Abstract: Disclosed is a non-destructive universal method of functionalization of graphitic carbonaceous materials that enables their alignment, cross-linking, and effective integration into composite materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple method to assemble a highly stretchable and highly sensitive strain sensor. Carbon nanofibers prepared by electrospinning of PAN followed by stabilization and carbonization, are sandwiched in two layers of elastomer PU. The CNFs/PU strain sensor shows large strain range of 300%, high sensitivity with gauge factor up to 72.5, and superior stability and durability during 8000 cycles of stretch/release. These parameters meet the intended objectives of the present disclosure and distinguish the present disclosure from the piezoresistive strain sensors reported in the art. Additionally, the CNFs/PU strain sensor shows fast, stable and reproducible responses following the bending movement of fingers, wrists, and elbows. A flexible CNFs/PU strain sensor with the properties disclosed herein can have broad applications in wearable devices for human motion monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides monomers, analogs, and/or derivatives of bisphenols substituted with one or more fluoromethyl groups. These monomers, analogs, and/or derivatives can be used to form oligomers and/or polymers, which in turn can be used to make compounds with dielectric properties suitable for dielectric materials, including for example, use in energy dense capacitors. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds can comprise a polycarbonate of a homopolymer, copolymer, and/or terpolymer of a bisphenol with one or more fluoromethyl substitution groups. In an aspect of the invention the compounds chosen can be selected based on various desired characteristics, including, for example, their energy density, glass transition temperature, dielectric loss, and/or dipole density.

Abstract: A wave energy converter and method for extracting energy from water waves maximizes the energy extraction per cycle by estimating an excitation force of heave wave motion on the buoy, computing a control force from the estimated excitation force using a dynamic model, and applying the computed control force to the buoy to extract energy from the heave wave motion. Analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that the optimal control of a heave wave energy converter is, in general, in the form of a bang-singular-bang control; in which the optimal control at a given time can be either in the singular arc mode or in the bang-bang mode. The excitation force and its derivatives at the current time can be obtained through an estimator, for example, using measurements of pressures on the surface of the buoy in addition to measurements of the buoy position.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing analytes from a liquid medium are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the analysis of analytes from a liquid medium are further disclosed. In particular, methods and apparatus of analyzing analytes by freezing liquid medium and partitioning the analyte into a sorptive stirrer are disclosed. Further, the methods and apparatus of the present invention can be useful in concentrating and isolating target chemicals of high value.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, taught is a high purity germanium crystal growth method utilizing a quartz shield inside a steel furnace. The quartz shield is adapted for not only guiding the flow of an inert gas but also preventing the germanium melt from contamination by insulation materials, graphite crucible, induction coil and stainless steel chamber. A load cell provides automatic control of crystal diameter and helps to ensure exhaustion of the germanium melt. The method is both convenient and effective at producing high purity germanium crystals by relatively low skilled operators.

Abstract: Methods for aircraft component repair and reclamation are provided. Cold spraying aircraft panels include identifying a fastener hole in an aircraft panel in need of repair, capturing the location of the fastener hole, and depositing cold spray material about the fastener hole for reclaiming the aircraft panel. Any excess material may be removed. Cold spraying hydraulic lines includes identifying a surface of the hydraulic line in need of repair, aiming a cold spray nozzle at the surface of the hydraulic line and depositing a cold spray material on the surface of the hydraulic line. Excess cold spray material may be removed as needed.

Abstract: Discovering high capacity and high rate cathodic materials is of paramount importance for the further development of electrochemical energy storage devices. Reported herein is a perfluoroalkylated polymer, integrated with an electronically-conductive backbone and an electron transfer catalyst unit that can serve as a new type of cathodic material reaching practical specific capacity of 919 mAh/g at 2.5 C discharging rate and over 700 mAh/g at 16 C discharging rate. A prepolarization treatment of the cathodic materials further increases working voltage to over 2.1 V versus Li/Li+ in classical PC/LiPF6 electrolyte solution giving maximum specific capacity of 1028 mAh/g and specific energy of 2159 mWh/g.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations comprising polymers and therapeutics and methods for their manufacture. The present invention also provides medical devices coated with such formulations and methods for their manufacture. The drug-loaded polymer formulations, solutions, and films tailor the drug release characteristics for medical devices.

