Abstract: Impact-resistant pads, methods of manufacturing impact-resistant pads, and protective apparatuses are disclosed. An impact-resistant pad includes a spacer fabric, a fluid permeated within the spacer fabric, and a containment layer encapsulating the spacer fabric and the fluid. The fluid has a viscosity dependent on a force applied to the pad. A method for manufacturing the impact-resistant pad is includes cutting a spacer fabric to a desired shape, providing a fluid having a viscosity dependent on a force applied to the pad, permeating the spacer fabric with the fluid, and encapsulating the spacer fabric and the fluid with a containment layer.

Abstract: A gantry system supports a human user in a harness attached to a carriage on a track. The carriage may comprise a body defining a U-shaped or C-shaped opening sized to receive a cylindrical track, and a pair of wheels attached to the body that roll along a top portion of the track with sufficiently minimal drag to permit the user to move the carriage without assistance. Single track embodiments may have a straight or curved trajectory and may have intersecting track portions with junctions that move between the intersecting track portions. In other embodiments, the carriage traverses a perpendicular track spanning a pair of parallel tracks. The perpendicular track may traverse the parallel tracks with or without motorized assistance. A counterweight system may provide partial weight support for the user. In one embodiment, the tracks are supported by a collapsible free-standing structure.

Abstract: Electrical connection systems and methods are disclosed. An electrical system includes an electrical plug and an electrical receptacle. The electrical plug has at least one prong having at least one opening. The electrical receptacle has at least one socket, an electrical contact positioned within the at least one socket, a light source positioned to transmit light through the at least one socket, and a photodetector positioned to receive the light transmitted by the light source through the at least one socket. The electrical receptacle further has a microprocessor programmed to selectively couple the electrical contact with the power source based on the light received by the photodetector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a plume of a first fluid in a second fluid using an acoustic wave are provided, where the first fluid has a different acoustic index of refraction than the second fluid. A horizontal array having a plurality of receiving elements receives an acoustic signal propagated through the second fluid and at least one refracted signal refracted by the first fluid. The acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal form a received signal. An interference pattern is detected from the received signal over the plurality of receiving elements. The interference pattern is due to interference between the acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal. A horizontal angle of refraction is determined between the acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal from the interference pattern. The horizontal angle of refraction is indicative of a physical characteristic of the first fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates a recombinant Clostridium expressing one or more heterologous Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) genes. In particular, the recombinant Clostridium produces a metabolite at an increased level. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a metabolite by the recombinant Clostridium.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided which contains a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte and a separator, wherein the anode employs polythiocyanogen as an active material.

Abstract: Powered mobility systems and methods are disclosed. A powered mobility system includes a mobile unit, a support frame, a plurality of markers, a motion capture device, and a processor. The mobile unit is operable to move the powered mobility system. The support frame is adapted to support a user. The plurality of markers are configured to be attached to the user. The motion capture device is configured to detect movement of the plurality of markers. The processor is programmed to receive signals from the motion capture device, translate the signals into instructions for moving the mobile unit, and transmit the instructions to the mobile unit. A powered mobility method includes placing a user in a support frame, attaching a plurality of markers to the user, detecting movement of the plurality of the markers, and generating movement of the mobile unit based on the movement of the plurality of the markers.

Abstract: Dispersive optical systems and methods are disclosed, as well as energy generation systems utilizing such systems in combination with photovoltaic cells. A dispersive optical system includes an optical element, a layer of high-dispersion microprisms, and a layer of low-dispersion microprisms. The optical element is configured to focus a light beam. The layer of high-dispersion microprisms is configured to refract the light beam. The layer of low-dispersion microprisms is configured to refract the light beam. The dispersive optical system is configured to optically concentrate and disperse input light incident thereupon into an output comprising a plurality of bands of light each having a different wavelength. A method of optical dispersion includes focusing a light beam with an optical element, refracting the light beam with a layer of high-dispersion microprisms, and refracting the light beam with a layer of low-dispersion microprisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence. The host cell may further comprise a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a recombinant protein by the host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence.

Abstract: Methods for producing greater biomass in a plant, increasing the drought tolerance of a plant, producing a decreased lignin concentration in a plant, producing a greater iron concentration in a plant, or inhibiting fungal infection in a plant comprise administering Bacillus subtilis FB17 to the plant, the seed of the plant, or soil surrounding the plant or the seed in an amount effective to produce greater biomass, increase the drought tolerance, produce a decreased lignin concentration, produce a greater iron concentration, or inhibit fungal infection in the plant compared to an untreated plant, respectively. Agricultural carriers and seed coatings comprising Bacillus subtilis FB17 are provided. The biomass of a plant which has been administered Bacillus subtilis FB17 can be converted to a biofuel or can be used as a food crop or in other uses.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustic multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) communication in an underwater environment. The method includes: a) receiving signals at multiple receivers representing transmitted signals from multiple transmitters, b) estimating channel responses between the multiple receivers and the multiple transmitters, c) performing an initial demodulation process on the received signals using the estimated channel responses to remove inter-symbol interference (ISI), and d) performing at least one subsequent demodulation process on the received signals. The subsequent demodulation process: i) removes co-channel interference (CoI) using the estimated channel responses and demodulated signals from an immediately preceding demodulation process to form interference cancelled signals and ii) removes ISI from the interference cancelled signals.

