Abstract: The present disclosure describes micromechanical devices and methods for using such devices for characterizing a material's strength. The micromechanical devices include an anchor pad, a top shuttle platform, a nanoindenter in movable contact with the top shuttle platform and at least two sample stage shuttles. The nanoindenter applies a compression force to the top shuttle platform, and the at least two sample stage shuttles move apart in response to the compression force. Each of the at least two sample stage shuttles is connected to the top shuttle platform and to the anchor pad by at least one inclined beam. Methods for using the devices include connecting a sample between the at least two sample stage shuttles and applying a compression force to the top shuttle platform. Application of the compression force to the top shuttle platform results in a tensile force being applied to the sample. Measuring a tip displacement of the nanoindenter is correlated with the sample's strength.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of fully integrating CNTs and the surrounding polymer matrix in CNT/polymer composites. In some such embodiments, such integration comprises interfacial covalent bonding between the CNTs and the polymer matrix. In some such embodiments, such interfacial covalent bonding is provided by a free radical reaction initiated during processing. In some such embodiments, such free radical initiation can be provided by benzoyl peroxide. In some or other embodiments, the present invention is directed to CNT/polymer composite systems, wherein the CNTs within such systems are covalently integrated with the polymer. In some or other embodiments, the present invention is directed to articles of manufacture made from such CNT/polymer composite systems.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel recombinant NADH recycling system that is used as a process for producing reduced compounds. In a specific embodiment, the reduced compounds include ethanol, succinate, lactate, a vitamin, a pharmaceutical and a biodegraded organic molecule. The NADH recycling system effects metabolic flux of reductive pathways in aerobic and anaerobic environments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing relativistic particles are provided. The devices and methods involve collision of a thin collimated plasma layer from opposite sides with two counter-propagating ultra-intense laser (UL) electromagnetic (EM) pulses. The plasma layer is sufficiently thin so that the pulses penetrate and conjointly propagate through the plasma layer. The Lorenz force between induced skin currents and the magnetic field of the propagating pulses accelerates a number of “in-phase” plasma particles to relativistic velocities.

Abstract: Work from several laboratories has shown that metal nanofilaments cause problems in some molecular electronics testbeds. A new testbed for exploring the electrical properties of single molecules has been developed to eliminate the possibility of metal nanofilament formation and to ensure that molecular effects are measured. This metal-free system uses single-crystal silicon and single-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes for the molecular monolayer. A direct Si-arylcarbon grafting method is used. Use of this structure with ?-conjugated organic molecules results in a hysteresis loop with current-voltage measurements that are useful for an electronic memory device. The memory is non-volatile for more than 3 days, non-destructive for more than 1,000 reading operations and capable of more than 1,000 write-erase cycles before device breakdown.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a confocal imaging system for imaging a specimen. The system comprises a light source, a light deflector capable of positioning a beam of light produced by the light source at one of a series of predetermined points on the specimen, an addressable spatial filter capable of selectively filtering light from the specimen, and a central processing unit capable of providing selective position control to the light deflector and the addressable spatial filter.

Abstract: A computer readable medium comprising computer readable code for data transfer. The computer readable code, when executed, performs a method. The method includes receiving, at a first Axon, an ARP request from a source host directed to a target host. The method also includes obtaining a first route from the first Axon to the second Axon, and generating a target identification corresponding to the target host. The method further includes sending an Axon-ARP request to the second Axon using the first route, and receiving an Axon-ARP reply from the second Axon, where the Axon-ARP reply includes a second route. The method further includes storing the first route in storage space on the first Axon, where the storage space is indexed by the target identification, and sending an ARP reply to the first host where the source host is configured to send a packet to the target host.

Abstract: A field effect transistor and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the field effect transistor comprises a source; a drain; a gate; at least one carbon nanotube on the gate; and a dielectric layer that coats the gate and a portion of the at least one carbon nanotube, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube has an exposed portion that is not coated with the dielectric layer, and wherein the exposed portion is functionalized with at least one indicator molecule. In other embodiments, the field effect transistor is a biochem-FET.

Abstract: The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or pre-formed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor assisted video encoder (SaVE) configured to estimate global motion in a video sequence using sensor data, at least one sensor coupled to the SaVE and configured to generate the sensor data, and a camera equipped device coupled to the SaVE and the sensor and configured to capture the video sequence, wherein the SaVE estimates local motion in the video sequence based on the estimated global motion to reduce encoding time. Also included is a method comprising obtaining a video sequence, obtaining sensor data synchronized with the video sequence, converting the sensor data into global motion predictors, using the global motion predictors to reduce the search range for local motion estimation, and using a search algorithm for local motion estimation based on the reduced search range.

