Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods for processing various polymer materials for use in devices, such as photovoltaic devices. In some cases, oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) may be used to process conjugated polymers, including relatively insoluble conjugated polymers. The methods described herein provide processing techniques that may be used to synthesize and/or process polymers, such as unsubstituted thiophene.

Abstract: A programmable photonic integrated circuit implements arbitrary linear optics transformations in the spatial mode basis with high fidelity. Under a realistic fabrication model, we analyze programmed implementations of the CNOT gate, CPHASE gate, iterative phase estimation algorithm, state preparation, and quantum random walks. We find that programmability dramatically improves device tolerance to fabrication imperfections and enables a single device to implement a broad range of both quantum and classical linear optics experiments. Our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build such a device in the silicon photonics platform.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a sieve valve including: a substrate defining a channel; a flexible membrane adapted and configured for deployment at an intersection with the channel; and one or more protrusions extending into the channel from the substrate or the flexible membrane. The one or more protrusions define a plurality of recesses extending beyond the intersection between the channel and the flexible membrane; A microfluidic circuit including one or more sieve valves. In particular embodiments, the circuit comprises one or more input/output valves. The one or one or more input/output valves can include one or more input valves and one or more output valves. The microfluidic circuit can further include a mixing circuit. At least one of the sieve valves can be positioned between the one or more input/output valves and the mixing circuit. The invention further provides methods of using the device for the analysis of samples comprising cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for cell retention for a perfusion bioreactor is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a bioreaction mixture to be processed. At least one curvilinear microchannel is in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate cells in the bioreaction mixture, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel. At least two outlets are in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel. At least one outlet of the at least two outlets is configured to flow the isolated cells to be recycled to the perfusion bioreactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing data proxies. The systems and methods enable a proxy management system to store and manage data proxies that digitally represent real-world objects equipped with sensors. The data proxy of an object is made up of data sampled by the object's sensors and data estimated using the sampled data. The sampling rate at which the data is sampled can be optimized such that it conforms with target quality of data (QoD) requirements and/or target data acquisition costs. The QoD requirements can be based on requirements set by each of the applications associated with an object. The proxy management system can use the sampled data and estimated data to (1) ensure that incoming messages, if executed, would not have negative consequences; and (2) monitor objects to determine if and when they are expected to approach undesirable states, or if they have already reached such undesirable states.

Abstract: A system for generating an asymmetric magnetic field. The system includes a drive circuit and a stacked winding structure coupled to the drive circuit. The stacked winding structure includes a plurality of winding layers. The plurality of winding layers includes a first winding layer including a first conductive winding having first turns and a second winding layer including a second conductive winding having second turns ion. The plurality of winding layers is arranged to produce a first magnetic field at a first side of the stacked winding structure and a second magnetic field at a second side of the stacked winding structure when the drive circuit electrically drives the plurality of winding layers. The first magnetic field is greater than the second magnetic field.

Abstract: Al—Mnx/Al—Mny multilayers with a wide range of structures ranging from microcrystalline to nanocrystalline and amorphous were electrodeposited using a single bath method under galvanostatic control from room temperature ionic liquid. By varying the Mn composition by ?1-3 at. % between layers, the grain sizes in one material can be systematically modulated between two values. For example, one specimen alternates between grain sizes of about 21 and 52 nm, in an alloy of average composition of 10.3 at. % Mn. Nanoindentation testing revealed multilayers with finer grains and higher Mn content exhibited better resistance to plastic deformation. Other alloy systems also are expected to be electrodeposited under similar circumstances.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical connections extending between the first and second surfaces. The semiconductor structure also includes one or more interconnect pads having first and second opposing surfaces and one or more sides. The first surface of each one of the interconnect pads is disposed over or beneath select portions of at least the second surface of the substrate and is electrically coupled to select ones of the plurality of electrical connections. The semiconductor structure additionally includes an isolating layer having first and second opposing surfaces and openings formed in select portions of the isolating layer extending between the second surface of the isolating layer and the second surfaces of the interconnect pads. A corresponding method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: Redox flow devices are described in which at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode-active materials is a semi-solid or is a condensed ion-storing electroactive material, and in which at least one of the electrode-active materials is transported to and from an assembly at which the electrochemical reaction occurs, producing electrical energy. The electronic conductivity of the semi-solid is increased by the addition of conductive particles to suspensions and/or via the surface modification of the solid in semi-solids (e.g., by coating the solid with a more electron conductive coating material to increase the power of the device). High energy density and high power redox flow devices are disclosed. The redox flow devices described herein can also include one or more inventive design features. In addition, inventive chemistries for use in redox flow devices are also described.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells operating with molten electrodes and electrolyte, where the cathode is an alloy of a metal and metalloid, may be assembled in a discharged state by combining first an anodic metal with a cathodic metal to form a binary alloy. This binary alloy is then placed in a cell housing with the metalloid and the electrolyte, all in the solid state. The temperature is raised to, and maintained at, a temperature above the melting point of the highest melting component until components assembled into horizontal layers of electrolyte above a layer of a ternary alloy formed by the combination of the binary alloy and the metalloid. A charge and discharged cycle is then run through the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to separators for use in lithium metal batteries, and associated systems and products. Certain embodiments are related to separators that form or are repaired when an electrode is held at a voltage. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell may comprise an electrolyte that comprises a precursor for the separator.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the manufacture of n-type and p-type filled skutterudite thermoelectric legs of an electrical contact. A first material of CoSi2 and a dopant are ball-milled to form a first powder which is thermo-mechanically processed with a second powder of n-type skutterudite to form a n-type skutterudite layer disposed between a first layer and a third layer of the doped-CoSi2. In addition, a plurality of components such as iron, and nickel, and at least one of cobalt or chromium are ball-milled form a first powder that is thermo-mechanically processed with a p-type skutterudite layer to form a p-type skutterudite layer “second layer” disposed between a first and a third layer of the first powder. The specific contact resistance between the first layer and the skutterudite layer for both the n-type and the p-type skutterudites subsequent to hot-pressing is less than about 10.0 ??·cm2 .

