Abstract: A device and method for printing 3D articles including electronic and functional elements including 3D printer and a plasma jet printer based on a dielectric barrier atmospheric pressure plasma jet system in which both printing and in-situ treatment and post-deposition treatment can be carried out to tailor the materials characteristics. Plasma jet printer comprising of electrodes in the nozzle/print head for applying electric field and generating atmospheric plasma that could be used for non-gravity based highly directional printing in any direction. Integration of dielectric barrier plasma printer and plasma treatment jets with the 3D printer increases the capability of embedding high performance electronics in a 3D printed structure aiding in additive manufacturing of functional devices. Ability to use a range of materials for print head assembly including micro machined silicon increases the resolution of the plasma jet printer to sub-micron level.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mode switching method for reducing training overheads in a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted communication system. The system includes one single-antenna base station, one single-antenna user terminal, and an RIS including N reflection elements, the single-antenna user terminal sends data to the single-antenna base station, however, when a direct link of a user-base station is blocked by a blockage, the data can be sent to the single-antenna base station only via the RIS; the RIS determines a proper reflection solution by using a controller, and dynamically adjusts a phase shift thereof to improve an achievable data rate of the system; and necessary information for phase shift adjustment can be obtained at the base station by uplink training, and transmitted to the RIS controller by using a control link.

Abstract: The present invention provides redesigned soluble coronavirus S protein derived immunogens that are stabilized via specific modifications in the wildtype soluble S sequences. Also provided in the invention are nanoparticle vaccines that contain the redesigned soluble S immunogens displayed on self-assembling nanoparticles. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the redesigned immunogens and the nanoparticle vaccines are also provided in the invention. The invention further provides methods of using the vaccine compositions in various therapeutic applications, e.g., for preventing or treating coronaviral infections.

Abstract: Related are a high-molecular weight allyl alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether and a preparation method. During preparation, an allyl alcohol raw material and a supported catalyst Rb-NHPA are firstly added into a high-pressure reaction kettle, and it is heated after being replaced with a nitrogen gas; then after the internal temperature of the reaction kettle is raised to a reaction temperature, an ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) mixture is continuously fed for a reaction; and finally, after the internal temperature of the reaction kettle is reduced, an acetic acid is dropwise added into the reaction kettle so that the crude product of the high-molecular weight allyl alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether is neutralized to be neutral. The refining process of a polyether is omitted, the process flow is greatly simplified, and the process time is effectively saved. In addition, the supported catalyst Rb-NHP may be recycled.

Abstract: A vacuum bag system (VBS) for forming pre-consolidated composite blanks has a blank enclosure for sealing around a periphery of the blank, while leaving a second side of the blank exposed, an articulated forming caul (AFC) with at least two facets, each facet effectively jointedly coupled to an adjacent facet, and having a respective, independently controlled, heater integrated with, or coupled to the facet. The VBS further has a forming enclosure for sealing around a periphery of a tool. The blank enclosure brings the blank and the facets into uniform thermal contact resistance and mechanical contact; and permits the articulated AFC to distribute thermal and mechanical load across the blank during forming, even as the facets move to align to faces of the mold.

Abstract: A part processing planning method includes the following steps. Firstly, a specific tolerance of a nominal size of a part is obtained. Then, a predetermined tolerance of each of processes is obtained. Then, using a process dimension chain establishing technique, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance from the predetermined tolerances is obtained. Then, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance is accumulated to obtain a size cumulative tolerance. Then, whether the size cumulative tolerance meets the specification tolerance is determined. Then, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance is re-allocated when the cumulative tolerance does not meet the specification tolerance, such that the size cumulative tolerance is within the specification tolerance.

