Abstract: Methods of non-destructive rail analysis and evaluation for railroad tracks are provided. The methods can include capturing images of rails over time and at various temperatures. High-contrast patterns can be applied to or associated with a rail to facilitate image analysis. Rail neutral temperature (RNT), stress, strain, and curvature of the track can be determined using image correlation and regression analysis. A stereovision system may be used for rail neutral temperature measurements and for determining effects of a heating method. A non-contacting, nondestructive methodology for RNT and longitudinal rail stress measurements is based on stereo vision image acquisition and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) for acquiring the full field shape, deformation, and strain measurements taken during a thermal cycle. The thermal cycle can be natural or induced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-invasive methods for performing selection of ova, otherwise referred to as oocytes, and/or embryos produced from fertilized oocytes. In an embodiment, performing the selection can include comparing the expression level of a gene in cumulus cell masses harvested from at least two oocytes or at least two embryos, the embryos formed by fertilizing the oocyte. In another embodiment, performing the selection can include comparing the expression level of a gene in a cumulus cell mass harvested from an oocyte or an embryo to a population value. By comparing the expression level of a gene (e.g., using either mRNA expression or protein expression) the embodiments and methods disclosed can provide advantages in selecting an egg for fertilization or an embryo for implantation, such as increasing the chances of successful fertilization and/or live birth.

Abstract: Using expression of CC chemokine ligand (CCL24) to serve as an identification of a potential deriver of metastatic cancers and methods of detecting the presence of CCL24 to serve as a breast cancer diagnosis tool.

Abstract: Employing methodologies and systems to detect damage initiation and growth inside a composite material (matrix cracking, delamination, fiber break, fiber pullout, etc.) wherein damage produces high-frequency acoustic emission (AE) waves that are transported to recording sensors along with relatively lower frequency waves representing the flexural deformation of the impacted composite structure.

Abstract: Single crystals of a new noncentrosymmetric polar oxysulfide SrZn2S2O (s.g. Pmn21) grown in a eutectic KF-KCl flux with unusual wurtzite-like slabs consisting of close-packed corrugated double layers of ZnS3O tetrahedra vertically separated from each other by Sr atoms and methods of making same.

Abstract: A voltage tunable solar-blind UV detector using a EG/SiC heterojunction based Schottky emitter bipolar phototransistor with EG grown on p-SiC epi-layer using a chemically accelerated selective etching process of Si using TFS precursor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing myocardial strain imaging in an inverse framework to identify mechanical properties of the heart and to determine structural and functional milestones for the development and progression to heart failure.

Abstract: An in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement is disclosed that can allow process monitoring and diagnosis for thermoplastic composite welding and other applications. A distributed fiber-optic sensor can be permanently embedded in a thermoplastic welded structure when it is welded and left there to perform lifelong monitoring and inspection. The fiber optic sensor can include a dissolvable coating, or a coating matched to the composite material to be welded. Other applications include in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement on thermoset composite curing (autoclave), for thermoplastic and thermoset composites during compression molding, and for fiber-optic field measurements on freeze/thaw of large items of public health interest, such as stored or transported foodstuffs.

Abstract: A quartz crystal microbalance coated with functionalized nanoparticles used to detect molecule-nanoparticle interactions to assist with characterization of difficult to predict molecule-nanoparticle interactions for novel ligand chemistries and, particularly, mixed ligand nanoparticles exhibiting different ligand morphologies, in order to quantify nanoparticle-molecule interactions independently from more complex solvation requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing a photovoltaic junction that can include coating a bare junction with a composition. In one embodiment, the composition includes a plurality of quantum dots to create a film; exposing the film to a ligand to create a first layer; coating the first layer with the composition to form a film on the first layer; and exposing the film on the first layer to the ligand to create a second layer.

Abstract: Described herein are drone designs, and methods for making same, wherein drones are constructed from interlocking modular nacelles of different types allowing nacelles to be added as needed to increase payload capacity, flight time, and mission capability as the application requires. The modular nacelles can be attached together into an aggregate structure, called a collective, as desired to yield an infinitely expandable and extensible drone. Since each nacelle includes its own battery, nacelles can be added as needed to achieve whatever capability is needed for the application at hand without having to customize the design of the drone.

Abstract: Described herein are bio-inspired acoustic bandpass sensors with a user-defined range of frequencies mimicking the geometric structure of a human's basilar membrane to capture infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves per design with a target frequency range for a specific application and methods of making same.

Abstract: Described herein is a high fidelity SFP Li-battery model, which can describe the internal electrochemical reaction mechanism accurately, to estimate State of Health (SOH) and State of Charge (SOC) of Li-batteries.

Abstract: An automated syringe handling system that will safely, securely, and quickly assemble syringes or other medical devices under controlled/sterile conditions while maintaining the syringes in a stable orientation and eliminating unnecessary operator contact with the syringes and working area.

Abstract: An apparatus for an autonomous vehicle may include a plurality of sensors and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive a trip plan via including a pick-up location, a drop-off location, an identity of the passenger, and control parameters, execute the trip plan according to the pick-up location, the drop-off location, the identity of the passenger, and the control parameters, receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors, and analyze the sensor data in relation to a criteria profile to determine whether compliance boundaries of the criteria profile have been violated. The criteria profile may be generated based on the trip plan and may indicate compliance boundaries for the trip plan. The processing circuitry may be further configured to send an alert in response to determining that the sensor data indicates that a violation of a compliance boundary of the criteria profile has occurred.

Abstract: A carrier-free nanoparticle based on the self-assembly of curcumin-erlotinib conjugate (EPC) that exhibits stronger cell killing, better anti-migration effects, and anti-invasion effects for pancreatic cancer cells than the combination of free curcumin and erlotinib.

Abstract: Described herein are cementitious composite materials incorporating carbon nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes, nanoplatelets, nanoribbons) that are employed as amendments (i.e., admixtures or additives) to cementitious waste forms as a means to enhance radionuclide and hazardous waste (e.g., heavy metals, toxic organics) retention wherein the incorporation of well-dispersed carbon nanostructures yields more effective waste forms through the resulting modification of the cementitious composite nano-, micro-, and meso-structure (e.g., hindering the infiltration of oxygen and the leaching of waste), and the chemical interactions between chemically-affine waste molecules and the amended cementitious composite.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for fabrication of high-performing metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices by depositing yttrium oxide epitaxial layers through pulsed laser deposition on high quality 4H—SiC epitaxial layers. The novel MOS devices revealed an extraordinarily long hole diffusion length that has never been reported. These devices have been investigated as radiation detectors which demonstrated an excellent radiation response at zero applied bias (self-biased) with a record-high energy resolution.

Abstract: A cannulation simulation device and methods for using the device are described. The device is designed to teach dialysis technicians/nurses or patients to cannulate arteriovenous (AV) fistulas for hemodialysis. The simulator includes one or more artificial fistulas. The simulator includes a pad of simulated flesh that can cover the artificial fistula(s). The pad can be reversed, rotated, and replaced with thicker or thinner pads. A personal simulation device for teaching self-cannulation can include a sleeve for a limb that can carry an artificial fistula. A clinical simulation device can include a plurality of artificial fistulas held in a support. Optionally, the artificial fistulas can vibrate to simulate an actual fistula.

Abstract: A multi-chamber pellet die system to improve and increase analysis pellet manufacturing capabilities by allowing for multiple pellets or biomaterial scaffolds to be fabricated simultaneously.