Abstract: Fungi that are genetically inactivated for the mstC gene (or a homolog thereof) are provided, which can also be genetically modified to increase production of heterologous proteins from a glucoamylase promoter. Methods of using these fungi, for example to degrade a biomass, are also provided.

Abstract: Solar receivers including a plurality of multi-scale solar absorbing surfaces arranged such that light or heat reflected from or emitted from one or more of the plurality of solar absorbing surfaces impinges one or more other solar absorbing surfaces of the solar receiver. The disclosed receivers increase the amount of absorbed energy from a concentrated light source, such as a heliostat field, and reduce radiative and convective heat losses.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed edge-connect header that can withstand high temperatures, high pressures (or high vacuum levels), and high vibration environments, along with two corresponding connectors are disclosed. After brazing the edge-connect header components, the assembly is machined to form a slot with a portion of each of a plurality of electrical conductors removed in the machining process, resulting in a header with a high pin density. During the process of mating the first connector design to the edge-connect header, a plurality of wipers in the connector deflect, thereby causing the wipers to extend from the connector and contact the corresponding electrical conductors in the header. During the process of mating the second connector design to the edge-connect header, each of a plurality of wipers formed of low-mass, compliant metal wool, forms multiple contact points with a corresponding electrical conductor in the header.

Abstract: A quantum dot structure having a split-gate geometry is provided. The quantum dot is configured for incorporation into a quantum dot array of a quantum processing unit. A gap between a reservoir accumulation gate and a quantum dot accumulation gate provides a tunnel barrier between an electric charge reservoir and a quantum dot well. An electrical potential applied to the gates defines a tunnel barrier height, width and charge tunneling rate between the well and the reservoir without relying on any barrier gate to control the charge tunneling rate.

Abstract: A donning system allows a user to don disposable garments without contaminating the exterior of the garment. The disposable garment is part of a garment package, which also includes a cuff by which the garment is loaded into and dispensed from the donning system. The cuff includes elements whereby multiple garments are simultaneously loaded, but the garments are dispensed and donned one at a time. The donning system can include multiple cartridges allowing the user to don multiple garments simultaneously, such as right and left gloves or shoe covers. The donning system can include multiple chambers allowing the system to dispense garments of different sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a plurality of objects. Unlabeled measurement data identifying a plurality of targets corresponding to the plurality of objects is received. A multi-target likelihood function is generated using a persistent target density, a birth target density, and a clutter density. The multi-target likelihood function is used to associate persistent targets with the unlabeled measurement data to update persistent tracks and to initiate a new track for each target in the plurality of targets in the measurement data that is not associated with a persistent target.

Abstract: A muon detector system capable of determining muon direction and flight trajectory or path is disclosed. The muon detector system includes scintillators for determining muon direction, and an array of muon detectors arranged in orthogonal layers for determining flight trajectory. The system can be used for tomographic and telescopic mode imaging, and may be used for imaging concealed and/or subterranean objects.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-stage falling particle receivers and methods of falling particle heating. As the particles fall through the receiver, the particles are periodically collected and released by flow retarding devices. The periodic catch-and-release of the particles falling through the receiver reduces particle flow dispersion, increases particle opacity and solar absorption, and reduces erosion and damage to surfaces caused by direct particle impingement.

Abstract: An electroabsorption modulator that operates based on electroabsorption of a surface plasmon polariton mode is improved by various structural changes and/or selection of different materials. For example, at least a portion of the waveguide may be made to be conductive, e.g., by doping. Also, layers that make up the modulator structure may be placed along sides of waveguides in addition to or instead of simply on the top thereof. High permittivity gate dielectric materials may be employed. Also, materials other than ITO may be employed as a transparent conductor. Such an improved plasmonic electroabsorption modulator can be fabricated using standard semiconductor processing techniques and may be integrated with standard photonic integrated circuits, including silicon photonics and compound semiconductor-based platforms. Advantageously, high-speed, low-voltage operation over a wide spectrum of wavelengths may be achieved.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for ionic liquid processing of biomass.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a backside-illuminated photodetector in which a device wafer is joined to a readout wafer in an IC hybridization step. Before the IC hybridization step, the device layer is defined in the device wafer, and an LPCVD layer is formed over the device layer. The LPCVD layer may be a passivation layer, an antireflection coating, or both. The side of the device wafer having the LPCVD layer is bonded to a handle wafer, the IC is hybridized by mating the device wafer to the readout wafer, and the handle wafer is then removed, exposing the LPCVD layer. Because the LPCVD layer is formed before the active devices are fabricated, it can be made by high-temperature techniques for deposition and processing. Accordingly, a layer of high quality can be fabricated without any hazard to the active devices.

