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: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to terpolymers of carbon monoxide (CO), olefins (alkenes), and epoxides, as well as related methods and catalysts for their making and use. These terpolymer chains are comprised of ketone repeat units, ester repeat units, and ether repeat units. The additional presence of the ester repeat units and ether repeat units have the effect of lowering terpolymer melt temperature relative to that of similar polyketone, thus separating melt temperature from decomposition temperature, making it suitable for melt processing. In a single reaction mixture, the same metal catalyst that polymerizes CO with olefins also incorporates epoxide monomers into the terpolymer in the form of ester or ester and ether linkages. As a part of the terpolymer chain, the ester groups can undergo hydrolysis, rendering these terpolymer compositions hydrolytically degradable.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a strong, synthetic elastomer materials (and related methods for making same) with mechanical properties that are controlled by the stereochemically-defined double bonds within their backbone, yet have physical properties that are derived from monomer selection and defined, modifiable, chain end groups. The use of the organocatalyzed, stereospecific addition of thiols to activated alkynes, affords isolated high molar mass materials (>100 kDa) via step-growth polymerization with high levels of cis- or trans-double bond content. Furthermore, in various aspects of the present invention, it has been found that changing the monomer composition and chain end groups provides additional control over the materials' physical properties to provide more efficient compounding with polar additives. Using this approach to elastomer synthesis, further end group modification and toughening through various vulcanization strategies are also possible.

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: The present invention is directed to enzyme based methods for removing water insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and/or water soluble or insoluble oligosaccharides from soy products without significantly damaging the proteins contained therein This removal is facilitated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of poly- and oligomeric carbohydrates into monosaccharides and other water soluble sugars. The present invention provides for the production of three streams of useful materials. The first is an enriched protein material comparable to the known SPCs but without significant quantities of undigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The second is an SPI made from the soluble protein in the hydrolysate which is valuable for high-quality feed, food and industrial uses. The third is the soluble saccharides and hydrolyzed carbohydrates (releasing sugars) that can be converted by fermentation to various valuable bioproducts.

Abstract: A core/shell nanoparticle with enhanced emission comprises a fluorescent conjugated polymer core that is encapsulated by an amphiphilic block copolymer shell. The core/shell nanoparticle structure confines the electronic charge to improve quantum yield and is water soluble to enable low-cost and environmentally friendly processing.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a liquid entrapping device comprising an absorbent component, hydrophilic elastomeric fibrous component in fluid communication therewith, and optionally an adhesive component. The present invention is also directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids while maintaining a suitable degree of mechanical strength. Furthermore, the present invention is generally directed to methods for making and using the foregoing devices and materials.

Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance machine includes a capacitor and an inverter connected to the capacitor, wherein the inverter generates current signals and a ripple current returned to the capacitor. A switched reluctance machine (SRM) receives the current signals and generates a position signal. A controller receives the ripple current, current signal values of the current signals, and the position signal and generates desired reference current waveforms received by the inverter to adjust the current signals received by the SRM.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polyurethanes and polyurethane nanocomposites having improved mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties over ordinarily produced polyurethanes and polyurethane nanocomposites. Such polyurethanes and polyurethane nanocomposites include very small amounts of a small chain diol, such as glycerol, and more specifically, between 0.01 and 4 weight percent of the small chain diol, based on the total polymer composition.

Abstract: Photoresponsive polymers that comprise a unit derived from an amide functional diol compound that includes a coumarin group are provided. Advantageously, the photoresponsive groups of the photoresponsive polymers may be used to control the viscosity of the photoresponsive polymer. The photoresponsize polymers may also include units derived from amide functional diol compounds with include a fatty acid chain or a polyethylene glycol chain. The photoresponsive polymers may be used for 3d printing. When an adhesive group is added to a photoresponsive polymer they may be used as an adhesive. Adhesive groups include catechol groups.

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.