Abstract: Various types and levels of operator assistance are performed within a unified, configurable framework. A model of the device with a model of the environment and the current state of the device and the environment are used to iteratively generate a sequence of optimal device control inputs that, when applied to a model of the device, generate an optimal device trajectory through a constraint-bounded corridor or region within the state space. This optimal trajectory and the sequence of device control inputs that generates it is used to generate a threat assessment metric. An appropriate type and level of operator assistance is generated based on this threat assessment. Operator assistance modes include warnings, decision support, operator feedback, vehicle stability control, and autonomous or semi-autonomous hazard avoidance. The responses generated by each assistance mode are mutually consistent because they are generated using the same optimal trajectory.

Abstract: Receiver design techniques are provided that are capable of producing relatively efficient, linear radio frequency (RF) receivers. During a design process, components of an analog receiver chain and digital nonlinearity compensation techniques are considered together to achieve reduced power consumption in the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, provides methods, reagents, and kits for the functionalization of proteins on the surface of viral particles, for example, of bacteriophages, using sortase-mediated transpeptidation reactions. Some aspects of this invention provide methods for the conjugation of an agent, for example, a detectable label, a binding agent, a click-chemistry handle, or a small molecule to a surface protein of a viral particle. Kits comprising reagents useful for the generation of functionalized viral particles are also provided, as are precursor proteins that comprise a sortase recognition motif, and viral particles comprising such precursor proteins. Nucleic acids encoding viral proteins comprising a sortase recognition motif and expression vectors comprising such nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to materials and devices with interface layers with geometries which transform upon the direct or indirect application of load or displacement. The interface layers may transform from straight or flat shapes to wavy or hierarchically wavy morphologies or the waviness can be altered by load or displacement to tailor wavelength and amplitude of the interface geometry. Methods of predictably altering the interfacial morphology are also described. The ability to control material interface transformation can be used to regulate and to tune mechanical, chemical, thermal, swelling, photonic, phononic, electrical and optical functions, including color and reflectivity of the material.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting whether a vehicle will come to a stop at an intersection is provided.

Abstract: The devices and systems described herein include one or more fluid paths, e.g., channels, and one or more selectively permeable obstacles arranged in the fluid path(s), each including a plurality of aligned nanostructures, e.g., nanotubes or nanorods, defining an outer surface of the obstacle and an internal network of voids. The obstacle(s) can further include binding moieties applied to the outer surface and/or to the surfaces of the individual nanostructures within the obstacle(s). The devices can be manufactured by forming the dense groupings of nanostructures to extend outwards and upwards from a substrate; forming a fluidic channel, bonding the fluidic channel to the substrate; and optionally applying binding moieties to the obstacles. The devices can be used to manipulate cells within fluid samples.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a swipe with at least one ionization reagent associated with the swipe for detecting target analytes and methods of detecting the target analyte molecules that can indicate the presence of, for example, explosives, narcotics, chemical warfare agents, biological warfare agents, or toxins. The swipe can be used to transfer molecules from a surface to the swipe for further analysis. In particular, the swipes can include an ionization reagent that is preferably a low volatility compound and capable of forming ionization reagent-analyte complexes with target analytes. The swipe can also include multiple ionization reagents with different volatilities such that they are released sequentially during a thermal ramp-up. Alternatively, the swipe can have multiple ionization reagents associated with spatially separated portions of the swipe such that they can be releasable sequentially to detect multiple target analytes.

Abstract: Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are based on quantum cascade (QC) structures. In embodiment methods and corresponding devices, a QC layer in a wave confinement region of an integrated multi-layer semiconductor structure capable of producing optical gain is depleted of free charge carriers to create a low-loss optical wave confinement region in a portion of the structure. Ion implantation may be used to create energetically deep trap levels to trap free charge carriers. Other embodiments include modifying a region of a passive, depleted QC structure to produce an active region capable of optical gain. Gain or loss may also be modified by partially depleting or enhancing free charge carrier density. QC lasers and amplifiers may be integrated monolithically with each other or with passive waveguides and other passive devices in a self-aligned manner. Embodiments overcome challenges of high cost, complex fabrication, and coupling loss involved with material re-growth methods.

Abstract: A composition can include a first moiety capable of being excited to an excited state, and a second moiety capable of accepting excited state energy from the first moiety. The second moiety is capable of emitting light with a FWHM of 15 nm or less when excited. The second moiety can be a J-aggregate and the first moiety can be a semiconductor nanocrystal.

Abstract: Receiver design techniques are provided that are capable of producing relatively efficient, linear radio frequency (RF) receivers. During a design process, components of an analog receiver chain and digital nonlinearity compensation techniques are considered together to achieve reduced power consumption in the receiver.

Abstract: Antenna including a wire made of a conducting polymer. The wire is sewn into fabric material in a selected pattern. A preferred conducing polymer is polypyrrole. It is also preferred that the wire be encased in a non-conductive, low dielectric plastic.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing is provided that includes a plurality of bearing pads that form loading carrying areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is an adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Method for determining buoyant mass and deformability of a cell. The method includes introducing the cell into a suspended microchannel resonator that includes a constriction near a distal location in the resonator. A first frequency shift in the resonator is monitored as a cell moves to the distal location in the resonator, the first frequency shift being related to the buoyant mass of the cell. Transit time of the cell through the constriction is measured by monitoring a second frequency shift as a result of a change in cell location as it passes through the constriction, whereby deformability is determined from the measured buoyant mass and transit time.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel agents for broad spectrum influenza neutralization. The present invention provides agents for inhibiting influenza infection by bind to the influenza virus and/or hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides and/or HA receptors, and reagents and methods relating thereto. The present invention provides a system for analyzing interactions between infolds and the interaction partners that bind to them.

Abstract: A superhydrophilic coating can be antireflective and antifogging. The coating can remain antireflective and antifogging for extended periods. The coating can have a graded refractive index. The coating for wafer-level optics can be for targeted capillary condensation in nanoparticle containing reflow-compatible coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to water-soluble membrane proteins, methods for the preparation thereof and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are block copolymer conjugates that form double-network hydrogels under appropriate conditions. The conjugates comprise a block of polymer end-group, a block of self-associating peptide or protein, and flexible linkers between the two. Hydrogels comprising the conjugates have the mechanical properties, including elastic modulus and fracture toughness, required for load-bearing applications, while maintaining desirable shear-thinning properties, for example, for injectability.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers that include a composite of at least three different materials, where the at least three different materials include a conductor, an insulator, and a non-centrosymmetric material, and where each material is disposed in one or more different cross-sectional regions of the fiber, with each region extending along a common length of the fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant expression of a taxadiene synthase enzyme and a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) enzyme in cells and the production of terpenoids.