Abstract: Systems and methods for edge assisted real-time object detection for mobile augmented reality are provided. The system employs a low latency offloading process, decouples the rendering pipeline from the offloading pipeline, and uses a fast object tracking method to maintain detection accuracy. The system can operate on a mobile device, such as an AR device, and dynamically offloads computationally-intensive object detection functions to an edge cloud device using an adaptive offloading process. The system also includes dynamic RoI encoding and motion vector-based object tracking processes that operate in a tracking and rendering pipeline executing on the AR device.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for controlling energy storage devices are provided, the method including receiving a trained machine learning model from a centralized machine learning system, recording temporal data for a respective energy storage device, periodically transmitting the temporal data to the machine learning system, performing a mode prediction for controlling the energy storage device using the trained machine learning model and the temporal data, and sending a control signal to the energy storage device to operate in the predicted mode. The machine learning system aggregates the temporal data transmitted by each agent and uses the aggregated temporal data to update the machine learning model. By using aggregated temporal data, less data is needed from an individual energy storage device so that when a new energy storage device joins the machine learning system, the new energy storage device can benefit from increased performance with less computation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods for detecting the presence of and amount of drugs in a sample, particularly a particle sample obtained from a subject. In particular disclosed embodiments, the particle samples are skin particle samples, saliva particle samples, and/or mucous samples isolated from a subject and analyzed using thermal desorption methods combined with a selected detection method.

Abstract: A static random-access memory (SRAM) system includes SRAM cells configured to perform exclusive NOR operations between a stored binary weight value and a provided binary input value. In some embodiments, SRAM cells are configured to perform exclusive NOR operations between a stored binary weight value and a provided ternary input value. The SRAM cells are suitable for the efficient implementation of emerging deep neural network technologies such as binary neural networks and XNOR neural networks.

Abstract: Large intelligent surfaces (LISs) with sparse channel sensors are provided. Embodiments described herein provide efficient solutions for these problems by leveraging tools from compressive sensing and deep learning. Consequently, an LIS architecture based on sparse channel sensors is provided where all LIS elements are passive reconfigurable elements except for a few elements that are active (e.g., connected to baseband). Two solutions are developed that design LIS reflection matrices with negligible training overhead. First, compressive sensing tools are leveraged to construct channels at all the LIS elements from the channels seen only at the active elements. These full channels can then be used to design the LIS reflection matrices with no training overhead.

Abstract: A new type of charge transport layer based on organometal halide perovskite for highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is demonstrated. By solution processing of halide perovskite precursors, smooth essentially pure perovskite thin films may be prepared with high transparency and conductivity. Solution processed multilayer OLED with this perovskite-based hole transport layer outperforms a device with a PEDOT:PSS layer.

Abstract: A solid conductor including: a compound represented by Formula 1, a compound represented by Formula 2, or a combination thereof Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8?zXz??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z?2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv) M is Hf, X is F, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8·zLiX??Formula 2 wherein, in Formula 2, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv)

Abstract: Environmentally friendly, sustainable, and high-performance ultralight composite foams are disclosed. The composite foams are prepared from cellulose nanomaterial, polymeric material, and a crosslinking agent. The fabrication process is simple and uses only water. The composite foams exhibit an elastic strain exceeding the values reported for known nanocellulose-based foams with no reinforcement. The foams exhibit a thermal conductivity superior to that of traditional insulating materials and retain structural integrity after burning.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a brazing method for joining substrates, in particular where one of the substrates is difficult to wet with molten braze material. The method includes formation of a porous metal layer on a first substrate to assist wetting of the first substrate with a molten braze metal, which in turn permits joining of the first substrate with a second substrate via a braze metal later in an assembled brazed joint. Ceramic substrates can be particularly difficult to wet with molten braze metals, and the disclosed method can be used to join a ceramic substrate to another substrate. The brazed joint can be incorporated into a solid-oxide fuel cell, for example as a stack component thereof, in particular when the first substrate is a ceramic substrate and the joined substrate is a metallic substrate.

Abstract: A graphene-based sandwich immunoassay for detecting whether a target biological substance is present in a sample, generally comprising contacting said sample with a plurality of particles coated with graphene nanosheets, each particle having at least one targeting receptor, such that the target biological substance, if present, associates with the targeting receptor, and detecting the presence of the target biological substance in the sample by subsequently contacting the sample with a detection antibody, wherein the detection antibody is capable of targeting and binding with the target biological substance if bound to the targeting receptor to yield a detectable complex. The targeting receptor can be an antibody or fragment thereof. The target biological substance can be an exosome.

