Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of depolymerizing a lignin component of a lignin-containing material. The method comprising contacting the lignin-containing material with a solvent and optionally a catalyst at a temperature in the range of 180-300° C. and at a maximum operating pressure of less than 10 barG during the depolymerization of the lignin component of the material and collecting at least one volatile stream comprising one or more depolymerized lignin products. In an embodiment, the step of contacting is carried out in a reactive distillation reactor, and the step of collecting comprises concurrently collecting at least one volatile stream via distillation apparatus connected to the reactive distillation reactor, at least one of the one or more depolymerized lignin products comprises a substituted phenol having the following general formula: (I) wherein R1 is H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, propenyl, or allyl, and R2 and R3 are independently selected from H or methoxy group.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing in vitro a beta-hydroxy non-standard amino acid (0-OH-nsAA). The in vitro method comprises incubating L-threonine, an aldehyde and an L-threonine transaldolase (TTA). Also provided is a method for producing a beta-hydroxy non-standard amino acid (0-OH-nsAA) by recombinant cells, comprising expressing a heterologous L-threonine transaldolase (TTA) by the recombinant cells, and growing the recombinant cells in a medium. The medium comprises L-threonine and an aldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a block copolymer-polyelectrolyte complex. The block copolymer-polyelectrolyte complex comprises a water-insoluble polycationic doped conducting polymer substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout a block-copolymer. The block-copolymer comprises at least one thermo-responsive polymeric block and at least one water-soluble polyanionic polymeric block comprising a plurality of negatively charged moieties. The water-insoluble polycationic doped conducting polymer comprises a plurality of positively charged moieties, such that at least a portion of the positively charged moieties form an ionic bond with at least a portion of the negatively charged moieties throughout the block copolymer-polyelectrolyte complex.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices including electrochemical pumps (ECPs) and fuel cell systems comprising a fuel cell and an ECP are disclosed. In particular, this electrochemical device can be an ECP that comprises an anode, a cathode and an anion exchange polymer separating the anode from the cathode. The ECP can be coupled to a hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) that is disclosed herein as a fuel cell system. These devices can be used in methods for removing carbon dioxide from air and for generating electricity.

Abstract: A super-semiconductor (SSC), semiconductor devices including the SSC, and methods for making the SSC. The SSC includes a bimetallic nanostructured array having a substrate and a nanoshell array disposed on the substrate. The nanoshell array is defined by a plurality of non-close-packed, non-conductive, core bodies disposed on the substrate, a first metal layer disposed on the non-conductive core bodies and on the substrate in areas located between adjacent non-conductive core-bodies, and at least a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, wherein the second metal is different than the first metal. The bimetallic nanostructured array exhibits p-type or n-type metal conductivity above a transition temperature, and in embodiments, exhibits resistivity in a range of 10?8-10?7 ohm*m at a temperature of 300K+/?40K.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bio-based copolymer comprising in polymerized form (i) at least one polymerizable bio-based monomer containing one phenolic hydroxyl group which has been derivatized to provide at least one polymerizable functional group which is an ethylenically unsaturated functional group (such as a [meth]acrylate group), where the precursors of the polymerizable bio-based monomers are derived from raw lignin-containing biomass, and (ii) at least one ion-conducting co-monomer other than the bio-based monomer. Also disclosed herein are binders comprising the bio-based copolymer, electrodes comprising the binder, polymer electrolytes comprising the bio-based copolymer and an electrochemical device comprising an electrode in electrical contact with a polymer electrolyte, wherein at least one of the electrode and the polymer electrolyte comprises the bio-based copolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pyrolysis process for converting an additive-containing plastic comprising a polyolefin polymer to an alkene, an alkane, or a mixture thereof. The process comprises contacting the plastic with a catalyst in a one-pot pyrolysis system at a temperature between about 350° C. and about 500° C.; wherein the catalyst comprises a solid acid selected from the group consisting of HY, HZSM-5, and Al-SBA-15. The present disclosure further provides a one-pot pyrolysis system and uses of a solid acid in the pyrolysis process for converting plastic comprising a polyolefin polymer to an alkene.

