Abstract: A multi-frequency wireless access device including a first waveguide having a pair of parallel metal plates with open sides and a slot in one of the metal plates, the slot permitting radiation to leak out, the leaked radiation illuminating a range of angles depending on frequency.

Abstract: The spontaneous assembly of chiral structures from building blocks that lack chirality is fundamentally important for colloidal chemistry and has implications for the formation of advanced optical materials. Here, we find that purified achiral gold tetrahedron-shaped nanoparticles assemble into two-dimensional superlattices that exhibit planar chirality under a balance of repulsive electrostatic and attractive van der Waals and depletion forces. A model accounting for these interactions shows that the growth of planar structures is kinetically preferred over similar three-dimensional products, explaining their selective formation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, composition and devices for performing convection-based PCR and non-enzymatic amplification of nucleic acid sequences. Techniques and reagents employed in these methods include toehold probes, strand displacement reactions, Rayleigh-Benard convection, temperature gradients, multiplexed amplification, multiplexed detection, and DNA functionalization, in open and closed systems, for use in nucleic tests and assays.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making a carbon nanotube hybrid material by depositing a catalyst solution onto a carbon-based material, and growing carbon nanotubes on the carbon-based material such that the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the carbon-based material through carbon-carbon bonds. The catalyst solution includes a metal component (e.g., iron) and a buffer component (e.g., aluminum) that may be in the form of particles. The metal component of the particle may be in the form of a metallic core or metallic oxide core while the buffer component may be on a surface of the metal component in the form of metal or metal oxides. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the catalytic particles and carbon nanotube hybrid materials. The carbon nanotube hybrid materials of the present disclosure may be incorporated as electrodes (e.g., anodes or cathodes) in energy storage devices.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of graphene, and more particularly the method of synthesizing graphene by flash Joule heating (FJH). Such methods can be used to synthesize turbostratic graphene (including low-defect turbostratic graphene) in bulk quantities. Such methods can further be used to synthesize composite materials and 2D materials.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for generating a random sample of an arbitrary distribution. The method includes precomputing a cumulative distribution table (CDT) of the distribution; storing the CDT in an array of range matching content-addressable memory (CAM) cells; inputting data through a search line (SL); comparing the input data against stored data in the CDT using the array of range matching CAM cells; when the input data match the stored data, turning on all pass gates that are controlled by logic gates and shorting a match line (ML) from MSB to LSB; and determining the range matching result on the ML and outputting data points corresponding to an index of the matched row in CDT, when the input data do not match the stored data, determining an interval of stored data that the input data falls into, and outputting the data points corresponding to the interval.

Abstract: A method and a system for a computationally efficient framework for low-rank decomposition of matrices and tensors using neural generative networks is disclosed. The method includes decomposing a tensor into a plurality of low-rank tensor factors and generating each low-rank tensor factor by a corresponding neural network. Further, the method includes feeding each neural network with a corresponding plurality of input tensors.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for formation of amplicons having a chimeric sequence, partially derived from a target nucleic acid and partially derived from a rationally designed oligonucleotide. The provided compositions provide for high-yield, induced template switching between the target nucleic acid and the rationally designed oligonucleotide as the template during polymerase extension, achieving inheritance of information from both within only one cycle.

Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising encapsulated engineered bacteria. The bacteria may be engineered to act as sensors of biomarkers, such as inflammation, as well as to produce diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to the use of enzyme combinations or recombinant microbes comprising same to make isoprenoid precursors, isoprenoids and derivatives thereof including prenylated aromatic compounds. Novel metabolic pathways exploiting Claisen, aldol, and acyloin condensations are used instead of the natural mevalonate (MVA) pathway or 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) pathways for generating isoprenoid precursors such as isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP). These pathways have the potential for better carbon and or energy efficiency than native pathways. Both decarboxylative and non-carboxylative condensations are utilized, enabling product synthesis from a number of different starting compounds.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a lithium-metal anode that suppresses dendrite formation and can be fabricated using a simple, inexpensive, and solvent-free process. The anode is coated with a layer of disordered nanomaterial, saturated with lithium ions, that suppresses dendrite formation during charging. The dendrite-suppression coating can be applied simply using a dry, abrasive technique in which the lithium-metal anode is alternately abraded to roughen the surface and polished using a polishing powder of a material that alloys with the lithium.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for producing hydrogel matrix constructs. Methods of using hydrogel matrix constructs for tissue repair and regeneration and for the oxygenation of red blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing of graphene materials and methods and apparatuses for making same. In some embodiments, combined metal powder and carbon growth sources (such as powder Ni and sucrose) are utilized in the 3D printing process. In other embodiments, metal powders with binders (such as powder Ni and a polymer bases binder) are utilized in the 3D printing process. The metal in the resulting 3D printed composite material can then be etched or otherwise removed yielding the 3D printed graphene materials.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for novel compositions of matter comprising multi domain peptide (MDP) hydrogels and cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). Also disclosed are method of using such compositions in the treatment of cancer, including in particular the treatment of head and neck cancers, such as those resistant to CDN therapy.

Abstract: Virus and microbe-killing, self-sterilizing resistive heated air filters and methods of making and using same methods. The air filter is includes laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film (or another source or source of polymer or other LIG precursor material) by a laser source. The LIG in the air filter can capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter easily reaches greater than 300° C. This destroys any microorganisms including bacteria, along with molecules that can cause adverse biological reactions and diseases such as viruses, pyrogens, allergens, exotoxins, endotoxins, teichoic acids, mycotoxins, nucleic acids, and prions.

Abstract: A method of making a multicomponent photocatalyst, includes inducing precipitation from a pre-cursor solution comprising a pre-cursor of a plasmonic material and a pre-cursor of a reactive component to form co-precipitated particles; collecting the co-precipitated particles; and annealing the co-precipitated particles to form the multicomponent photocatalyst comprising a reactive component optically, thermally, or electronically coupled to a plasmonic material.