Abstract: The present disclosure describes a new resin which can be fabricated into conductive and bioactive microstructures via two-photon polymerization. The direct incorporation of conductive poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based blend remarkably enhances the electrical conductivity of microstructures over 10 orders of magnitude. Including biomaterials in the resin can promote cellular adhesion and create functional biosensors made of hybrid non-conductive and conductive structures for sensitive detection. Applications include development cost effective microelectronics in a broad range of biomedical research, electronics and sensors.

Abstract: A secondary growth procedure described herein is used to prepare finned zeolites. The finned zeolites possess properties that are distinctly unique compared to crystals of similar size lacking fins. The procedure is amenable to a wide range of zeolite crystal structures.

Abstract: Provided herein are phosphors of the general molecular formula: A3-2xEuxMP3O9N, wherein the variables are as defined herein. Methods of producing the phosphors are also provided. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides light-emitting devices comprising these phosphors.

Abstract: Viscoelastic icephobic surfaces of the present disclosure include organogel particle beads dispersed in an elastomer matrix. The surfaces are highly repellant to ice formation, easy and cost efficient to apply, and have long term durability for harsh outdoor applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the ultrasonic disruption of biofilm and algae growth on underwater structures utilize an ultrasonic actuator that produces a natural frequency in the ultrasonic range. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator includes one or more piezoelectric transducers.

Abstract: Analogues of citrate, namely hydroxycitrate (HCA) and isocitrate (ICA), have dual roles as nucleation inhibitors and growth suppressors in the formation of mineral scale. Their potency is comparable to commercial phosphorous-based inhibitors, but they are more environmentally friendly, which has practical advantages for use in a broad range of commercial applications.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides organic semiconductors (OSNTs) as well as high-performance electrochemical devices based on the present OSNTs for the production of micro and nano-scale actuators. The present OSNTs may be used in several applications, including movable and implantable interface devices, such as flexible neural microelectrodes.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods to measure the intraocular pressure, ocular tissue geometry and the biomechanical properties of an ocular tissue, such as an eye-globe or cornea, in one instrument. The system is an optical coherence tomography subsystem and an applanation tonometer subsystem housed as one instrument and interfaced with a computer for at least data processing and image display. The system utilizes an air-puff and a focused micro air-pulse to induce deformation and applanation and displacement in the ocular tissue. Pressure profiles of the air puff with applanation times are utilized to measure intraocular pressure. Temporal profiles of displacement and/or spatio-temporal profiles of a displacement-generated elastic wave are analyzed to calculate biomechanical properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluorinated compounds having chemical structures: (I) where n is 0 or greater, or (II) where m and n are 0 or greater, or an amino acid, a soluble polymer, an oligo(ethylene glycol), a poly(ethylene glycol), or a carbohydrate each fluorinated with perfluorocarbons having the chemical structure (III) where n is 0 or greater. These fluorinated compounds are utilized in contact lenses to impart lipid-resistant, protein-resistant and biofouling-resistant properties, thus reducing discomfort and infection caused by contact lens wear without changing its transmission characteristics. Also provided is an ophthalmic drug delivery system comprising at least one of the compounds described above embedded in the contact lens and a kit to incorporate the ophthalmic into a contact lens. Methods for incorporating these compounds onto a contact lens without affecting transparency and for use in treating an ophthalmologic-associated condition are provided.

Abstract: A method for ambient-temperature synthesis of a catalyst for water electrolysis by dissolving an amount of an Fe2+ source and optionally an amount of a salt of another divalent cation in deionized water at ambient temperature to form a solution, placing nickel (Ni) foam into the solution, whereby the Ni foam serves as a substrate and/or a Ni source for growth of the catalyst, leaving the Ni foam in the solution at ambient temperature for a time duration in a range of from about 0.5 hour to about 4 hours to provide a treated foam, during which time duration, the catalyst is grown on the substrate, and removing the treated foam from the solution after the time duration, wherein the treated foam comprises the catalyst grown thereon.

Abstract: A method of forming a battery electrode by forming, on a first substrate, a polymer template comprising interconnected polymer fibers, forming, on the polymer template, a carbon coating to form a carbon-coated polymer template, removing the carbon-coated polymer template from the first substrate, subsequent to removing the carbon-coated polymer template from the first substrate, removing the polymer template from the carbon coating, and disposing the carbon coating on a second substrate. A solid electrolyte interphase layer (SEI) comprising the carbon coating produced via the method, a battery electrode comprising such an SEI layer, and a battery comprising such a battery electrode are also provided.

