Abstract: A protonated dimeric ionic liquid that enhances and improves the performance of a fuel cell catalyst. The protonated dimeric ionic liquid comprises 9?9?-(butane-1, 4-diyl)bis(3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium) 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate (HTBD) Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing the protonated dimeric ionic liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dimeric ionic liquid that enhances and improves the performance and durability of a fuel cell catalyst. The dimeric ionic liquid comprises 1,1-(butane-1,4-diyl)bis(9-methyl-3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate (D-[MTBD][C4F9SO3]). Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing the dimeric ionic liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include a primary transformer coil, a secondary transformer coil, and a center tapped inductor coupled to the secondary transformer coil. A first switch may be in electrical communication with the center tapped inductor and may be configured to affect the first output voltage. A second switch may be in electrical communication with the center tapped inductor and may be configured to affect the second output voltage. In a particular example with an analog current (AC) output voltage, the two output voltages are out of phase to each other. In a direct current (DC) implementation, the transformer may be operated to output a positive and a negative output voltage. The apparatus may function as a resonant converter, or may operate in non-resonant mode. In one implementation, an H bridge may provide reactive power support. An inductor filter may be in electrical communication with the secondary transformer coil.

Abstract: Method and apparatus include a circuit having a duty cycle and interleaving modulation configured to realize high density and efficient energy transfer. The circuit may efficiently achieve higher step-down voltage ratios with fewer electrical components. For example, as few as seven electrical devices, such as switches and diodes, may be used to realize at least a four-to-one conversion ratio. The high density of the circuit is advantageous to meet shrinking space demands. A modulator may interleave signals sent to the electrical components (e.g., switching devices via driver circuitry). The driver signals may include a duty cycle of 1/(nc+1), where nc is (n?1)/3, and n is the number of devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: An interventional photoacoustic imaging system and method for cancer treatment comprises an optical source for applying laser energy to optically excite a treatment area, a needle, ablation tool or catheter for inserting the optical source into a body of a patient adjacent the treatment area, and an ultrasonic transducer for detecting the acoustic waves. A processor receives the raw data from the ultrasound system and processes it to thereby form a photoacoustic image of the tissue in real time. As such, image formation may be performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of modifying thin film composite membrane support structures. In particular, the disclosure provides method of modifying thin film composite membrane support structures with poly(dopamine) for use with engineered osmosis applications.

Abstract: A Raman analyzer for analyzing light emitted from a Raman cell is provided that has a beam splitter configured to split the light emitted from the Raman cell into a first beam and a second beam. An atomic vapor filter can be used to filter a Raman scattered line from the first beam and a chopper system can periodically interrupt the first and second beams that are directed towards a photo detector, which can convert light from the first and second beams into an electrical signal. The signal output from the photo detector can optionally be amplified, digitized, Fourier filtered, and/or subjected to Fourier analysis.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and producing sucrose from cyanobacteria, by growing a cyanobacterium in a growth medium; incubating the cyanobacteria in a salt containing medium under conditions that promote sucrose production; and exposing the cyanobacteria to acidic conditions, wherein the acidic conditions trigger sucrose secretion into the medium. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of sucrose, glucose, or fructose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for maintaining a connection between a server and a client by receiving a message, determining whether to store one or more elements of the message, storing the one or more elements of the message when the one or more elements of the message are to be stored, transmitting the message, and determining whether the server has failed and when the server has failed, restoring the server to a pre-failure connection state using the one or more stored message elements.

Abstract: The invention includes an enantioselective indicator-displacement assay useful to determine enantiomeric excess (ee) enantiomeric samples calorimetrically. Determination may be by inspection of color with the naked eye, spectrographic measurement, or mathematical calculation. Concentration may also be determined. The assay may involve two independent absorption measurements. On suitable group of enantiomeric molecules to be assayed include ?-hydroxyacids. The inherent relationship between the absorbance of the indicator-displacement ensemble and the overall concentration and ee of the analyte is established through solution equilibria. The invention also includes use of the assay in drug screening and manufacturing, high throughput screening of catalysts and kits for use in conducting assays of the invention.

