Abstract: Systems and method herein provide for energy buffering. In one embodiment, a system includes an energy buffer comprising at least two energy storage elements. Each energy storage element is operable to buffer electrical energy. The system also includes a switch module operable to charge a first of the at least two energy storage elements while discharging a second of the at least two energy storage elements, and to discharge the first energy storage element while charging the second energy storage element after charging the first energy storage element. The switched charging of the energy storage elements compensates voltage variations between the energy storage elements to increase available electrical energy from the energy buffer.

Abstract: A hybrid converter achieves high efficiency with an inductor positioned at the lower current path that significantly decreases inductor loss by having the DC component of inductor current reduced. The circuit also features reduced inductance requirement by reducing the voltage swing blocked by the inductor. As a result, it turns to benefit of both efficiency improvement and better integration. Less voltage stress for switches is also an important advantage to switching loss reduction and switching frequency increase which in turns enables passive component size reduction. The circuit in this invention can be realized for both step-down and step-up power conversion as well as bidirectional power flow is available. For simplicity and cost, some of switches can be replaced with passive switches such as diodes which highly simplifies the converter circuit implementation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel GM-CSF constructs and methods of using the same. In certain embodiments, the constructs of the invention comprise certain peptide fragments from GM-CSF. In other embodiments, the invention provides certain GM-CSF peptides that act as GM-CSF mimetics.

Abstract: Infrared (IR) vibrational scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) has advanced to become a powerful nanoimaging and spectroscopy technique with applications ranging from biological to quantum materials. However, full spatiospectral s-SNOM continues to be challenged by long measurement times and drift during the acquisition of large associated datasets. Various embodiments provide for a novel approach of computational spatiospectral s-SNOM by transforming the basis from the stationary frame into the rotating frame of the IR carrier frequency. Some embodiments see acceleration of IR s-SNOM data collection by a factor of 10 or more in combination with prior knowledge of the electronic or vibrational resonances to be probed, the IR source excitation spectrum, and other general sample characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-robot communication are proved. More particularly, some embodiments use augmented reality to facilitate communication of robot intention and teleoperation in human-robot cooperative environments. Various embodiments of the present technology provide a middleware that integrates augmented reality (AR) with novel teleoperation interfaces to increase operation effectiveness, support the user in conducting concurrent work, and decrease stress. Various embodiments provide predictive graphical interfaces such that a teleoperator controls a virtual robot surrogate, rather than directly operating the robot itself, providing the user with foresight regarding where the physical robot will end up and how it will get there. In accordance with various embodiments a user may select between two AR interfaces using such a surrogate: one focused on real-time control and one inspired by waypoint delegation.

Abstract: A microlens array includes a bottom electrode chip, a sidewall electrode chip, and a top glass chip configured to cooperate to define an array of cavities, each one of the array of cavities containing a fluid. The fluid is a mixture of a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid, in contact with one of the array of sidewalls at a contact angle. The bottom electrode chip includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The sidewall electrode chip includes an array of sidewalls, each including an electrode layer and an insulator layer. When a voltage is applied across the fluid contained a cavity via electrical contacts and the electrode layer of the cavity, the contact angle of the fluid with the sidewall is modified, in embodiments without affecting the contact angle of fluid contained in other ones of the plurality of array of cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of a cross-linked polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and dipicolylamine-containing monomers that can be used as a therapeutic lens to treat ocular diseases or disorders associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) over-activity and/or over-expression, such as but not limited to corneal melting (or keratolysis).

Abstract: A system and method for end-to-side anastomosis to an anatomical passageway is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful in coupling an LVAD pump to an aorta. The system and method include using a tubular graft member having a skirt flange that engages the side of the aorta, a seating assembly and a flanged stent for securing the tubular graft to the side of the anatomical passageway. An assembly for creating an opening in the side of the anatomical passageway and an assembly for delivering the tubular graft is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device for obtaining samples from a subject. In other embodiments, methods and devices of the present invention allow the evaluation of conditions of the gastrointestinal tract of a subject. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

Abstract: Structures, catalysts, and reactors suitable for use for a variety of applications, including gas-to-liquid and coal-to-liquid processes and methods of forming the structures, catalysts, and reactors are disclosed. The catalyst material can be deposited onto an inner wall of a microtubular reactor and/or onto porous support structures using atomic layer deposition techniques.

