Abstract: A system configured to characterize a number of contributors to a DNA mixture within a sample, the system comprising: a sample preparation module configured to generate initial data about the DNA mixture within the sample; a processor comprising a number of contributors determination module comprising a machine-learning algorithm configured to: (i) receive the generated initial data; (ii) analyze the generated initial data to determine the number of contributors to the DNA mixture within the sample; and an output device configured to receive the determined number of contributors from the processor, and further configured output information about the received determined number of contributors.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor based on magnetically coupled LC sensors for the rapid detection of microbial growth and sensitivity to microbials. The engineered LC sensors can be placed in 96 well plates and communicate the reading remotely with a receiver coil for signal analysis. The sensors were validated by testing the growth of Escherichia. coli, Staphylococcus. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence and absence of different antibiotics. Drug-resistant strains were used as controls. Bacterial growth was detected within 30 mins of culture inoculation, allowing rapid determination of antibiotic susceptibility at the phenotypic level. The pattern shown in the LC sensor AST is consistent with results collected with traditional optical density (OD) 600 nm measurement, additional validation was also performed with lysogeny broth (LB) dosed with fetal bovine serum (FBS). With the compatibility with 96-well plates, this rapid AST may be used for low-cost, point-of-care applications.

Abstract: Superconducting metamaterials composed of lumped-element inductors and capacitors are used to implement microwave photonics with novel dispersion relations and dense mode spectra that can be coupled to qubits. Metamaterial lattices may have qubits coupled to different unit cells in the metamaterial such that each qubit will couple strongly to modes with an antinode at the qubit location. Through simultaneous driving of combinations of modes, large amplitudes are produced at only one or a few unit cells, resulting in large ac Stark shifts of qubits located there, and providing a frequency-addressable qubit array without requiring flux-tunability and with reduced control wiring.

Abstract: A polymer film having a non-planar surface defined by a series of surface bumps and a plurality of nanoparticles in the polymer film, wherein the nanoparticles are more concentrated proximately to surface and in the surface bumps to provide anti-wetting and anti-stick properties. The polymer coating is formed by casting a thin layer of a photopolymerizable polymer precursor having a plurality of nanoparticles over a transparent substrate and then irradiating the thin layer from below with a periodic light field so that the photopolymerizable polymer precursor forms a polymer with a non-planar surface and the nanoparticles are concentrated proximately to the non-planar surface as a result of phase separation. The resulting film can be washed with a solvent to remove any uncured polymer and peeled away from the substrate for use as an anti-stick and anti-wetting coating.

Abstract: A two-stage treatment process for destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an aqueous stream. The two-stage treatment process uses a combination of multifunctional crystalline molecular sieves, such as zeolites and zeotypes, to separate PFAS from the aqueous stream, catalytically decompose and defluorinate any PFAS molecules, and generate non-toxic waste products that are safe for disposal. The first stage includes adsorption of the PFAS within one of a pair of vessels containing porous, hydrophobic, hydrothermally stable molecular sieves, dehydration of the captured PFAS on the sieves, and catalytic ozonation of the captured PFAS molecules on the dried sieves. The second stage involves catalytic decomposition and neutralization of the ozonation results with one of a pair of vessels including a zeolite-supported CaO catalyst, catalytic oxidation of any toxic CO generated by the decomposition, and an acid wash for regeneration of the spent catalyst.

Abstract: A polymer composite for use as a solar cell encapsulant is defined by a thin film having a first side and an opposing second side and at least one optical structure formed in the film. The least one optical structure includes one or more waveguide formed by a core of a high-refractive index polymer, such as an acrylate and a cladding of a low refractive index polymer, such as a silicone. In a preferred embodiment, two intersecting waveguide arrays are defined, each having waveguides disposed at equal and opposite angles in relation to a normal of a surface of the film. The polymer composite further includes at least one light conversion material that is capable of upconverting and/or downconverting UV and/or IR portions of light entering the film into visible light.

Abstract: A method of forming complex ceramic structures without altering the ceramic microstructure. A tape cast ceramic substrate is masked and then sprayed with a film having a different thermal expansion coefficient than the tape cast ceramic substrate. The mask is removed to leave the desired pattern of film on the tape ceramic substrate. As the substrate and film cools down from the peak sintering temperature, deformation occurs due to the different thermal expansion coefficients. By varying film thickness and deposition pattern, the composite can be designed to deform only in certain areas, allowing for well-controlled folding of the tape cast ceramic composite to provide for folding into complex shapes.

Abstract: A new class of sensing elements made of a protein pore fused to a programmable antibody-mimetic binder. This modular design expands the utility of nanopore sensors to numerous proteins while preserving their architecture, specificity, and sensitivity. The sensing elements were validated with protein analytes that drastically vary in size, charge, and structural complexity. These analytes produce unique electrical signatures that depend on their identity and quantity and the binder-analyte assembly at the nanopore tip.

Abstract: A two-stage treatment process for destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an aqueous stream. The two-stage treatment process uses a combination of multifunctional crystalline molecular sieves, such as zeolites and zeotypes, to separate PFAS from the aqueous stream, catalytically decompose and defluorinate any PFAS molecules, and generate non-toxic waste products that are safe for disposal. The first stage includes adsorption of the PFAS within one of a pair of vessels containing porous, hydrophobic, hydrothermally stable molecular sieves, dehydration of the captured PFAS on the sieves, and catalytic ozonation of the captured PFAS molecules on the dried sieves. The second stage involves catalytic decomposition and neutralization of the ozonation results with one of a pair of vessels including a zeolite-supported CaO catalyst, catalytic oxidation of any toxic CO generated by the decomposition, and an acid wash for regeneration of the spent catalyst.

