Abstract: GER fluids are improved by the addition of a polar molecule additive. By addition of a polar molecule additive, yield stresses under electric field are improved by over 50% while the current density is reduced to less than a quarter of the original GER. The reversible response time still remains the same, and the sedimentation stability is greatly enhanced. The zero field viscosity of the modified GER fluid remains the same as that of the original GER fluid without the additive. The improved GER characteristics improve general functionality as an electrical-mechanical interface, attendant with applications to car clutches, fluid brakes, and vehicle shock absorbers.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein represent powder based additive manufacturing processes which provide a microstructure having improved mechanical properties. The methods may include the use of ultrasonic excitation in combination with the active control of a substrate's temperature to provide some level of control over the microstructure and hence the properties.

Abstract: A gel composition for air freshening or disinfecting, comprising a silicon alkoxide or colloidal silica, a volatile or gaseous fragrance and/or disinfectant, water, an acid or base catalyst, a water-soluble solvent, and optionally other volatile components and additives, and a method for preparing the same. The gel can be transparent or colored, has a homogeneous texture and a soft to rigid structure, and contains volatile or gaseous components from 0 vol % to 85 vol % for scented materials (fragrance and oils) and/or 0-8000 ppm of disinfectant, which are released at a steady rate under ambient conditions, controlled by the shape and opening of the gel container. Botanicals or plastic decorations may be added into the gel to improve its aesthetic appeal. The preparation method is easier and requires less energy consumption and the gel is used as an air freshener or disinfectant.

Abstract: Interference alignment for a multiple-input multiple-output communications network with partial connectivity is provided. A method is provided that includes determining assignments for data streams transmitted in the multiple-input multiple-output communications network. The method also includes suppressing inter-cell interference and suppressing intra-cell interference. Also provided is inter-cell/intra-cell decomposition and exploitation of partial connectivity in a multiple-input multiple-output communications network. The multiple-input multiple-output communications network can comprise three or more cells.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a polarization grating is provided. The method includes providing a polarization-sensitive material; and causing two orthogonally polarized lights to scan the polarization-sensitive material and to meet on the polarization-sensitive material.

Abstract: Cooperative physical layer caching systems for base stations are described herein. Base stations include cache memories that store portions of content. Base stations receive requests for content files from mobile devices. Cooperative physical layer caching systems can determine contents of the cache memories and can coordinate physical transmissions of the content files based on the contents of the cache memories.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and inhibiting viral replication, viral infections and viral diseases and disorders, comprising the use of artemisinin derivatives having anti-viral activity.

Abstract: A method for forming deformation crystal twins in piezoelectric materials is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a crystalline piezoelectric material and deforming the crystalline piezoelectric material using a load. The method also includes heating the deformed crystalline piezoelectric material in an oxidative atmosphere to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form a plurality of deformation crystal twins in the crystalline piezoelectric material. The method also includes allowing the crystalline piezoelectric material to cool to room temperature, and removing the load that induces the deformation of the crystalline piezoelectric material. Additionally, the deformation of the crystalline piezoelectric material is achieved by at least one of the following: compressing, stretching, shearing, torsion, and bending of the crystalline piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a one-step method of detecting and quantifying cardiolipin in a sample using a positively charged AIE luminogen by introducing the AIE luminogen to a solution containing the sample and measuring fluorescence intensity of the solution; a method of quantifying isolated mitochondria using a positively charged AIE luminogen by staining a sample containing isolated mitochondria with the AIE luminogen and measuring the fluorescence intensity; and a method of quantifying isolated mitochondria using a positively charged AIE luminogen by introducing the AIE luminogen to a sample containing isolated mitochondria, wherein the AIE luminogen stains the isolated mitochondria and identifying the stained isolated mitochondria under microscope.

Abstract: A digital linear voltage regulator includes a power stage (208), arranged in a hierarchical grouping of power stage units. The power stage (208) is configured to deliver power to a load (212). The digital linear voltage regulator further includes a mixed-signal controller (206), configured to control each power stage unit in the power stage (208) by conditionally adjust a number of active power stage units in the power stage (208) based on a comparison of a feedback voltage of the load (212) and a reference voltage; wherein the hierarchical grouping of power stage units comprises N levels; wherein the power stage (208) comprises a number of MN Nth level units, and an Nth level unit comprising a number of MN?1 (N?1)th level units; and wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and MN and MN?1 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method for wastewater treatment which comprises (a) separating and/or collecting urine from the wastewater for pretreatment, (b) removing phosphorus from urine using seawater, (c) optionally oxidizing nitrogen from urine, and (d) discharging the phosphorus-removed and/or nitrogen-oxidized urine to a sewer.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises: a cylindrical shell (4); a first spring (5) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a second spring (6) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a separator (13) in the cylindrical shell (4) separating the first and second springs (5, 6); a first end plate (12) on a first side (13a) of the separator (13) and a second end plate (11) on a second side (13b) of the separator (13); a first rod (2) and a second rod (3) passing openings (20a, 20b) provided at each end of the cylindrical shell (4), with the first rod (2) connected to the first end plate (12) and the second rod (3) connected to the second end plate (11); and a spacer (14) inserted between the first end plate (12) and the first spring (5).