Abstract: An adjustable bit rate (ABR) feedback control scheme is provided where the effects of multiloop delays and high priority traffic transmission are built into the control model. The data traffic is filtered by a low pass filter. Then, the low frequency bandwidth of the filtered traffic is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the measured value exceeds the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is reduced. If the measured value is less than the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is increased. In addition, a General Prediction Control (GPC) method may be applied to the control model for optimal performance. An object of the invention is to minimize the unused link capacity subject to no congestion, where the ABR traffic is adapted to the low frequency variation of high priority traffic flow for high efficiency.

Abstract: An adjustable bit rate (ABR) feedback control scheme is provided where the effects of multiloop delays and high priority traffic transmission are built into the control model. The data traffic is filtered by a low pass filter. Then, the low frequency bandwidth of the filtered traffic is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the measured value exceeds the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is reduced. If the measured value is less than the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is increased. In addition, a General Prediction Control (GPC) method may be applied to the control model for optimal performance. An object of the invention is to minimize the unused link capacity subject to no congestion, where the ABR traffic is adapted to the low frequency variation of high priority traffic flow for high efficiency.

Abstract: An adjustable bit rate (ABR) feedback control scheme is provided where the effects of multiloop delays and high priority traffic transmission are built into the control model. The data traffic is filtered by a low pass filter. Then, the low frequency bandwidth of the filtered traffic is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the measured value exceeds the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is reduced. If the measured value is less than the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is increased. In addition, a General Prediction Control (GPC) method may be applied to the control model for optimal performance. An object of the invention is to minimize the unused link capacity subject to no congestion, where the ABR traffic is adapted to the low frequency variation of high priority traffic flow for high efficiency.

Abstract: Compounds containing two aromatic systems covalently linked through a linker containing one or more atoms, or "linker" defined as including a covalent bond per se so as to space the aromatic systems at a distance 1.5-15 .ANG., are effective in treating conditions associated with bone deficits. The compounds can be administered to vertebrate subjects alone or in combination with additional agents that promote bone growth or that inhibit bone resorption. They can be screened for activity prior to administration by assessing their ability to effect the transcription of a reporter gene coupled to a promoter associated with a bone morphogenetic protein and/or their ability to stimulate calvarial growth in model animal systems.

Abstract: Novel methods of retroviral-mediated gene transfer for the in vivo corporation and stable expression of eukaryotic or prokaryotic foreign genes in tissues of living animals is described. More specifically, methods of incorporating foreign genes into mitotically active cells are disclosed. The constitutive and stable expression of E. coli .beta.-galactosidase gene under the promoter control of the Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat is employed as a particularly preferred embodiment, by way of example, establishes the model upon which the incorporation of a foreign gene into a mitotically-active living eukaryotic tissue is based.Use of the described methods in therapeutic treatments for genetic diseases, such as those muscular degenerative diseases, is also presented.

Abstract: An actuator module for inducing the relative motion of robot members joined in a robot joint includes a Ferguson epicyclic gear train, integral motor and integrated control means. The gear train comprises a plurality of base gears connected to the robot members and a plurality of planet gear carriers, each planet gear carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably mounted therein. A motor integrated with certain gear train components induces the rotation of the planet gear carriers about or within the base gears. Because of the Ferguson paradox, this induces the motion of base gears connected to one robot member relative to those connected to the other robot member, which in turn causes the relative motion of the robot members. The actuator module can be configured as dual substantially symmetric systems and may comprise multiple stages of epicyclic gearing.

Abstract: A method for forming interconnections in microelectronic devices, including interconnections through small vias between different layers in the microelectronic devices include the spin coating of a film comprising a polyoxometalate and an organic material on the substrate. The film is optionally patterned by lithography, the polymer is removed, and the polyoxometalate is reduced to a metal layer. The metal layer may in one embodiment provide a nucleating zone for the deposition of metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of polyphase AC machines. The polyphase AC machines are excited both with a fundamental frequency and with an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency. The odd harmonic flux wave is phase controlled so as to interact with otherwise waste harmonic flux waves generated by the rotor. The interaction of the harmonic flux waves enhances the pull-out torque, power factor, and efficiency of the polyphase AC machine.