Abstract: An approach to achieve highly tunable adhesion using low pressure by inducing sidewall buckling in soft hollow pillars (SHPs). Dry adhesion of these SHPs can be changed by two orders of magnitude (up to 145×) using low activating pressure (˜?10 kPa or ˜20 kPa). Negative pressure triggers sidewall buckling while positive pressure induces sidewall bulging, both of which can significantly change stress distribution at the bottom surface to facilitate crack initiation and reduce adhesion therein. A single SHP can be activated by a micropump to manipulate various lightweight objects with different curvature and surface texture. An array of SHPs can realize selective pick-and-place of an array of objects. Minor modifications to the SHPs in terms of geometry and material (with or without cap, circular or noncircular cross section) can further enhance the adhesion tuning performance of these SHPs.

Abstract: A variety of polymeric composites with tunable mechanical stiffness and electrical conductivity are claimed herein. For example, the composite may have an elastomeric matrix, a plurality of tunable particles, and a plurality of conductive fibers embedded in the matrix. The composites may also be a tunable foam matrix and an elastomeric matrix. In some embodiments, the composites are a low melting point alloy (LMPA) foam infiltrated by an elastomer, whose stiffness can be tuned by more than two orders of magnitude through external heating. In other embodiments, the composite may be a conductive particle-fiber-matrix three-component composite capable of changing its elastic rigidity rapidly and reversibly when powered with electrical current.

Abstract: Artificial lipoproteins bearing non-canonical post-translational modifications that are synthesized by leveraging substrate promiscuity of an acyltransferase. The non-canonical functionality of these lipoprotein results in a distinctive hysteretic assembly that is absent from the canonical lipoproteins and is used to prepare hybrid multiblock materials with precise and programmable patterns of amphiphilicity due to the unique assembly and function of the non-canonical post-translational modifications.

Abstract: A metallo-dielectric waveguide array used as an encapsulation material for silicon solar cells. The array is produced through light-induced self-writing combined with in situ photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Each waveguide comprises a cylindrical core consisting of a high refractive index polymer and silver nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in its medium, all of which are surrounded by a low refractive index common cladding. These waveguide array films are processed directly over a silicon solar cell.

Abstract: A complex of magnesium maltol that can deliver magnesium via oral administration at a low cost. The magnesium maltol is formed by dissolving an amount of maltol in water. A solution of citric acid and magnesium oxide is added to the maltol, allowed to react, and then dried to obtain magnesium maltol. The approach may also be used to produce magnesium ethylmaltol. Cellular uptake studies demonstrate that both magnesium maltol and magnesium ethylmaltol provide a substantial uptake of magnesium and thus the complexes offer a route for magnesium supplementation such as that needed by patients with hypomagnesemia.

Abstract: A non-catalytic microcombustion based FFC for the direct use of hydrocarbons for power generation. The potential for high FFC performance (450 mW·cm?2 power density and 50% fuel utilization) in propane/air microcombustion exhaust was demonstrated. The micro flow reactor was used as a fuel reformer for equivalence ratios from 1-5.5. Soot formation in the micro flow reactor was not observed at equivalence ratios from 1 to 5.5 and maximum wall temperatures ranging from 750 to 900° C. H2 and CO concentrations in the exhaust were found to have a strong temperature dependence that varies with the maximum wall temperature and the local flame temperature.

Abstract: A hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a liquid fuel engine and a solid oxide fuel cell coupled to the exhaust of the engine for generating electricity that is used by the electric motors of the UAS to create lift and control flight. A conventional remote control (r/c) liquid fuel engine may be used generate exhaust gases including hydrogen and carbon monoxide that are used by a SOFC coupled to the exhaust of the r/c engine to generate electricity. The electric motors of the UAS may thus be powered by the electricity generated by the SOFC.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing indoor infection risk and improving indoor air quality (IAQ) while maximizing energy savings. The system integrates occupancy detection and forecasting, outdoor weather conditions and forecasting, indoor infection risks and air quality modeling, any tunable air filtration, the clean air delivery rate, and any portable air cleaners. The system outputs the total amount of outdoor air intake, the air temperature of the supply air into the space, the supply air flow rate into the space, the operation mode of tunable air filtration/purification/disinfection, the operation mode of the in-room air cleaner, and space/room temperature set-points, and thus can serve as the central controller for an HVAC system.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for evaluating a medical implant for electric potential oscillations that lead to corrosion. The testing apparatus uses a uniaxial load device having a mounting base for accepting a medical implant and orienting the implant along a predetermined axis, a support plate positioned under the uniaxial load device and moveable to apply a force to the implant, a load cell positioned above the mounting plate to measure the force applied to the implant, and a set of differential variable reluctance transducers positioned to measure motion of the implant. A chamber encloses the uniaxial load device so that the implant can be submerged in a fluid replicating human synovial fluid. A faraday cage surrounds the chamber for isolation from environmental electromagnetic radiation. An array of near field antenna are positioned circumferentially around the chamber and driven by a multi-frequency generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for lowering blood glucose. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions comprising a complex comprising IF and B12 conjugated to a peptide comprising a GLP-1 agonist. Advantageously, the composition may be delivered subcutaneously.

Abstract: A process for converting avocado peels into hard carbon-based anodes for sodium ion batteries and a hard carbon material formed according to that process. The avocado peels are simply washed and dried, and then carbonized using a high temperature conversion step. Electrochemical measurements confirmed the applicability of avocado-derived hard carbon as electrode active materials, with high reversible capacities of 320 mAh/g over 50 cycles at 50 mA/g, good rate performance of 86 mAh/g at 3500 mA/g, and Coulombic efficiencies above 99.9% after 500 cycles.