Abstract: A coil, comprising: a wire wound to form a plurality of double-D (DD) sub-coils, each said DD sub-coil having a plurality of sides defining one of a plurality of hexagonal shaped segments arranged to define a honeycomb structure; wherein a magnetic field is created when current passes through the plurality of DD sub-coils, the plurality of DD sub-coils being configured so that when activated the current flows in a same first direction through adjacent sides of first and second ones of the plurality of DD sub-coils, flows in a same second direction through adjacent sides of first and third ones of the plurality of DD sub-coils, and flows in a same third direction through adjacent sides of the second and third ones of the plurality of coils.

Abstract: Systems are provided for machine learning-driven operation of instrumentation with human in the loop. The systems use a model with learnt model parameters to define points for physical-characteristic measurements once the model is trained. The systems use active learning, which considers selection, reinforcement and/or adjustment inputs from the instrumentation's user, to enable describing a relationship between local features of sample-surface structure shown in image patches and determined representations of physical-characteristic measurements.

Abstract: A nested pebble bed blanket surrounds a fusion reactor's vacuum chamber. The blanket includes stacks of nested pebbles composed of neutron multiplier shells filled with breeding spheroids. The shells have perforations passing through their inner and outer surfaces. The shells include therein perforated coolant distributor elements coupled to or unitary with the inner surfaces. Each perforated element is in line with a respective shell perforation, which allows coolant to flow into the sphere through the perforations and elements. When bombarded by neutrons, the nested pebbles produce fusion fuel to sustain fusion reactions. The coolant sweeps out the fusion fuel, and cools the breeding spheroids. Pebbles in the blanket are replenished with conveyor systems. A separator extracts the fusion fuel from the blanket coolant. Heat from the walls and the nested pebble bed is extracted by inert gases and then conveyed to a thermal storage and/or a power cycle.

Abstract: A catalytic carbon capture material is provided. The catalytic carbon capture material includes a microporous polymer including a Tröger's base moiety, and a transition metal is coordinated within the microporous polymer. The catalytic carbon capture material selectively captures carbon dioxide (CO2) and also is a catalyst that simultaneously converts the captured carbon dioxide into one or more carbon dioxide-based products. A method of making the catalytic carbon capture material and a method of selective carbon dioxide capture and conversion are also provided.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based gamma-ray calorimeter (OFBGC) sensor array which uses a thermal mass with a low thermal conductivity is provided. Advantages of the OFBGC sensor array include: 1) the number of sensors in the OFBGC sensor array is adjustable and limited only by the spatial resolution of the OFBGC sensors, within the OFBGC sensor array, and 2) the OFBGC sensor design is simpler to build than a conventional optical fiber-based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) sensor array. One purpose of the OFBGC is to determine the power distribution in nuclear reactors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an Al—Ce—Cu alloy for use in additive manufacturing. The disclosed alloy embodiments provide fabricated objects, such as bulk components, comprising a heterogeneous microstructure and having good mechanical properties even when exposed to conditions used during the additive manufacturing process. Methods for making and using alloy embodiments also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Polyphase wireless power transfer systems are provided. The transfer system may be used for charging hybrid and electric vehicles. The systems are capable of transferring over 50 KW over an air gap of 15 cm. The systems use a rotating magnetic field to transfer power. The system may comprise transmitter coil assembly. The coil assembly may be one or more layers. The system may employ either unipolar or bipolar coils. The transmitter also comprises compensating capacitance connected in series with at least one coil for each phase. A value of the compensating capacitance for each phase is determined such that the transmitter has at least two independently excitable resonant modes at a resonant frequency. The transmitter is compatible with a plurality of different receivers including three-phase, single phase with a circular coil and single phase with DD coils.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an aquatic robot. The methods comprise: autonomously propelling the aquatic robot through a body of water to a location where a water sample is to be obtained; and performing operations by the aquatic robot to autonomously collect the water sample, cause the water sample to flow through a filter that retains eDNA, lyses and releases the eDNA to a create a lysate, process the lysate to obtain a product for eDNA sequencing, generate eDNA sequencing data using the product, and communicate the eDNA sequencing data to a remote external device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling traffic flow along an arterial. The systems comprise a data processing apparatus configured to: monitor traffic light control signals (TLCSs) used to control traffic lights at intersection(s) and traffic delays occurring at intersection(s) at a time when the traffic lights are being controlled by TLCSs; access a hybrid model comprising a first linear term corresponding to an instance of traffic delays, a second linear term corresponding to a concurrent instance of TLCSs, and a nonlinear function defining a nonlinear relationship between the instance of the traffic delays and a previous instance of TLCSs; use the hybrid module to predict traffic delays at intersection(s) based on the traffic control signals and the traffic delays; determine, based on TLCSs and the traffic delays, traffic control signals that cause the predicted traffic delays to decrease; and cause the traffic lights to be controlled using the traffic control signals.

Abstract: Amorphous SiOx (SiO2), SiONx, silicon nitride (Si3N4), surface treatments are provided, on both metal (titanium) and non-metal surfaces. Amorphous silicon-film surface treatments are shown to enhance osteoblast and osteoblast progenitor cell bioactivity, including biomineral formation and osteogenic gene panel expression, as well as enhanced surface hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. A mineralized tissue interface is provided using the amorphous silicon-based surface treatments in the presence of osteoblasts, and provides improved bone cell generation/repair and improved interface for secure attachment/bonding to bone. Methods for providing PEVCD-based silicon overlays onto surfaces are provided. Methods of increasing antioxidant enzyme (e.g., superoxide dismutase) expression at a treated surface for enhanced healing are also provided.

