Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomeric network is taught. The thermoplastic elastomer network includes hyperbranched styrenic block copolymers and styrenic block copolymers physically crosslinked though aggregation. Additionally, the hyperbranched styrenic block copolymers of the thermoplastic elastomeric network are a plurality of styrenic block copolymers chemically crosslinked.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to a novel method for synthesizing Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 catalyst, which has several advantages over previous methods. Dry toluene or pentane are not required for synthesizing the catalyst, and the reaction is done in a bulk solution of BHT and THF. Further, because the Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 is made in a one-step (“one-pot”) synthesis, the time required for synthesizing and drying the catalyst is reduced. Using the new method of the present invention, the Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 is pure after removing excess THF, thereby eliminating the need for washes and recrystallization.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to new low cost initiator compositions for use with the production of well-defined telechelic PIBs (by LC+P of isobutylene). In various other embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for using these novel compositions as initiators for isobutylene (IB) and other cationically polymerizable monomers, such as styrene and its derivatives. In still other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new, allyl (and chlorine) telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions and their derivatives (in particular, hydroxyl telechelic PIB and amine telechelic PIB). In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane ureas made using telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions.

Abstract: Methods for making porous materials having metal alloy nanoparticles formed therein are described herein. By preparing a porous material and delivering the precursor solutions under vacuum, the metal precursors can be uniformly embedded within the pores of the porous material. Once absorption is complete, the porous material can be heated in the presence of one or more functional gases to reduce the metal precursors to metal alloy nanoparticles, and embed the metal alloy nanoparticles inside of the pores. As such, the metal alloy nanoparticles can be formed within the pores, while avoiding surface wetting and absorption problems which can occur with small pores.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a thermally conductive polymer composite. The method includes the steps of combining a linear, hydrophilic polymer and an organic, hydrophilic additive to form a blend. The additive includes at least two polar functional groups that are capable of forming hydrogen bonds. A thermally conductive polymer is also provided.

Abstract: A polyisobutylene-based polymer network comprising the thiol-ene reaction product of at least two thiol-terminated polyisobutylene precursor polymers and at least one multi-functional allyl-containing precursor moiety or polymer in the presence of light or heat. The at least two thiol-terminated polyisobutylene precursor polymers have at least two thiol end groups. When each polyisobutylene precursor polymer has only two thiol end groups then the allyl-containing precursor moiety or polymer has at least three functional groups, and wherein when the allyl-containing precursor moiety or polymer has two functional groups then each polyisobutylene precursor polymer has at least three thiol end groups.

Abstract: An imaging and display system for guiding medical interventions includes a wearable display, such as a goggle display, for viewing by a user. The display presents a composite, or combined image that includes pre-operative surgical navigation images, intraoperative images, and in-vivo microscopy images or sensing data. The pre-operative images are acquired from scanners, such as MRI and CT scanners, while the intra-operative images are acquired in real-time from a camera system carried by the goggle display for imaging the patient being treated so as to acquire intraoperative images, such as fluorescence images. A probe, such as a microscopy probe or a sensing probe, is used to acquire in-vivo imaging/sensing data from the patient. Additionally, the intra-operative and in-vivo images are acquired using tracking and registration techniques to align them with the pre-operative image and the patient to form a composite image for display by the goggle display.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a blockchain-powered SDN-enabled networking infrastructure in which the integration between blockchain-based security and autonomy management layer and multi-controller SDN networking layer is defined to enhance the integrity of the control and management messages. In one or more embodiments, this networking infrastructure is utilized achieve three main functionalities: (1) integrity verification of control and management commands for cloud platforms, (2) identification of the malicious hosts abusing the cloud platform, and (3) enhancing the availability of the cloud platform via autonomous bandwidth provisioning.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provide a novel drug loaded amino acid based poly(ester urea) polymers for use in drug delivery having shape memory properties and without the shortcomings of the polymers for drug delivery known in the art, as well as related methods for their synthesis and use.

