Abstract: A functionally graded shape memory polymer (SMP) that has a range of transition temperatures that are spatially distributed in a gradient fashion within one single article. The SMP is formed by post-curing a pre-cured glassy SMP in a linear temperature gradient that imposes different vitrification temperature limits at different positions along the gradient. Utilizing indentation-based surface shape memory coupled with optical measurements of photoelastic response, the capability of this material to respond over a wide range of thermal triggers is correlated with the graded glass transition behavior. This new class of SMP offers great potential for such applications as passive temperature sensing and precise control of shape evolution during a thermally triggered shape recovery.

Abstract: A new technique for sensing optical cavity mode mismatch using a mode converter formed from a cylindrical lens mode converting telescope, radio frequency quadrant photodiodes (RFQPDs), and a heterodyne detection scheme. The telescope allows the conversion of the Laguerre-Gauss basis to the Hermite-Gauss (HG) basis, which can be measured with quadrant photodiodes. Conversion to the HG basis is performed optically, measurement of mode mismatched signals is performed with the RFQPDs, and a feedback error signal is obtained with heterodyne detection.

Abstract: An enzyme responsive shape memory polymer formed from a glassy, cross-linked shape memory polymer that incorporates ester bonds that are responsive to the present of an enzyme. PCL-based polyurethanes (featuring simple alternation of PCL diol and lysine-based diisocyanate) are degradable by Amano lipase PS. A non-degradable thermoplastic elastomer may be dual electrospun with a polycaprolactone based TPU with the fixing phase compressed so that the composite is ready for enzymatically triggered contraction. Alternatively, the elastomer may be a PCL copolymer-based polyurethane amorphous elastomer that is both degradable and elastomeric and put into compression so that upon enzymatic degradation of the elastomeric phase the scaffold expands.

Abstract: Synthetic disaccharide hydrocarbons (DSHs) that reactive bacterials swarming motility and inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. A library of DSHs were tested in several experiment for the impact on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations and compared against existing compounds to determine efficacy and utility. Certain DSHs were also to determine the ability to clear bacteria in a mouse pneumonia model.

Abstract: A communication system that minimizes the transmission of pilot symbols while ensuring real-time channel tracking and symbol detection. The system employs a multiple-input multiple-output (MTMO) transmitter-receiver pair where there are many more receive antennas than transmit antennas. Communication occurs over a wide band RF channel via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that employs a large number of sub-carriers.

Abstract: An effective dried attractive toxic bait station that acts as a lure and kill device for Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes. The bait station is a simulated refuge at least part of which is coated with a dried mixture of poison and sugar forming a dried toxic sugar-containing bait. The simulated refuge attracts Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes to bait station and encourages them to land on the coated portion. Once a mosquito has landed, it detects the sugar in the dried mixture of sugar and poison and ingests some of it. Once ingested, the dried mixture of poison and sugar will eventually kill the mosquito.

Abstract: The invention is an authentication framework that enables a user to log in to a website using an Internet-connected device, such as smartphone, smart watch, smart glasses, or tablet, while browsing on a computer. The framework makes it easier for people with certain disabilities to log in to a website, such as by removing the mandatory step of entering usernames and passwords while giving users multiple options through which they are establish their identity using Internet-connected devices. For example, gyroscope, camera, microphone, or the accelerometer can be used to provide credentials. This approach of the framework greatly reduces the number of barriers that a user with disability encounters when trying to use password-based authentication on the Internet.

Abstract: A method for the avoidance of side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists through vitamin B12 conjugation prior to administration. Vitamin B12 may be bound to a GLP-1R agonist, such as exendin-4 (Ex4), to provide enhanced proteolytic stability while retaining GLP-1R agonism. The conjugate (B12-Ex4) also improves glucose tolerance without producing anorexia and malaise. A GLP-1R agonist that is resistant to DPP-IV degradation and does not penetrate readily into the CNS, but retains the enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile on pancreatic ?-cells provide a pharmacological tool for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without eliciting unwanted hypophagia and nausea.

Abstract: A three component system for repairing critically sized bone defects having a first shape memory polymer (SMP) component formed as a scaffold that fills the defects, a second SMP component formed as a restricting sleeve that stabilizes and supports osseointegration and osteoconduction, and a third SMP component formed as a two-dimensional cell culture substrate for engineering periosteal grafts.

Abstract: A Tris-Acetate-Phosphate-Pluronic (TAPP) medium that undergoes thermoreversible sol-gel transitions to efficiently culture and harvest microalgae without affecting productivity. After seeding microalgae in a TAPP medium in solution phase at 15 degrees C., the temperature is increased by 7 degrees C. to induce gelation. Within the gel, microalgae grow in large clusters rather than as isolated cells. Such clusters are easily harvested gravimetrically by decreasing the temperature to bring the medium to a solution phase. The settling velocity of the microalgal clusters is approximately ten times larger than that of individual cells cultured in typical solution media. Hence, microalgae can be cultured without constant mixing and about 90 percent of the biomass can be harvested in an energy efficient fashion.