Abstract: A method of optical modulation in a non-resonant epsilon-near-zero (EMZ) plasmonic electro-optical modulator is provided. An optical carrier is injected into a waveguide optically coupled to a layer of transparent conductive material having an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) wavelength. The transparent conductive material layer constitutes a portion of a capacitive structure that includes a gate dielectric layer. A time-varying bias voltage applied across the gate dielectric layer shifts the ENZ wavelength toward the carrier wavelength, and thereby impresses a phase modulation pattern on the carrier wave.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating and labeling discrete features in a spectral radiographic image recorded as a set of images in different energy channels. The disclosed method involves creating a profile for each of at least some pixels in the spectral radiographic image. The profiles are sequences of pixel values, in which each pixel value is a photon count or a similar radiographic exposure value indicative of the attenuation of a portion of the scanning beam in a respective energy channel. Iterative hierarchical clustering is used to cluster the pixels on the basis of their respective profiles. Labels are assigned to one or more of the resulting clusters. In implementations, each label can be associated with an inferred material composition or with an inference that the material composition is unknown.

Abstract: A system or method for drilling includes autonomously controlling a rotary or percussive drilling process as it transitions through multiple materials with very different dynamics. The method determines a drilling medium based on real-time measurements and comparison to prior drilling data, and identifies the material type, drilling region, and approximately optimal setpoint based on data from at least one operating condition. The controller uses these setpoints initially to execute an optimal search to maximize performance by minimizing mechanical specific energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to fuel mixtures and methods of preparing such mixtures. In particular, the mixture includes an alkenol additive that provides octane boosting.

Abstract: Injectates and method that use surface blocking agents for enhancing subterranean oil recovery are disclosed. The surface blocking agents reduce the adhesion of oil to rock surfaces thereby increasing oil recovery. The surface blocking agents attach to or are attracted to the oils positive nitrogen sites and have an opposing negative charge that is repulsed by the negative rock surface charge.

Abstract: A method and computer system for managing a neural network. Data is sent into an input layer in a portion of layers of nodes in the neural network. The data moves on an encode path through the portion such that an output layer in the portion outputs encoded data. The encoded data is sent into the output layer on a decode path through the portion back to the input layer to obtain a reconstruction of the data by the input layer. A determination is made as to whether an undesired amount of error has occurred in the output layer based on the data sent into the input layer and the reconstruction of the data. A number of new nodes is added to the output layer when a determination is present that the undesired amount of the error occurred, enabling reducing the error using the number of the new nodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vanadium oxide and methods of controlling reaction processes for making such materials (e.g., powders). In particular embodiments, the method includes control of oxygen partial pressure in order to kinetically control the oxidation species of the crystalline vanadium oxide material. Other methods, uses, systems, protocols, and coatings are also described.

Abstract: A coupled-cavity vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is disclosed. The coupled-cavity VCSEL includes a passive cavity and an additional distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) not found in conventional VCSELs, all in a monolithic device. By including these two elements, the photon lifetime may be increased by a factor of approximately ten, leading to a reduction in the laser linewidth by a factor of approximately 100 compared to conventional VCSELs. The two additional elements also serve to ensure single-mode operation of the coupled-cavity VCSEL.

Abstract: A hybrid switched capacitor power converter for high-power applications is provided. The converter has a transistor-switched input-stage boost converter followed by a capacitor-and-diode ladder circuit. The converter is adapted to produce an output voltage of at least 5 kV at a power level of at least 0.5 kW. The ladder circuit includes one or more multi-stage rails.