Abstract: Synthesis and growth of large area free-standing ultra-thin two-dimensional (2D) polymeric films including 2D covalent organic frameworks (COF) are achieved by utilizing fluorocarbon-soluble fluorinated aldehyde derivatives and hydrocarbon-soluble amine derivatives at a liquid-liquid interface of respective fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for immunizing a subject against disease caused by influenza A. Disclosed methods comprise administering to the subject an immunoprotective dose of an immunogenic composition. In certain aspects, the immunogenic composition is a vaccine comprised of a recombinant chimeric hemagglutinin polypeptide. In certain aspects, the subject is a mammal. In further aspects, the mammal is a pig. In still further aspects, the mammal is a human.

Abstract: A method of producing a drug-loaded Poly (Glycerol Sebacate) (PGS) comprising providing PGS; dissolving at least one drug in a solvent; incubating the PGS in the solvent; and evaporating the solvent.

Abstract: An improved a device and method for dispersion and simultaneous orientation of nanoparticles within a matrix is provided. A mixer having a shaft and a stator is provided. The shaft may have a rupture region and erosion region. Further, an orienter having an angled stationary plate and a moving plate are provided. The nanoparticles and the matrix are fed into the mixer. A rotational force is applied to the shaft to produce shearing forces. The shearing forces disperse and exfoliate the nanoparticles within the matrix. The dispersed mixture is outputted onto the moving plate. The moving plate is forced across the angled stationary plate to produce fully developed laminar shear flow. The fully developed laminar shear flow or the two-dimensional extensional drag flow orients the dispersed nanoparticles-matrix mixture.

Abstract: An improved system and method for reading an upconversion response from nanoparticle inks is provided. A is adapted to direct a near-infrared excitation wavelength at a readable indicia, resulting in a near-infrared emission wavelength created by the upconverting nanoparticle inks. A short pass filter may filter the near-infrared excitation wavelength. A camera is in operable communication with the short pass filter and receives the near-infrared emission wavelength of the readable indicia. The system may further include an integrated circuit adapted to receive the near-infrared emission wavelength from the camera and generate a corresponding signal. A readable application may be in operable communication with the integrated circuit. The readable application receives the corresponding signal, manipulates the signal, decodes the signal into an output, and displays and/or stores the output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetically aligned carbon nanoparticle composites and methods of preparing the same. The composites comprise carbon nanoparticles, host material, magnetically sensitive nanoparticles and surfactant. The composites may have enhanced mechanical, thermal, and/or electrical properties.

Abstract: A new strategy to design container molecules is presented. Sulfonylcalix[4]arenes, which are synthetic macrocyclic containers, are used as building blocks that are combined with various metal ions and tricarboxylate ligands to construct metal-organic ‘super-containers’ (MOSCs). These MOSCs possess both endo and exo cavities and thus mimic the structure of viruses. The synthesis of MOSCs is highly modular, robust, and predictable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for selective synthesis of specific phenolic products by means biomass or biomass products liquefaction, manipulation of the said selectivity in favor of one specific phenolic compound or a mixture of specific phenolic compounds, and the synthesis of the phenolic compounds from a liquid or biomass organic fraction produced in presence of a homogeneous catalyst in supercritical state or a mixture of said homogeneous and one or several heterogeneous catalysts mixed with water in sub-critical, near-critical, or supercritical condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step process for preparation of “in-situ” or “ex-situ” self-organized and electrically conducting polymer nanocomposites using thermally initiated polymerization of a halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer or its derivatives. This approach does not require additional polymerization initiators or catalysts, produce gaseous products that are naturally removed without affecting the polymer matrix, and do not leave by-product contaminants. It is demonstrated that self-polymerization of halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer is not affected by the presence of a solid-state phase in the form of nanoparticles and results in formation of 3,4-polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) nanocomposites.

Abstract: A method of producing a drug-loaded Poly (Glycerol Sebacate) (PGS) comprising providing PGS; dissolving at least one drug in a solvent; incubating the PGS in the solvent; and evaporating the solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.