Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based or lithiated carbon-based material or pure lithium metal or metal oxides and a sandwich-type sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have porous structures. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a scalable method of manufacturing sandwich-type Li—S batteries at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional methods. An additional embodiment is directed to the use of exfolidated CNT sponges for enlarging the percentage of sulfur in the cathode to have large energy density.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding low density parity check (“LDPC”) codes. An LDPC code decoder includes LDPC decoding circuitry comprising a Q message generator and a P sum adder array. The Q message generator combines an R message from a previous iteration with a P message to produce a Q message. The P sum adder array adds the P message to a difference of an R message from a current iteration and the R message from the previous iteration to produce an updated P message.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding low density parity check (“LDPC”) codes. An LDPC code decoder includes LDPC decoding circuitry comprising a Q message generator and a P sum adder array. The Q message generator combines an R message from a previous iteration with a P message to produce a Q message. The P sum adder array adds the P message to a difference of an R message from a current iteration and the R message from the previous iteration to produce an updated P message.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to wires and more particularly to textured powder wires containing nanoscale metallic silver powder. The invention presents an improvement of the process of making compressed cores of textured-powder high-temperature superconductor previously using the micaceous high-temperature superconductor Bi-2212. Embodiments of the claimed methods are useful with the micaceous high-temperature superconductors, notably Bi2Sr2CaCu208+x (Bi-2212) and Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x (Bi-2223) and rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO).

Abstract: Provided herein are in situ methods for fabricating a mixed-matrix membrane or a mixed-matrix hollow fiber membrane for increasing formation of zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoparticles inside the mixed-matrix membrane. Generally, in the method a polyimide polymer coated onto at least one support is hydrolzed with a base and the poly(amic acid)-salt film formed thereby undergoes ion exchange with a metal ion, treatment of the formed poly(amic acid)-metal salt film with an organic linker to produce metal-organic framework nanoparticles in situ, and imidization of the treated poly(amic acid)-metal salt film produces a polyimide/metal-organic framework mixed-matrix membrane or a mixed-matrix hollow fiber membrane module. Also provided is the mixed-matrix membrane and the polymer mixed-matrix hollow fiber membrane module fabricated by the methods and methods for separating a binary gas mixture via the fabricated mixed-matrix membrane.

Abstract: The microfluidic platform device of the claimed invention makes use of a high throughput lab-on-a-chip format to determine the functional profile of antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination against infection for any pathogen. It can be used to evaluate vaccines, evaluate whether vaccinated individuals show indices of protection, determine whether individuals display resistance or susceptibility to infection, discover new vaccine antigens, discover and test therapeutic interventions, or evaluate mechanisms of disease.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to mineral-based nanoparticles comprising silicate nanoparticles that induce human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into a cartilage-lineage through the upregulation of cartilage-specific genes resulting in the transformation of the cell phenotype into that of a chondrocyte, i.e., a cartilage producing cell. The silicate nanoparticles are synthesized through a process where the precipitate of sodium silicate is mixed with one or more elements and compounds and milled into nanoparticles.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A mechanochemical reactor includes an outer shell. A first plate is slidably disposed within the tubular outer shell at a first end of the tubular outer shell and a second plate is slidably disposed within the tubular outer shell at a second end of the tubular outer shell, the second end being opposite the first end. A linearly-reciprocating mill is disposed within the tubular outer shell between the first plate and the second plate. A first electromagnet is operatively coupled to the first plate so as to establish a position and a holding force of the first plate within the tubular outer shell, and a second electromagnet is operatively coupled to the second plate so as to establish a position and a holding force of the second plate within the tubular outer shell.

Abstract: Quench protected structured (QPS) superconducting cables, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of bending the same are disclosed. The methods of bending the QPS superconducting cables can be employed to produce windings. The QPS superconducting cables can rapidly drive a distributed quench to a normal conducting state in a superconducting cable if a region of the cable spontaneously quenches during high current operation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing enzyme encapsulated hydrogel nanoparticles and a breaker composition of a viscosifier-degrading enzyme encapsulated in the hydrogel nanoparticle. Also provided are methods for hydraulic fracturing utilizing hydrogel nanoparticles encapsulating an enzyme as a breaker to prevent the premature degradation of the fracturing fluid, to improve transport and placement of the proppant and to facilitate subsequent cleaning of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Pateamine A derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions that include the derivatives, and methods for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia using the derivatives.

Abstract: A controlled thermal coefficient product manufacturing system and method is disclosed. The disclosed product relates to the manufacture of metallic material product (MMP) having a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range. The disclosed system and method provides for a first material deformation (FMD) of the MMP that comprises at least some of a first material phase (FMP) wherein the FMP comprises martensite randomly oriented and a first thermal expansion coefficient (FTC). In response to the FMD at least some of the FMP is oriented in at least one predetermined orientation. Subsequent to deformation, the MMP comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient (STC) that is within a predetermined range and wherein the thermal expansion of the MMP is in at least one predetermined direction. The MMP may be comprised of a second material phase (SMP) that may or may not transform to the FMP in response to the FMD.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining a metabolic rate for at least one endogenous short-chain fatty acid in a subject, for diagnosing a pulmonary disease in a subject and for diagnosing a neurological disorder in a subject. Generally in the methods stable isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid are pulsed and metabolic rates are calculated in a first baseline blood sample and in a series of second blood samples obtained at intervals. The metabolic rates provide information about fatty acid metabolism and production.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed ?-O-4? interunitery linkages or condensed ?-5? linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided which includes a Stirling Cycle engine that generates a flow of exhaust gases from the external combustion of a fuel supply. The vehicle is equipped with a thermoelectric generator module which is in fluidic communication with the flow of exhaust gases generated by the Stirling Cycle engine. The thermoelectric generator module includes a thermopile array, and generates electrical energy from the thermal energy in the flow of exhaust gases.

Abstract: Pateamine A derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions that include the derivatives. The pateamine A derivatives are ?-amino pateamine A derivatives that lack the C5-methyl group of pateamine A.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for optimized sensor deployment and fault detection in the context of agricultural irrigation and similar applications. For instance, a computing device may execute a genetic algorithm (GA) routine to determine an optimal sensor deployment scheme such that a mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) for the system is maximized, thereby improving communication of sensor measurements. Moreover, in various embodiments, a centralized fault detection scheme may be employed and a soil moisture of a field can be determined by statistically inferring soil moistures at locations of faulty nodes using spatial and temporal correlations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanosized scale inhibitors (NSI) that can extend a well treatment lifetime with high scale inhibitor retention and the ability to provide slow and sustained scale inhibitor release. The NSI can be in the form of particles where the particle size is in the nanometer range, the NSI can be suitable for applications in both formation rock and fractures. During hydraulic fracturing, the NSI can be mixed and pumped with the fracturing fluid into formation rock and fractures as a one-step process to cut the treatment cost, and the NSI can penetrate readily into the secondary fracture networks created in tight shale formations.