Abstract: Vibratory feedback systems and methods are disclosed. A vibratory feedback system includes a shoe adapted to be secured to a user's foot, a plurality of force sensors and vibration actuators mounted on the shoe, and a microprocessor affixed to the shoe. The force sensors are configured to sense forces exerted by the user's foot. The vibration actuators are configured to provide vibrations to the user's foot. The microprocessor is coupled to receive data from the plurality of force sensors, and is programmed to actuate the plurality of vibration actuators to provide a first characteristic vibration to the user's foot based on the sensed forces. A method of improving the gait of a user includes enabling the user to ambulate with the vibratory feedback system secured to the user's foot, and providing a first characteristic vibration to the user's foot based on the sensed forces using the vibratory feedback system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting an electromagnetic wave are provided. A device for use in an electromagnetic wave detector includes a first device layer having a first contact, a second device layer having a second contact, and a tunnel barrier layer and a resonating magnetic layer formed between the first and second device layers. The resonating magnetic layer produces a spin current responsive to an electromagnetic wave that extends into the first and second device layers. A charge differential present between the first and second contacts is dependent on the spin current.

Abstract: A process and system for generating a specification for customized devices, such as rehabilitation or assistive devices, including prostheses and orthoses, or sports padding or equipment. A digital model, which is fully parameterized at least for characterizing clinical shape characteristics and functional characteristics of the device, is populated with a plurality of design parameter values and 3-dimensional coordinates of captured and calculated virtual landmarks to construct a customized model corresponding to the specification. The customized device may be manufactured based upon the specification. A system connected to a computer aided manufacturing system may generate instructions for automatically fabricating the device. In embodiments with standardized design parameter values, the customized model may be constructed without involving a human operator.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic layer configured to convert light into electrical power, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layer having one to three periods disposed adjacent the photovoltaic layer, a metal layer, disposed adjacent the DBR layer, configured to reflect light passed through the photovoltaic layer to the DBR layer, and a phase matching layer disposed between the metal layer and the DBR layer, the phase matching layer configured to match a phase between the DBR layer and the metal layer over a selected wavelength band. The metal layer has a non-uniformed textured surface facing the phase matching layer. The photovoltaic device further includes an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on a top surface of the photovoltaic layer, and a substrate on which the metal layer is disposed. The substrate may be textured on a surface facing the metal layer.

Abstract: A redox flow battery is provided. The redox flow battery involves multiple-membrane (at least one cation exchange membrane and at least one anion exchange membrane), multiple-electrolyte (one electrolyte in contact with the negative electrode, one electrolyte in contact with the positive electrode, and at least one electrolyte disposed between the two membranes) as the basic characteristic, such as a double-membrane, triple electrolyte (DMTE) configuration or a triple-membrane, quadruple electrolyte (TMQE) configuration. The cation exchange membrane is used to separate the negative or positive electrolyte and the middle electrolyte, and the anion exchange membrane is used to separate the middle electrolyte and the positive or negative electrolyte.

Abstract: A novel design has been invented for redox flow batteries. Different from the single-membrane, double-electrolyte redox flow battery as a basic structure, the design of the present invention involves double-membrane (one cation exchange membrane and one anion exchange membrane), triple-electrolyte (one electrolyte in contact with the negative electrode, one electrolyte in contact with the positive electrode, and one electrolyte positioned between and in contact with the two membranes) as the basic characteristic. The cation exchange membrane is used to separate the negative or positive electrolyte and the middle electrolyte, and the anion exchange membrane is used to separate the middle electrolyte and the positive or negative electrolyte. This particular design physically isolates, but ionically connects, the negative electrolyte and positive electrolyte.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to the use of bio-based materials such as functionalized plant oils and natural fibers to provide substitutes for leather materials. The bio-based materials provide composites made with a range of natural fibers such as flax, cotton, jute and kenaf fibers, combined with natural plant oils (triglycerides) such as soy oil, linseed oil and their fatty acids. The natural fibers may be used in their as-delivered woven or nonwoven state and the triglycerides and fatty acids are chemically modified to allow them to react in a controlled manner giving predictable thermal and mechanical properties. The resulting material is a breathable, water resistant, leather-like material. This present invention is also directed to methods of making the substitutes for leather materials.

Abstract: Substituted 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene monomers may be prepared by reacting 3-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine or 3,3-diallyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine with a thiol having a hydrocarbyl moiety optionally containing one or more heteroatom-containing functional groups under radical addition conditions under radical addition conditions. Such monomers may be used in homo- or copolymerization processes to obtain thiophene-type polymers containing substituents (which may bear functional groups such as silane, thiol, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, amine, sugar groups, polyoxyalkylene, and the like). Crosslinkers useful for introducing crosslinking into thiophene-type polymers may be prepared by reacting 3-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine with a compound having two or more thiol groups under radical addition conditions.

Abstract: A uniform Si—NH—Si terminated Si(111) surface is formed by contacting a chlorine-terminated silicon surface with ammonia and a solvent such as an ether.