generates a recorded data signal based on a mote chip identifier and the neuron signal. A driver transmits the recorded data signal via a LED or a RF transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical devices, such as lithium ion battery electrodes, lithium ion conducting solid-state electrolytes, and solid-state lithium ion batteries including these electrodes and solid-state electrolytes. Also disclosed are methods for making such electrochemical devices. Also disclosed are composite electrodes for solid state electrochemical devices. The composite electrodes include one or more separate phases within the electrode that provide electronic and ionic conduction pathways in the electrode active material phase.

Abstract: A method and an osseointegrated prosthesis system having an osseointegrated prosthesis member are provided having a monitoring system operably coupled to the osseointegrated prosthesis member configured to quantitatively assess the osseointegration of the osseointegrated prosthesis member, a wave-generating element coupled to the osseointegrated prosthesis member and configured to output guided waves along the osseointegrated prosthesis member interrogating an interface between bone and the osseointegrated prosthesis member, and a sensing system configured to sense a condition of the interface between bone and the prosthesis.

Abstract: An all-epitaxial, electrically injected surface-emitting green laser operates in a range of about 520-560 nanometers (nm). At 523 nm, for example, the device exhibits a threshold current density of approximately 0.4 kilo-amperes per square centimeter (kA/cm2), which is over one order of magnitude lower than that of previously reported blue laser diodes.

Abstract: A bioreactor and method of forming complex three-dimensional tissue constructs in a single culture chamber. The bioreactor and methods may be used to form multi-phasic tissue constructs having tissue formed from multiple cell types in a single culture chamber. The bioreactor includes at least one translation mechanism to facilitate translation of one or more tissue constructs without direct user intervention, thereby providing a closed, sterile environment for complex tissue fabrication. The bioreactor may be used as a stand-alone device or as part of a large-scale system including many bioreactors. The large-scale system may include a perfusion system to monitor and regulate the tissue culture environment.

Abstract: To reach high efficiencies, thermophotovoltaic cells must utilize the broad spectrum of a radiative thermal source. One promising approach to overcome this challenge is to have low-energy photons reflected and reabsorbed by the thermal emitter, where their energy can have another chance at contributing toward photogeneration in the cell. However, current methods for photon recuperation are limited by insufficient bandwidth or parasitic absorption, resulting in large efficiency losses relative to theoretical limits. This work demonstrates nearly perfect reflection of low-energy photons (˜99%) by embedding an air layer within the TPV cell. This result represents a four-fold reduction in parasitic absorption relative to existing TPV cells. As out-of-band reflectance approaches unity, TPV efficiency becomes nearly insensitive to cell bandgap and emitter temperature. Accessing this regime unlocks a range of possible materials and heat sources that were previously inaccessible to TPV energy conversion.

Abstract: A microfluidic device system includes a channel having an entrance and an exit, a height at the entrance being greater than a height at the exit. The height of the channel may decrease continuously from the height at the entrance to the height at the exit. Cells or particles or beads traveling through the channel become trapped based on their size and/or deformability. A visual sensor captures images of the trapped cells or particles or beads, and image software analyzes the captured images to provide size and/or deformability and/or fluorescence information. A method of fabricating such a microfluidic device includes introducing a glass wafer to an etching solution at a specific rate such that a first end of the glass wafer is etched longer than other portions of the glass wafer.