Abstract: A unit configured as constituent part of a fuel cell for use in novel electrochemical hydrogen compressor material technology system includes a combination of a hydrocarbon auto-thermal reformer, a water-gas shift reactor, and at least two countercurrent flow heat recuperators at least one of which is downstream from both the reformer and reactor. Optionally, two of the at least two recuperators are separated by the reactor to generate H2 in addition to that already contained in reformate formed at the reformer. The unit may include a proton conducting membrane that includes an inorganic polymer with pores filled with an organic polymer, each of which is configured to operate individually within a wide range of temperatures with no added solvent.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal pharmacology. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a pyrazino-pyrimidine-dione (or related) structure which function as modulators (activators, inhibitors) of protease activated receptor type 2 (PAR2), and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of conditions involving PAR2 activity (e.g., asthma, chronic pain, cancer and/or vascular disorders).

Abstract: A light projection system including a light source and a light controller to generate modulatable beams of light and an angular light modulator (ALM) positioned to selectively direct the light from each beam. The light controller can be a spatial light modulator or a processor programmed to control light output. The angular light modulator may be a digital micromirror device (DMD). The ALM may be configured to direct the images into diffraction orders or using scanning the images. A LIDAR system to detect a position of an object including a first source of a two-dimensional array of beams of light and ALM to project light into a selected one of a plurality of directions. An illumination system, comprising a first angular-spatial light modulator (ASLM) and a second ASLM system configured such a first beam and a second beam of light intersect.

Abstract: A gaze tracking platform for human-machine interface device, such as a wearable Augmented Reality Near-to-Eye Display. The gaze tracking method, digital illumination assisted analog feedback tracking employs neither auxiliary camera nor digital image processing of human eye image that confronts challenges in gaze tracking speed, power, cost and space. Instead, an analog-digital hybrid method to track the gaze inspired by the groove tracking method that is widely adopted for optical data storage systems. In the method, a digital micromirror device generates angular modulated and infrared illuminating beam. The cornea reflects the infrared light and a segmented photodiode detects the reflection while providing a feedback servo signal to the digital micromirror device controller. The feedback signal is integrated over a time provides the variation gaze. Moreover, infrared and angularly modulated illumination is time-multiplexed with information displayed in visible wavelength.

Abstract: Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.

Abstract: Collapsible branched anastomosis devices allow for the formation of percutaneous vascular anastomoses using a Seldinger wire technique. This minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for a large surgical incision and also avoids the use of time consuming hand-suturing. The devices collapse to a fraction of their expanded volume and are configured to fit within a delivery sheath for over the wire delivery through a small incision in a blood vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for screening therapeutic compositions for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or for the prevention of progression of AMD, wherein retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE) are cultured and the level of hypoxia-induced exosome release from the RPE cells is subsequently measured. In the present invention, the level of hypoxia-induced exosome release can be correlated with AMD onset and severity.

Abstract: Method and system for on-chip processing to obtain an EDOF image combines interferometry and imaging so the two operations do not interfere with one another but, rather, work together to create an in-focus, true color image of a three-dimensional object. This image has no significant artifacts and requires only limited processing. In addition, a coarse depth map is created in the process which may also be helpful in subsequent usage of the acquired image. A CMOS pixel-array sensor includes circuitry to implement processing at the pixel level.

Abstract: A method for determining a perturbation energy of a quantum state of a many-body system includes constructing a wave function that approximates the quantum state by adjusting parameters of the wave function to minimize an expectation value of a zeroth-order Hamiltonian. The zeroth-order Hamiltonian explicitly depends on a finite mass of each of a plurality of interacting quantum particles that form the many-body system, the quantum state has a non-zero total angular momentum, the wave function is a linear combination of explicitly correlated Gaussian basis functions, and each of the explicitly correlated Gaussian basis functions includes a preexponential angular factor. The perturbation energy is calculated from the wave function and a perturbation Hamiltonian that explicitly depends on the finite mass of each of the plurality of interacting quantum particles. The perturbation energy may be added to the minimized expectation value to obtain a total energy of the quantum state.

Abstract: A light projection system for projecting full-resolution, high quality images into different directions. The system includes a light source configured to provide a homogenous output beam of light and an illumination shaping optic elements configured with at least one of a predetermined cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number. The system also includes a spatially-dependent, angular light modulator (ALM) with a plurality of pixels, each having an ON state, an OFF state, one input pupil, and N diffraction order pupils. The ALM is positioned such that the output beam is incident on the plurality of pixels. The at least one of the predetermined cone angle, numerical aperture, and F-number of the illumination shaping optic elements prevents contaminating light from entering an incorrect pupil. The system additionally includes a processor coupled to the ALM to provide discrete diffraction-based beam steering, whereby the ALM will project into one diffraction order at one time.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for improving single-frequency operation of diode lasers are described. One such method includes ramping up an operational current of a diode laser for a first predetermined number of steps, and measuring an associated current value indicative of optical power within the laser diode for each of the first predetermined number of steps. Next, operational current of the diode laser is ramped down for a second predetermined number of steps, and an associated current value indicative of optical power within the laser diode is measured for each of the second predetermined number of steps. Using the measured data current values at which a mode hop or a multimode operation is likely to occur are identified, and a contiguous range of operating currents that is devoid of identified likely mode hops or multimode regions of operation is determined as the operating current range of the diode laser.

