Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a borehole are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system includes a drill bit and a plasma inducing apparatus coupled to the drill bit. The plasma inducing apparatus is configured to generate plasma.

Abstract: A highly scalable process has been developed for stabilizing large quantities of the zeta-polymorph of V2O5, a metastable kinetically trapped phase, with high compositional and phase purity. The process utilizes a beta-Cux V2O5 precursor which is synthetized from solution using all-soluble precursors. The copper can be leached from this structure by a room temperature post-synthetic route to stabilize an empty tunnel framework entirely devoid of intercalating cations. The metastable ?-V2O5 thus stabilized can be used as a monovalent-(Li, Na) or multivalent-(Mg, Ca, Al) ion battery cathode material.

Abstract: Provided herein are medical devices, systems and platforms to monitor tissue properties such as oxygen saturation, temperature and degree of tissue edema for diagnosis and post-operative patient monitoring. The medical devices may be handheld or portable or may be removable patches. The medical devices utilize light of various visible and near-infrared wavelengths to interrogate a tissue where the intensities of reflected light correlate to one or more tissue property. Also provided are methods for measuring tissue properties, for detecting pressure ulcers and for remotely monitoring in real time a surgical flap on a post-operative subject via the medical devices.

Abstract: A method of applying a gas-impermeable coating includes forming a polyelectrolyte complex suspension. The polyelectrolyte complex suspension is applied to a substrate. The substrate having the polyelectrolyte complex applied thereon is treated. The treating reduces salt content of the polyelectrolyte complex. The treating results in a gas-impermeable coating being formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are monostable adhesive interfaces, for example, a sacrificial bond interface, and self-repairing composite materials that are a layered assembly of magnetic materials and deformable adhesive materials such as a non-linear adhesive material and/or a mechanical adhesive. Also provided is a method for constructing a sacrificial bond composite material and the sacrificial bond composite material constructed by the method.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-invasive and non-destructive methods for classifying the type of external corrosion defect and the severity thereof in the cathodic protection system on a buried pipeline. Mathematical tools and algorithms are utilized to classify the type and the severity of the corrosion defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for evaluating features of objects such as liquid droplets and surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for measuring features such as the contact angle and the thickness of an object such as a liquid droplet or a fingerprint as well as related compositions for evaluation.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for repairing a composite material, a layup manufacturing process of a composite and a system for manufacturing a 3-dimensional composite part. The method, process and system all utilize a dielectric barrier discharge applicator to generate a plasma to cure an epoxy material to bond a patch to a composite material or to bond two or more layers of composite material together in a 3-dimensional shape to form a composite part.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed ?-O-4? interunitery linkages or condensed ?-5? linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying subsurface features as a function of position in a subsurface volume of interest. Exemplary implementations may include obtaining target subsurface data; obtaining a conditioned subsurface feature model; applying the conditioned subsurface feature model to the target subsurface data, which may include generating convoluted target subsurface data by convoluting the target subsurface data; generating target subsurface feature map layers by applying filters to the convoluted target subsurface data; detecting potential target subsurface features in the target subsurface feature map layers; masking the target subsurface features; and estimating target subsurface feature data by linking the masked subsurface features to the target subsurface feature data.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

Abstract: Endolysosomal targeting conjugates that are engineered to deliver cargo molecules such as cytotoxic drugs or imaging labels with improved efficiency to late endosomes and/or lysosomes in target cells such as tumor cells are described. The endolysosomal targeting conjugate includes a targeting component and a cargo component. The targeting component is configured to bind to a cell surface molecule of a target cell and the cargo component includes a cargo molecule. The targeting component and the cargo component may be fused by a covalent bond or associated by a non-covalent bond. The targeting component may bind to the cell surface molecule or the cargo component with higher affinity in the extracellular space than in an endolysosomal compartment of the target cell.

Abstract: A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.

Abstract: Processes and systems for electrochemical exfoliation that use a compression reactor and, more particularly, to processes and systems for electrochemical exfoliation of planar parent materials, such as graphite. A reactor for electrochemical exfoliation may include a container configured to hold an electrolyte solution. The reactor may further include a porous chamber, wherein the porous chamber is configured to hold a parent material in fluid communication with the electrolyte solution. The reactor may further include a pressure source positioned to apply a pressure along a length of the porous chamber to thereby compress the parent material in the porous chamber. The reactor may further include a first counter electrode. The reactor may further include a working electrode. The reactor may further include an electrical power source in electrical communication with the first counter electrode and the working electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a machine learning system for automatic genotype selection and performance evaluation using multi-source and spatiotemporal remote sensing data collected from an unmanned aerial system (UAS). A computing device may be configured to access images of a field having a first genotype and a second genotype of at least one crop or plant planted therein. The computing device may apply an image processing routine to the images to analyze the images of the field and determine characteristics of the first genotype and the second genotype of the at least one crop or plant planted in the field. The computing device may then apply a machine learning routine to forecast a first estimated yield of the first genotype and a second estimated yield of the second genotype using the identified characteristics of the first genotype and the second genotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct cardiac compression device comprising one or more passive chambers that taper from an aperture to an apex; one or more inflatable active pockets individually independently inflatable, wherein each of the one or more inflatable active pockets is connected to the one or more passive chambers at least partially from the aperture to the apex and wherein the each of the one or more inflatable active pockets does not tension the adjacent one or more inflatable active pockets upon inflation; and a frame in contact with the one or more active chambers to at least partially surround the one or more active pockets.

Abstract: A surge gate for blocking a surge of water includes a sleeve disposed below a waterline of the water, wherein the sleeve has an open upper end and a closed lower end, and a piston slidably disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is configured to rise vertically within the sleeve along a vertical axis between a first position with an upper end of the piston positioned below the waterline, and a second position with the upper end of the piston positioned above the waterline.

Abstract: Synthetic compositions comprising a plant element and at least one fungal endophyte are described. The fungal endophyte is capable of improving plant tolerance to biotic stress as compared to a reference plant element not further comprising the endophyte. Examples of biotic stress include the biotic stress caused by a nematode, an aphid, a fleahopper, a lygus bug, a stink bug, a soy looper, a cabbage looper, or a fungus.