Abstract: High-performance optical-metasurface-based components configured to at frequencies of UV light and, in particular, in deep UV range and performing multiple optical-wavefront-shaping functions (among which there are high-numerical-aperture lensing, accelerating beam generation, and hologram projection). As a representative material for such components, hafnium oxide demands creation and establishment of a novel process of manufacture that is nevertheless based on general principles of Damascene lithography, to be compatible with existing technology and yet sufficient for producing high-aspect-ratio features that currently-used materials and processes simply do not deliver. The described invention opens a way towards low-form-factor, multifunctional ultraviolet nanophotonic platforms based on flat optical components and enabling diverse applications including lithography, imaging, spectroscopy, and quantum information processing.

Abstract: An automated method for crab meat picking which has an image processing system configured with an imaging sub-system and an image processing sub-system acting in cooperation with each other where the image processing system operates in accordance with a processing routine. An image of a crab to be processed is obtained by the imaging sub-system which is transmitted to the image processing system where the processing routine determines appropriate cut lines to be made on the crab being processed based on instructions from the image processing sub-system. The crab being processed is then cut in accordance with the appropriate cutting lines developed.

Abstract: Various design concepts, circuit implementations, and methods are provided for implementing temporal memory. For example, temporal memories may perform both read and write operations using time-encoded wavefronts. A temporal memory may include a group of tunable delay components that “store” time-encoding information. Using these delay components, the memory can perform a “read” operation by outputting wavefronts having the same or similar time-encoding as the stored wavefronts. Temporal memories may allow for more energy-cost-efficient operation and may serve as building blocks for more complex temporal computational circuits.

Abstract: In a first stage of a methane conversion system, at least some methane (CH4) in an input gas flow stream can be converted into C2 hydrocarbons, hydrogen gas (H2), and aromatics to provide a first processed stream. The conversion can be direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC). At least some of the aromatics can be removed from the first processed stream to provide a second processed stream. In a second stage of the methane conversion system, at least some of the H2 can be removed from the second processed stream to provide a recycle stream. The recycle stream can be returned to the first stage of the methane conversion system for further conversion of methane and removal of aromatics and H2 products.

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: A quantum Hall resistance apparatus is to improve resistance standards and includes a substrate, a graphene epitaxially grown on the substrate and having a plurality of first contact patterns at edges of the graphene, a plurality of contacts, each including a second contact pattern and configured to connect to a corresponding first contact pattern, and a protective layer configured to protect the graphene and to increase adherence between the first contact patterns and the second contact patterns. The contacts become a superconductor at a temperature lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature and under up to a predetermined magnetic flux density.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a viral vector suitable for introducing a therapeutic agent, such as a peptide, protein or small RNA, into a host or otherwise treating a host. The vector may include an exogenous RNA segment with a hairpin-like structure or having two or more base-paired regions separated by one or more non-base-paired regions. The exogenous RNA segment may have a secondary structure, minimum free energy, average positional entropy or other attributes within specified ranges, or with values similar to one or more hairpin-like structures of a reference wild type virus. Optionally, the RNA vector may be derived from the reference wild type virus or a relative of the reference wild type virus. In some examples, the vector is capable of capable of systemic and phloem-limited movement and replication within a host plant. In some examples, the reference wild type virus is an umbravirus-like associated RNA.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a viral vector suitable for introducing a therapeutic agent, such as a peptide, protein or small RNA, into a host or otherwise treating a host. The vector may include an exogenous RNA segment with a hairpin-like structure or having two or more base-paired regions separated by one or more non-base-paired regions. The exogenous RNA segment may have a secondary structure, minimum free energy, average positional entropy or other attributes within specified ranges, or with values similar to one or more hairpin-like structures of a reference wild type virus. Optionally, the RNA vector may be derived from the reference wild type virus or a relative of the reference wild type virus. In some examples, the vector is capable of capable of systemic and phloem-limited movement and replication within a host plant. In some examples, the reference wild type virus is an umbravirus-like associated RNA.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for recognizing human emotion in images or video. A method for recognizing perceived human emotion may include receiving a raw input. The raw input may be processed to generate input data corresponding to at least one context. Features from the raw input data may be extracted to obtain a plurality of feature vectors and inputs. The plurality of feature vectors and the inputs may be transmitted to a respective neural network. At least some of the plurality of feature vectors may be fused to obtain a feature encoding. Additional feature encodings may be computed from the plurality of feature vectors via the respective neural network. A multi-label emotion classification of a primary agent may be performed in the raw input based on the feature encoding and the additional feature encodings.

