Abstract: Described herein are apparata and methods for growing cells in a manner that mimics the native three-dimensional environment. Cell cultures grown in the apparatus can be screened for inhibition by specific chemotherapeutics or other drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stretchable, three-dimensional tubular structure formed due to processing-induced wrinkles to result in a platform for stretchable interactive electronics. The three-dimensional tubular structure is fabricated simply by releasing a pre-stretched two-dimensional film-substrate precursor, and the resulting wrinkled surface shows a strong directional dependence that drives the tube formation.

Abstract: A therapeutic bandage includes a bandage matrix and an array of microneedles extending from the bandage matrix. Each of the microneedles includes a first layer that encapsulates a first immunomodulatory compound and a second layer that encapsulates a second immunomodulatory compound. The array of microneedles is configured to guide foreign agents affected by the first immunomodulatory compound, the second immunomodulatory compound, or the first and second immunomodulatory compounds from one or more skin layers of a user to the bandage matrix such that the bandage matrix absorbs and captures the foreign agents.

Abstract: Provided are polymers, which may be crosslinked to form a main-chain liquid crystalline (LC) hydrogel with a three-dimensional network. Also provided are methods of using the hydrogel as a substrate for tissue culture. For example, the hydrogel may organize into LC phases and encapsulate a plurality of cells within its polymeric network. In some embodiments, human stem cells are cultured using the present method with good viability and demonstrate faster proliferation in the present LC hydrogel compared to a non-LC gel.

Abstract: A permeate device includes at least one non-porous, gas permeable element configured for contact with a liquid flow and at least one element fabricated from a porous material configured to permit gas flow therethrough. The permeate device may include a vacuum chamber that surrounds an operative portion of a permeation zone. A method for processing a liquid flow to remove entrained gas includes providing a liquid flow that includes an initial level of entrained gas, delivering the liquid flow to a permeate device, wherein the permeate device includes (i) at least one non-porous, gas permeable element configured for direct contact with the flow; and (ii) at least one element fabricated at least in part from a porous material configured so as to permit gas flow therethrough, and applying a negative pressure to the permeate device to draw entrained gas from the flow within an operative portion of the permeate device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may utilize a glass substrate to selectively withdraw exfoliated graphene from a high-energy interface between immiscible solvents. The exfoliated graphene preferentially adheres to the surface of the glass substrate for withdrawal from the noted high energy interface, leaving behind the graphite (which is too large to be effectively adsorbed relative to the glass substrate). The disclosed systems and methods are easily implemented and offer significant advantages for graphene production relative to conventional systems and methods, e.g., the disclosed systems/methods do not require the input of heat or mechanical energy which translates to processes that are both cheaper to run and do not result in damage to the graphene. Still further, the disclosed systems/methods do not require chemical modification of the graphene, again lowering the cost considerably and not damaging the graphene structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermal radiation modulation system comprising a first low emissivity layer comprising a plurality of distributed, strain-dependent cracks, the first low emissivity layer comprising a first polymer composite layer and a first mirror-like metal layer with low emissivity covering a surface of the first polymer composite layer; a first elastomer layer bonded to the first low emissivity layer opposite to the mirror-like metal layer; and optionally a first stretchable heater, the first stretchable heater is attached to the first elastomer layer opposite to the first low emissivity layer, wherein a top surface of the first low emissivity layer comprising the mirror-like metal layer has a lower emissivity relative to the first elastomer layer. Methods of making and use of the system are further described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides advantageous sheet stabilized emulsion based inks, and improved methods for fabricating and using such inks. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved methods for fabricating conductive inks derived from water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by sheets exfoliated from layered materials (e.g., substantially pristine and non-oxidized graphite or hexagonal boron nitride), and related methods of use. A layered material (e.g., substantially pristine and non-oxidized graphite or hexagonal boron nitride) can be exfoliated into individual sheets, and these sheets can be utilized to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions. In certain embodiments, by utilizing long chain alkanes (e.g., hexadecane), one can advantageously fabricate emulsions with high viscosity and stability. In this form, the emulsions can be used as inks, thereby advantageously providing an inexpensive route to printing electrically conducting and/or insulating lines and shapes.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes measuring brain activity for a target frequency and a second harmonic frequency based on a default value of display parameters for a plurality of icons, determining whether a strength of the target frequency and the second harmonic frequency are below a threshold level, and modifying one or more display parameters in response to the strength of the target frequency and the second harmonic frequency being below the threshold level.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes generating a plurality of icons, wherein each icon has a target frequency unique from each other, receiving brain activity data based on an epoch, generating a reference signal based on the epoch, calculating correlation coefficients between the brain activity data and the reference signal, wherein the correlation coefficients are calculated in a window that is within ±0.5 Hz of the target frequencies, including endpoints, determining a confidence score based on the correlation coefficients and the epoch, and determining a selected icon among the plurality of icons based on the correlation coefficients in response to the confidence score surpassing a threshold confidence score.

