Abstract: An efficient and green method for selective extraction of Li from end-of-life secondary LIBs of any capacity and size is provided. Electrochemical driven selective lithium deposition is targeted at the anode/separator interface of the end-of-life LIB. The deposited Li is recovered by processing of an opened or dismantled battery using only distilled or de-ionized water. The process not only enables the recovery of the plated lithium at the anode/separator interface, but also extracts the lithium from the organic salts and/or inorganic salts in the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers and from the electrolyte in the separator. In addition, the method partially strips the cyclable Li from the cathode and concentrates it at the anode/separator interface. The concentrated Li is extracted by using aqueous solution such as distilled or de-ionized water followed by recovery of the Li from aqueous solution. After Li recovery from the anode, the method can also enable the recovery of battery-grade graphite.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds having a monoterpenoid and/or phenylpropanoid moiety and methods of their making and use as pesticidal compounds, such as insecticidal baits.

Abstract: Methods of scintillation, scintillation devices, and metal halide hybrids that may be used as X-ray scintillators. The metal halide hybrids may include organic metal halide hybrids, inorganic metal halide hybrids, or organic-inorganic metal halide hybrids. The metal halide hybrids may have a 0D structure. The metal halide hybrids may be in the form of one or more discrete crystals.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to solid chalcohalide electrolytes and the efficient synthesis of solid chalcohalide electrolytes. The electrolytes have the general formula AaMbNcXdYeSf and have relatively high ionic conductivity. The electrolytes can be a component of different types of batteries. The process of synthesizing the electrolytes can be done with cost-effective materials, which is useful for scaling-up production of batteries such as all-solid-state batteries.

Abstract: A coil configuration and method for transcranial magnetic stimulation enabling stimulation of deep regions of the brain without excessively stimulating the cortex is provided. The coil configuration utilizes at least one coil to produce an off-plane magnetic field to enhance the magnetic field from a top TMS coil. In one configuration at least a single variable position coil referred to as the Variable Halo Coil and positionable vertically and/or angularly is used.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Dopamine producing probiotics to increase immune responses to vaccination and to provide increased immune protection are provided. Also provided are dopamine producing synbiotic compositions, formulations, plants, and synthetic compounds, as well as methods for their use for targeted clinical and veterinary applications, for example, in promoting health and well-being and enhancing vaccine efficacy. Also provided is an approach for optimization of synbiotic delivery of a probiotic or other dopamine producing product with a dopamine precursor to beneficially aid in the use of such products for a variety of conditions and diseases, and particularly in the field of vaccines, whether prophylactic or therapeutic.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors are disclosed that contain a nucleic acid encoding a Second Mitochondria-derived Activator of Caspases (Smac) protein inserted within an RNA virus genome, wherein the Smac protein specifically binds to at least a portion of an Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP). Also disclosed are methods of treating cancer using the disclosed vectors.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to a cell-free protein expression method. The method includes exposing a microorganism to substantially anaerobic growth conditions to produce a conditioned microorganism. The method further includes lysing the conditioned microorganism to produce a lysate. The method further includes combining the lysate with a nucleic acid and producing a protein of interest a metabolic pathway, a molecule, or a mixture thereof from the lysate.

Abstract: A magnet includes a stack of a plurality of superconducting pancake wound coils having a stacking axis normal to a winding direction of the coils. The stack has axial ends and has a stack midplane relative to the stacking axis. A quench detector is provided for detecting a quench in the stack of superconducting pancake wound coils. A plurality of resistance quench heaters (RQH) are distributed symmetrically along the axis with respect to the stack midplane. Control circuitry is provided for controlling the operation of the RQH upon the detection of a quench by the quench detector. A method of quenching a magnet is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a process are provided. In the process, a rare earth (RE) element is added to an aqueous feedstock including a first salt of the RE element and a second salt of a metal to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature of at least 50° C. to cause hydrolysis of the second salt to form a precipitate of a hydroxide comprising the metal and to cause an increase in a concentration of the first salt or formation of a third salt comprising the RE element. The precipitate is separated from the mixture, and the first salt or the third salt in the mixture is reacted with an oxalate to precipitate a RE oxalate. The RE oxalate is separated from the mixture, and the RE oxalate is calcined to form the RE element.

Abstract: Provided herein are photochemical separations. The methods herein can include exposing a first metal complex and a second metal complex to light to facilitate an irreversible chemical reaction to form a modified first metal complex. The modified first metal complex then may be separated from the second metal complex. Compositions also are provided.

Abstract: A tunable stiffness bone rod promotes the healing of fractured bones, such as tibia bones. The tunable stiffness bone rod includes a hexagonal shape that has variable levels of stiffness upon application of an axial force. The axial force will begin a low stiffness movement of the bone rod until a threshold is met. Upon reaching the threshold, the stiffness of the bone rod increases to lessen additional longitudinal movement caused by the axial force on the bone rod.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive resonant sensor architecture includes an inductively-coupled extender (ICE) that can both increase read range and lessen the effects of reader/sensor misalignment. The ICE can include a first coil configured with respect to a resonant sensor and a second coil separated from the first coil and coupled to the first coil by electrical wires. An external reader can be arranged with respect to the second coil. This architecture can nearly eliminate misalignment issues between the external reader and the resonant sensor. The ICE can be implemented with a closed circuit design. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma activated water production system includes a plasma reactor and a membrane concentrator. The plasma reactor includes an internal cavity, at least one electrically-conductive inlet capillary and outlet capillary. A mixing chamber has a feed gas inlet, a liquid inlet, and a mixed gas and liquid outlet. A power source is provided. The plasma reactor propagates a plasma discharge between the inlet capillary and the outlet capillary. A membrane concentrator includes a water flow channel with a water inlet and a water outlet, a dry gas inlet and a humidified gas outlet. An ion selective membrane is provided, and water will pass through the membrane into the dry gas, and the water leaving the membrane concentrator will have increased concentrations of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide. An electrodialysis embodiment and a method of generating plasma activated with increased concentration of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the level relative to ground of moveable wings in a spray system that includes the moveable wings mounted to a common center frame support structure attached to an associated work vehicle to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the associated work vehicle. An initial control signal is determined for moving the moveable wings based on positions of the moveable wings relative to the ground. A compensating signal is determined for compensating the initial control signal, wherein the compensating signal is derived independent from the position of the moveable wings relative to the ground and includes a flexure component dependent upon one or more flexural properties of the associated work vehicle. A level control output signal is generated for controlling the level of the moveable wings based on a combination of the initial control signal and the compensating signal.

Abstract: An induction machine with localized voltage unbalance compensation is disclosed. The use of an induction machine with a voltage unbalance correction compensator (VUC) may be used to maintain proper working conditions of the machine during intervals of voltage unbalance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and/or treating a subject having an aneurysm or at risk for developing an aneurysm. It has been discovered that a key metabolite of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, a major route for the metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), plays a critical role in the formation of aneurysms, for example abdominal aortic aneurysms. In particular, it has been discovered that 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), a product of kynureninase (KYNU), plays a causative role in the formation of aneurysms by, for example exerting pro-inflammatory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. It has further been discovered that elevated levels of 3-HAA are indicative of the presence and/or progression of an aneurysm, and 3-HAA levels correlate with the size (aortic diameter) of the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention includes scalable and cost-effective auxetic foam sensors (AFS) created through conformably coating a thin conductive nanomaterial-sensing layer on a porous substrate having a negative Poisson's ratio. In general, the auxetic foam sensors possess multimodal sensing capability, such as large deformation sensing, small pressure sensing, shear/torsion sensing and vibration sensing and excellent robustness in humidity environment.

Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.