Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lens antenna with a 3D near-field focus-steering capability that operates at gigahertz and terahertz frequencies. The novel antenna includes a pair of discrete dielectric lenses fed by a stationary horn source. In-plane synchronous counter-rotation and co-rotation of the lens pair steers its near-field focus radially and azimuthally, respectively, while linear translation of the upper lens moves the focal point longitudinally. The steering focus beam enables fast imaging. In imaging applications, the radiated beam from the novel lens antenna focused in the target area can reduce undesired interference from neighboring structures and increase the system dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable single-inductor multiport converters comprising a single inductor, a primary input port, a primary output port and a plurality of reconfigurable cells, each including a bidirectional port which is reconfigurable to be an auxiliary input port configured to share the inductor and work with the inductor to form an input cell or an auxiliary output port configured to work with a corresponding capacitor to form an output cell; and a plurality of switches arranged for facilitating the bidirectional port to act as auxiliary input port or auxiliary output port; and regulating bidirectional power flowing through the bidirectional port. The present invention provides a simple and low-cost solution for integrating multiple sources and loads simultaneously. The adoption of single-inductor design minimizes the use of magnetic components and the independent output cells configuration avoids cross-regulation problem among output ports, which simplifies the control design.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for making and use of metal-based coated nanoparticles. The metal-based, PEG-coated nanoparticles of the invention comprise folic acid molecules on their surface exercise dual functionality by specifically targeting renal tubule cells and treating renal fibrosis.

Abstract: A self-filtering, space-time coding, waveguide-driven metasurface antenna includes at least first and second metal layers, and first dielectric layer between the first and second metal layers. A series of vias is formed in the first dielectric layer. A substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is formed from the first and second metal layers and from the metal vias in the first dielectric layer. A series of meta-atoms is formed in the first metal layer, each meta-atom including a slot cooperating with two switching elements for switching the meta-atom between an on and off state. Each meta-atom behaves as a magnetic dipole antenna element that radiates electromagnetic waves into free space. In this manner, the propagating guided waves inside the substrate integrated waveguide are converted and molded into arbitrary selected out-of-plane free-space waves in both a frequency domain and a momentum domain.

Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating an optical printed circuit board. The method includes preparing a first printed circuit board portion with an array of optical fibers attached thereon, assembling an optical fiber connector with the first printed circuit board portion such that the optical fiber connector is arranged at ends of the array of optical fibers, and attaching one or more second printed circuit board portions to the first printed circuit board portion to form an optical printed circuit board with the optical fiber connector embedded therein. The optical fiber connector includes an engagement mechanism arranged for engagement with an external optical device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the detection or monitoring of cancer using a biological sample selected from blood, plasma, serum, saliva, urine from an individual, said method comprising: (a) obtaining DNA from the said biological sample; (b) digesting the DNA sample with one or more methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes; (c) quantifying or detecting a DNA sequence of interest after step (b), wherein the target sequence of interest contains at least two methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme recognition sites; and (d) comparing the level of the DNA sequence from the individual to a normal standard, to detect, prognosticate or monitor cancer.

Abstract: An omnidirectional biconical antenna, which includes a first funnel-shaped plate having a wide end and a narrow end; a second funnel-shaped plate having a wide end and a narrow end; and an annular metal lens delimited by the second funnel-shaped plate and the first funnel-shaped plate. The second funnel-shaped plate is inversely positioned relative to the first funnel-shaped plate, such that the narrow ends of the second funnel-shaped plate and the first funnel-shaped plate point to each other.

Abstract: A chip placement method includes the steps of: (a) determining the order of placement of integrated circuit chips by the features of the chip modules, (b) generating pix-level masks from the status of the placed chips and the next two chips to be placed, (c) extracting local and global features from the masks by convolutional neural networks, and (d) selecting the placement position by merged features and a congestion threshold. The method is carried out by computer apparatus with a storage medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer composite material and a preparation method thereof. The polymer composite material includes a polymer base layer and a metal thin film layer provided on a surface of the polymer base layer. The metal thin film layer is made of amorphous alloy. The surface of the polymer base layer is provided with a metal thin film with an amorphous structure. In this way, the arrangement of the metal thin film with amorphous structure can not only improve the mechanical properties, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the polymer substrate material, but also can greatly improve the toughness of the polymer substrate material, to simultaneously improve the strength and toughness of the polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personalized, three-dimensional printed, human auricle-specific multiple auricular points' bio-signal acquisition, health status monitoring, and bio-stimulation device, including an artificial ear model made of at least one bio-compatible, flexible polymer, a plurality of sensing and stimulating electrodes with at least one sensing end and a signal acquisition/processing end penetrating through a body of the ear mold conformably with a human auricle so that a surface of the ear mold where sensing end of the electrodes is disposed creates an electrode-human skin interface for bio-signal detection and bio-stimulation responsive thereto. Methods of fabricating the device based on 3-D printing, 3D scanning and modelling techniques and using thereof for bio-signal acquisition, analysis, health status monitoring and bio-stimulation are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method or a platform for hydrogel-based 3D fabrication, wherein the hydrogel is patterned with a programmable femtosecond light sheet with a power density of 0.1 to 100 TW/cm2.

