Abstract: Methods of using crude glycerol to make fatty acids are provided, as well as integrated methods of converting glycerol waste from biodiesel production into more biodiesel. Bacteria and other microbes engineered to produce free fatty acids from glycerol are also provided.

Abstract: A method for managing TCP flows in a mobile device adapted to connect to two or more wireless network types includes enabling connection to a number of networks of different types at the mobile device and executing a plurality of Internet-enabled applications on the mobile device. Each such application forms an existing TCP connection over a first one of the wireless networks. The routing table is modified such that any additional TCP connection will be created on a second one of the wireless networks. The device determines that a termination condition has occurred and in response to determining that the termination condition has occurred, renders an interface on the mobile device to the first one of the wireless networks inoperative.

Abstract: A bionanochip cartridge for analysis of multiple samples or analytes is provided herein, and the cartridge is dimensioned to take advantage of existing robotic microtiter plate handling equipment. Fluidics are specially designed to provide a small footprint and to prevent cross contamination.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) associating a graphene film with a substrate; (2) applying a catalyst and a carbon source to the graphene film; and (3) growing carbon nanotubes on the graphene film. In some embodiments, the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the graphene film through carbon-carbon bonds that are located at one or more junctions between the carbon nanotubes and the graphene film. In some embodiments, the grown carbon nanotubes are in ohmic contact with the graphene film through the carbon-carbon bonds at the one or more junctions. In some embodiments, the one or more junctions may include seven-membered carbon rings. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials that are formed in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to energy storage compositions that comprise a clay and an ionic liquid. In some embodiments, the clay is a bentonite clay and the ionic liquid is a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). In some embodiments, the clay and the ionic liquid are present in the energy storage compositions of the present disclosure in a weight ratio of 1:1. In some embodiments, the ionic liquid further comprises a lithium-containing salt that is dissolved in the ionic liquid. In some embodiments, the energy storage compositions of the present disclosure further comprise a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyurethane. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer constitutes about 10% by weight of the energy storage composition. In some embodiments, the energy storage compositions of the present disclosure are associated with components of energy storage devices, such as electrodes and separators.

Abstract: A negative stiffness device and method for seismic protection of a structure is described. In one embodiment, the device has an anchor frame and a movement frame laterally translatable relative to the anchor frame. The anchor frame and movement frame have respective extension portions. A linkage is pivotably connected to the extension portion of the anchor frame. A compressed spring has a first end is attached to the extension portion of the movement frame and a second end attached to the linkage. The compressed spring has a spring force. In a rest state, the compressed spring does not apply a lateral force to the movement frame. In an engaged state, the compressed spring is configured to apply a lateral force to displace the movement frame in a lateral direction of a seismic load. The spring force is amplified by the linkage when the movement frame is laterally displaced to an amplification point.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between peripheral devices and an embedded processor that includes receiving, at a data buffer unit of the embedded processor, the data from a peripheral device. The method also includes copying data from the data buffer unit into the bridge buffer of the embedded processor as a bridge buffer message. Additionally, the method includes creating, after storing the data as a bridge buffer message, a peripheral device message comprising the bridge buffer message, and sending the peripheral device message to a thread message queue of a subscriber.

Abstract: A new digital image/video camera that directly acquires random projections of the incident light field without first collecting the pixels/voxels. In one preferred embodiment, the camera employs a digital micromirror array to perform optical calculations of linear projections of an image onto pseudorandom binary patterns. Its hallmarks include the ability to obtain an image with only a single detection element while measuring the image/video fewer times than the number of pixels or voxels—this can significantly reduce the computation required for image/video acquisition/encoding. Since the system features a single photon detector, it can also be adapted to image at wavelengths that are currently impossible with conventional CCD and CMOS imagers.

Abstract: A device for Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) that includes at least one pair of metallic antennas deposited on a substrate, wherein the pair of metallic antennas are collinear. The length, width, and height of the metallic antenna determines an infrared absorption of the pair of metallic antennas. The device also includes a gap located between the pair of metallic antennas. A chemical moiety is disposed on at least a portion of the metallic antennas such that the infrared absorption of the chemical moiety is enhanced by the at least one pair of metallic antennas.

