Abstract: The present invention is directed to aqueous solid state electrolytes that comprise a fluoride additive to stabilize the interface between the anode and aqueous electrolyte. The present invention is also directed to methods of making the solid state electrolyte materials and methods of using the solid state electrolyte materials in batteries and other electrochemical technologies.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal sulfide based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal sulfide based materials and batteries with such electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium phosphate derivative compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. The activation energy of the lithium phosphate derivative compounds is from 0.2 to 0.45 eV and conductivities are from 0.01 to 10 mS/cm at 300K. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium phosphate derivative materials and batteries with such electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium silicate based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal sulfide based materials and batteries with such electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for analyzing mechanical signatures of a plurality of cells for metastatic detection. Specifically, a data set characterized by at least one metric (such as Brillouin frequency shift and/or Brillouin linewidth) representing a cell mechanical signature is acquired for the plurality of cells by using a label-free Brillouin spectroscopy. A merit function is calculated based on one or more statistical characteristics of the data set, such as sensitivity and specificity. Then, the plurality of cells can be classified to detect metastatic cells based on mechanical signatures provided by the data set and an optimal metric value delivering maximum to the merit function.

Abstract: Various authentication systems may benefit from detection of counterfeits. More particularly, certain authentication systems may benefit from a counterfeit detection scheme applicable to paper surfaces that can employ mobile cameras, such as the cameras associated with mobile phones. A method, according to certain embodiments, can include illuminating a surface of an item with a lighting source of a device. The method can also include capturing a plurality of images of the surface by a camera of the device during the illumination of the surface. The method can further include authenticating the item based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: An approach is presented to reconstruct image data for an object using a partial set of magnetic resonance (MR) measurements. A subset of data points in a data space representing an object are selected (e.g. through random sampling) for MR data acquisition. Partial MR data corresponding to the subset of data points is received and used for image reconstruction. The overall speed of image reconstruction can be reduced dramatically by relying on acquisition of data for the subset of data points rather than for all data points in the data space representing the object. Compressive sensing type arguments are used to fill in missing measurements, using a priori knowledge of the structure of the data. A compressed data matrix can be recovered from measurements that form a tight frame. It can be established that these measurements satisfy the restricted isometry property (RIP). The zeroth-order regularization minimization problem can then be solved, for example, using a 2D ILT approach.

Abstract: An implantable acellular polymeric scaffold device functionalized with aggrecan is provided. Also provided are methods of fabricating a polymeric scaffold device, including methods of fabricating the scaffold device via 3D printing. Methods of treating a cartilage defect in a subject in need thereof comprise application of the disclosed scaffold device in combination with microfracture procedures. A specialized lid for a centrifugation well plate is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, and methods of making and using the same. The compositions of the disclosure are useful to stimulate an antigen-specific immune response and, in some embodiments, a protective immune response in an animal after challenge to pathogens. The compositions of the disclosure are also useful for treatment and prevention of disease in a subject such as cancer.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium silicate based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy for lithium ion migration in the solid state lithium ion electrolytes is 0.5 eV or less and room temperature conductivities are greater than 10?5 S/cm. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated and isolated onboard charger for plug-in electric vehicles, includes an ac-dc converter and a dual-output dc-dc resonant converter, for both HV traction batteries and LV loads. In addition, the integrated and isolated onboard charger may be configured as unidirectional or bidirectional, and is capable of delivering power from HV traction batteries to the grid for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications. To increase the power density of the converter, the dual-output DC-DC resonant converter may combine magnetic components of resonant networks into a single three-winding electromagnetically integrated transformer (EMIT). The resonant converter may be configured as a half-bridge topology with split capacitors as the resonant network components to further reduce the size of converter. The integrated charger may be configured for various operating modes, including grid to vehicle (G2V), vehicle to grid (V2G) and high voltage to low voltage, HV-to-LV (H2L) charging.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating blood pressure includes: a ballistocardiogram (BCG) sensor configured to measure a limb BCG signal from a user; and a processor configured to obtain blood pressure-related features from the measured limb BCG signal, according to sensing characteristics of the BCG sensor, and estimate a blood pressure of the user based on the obtained blood pressure-related features.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing multilayer structures, including multilayer capsules, tubes and hair-covered substrates, are provided. A substrate is provided comprising a polymerization initiator. The initiator-loaded substrate is exposed to a solution comprising a monomer and crosslinker. The initiator diffuses outwardly from the substrate, thereby initiating polymerization of the monomer and forming a layered structure comprising a polymer portion disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate. The process may be repeated for a selected number of cycles, thereby forming a multilayer structure having a selected number of layers. The composition, thickness and properties of each layer are selectively controlled. Multilayer structures formed in accordance with the methodologies are also provided.

