Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a system with a first surface and a second surface operational to associate with one another, where at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes an adhesive layer and a graphite layer positioned on the adhesive layer, and where the graphite layer reduces friction between the first surface and the second surface while the adhesive layer maintains the position of the graphite layer on at least the first surface and the second surface. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of modifying a system that includes a first surface and a second surface by applying an adhesive material to at least one of the first surface and the second surface to form an adhesive layer on at least one of the first surface and the second surface; and applying a graphite material onto the adhesive layer to form a graphite layer on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A 3D printer for printing continuous carbon fibers comprising a mechanical system and control system.

Abstract: A microelectronic device and method of making the same including a substrate and at least one expansion layer that adds stress to the substrate when said substrate expands.

Abstract: A multiphase converter for reducing the input and output current ripples. The multiphase converter includes a system controller and power devices. Furthermore, the multiphase converter includes an active gate driver integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the system controller and the power devices. The active gate driver IC receives signals from the system controller and provides outputs to the power devices based, at least in part, on real-time feedback from the power devices.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising new strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Burkholderia cenocepacia. Secreted fraction compositions produced by these bacterial strains, and the methods for producing these compositions are also provided. Herein, the inventors demonstrate that these bacterial strains and compositions may be used to inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of plant pathogens.

Abstract: Adjuvants comprising chitosan cross-linked with an aldehyde or mannosylated chitosan are provided herein. Methods of making the adjuvants and methods of combining or linking the adjuvants with antigens are also provided. The adjuvant-antigen combinations can be used in vaccine formulations and the vaccine formulations can be used in methods to vaccinate animals against the source of the antigen or to enhance the immune response in a subject.

Abstract: A multiple mechanically actuated regenerative output system having a rack gear that moves linearly between a first position and a second position to a shaft of an alternator.

Abstract: A redundant meter measurement system includes a first water sensor configured to measure a first set of water use data and a second water sensor configured to measure a second set of water use data. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first water sensor and the second water sensor. The controller is configured to receive the first set of water use data from the first water sensor and receive the second set of water use data from the second water sensor. The controller is also configured to store the first set of water use data and the second set of water use data as a collection of water use data. The controller is also configured to enable transmission of the collection of water use data to a remote device.

Abstract: As anode having an anode material, a current collector, a graphene-based material, and the graphene-based material covers the anode material.

Abstract: A biosensor having a core/shell nanocomposite of TiO2/rGO formed by hydrothermally coating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flakes on titanate nanowires.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel control scheme/strategy for the stacked structure LLC resonant converter. The control scheme includes a control signal as a gating signal of the fourth switch, and gating signals of the first, second and third switches that are operably generated according to the gating signal of the fourth switch. The gating signals of the second switch has a same duty ratio as and a phase shift of 180 degrees from the gating signal of the fourth switch. The gate signals of the first and third switches are complementary with the gate signals of the second and fourth switches, respectively. By adopting the control strategy, a three level LLC resonant network input voltage is generated, which includes Vin, Vin/2 and 0.

Abstract: A method for C—H bond activation and/or C—N coupling reaction comprises adding a hydrocarbon material to a container; adding a metal catalyst to the container; adding a primary or a secondary amine to the container. The metal catalyst is represented by the following formula: where Q is a 5 or 6 membered aromatic ring; W, X, and Y are the same or different, and are independently N, S, P, or O; M is Ni, Pd, Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, Cu, Pt, Ir, or Ru; Z is halide (F, Cl, Br, or I); R1 and R2 are the same or different, and are independently alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or cycloalkyl; and n is 1, 2, or 3.

Abstract: Orthotospovirus virions travel through the thrips foregut and enter midgut epithelial cells through the interaction between virus glycoproteins and cellular receptors with several protein motifs thought to be involved in the interaction. Single, double and triple mutant polypeptides in the soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV)/Neohydatothrips variabilis system are provided herein and several are shown to block viral transmission from the thrips to the soybean plants. Methods for inhibiting viral transmission using these polypeptides or constructs comprising polynucleotides encoding peptides are also provided herein.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter for converting electrical energy. The multiphase power converter includes at least one transformer providing isolation in the multiphase power converter. The multiphase power converter further includes a series capacitor in a series capacitor configuration. The multiphase power converter additionally includes a plurality of switches connected within the series capacitor configuration. Furthermore, the multiphase power converter includes a controller in electrical communication with the series capacitor and the plurality of switches, where the controller is configured to control power output by causing the plurality of switches to be switched according to a plurality of switching intervals of a period.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated UA54i19GT is disclosed herein. The present invention provides seeds, plants, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar UA54i19GT. Further, it provides methods for producing a soybean plant by crossing UA54i19GT with itself or another soybean variety. The invention also encompasses any soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by the methods disclosed herein, including those in which additional traits have been transferred into UA54i19GT through the introduction of a transgene, through mutagenesis, or by breeding UA54i19GT with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention relate to a method of synthesizing a composite usably for oil-water separation comprising surface nanostructuring a pristine powder or porous material to form a nanostructured powder or porous material having surfaces with nanoscale features; and coating single or multilayers of one or more low surface energy oligomers, polymers, or their composites with other materials on the surfaces of the nanostructured powder or porous material.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a three-dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide (RGO) foam embedded with water-splitting nanocatalysts includes providing at least one solution containing at least one precursor of nanocatalysts, and a graphene oxide (GO) aqueous suspension; mixing the GO aqueous suspension with the at least one solution to form a mixture suspension; and performing hydrothermal reaction in the mixture suspension to form a 3D RGO foam embedded with the nanocatalysts.

Abstract: A semiconductor heat sink made of a first material including a plurality of spaced-apart depressions and an area surrounding the depressions filled with one or more materials having a heat conductivity greater than the first material.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named ‘APF-409T’ which originated from seed produced by a hand-pollinated cross of Arkansas selections ‘A-2504T’ (an unpatented breeding selection) x ‘APF-295T’ (an unpatented breeding selection) is provided. This new cultivar of blackberry plant can be distinguished by its excellent plant health, thornless canes, strong primocane-fruiting tendency, and early season of fruit ripening on both floricanes and primocanes.