Abstract: An electrical component includes an inkjet-printed graphene electrode. Graphene oxide flakes are deposited on a substrate in a graphene oxide ink using an inkjet printer. The deposited graphene oxide is thermally reduced to graphene. The electrical properties of the electrode are comparable to those of electrodes made using activated carbon, carbon nanotubes or graphene made by other methods. The electrical properties of the graphene electrodes may be tailored by adding nanoparticles of other materials to the ink to serve as conductivity enhancers, spacers, or to confer pseudocapacitance. Inkjet-printing can be used to make graphene electrodes of a desired thickness in preselected patterns. Inkjet printing can be used to make highly-transparent graphene electrodes. Inkjet-printed graphene electrodes may be used to fabricate double-layer capacitors that store energy by nanoscale charge separation at the electrode-electrolyte interface (i.e., “supercapacitors”).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for improving wireless and other network communications, e.g., through improving resource utilization, which may comprise the steps of accumulating channel modeling information relating to channel performance; calculating a channel parameter threshold based on the accumulated channel modeling information, whereby the channel parameter, as measured, being above the threshold indicates the channel is a good channel; adjusting traffic over a selected good channel to improve performance of the network or a network resource. The network resource may comprises battery life for devices operating on the network, data rate for devices operating on the network, constituting or reconstituting ad hoc networks comprising nodes separated by multiple hops, continuity of connectivity within a single communication link over the network, etc.

Abstract: A method of high-throughput printing and selective transfer of graphene onto a substrate includes the steps of: providing a thermal release tape having graphene adhered thereto; placing a substrate onto the graphene; pressing the thermal tape and the graphene against the substrate at a uniformly-distributed pressure; heating localized portions of the thermal tape and graphene using a localized heat source, thereby diminishing the adhesive properties of the thermal release tape in the localized portions and transferring graphene from said localized portions to the substrate; and separating the thermal release tape from the substrate. The method may include the further step of moving the localized heat source to selected positions on the thermal release tape during the heating step, thereby forming a pattern of heated portions. The method may use a laser beam as the localized heat source, movement of the laser beam being performed by a computer-controlled deflectable mirror.

Abstract: An electrical component includes an inkjet-printed graphene electrode. Graphene oxide flakes are deposited on a substrate in a graphene oxide ink using an inkjet printer. The deposited graphene oxide is thermally reduced to graphene. The electrical properties of the electrode are comparable to those of electrodes made using activated carbon, carbon nanotubes or graphene made by other methods. The electrical properties of the graphene electrodes may be tailored by adding nanoparticles of other materials to the ink to serve as conductivity enhancers, spacers, or to confer pseudocapacitance. Inkjet-printing can be used to make graphene electrodes of a desired thickness in preselected patterns. Inkjet printing can be used to make highly-transparent graphene electrodes. Inkjet-printed graphene electrodes may be used to fabricate double-layer capacitors that store energy by nanoscale charge separation at the electrode-electrolyte interface (i.e., “supercapacitors”).

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant for guided regeneration of gingival tissue onto the implant and method of producing the same is prepared by coating a region of the implant with biocompatible, random or aligned microfibers or nanofibers to which gingival epithelial and connective tissue cells may become attached. The fibers may be degradable or nondegradable. The extracellular matrix of new connective tissue forms and connects to the implant surface, guided by the nanofibers or microfibers. The coated implant prevents bacterial biofilm formation, which can cause detrimental resorption of crestal bone and lead to implant failure. The implant surface supports improved tissue bonding and provides a cost-effective approach to coating the dental implant surface with biomimetic fibers to enhance gingival or other tissue regeneration directly onto the implant surface.

