Abstract: Embodiments relate to amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s with amino acid residues selected L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine or combinations thereof. The amino acid-based poly(ester urea)S may optionally include a second amino acid residue selected from proteinogenic amino acids and non-proteinogenic amino acids. The amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s are particular useful for the preparation of vascular grafts. Due to the biocompatibility of the amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s, vascular grafts prepared from amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s with small internal diameters (i.e. less than 5 mm) may be prepared and inserted into a patient or animal, and provide a substantial decrease in the risk of failure compared to conventional polymers used in vascular grafts.

Abstract: Specific benzocyclobutenes serve as intramolecular or intermolecular or both intramolecular or intermolecular crosslinkers. The benzocyclobutenes can be incorporated into polymers post polymerization or can be provided as monomers that participate in homopolymerization or copolymerization with other monomer to create the polymers having benzocyclobutenes that are exploited to carry out the crosslinking. At least some of the benzocyclobutenes taught herein can be used to carry out crosslinking a ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A smartphone endoscope system includes a smartphone with first and second imaging sensors, and an imaging optics attachment. The imaging optics attachment includes a first and second imaging apparatus, the first imaging apparatus including a first light source, a beam splitter, an objective lens, and a fiber optic imaging bundle, wherein the fiber optic imaging bundle delivers excitation light to a target which emits a fluorescence emission and a reflectance emission both collected by the fiber optic imaging bundle and transmitted to the first imaging sensor. The second imaging apparatus includes a second light source, a DRS source fiber delivering broadband light to the target which produces a diffuse reflectance emission, a DRS detection fiber, a collimator, a slit, and a transmission grating wherein the transmission grating diffracts diffuse reflectance emission and creates diffracted light which is transmitted to a second imaging sensor.

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: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to switchable carboxybetaine-based polymers, hydrogels, and/or elastomers, along with novel related monomers, crosslinkers, and methods. Under acidic conditions, the materials undergo self-cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, these materials undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. These smart polymers, hydrogels and elastomers also show excellent mechanical properties making them highly desirable for many biomedical applications.

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: Coupling agents useful for preparing vulcanized composition with filers such as silica and carbon black are provided. The coupling agents include fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group. The coupling agents may be grafted onto polydiene polymers or added into a vulcanizable composition as an oligomer. The use of one or both of fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group may improve the strength, rolling resistance, and/or cure rate of a vulcanized polymer compared to a vulcanized polymer without a coupling agent.

Abstract: Processes for decrosslinking crosslinked plastic and devulcanizing vulcanized rubber include advancing such materials through single screw or twin screw extruders including special ultrasonic treatment zones wherein threadless shaft (single screw) or shafts (twin screw) rotate under an ultrasonic horn having a distal end aligned with the shaft or shafts and being shaped complimentary thereto. Special arcuate (single screw) or double-arcuate ultrasonic treatment flow paths confine the materials to flow under the horn where the material is subjected to ultrasonic waves to decrosslink the material, in the case of crosslinked plastic, or devulcanize the material, in the case of vulcanized rubber, with the extrudate leaving the die as a continuous stream or rope as is typical of virgin plastic or rubber.

Abstract: Method for making poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) polymer made by ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide and maleic anhydride in the presence of magnesium ethoxide initiator, wherein PPF is specifically designed for us in 3D manufacturing of medical devices. PPF polymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 450 Daltons to about 3400 Daltons; a molecular mass distribution (m) of from 1.0 to 2.0; and contains less than 1% w/w of poly(maleic anhydride-co-propylene oxide) polymer chains particularly. PPF polymers are non-toxic, degradable, and resorbable and can be used in tissue scaffolds and medical devices that are implanted within a living organism.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a decentralized and secure method for developing machine learning models using homomorphic encryption and blockchain smart contracts technology to realize a secure, decentralized system and privacy-preserving computing system incentivizes the sharing of private data or at least the sharing of resultant machine learning models from the analysis of private data. In various embodiments, the method uses a homomorphic encryption (HE)-based encryption interface designed to ensure the security and the privacy-preservation of the shared learning models, while minimizing the computation overhead for performing calculation on the encrypted domain and, at the same time, ensuring the accuracy of the quantitative verifications obtained by the verification contributors in the cipherspace.

Abstract: A multi-purpose imaging and display system includes a display; a detector coupled to the display and having a field of view; and a filter communicating with the detector. The field of view is imaged by the detector through the filter, the filter configured to be sensitive to a first frequency spectrum, so the detector displays only objects within the field of view on the detector that emit one or more frequencies within the first frequency spectrum. The detector and filter can work together in different operational states or modes for acquiring image data of a target object under investigation. A computing device can be included to process acquired image data, and communication interfaces can be employed to achieve networking of multiple systems. A peripheral interface allows a plurality of peripheral devices to be selectively added to tailor the data acquisition and display capabilities of the imaging and display system.

