Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) having conductive filler aligned to have directional ionic conductivity. The SPE with aligned conductive filler are used in a structural supercapacitor comprising one or more plies. Each of the plies has a first and second conducting member, each with a plurality of sections with conductive filler oriented normal to the inner surface of the first conducting member. The plies also having a pair of epoxy-SPE layers with aligned conductive filler. The resin layers are between the inner surfaces of the first and second conducting members.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an unmanned flying robotic object that contains a wheeled mechanism that encircles its spherical exoskeleton. This feature allows the flying spherical vehicle to readily transform into a ground maneuverable vehicle. A robotic motor with differential speed capability is used to operate each wheel to provide effective ground maneuverability. There are examples provided herein of wheel configurations suitable for use with an embodiment. One is the straight- (or parallel) wheel design, and another is tilted-wheel design as are illustrated and discussed hereinafter. One embodiment of an unmanned flying robotic object taught herein is foldable.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that inhibit cancer cell growth are provided. The compounds are heteroarotinoids and derivatives thereof with oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur in chroman systems, tetrahydroquinoline systems, and tetrahydrothiochroman systems.

Abstract: There is provided herein an apparatus and method for teaching a baseball participant how best to swing a bat in order to urge a struck ball to fly in a particular direction. More particularly, various embodiments provide immediate feedback to the batter make proper corrections for a properly hit baseball by forcing the batter to swing the bat at a predetermined angle appropriate for a desired ball trajectory.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an unmanned flying robotic object that contains a wheeled mechanism that encircles its spherical exoskeleton. This feature allows the flying spherical vehicle to readily transform into a ground maneuverable vehicle. A robotic motor with differential speed capability is used to operate each wheel to provide effective ground maneuverability. There are examples provided herein of wheel configurations suitable for use with an embodiment. One is the straight-(or parallel) wheel design, and another is tilted-wheel design as are illustrated and discussed hereinafter. One embodiment of an unmanned flying robotic object taught herein is foldable.

Abstract: Highly antigenic yet safe vaccines against diseases caused by Paramyxoviridae viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided. The vaccines comprise attenuated Paramyxoviridae viruses with high antigenicity but which display impaired cell-to-cell transmission as a result of genetic manipulation of the gene encoding the matrix (M) protein. In the viruses, the M protein is absent or mutated to a less active form. Screening or assay systems and methods for evaluating the infectivity of mutant M proteins anf for identifying suitable M candidates for live-attenuated vaccine virus and VLP production, are also provided.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a base polymer and a nanoparticle that increases the strength of the base polymer.

Abstract: Recombinant, live, attenuated viruses of the Pneumoviridae family are disclosed that include a baculovirus GP64 envelope glycoprotein or variant or fragment thereof and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein variant or fragment thereof. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the virus as well as pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines containing the virus. In addition, methods of producing and using each of the above compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: “Black” photoactive materials that comprise synthetic eumelanin polymers are provided, as are methods of making and using the polymers. The synthetic eumelanin polymers are made from the plant oil vanillin, and exhibit defined structural and chemical characteristics (e.g. homogeneity, solubility, etc.) that make them suitable for use in devices that require photoactive materials, such as solar cells.

Abstract: There is provided herein a visible light-based speed estimation method ViLDAR. By using the received light intensity of a vehicle's LED headlight, the vehicle speed can be accurately estimated for a wide range of incidence angle. Linear LS method is used in one embodiment of a speed estimation algorithm. The impact of system parameters on speed estimation error and the performance of algorithm for different speed and estimation duration are provided. Some embodiments operate best at a certain distances where the received light intensity (power) reading can provide estimation results with high accuracy, which distances are termed a reliable region of operation. In addition to speed estimation, potential applications of ViLDAR idea are ranging detection and collision avoidance for autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: According one embodiment, a post-harvest processing technology has been developed that enhances the red color of dark cutting beef to a near-normal or normal red color through the use, in one embodiment, of a Rosemary solution in a concentration of between 0.1% and 0.2% Rosemary which is applied to the beef, after which it is stored in a nitrite-embedded film packaging for a predetermined period of time. Various embodiments indicate that that nitrite-embedded packaging and, more particularly, nitrite-embedded packaging in combination with the use of pre-storage antioxidant wash, has the potential to improve surface color of dark-cutting beef.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing polyfluorinated amino acid derivatives are disclosed, along with polyfluorinated amino acid derivatives produced from said methods, as well as compositions containing same. The synthesis methods utilize an oxazolone and a perfluoroarene to produce the polyfluorinated amino acid derivatives.

