Abstract: This disclosure is related to materials with highly stable and reversible water sorption and retention properties, as well as formulations and methods for their manufacture and uses. Composite materials of the present disclosure can avoid weeping or leakage of liquid water at wide ranges in ambient relative humidities so as to be suitable for a variety of applications including thermal management, thermal energy storage, atmospheric water generation and dehumidification systems. Composites disclosed herein can comprise an ionomeric material and in some embodiments, a hygroscopic or deliquescent salt. Furthermore, composites disclosed herein can also include a water vapor permeable or support polymer material providing support for reversible expansion or volume changes during water vapor sorption/desorption cycling via porous and/or elastic character, thereby avoiding mechanical restriction that could cause weeping or leakage of liquid water.

Abstract: Quantum circuits for QFT and Inverse QFT (IQFT) are disclosed that can be applied for use in signal and speech, analysis synthesis and compression. A unique method perceptual selection of QFT components is also outlined.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices for the separation of mixtures of fluid phases. In some aspects of the disclosure, the separation device comprises an angled capillary cell. In other aspects, the separation device comprises a plurality of angled capillary cells operating in parallel. In some aspects of the disclosure, the separation device may be monolithically formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as three-dimensional printing. In some aspects of the disclosure, the separation device may function independently of gravitational direction, and without the use of filters.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method for producing a rare earth metal from a metallothermic reaction of a reductant metal and a double salt of the rare earth metal. The double salt of rare earth metal can be prepared from an alkali halide and a salt of the rare earth metal at room temperature over a time period of 2 hours of less without the requirement to use hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A model implemented by a processor and trained for patch embedding of anatomical consistency captures the anatomical structure consistency between patients of different genders and weights and between different views of the same patient, which enhances the interpretability for medical image analysis. The model is trained via a self-supervised learning (SSL) framework that captures both global and local patterns embedded within medical images.

Abstract: A suction cup device is operable for precisely-controlled attachment and detachment with an object surface, and can include attachment actuators that activate to form a seal between the suction cup device and the object surface by decreasing a cavity pressure of the suction cup device. Following attachment, the attachment actuators can deactivate to hold the seal in a “passive” mode. For detachment from the object surface, the suction cup device can include detachment actuators that increase the cavity pressure to break the seal and release the object surface from the suction cup device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for delivering and/or linking molecules, such as DNA, between tunable metal nanogaps and measuring electrical and/or optical properties. In one example, disclosed are high density multiplexed chips with a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of nanodevices, the chips capable of coupling to one or more multiwell structures for providing samples to each individual group. In this way, the chips can be used for high-throughput analysis of molecules such as DNA.

Abstract: Chiral polyvinylpyrrolidinone (CSPVP), complexes of CSPVP with a core species, such as a bimetallic nanocluster catalyst, and enantioselective oxidation reactions utilizing such complexes are disclosed. The catalytic complexes have exhibited the ability to achieve reaction products have a very high degree of optical purifies. These reaction products can be used as reagents in the synthesis of complex organic molecules, such as bioactive products, and C—H bond oxidation of complex molecules including various drugs and natural products.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a camshaft operably adjusted by a phaser. Another aspect includes an internal combustion engine having an actuation system for an air valve. A further aspect provides a camshaft-in-camshaft system with a cam phaser located adjacent opposite ends. In another aspect, an internal combustion engine apparatus includes multiple nested camshafts with one of the camshafts having a cam configured to actuate an air intake valve associated with a turbulent jet ignition prechamber, and another of the camshafts having a cam configured to actuate an air valve of a main piston combustion chamber, the nested camshafts being independently rotatable by separate electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: A system with graph-based Natural Language Processing (NLP) for querying, analyzing, and visualizing complex data structures is described. Such a system executes a generalized AI language model; defines and migrates a training dataset into a graph database by exposing data sources to an executing AI language model that self-defines a structure and self-writes an executable script to query the original data sources and self-writes code to load the extracted data into a graph database in the form of new nodes and new relationships with directionality between the nodes. The system further includes means for loading the extracted data into the graph database; condensing the information stored within the graph database into a condensed data structure representing the full architecture of the data in a natural language format; and responding to human language inquiries with responsive text, speech, and visualizations using the data loaded into the graph database.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical sensing includes providing an electrochemical sensor comprising a glassy carbon substrate and gold nanoparticles located on a surface of the glassy carbon substrate; and sensing electrochemically a compound selected from the group consisting of polyfluoroalkyl compounds or perfluoroalkyl compounds using the electrochemical sensor. PFOA quantification was performed by Square Wave Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (SW-AdCSV) in test solutions with a 100-5,000 ppt concentration. The concentration has a linear relationship with the stripping current within this range. Analysis of tap and groundwater samples performed by additions method demonstrated precision and accuracy above 95%. These electrodes show stability throughout 200 cycles, and reproducibility across similarly prepared but different electrodes above 97.5%.