Abstract: A system and method for iterative condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of an electric machine, such as an electric motor, is configured to iteratively analyze a pattern of multiple fault signatures in a motor current signal under harsh, noisy conditions. As such, the present invention evaluates patterns of multiple fault signatures that are spread over the wide motor current spectrum, by effectively rejecting signal distortions, harsh noise, and interference from the dynamic operation of the electric machine.

Abstract: A method for producing arabitol may include providing a fermentation culture having a microorganism and a carbon source; allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; monitoring a process condition of said step of allowing the microorganism to ferment the carbon source; and collecting a product from the fermentation culture after said step of monitoring a process condition indicates that a predetermined change in the process condition has occurred. Other methods may include steps of providing soybean-based lignocellulosic hydrolysate as a carbon source for a fermentation culture, and modifying the pH of one or more of the growth phase and the stationary phase of a fermentation process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel group of amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s (PEUs) for use in biodegradable adhesive and related methods for their making and use. These novel amino acid-based PEUs have a wide variation in mechanical properties and degradation behavior that can be tuned by varying the amino acids and polyols used to form the polyester monomers that form the PEUs. Importantly, these novel PEUs have been shown to be non-toxic in vitro and in vivo and may be suitable to a wide variety of biomedical and other uses. In some embodiments, the adhesive properties of these degradable amino acid-based poly(ester urea) adhesives has been further improved by the incorporation of controlled amounts of catechol functional groups into the side chains of the PEU via post-polymerization functionalization chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a versatile and high performance zwitterionic CP platform, which integrates all desired functions into one material. This zwitterionic CP consists of the conducting backbone and multifunctional zwitterionic side chains. Non-conducting zwitterionic materials gain electronic conductivity through the conducting backbone and CPs obtain excellent biocompatibility, sensitivity to environmental stimuli and controllable antifouling properties via multifunctional zwitterionic side chains. Unique properties from two distinct materials (conducting materials and zwitterionic materials) are integrated into one material without sacrificing any properties. This platform can potentially be adapted for a range of applications (e.g. bioelectronics, tissue engineering, wound healing, robotic prostheses, biofuel cell, etc.), which all require high performance conducting materials with excellent antifouling/biocompatibility at complex biointerfaces.

Abstract: A wearable inductive-force sensor, which provides high-sensitivity dynamic measurements of both normal force and shear force, utilizes three spiral planar force sensing coils. These spiral planar coils allow the measurement of shear force in the x and y directions and the measurement of a normal force in the z direction. The force sensor is configured to be mounted in various locations, such as an insole of a shoe, so as to provide real-time force sensing of forces that are applied to a patient's feet as they move. In addition, force-measurement electronics used with the force sensor are configured to use resonance-frequency division signal multiplexing to monitor the response of the force sensing coils, which allows the sensor to have minimal complexity, while still being highly sensitive.

Abstract: An impact protection and shock absorbing device includes a support surface, and a plurality of flexible spines, configured of one or more sizes, each having a length defined from a base portion at the support surface to a distal portion thereof, and whereby each spine extends in one or more longitudinal directions outwardly from the support surface, at one or more angles less than 90 degrees. Sufficient deflecting of one or more spines by impact force causes impinging and deflecting of one or more other spines thereby dispersing and reducing impact forces.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for extraction of substances within a body of a human or animal includes an inner cannula, an extraction receptacle secured to the inner cannula, the extraction receptacle being adapted to grip substances to be extracted from the body; and a force sensor including a biasing member, the inner cannula operatively connected to the biasing member at an end of the inner cannula opposite the extraction receptacle, the biasing member exerting a biasing force biasing the inner cannula to pull the extraction receptacle in a direction toward the force sensor, wherein resistive forces on the extraction receptacle during extraction of a substance from the body act against the biasing force and move the biasing member.

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: A method for producing flexible, stretchable transparent and highly electrically conducting hybrid polymer films includes embedding electrically conductive electrospun nanofibers in solution cast dielectric polymer films. The electrically conductive nanofiber, or nanofiber structure, can be electrospun from a suitable polymer solution that contains a suitable amount of, for example, at least one conductive material. The polymer film portion can be formed from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polyimide. The flexible polymer film portion can be a transparent film, made from, for example, polycarbonate, polyurethane and/or cyclopolyolefin polymer compositions.