Abstract: A method for activating two-dimensional host materials for a multivalent/polyatomic ion battery may include adding a pillaring salt in electrolyte. This process may be followed by in-situ electrochemically intercalating the pillaring ions, solvent molecules and multivalent ions into the van der Waals gap of host materials. After the activation process, the host material is transformed into an interlayer-expanded 2D material with significantly enhanced specific capacity and rate performance for multivalent ion intercalation.

Abstract: A device comprising a nonlinear optical (NLO) material according to the formula XLi2Al4B6O20F. A device comprising a nonlinear optical material (NLO) according to the formula KSrCO3F, wherein the NLO comprises at least one single crystal. A nonlinear optical material selected from the group consisting of KSrCO3F Rb3Ba3Li2Al4B6O20F and K3Sr3Li2Al4B6O20F.

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 a 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: Imaging systems and methods, referred to herein as surface ablation lathe tomography (SALT), may be capable of providing whole organ tomography to provide 3D imaging. The system may provide a UV source that excites a sample, and a camera may capture imaging of fluorescent emission cause by the excitation. The tissue sample may be treated or stained with an imaging agent, such as fluorescent markers with fluorescently-tagged antibodies. The sample may also be infused with and/or embedded in paraffin wax. The tissue sample embedded in paraffin may be placed on a rotating mechanism that rotates, while the UV source excites a desired region and the camera captures imaging of a thin surface layer or shell of the sample. The system may also provide an ablation mechanism, such as a microtome blade or lathe, to ablate surface of the sample during rotation to allow imaging of subsequent layers of the sample.

Abstract: A seismic isolation system for underground structures comprises a periodic foundation and periodic arrays of piles in the soil or periodic piles that surround the underground structure. The periodic foundation may be a foundation of periodic materials. The periodic piles can substantially reduce the incoming seismic waves from the lateral direction. The periodic piles may be vertically arranged layers of periodic materials. The combination of the periodic foundation and periodic piles can result in total isolation for the underground structure. This total isolation may be of particular interest for underground facilities, such as underground nuclear power plants and structures with basements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, the labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.

Abstract: Improved drilling systems and methods may include piezoelectric actuator(s) in a drill string at one or more locations to minimize or eliminate stick-slip while drilling. For example, piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into the rock bit or drill bit in the openings in the bit body for receiving the cutters. As another example, the piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into an independent module that is place on or in the drill string. The independent module may be placed between the top drive and the drill bit or at the top of the drill string near a top drive.

Abstract: A composition composed of highly reactive metal particles that are ball milled, bead milled or blended and dispersed in a solvent with/without polymer for significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy oil for extracting viscous heavy oil, such that the composition reacts with water and oil to produce heat, H2 gas, and hydroxide to lower the oil viscosity and facilitate extraction from an underground formation or transport of heavy oil, such as in a pipe from one place to another place.

Abstract: A 4-dimensional printing system and method for printing reinforced concrete may allow reinforced concrete elements to be printed freeform and/or fully automated without the need for formwork, molding, or labor. The printing system may include software and hardware systems. The software system may process 3D models of the reinforced concrete element desired into multiple layers. The software system may utilize the individual layer to control operation of the hardware system to print the desired reinforced concrete element layer-by-layer. The hardware system may provide a concrete nozzle, a reinforcement material nozzle, as well as dispensing mechanisms for printing the materials at the desired locations and/or at desired times for the individual layer being printed. The hardware system may also include motion control mechanism(s) that allow the position of the nozzles to be moved side-to-side, up and down, and towards or away relative to the element being printed as desired during the printing process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode by disposing a three-dimensional substrate in a metal nitrate solution, drying, and thermally phosphatizing with a phosphorus source under inert gas to form a metal based phosphate catalyst on the substrate. An electrocatalyst and electrode produced via the method are also provided.

Abstract: A single phase single stage level-1 electric vehicle (EV) battery charger can control the power flow in both directions. The converter efficiency is high as the devices undergo ZCS which reduces switching loss in the devices. This converter does not require any intermediate DC link capacitor stage and the power density of the converter is high.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating same is disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a semiconductor device and fabrication of same which include a polycrystalline or amorphous substrate. An electrically conductive Ion Beam-Assisted Deposition (IBAD) template layer is positioned above the substrate. At least one electrically conductive hetero-epitaxial buffer layer is positioned above the IBAD template layer. The at least one buffer layer has a resistivity of less than 100 ??cm. The semiconductor device and method foster the use of bottom electrodes thereby avoiding complex and expensive lithography processes.

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: A methodology for assays and diagnostics utilizes a nanoporous or corrugated metal-containing surface, fiber or particle which enhances or suppresses the optical detectability of a label. The resulting optical, electromagnetic, or imaging signal signals the presence of a pathogen or analyte of interest. Preferred embodiments pertain to label-free, in situ monitoring of individual DNA hybridization in microfluidics using molecular sentinel probes immobilized on nanoporous gold disks. By immobilizing molecular sentinel probes on nanoporous gold disks, single-molecule sensitivity is demonstrated via surface-enhanced Raman scattering which provides robust signals. The described methodology is generally applicable to most amplification independent assays and molecular diagnostics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the ultrasonic disruption of biofilm and algae growth on underwater structures utilize an ultrasonic actuator (10) that produces a natural frequency in the ultrasonic range. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic actuator (10) includes one or more piezoelectric transducers (110).

Abstract: A method of restoring the proton conductivity of a sintered pyrophosphate membrane of intermediate temperature fuel cells (IT-FCs) by introducing phosphoric acid into the sintered SnP2O7 membrane to react with the degraded SnP2O7 species and thus restore the membrane pyrophosphate and proton conductivity. Such cells operate with low external humidification, and the active area of the cells may be fabricated up to 100 cm2 in size.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting one or more analytes in a sample by: (1) associating the sample with a surface that includes an analyte binding agent to result in the immobilization of the analytes on the surface; (2) contacting the analyte with a composition that includes at least one phosphor compound with an affinity for the analyte; (3) formation of immobilized analyte binding agent-analyte-phosphor complexes on the surface; (4) separating unbound phosphor compounds from the immobilized complexes; (5) detecting a presence or absence of a luminescence signal from the immobilized complexes; and (6) correlating the luminescence signal to the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample. The phosphor compound may include (Sr1-?Ba?)2-j-kMgSi2O7:EujDyk, (Sr1-?Ba?)2-xMgSi2O7:Eu2+Dy3+, (Sr1-?Ba?)2MgSi2O7:Eu2+Dy3+, (Sr1-?Ba?)2-xMgSi2O7:Eu2+, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum respose factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhancing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture media system that is useful for the isolation and epigenetically stable propagation of normal stem cells in culture which are derived from columnar epithelial tissues and cancer stem cells from epithelial cancers. In certain embodiments, the culture system is a feeder-free system.

Abstract: A class of improved solid-state electrolytes and methods for forming such electrolytes are discussed herein. The improved electrolytes may be a sodium oxy-sulfide, such as with a nominal composition of Na3PS4 _xOx (0<x?2). The electrolytes can be synthesized from using a simple one-step ball-milling method. The ball-milling may be performed at high rotation speeds. The resulting ball-milled materials may further be optionally pressed. The pressing may be performed at low or room temperatures and/or relatively low pressure, and the resulting electrolytes achieve high relative densities. The solid-state electrolyte forms a highly dense layer that approaches a continuous glass that is nearly flawless, is mainly amorphous, and/or maintains a stable low-resistance interface with Na metal and Na-alloy electrodes.