Abstract: An optical cavity includes a ring defining an internal boundary and an external boundary, at least one of which is periodically modulated to define a gear-shaped configuration including a plurality of teeth, thereby enabling a plurality of slow-light modes. At least one physical defect may be defined within the periodically modulated internal boundary and/or external boundary to thereby enable at least one localized mode. At least one waveguide is coupled to the ring.

Abstract: A vehicle can comprise a battery cell, a monitoring device, and a controller. The monitoring device can comprise an ultrasound source and an ultrasound sensor. The ultrasound source can direct ultrasound at the battery cell, and the ultrasound sensor can detect ultrasound transmitted through or reflected from at least a portion of an interior of the battery cell. The ultrasound sensor can generate one or more signals responsive to the detected ultrasound. The controller can process the one or more signals from the ultrasound sensor and can output an indication of an internal state of the first battery cell.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a microfluidic chip includes a capillary is disposed between upper and lower substrates, where the capillary includes a porous monolithic structure disposed within the capillary, and a clamp structure is defined within the channel and engages with the capillary. The clamp structure comprises a thermoplastic material that, when heated to a selected temperature, deforms around the capillary to secure the capillary in alignment with the channel. In another embodiment, a microfluidic chip includes a porous monolithic brick disposed between first and second substrates, where each of the first and second substrates includes a channel extending through the substrate to the brick structure to provide a fluid flow path through the each of the first substrate, the second substrate and the brick structure.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium fluoride 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 provided. Electrodes containing the lithium fluoride based composites are also provided.

Abstract: Electrodes for a solid-state lithium-ion battery are provided. The electrodes have an active material layer containing or coated with electrolytes of lithium phosphate derivative compounds which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for recombinant Endo-S2 mutants (named Endo-S2 glycosynthases) that exhibit reduced hydrolysis activity and increased transglycosylation activity for the synthesis of glycoproteins wherein a desired sugar chain is added to a fucosylated or nonfucosylated GlcNAc-IgG acceptor. As such, the present invention allows for the synthesis and remodeling of therapeutic antibodies thereby providing for certain biological activities, such as, prolonged half-life time in vivo, less immunogenicity, enhanced in vivo activity, increased targeting ability, and/or ability to deliver a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing multimodal emotion recognition. The method may include receiving raw input from an input source. The method may also include extracting one or more feature vectors from the raw input. The method may further include determining an effectiveness of the one or more feature vectors. Further, the method may include performing, based on the determination, multiplicative fusion processing on the one or more feature vectors. The method may also include predicting, based on results of the multiplicative fusion processing, one or more emotions of the input source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that implement and utilize temporal state machines and other temporal computational/memory circuits. For example, a temporal state machine is provided that comprises a temporal computational unit comprising at least one circuit to perform a time-domain operation, and a temporal memory unit. Both the temporal computational unit and temporal memory unit can operate using solely, or partially, time-encoded wavefronts. The computation unit accesses time-encoded wavefronts from the memory and can output and write time-encoded wavefronts back to the memory.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell features a functional layer for reducing interfacial resistance between the cathode and the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device for reservoir computing can include a weighted input layer, an unweighted, asynchronous, internal recurrent neural network made up of nodes having binary weighting, and a weighted output layer. Weighting of output signals can be performed using predetermined weighted sums stored in memory. Application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) embodiments may include programmable nodes. Characteristics of the reservoir of the device can be tunable to perform rapid processing and pattern recognition of signals at relatively large rates.

Abstract: A cooling system employs at least one composite elastocaloric device. Each composite device has a first member with a first material and a second member with an elastocaloric material. The first material increases in size in response to an applied electric or magnetic field and returns to its prior size upon removal of the applied electric or magnetic field. The first and second members are mechanically coupled together such that the increase in size of the first material applies a stress to the elastocaloric material and the return of the first material to its prior size releases said stress, thereby causing the elastocaloric material to absorb heat.