Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) based driving simulation system and method provides hazard perception training and testing. Some embodiments use a personal computing device (e.g., smartphone), a head-mounted VR headset, and a Bluetooth-connected push button keypad or other user input device. An immersive, 3D simulator enables users to experience and learn from hazardous scenarios without risking injury. Performance by a user in perceiving a hazard is compiled as a metric in a user profile stored on a server, and continued training and testing can be conducted with updated scenarios supplied by the server in accordance with the metric associated with a user.

Abstract: A complex represented by Formula I: wherein: each Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, Ar4, and Ar5 present independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heterocyclic aryl; each n is independently an integer of 0 to 4, as limited by valence; X represents O, S, NR1a, SiR1bR1c, or CR1dR1e, where each of R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, and R1e independently represents substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl; Y1a, Y2a, Y3b, and Y4a each independently represents N or C; Y3a represents N, CR2a, or SiR2b, where R2a and R2b represent hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic aryl; Y5a and Y5b each independently represents C or N; and Y5c, Y5d, and Y5e each independently represents C, N, O, or S. Light emitting devices for full color displays may include a complex represented by Formula I.

Abstract: This application describes consortium between fungi and algae, where the algae are incorporated within hyphae of the fungi. The consortium is robust. The fungi and algae can symbiotically provide nutrients to each other, and are tolerant of environmental stresses.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a sample inlet for a fluid sample, a degassing chamber having a gas-permeable membrane and defining first and second portions separated by the gas permeable membrane, and a detection chamber. The sample inlet and the detection chamber are fluidly coupled to the first and second portions, respectively of the degassing chamber. The detection chamber is operably coupled to a light source and a detector. Assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in an aqueous sample includes providing an aqueous sample to a microfluidic device, separating gas from the aqueous sample in the microfluidic device, providing the gas to a detector, assessing the absorbance of the gas sample at a known absorption wavelength of chlorine, and based on the assessed absorbance of the gas sample at the known absorption wavelength of chlorine, assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in the aqueous sample.

Abstract: Provided is a field shaping multi-well photomultiplier and method for fabrication thereof. The photomultiplier includes a field-shaping multi-well avalanche detector, including a lower insulator, an a-Se photoconductive layer and an upper insulator. The a-Se photoconductive layer is positioned between the lower insulator and the upper insulator. A light interaction region, an avalanche region, and a collection region are provided along a length of the photomultiplier, and the light interaction region and the collection region are positioned on opposite sides of the avalanche region.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (20) and a method for manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric device (20) includes a hot shoe (24) and a cold shoe (28) disposed about the hot shoe. A heat conducting member (32) formed of a thermoelectric material extends between the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) and generates electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The hot shoe (24) is heated and expands at a greater rate than the cold shoe (28) does during operation. The structural and spatial relationship of the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) maintains the thermoelectric material of the heat conducting member (32) in compression during operation of the thermoelectric device (20).

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that can exhibit activity as biofilm modulating agents (e.g., activity as biofilm inhibitors and/or activity as biofilm dispersal agents). The compounds can exhibit potent activity against Gram positive biofilms. The compounds can also exhibit activity against Gram negative biofilms. In some cases, the compounds can exhibit both biofilm modulation properties and antimicrobial activity. Compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using thereof, are also described. For example, the compounds described herein can be used in human and animal health (e.g., for the treatment of infection), agriculture, marine coatings, and other coating applications related to prevention of biofilm (e.g., dental, medical, etc.).

Abstract: We present a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) graphene-based pressure sensor realized by transferring a large area, few-layered graphene on a suspended silicon nitride thin membrane perforated by a periodic array of micro-through-holes. Each through-hole is covered by a circular drum-like graphene layer, namely a graphene “microdrum”. The uniqueness of the sensor design is the fact that introducing the through-hole arrays into the supporting nitride membrane allows generating an increased strain in the graphene membrane over the through-hole array by local deformations of the holes under an applied differential pressure. Further reasons contributing to the increased strain in the devised sensitive membrane include larger deflection of the membrane than that of its imperforated counterpart membrane, and direct bulging of the graphene microdrum under an applied pressure. Electromechanical measurements show a gauge factor of 4.4 for the graphene membrane and a sensitivity of 2.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of making a culture medium from a polymeric material are described herein. The method can include (a) depolymerizing and/or dispersing the polymeric material to obtain a depolymerized and/or dispersed residue, and (b) combining the depolymerized and/or dispersed residue with one or more adjuvants to form a culture medium. In some embodiments, the polymeric material can be a plastic article, such as a waste carpet material. Culture media prepared from the compositions and methods are also described. The culture media are suitable for culturing microorganisms including bacterium, algae, and fungus. The microorganisms can be used to produce a bioproduct such as a biopolymer, an enzyme, or a cellular metabolite.