Abstract: Soft motherboards having rigid plugin modules are described herein. In one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device can include a polymeric substrate having: a plurality of slots, each configured for receiving an electronic module; one or more electrical junctions including a stretchable conductive interconnect electronically coupling a slot to another slot of the plurality of slots; and at least one electronic module including: a film configured to: support other components of the electronic module; and be inserted, and be partially housed in, one of the plurality of slots of the polymeric substrate; and at least one electrode coupled to the film and positioned to be in contact with a corresponding electrical junction of the polymeric substrate when the film is partially housed in the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Sub-diffraction limited fluorescent images using a fiber-based stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope are reported. Both excitation and depletion beams are transported through polarization-maintaining fiber and a lateral resolution of 100 nm has been achieved.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an atomic clock and methods of forming and/or using an atomic clock are disclosed. In one embodiment, an atomic clock includes: a light source configured to illuminate a resonance vapor cell; a narrowband optical filter disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and arranged such that light emitted from the light source passes through the narrowband optical filter and illuminates the resonance vapor cell. The resonance vapor cell is configured to emit a signal corresponding to a hyperfine transition frequency in response to illumination from the light source, and a filter cell is disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and configured to generate optical pumping. An optical detector is configured to detect the emitted signal corresponding to the hyperfine transition frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include a wearable physiological monitoring device, related algorithms and software that are tied to a portable electronic device for readout. The wearable device can perform real-time measurement of a number of physiological and environmental parameters including heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiration, movement, environmental particulate matter, moisture, temperature (e.g., ambient air and body temperatures) and geospatial location. Some embodiments may establish a physiological baseline for a patient by measuring the above parameters during a healthy state. Collected data can be wirelessly transmitted to a portable electronic device or monitoring and feedback platform where software will analyze the data and make assessments of the device wearer's health based upon the wearer's baseline.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit the activity of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, and methods of using these compounds to treat cancer and other diseases.

Abstract: A novel method of diluting the structures in the cell population, such that individual cells, dependent on the activity of the structures, become single measurement devices. This can be applied to all Bacterial Microcomparments (“BMCs”), organelles, and macromolecules, and could provide a universal method for the design of novel ones and understanding of the diverse structures. In one aspect the present invention provides A method of creating a bacterial strain with inducible and detectable carboxysomes. The method includes the steps of incorporating a labeled carbon-fixation enzyme into the genome of a bacterium; deleting all or a portion of the ccm operon from the bacterium; and reintroducing a ccm operon comprising an inducible promoter to create a ?ccm+ strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical implant, and more particularly, to a vascular implant having a dual coating structure for preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. In one embodiment, the invention contemplates a vascular stent with a coating comprising a hydrophobic, degradable core with a coaxial sheath comprising at least one polyethylene-glycol derivative. In one embodiment, the at least one polyethylene-glycol derivative comprises polyethylene-glycol dimethacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention describes peptides, peptides carriers, peptide nanobodies, and peptide-drug covalent conjugates having efficient cell and tissue penetration. The peptides and associated configurations can be used in covalent attachments or as complexes or nanoparticles in conjunction with therapeutic agents to enhance their tissue, cellular, and intracellular delivery. Also, the peptides and associated configurations can enhance binding to negatively charged matrices in the body for improved localization or retention of therapeutic carriers and agents.

Abstract: Through discrimination of the scattered signal polarization state, a lidar system measures a distance through semi-transparent media by the reception of single or multiple scattered signals from a scattering medium. Combined and overlapped single or multiple scattered light signals from the medium can be separated by exploiting varying polarization characteristics. This removes the traditional laser and detector pulse width limitations that determine the system's operational bandwidth, translating relative depth measurements into the conditions of two surface timing measurements and achieving sub-pulse width resolution.