Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the concentration of selenocyanate in water. In the methods and systems, water containing selenocyanate is treated an oxidant to provide oxidant-treated water, which is then contacted with a zero-valent iron treatment system comprising (a) a reactive solid comprising zero-valent iron and one or more iron oxide minerals in contact therewith and (b) ferrous iron.

Abstract: The Li-ion paradigm of battery technology is fundamentally constrained by the monovalency of the Li-ion. A straightforward solution is to transition to multivalent ion chemistries, with Mg2+ the most obvious candidate due to considerations of size and mass. Despite early interest, the realization of Mg batteries has faced myriad obstacles, including a sparse selection of cathode materials demonstrating the ability to reversibly insert divalent ions. Disclosed herein is evidence of reversible topochemical and electrochemical insertion of Mg2+ into a metastable one-dimensional polymorph of V2O5. Not only does ?-V2O5 represent a rare addition to the pantheon of functional Mg battery cathode materials, but is also distinctive in exhibiting a combination of high stability, high specific capacity due to ion insertion, and moderately high operating voltage.

Abstract: A therapeutic device comprises a sensor positioned proximate to a user and configured to receive a plurality of signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a biomarker describing a biological characteristic of the user based on the plurality of signals, and determine whether the user is likely to experience an impending sleep disorder episode within a predetermined period of time based on the biomarker.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of Brucella induced diseases and disorders are disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to vaccines. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to formulations capable of releasing said vaccines at a controlled rate of release in vivo. In further embodiments, the invention relates to modified strains of the bacteria Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to compositions that do not induce clinical symptoms or splenomegaly in a subject receiving said compositions.

Abstract: An out-of-oven system for free-form fabrication of continuous carbon fiber composites includes a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) applicator configured to create an electric field proximal to the continuous carbon fiber composite. The DBD applicator includes a first electrode disposed within a dielectric barrier, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode. The first and second electrodes are configured to allow the continuous carbon fiber composite to pass therebetween to cure the continuous carbon fiber composite. The system uses Joule heating to cure the continuous carbon fiber composite.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: A composite rotor for an electric motor includes an annular composite support plate extending radially relative a central axis of the composite rotor between an inner diameter defining a central opening of the composite support plate and an outer diameter, wherein the composite support plate includes a quasi-isotropic composite material, and an annular magnet assembly extending around the central axis of the composite rotor and coupled to a surface of the composite support plate.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for traversing land and bodies of water includes a chassis, and a cycloidal propeller coupled to the chassis and which includes a plurality of cycloidal propeller blades rotatably coupled to the chassis and each extending parallel a rotational axis of the cycloidal propeller, and an extension/retraction system configured to extend the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades away from the chassis and to retract the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades towards the chassis.

Abstract: Exfoliated nanoplatelets functionalized with a non-polar moiety, such as an ethylene or propylene derived polymer, are useful for forming composites, films, and polymer blends.

Abstract: A projectile-launched aircraft system includes a projectile launcher including a triggering mechanism, a rotary-wing, hover-capable aircraft including a rotor assembly that includes at least one rotor blade, wherein the rotor blade includes a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration that is circumferentially spaced from the stowed configuration about a pivot axis, wherein, upon actuation of the triggering mechanism, the projectile launcher is configured to launch the aircraft along a flightpath.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation- and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of Thomson scattering signals from a plasma includes a light emitting device, configured to emit a light beam into the plasma, along an axis. In addition, the apparatus includes a collector configured to collect the Thomson scattering from the plasma at an angle less than 90 degrees from the axis of the light beam. Further, the apparatus includes a sensor assembly to detect the Thomson scattering.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for creating or fabricating nanopore(s) on a membrane. The membrane is bombarded by ions, for example, C60 ions through at least one nanotunnel through a mask that is positioned on the membrane. Also provided is a two dimensional membrane with at least one nanopore thereon fabricated via these methods.

Abstract: Methods of identification of inhibitors of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel and small molecule inhibitors of CRAC channel, including methods of their synthesis and pharmaceutical use, are disclosed.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fibers by forming, via a one pot acidic precipitation, a precipitated lignin from a precipitation solution by contacting a lignin solution and an acid solution, wherein the precipitation solution comprises the lignin solution and the acid solution, wherein the lignin solution comprises lignin dissolved in a basic aqueous solution, and wherein the acidic solution has a pH of less than or equal to about 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2; forming precursor fibers from the precipitated lignin; and subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization, carbonization, or both to produce the carbon fibers.

Abstract: A supersonic flow system in which a supersonic flow is encountered includes a surface configured to be exposed to a supersonic fluid flow, wherein the surface includes an upstream end and a downstream end opposite the upstream end, a wave generator coupled to the surface and including one or more actuators configured to selectably induce strain in the surface, and a wave controller in signal communication with the wave generator and configured to activate the one or more actuators to induce one or more travelling waves configured to travel along the surface between the upstream end and the downstream end of the surface.

Abstract: ‘DALSA 1618’ is an interploid hybrid variety of St. Augustinegrass. ‘DALSA 1618’ possesses a unique combination of drought and shade tolerance that allows its use across the southcentral and southeastern United States.