Abstract: An Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD)-based noise estimation process is disclosed herein that allows for blind estimations of noise power for a given signal under test. The EMD-based noise estimation process is non-parametric and adaptive to a signal, which allows the EMD-based noise estimation process to operate without necessarily having a priori knowledge about the received signal. Existing approaches to spectrum sensing such as Energy Detector (ED) and Maximum Eigenvalue Detector (MED), for example, may be modified to utilize a EMD-based noise estimation process consistent with the present disclosure to shift the same from semi-blind category to fully-blind category.

Abstract: A system and method for colorimetric calibration is described herein. A system for performing color calibration is described, comprising at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode, at least one light diffuser plate, at least one interference filter, and a camera, the camera comprising at least one sensor for detection of colors, wherein a spectral response within 5% error of a ground truth method can be achieved. A method for performing color calibration is described, comprising transmitting light from at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode, scattering light with at least one light diffuser plate, filtering light with at least one interference filter, detecting light at a camera sensor, mapping an intensity value for each pixel of the camera sensor, and creating a quantum efficiency curve for each of red, green, and blue channels.

Abstract: 2-dimensional surfaces modified with elastin-like polymer (ELP) that transitions between states in the presence of one or more analytes are described. This transition can be monitored to identify the presence and concentration of the one or more analytes. 2-dimensional surfaces of the present disclosure may also or alternatively be configured such that when an analyte binds to ELP on the 2-dimensional surface, such binding changes a degree at which the ELP responds to various non-analyte stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, etc.). In such examples, the 2-dimensional surface may detect the presence of analyte based on the how the ELP responds to the non-analyte stimuli. For example, ELP on a 2-dimensional surface may transition between states at a first temperature when analyte is not present (e.g., bound to the ELP). The temperature at which the ELP transitions may change based on how much analyte (e.g., what concentration of analyte) is present.

Abstract: A composition of a photocatalyst, a method of manufacturing the photocatalyst, and a method of chemically reducing carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide using the photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation is provided. The photocatalyst comprises a transition metal ion and graphitic carbon nitride and includes single metal sites on carbon nitride. Under visible light, the metal sites that are coordinated to nitrogen atoms get activated, without the use of additional ligands, to catalyze the reduction of carbon dioxide to selectively produce carbon monoxide. The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide is highly efficient, resulting a turnover number of more than 800 for carbon monoxide production in 2 hours. The composition is useful in converting carbon dioxide into useful chemicals and carbon-based fuels. A functional model of molecular catalysts for efficient carbon dioxide reduction is also present.

Abstract: Injectable macroporous hydrogels, and methods of producing same, are described. The injectable macroporous hydrogels may be formed by mixing gelatin microgels with an enzyme. In at least some embodiments, the enzyme may be transglutaminase, and more specifically microbial transglutaminase (mTG).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of a cross-linked polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and dipicolylamine-containing monomers that can be used as a therapeutic lens to treat ocular diseases or disorders associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) over-activity and/or over-expression, such as but not limited to corneal melting (or keratolysis).

Abstract: Described herein is a new design for a combat vehicle, such as a battle tank, that includes enhanced armor plating overhead of the passengers inside the vehicle. The enhanced armor may include thicker plating within a turret that is arranged over where one or more passengers are seated within a turret basket. In some respects, the plated region of the turret may also protect rear features such as an autoloader from frontal attacks. The armored turret region may have a thickness of at least 500 mm or may have a thickness that extends an entire height of the turret. One or more occupants of the combat vehicle may be seated within a turret basket beneath the turret, such that they are arranged beneath the armored turret region when seated and better protected from overhead attacks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides new approaches in developing templated polymer-based chemical receptors. At least some embodiments of the invention use a stimuli-responsive polymer [e.g., poly-Nisopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM)] as a polymer backbone with the incorporation of functional monomers (for analyte recognition). In at least some embodiments of the invention, vinylferrocene may be used as a redox-active label for electrochemical transduction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing boron nitride nanotubes and continuous boron nitride nanotube yarn or tapes is provided. The apparatus includes rotating reaction tubes that allow for continuous chemical vapor deposition of boron nitride nanotubes. The rotation of the reaction tubes allows the boron nitride nanotubes to be spun into yarns or made into tapes, without post process or external rotation or spinning of the gathered nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotube yarns or tapes of great length can be produced as a result, thereby providing industry with a readily useable format for this type of material. Dopants such as carbon can be added to engineer the band gap of the nanotubes. Catalysts may be formed outside or inside the reactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system of preconcentrating analytes in a solution within an emitter for ionization mass spectrometry and analysis.