Abstract: A mechanism for discerning user preferences for categories of provided content. A computer receives response data including a set of preference values that have been assigned to content items by content users. Output data is computed based on the response data using a latent factor model. The output data includes at least: an association matrix that defines K concepts associated with the content items, wherein K is smaller than the number of the content items, wherein, for each of the K concepts, the association matrix defines the concept by specifying strengths of association between the concept and the content items; and a concept-preference matrix including, for each content user and each of the K concepts, an extent to which the content user prefers the concept. The computer may display a visual representation of the association strengths in the association matrix and/or the extents in the concept-preference matrix.

Abstract: A mechanism for facilitating personalized learning. A computer receives graded response data including grades that have been assigned to answers provided by learners in response to a set of questions. Output data is computed based on the graded response data using a latent factor model. The output data includes at least: an association matrix that defines a set of K concepts implicit in the set of questions, wherein K is smaller than the number of questions, wherein, for each of the K concepts, the association matrix defines the concept by specifying strengths of association between the concept and the questions; and a learner knowledge matrix including, for each learner and each of the K concepts, an extent of the learner's knowledge of the concept. The computer may display a visual representation of the association strengths in the association matrix and/or the extents in the learner knowledge matrix.

Abstract: Bacteria that run the beta oxidation cycle in reverse anabolic direction are provided, along with many novel primers to start the reverse cycle, pathways to make such primers, and a large variety of products produced thereby. Methods for making desired product by using such primers in the reverse pathway are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of growing chalcogen-linked metallic films on a surface in a chamber. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing a metal source and a chalcogen source in the chamber, and gradually heating the chamber, where the heating leads to the chemical vapor deposition of the chalcogen source and the metal source onto the surface, and facilitates the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film from the chalcogen source and the metal source on the surface. In some embodiments, the chalcogen source comprises sulfur, and the metal source comprises molybdenum trioxide. In some embodiments, the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film occurs by formation of nucleation sites on the surface, where the nucleation sites merge to form the chalcogen-linked metallic film. In some embodiments, the formed chalcogen-linked metallic film includes MoS2.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a solution of single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes in a liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, such methods comprise: (a) providing single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes; and (b) mixing the single-walled polyelectrolytes with a polar aprotic solvent to form a mixture, where the mixing results in the formation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, the polar aprotic solvent comprises crown ether. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making single-walled carbon nanotube fibers. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a method of making a single walled carbon nanotube composite. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to an article comprising neat aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for forming monodispersed gold particles that includes preparing a solution of gold ions at a specific concentration and pH. Then, while stirring, dispersing CO gas into the solution. The gold ions in the solution are reduced by the CO reducing agent to form desired monodispersed gold particles. The reaction conditions are selected such that the growth period of the monodispersed gold particles is greater than a nucleation period of the gold ions.

Abstract: Provided are polyamide nanocomposites incorporating carbon nanotubes and other filler species. Also provided are related methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods generally useful in medicine, cellular biology, nanotechnology, and cell culturing are discussed. In particular, at least in some embodiments, systems and methods for magnetic guidance and patterning of cells and materials are discussed. Some specific applications of these systems and methods may include levitated culturing of cells away from a surface, making and manipulating patterns of levitated cells, and patterning culturing of cells on a surface. Specifically, a method of culturing cells is presented. The method may comprise providing a plurality of cells, providing a magnetic field, and levitating at least some of the plurality of cells in the magnetic field, wherein the plurality of cells comprise magnetic nanoparticles. The method may also comprise maintaining the levitation for a time sufficient to permit cell growth to form an assembly.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Neural net method of computing oral cancer risk based on inputs such as age, gender, smoking status, morphological characteristics of sampled cells, and levels of biomarkers in samples cells.

Abstract: The present invention involves the interaction of radiation with functionalized carbon nanotubes that have been incorporated into various host materials, particularly polymeric ones. The present invention is directed to chemistries, methods, and apparatuses which exploit this type of radiation interaction, and to the materials which result from such interactions. The present invention is also directed toward the time dependent behavior of functionalized carbon nanotubes in such composite systems.