Abstract: A brazing wire includes a brazing tube having an inner cavity and a flux filled in the inner cavity. A trench is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the brazing tube, and the trench extends along an axis of the brazing tube or spirally extends around the axis. A forming mold of the brazing wire includes a mold body having a molding cavity therein. An inner wall of the molding cavity is provided with a protrusion. When the brazing wire passes through the forming mold, the protrusion is used to form the trench. The forming method of the brazing wire includes the following steps. The brazing tube passes through the forming mold, and the trench is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the brazing tube by the protrusion. The trench extends along the axis of the brazing tube or spirally extends around the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique related to a method and apparatus for generating a preamble and a data frame for wireless communication, and to a synchronization estimation method using the preamble. According to the technique, a method for generating a frame for wireless communication is disclosed, wherein the method comprises: a step of generating a modified sequence using a first base sequence for synchronization estimation; and a step of allocating the first base sequence and the modified sequence to the frequency domain of a first timeslot to generate a preamble. The modified sequence includes a complex conjugated sequence of the first base sequence or a sequence having a code different from that of the first base sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a conductive silk fibroin material, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a high-molecular-weight silk fibroin solution; (2) preparation of an insoluble silk fibroin material; (3) surface treatment of the silk fibroin material; (4) oxidation of the silk fibroin material; and (5) in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the graft-modified silk fibroin material. In the present invention, a conductive composite film grafted with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface is prepared, and the surface resistance is 100 to 5000 ohms. The preparation process is simple and mild, and the obtained conductive silk fibroin material can be used as a flexible electronic device, especially as a device for measuring human blood glucose level and heartbeat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a synthesis gas. The method may include performing a combined reforming reaction by injecting a reaction gas including water (H2O) and heat-treating it in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst may include a mesoporous support including regularly distributed mesopores, metal nanoparticles supported on the support, and a metal oxide coating layer coated on a surface of the support.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a molybdate-based composition and a conversion coating obtained therefrom that can replace conventional and toxic chromate-based conversion coatings in a variety of applications and industries. The molybdate-based composition provides conversion coatings that exhibit anodic inhibition and rapid repassivation when applied to objects, such as metal-based objects, and do not contain hexavalent chromium. The molybdate-based composition and conversion coating can be used to reduce corrosion. Embodiments of methods of protecting objects, such as metal surfaces, with the molybdate-based conversion coating also are disclosed.

Abstract: As described herein, a hybrid voltage sensor genetically-encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) for mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum includes a transmembrane domain, and a fluorescent protein, wherein a terminus of the transmembrane domain and a terminus of the fluorescent protein are covalently linked directly or by a linker comprising 1 to 20 amino acids, and wherein the transmembrane domain comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4 or a peptide with greater than 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. Also described are expression vectors, expression cassettes, and organelle membranes, as well as methods of determining the voltage across an organelle using the GEVIs.

Abstract: The invention relates to carrier complexes and methods for delivering molecules to cells. The carrier complexes comprises a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a carrier complex. In another embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide.

Abstract: The respiratory microbiomes of neonates and those with bronchopulmonary disease have been characterized. Provided are probiotic compositions, which can include at least one living bacterial strain and at least one killed bacterial strain, that can comprise a combination of Lactobacilli species, 5 that when delivered to the bronchi or lungs of a patient can provide a reduction in the symptoms of a bronchopulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for cleaning substrate without damaging patterned structure on the substrate using ultra/mega sonic device, comprising: applying liquid into a space between a substrate and an ultra/mega sonic device; setting an ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f1 and power P1 to drive said ultra/mega sonic device; after micro jet generated by bubble implosion and before said micro jet generated by bubble implosion damaging patterned structure on the substrate, setting said ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f2 and power P2 to drive said ultra/mega sonic device; after temperature inside bubble cooling down to a set temperature, setting said ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f1 and power P1 again; repeating above steps till the substrate being cleaned.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for separating a feed liquid into a permeate and a retentate includes a semipermeable membrane and conductive members for applying a voltage effective for charging a semipermeable surface of the membrane, thereby reducing or preventing fouling or scaling of the membrane. The conductive members may be positioned adjacent to the semipermeable membrane, and may be configured as feed spacers or permeate spacers. Alternatively or additionally, the membrane may be electrically conductive. Power from an external source may be supplied to one or more of the conductive members, or also the membrane if conductive, which may be done wirelessly. One or more membrane assemblies may be provided in a container. One or more membrane assemblies may be provided in a stacked configuration, or wrapped around a tube in a spiral configuration.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck for a substrate processing system is provided. The electrostatic chuck includes: a top plate configured to electrostatically clamp to a substrate and formed of ceramic; an intermediate layer disposed below the top plate; and a baseplate disposed below the intermediate layer and formed of ceramic. The intermediate layer bonds the top plate to the baseplate.

Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for preparing a cell and tissue culture, including a hanging drop culture. Microwells are specially loaded with cell mixtures using a removable reservoir and forcing cells into the underlying microwells. The removable reservoir is removed and the cells partitioned into the individual microwells and covered by an immiscible layer of fluid. The microwells and immiscible layer is inverted and the cells in the microwells cultured. The microwells may have shape-controlling elements to control the three-dimensional shape of the culture.