Abstract: A magnetic confinement system includes a magnetic mirror device that includes a chamber to hold a target plasma and a coil arrangement to generate a magnetic field configuration in the chamber to confine the target plasma in cylindrically-symmetric form in the chamber, the magnetic field configuration having open ends. The magnetic confinement system further includes plasma guns to generate plasma pistons and project the plasma pistons at the open ends of the magnetic field configuration. In operation, the plasma pistons converge towards each other to close the open ends of the magnetic field configuration and to compress and heat the target plasma.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising one or more sensors or cameras configured to rotate about a central motor. In some examples, the motor is configured to travel at a constant linear speed while the one or more cameras face downward and collect a set of images in a predetermined region of interest. The apparatus and method are configured for image acquisition with non-sequential image overlap. The apparatus and method are configured to eliminate gaps in image detection for fault-proof collection of imagery for an underwater survey. In some examples, long baseline (LBL) is utilized for mapping detected images to a location. In some examples, ultra-short baseline (USBL) is utilized for mapping detected images to a location. The apparatus and method are configured to utilize a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approach.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods to identify compounds to treat a phytoparasitic nematode infection and/or reduce phytoparasitic nematode contamination, and to methods and compositions to treat phytoparasitic nematode infections and to reduce phytoparasitic nematode contamination of a substrate such as, but not limited to: a plant, agricultural medium, or soil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides new approaches in developing templated polymer-based chemical receptors. At least some embodiments of the invention use a stimuli-responsive polymer [e.g., poly-Nisopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM)] as a polymer backbone with the incorporation of functional monomers (for analyte recognition). In at least some embodiments of the invention, vinylferrocene may be used as a redox-active label for electrochemical transduction.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to a microstrip phased array antenna with a switch line phase shifter to obtain steerable beam pattern. In an embodiment, the microstrip phased array antenna includes a plurality microstrip lines disposed/patterned on a substrate to form a relatively compact phase shifter network that can switchably introduce phase shifts into an RF signal. In particular, each phase shifter of the phase shifter network may be formed from a number of equal-length RF lines that extend from a common point and “loop” to form substantially circular paths. The common point from which each of the RF lines extend may include a VIA to couple to an antenna device. A plurality of switches, e.g., PIN diodes, may be disposed along the RF lines to switchably extend the overall length of each of the phase shifters, and more particularly each transmission line, to selectively introduce a target phase shift.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing an end-fire synthetic aperture sonar system. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes generating a plurality of matched-filtered signals (pings) based on correlations of a transmitted sonar signal with a plurality of reflected or scattered returns of the transmitted signal received from a hydrophone, the reflected or scattered returns associated with a plurality of locations of the hydrophone relative to a location of a transmitter. The method further includes generating a coarse estimate of the locations of the hydrophone based on incoherent cross correlations of the pings, and generating a refined estimate of the locations of the hydrophone based on the coarse estimate and further based on coherent cross correlations of the pings. The method further includes performing delay-and-sum beamforming to combine the pings, the beamforming employing time delays based on the estimated locations of the hydrophone.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensor surfaces capable of detecting cortisol at low and high concentrations using cyclodextrin interactions are described. One electrochemical sensor surface uses a cyclodextrin:adamantane complexed surface. Another electrochemical sensor surface uses one or more rotaxanes of surface-bound cyclodextrin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at materials and methods for their formation having wavy network structures dispersed in a second and relatively harder phase. The materials can be designed to exhibit auxetic properties (e.g. a negative Poisson's ratio) in response to an application of force.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and techniques are presented for maintaining cupolets in a state of mutual stabilization. A first cupolet and a second cupolet are generated. A first control code is applied to the first cupolet for a first time to produce a first visitation code. The first visitation code is transformed based on an exchange function to produce a second control code. The second control code is applied to the second cupolet to produce a second visitation code. The second visitation code is transformed based on the exchange function to produce the first control code. The first control code is applied to the first cupolet for a second time.

Abstract: A system and method for colorimetric calibration is described herein. A system for performing color calibration is described, comprising at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode, at least one light diffuser plate, at least one interference filter, and a camera, the camera comprising at least one sensor for detection of colors, wherein a spectral response within 5% error of a ground truth method can be achieved. A method for performing color calibration is described, comprising transmitting light from at least one broad spectrum light emitting diode, scattering light with at least one light diffuser plate, filtering light with at least one interference filter, detecting light at a camera sensor, mapping an intensity value for each pixel of the camera sensor, and creating a quantum efficiency curve for each of red, green, and blue channels.