Abstract: An apparatus has a data acquisition device, an environmental cell in a spatial registration relative to the data acquisition device, the environmental cell being configured to support a sample, and a fluid management system configured to initiate and discontinue exposure of the sample to a reaction fluid while the spatial registration is maintained. A method of performing data acquisition for a sample includes spatially registering the sample relative to a data acquisition device, at least partially exposing the sample to a reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, at least partially discontinuing exposing the sample to the reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, and acquiring data about the sample while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods for processing seismic data to concurrently produce a velocity model and a depth image. Various embodiments of the methods include: a) acquiring seismic data; b) generating a shallow velocity model from the seismic data; c) generating a stacking velocity model using the shallow velocity model as a guide; d) generating an initial interval velocity model from the stacking velocity model; and e) generating an initial depth image using the initial interval velocity model. The methods also include iterative improvement of the initial depth image and the initial interval velocity model to produce improved depth images and improved interval velocity models. Improvement of the depth images and the interval velocity models is evaluated by using a congruency test.

Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fluorescent inks and markers comprising carbon nanotubes. The present invention is also directed toward methods of making such inks and markers and to methods of using such inks and markers, especially for security applications (e.g., anti-counterfeiting). Such inks and markers rely on the unique fluorescent properties of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a laser source configured to emit a light beam along a first path, an optical beam steering component configured to steer the light beam from the first path to a second path at an angle to the first path, and a diffraction grating configured to reflect back at least a portion of the light beam along the second path, wherein the angle determines an external cavity length. Included is an apparatus comprising a laser source configured to emit a light beam along a first path, a beam steering component configured to redirect the light beam to a second path at an angle to the first path, wherein the optical beam steering component is configured to change the angle at a rate of at least about one Kilohertz, and a diffraction grating configured to reflect back at least a portion of the light beam along the second path.

Abstract: A method for making hollow spheres of alumina or aluminate comprises: coating polymeric beads with an aqueous solution of an alumoxane, drying the beads so as to form an alumoxane coating on the beads; heating the beads to a first temperature that is sufficient to convert the alumoxane coating to an amorphous alumina or aluminate coating and is not sufficient to decompose the polymeric beads; dissolving the polymeric bead in a solvent; removing the dissolved polymer from the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating; and heating the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating to a second temperature that is sufficient to form a hollow ceramic sphere of desired porosity and strength. The hollow spheres can be used as proppants or can be incorporated in porous membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production result in a single-wall carbon nanotube product that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes in addition to impurities including residual metal catalyst particles and amounts of small amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the side of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. The present purification processes remove the extraneous carbon as well as metal-containing residual catalyst particles.

Abstract: New and useful compounds C. roseus cultured hairy roots are provided, by Isolating flavone glycosides together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier This is accomplished by immersing powdered the hairy roots in methanol to produce an extract, concentrating the extract, resuspending the extract in water, extracting the compound with organic solvent, and isolating the compound from the organic solvent.

Abstract: Novel phototherapeutic methods and compositions are described herein. Nanoparticle-assembled microcapsules as a new type of delivery vehicle for photosensitive compounds may be synthesized through a two-step assembly process. Charged polymer chains and counterions may be combined with a photosensitive compound to form photosensitive aggregates, and then nanoparticles may be combined with the aggregates to form the microcapsules. The shell may be composed of nanoparticles and/or polymer, and the core interior may contain the photosensitive compound. Formation occurs rapidly (on the order of seconds) and the conditions are very mild (at room temperature, in aqueous solution, and at neutral pH). The microcapsule synthesis is highly suitable as an encapsulation method, particularly for a charged photosensitive molecule like ICG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ability of SAP to suppress the differentiation of monocytes into fibrocytes. It also relates to the ability of IL-12, laminin-1, cross-linked IgG and IgG aggregates to suppress the differentiation of monocytes into fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing differentiation of monocytes into fibrocytes using these proteins are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of fibrosing diseases such as scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. Finally, the invention includes assays for detecting the ability of various agents to modulate monocyte differentiation into fibrocytes and to detect monocyte defects. Such assays may also be used to diagnose scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, or other fibrosing diseases.