Abstract: The functionalized 3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene (ADOT+) monomers can be represented by a chemical formula (CR1R2)(CR3R4)(CR4R5)xO2C4H2S, wherein x=0 or 1; wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is independently selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl moiety, and a heteroatom-containing functional group; and wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 comprises the heteroatom-containing functional group selected from an aldehyde, a maleimide, and their derivatives thereof. Also, disclosed herein are aldehyde derivatives represented by (ADOT-CH2—NH)pY and a maleimide derivative represented by (ADOT-(CH2)q—N)pZ where p=1-2 and each of Y and Z is a hydrocarbyl moiety or a biofunctional hydrocarbyl moiety. In an embodiment of the ADOT+ monomers, one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is replaced by a direct bond to an amide group, an azide group, or an ester group of a biofunctional hydrocarbyl moiety. Also, disclosed herein are polymers and copolymers made therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides neo acids (NAs) and derivatives thereof. Also provided is a method for producing a NA, comprising hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of a furan-containing neo acid (FNA) in the presence a metal triflate and a hydrogenation catalyst. The NA production method may further comprise hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA) of 2-alkylfuran with levulinic acid or pyruvic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, and at least one of 2-alkylfuran, levulinic acid and pyruvic acid may be from a renewable carbon source. The NA may have a bio-based content in the range of 20-100% according to, for example, ASTM-D6866. Further provided are methods for producing branched alkanes (BAs), tertrahydrofuran-containing neo acid (THFNA) and furan-containing neo ester (FNE) and side products such as iso acids (IAs).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inline rolling shear alignment (IRSA) coating device and methods of producing a nanostructured film and inorganic nanostructures. The IRSA coating device comprises a coating head for disposing a solvent-containing film having a starting amount of solvent on a substrate; a roller comprising a rigid axle having a pad radially disposed thereon, the pad in contact with the film at a film-roller contact area located a distance from the deposition area; means for causing relative motion between the film and the roller in an operation direction at a film velocity; and a resistance member coupled to the roller, the resistance member configured to apply a rotation-opposing bias to the roller in an amount sufficient to cause the roller to apply a desired amount of shear stress to the film in the film-roller contact area during rotation of the roller.

Abstract: The invention provides a lung replica to approximate spatial deposition in the human airway during breath. The lung replica comprises an upper airway compartment comprising an upper airway space: one or more lobe compartments, comprising two or more generation regions, a compressible terminal unit, and lattices in the two or more generation regions, and each comprising a lobar airway space connected with the upper airway space; and one or more modular components. The one or more modular components actuate the one or more lobe compartments to compress or expand. An exhaled airflow is generated when the one or more lobe compartments are compressed while an inhaled airflow is generated when the one or more lobe compartments are expanded. Also provided is a method for exchanging airflow in the lung replica. Further provided is a method for preparing a lobe compartment or a lung replica.

Abstract: A process for making a textile from a feedstock comprising a quantity of post-consumer apparel, each item of apparel having a desired textile composition and devoid of non-textile materials, including shredding the feedstock to obtain textile shreds, providing the textile shreds as a component in at least a first layer of a plurality of stacked layers comprising at least a second layer of supporting material, and feeding the plurality of stacked layers through a needle-felting machine in a plurality of passes, including at least one pass in each of a plurality of different 90-degree offset orientations. The textile shreds, or a mixture of the textile shreds and new textile fibers comprising no more than 15%-20% new textile fibers, may be carded with a carding machine to form a batting. Products made by the process may include a 100% cotton mulch mat for agricultural use.