Abstract: A class of cyanosteroid compounds that efficiently inhibit ghrelin acylation by ghrelin O-acyltransferase. The compounds have a steroid scaffold with ?,?-unsaturated ketone in the A ring position such an ?-cyanoenone. Exemplary compounds include (5S,8S,9S,10S,13S,14S)-10,13-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-2-carbonitrile.

Abstract: Surface modifications and improvements to piezoelectric-based sensors, such as QCMs and other piezoelectric devices, that significantly increase the sensitivity and the specificity (selectivity). These modifications can comprise mechanical and chemical changes to the surfaces of the sensors, either individually or together. For example, nanosize structures may be provided on the surface to improve sensitivity. Additionally, chemical coatings may be tethered to the surfaces, walls, or crystal to provide targeted sensitivity. Additionally, porous, layered and multiple sensor arrays may be formed to enhance sensitivity and selectivity.

Abstract: An anti-fouling surface having micron scale pillars embedded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles is designed. The pillars may be repeatedly induced to move according to a predetermined frequency, such as one that mimic that of the beating movement of natural cilia, through the application of a magnetic field. When square-shaped pillars with a height of 10 ?m, width of 2 ?m, and inter-pattern distance of 5 ?m actuated for three minutes, more than 99.9 percent of biofilm cells were detached and via gentle rinsing from the surface having the pillars. The anti-fouling surface enables effective prevention of biofilm formation and removal of established biofilms, and can be applied to a broad spectrum of polymers.

Abstract: A Smart Products Lifecycle Management (sPLM) system that is built upon the smart component data model and the NPD3 process model, is enabling engineers, data scientists, and other stakeholders to collaborate on a common platform to develop smart products. The sPLM system is validated by applying it to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) development and operations, referred to as UsPLM. The UsPLM has shared lifecycle management functions that are provided as web services and can be applied to all digital models of UAS devices, software, autonomy functions, and missions. The individual models can be versioned, tracked, and be composed with other compatible models, if needed. The rule and scoring engines embedded in the UsPLM allow building and executing configuration rules, regulation rules, and various machine-learning models. This facilitates modular UAS architecture design so that the UAS has the flexibility to be reconfigured for various mission applications.

Abstract: A monomeric peptide that functions as an agonist for the glucagon receptor (GluR), the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1-R) and neuropeptide Y2 receptor (NPY2-R). The peptide thus targets three of the receptors involved glucoregulation and appetite regulation to more efficiently and completely facilitate weight loss in, among others, type II diabetic patients while also being capable of stimulating a reduction in appetite to complement the weight loss results.

Abstract: A waterborne shape memory polymer coating that gives textiles and fibers good shape memory performance. An amphiphilic, crosslinkable grafted polysaccharide polymer was synthesized and provided in a water dispersion that can be applied to a flexible fibrous material and then crosslinked to yield good shape memory properties. The polymer coating showed good binding to human hair, which could be styled into a permanent shape (e.g., straight) during the crosslinked step. Next, this permanent shape can be styled to a temporary shape (e.g. curly) by heating and styling, and cooling. Finally, the permanent style can be regained by activation with water, heat, or both.

Abstract: A needle having shaft that forms a tip and a portion proximate to the tip that is formed from a shape memory polymer. The shaft of the needle may be programmed to curl from a straight configuration to a curved configuration upon triggering by heat, thereby moving the sharp tip and providing a non-stick needle for safe and easy disposal.

Abstract: A conductive nanoporous membrane system has a first ion exchange membrane formed from a nanoporous substrate that is coated with a metal or carbon or conductive polymers to form a conductive membrane, a second ion exchange membrane that is also formed from a nanoporous substrate coated with a metal to form a conductive membrane is positioned in spaced relation to the first conductive membrane and coupled to a voltage source; the negatively potential membrane acts as a cation exchange membrane in the presence of an electrolyte, and the positively connected electrode behave as anodic exchange membrane in the presence of an electrolyte due to the formation of electrical double layers at the interface between metal and liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for characterizing at least a portion of the biodiversity of a sample. The method includes the steps of: (i) obtaining a sample having nucleic acid from a plurality of different organisms; (ii) extracting at least a portion of the nucleic acid from the sample; (iii) optionally performing a whole-genome amplification of the extracted nucleic acid; (iv) optionally performing a second, targeted amplification; (v) sequencing the amplified nucleic acid to obtain sequence data comprising a nucleic acid sequence for at least some of the plurality of different organisms; (vi) querying, using the obtained sequence data, a sequence database, where querying the sequence database identifies one or more of the plurality of different organisms; and (vii) determining, using the identified one or more of the plurality of different organisms, a characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: The invention is an authentication framework that enables a user to log in to a website using an Internet-connected device, such as smartphone, smart watch, smart glasses, or tablet, while browsing on a computer. The framework makes it easier for people with certain disabilities to log in to a website, such as by removing the mandatory step of entering usernames and passwords while giving users multiple options through which they are establish their identity using Internet-connected devices. For example, gyroscope, camera, microphone, or the accelerometer can be used to provide credentials. This approach of the framework greatly reduces the number of barriers that a user with disability encounters when trying to use password-based authentication on the Internet.