Abstract: A mechanical system includes a curved beam and a motor coupled to the curved beam. The curved beam is configured to buckle at two different locations along the positive and negative portions of its load/displacement curve, corresponding to opposite and equal sense bending directions. The motor is configured to impart a flapping motion to the curved beam.

Abstract: A system for treatment and/or psychology intervention of attention deficit disorders in a user in need thereof. The system uses a head mounted display equipped with an eye tracking device. The system is configured to display a scene that includes a principal object and at least one secondary object, then use the eye tracking device to determine whether the user's gaze is directed to one of the objects. If the user's gaze is directed to one of the secondary objects beyond a threshold criterion, that secondary object is removed from the scene. If the user's gaze is directed to the principal object beyond a threshold criterion, a previously removed secondary object is reintroduced into the scene. The principal object is a desired object of the user's attention, while the secondary object(s) may be potentially or known distracting objects. Corresponding software and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Endophytic bacteria, compositions comprising the same, and methods of use thereof are disclosed which increase the root and shoot growth of grass hosts, suppress growth of soil borne fungal pathogens of host plants, increase resistance of the grass to diseases and reduce competitiveness of distantly related competitor weeds of the crop.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for detecting and classifying faults in a photovoltaic array using graph-based signal processing.

Abstract: An exemplary transparent tandem organic solar cell comprises a transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate; and a series of interconnecting organic active layers disposed on a surface of the first transparent electrode. The series of organic interconnecting active layers comprise at least a front sub-cell that blocks ultraviolet wavelengths from passing through the front sub-cell; and a back sub-cell that blocks infrared wavelengths from passing through the back sub-cell. The solar cell further comprises a distributed Bragg reflector disposed on a surface of the back sub-cell, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector reflects unblocked infrared photons at an interface between the back sub-cell and the distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: A power generator or sensor apparatus is provided. Another aspect employs a hybrid triboelectric and electromagnetic generator. In still another aspect, a power generator is used for water wave energy harvesting. A further aspect provides a power generator including an outer housing with an electrical conductor on an exterior thereof, radial overlapping electrodes located within the housing with a dielectric layer between the electrodes, a plate linearly moveable within the housing, at least one magnet affixed to the plate, and at least one spring biasing the plate within the housing. Moreover, an aspect of the present power generator includes a modularized connection configuration to linearly secure together multiples of the housing.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are products of manufacture and kits, and methods, to enrich for and/or isolate microbes such as viruses and/or phages capable of targeting, e.g., binding to, targeting, and/or killing or otherwise making non-viable or non-pathogenic, specific or desired microbes such as bacteria. In alternative embodiments, provided are products of manufacture comprising: a virus and/or a phage (a bacteriophage). In alternative embodiments, provided are products of manufacture and kits containing a virus and/or a phage (a bacteriophage) enriched for, selected for or isolated by a method as provided herein, or a microbe containing a virus and/or a phage (a bacteriophage) enriched, selected for and/or isolated by a method as provided herein.

Abstract: A method may include delivering stimulation to a nerve of a patient using a first set of stimulation parameters. The method may further include detecting a first heart rate change within a range between a baseline heart rate and a predefined threshold. The method may further include, subsequent to detecting the first heart rate change, detecting a second heart rate change that is outside of the range between the baseline heart rate and the predefined threshold. The method may further include delivering stimulation to the nerve of the patient using a second set of stimulation parameters based on the second heart rate change being outside of the range between the baseline heart rate and the predefined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a plurality of members extending from the apparatus configured to form carvings with different geometries along 2D layered semiconductor material. The apparatus includes conductive pins positioned along the plurality of members that accommodate individual sensing of current-voltage characteristics per carving. The carvings can include small stripes and the apparatus can probe the electrical resistance of the small stripes of 2D layered semiconductors where the geometry defines strong current confinement, thus enabling the rapid extraction of sheet resistance for rapid comparison between material quality.