Abstract: Methods of passivating a surface. The methods may include providing a mixture including a liquid and a derivative of quinacridone, applying the mixture to a first surface of a film that includes a metal halide perovskite, and annealing the film for a time and a temperature effective to convert the derivative of quinacridone to quinacridone. Composite materials and electronic devices also are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-naturally occurring zebrafish, such as transgenic zebrafish, which comprise a mutation in the rhodopsin (rho) gene. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds useful in treating retinal-specific defects and disorders, such as degeneration. Further disclosed are methods of identifying mutations in the rhodopsin gene that can cause retinal-specific defects.

Abstract: Various implementations include solar thermal energy collection system comprising a solar energy concentrator, a heat transfer fluid, an absorber pipe. The absorber pipe includes a pipe wall and has a central longitudinal axis. The pipe wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has a first contour defining alternating peaks and troughs along a length of the absorber pipe. The outer surface has a second contour defining alternating peaks and troughs along the length of the absorber pipe. The inner surface defines the entire flow path for the heat transfer fluid through the absorber pipe. The first contour, as viewed through an axial cross section of the absorber pipe, forms sinusoidal waves on each side of and spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis. The sinusoidal waves on each side of the central longitudinal axis are symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A new type of charge transport layer based on organometal halide perovskite for highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is demonstrated. By solution processing of halide perovskite precursors, smooth essentially pure perovskite thin films may be prepared with high transparency and conductivity. Solution processed multilayer OLED with this perovskite-based hole transport layer outperforms a device with a PEDOT:PSS layer.

Abstract: A solid conductor including: a compound represented by Formula 1, a compound represented by Formula 2, or a combination thereof Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8?zXz??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z?2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv) M is Hf, X is F, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8·zLiX??Formula 2 wherein, in Formula 2, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv)

Abstract: Devices and methods of allocating distributed energy resources (DERs) to loads connected to a microgrid based on the cost of the DERs are provided. The devices and methods may determine one or more microgrid measurements. The devices and methods may determine one or more real-time electricity prices associated with utility generation sources. The devices and methods may determine one or more forecasts. The devices and methods may determine a cost associated with one or more renewable energy sources within the microgrid. The devices and methods may determine an allocation of the renewable sources to one or more loads in the microgrid.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable comprising at least one coil form comprising a helical channel formed on an exterior surface of the coil form and the helical channel extending at least partially along an axial length of the coil form and a plurality of high temperature superconductor (HTS) tape layers positioned within the helical channel of the coil form. A method for operating a winding machine to produce a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable comprising a plurality of coil forms comprising a helical channel formed on an exterior surface of the coil form.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for detecting deception in computer-mediated communications that can include (i) parsing digital text to identify processable language-action cues in the digital text, (ii) automatically analyzing, using a computing device and using a machine learning-based classifying algorithm, the processable language-action cues to produce respective probabilities of the digital text including the deceptive content, where the machine learning-based classifying algorithm is trained with training data including (A) training language-action cues from digital data indicating response information known to be deceptive and digital data indicating response information known to be truthful and (B) respective predictor weights associated with the training language-action cues, and (iii) displaying a histogram on a user display device, where the histogram indicates, over a period of time, frequencies of the respective probabilities of the digital text including the deceptive content.

Abstract: A dual multi-level inverter topology with reduced switch count and small DC-link capacitor is provided. The inverter topology provides multi-level inverter operation without requiring a neutral point connection that is commonly present in a stacked capacitor topology (for example, a topology including two capacitors).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for removing caps, such as NMR rotor caps. The apparatuses and methods may permit caps to be removed in a manner that minimizes damage to equipment and instruments. The apparatuses may include a plate defining an aperture, and two screws arranged in the plate, such as a tightening screw and at least one pushing screw.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-block polymers and blends thereof having high electrical conductivity and adhesion. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the same.

Abstract: Methods of forming arenes, including asymmetrical arenes, such as asymmetrical pyrene derivatives. Substituents of starting materials may be selected to direct a photochemical cascade and possibly a 1,2-aryl shift. The methods may include a Mallory cyclization, which is controlled, at least in part, by substituents of the starting materials. Compounds and compositions including asymmetrical arenes.

Abstract: An improved magnetic-levitation-based low-gravity simulator (MLS) is provided. The MLS comprises one or more gradient-field Maxwell coils that are provided within a superconducting magnet. When a current is provided to the one or more Maxwell coils and the superconducting magnet, a simulated low-gravity region is produced within the MLS. An object may be provided within this low-gravity region and may levitate within the region. The MLS may be used to test the impacts of low-gravity environments (for example, extraterrestrial environments) on different types of objects. Compared to an existing solenoid MLS, the improved MLS described herein includes a much larger volume low-gravity region at a lower energy expenditure.

Abstract: A compound of Formula 1 Li1+(4?a)?Hf2??Ma?(PO4??)3??(1) is disclosed, wherein M is at least one cationic element having a valence of a, wherein 0<???, 1?a?4, and 0???0.1. Also described are an electrolyte composition, a separator, a protected positive electrode, a protected negative electrode, and a lithium battery, each including the compound of Formula 1.

Abstract: Within a direct current hybrid circuit breaker (DC HCB), a capacitance is provided in a semiconductor switch path in series with a semiconductor switch and the semiconductor switch is in parallel with a surge arrestor to facilitate opening the DC HCB. The semiconductor switch path is connected in parallel with a mechanical switch path that includes a mechanical switch. The circuit causes the current through the mechanical switch to ramp down while the current through the semiconductor switch ramps up to a supply current. The mechanical switch can open without current and against no recovery voltage.

Abstract: An electrically conductive material includes an anionic polymer having a polymer backbone that is bonded to a plurality of terminal catechol moieties and a plurality of terminal sulfonate moieties. It also includes a cationic polymer including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).

Abstract: Bulk assemblies are provided, which may have desirable photoluminescence quantum efficiencies. The bulk assemblies may include two or more metal halides, and a wide band gap organic network. The wide band gap organic network may include organic cations. The metal halides may be disposed in the wide band gap organic network. Light emitting composite materials also are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved hybrid neurovascular spheroids and methods for making the same are provided. In some embodiments of a method for making a hybrid neurovascular spheroid, the method includes i) propagating cortical cells to form a cortical spheroid; ii) propagating endothelial cells to form an endothelial spheroid; iii) propagating mesenchymal stem cells to form a mesenchymal cell culture; and iv) combining the cortical spheroid, endothelial spheroid, and mesenchymal spheroid under conditions to form the hybrid neurovascular spheroid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seepage meter device, which is capable of detecting groundwater seepage fluxes to surface water bodies in a variety of aquatic environments. The device comprises a seepage meter body and an electronics component.