Abstract: Smart membranes are integrated into a small, unmanned surface vessel to enable the efficient, automated cleanup of oil spills. Such a vessel has the potential to provide a low-cost, modular solution for day-to-day oil-spill cleanup operations, especially in confined aquatic areas (e.g., under piers or in the small spaces between marine vessels and piers). The membranes are provided on the surface of a conveyor belt that circulates the membranes through the surrounding body of water for oil collection, as well as through an internal reduction chamber of the vessel for oil release. The smart membranes are adapted to attract and repel oil in response to low-voltage commands applied across the conveyor belt, using a process that is repeatable for a number of cycles, offering high efficiency and long durability. Segments of the conveyor belt can be electrically isolated from one another to allow disparate electrical potentials to be imposed thereon.

Abstract: A sensor for blood-based measurement parameters that can be integrated on any flat surface to allow for ubiquitous monitoring of hemodynamics is disclosed. Such a sensor can measure heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, etc. The sensor is adapted to be placed in direct contact with blood vessels. This can be done with an accelerometer or another type of vibrational or acoustic sensor in order to measure arterial vibrations.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a device, system and method for locating and repairing a pulmonary air leak in a patient.

Abstract: A green-engineered mulch product and methods for making same are disclosed. The mulch product includes a coating of aluminum-based water treatment residuals which makes the product “green.” Furthermore, coating aluminum-based water treatment residuals on mulch eliminates the problem of the low hydraulic conductivity of aluminum-based water treatment presiduals and makes it feasible to utilize its pollutant removal potential without requiring any modification to existing best management practices or additional maintenance.

Abstract: A minimally invasive device, containing a pressure channel, camera, and optical fiber imaging probe, to measure the stiffness of tissues in vivo and ex vivo is disclosed. The device is inserted into a patient and navigated to a tissue of interest, where stiffness is evaluated by applying suction and measuring the elongation or by applying compression force and measuring the compression of the tissue. Biopsies can be taken for further analysis, or tissue can be removed using an ablation laser. Small fluorescent molecules or therapeutics can also be delivered for improved visualization and targeted treatment. As such, this technology may be used to evaluate the stiffness of biomaterials as well as tissues and organs that are difficult to access, allowing for simultaneous diagnosis, treatment, and excision of diseased tissues.

Abstract: Methods for more secure mobile network communications are disclosed. Specifically, details involving natural language processing (NLP) based auto formal modeling of protocols and specifications with large language models (NLP) are provided. Methods for formal and fuzzing amplification for fuzz testing to detect vulnerabilities are also disclosed. Furthermore, solutions are provided to identified vulnerabilities in existing 5G infrastructures. Also disclosed is a digital twin fuzzing framework.

Abstract: Methods for more secure mobile network communications are disclosed. Specifically, details involving natural language processing (NLP) based auto formal modeling of protocols and specifications with large language models (NLP) are provided. Methods for formal and fuzzing amplification for fuzz testing to detect vulnerabilities are also disclosed. Furthermore, solutions are provided to identified vulnerabilities in existing 5G infrastructures. Also disclosed is a digital twin fuzzing framework.

Abstract: A method for authentication between multiple communication parties is disclosed. Authentication can be carried out by the means of each communication party having a device having a physical unclonable function. To make this possible, the devices have a known quantum correlation that can be used in conjunction with entangled photons to verify the identities of the devices.

Abstract: A process includes means for depositing an anti-corrosion coating filled with liquid oil on an aluminum substrate. Aluminum is anodized and then treated with a thin hydrophobic sub-coating. The pores created through anodization are then impregnated with liquid oil. Oil penetration is maximized and residual air is minimized by first filling the pores with a filling solution, replacing the filling solution with an exchange fluid, and then replacing the exchange fluid with perfluorinated oil. The oil gives the surface coating anti-wetting properties and self-healing properties, thereby protecting the aluminum substrate underneath from corrosion.

Abstract: A system may provide blockchain-based storage node control for unified proof-of-storage interaction for off-chain data chunk storage. The system may include verification circuitry that may provide a challenge to a storage node to audit the storage status of a data chunk. The verification circuitry may obtain identities for the storage node and data chunk based on blockchain records. The verification circuitry may obtain a challenge answer from the storage node in response. The verification circuitry may analyze the challenge answer in view of a challenge key to confirm whether the storage node has possession of the data chunk. When the storage node has possession of the data chunk chain circuitry may add a verification record to the blockchain.