Abstract: A blocking signal cancellation low noise amplifier system includes a first low noise amplifier, a second low noise amplifier, a blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit, a bias switching circuit, and a bias switching signal generating circuit. The first low noise amplifier is used for dynamic input matching, and the first low noise amplifier receives an input signal and outputs it after amplifying. The blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit is used to extract a blocking signal from the output signal of the first low noise amplifier, and output a DC voltage signal. The bias switching circuit is used to switch the first low noise amplifier between a blocking mode and a small signal mode. The bias switching signal generating circuit is used to compare the DC bias voltage signal VB2 with a preset reference voltage signal Vref.

Abstract: Provided is an aqueous redox flow battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a posolyte chamber containing a posolyte, a negolyte chamber containing a polyoxometalate as a negolyte, and a separator disposed between the posolyte chamber and the negolyte chamber, wherein the polyoxometalate has a conductivity of 65 mS cm?1 or more at ?20° C., and the aqueous redox flow battery has a power density of 250 mW cm?2 or more at ?20° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bonding two copper structures involving compressing a first copper structure with a second copper structure under a stress from 0.1 MPa to 50 MPa and under a temperature of 250° C. or less so that a bonding surface of the first copper structure is bonded to the bonding surface of the second copper structure. At least one of the bonding surface of the first copper structure and the bonding surface of the second copper structure have a layer of nanograins of copper having an average grain size of 5 nm to 500 nm. The layer of the nanograins of copper having a thickness of 10 nm to 10 ?m.

Abstract: An ultraflat and ultralow-friction metallic glass thin film is fabricated. The metallic glass thin film is a binary alloy, wherein a content of one metal element of the binary alloy is between 45 atomic % and 64 atomic %. The metallic glass thin film has an atomically smooth surface with a surface roughness Ra less than 0.1 nm and a total height of profile Rt less than 0.15 nm; the friction coefficient is below 1×10?2. Due to the metallic glass thin film being treated by ion bombardment, the metallic glass thin film is thermally ultrastable.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting hematological disorders using cell-free DNA in a blood sample, e.g., using plasma or serum. For example, an assay can target one or more differentially-methylated regions specific to a particular hematological cell lineage (e.g., erythroblasts). A methylation level can be quantified from the assay to determine an amount of methylated or unmethylated DNA fragments in a cell-free mixture of the blood sample. The methylation level can be compared to one or more cutoff values, e.g., that correspond to a normal range for the particular hematological cell lineage as part of determining a level of a hematological disorder.

Abstract: An optical soft skin system for multimodal sensing comprising: a flexible waveguide substrate (10) being able to change its light wave propagation when encountering different deformation patterns; at least one light source (12) located within the waveguide substrate (10) arranged so as to transmit light into the waveguide substrate (10); at least one light receptor (14) located within the waveguide substrate (10) to receive light that has passed through the waveguide substrate (10) and to provide a dataset of the properties of the received light; and a processor (20) for decoding the dataset into at least one of strain and displacement through a computational model to determine a sensing modality of the waveguide substrate (10).

Abstract: A method for preparing a high entropy alloy (HEA) structure includes the steps of: preparing an alloy by arc melting raw materials comprising five or more elements; drop casting the melted alloy into a cooled mold to form a bulk alloy; applying an external force against the bulk alloy to reshape the bulk alloy; and heat-treating the reshaped bulk alloy, wherein the bulk alloy is reshaped and/or heat-treated for manipulating the distribution of the microstructure therein. The present invention also relates to a high entropy alloy structure prepared by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of in situ 4D printing of high-temperature materials including 3D printing a structure of an ink including a precursor. The structure is treated with controlled high energy flow to create a portion which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion/thermal shrinkage ratio. The structure is heated and the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion creates an interface stress to cause a selected level of deformation. Alternatively, two structures with different coefficients of expansion/thermal shrinkage ratio may be printed. Thermal treatment of the two structures creates an interface stress to cause a selected level of deformation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a zinc powder electrode formed on a MXene framework. The zinc powder anode formed on an MXene framework, referred to as an MXene@Zn electrode can act as an anode and/or cathode for an electrochemical cell or battery. As such, the present invention further relates to an electrode comprising MXene@Zn and a battery comprising such an electrode.