Abstract: A hierarchical multiscale fibrous scaffold comprises multiple patterned layers of microfibers with one or more layers of nanofibers interleaved therebetween. In a method for making such scaffolds, electrodeposition or near-field electrospinning is used to deposit patterned layers of microfibers in a stack. Conventional electrospinning is used to deposit nanofibers on the layers of microfibers. The method may be used to tune the mechanical properties of the scaffold, facilitated by microfibers, and the biological features of the scaffold, facilitated by nanofibers. Scaffolds produced by such a process may have highly biomimetic architectures, and allow rapid cellular infiltration and sustainable cell growth for multiple tissue types.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the efficient use of cognitive radios in the performance of dynamic spectrum access. This includes spectrum sensing algorithms, adaptive optimized sensing of parameters based on changing radio environments, and identifying vacant channels. Protocols for switching communication links to different channels, and synchronizing communicating nodes in order to maintain reliable connectively while maximizing spectrum usage are also provided.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a high-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell includes a nano-engineered polymeric membrane between an anode and a cathode. The membrane is an electrical insulator, but permits that passage of protons through the membrane. The membrane has a plurality of blind pores therein, each blind pore having an electrically-conductive coating along its inner wall that is in electrical contact with the adjacent one of the anode or cathode. The electrically-conductive coating includes a catalyst, such as platinum, for promoting the liberation of a proton and an electron from a chemical molecule, such as hydrogen, and/or for promoting the combination of a proton, an electron and another molecule, such as oxygen, to form yet another molecule, such as water.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization techniques are used to generate reagents that ionize analytes for mass spectrometric analysis by charge transfer. Such techniques may be performed under ambient conditions. Suitable precursors for such reagents include ionizable nonpolar solvents, such as toluene or xylenes, polar solvents, such as water or alcohols, inert gases, such as helium or nitrogen, or combinations thereof. Environmental conditions in the ionization chamber of the mass spectrograph can be manipulated to generate a selected ion of an analyte in preference to other ions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the efficient use of cognitive radios in the performance of dynamic spectrum access. This includes spectrum sensing algorithms, adaptive optimized sensing of parameters based on changing radio environments, and identifying vacant channels. Protocols for switching communication links to different channels, and synchronizing communicating nodes in order to maintain reliable connectively while maximizing spectrum usage are also provided.

Abstract: A two-beam interference lithography system offers large-area nanopatterning with tunability of pattern periodicities. The tunable feature is achieved by placing two rotatable mirrors in the two expanded beam paths which can conveniently be regulated for the designed pattern periodicities. While the effective interference pattern coverage is mainly determined by the optical coherence length and mirror size, the minimum pattern coverage area is as large as the effective coherence length of the laser and the selected mirror size over a wide range of periodicities.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization techniques are used to generate reagents that ionize analytes for mass spectrometric analysis by charge transfer. Such techniques may be performed under ambient conditions. Suitable precursors for such reagents include ionizable nonpolar solvents, such as toluene or xylenes, polar solvents, such as water or alchohols, inert gases, such as helium or nitrogen, or combinations thereof. Environmental conditions in the ionization chamber of the mass spectrograph can be manipulated to generate a selected ion of an analyte in preference to other ions.

Abstract: A goniometer has three potentiometers with axes of rotation that intersect at a point for measuring angular range of motion of an anatomy, such as of the spine or jointed appendages. The intersecting axes facilitate calculation of angle based on potentiometer output and allow the rotations on each of the three axes to be measured independently and simultaneously without mechanical or electrical cross talk. The angular measurements may be recorded on a computer for analysis and playback and may be continuously captured over a range of motion. The captured data may be compared to samples from the same person or others to aid in assessment of function.