Abstract: In illustrative implementations, a time-of-flight camera robustly measures scene depths, despite multipath interference. The camera emits amplitude modulated light. An FPGA sends at least two electrical signals, the first being to control modulation of radiant power of a light source and the second being a reference signal to control modulation of pixel gain in a light sensor. These signals are identical, except for time delays. These signals comprise binary codes that are m-sequences or other broadband codes. The correlation waveform is not sinusoidal. During measurements, only one fundamental modulation frequency is used. One or more computer processors solve a linear system by deconvolution, in order to recover an environmental function. Sparse deconvolution is used if the scene has only a few objects at a finite depth. Another algorithm, such as Wiener deconvolution, is used is the scene has global illumination or a scattering media.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are generally related to a cell culture system. More particularly, the systems and methods enable the culturing and interconnecting of a plurality of tissue types in a biomimetic environment. By culturing organ specific tissue types within a biomimetic environment and interconnecting each of the organ systems in a physiologically meaningful way, experiments can be conducted on in vitro cells that substantially mimic the responses of in vivo cell populations. In some implementations, the organ systems are fluidically connected with a constant-volume pump.

Abstract: The invention provides HER2-binding proteins and VEGF-A-binding proteins having a reduced tendency to aggregate. Compositions and methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a positive electrode active lithium-excess metal oxide with composition LixMyO2 (0.6?y?0.85 and 0?x+y?2) for a lithium secondary battery with a high reversible capacity that is insensitive with respect to cation-disorder. The material exhibits a high capacity without the requirement of overcharge during the first cycles.

Abstract: A kit of educational building blocks models nucleic acid structures for use in teaching nucleic acid structures using building blocks that visually represent nucleotides and their components.

Abstract: A multi-layer semiconductor device includes at least two semiconductor structures, each of the at least two semiconductor structures having first and second opposing surfaces and including a first section and a second section. The second section includes a device layer and an insulating layer. The multi-layer semiconductor device also includes one or more conductive structures and one or more interconnect pads. Select ones of the one or more interconnect pads are electrically coupled to the one or more conductive structures. The multi-layer semiconductor device additionally includes a via joining layer disposed between and coupled to second surfaces of each of the at least two semiconductor structures. A corresponding method for fabricating a multi-layer semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a shape controller controls the shape of a bladder as the bladder inflates. The shape controller includes a first set of regions and a second set of regions. The second set of regions is more flexible than the first set of regions. The shape controller is embedded within, or adjacent to, a wall of the bladder. When the bladder is inflated, the overall shape of the bladder bends in areas adjacent to the more flexible regions of the shape controller. For example, the shape controller may comprise paper and the more flexible regions may comprise creases in the paper. Or, for example, the more flexible regions may comprise notches or indentations. In some implementations of this invention, a multi-state shape display changes shape as it inflates, with additional bumps forming as pressure in the display increases.

Abstract: An integrated structure and method of formation provide a lower level waveguide having a core of a first material and a higher level waveguide having a core of a second material and a coupling region for coupling the two waveguides together. The different core materials provided different coupled waveguides having different light loss characteristics.