Abstract: Techniques are provided to tune a gate-drive control signal for a switching device. In an aspect, a device is provided that includes a dead-time generator circuit, a first dead-time tuner circuit and a second dead-time tuner circuit. The dead-time generator circuit generates a control signal for a first switching device that is coupled to a second switching device via a switching node. The first dead-time tuner circuit generates, based on the control signal and a switching signal indicative of a voltage associated with the switching node, a first modified control signal for the first switching device. The second dead-time tuner circuit generates, based on a modified version of the switching signal and a tuning process that repeatedly modifies the control signal until a first dead-time value satisfies a defined criterion, a second modified control signal for the first switching device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite film includes depositing a precursor layer onto a substrate, the precursor layer comprising metal halide, placing an organic source-material layer onto a boat, the organic source-material layer comprising an organic cation, and annealing the precursor layer and the organic source-material layer in a vacuum chamber enclosed in a constrained volume.

Abstract: An Internet protocol (IP) based wireless communication network is provided that enables device mobility without handoffs. In an aspect, mobile device of the network is configured to broadcast, via a multicast channel, an anchor router solicitation message comprising a mobile device identifier that identifies the mobile device. The mobile device then receives, via the multicast channel, an assigned IP address from an anchor router device near the mobile device based on detection of the anchor router solicitation message by the anchor router device. The mobile device further employs the assigned IP address to connect with one or more other router devices in response to movement of the mobile device to cell areas of the one or more other router devices of the network.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a substrate and source and drain regions within an annealed active layer having resulted from an annealing of an active layer comprising metal-oxide and formed on the substrate, and an impermeable layer over the source and drain regions of the annealed active layer, wherein the annealing resulting in the annealed active layer was performed with the impermeable layer over portions of the active layer corresponding to the source and drain regions, thereby resulting in a reduction of a resistivity of the source and drain regions of the annealed active layer relative to the active layer. In another aspect, a junctionless transistor is provided wherein the entire active area has a low resistivity based on annealing of an active layer including metal oxide while uncovered or at least partially covered with layers of various gas permeability under oxidizing or non-oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A passive thermal diode (10), comprising: a heat source (12); a heat sink (14); a thermal coupling element (16) removably coupled to the heat source (12) and the heat sink (14); a lever (18), the lever (18) connected to the thermal coupling element (16) via a pivot point (19); and at least one spring (20) connected to the lever (18), the spring (20) comprised of a shape memory alloy, wherein the lever (18) transmits a force to displace the thermal coupling element (16) when the force is produced by the spring (20) on the lever (18).

Abstract: A diode, UV radiation detector, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device that includes a diode with a substrate having a first side and a second side. The diode includes an active layer having a rocksalt phase crystalline structure of CaS disposed on the first side of the substrate, and an electrical contact disposed on the second side of the substrate. The diode also includes a semi-transparent conducting layer disposed on the active layer. The UV radiation detector includes the diode and circuitry connecting the semi-transparent conducting layer and the electrical contact. The UV radiation detector may detect radiation having a wavelength between 220 and 280 nm. The substrate may have a lattice mismatch between 0.47% and 12.6% with respect to the active layer.

Abstract: A thermal radiation microsensor can comprise thermoelectric micro pillars, in which multiple vertically standing thermoelectric micro pillars can act as thermoelectric pairs and mechanical support of an absorption layer. Radiation absorbed by the absorption layer can produce a temperature difference, which drives the thermocouple comprising p-type and n-type micro pillars to output a voltage. Multiple thermocouples can be connected in series to improve the signal output.

Abstract: Wastewater influent is supplied to an aeration zone having a membrane module. Activated sludge is established in the aeration zone and an oxygen surplus is maintained by controlling a rate of oxygen supplied to the aeration zone. Wastewater influent is mixed with the activated sludge to form a first mixed liquid. A portion of the first mixed liquid is filtered to form a filtrate and unfiltered activated sludge. The unfiltered activated sludge is mixed with the activated sludge in the aeration zone to form the first mixed liquid. A portion of the first mixed liquid is transferred from the aeration zone to an anaerobic zone, and a second portion of first mixed liquid is mixed with activated sludge in the anaerobic zone to form a second mixed liquid. The second mixed liquid is recycled to the aerobic zone.