Abstract: A steganographic message/advertisement embedding method is presented that can be used for contextual and targeted advertising supporting unobtrusive and on-demand message/advertisement delivery. The present invention presents over two client devices, the method includes receiving, on a first client device, a primary multimedia presentation with a plurality of steganographic codes embedded therein; whereby the steganographic code is not perceivable during a rendering of the multimedia presentation and the steganographic code is associated with at least one secondary multimedia presentation. Next; the primary multimedia presentation is rendered on the first client device. The first client device receives a user selection to select at least one of the steganographic codes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus to continuously transmit high bandwidth, real-time data, on a communications network (e.g., wired, wireless, and a combination of wired and wireless segments). A control computing device uses user or application requirements to dynamically adjust the throughput of the system to match the bandwidth of the communications network being used, so that data latency is minimized. An operator can visualize the instantaneous characteristic of the link and, if necessary, make a tradeoff between the latency and resolution of the data to help maintain the real-time nature of the system and better utilize the available network resources. Automated control strategies have also been implemented into the system to enable dynamic adjustments of the system throughput to minimize latency while maximizing data resolution. Several applications have been cited in which latency minimization techniques can be employed for enhanced dynamic performance.

Abstract: A microfluidic-based platform with cultured three-dimensional tissues simulates major human physiological systems for rapid evaluation of individual drugs prior to clinical testing or for personalized medical applications. The platform integrates the circulatory and lymphatic systems in a physiologically correct manner. The physiological systems may be simulated in the platform by microfluidic tissue culture devices which accommodate various tissues and provide integrated microvascular and lymphatic systems. Biomimetic nanofiber meshes or microfiber structures may be used to provide the cells with a physiologically relevant substrate. Each device may have an on-board detection system utilizing optical fiber bundles for microarray multiplexing of biomarkers, label-free SERS measurement of drugs, and microendoscopic confocal imaging of cells and tissues.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining whether text is deceptive has a computer programmed with software that automatically analyzes text in digital form by at least one of statistical analysis of psycho-linguistic cues, IP geo-location, gender analysis, authorship analysis, and analysis to detect coded/camouflaged messages. The computer has truth data against which the text message can be compared and a graphical user interface. The computer may be connectable to the Internet and may obtain the text automatically. Speech-to-text software may be used to convert verbal messages to text for analysis. The system may be made available on a webpage, web service, on a computer or by a wireless device. The text may be emails, website content, tweets. In one embodiment, the system detects coded messages (FIG. 19).

Abstract: Methods are provided for protecting against ventilation-induced lung injury both directly, by lowering surface tension, and indirectly, by promoting equitable liquid distribution in pulmonary alveolar edema, in which liquid- and air-filled alveoli are normally interspersed. Since a pressure barrier is responsible for trapping liquid in discrete edematous alveoli and the magnitude of the barrier is proportional to surface tension at the air-liquid interface, the present invention provides various means for promoting equitable redistribution of edema liquid amongst alveoli to help protect the lung during ventilation, including: i) use of an additive that lowers surface tension; ii) use of active, accelerated deflation during mechanical ventilation; and iii) high frequency (>50 Hz) vibration of the lung.

Abstract: A microfabricated optical gyroscope that utilizes a linear array of micron scale optical ring resonators closely spaced to allow evanescent coupling of electromagnetic fields in adjacent resonators. Within each resonator, the optical Sagnac effect produces a phase difference between clockwise and counterclockwise propagating light that is proportional to the inertial rotation rate perpendicular to the plane of the resonator. The disclosure enhances the overall sensitivity to rotations by varying the strengths of the evanescent coupling between resonators and/or the circumferences of the resonators. The size and coupling strengths control the optical interference between resonators.

Abstract: Monatomic metal anions are generated in the gas phase by collision-induced dissociation of the anions [26] of a dicarboxylic acid salt of the metal. This method is applicable to a number of metals, including sodium, potassium, cesium, and silver. The metal anions produced in this way can subsequently be stored in an ion trap [88] or transmitted as a focused beam [52]. The metal anions of this invention undergo collisional cooling and have low kinetic energy, which distinguishes them from ions produced by other high energy processes (with kinetic energy in excess of 1 keV). Metal anions so produced can be used to pattern nanoscale features on surfaces [56], used as electron transfer agents or reducing agents in ion-molecule reactions, or used for surface [122] modification of biomaterials [124].