Abstract: A method for imaging of an object includes, for each of a plurality of surface-regions of the object, determining a corresponding image-sensor pixel group of a camera illuminated by light propagating from the surface-region via a lens of the camera. The method also includes, after the step of determining and for each surface-region: (i) changing a distance between the object and the lens such that the surface region intersects an in-focus object-plane of the camera and the lens forms an in-focus surface-region image on the corresponding image-sensor pixel group; (ii) capturing, with the corresponding image-sensor pixel group, the in-focus surface-region image of the surface-region; and (iii) combining the in-focus surface-region images, obtained by performing said capturing for each surface-region, to yield an all-in-focus image of the object.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating respiratory and pulmonary vascular disease. In particular, provided herein are spray dried simvastatin for delivery to the lung.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enable three-dimensional (3D) imaging of objects. One example system includes a light source that produces multiple light beams having specific spectral content and polarization states. The system also includes phase masks that modify the intensity or phase of the light, and projection optics that allow simultaneously projection of at least three fringe patterns onto an object having particular phase, polarization and spectral characteristics. The detection system includes a camera that simultaneously receives light associated with the at the fringe patterns upon reflection from the object, and a processing unit coupled to the camera unit that determines one or both of a phase or a depth information associated with the object. The system and associated methods can efficiency produce 2D images of the object and allow determination of characteristics such as surface profile. The disclosed systems and methods can be effectively implemented with moving objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital reflex quantization and signature analysis. Movement of a stimulating device invoking a reflex response in an organism is captured as stimuli data. Electromyographic (EMG) of the reflex response is captured as EMG data. Movement resulting from the reflex response of a limb/appendage of the organism is captured as motion data. One or more of the stimuli data, the EMG data, and the motion data are analyzed to determine one or both of a motion signature and an EMG signature defining quantitative evaluation of the reflex response.

Abstract: The disclosure provides mutant Brassica plants that have increased locules and seed production relative to native wild-type plants. Such plants include a point mutation in the clavata 1 gene (CLV1), such as a G->A substitution at position 1745 of the Brassica rapa coding sequence, which leads to an S582N substitution in the protein sequence. Equivalent substitutions can be made in any Brassicaceae coding/protein sequence. Also provided are methods of using such plants in breeding programs, as well as parts of such plants (such as seeds), and methods of making commodity products from such plants (e.g., oil). Also provided are mutant CLV1 sequences. Brassica plants harboring the disclosed CLV1 mutation can include other desirable traits, such as herbicide tolerance.

Abstract: Compact occlusion-capable optical see-through head mounted displays (OCOST-HMDs) are described having a double-wrapped path and capable of rendering per-pixel mutual occlusion, and correct see-through viewing perspective or a pupil-matched viewing between the virtual and real views. An example device includes a polarizer, a polarizing beam splitter, an objective lens, a spatial light modulator (SLM), an eyepiece lens, a quarter wave plate, and a reflective optical element configured to reflect the light that is incident thereupon in a first direction, and to transit the light received from a microdisplay that is incident thereupon from a second direction. The components form a first double-pass configurations that allow the light that passes through the objective to reflect from the SLM and propagate again through the objective, and a second double-pass configuration that allows the light that passes through the eyepiece to reflect from the reflective optical element and propagate again through the eyepiece.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for detecting a target in a sample. The imaging system includes a lens-free holographic microscope having a light source in a first plane spaced above an image sensor. The image sensor extends in a second plane. The system also includes a microfluidic chip positioned between the light source and the image sensor. The microfluidic chip extends in a third plane, which is parallel to the second plane. There is at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip configured to receive a sample solution with a target. The system also has a plurality of functionalized beads positioned within the at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip. Any two of the plurality of functionalized beads have an affinity for binding together when exposed to the target in the sample solution.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension. In particular, provided herein are dry powder formulations of fasudil for delivery to the lung.

Abstract: A multichip system includes a plurality of processor chips each having one or more cores and a plurality of antenna module for establishing interchip wireless communication. Each antenna module is disposed on a chip. At least one antenna module includes an antenna element array and a Butler matrix. The antenna element array includes n circular patch antenna elements for 360° end-fire scanning, where n is equal to 4 or a multiple thereof. The Butler matrix has n/4 submatrices. Each submatrix include two input 90° hybrids each having two outputs and two inputs for selectively receiving signals from a transceiver. The Butler matrix also includes two output 90° hybrids each having two outputs and two inputs. The two inputs of each output 90° hybrid are coupled to an output of different ones of the input 90° hybrids. Each output of the output 90° hybrids are coupled to a different antenna element.