Abstract: Smart membranes (14) are integrated into a small, unmanned surface vessel (20) to enable the efficient, automated cleanup of oil spills. Such a vessel (20) has the potential to provide a low-cost, modular solution for day-to-day oil-spill cleanup operations, especially in confined aquatic areas, such as under piers and in the small spaces between marine vessels and piers. The smart membranes (14) are provided on the surface of a conveyor belt (34) that circulates the membranes (14) through the surrounding body of water (10) for oil collection, as well as through an internal reduction chamber (22) of the vessel (20) for oil release. The smart membranes (14) are adapted to attract and repel oil (12) in response to low-voltage commands applied across the conveyor belt (34), using a process that is repeatable for a number of cycles, offering high efficiency and long durability (FIG. 5).

Abstract: A magnetically coupled ball drive system for actuation of spherical surfaces and wheels is disclosed. An internal support structure interacts with exterior drive wheels magnetically to produce rotational motion. A related improvement involving reduction of slip due to insufficient traction is also presented to establish a design for a more robust and versatile device that can be used in robotics or for producing vehicle locomotion.

Abstract: A process includes means for depositing an anti-corrosion coating filled with liquid oil on an aluminum substrate. Aluminum is anodized and then treated with a thin hydrophobic sub-coating. The pores created through anodization are then impregnated with liquid oil. Oil penetration is maximized and residual air is minimized by first filling the pores with a filling solution, replacing the filling solution with an exchange fluid, and then replacing the exchange fluid with perfluorinated oil. The oil gives the surface coating anti-wetting properties and self-healing properties, thereby protecting the aluminum substrate underneath from corrosion.

Abstract: Flexible air-breathing microscale fuel cells are produced using ion exchange polymer membranes without silicon substrates or other rigid components. The microscale fuel cells provide long-life energy supply sources in portable electronics due to reduced volume, high energy density, and low cost. More particularly, the microscale fuel cell has a direct hydrogen flow-through porous anode electrode with a pair of air-breathing cathodes.

Abstract: A biomaterial structure for proliferation of stem cells includes at least one lattice sub-structure, and a structural gradient in which one or more geometrical features of the biomaterial structure varies along at least one dimension of the biomaterial structure in three-dimensional space. In some embodiments, the structural gradient is accomplished by the first and second lattice sub-structures having at least one different geometrical parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for secure computation and/or communication. Entangled photons (118) are generated such that each participating party receives a series of optical pulses. Each party has private information (110, 112) which are never transmitted through public or private communication channels. Instead, each party converts their respective private information (110, 112) into measurement bases via an encryption process (114, 116) which are then applied to the entangled photons (118). After the measurement process, e.g., quantum frequency conversion (122, 124), reference indices are announced (124, 126) so that computation can be performed (128) without revealing the private information directly or indirectly.

Abstract: Flexible and stretchable supercapacitors are made using carbon nanostructures produced by providing a first composite structure which includes a temporary substrate and an array of carbon nanotubes arranged in a stack on a surface of the temporary substrate such that the stack of carbon nanotubes is oriented generally perpendicular to the surface of the temporary substrate, which may include silicon dioxide. The stack of carbon nanotubes is transferred from the temporary substrate to another substrate, which includes a curable polymer, thereby forming another composite structure comprising the stack of carbon nanotubes and the cured polymer.

Abstract: An artificial cornea and an associated manufacturing method are disclosed. The artificial cornea has two sides, each of which has an associated microstructure. In an embodiment, microlines can be provided on an anterior side, and a posterior side can have micropores. Both the geometry of the microstructures and their dimensions can be customized for an individual patient. The geometry of the artificial cornea itself and its dimensions can also be customized as such. In addition, the lifetime of the artificial cornea can be significantly enhanced by adding co-polymer(s) into the hydrogel to strengthen its mechanical properties. Patient recovery can be aided by adding peptides into the artificial cornea surfaces to improve cell growth post-operation.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient having edematous lungs includes: administering a first surface tension-lowering component to the patient via the airways and administering a second surface tension-lowering component to the patient via the vasculature. The combined and complementary treatments may lower or normalize alveolar surface tension with improved efficiency and on a faster timescale, thereby reducing patient injury and mortality (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a bioreactor are disclosed. An imaging module is provided that allows for in situ observation of, for instance, lung tissue. Various compounds can be introduced into a cell culture chamber for experimental and practical applications on epithelial tissue. Methods and apparatus are also provided for deepithelializing human or rat tissue without damaging the structures underneath. Thereafter, cell-growth can be effected in a homogenous distribution.