Abstract: Metal oxide nanoarrays, such as titanium oxide nanoarrays, having a platinum group metal dispersed thereon and methods of making such nanoarrays are described. The platinum group metal can be dispersed on the metal oxide nanoarray as single atoms. The nanoarrays can be used to catalyze oxidation of combustion exhaust.

Abstract: An antenna electrode including a first electrode that includes a core and a first conductive surface; a second electrode that includes a second conductive surface; and an electrical tunnel junction between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, the tunnel junction having a gap width greater than about 0.1 nm and less than about 10 nm.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes generating a plurality of icons, wherein each icon has a target frequency unique from each other, receiving brain activity data based on an epoch, generating a reference signal based on the epoch, calculating correlation coefficients between the brain activity data and the reference signal, wherein the correlation coefficients are calculated in a window that is within ±0.5 Hz of the target frequencies, including endpoints, determining a confidence score based on the correlation coefficients and the epoch, and determining a selected icon among the plurality of icons based on the correlation coefficients in response to the confidence score surpassing a threshold confidence score.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a sample mount for holding a sample to be imaged, a light source configured to emit a light beam to be incident on the sample, a translation mechanism coupled to the sample mount and configured to scan the sample to a plurality of sample positions in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging system, a mask positioned downstream from the sample along the optical axis, and an image sensor positioned downstream from the mask along the optical axis. The image sensor is configured to acquire a plurality of images as the sample is translated to the plurality of sample positions. Each respective image corresponds to a respective sample position. The imaging system further includes a processor configured to process the plurality of images to recover a complex profile of the sample based on positional shifts extracted from the plurality of images.

Abstract: A scaffold comprised of a plurality of PLLA layers, which may include stem cells, for regenerating bone or tissue. The PLLA layers are separated by a plurality of hydrogel layers. The PLLA layers comprise a nanofiber mesh having a piezoelectric constant to apply an electrical charge to the bone or tissue upon application of ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A biodegradable pressure sensor for measuring vital physiological pressures and for preventing the buildup of dangerous internal forces in impaired organs. The pressure sensor is constructed by depositing Mg or Mo on both sides of a PLLA film. This layered configuration (Mg/PLLA/Mg) or (Mo/PLLA/Mo) may then be encapsulated by layers of high molecular weight PLA. These materials are biodegradable such that after implantation, the sensor does not require invasive removal surgery that can damage directly interfaced tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mesoporous metal titanate materials composition. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a mesoporous metal titanate material composition that is active for multiple reactions, including aromatic alkylation, alkene coupling, alkene cyclization, alkyne oxidation, alcohol dehydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: Manganese-cobalt (Mn—Co) spinel oxide nanowire arrays are synthesized at low pressure and low temperature by a hydrothermal method. The method can include contacting a substrate with a solvent, such as water, that includes Mn04- and Co2 ions at a temperature from about 60° C. to about 120° C. The method preferably includes dissolving potassium permanganate (KMn04) in the solvent to yield the Mn04- ions. the substrate is The nanoarrays are useful for reducing a concentration of an impurity, such as a hydrocarbon, in a gas, such as an emission source. The resulting material with high surface area and high materials utilization efficiency can be directly used for environment and energy applications including emission control systems, air/water purifying systems and lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments that comprise obtaining a data budget associated with a communication session for streaming video content over a communication network from a video content server, determining a first portion of the data budget that is associated with a first segment of the video content, and obtaining quality information associated with the video content from the video content server over the communication network. Further embodiments can include identifying a first group of tracks for the first segment, and determining a first target quality for the first segment based on the first portion of the data budget and the quality information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and integrated circuit architectures for assuring the protection of intellectual property between third party IP providers, system designers (e.g., SoC designers), fabrication entities, and assembly entities are provided. Novel design flows for the prevention of IP overuse, IP piracy, and IC overproduction are also provided. A comprehensive framework for forward trust between 3PIP vendors, SoC design houses, fabrication entities, and assembly entities can be achieved, and the unwanted modification of IP can be prevented.