Abstract: A store (1) for thermal energy, the store comprising: a housing (5) defining an internal chamber having an inlet and an outlet; and a plurality of receptacles (7) provided within the internal chamber and spaced from one another so that heat transfer fluid can flow over and around the receptacles (7) as the fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet; wherein each said receptacle (7) defines an internal cavity (9) for the storage of phase change material (PCM) so that thermal energy can transfer between the stored PCM material and the heat transfer fluid as the fluid passes over and between the receptacles.

Abstract: An optoelectronic or electronic device structure, including an active region on or above a polar substrate, wherein the active region comprises a polar p region. The device structure further includes a hole supply region on or above the active region. Holes in the hole supply region are driven by a field into the active region, the field arising at least in part due to a piezoelectric and/or spontaneous polarization field generated by a composition and grading of the active region.

Abstract: A Static Electrostatic Generator (SEG) is disclosed which produces static charges at high voltage and low current. The SEG is capable of generating positive or negative charges on a metal sphere by reversing the polarity of a DC source. The conversion efficiency of the system is about 47% and its design is simple, lightweight, and easy to manufacture. The SEG is a static device and no mechanical movement is required to produce charges. Also, the design is easily scalable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an inkjet assembly, an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method for use in preparation of a display component. The inkjet assembly is for use in an inkjet printing apparatus, including a jet printing member having a first surface. A main inkjet channel, a liquid-phase channel in communication with the main inkjet channel, and a gas-phase channel in communication with the main inkjet channel are formed in the jet printing member. An axial direction of the liquid-phase channel intersects an axial direction of the main inkjet channel, and an axial direction of the gas-phase channel intersects the axial direction of the main inkjet channel. An end opening of the main inkjet channel is formed as a nozzle on the first surface.

Abstract: A nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device and processes for fabricating a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device is provided. In one implementation, for example, a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device includes a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a plurality of strip units. In one implementation, the first conductive pad is coupled to a first connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device, and the second conductive pad is coupled to a second connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device. The plurality of strip units are connected in series between the first and second conductive pads and provide a parallel heat transfer pathway. The strip units include a nanostructure design comprising a nanophononic metamaterial.

Abstract: An IoT system includes a computing module for controlling an integral function of the system and including an analysis unit and a machine learning unit. The analysis unit is capable of operational analysis and creating a predictive model and creating a predictive model according to the data analyzed. The machine learning unit has an algorithm function to create a corresponding learning model. An IoT module is electrically connected to the computing module to serve as an intermediate role. At least one detection unit is electrically connected to the IoT module and disposed in soil to detect data of environmental and soil conditions and sends the data detected to the computing module for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging a target region including: (a) transmitting a tracking beam from at least a subset of the elements of the array to the region, each of the subset of the elements emitting a signal of the tracking beam with a respective transmission time shift; (b) receiving echo signals at at least some of the subset of the elements of the array, each echo signal being responsive to the tracking beam; (c) applying the time shift to at least some of the subset of the respective elements to the echo signals received at corresponding elements; (d) modifying the time shift and repeating (a)-(c) to provide an ultrasound dataset representing a recovered source element domain; (e) focusing and beamforming the dataset to map time signals of the dataset and combine channel signals to provide spatial pixel data; and (f) forming an ultrasound image from the spatial pixel data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy clad section, and an aluminum alloy clad section manufactured by the method. The method includes preparing a composite powder by ball-milling aluminum powder and carbon nanotubes, preparing a billet from the composite powder, and subjecting the billet to direct extrusion using an extrusion die. The method is simple in procedure and uses simple equipment because it is based on direct extrusion which is suitable for mass production. Thus, the method is capable of producing a lightweight high-strength functional aluminum alloy clad section having a competitive advantage in terms of price over conventional aluminum alloy clad sections.

Abstract: A system and method for beam management in a wireless network are provided. A learning module having a trained classification module processes received I/Q input samples to determine transmitted beam information of incoming RF transmissions. The learning module includes a beam inference engine to determine waveform characteristics of incoming RF transmissions, and an angle of arrival engine operative to determine an angle of arrival of the incoming RF transmissions on an antenna array. An incoming RF transmission and angle of arrival are selected based on the determined waveforms for beam management operations.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a reaction vessel, a water supply, a temperature adjustor, and a controller. The reaction vessel houses a hydrogen generating material having hydrogen generating ability. The hydrogen generating material includes a two-dimensional hydrogen boride sheet having a two-dimensional network and containing multiple negatively charged boron atoms. The controller is configured to execute a hydrogen generating mode to generate hydrogen from the hydrogen generating material and a regenerating mode to recover the hydrogen generating ability of the hydrogen generating material. The controller controls the temperature adjustor to heat the hydrogen generating material at a first predetermined temperature during the hydrogen generating mode. The controller controls the temperature adjustor to adjust the temperature of the hydrogen generating material to a second predetermined temperature and controls the water supply to supply water during the regenerating mode.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols to improve MRI value are described herein. An example method includes selecting an imaging sequence, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between controllable acquisition variables and the objective functions, trade-offing the influence of the controllable acquisition variables for MRI value in whole k-space acquisition to determine optimal acquisition condition, acquiring at least one MR image using the optimal acquisition condition, receiving or estimating outcomes related to the at least one MR image, and evaluating an MR image value for the MR image based on the outcomes.