Abstract: A plurality of mobile devices is provided including a first mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices that serves as a relay for communication between a second mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices and a third mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices. The first mobile device is identified as the relay based on a social trust relationship formed between the first mobile device and the second mobile device. A D2D network is formed between the first mobile device and second mobile device. A communication channel is provided to the second mobile device from a second cellular network. A portion of the communication channel is allocated to the second mobile device using the D2D network to improve cellular transmission between the second mobile device and the third mobile device.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient with a muscle condition includes transplanting multipotent cells into the patient. A MyoD mutant that has been modified (e.g., to decrease PUMA expression relative to myogenin expression) has been transferred into the multipotent cells. The modification may lead to decreased apoptosis relative to differentiation. The transplantation may be local (i.e., directly to the muscle).

Abstract: Advancements in solid tumor (e.g., renal cell carcinoma) treatments and imaging are described. The advancements are based on nanoformulations that: (i) overcome deliverability issues associated with anti-cancer compounds; (ii) have increased targeted delivery to tumors, and hypoxic cores of tumors due to the presence of targeting ligands; (iii) have increased delivery to the hypoxic cores of tumors due to engineered shapes; (iv) provide synergistic treatment combinations; and/or (v) overcome cancer cell resistance to therapeutic treatments.

Abstract: A method of tracking a container closure used to seal liquid in a container is provided, comprising applying a trackable indicia to a container closure, wherein the trackable indicia is unique to the container closure; recording an associated data set comprising a plurality of parameters related to the liquid in the container; correlating the associated data set with the trackable indicia; applying the container closure to the container to seal the liquid within the container; maintaining a database of the trackable indicia corresponding to the associated data set; and scanning the trackable indicia to retrieve the associated data set from the database. The method of the invention also includes utilization of a container closure having inherent natural imperfections and/or patterns on the top and/or sides of the closure and obtaining scanned images and data thereof which are analyzed and utilized for closure and container identification and likewise serve as scannable trackable indicia.

Abstract: Electronic devices and more particularly diamond-based electronic devices and corresponding contact structures are disclosed. Electrical contact structures to diamond layers, including n-type, phosphorus doped single-crystal diamond are disclosed. In particular, electrical contact structures are formed through an arrangement of one or more nanostructured carbon layers with high nitrogen incorporation that are provided between metal contacts and n-type diamond layers in diamond-based electronic devices. Nanostructured carbon layers may be configured to mitigate reduced phosphorus incorporation in n-type diamond layers, thereby providing low specific contact resistances for corresponding devices. Diamond p-i-n diodes for direct electron emission applications are also disclosed that include electrical contact structures with nanostructured carbon layers.

Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic cell is provided. The transparent photovoltaic cell includes a first visibly transparent electrode, a visibly transparent active layer including a light absorbing material that has a bandgap greater than or equal to about 2.75 eV, and a second visibly transparent electrode. The active layer is disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode. The transparent photovoltaic cell is visibly transparent.

Abstract: Described herein are additive manufacturing methods and products made using such methods. The alloy compositions described herein are specifically selected for the additive manufacturing methods and provide products that exhibit superior mechanical properties as compared to their cast counterparts. Using the compositions and methods described herein, products that do not exhibit substantial coarsening, such as at elevated temperatures, can be obtained. The products further exhibit uniform microstructures along the print axis, thus contributing to improved strength and performance. Additives also can be used in the alloys described herein.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein involve a shoulder exoskeleton having a spherical parallel manipulator with a plurality of parallel linear actuators connected to a base coupled to a user's arm. A passive slip mechanism is operatively coupled to the spherical parallel manipulator as well as being coupled to the user's arm. The slip mechanism increases system mobility and prevents joint misalignment caused by the translational motion of the user's glenohumeral joint from introducing mechanical interference.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method including depositing a layer formed of barrier material over a conductive material formation of a photonics structure; and removing material of the layer in a light signal transmitting region of the photonics structure. In one embodiment the barrier material can include silicon carbon nitride. In one embodiment the barrier material can include silicon nitride.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: The present application provides a wireless power transfer system including a transmitter and at least one receiver, and also provides transmitters and receivers for such systems. The transmitter includes a driver coil and a transmitter coil magnetically coupled to each other and arranged along a plane, the driver coil and the transmitter coil being tuned to resonate at differing frequencies. The receiver includes a load coil and a receiver coil magnetically coupled to each other and arranged along a plane, the load coil and the receiver coil being tuned to resonate at differing frequencies. The driver coil and the transmitter coil of the transmitter, and the load and the transmitter coil of the receiver are strongly magnetically coupled to each other. The transmitter and the receiver are magnetically coupled to each to effectuate wireless power transfer from the transmitter to the receiver.