Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for precision placement or insertion of an object using robotic manipulation. A robotic tool includes at least three members, including a first member and a second member that grip the object between opposing faces and a third member that exerts a force on a proximate end of the object to push the object out of the robotic tool. A series of maneuvers is performed with the robotic tool in order to place the object on a surface or insert the object in a hole. The maneuvers include positioning the object against the surface, rotating the object around a contact point between the object and the surface, rotating the robotic tool around a contact point between the object and either the first or second member of the robotic tool, sliding the object horizontally along a surface, and tucking the object into a final desired position.

Abstract: Microbial disinfection is performed using continuous or intermittent lighting using one or more narrow wavelength light sources. The light sources illuminate with narrow wavelength characteristics. The lighting provides a sufficiently high intensity for rapid microbial disinfection process, while reducing the average energy consumption for microbial disinfection during the microbial disinfection process by targeting multiple cellular sites along different inactivation pathways.

Abstract: An ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) membrane has at least one nanoporous UHMWPE film, where each of the nanoporous UHMWPE film is biaxial oriented with a thickness of 0.1 to 12 ?m and pores that exclude particles in excess of 10 nm with a total porosity of 65 to 75 percent. The nanoporous UHMWPE film can be coated or laminated by a hydrophilic polymer to form a Janus membrane and can be made with a multilayer composite structure. The UHMWPE membrane can be used in a device for molecular distillation (MD), reverse osmosis (RO), or forward osmosis (FO).

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for controlled release of macromolecules (such as proteins and polypeptides). The composition comprises at least a first hydrogel forming polymer and at least a second hydrogel forming polymer. Also provided are methods for preparing and using the composition.

Abstract: The multilevel antimicrobial polymeric colloids as functional additives for latex coating are latex-based coatings with multilevel antimicrobial polymeric colloidal particles incorporated therein to provide antimicrobial properties. Each multilevel antimicrobial polymeric colloidal particle includes a polymer scaffold and at least one antimicrobial polymer carried on the polymer scaffold, such that the polymer scaffold and the at least one antimicrobial polymer form a hollow colloidal particle. As a non-limiting example, the polymer scaffold may be polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). As a further non-limiting example, the at least one antimicrobial polymer may be a combination of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). Each multilevel antimicrobial polymeric colloidal particle may also contain an antimicrobial core within the hollow colloidal particle.

Abstract: Frameworks and methods for generating early-warning indicators of impending nonlinear instabilities of a dynamical system are provided. In accordance with one aspect, the framework includes a data collector and a system identification (SI) modeler. The data collector is coupled to the dynamical system and collects pre-bifurcation data. The SI modeler predicts early-warning indicators of impending nonlinear instabilities using only the pre-bifurcation data and the SI modeler includes a means for extrapolating Fokker-Planck coefficients in response to the pre-bifurcation data to generate precursors to a Hopf bifurcation and/or to identify a type of the Hopf bifurcation and/or to forecast the limit-cycle oscillation (LCO) amplitudes of a post-bifurcation regime. In addition, the SI modeler predicts the locations of the Hopf bifurcation points, the type of the Hopf bifurcation and the LCO amplitudes of the post-bifurcation regime.

Abstract: Various tactile sensors and associated methods are enabled. For instance, a sensing apparatus comprises a photosensitive sensor. A compound-eye structure is on the photosensitive sensor and an elastomer layer is on the compound-eye structure. A reflective layer is on the elastomer layer, opposite the compound-eye structure and a light source emits light between the reflective layer and the compound-eye structure.

Abstract: Various foldable, or flexible, displays and associated methods are enabled. For instance, a screen comprises a first rigid display at a first end of a surface of a flexible substrate. A second rigid display is at a second end of the surface of the flexible substrate. A flexible display is on the surface of the flexible substrate, between the first rigid display and the second rigid display, wherein a first section of the flexible substrate underneath the flexible display is thicker than a second section of the flexible substrate underneath the first rigid display or the second rigid display, and the first rigid display and second rigid display, and flexible display are covered with a protective foldable layer.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a luminogen exhibiting aggregation induced emission, wherein T1, T2, and T3 comprise one or more polyynes as a conjugated bridge. The present subject matter is also directed to an AIEgen comprising a hydrophilic pyridium group as a strong electron-withdrawing group; a piperazine group as an electron-donating group; and a ?-Cyanostilbene; wherein the AIEgen exhibits aggregation induced emission. The present subject matter is directed to a method of synthesizing an AIEgen and is further directed to a method of labeling comprising incubating a subject having cells with a conjugate formed by conjugating an AIEgen with an antibody; and selectively labeling desired cells by turn-on imaging, wherein labeling occurs when the desired cells are selectively stained by fluorescent emission of the AIEgen upon degradation of the antibody after cellular internalization of the conjugate through endocytosis.