Abstract: Bare porous polymer monoliths, fluidic chips, methods of incorporating bare porous polymer monoliths into fluidic chips, and methods for functionalizing bare porous polymer monoliths are described. Bare porous polymer monoliths may be fabricated ex situ in a mold. The bare porous polymer monoliths may also be functionalized ex situ. Incorporating the bare preformed porous polymer monoliths into the fluidic chips may include inserting the monoliths into channels of channel substrates of the fluidic chips. Incorporating the bare preformed porous polymer monoliths into the fluidic chips may include bonding a capping layer to the channel substrate. The bare porous polymer monoliths may be mechanically anchored to channel walls and to the capping layer. The bare porous polymer monoliths may be functionalized by ex situ immobilization of capture probes on the monoliths. The monoliths may be functionalized by direct attachment of chitosan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for generating droplets of an aqueous solution on a microfluidic chip with an air continuous phase. Specifically, the droplet generator according to the present invention is integrated into a microfluidic chip to generate and introduce droplets of an aqueous solution into the microfluidic chip. The droplets travelling in a network of chip channels may be captured in on-chip traps in a manner defined by hydrodynamic resistances of chip channels. A biological reaction may be performed on a droplet trapped on the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synthesizing multicompartment capsules are disclosed, as well as multicompartment polymer capsules formed in accordance with disclosed techniques. At least one plurality of polymer capsules are formed via a capsule-forming process. A feed solution and a reservoir solution are provided, each comprising a biopolymer. The feed solution biopolymer and the reservoir solution biopolymer have opposite charges. Droplets of the feed solution are introduced into the reservoir solution, thereby forming via electrostatic complexation a plurality of polymer capsules. At least a portion of the resulting polymer capsules are then encapsulated in a larger polymer capsule via a similar process, wherein the feed solution utilized for the encapsulation process also comprises the formed smaller capsules.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a battery pack, which includes a plurality of battery cells, has at least one ultrasound source and at least one ultrasound sensor. The ultrasound source can be configured to generate and direct ultrasound at one or more battery cells of the battery pack. The ultrasound sensor can be configured to detect ultrasound reflected from or transmitted through one or more cells of the battery pack. A battery management unit receives one or more signals from the ultrasound sensor responsive to the detected ultrasound. The battery management unit can be configured to determine a state of the battery pack based at least in part on the detected ultrasound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for a label-free cell analysis based on Brillouin light scattering techniques. Combined with microfluidic technologies according to the present invention, Brillouin spectroscopy constitutes a powerful tool to analyze physical properties of cells in a contactless non-disturbing manner. Specifically, subcellular mechanical information can be obtained by analyzing the Brillouin spectrum of a cell. Furthermore, a novel configuration of Brillouin spectroscopy is provided to enable simultaneous analysis of multiple points in a cell sample.

Abstract: An electronic home plate provides assistance to an umpire in determining whether a pitch results in a “strike” or a “ball.” The home plate is implemented with LEDs producing discrete pulses of infrared light beams extending vertically. As a moving ball intersects the pulses, light from the pulses is scattered and incident on photodetectors embedded in the home plate, producing a series of data points. Two stages of light compensation compensate the data points for ambient light, first by applying an offset current to a photodetector through a PNP transistor, and second by subtracting a measurement immediately before a pulse from a measurement during the pulse. A processor then fits the data points to a curve, to compute vertical and lateral positions of the ball, thereby determining whether the pitch passed within a strike zone. Other applications may similarly analyze the trajectory of other projectiles for various purposes.

Abstract: A new approach to graphene-enabled plasmonic resonant structures in the THz is demonstrated in a hybrid graphene-metal design in which the graphene acts as a gate-tunable inductor, and metal acts as a capacitive reservoir for charge accumulation. A large resonant absorption in graphene can be achieved using the metal-graphene plasmonic scheme, and the peak can approach 100% in an optimized device, ideal for graphene-based THz detectors. Using high mobility graphene (?>50000 cm2V?1s?1) will allow anomalously high resonant THz transmission (near 100%) through ultra-subwavelength graphene-filled metallic apertures at a resonance frequency that is gate tunable. This metal-graphene plasmonic scheme enables near perfect tunable THz filter or modulator.