Abstract: A device comprises a miniature transducer having an altered backing geometry that can be placed within different casing sizes of an imaging probe device. The backing geometry extends along a longitudinal axis of the imaging probe and provides an angle (e.g., 45-degree angle) configured to reflect ultrasound and/or light waves/signals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the imaging probe. This design is configured to enable ultrasound and/or light waves/signals to be redirected and dampened within the transducer to preserve a suitable signal to noise ratio while minimizing the required depth of the backing.

Abstract: Devices for deposition of material via organic vapor jet printing (OVJP) and similar techniques are provided. The depositor includes delivery channels ending in delivery apertures, where the delivery channels are flared as they approach the delivery apertures, and/or have a trapezoidal shape. The depositors are suitable for fabricating OLEDs and OLED components and similar devices.

Abstract: A cathode is provided for electrolysis of water wherein the cathode material comprises a multi-principal element, transition metal dichalcogenide material that has four or more chemical elements and that is a single phase, solid solution. The pristine cathode material does not contain platinum as a principal (major) component. However, a cathode comprising a transition metal dichalcogenide having platinum (Pt) nanosized islands or precipitates disposed thereon is also provided.

Abstract: A method of inspection or maintenance of a curved ferromagnetic surface using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a releasable crawler is provided. The method includes: flying the UAV from an initial position to a pre-perching position in a vicinity of the ferromagnetic surface; autonomously perching the UAV on the ferromagnetic surface; maintaining magnetic attachment of the perched UAV to the ferromagnetic surface; releasing the crawler from the magnetically attached UAV onto the ferromagnetic surface; moving the crawler over the curved ferromagnetic surface while maintaining magnetic attachment of the released crawler to the ferromagnetic surface; inspecting or maintaining the ferromagnetic surface using the magnetically attached crawler; and re-docking the released crawler with the perched UAV.

Abstract: Stromal Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1) is a small, naturally occurring, potent chemokine with inherent angiogenic, neurogenic, anti-apoptotic protein, which is also a potent stem cell chemoattractant, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disturbances. The present invention provides methods for treating erectile dysfunction in a male subject comprising administering to the major pelvic ganglion supplying the cavernous nerves subject compositions comprising SDF-1. SDF-1 promotes stem cell activation, to the major pelvic ganglion supplying the cavernous nerves, helps cell preservation, and prevents adverse penile remodeling. It can be administered as a protein or by gene therapy including but not limited to plasmid DNA, viral transduction, or nanoparticle delivery directly to the penis or to the neurovascular bundle or other pelvic nerve structures during the time of surgery, or before injury, or to treat existing erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: A polymer/activated carbon composite made up of a branched polyethylenimine and magnetic cores involving Fe3O4 disposed activated carbon. The magnetic cores have activated carbonyl groups on the surface. A process for removing organic dyes, such as methyl red, as well as heavy metal ions from a polluted aqueous solution or an industrial wastewater utilizing the composite is introduced. A method of synthesizing the polymer/activated carbon composites is also specified.

Abstract: An iron oxide powder includes a porous structure having the diameter of from 0.3 ?m to 2 ?m, wherein the iron oxide powder has an aluminum content of from 10 mol % to 80 mol %.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to land, take off, and magnetically perch on a ferromagnetic cylindrical surface is provided. The UAV includes a body and articulated magnetic legs configured to land and magnetically perch the UAV on the cylindrical surface. Each magnetic leg has a fixed portion coupled to the body and a pivoting portion pivotably coupled to the fixed portion at a pivot axis. The pivoting portion includes a switchable magnet and a single articulation joint that provides the pivoting portion with a single degree of freedom about the pivot axis to passively orient the pivoting portion inward and tangent to the cylindrical surface in response to the pivoting portion contacting the cylindrical surface during the landing, and to passively maintain the inward orientation of the pivoting portion during the takeoff.

Abstract: A bio-trickling filter box device capable of purifying organic wastewater and generating electricity is provided, which includes battery component(s) and a bio-trickling filter box component. The battery component(s) is provided in the bio-trickling filter box. The other end of each of trickling filter tube(s) is connected with a water tank. A water pump operates to make water flow through the trickling filter tube(s), pass through leakage holes and trickling holes, and drip into the battery component(s) in a water-drop manner, so as to supply an electric apparatus component with power. The bio-trickling filter box component(s) and the battery component(s) are combined, and the long-term impingement of water droplets on the battery component(s) can accumulate electric charge and generate the electricity. so as to provide power required by the electric apparatus component, which forms a biological treatment system that generates the power while treating the wastewater.