Abstract: A 3-dimensional flash memory device and methods of fabricating and driving the same are provided. The device includes: a channel layer extending over a substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate; an information storing layer extending along a sidewall of the channel layer in the first direction; control gates each surrounding the channel layer, with the information storing layer between the channel layer and the control gates; an insulating layer being between the control gates in the first direction and separating the control gates from each other; a fixed charge region disposed at an interface of the insulating layer and the information storing layer or in a portion of the information storing layer between the control gates in the first direction; and a doped region induced by the fixed charge region and disposed at a surface of the channel layer facing the fixed charge region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a decoding method and apparatus and an encoding method and apparatus for deriving an intra-prediction mode. An intra-prediction mode may be derived using a method for deriving an intra-prediction mode based on a neighbor block of the target block, a method for deriving an intra-prediction mode using signaling of the intra-prediction mode of the target block, or a method for deriving an adaptive intra-prediction mode based on the type of a target slice. An MPM list may be used to derive the intra-prediction mode, and a temporal neighbor block or the like may be used to configure the MPM list.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of generating a biologically effective unipolar nanosecond electric pulse by superposing two biologically ineffective bipolar nanosecond electric pulses and related aspects, such as electroporation and/or therapeutic applications of these methods to non-invasively target electrostimulation (ES) selectively to deep tissues and organs.

Abstract: Described herein are antimicrobial copolymers comprising (i) a polymer backbone and a plurality of thiouronium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone and (ii) a plurality of quaternary ammonium groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone. Also described herein are methods for making the copolymers described herein and their use in disinfecting compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are universal influenza based on a truncated influenza hemagglutin (HA) protein lacking a head domain (hrHA). Also disclosed is a composition comprising a nanoparticle coated with a disclosed hrHA polypeptide. Also disclosed is a composition comprising a virus like particle (VLP) expressing on its surface a disclosed hrHA polypeptide.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an analyte concentration in liquid is provided. The system includes a coupon comprising an absorbent body with a window through the absorbent body wherein the liquid is maintained in said window by capillary action and surface tension. A reactant is in the absorbent body wherein the reactant is capable of diffusing into the window to react with an analyte in the liquid, or the reactant is able to react with the analyte within the coupon itself, with color-indicating by-products of the reaction diffusing into the window, wherein the analyte is present in an analyte concentration, to form a reactant with a color wherein the color has an intensity which correlates to the analyte concentration. A light source is provided which is capable of passing light into the window wherein the light is attenuated by the color proportional to the analyte concentration to form attenuated light. A detector is provided which is capable measuring an intensity of the attenuated light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asphalt product that comprises an asphalt component and a plurality of pellets comprising a mixture of a ground tire rubber and an elastomeric polymer, where the density difference between the asphalt component and the plurality of pellets is less than 10%. The present invention further relates to a pellet comprising a ground tire rubber (“GTR”) and an elastomeric polymer mixed with the GTR, where the GTR has a density of less than 1.12 g/cm3. Also disclosed are methods of producing improved asphalt and paving a surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to contact lens including nanopores. A contact lens can include a nanoporous film including nanopores that are on an inner surface of the contact lens, and a backing lens on the nanoporous film. Various embodiments further include a biomarker-sensing region of the nanoporous film, a drug storage and delivery region of the nanoporous film, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An economical, efficient, and effective formation of a high resolution pattern of conductive material on a variety of films by polymer casting. This allows, for example, quite small-scale patterns with sufficient resolution for such things as effective microelectronics without complex systems or steps and with substantial control over the characteristics of the film. A final end product that includes that high resolution functional pattern on any of a variety of substrates, including flexible, stretchable, porous, biodegradable, and/or biocompatible. This allows, for example, highly beneficial options in design of high resolution conductive patterns for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: Textured particles and methods of making the same. A textured particle includes an inner core and a spherical solid outer shell including an outer surface. The inner core is inside the outer shell. The outer surface includes a first tier texture including a first metal, wherein the first metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the first tier texture; a second tier texture including the second metal, wherein the second metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the second tier texture; and a third tier texture including the third metal, wherein the third metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the third tier texture. The first metal, second metal, and third metals are different metals.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer metal plate by electroplating includes a first forming operation of forming one of a first metal layer and a second metal layer on a substrate by electroplating, wherein the second metal layer is less recrystallized than the first metal layer, the second metal layer is comprised of nanometer-size grains, and the second metal layer has a higher level of tensile strength than the first metal layer; and a second forming operation of forming, by electroplating, a third metal layer not formed in the first forming operation on a surface of one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer formed in the first forming operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for inducing a prediction motion vector and an apparatus using the same. An image decoding method can include: a step of determining the information related to a plurality of spatial candidate prediction motion vectors from peripheral predicted blocks of a predicted target block; and a step of determining the information related to temporal candidate prediction motion vectors on the basis of the information related to the plurality of spatial candidate prediction motion vectors. Accordingly, the present invention can reduce complexity and can enhance coding efficiency when inducing the optimum prediction motion vector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a potential microtexture region (MTR) of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include determining a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for an actual MTR, characterizing a potential MTR as an actual MTR or a defect, characterizing an actual MTR as an acceptable MTR or not, and/or characterizing various components with potential MTRs as defective or not. The characterization may include calculating a width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a spatial correlation coefficient slope of the potential MTR and comparing the width of spatial correlation coefficient to a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or comparing the spatial correlation coefficient slope to a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for the potential MTR to be characterized as an actual MTR or a defect (crack).