Abstract: Garments for concealing male genitalia of a wearer, the garment having a compressible region configured to be disposed over the genitalia of the wearer. Adjustment of tensile forces exerted on the compressible region resolve to compression forces exerted by the compressible region on the wearer's genitalia. Embodiments include garments having a primary portion and a connector portion configured to connect a front portion to a back portion, the connector having an adjustable length between a connection to the front portion and connection to the back portion, wherein adjustment of the length is used for adjusting the tensile forces.

Abstract: Methods to treat or prevent posterior capsular opacification (PCO) using antibodies that inhibit ?v?8 ligand adhesion are provided.

Abstract: Medical treatment simulation systems and devices are disclosed. One device includes an overlay, a simulated treatment structure, at least one feedback device, and at least one processor. The overlay is configured to be secured to the live subject and to cover at least a portion of a body of the live subject. The simulated treatment structure is configured to simulate a structure associated with the medical procedure. The at least one feedback device is configured to provide a feedback signal to the live subject. The at least one processor is connected to the simulated treatment structure and the at least one feedback device. The processor is programmed to operate the feedback device to provide the feedback signal based upon input generated from interaction between a treatment provider and the simulated treatment structure. The disclosed devices may be used to simulate intravenous, catheter, defibrillation, and/or thoracic treatments.

Abstract: A reactor assembly for igniting and sustaining a plasma and method for performing a reaction. The assembly includes an elongated cylindrical inner electrode; a dielectric tube arranged helically around the elongated cylindrical inner electrode to form a helical reactor. The reactor assembly also includes an annular outer electrode arranged around at least a portion of the exterior of the helical reactor. The assembly includes a power source to provide a voltage across the elongated cylindrical inner electrode and the annular outer electrode. A process stream including at least a gas flows through the dielectric tube. The voltage is applied across the elongated cylindrical inner electrode and the annular outer electrode such that at least a portion of the flow of the process stream through the dielectric tube is exposed to the voltage and the plasma is ignited and sustained.

Abstract: An ankle brace configured to be worn by a target wearer having a foot, an ankle, a lower leg, and a tibia and a fibula disposed within the lower leg, is disclosed. The ankle brace comprises a foot plate having a foot bed contoured to underlie the foot. The foot bed has a heel cup extending upward from the foot bed and has a relatively greater flexibility than a front foot portion of the foot bed. An orthopedic splint is pivotably coupled to the foot plate and configured to at least partially wrap around the lower leg. The orthopedic splint is disposed in an adjustable pocket, which is configured to adjust compression of the orthopedic splint relative to the lower leg to promote a rehabilitative position of the tibia and the fibula. The foot plate may be fabricated with a computer aided manufacturing process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bio-based compositions comprising branched aromatic compounds and/or branched cycloaliphatic compounds, and methods of their preparation from lignin-derived monomers, and their use as base oils in lubricant compositions, personal care compositions, and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A modular artificial skeletal muscle (MASM) actuator having a plurality of dielectric elastomer units assembled in series or in parallel. A proximal anchoring member is connected to a proximal end of at least one proximal dielectric elastomer unit and is configured for attachment to a proximal anchor point relative to a user. A tension member has a proximal end attached to a distal end of at least one distal dielectric elastomer unit and a distal end configured for attachment to a distal anchor point relative to the user. A controller is configured to cause simultaneous contraction or expansion of plurality of dielectric elastomer units, which contraction or expansion causes displacement of the tension member. A plurality of MASM actuators may be attached to an exoskeleton attached about an ankle of a user and controlled for therapeutic purposes, such as for assisting pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses crosslinked poly(alkylene glycol) (PAG)-based hydrogel compositions, systems containing a plurality of cancer cells in contact with a cell culture media and encapsulated in the crosslinked PAG-based hydrogel composition and methods of making such crosslinked hydrogel compositions and systems. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such compositions and systems, such as, for example for screening an agent for effectiveness of the agent against cancer cells. Also disclosed herein are kits containing one or more components including one or more systems of the present disclosure and one or more instructions.