Abstract: A method of creating a composite cathode for use within a lithium ion battery. The method beginning with the step of preparing an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes a plasticizer, a crosslinkable polyether, a first lithium salt and a second lithium salt. The method ending with the step of impregnating a cathodic material with the electrolytic solution so as to form the composite cathode.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for self-cleaning that include a lysozyme capable of decomposing a microbe, a substrate applied to a solid surface, and a linker moiety bound to an outer surface of said substrate and an active group of said digestive protein, said linker moiety between said lysozyme and said substrate and covalently linking said lysozyme to a surface of said substrate optionally by an amide bond.

Abstract: A flexible sensor for monitoring operating parameters, including pressure and temperature, of a flexible structure, such as a tire, provides electrodes and an active area that are formed of flexible materials. In particular, the active area may be formed from an elastomeric piezoresistive material, such as an ionic liquid-polymer. The flexible properties of the sensor allow it to be readily incorporated into the body of a tire during manufacture. This allows the operating parameters of the tire to be monitored, such as in real-time, while the tire is in operation. Furthermore, the sensor is formed of materials that allow the sensor to be formed using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D (three-dimensional) printing. As such, the sensor may be 3D printed together with another structure, such as a tire tread, so that the sensor is integrated therein.

Abstract: A dynamic mechanical analysis system provides an actuator that imparts expansion and contraction forces (e.g. shear force) to a viscoelastic material at high frequencies. Such high frequency analysis allows for the direct and accurate measurement of the characteristics of the material at high expansion/contraction frequencies directly, without the use of additional predictive analysis techniques, such as time-temperature superposition. The system also utilizes a clamping system, whereby two different sections of the viscoelastic material are held in place between by a pair of fixed clamps and a force member that is moved by the actuator. As such, the system is able to subject the viscoelastic material sample to simulated “road” conditions to identify various performance properties associated with the material sample.

Abstract: A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having either a styrene oligomer or ?-methyl styrene oligomer, wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) sensor includes an anode and a cathode with a polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween. The anode and cathode are configured with asymmetric catalyst loadings, such that the catalyst loading on the cathode is lower than that of the anode. Accordingly, due to the reduction of the amount of catalyst utilized, the cost of fabricating the sensor is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method of producing a model of a human lung includes preparing a computer file within a computer aided design system, mathematically slicing the computer file into a plurality of layers to produce a sliced computer file, providing the sliced computer file to an additive manufacturing apparatus, and fabricating, with the additive manufacturing apparatus, a 3D object based on the sliced computer file. The model of the human lung may be utilized to evaluate surfactant treatment, to improve subsequent surfactant administration to a human patient.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.

Abstract: In various aspects, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a series of multivalent dendrons containing a bioactive peptide domain and surface-binding catechol domains. In some embodiments, these multivalent dendrons were obtained through solid phase synthesis and have a strong binding affinity to metal oxide surfaces such as, TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, and Fe3O4, SiO2, as well as other inorganic surfaces such as hydroxyapatite, silver, fluorapatite, calcium carbonate and gold. These catechol-bearing dendrons provide a fast and efficient method to functionalize a wide range of inorganic materials with bioactive peptides and have the potential to be used in coating orthopaedic implants and fixation devices.

Abstract: An optical imaging system to image a target object includes a light source configured to emit one or more light rays to illuminate the target object and an image detector configured to capture a three-dimensional topography image of the target object when emitted light is emitted from the target object in response to being illuminated by the light rays emitted by the light source. A fluorescence image detector captures a fluorescence image of the target object when fluorescence is emitted from the target object in response illumination by light rays emitted by the light source. A controller instructs the image detector to capture the 3D topography image and the fluorescence image detector to detect the fluorescence image of the target object intraoperatively and to co-register and simultaneously display intraoperatively the co-registered topography and fluorescence information to the user via a display.

Abstract: A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having either a styrene oligomer or ?-methyl styrene oligomer, wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.