Abstract: This work develops a novel microfluidic method to fabricate conductive graphene-based 3D micro-electronic circuits on any solid substrate including, Teflon, Delrin, silicon wafer, glass, metal or biodegradable/non-biodegradable polymer-based, 3D microstructured, flexible films. It was demonstrated that this novel method can be universally applied to many different natural or synthetic polymer-based films or any other solid substrates with proper pattern to create graphene-based conductive electronic circuits. This approach also enables fabrication of 3D circuits of flexible electronic films or solid substrates. It is a green process preventing the need for expensive and harsh postprocessing requirements for other fabrication methods such as ink-jet printing or photolithography. We reported that it is possible to fill the pattern channels with different dimensions as low as 10×10 ?m. The graphene nanoplatelet solution with a concentration of 60 mg/mL in 70% ethanol, pre-annealed at 75° C. for 3 h, provided ˜0.

Abstract: Provided herein are organic-inorganic hybrid-perovskites, including metal halide perovskites having a 1D crystal structure. The metal halide perovskites may be luminescent. The metal halide perovskites may include a dopant, including an emitter dopant. Methods of forming metal halide perovskites, and devices including the metal halide perovskites also are provided.

Abstract: An image encoding/decoding method is provided. An image decoding method of the present invention may comprise deriving an intra-prediction mode of a current luma block, deriving an intra-prediction mode of a current chroma block based on the intra-prediction mode of the current luma block, generating a prediction block of the current chroma block based on the intra-prediction mode of the current chroma block, and the deriving of an intra-prediction mode of a current chroma block may comprise determining whether or not CCLM (Cross-Component Linear Mode) can be performed for the current chroma block.

Abstract: A method embodiment involves preparing single metal or mixed transition metal chalcogenide using exfoliation of two or more different bulk transition metal dichalcogenides in a manner to form an intermediate hetero-layered transition metal chalcogenide structure, which can be treated to provide a single-phase transition metal chalcogenide.

Abstract: Polymer composite photonic crystal materials are disclosed as coatings and topcoats which have high reflection (>30%) in a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet (<400 nm), visible (Vis, 400 nm-700 nm), or near-infrared radiation range (NIR, 700-2000 nm), and relatively low reflection (<20% reflection) in a second, different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Surprisingly, it was found that through a formulation and additives approach, the optical properties of polymer composite photonic crystal films can be selectively modified from a variety of different coating methods, including spray deposition.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for transducing measurements from medium of interest. One non-limiting example is in planta monitoring of plants. In one aspect, a micro- or nano-scale probe body includes one or more microprobes (e.g. microneedles or waveguides) to access desired plant tissue, and one or more microsensors on the probe body. A microcircuit on or in the probe body transduces relevant measurements from the microsensor(s). An output interface allows storage, communication, or transfer of the transduced measurement for further use. Non-limiting examples are processing into estimations of chemical concentrations or the like for biochemical sensing. As such, if used as in planta sensors, they can be minimally invasive and cost effective for both single use and use in sets for plural plants with one central station.

Abstract: One aspect of the present application relates to a method of synthesizing a thermoplastic polymer. This method includes providing a depolymerized lignin product comprising monomers and oligomers and producing lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers from the depolymerized lignin product. A thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer is then formed by free radical polymerization of the lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers. The present application also relates to a branched chain thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer which includes a chain transfer agent. The thermoplastic lignin based polymers of the present application can be used to prepare carbon fibers, and engineering thermoplastics. Mixtures of lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers are also disclosed.