Abstract: A method of capturing CO2 and converting the captured CO2 into useful byproducts includes providing a material including a material matrix holding an ionic liquid, exposing the material to a source of thermal energy to capture CO2 within the material, removing the material from exposure to the source of thermal energy, and washing the material with a solution to convert the captured CO2 and wash the converted, captured CO2 from the material as filtrate. Materials and systems for capturing CO2 and converting the captured CO2 into useful byproducts are also provided.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments described herein relate to a pipeline framework that allows for customized analytic processes to be performed on multiple streams of videos. An analytic takes data as input and performs a set of operations and transforms it into information. The methods and systems disclosed herein include a framework (1) that allows users to annotate and create variable datasets, (2) to train computer vision algorithms to create custom models to accomplish specific tasks, (3) to pipeline video data through various computer vision modules for preprocessing, pattern recognition, and statistical analytics to create custom analytics, and (4) to perform analysis using a scalable architecture that allows for running analytic pipelines on multiple streams of videos.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluorinated compounds having chemical structures: (I) where n is 0 or greater, or (II) where m and n are 0 or greater, or an amino acid, a soluble polymer, an oligo(ethylene glycol), a poly(ethylene glycol), or a carbohydrate each fluorinated with perfluorocarbons having the chemical structure (III) where n is 0 or greater. These fluorinated compounds are utilized in contact lenses to impart lipid-resistant, protein-resistant and biofouling-resistant properties, thus reducing discomfort and infection caused by contact lens wear without changing its transmission characteristics. Also provided is an ophthalmic drug delivery system comprising at least one of the compounds described above embedded in the contact lens and a kit to incorporate the ophthalmic into a contact lens. Methods for incorporating these compounds onto a contact lens without affecting transparency and for use in treating an ophthalmologic-associated condition are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring biomechanical properties of tissues without external excitation are capable of measuring and quantifying these parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The system and method preferably utilize a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the displacement caused by the intrinsic heartbeat. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. Preferably, the method is used to detect tissue stiffness and to evaluate its stiffness due to intrinsic pulsatile motion from the heartbeat. This noninvasive method can evaluate the biomechanical properties of the tissues in vivo for detecting the onset and progression of degenerative or other diseases and evaluating the efficacy of therapies.

Abstract: A self-stressing shape memory alloy (SMA)/fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite patch is disclosed that can be used to repair cracked steel members or other civil infrastructures. Prestressed carbon FRP (CFRP) patches have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional methods of repair. However, prestressing these patches typically requires heavy and complex fixtures, which is impractical in many applications. This disclosure describes a new approach in which the prestressing force is applied by restraining the shape memory effect of nickel titanium niobium alloy (NiTiNb) SMA wires. The wires are subsequently embedded in an FRP overlay patch. This method overcomes the practical challenges associated with conventional prestressing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting comprising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by growing electrocatalyst comprising primarily metallic phosphides on three-dimensional substrate by: immersing the substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a once disposed substrate; subjecting the once disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to grow metal phosphides thereupon and form a once subjected substrate; cooling the once subjected substrate to form a cooled, once subjected substrate; immersing the cooled, once subjected substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a twice disposed substrate; and subjecting the twice disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to provide an electrode comprising the bifunctional electrocatalyst on the three-dimensional substrate.

Abstract: A method of thermoelectric power generation by converting heat to electricity via the use of a ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material, wherein a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material is greater than or equal to 7% at a temperature difference of up to 800 K.

Abstract: Viscoelastic icephobic surfaces of the present disclosure include organogel particle beads dispersed in an elastomer matrix. The surfaces are highly repellant to ice formation, easy and cost efficient to apply, and have long term durability for harsh outdoor applications.

Abstract: A stable three-dimensional core-shell metal-nitride catalyst consisting of NiFeN nanoparticles decorated on NiMoN nanorods supported on porous Ni foam (NiMoN@NiFeN), which functions as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst for alkaline seawater electrolysis. It yields large current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm?2 at overpotentials of 369 and 398 mV, respectively, in alkaline natural seawater at 25° C. Combined with an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst of NiMoN nanorods, current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm?2 at low voltages of 1.608 and 1.709 V, respectively are achieved for overall alkaline seawater splitting at 60° C.