Abstract: A fastener for use in joining dissimilar materials manufactured by the process of producing the fastener with an external surface that forms an electrically insulating oxide layer when subjected to oxidation and, after manufacture and prior to use, subjecting the fastener to a pre-oxidation process to grow the desired oxide layer in situ on the external surface of the fastener. The present invention also provides a dissimilar material joint in which the pre-oxidized fastener is used to mechanically join dissimilar materials with the oxide layer electrically insulating the fastener from at least one of the dissimilar materials. The fastener may be a rivet used in friction self-piercing riveting (F-SPR). The fastener may be fabricated from an alloy capable of forming Al2O3 or Cr2O3 by thermal oxidation. The fastener may be pre-coated with Al or Cr that functions as a seed layer to form Al2O3 or Cr2O3.

Abstract: An efficiency-based powertrain control system and method to provide real-time optimization of powertrain efficiency for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator having a surface and percolating pores providing a porosity of from 20% to 80%. A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte includes an electrolyte and electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 ?m, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening enabling particles can be from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the total weight of the separator and shear thickening particles. Between 20-40 wt. % of the shear thickening enabling particles are located in the pores of the separator.

Abstract: Slicer system for generating molecular dynamic graded lattice structures that can be used as infill for additively manufactured articles. Molecular dynamically generated lattice infill is based on force balancing a node distribution instead of a circle packing. Field data can be utilized to adjust the spacing of the node distribution according to a force balance equilibrium model that accounts for the field expected to be experienced by the article being additively manufactured. The resultant non-uniform honeycomb structures from force-balancing robustly and efficiently address the connection issues with traditional non-uniform lattice structures.

Abstract: A compound having the following structure: wherein: R1 is a linker having the formula —(CH2)n-L1-, wherein L1 contains 1-6 carbon atoms and at least one —NH— linkage and at least one oxygen-containing or sulfur-containing linkage, and n is an integer of 0-3; R2 is a group having the formula —C(Y)-E, wherein Y is O or S, and E is a hydrocarbon group and either: (i) at least one carbon-carbon or carbon-nitrogen unsaturated bond or (ii) at least one alkyl halide group; R3 is selected from H, NR?2, NHC(O)R?, and —(CH2)p-T, wherein T contains at least one —NH— linkage; Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf are independently selected from of H, hydrocarbon groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms, fluorine atom, and chlorine atom; X is N or CR9, wherein R9 is selected from H, hydrocarbon groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms, fluorine atom, and chlorine atom; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring power between a stator and a rotor of an excitation system. The stator and the rotor may form part of a rotary transformer that includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, where power is transferred from the primary winding to the secondary winding or conversely from the secondary winding to the primary winding.

Abstract: A powder-bed fusion system, comprising: a laser-based heat source configured to direct laser beams to a powder bed within respective fields of views (FOVs); and a controller configured to: obtain information specifying predetermined paths over which the laser-based heat source is to direct the laser beams to form objects by fusing layers of powder disposed on the powder bed; create a first mapping between portions of the objects within overlapping FOVs and the laser beams associated with the overlapping FOVs; use the first mapping to determine a first distribution of the laser beams for forming the objects while balancing usage of the laser beams; and cause the laser-based heat source to direct the laser beams to locations on the powder bed in accordance with the first distribution.

Abstract: A method for producing a bonded magnet, comprising: (i) low-shear compounding of a thermoplastic polymer and magnetic particles to form an initial homogeneous mixture thereof; (ii) feeding the initial homogeneous mixture into a plasticator comprising a low-shear single screw rotating unidirectionally toward a die orifice and housed within a heated barrel to result in heating of the initial homogeneous mixture until the thermoplastic polymer melts and forms a further homogeneous mixture, wherein said further homogeneous mixture is transported within threads of the single screw towards the die orifice and exits the die orifice as a solid pellet; (iii) conveying the solid pellet into a mold and compression molding the pellet in the mold, to form the bonded magnet, wherein the bonded magnet possesses a magnetic particle loading of at least 80 vol % and exhibits one or more magnetic properties varying by less than 5% throughout the bonded magnet.

Abstract: The present disclosure based on the inventors' recognition that PAN domain containing proteins play important immune regulating functions. Disclosed herein are methods for modulating immune responses in plants and animals, improving in vitro fertilization efficiency, and inhibiting human cell division and cellular migration in cancer cells. Also disclosed herein are genetically modified plants that are resistant to pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A synesthesia-based encryption system and method (referred to as a system) includes a camera that captures an image and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the camera and a video-only network. The system includes a sensor that monitors a location and generates a sensor message. The sensor message include information that represents a state, a measurement, and/or a detection at that location. The system's processor maps colors to characters from the sensor message to generate a replacement image. In some systems, the sensor is encrypted first. The processor integrates the replacement image within the original image or some or all of the video frames captured by the camera to form a combined image(s) and causes a transceiver to transmit the combined image(s) across the video-only network to a destination.