Abstract: Provided for are methods of producing triacylglycerol-accumulated microalgae, methods for making bioplastics from triacylglycerol-accumulated microalgae, methods for making alga-mixed plastics, and products including these bioplastics. Methods of triacylglycerol accumulation using centrifugation are also provided. Products such as plastic beads and other consumer products can be made from the bioplastics described herein.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for gas transport is disclosed. The UAV includes a fuselage enclosing a volume, and a gas reservoir enclosed within the fuselage, filling at least a majority of the volume. The gas reservoir is configured to receive and store a gas at a pressure no greater than 100 bar. The UAV also includes a propulsion system having at least one engine, each of the at least one engine coupled to a prop that is driven by the at least one engine using energy derived from the gas stored in the gas reservoir. The UAV also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the propulsion system and configured to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle to autonomously transport the gas. The UAV may have a footprint while on the ground, and the footprint of the UAV may be no larger than three standard parking spaces.

Abstract: An assistive feedback device is described herein and includes an array of vibrotactile actuators and thermal units affixed on a flexible casing that can be worn around the forearm. The vibrotactile actuators are used for obstacle detection by using a customizable encoding format. The directional cues for navigation are provided using the thermal units in a customizable format.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable comprising at least one coil form comprising a helical channel formed on an exterior surface of the coil form and the helical channel extending at least partially along an axial length of the coil form and a plurality of high temperature superconductor (HTS) tape layers positioned within the helical channel of the coil form. A method for operating a winding machine to produce a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable comprising a plurality of coil forms comprising a helical channel formed on an exterior surface of the coil form.

Abstract: Preparing hybrid-treated plastic particles from waste plastic includes combining waste plastic particles with bio-oil to yield a mixture, irradiating the mixture with microwave radiation to yield oil-treated plastic particles, and contacting the oil-treated plastic particles with carbon-containing nanoparticles to yield hybrid-treated plastic particles. The hybrid-treated plastic particles have a bio-oil modified surface and a coating comprising carbon-containing nanoparticles on the bio-oil modified surface of the plastic particle. In some examples, a diameter of the plastic particle is in a range between 250 m and 750 m, and a thickness of the coating is in a range of 1 nm to 20 nm. A modified binder includes an asphalt binder or a concrete binder and a multiplicity of the treated plastic particles. The modified binder typically includes 5 wt % to 25 wt % of the hybrid-treated plastic particles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an infrastructure modeling system that simulates vulnerability of critical interdependent infrastructures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A composition and method for killing feral hogs: a bait that is attractive to hogs is mixed with a lethal amount of sodium nitrite, along with sufficient base to inhibit decomposition of the sodium nitrite. At sufficiently high pH, encapsulation of the sodium nitrite is not required to inhibit decomposition. In the absence of substantial decomposition, the sodium nitrite itself is not aversive to the pigs, and may even enhance acceptance of the baits by the pigs. Optionally, an anti-emetic compound is added to the mixture to reduce the likelihood the bait will be vomited. Optionally, an additional toxicant such as luteolin is added to the mixture.

Abstract: A loading device, a monitoring system, and a method thereof can measure stiffness of a structural member (SM) and monitor progress or property thereof over time. The loading device includes two types of displacement sensors, one type being an antenna. As the SM, which is in a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the antenna without contact, undergoes displacement under known loads, characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM change over time due to the displacement of the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM can be used to determine the displacement of the SM. Based on the changes in the displacement over time, diagnosis of the SM being monitored over an evaluation period can be made. The loading device includes at least one movable frame to apply a preload to the SM.

Abstract: A supercapacitor apparatus within a sealed housing to provide a high-voltage EDLC energy storage unit includes cells stacked on one another, with each cell having a set of supercapacitors that are interconnected within the apparatus in a parallel-series configuration to provide an internally balanced energy storage unit that is capable of stand-off voltages of 10 volts or higher. The energy storage unit does not require balancing resistors or more complicated external balancing circuitry. The electrodes of the supercapacitors are comprised of carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata plant named ‘NCHP1’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact, rounded habit with thick stems. Extremely abundant, white sterile flowers in large, broadly pyramidal panicles that open white and fade to green. The new variety is a Hydrangea, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.