Abstract: Controlling the gas inlet flow rate and energy input to a fermentation reactor to maximize conversion of syngas by maximizing uptake of hydrogen into a medium relative to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide based on determined volumetric mass transfer coefficients for hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided an onboard integrated computational system for an unmanned aircraft system (“Stabilis” autopilot). This is an integrated suite of hardware, software, and data-to-decisions services that are designed to meet the needs of business and research developers of UAS. Stabilis is designed to accelerate the development of any UAS platform and avionics system; it does so with hardware modularity and software adaptation. The Stabilis offers multiple technological advantages technological advantages including: Plug-and-adapt functionality; Data-to-decisions capability; and, On board parallelization capability.

Abstract: There is provided herein, according to an embodiment, a plasma thread application of dielectric barrier discharge, which incorporates the effectiveness of plasma in sterilization and the flexibility of thread like structure and has the malleability to be formed into any apparel design. The design of one embodiment uses a dielectric coated/insulated wire in the range of 30 to 40 awg based on the application in question. It can be used as sutures or can be woven into a material for countless bandage-like applications. The ready availability of medically approved dielectric materials is conducive to the manufacture of the same.

Abstract: This disclosure addresses a problem in relation to the environmental destruction that excessive apparel production can produce. In various embodiments, existing textile products are deconstructed into pieces of fabric and then reassembled into apparel in a manner that creates minimal or zero waste. In some embodiments, the fabric pieces will be positioned inside of one or more pattern pieces so as to completely cover each one without overlapping its border. The positioned pieces will be treated with an adhesive and then have a paper layer adhered to it to hold the positioned fabric pieces in place while they are stitched together. Then, the resulting sandwich will be soaked to remove the paper and dissolve the adhesive. The resulting unified fabric component will then be available to be stitched together with other similarly formed fabric components to form a garment.

Abstract: Antigenic molecules and compositions described herein protect against infection by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars. Methods of immunization comprise the use of the antigenic molecules.

Abstract: The present invention includes the efficient dispersion and high loading of fillers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. In a first general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers are first synthesized and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. The nanofillers may be silver nanoparticle/nanowire fillers. Ethylene glycol may serve as a solvent, reducing agent as well as precursor monomer for polymerization. In a second general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers may be separately synthesized (or obtained commercially) and then added and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. In a third general embodiment, a composite is synthesized using interfacial polycondensation. This is accomplished by aggressive mixing of two solvents during the reaction. The aggressive mixing forms microdroplets (i.e.

Abstract: An embodiment is developed for a cylindrically shaped, elliptical rolling robot that has the ability to morph its outer surface as it rolls. The morphing actuation alters lengths of the major and minor axes, resulting in a torque imbalance that rolls the robot along faster or brakes its motion. A control scheme is implemented, whereby angular position and horizontal velocity are used as feedback to trigger and define morphing actuation. A goal of the control scheme is to cause the robot to follow a given velocity profile comprised of steps and ramps. Equations of motion for the rolling robot are formulated, which include rolling resistance torque caused by deformation of the outer surface tread. A computer program solves the equations of motion, and resulting plots show that by automatically morphing its shape in a periodic fashion, the rolling robot is able to commence from an initial position, achieve constant average velocity and slow itself.

Abstract: There is provided herein a roof for a reactor vessel that utilizes a weighted floating cover. The cover is free to move up and down within the vessel as the fluid level changes during the operational cycle. In some embodiment, the cover itself is not directly connected to the reactor vessel or its sidewall, but instead is held in place and supported from above by truss-like support members that permit movement of the cover in concert with the changing fluid level in the vessel. In an embodiment, the support members are anchored proximate to the top of the reactor vessel.