Abstract: A multiport planar antenna system with digital reconfigurability to adjust a beam-steering function of the system is described herein. A substrate is provided and a grid of parasitic elements is printed on a surface of the substrate. One or more driven, radiating elements such as monopole or dipole antennas are printed on the substrate proximate the parasitic elements. Switching elements between adjacent parasitic elements are then configured to steer the radiation direction in a particular direction in the azimuth plane. The small form factor of the planar antenna system can be used in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) application used by fifth generation (5G) devices such as mobile phones, internet of things (IoT) devices, and vehicles.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecular acceptor compounds containing thiophene end groups, methods for their preparation and intermediates used therein, the use of formulations containing the same as semiconductors in organic electronic devices, especially in organic photovoltaic and organic field-effect transistor devices, and to organic electronic and organic photovoltaic devices made from these formulations.

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: An architecture is provided for cooperative target tracking and signal propagation learning using mobile sensors. A method can comprise as a function of sensing data representative of a location of a target device at a first defined moment and model data relating to a motion model representing a probability density function, determining, by a system comprising a processor, a group of locations for the target device at a second defined time point, wherein the probability density function facilitates determining, based on the location of the target device at the first defined moment, a current location of the target device at a third defined moment; and as a function of the group of locations, generating, by the system, a data structure representing a matrix of received signal strength values; and identifying, by the system, a location of the group of locations for the target device at the third defined moment based on the data structure.

Abstract: The moisture-resistant catalyst for air pollution remediation is a catalyst with moisture-resistant properties, and which is used for removing nitrogen compound pollutants, such as ammonia (NH3), from air. The moisture-resistant catalyst for air pollution remediation includes at least one metal oxide catalyst, at least one inorganic oxide support for supporting the at least one metal oxide catalyst, and a porous framework for immobilizing the at least one metal oxide catalyst and the at least one inorganic oxide support, where the porous framework is moisture-resistant. As non-limiting examples, the at least one metal oxide catalyst may be supported on the at least one inorganic oxide support by precipitation, impregnation, dry milling, ion-exchange or combinations thereof. The at least one metal oxide catalyst supported on the at least one inorganic oxide support may be physically embedded in the porous framework.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein enable a mobile device to accurately locate where the mobile device is located indoors by measuring geomagnetic fields, and tracing relative changes in the magnetic fields as the mobile device is moved. The relative changes can be compared to a fingerprint signal map, and a trace of a portion of the path can be determined by matching the relative changes in the magnetic fields to relative changes in the fingerprint signal map. A collection of the path portions can then be connected by determining a shortest path that connects each of the path portions. In another embodiment, a step counter can also be used to constrain possible locations, and fuse the geomagnetic field and step counter information for joint indoor localization.

Abstract: Aspects describe a nanotube array gas sensor, and methods to manufacture and use the same. In one example, the nanotube array gas sensor comprises an insulator template including an array of parallel aligned, open-ended nanotubes; a sensing material deposited on at least interior surfaces of the nanotubes; and catalyst nanoparticles distributed on the sensing material. An electronic controller activates electrodes made of different conductor materials in order to obtain multiple measurements of electrical resistance across the insulator template. The electrical resistance measurements can be compared to electrical resistance profiles in order to determine types and concentrations of gases in the nanotube array gas sensor.

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: A resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) includes a hybrid memory cell. The hybrid memory cell includes: (a) a left resistance-switching device comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, (b) a right resistance-switching device comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the right resistance-switching device is connected to the first terminal of the left-resistive switching device at an internal node, and (c) a transistor comprising a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal, wherein the drain terminal of the transistor is connected to the left resistance-switching device and the right resistance-switching device at the internal node.

Abstract: A nanoparticle film is disclosed. The nanoparticle film comprises a plurality of polymerized liquid crystal monomers having an axis of alignment, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed in the polymerized liquid crystal monomers. Each of the nanoparticles has a surface modified by a plurality of first ligands and a long axis aligned with the axis of alignment through the plurality of first ligands.

Abstract: Modeling, constructing, and designing conformal cellular structures with spatially variable and graded microstructures that have full geometric continuity is disclosed, which includes defining a global structural domain, where the microstructures are generated for a global mesh, defining a unit structure as a base cell using a level set function, which allows for beams, trusses, shells, and solids, transforming and mapping the base cell into each element of the global mesh using an isoparametric transformation, which creates a conformal cellular structure in accordance with a set of requirements on distribution of material and/or mechanical properties, and applying a global cutting function to guarantee geometric continuity in connections on the common face of any two neighboring cells of the structure. As a result, more complex geometric shapes and features can be generated at the cell level, while maintaining the specified geometric connectivity across the cells of the structure.