Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a channel having converging and diverging portions, and a plurality of magnets arranged next to the channel. The plurality of magnets is arranged to apply a magnetic field across the channel to capture magnetic particles in diverging portions of the channel where a velocity of a liquid in the channel is reduced.

Abstract: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are provided with hammers having contact surfaces to produce acoustic signals in structures to be inspected. By selecting a suitable flight path, the contact surface can be dragged across or tapped against the structure to produce acoustic signals indicative of structure condition. Acoustic detectors are coupled to the UAV to produce detected acoustic signals that can be stored, communicated, and/or processed to access to arbitrary structure surfaces, including bottom surfaces of bridge decks and to locate delaminations.

Abstract: This application provides methods, kits, probes and primers, that can be used to analyze environmental samples, such as water samples, soil samples, and air samples. The methods and kits can include positive controls, to provide confidence in test results.

Abstract: A fluoride sensor includes an aluminum layer situated on a distal end face of an optical fiber. A light source directs light into the optical fiber at a proximal end and reflected light from the aluminum layer at the distal end face is directed by the fiber to a detector. A rate of change of a detector signal is processed to produce an estimate of a concentration of fluoride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a compound that can be used as a supramolecular sensor for determining the presence of analytes (e.g., illicit drugs), and for identifying and/or quantifying the analytes. Also disclosed herein is a parallel synthesis method for making compound embodiments, as well as method embodiments for using the compound embodiments. Array embodiments comprising one or more compound embodiments disclosed herein also are described.

Abstract: Technologies are provided herein for modeling and tracking physical objects, such as human hands, within a field of view of a depth sensor. A sphere-mesh model of the physical object can be created and used to track the physical object in real-time. The sphere-mesh model comprises an explicit skeletal mesh and an implicit convolution surface generated based on the skeletal mesh. The skeletal mesh parameterizes the convolution surface and distances between points in data frames received from the depth sensor and the sphere-mesh model can be efficiently determined using the skeletal mesh. The sphere-mesh model can be automatically calibrated by dynamically adjusting positions and associated radii of vertices in the skeletal mesh to fit the convolution surface to a particular physical object.

Abstract: Technologies are described for authenticating a sender identity of an online message. For example, an online message having a purported sender identity can be obtained. Various features can then be extracted from the message, including stylometric features, origin location features, attached file features for any files attached to the message, and embedded URL features. The extracted features can then be compared to a sender profile for a known sender identity matching the purported sender identity, or to one or more sender profiles for recognized suspicious senders if the purported sender identity does not match a known sender identity. The sender profile for a given sender identity can include features extracted from one or more messages previously sent by the sender identity. A global risk score for the message indicating a likelihood that the purported sender identity is inauthentic can be determined based at least in part upon the comparison.

Abstract: This application provides methods, kits, probes and primers, that can be used to analyze environmental samples, such as water samples, soil samples, and air samples. The methods and kits can include positive controls, to provide confidence in test results.

Abstract: Robotic drummers include voice coil actuators that are coupled to linear-to-rotary motion convertors to produce drumstick rotations so as to strike a drum head. Such rotations can be triggered via a microprocessor using stored performance data, by a user with a mouse, trackpad, joystick, or other user input device. Performances are enhanced by driving the VCA with drive signals have random variations associated with strike timing, amplitude, location, and speed. Multiple strikes are provided by reducing, eliminating, or reversing drumstick rotation with a corresponding drive signal upon detection of drumstick contact with the drum head.

Abstract: A stimulus-responsive carrier, a method for making and a method of using the same are disclosed. The stimulus-responsive carrier comprises a polymeric component comprising poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a copolymer comprising units derived from N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid (PNIPAM-AA), poly N-vinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and hydroxymethylacrylamide (PNIPAM-HMAAm), a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and allylamine (poly(NIPAAM-co-allylamine)), poly 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate, or any combination thereof; and a second component disposed within the polymeric component, the second component comprising a hydrogel, wherein the second component has a different composition than the polymeric component. The stimulus-responsive carrier is responsive to a stimulus comprising a temperature change, a pH change, application of a magnetic field, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for sharing a communication resource. Two transmitters seek to use the same two communication slots to transmit two symbols each to a receiver. At each transmitter, data rotation provides two orthogonal combinations of two input symbols which are transmitted in the two slots. An additional phase rotation between slots at one of the transmitters provides phase diversity. The receiver receives superimposed signals from the transmitters, each slot providing information of all four symbols. Joint detection over the two slots provides coding gain and reliable recovery of all four symbols in the two communication slots. Performance results are provided. Disclosed techniques are lightweight and suitable for resource-constrained IoT devices.

Abstract: A methodology for the precise calibration of molecule quantifying assays is disclosed. The method uses stable isotope labeled molecules with distinguishable masses to act as internal and calibration standards that are free from endogenous interference. Furthermore, stable isotope labeled molecules allows for calibration within a test matrix. In some examples, stable isotope labeled peptides are used as internal and calibration standards for mass spectrometry assays for quantification of peptide biomarkers.

Abstract: A microfluidic device can include a plurality of channels defined in a substrate and a plurality of rails defined in a substrate. Each channel can comprise a respective channel inlet, a respective channel outlet, and one or more respective non-miscible fluid inlets fluidly coupled to the channel inlet. Each rail can comprise a rail inlet, and each channel outlet can be coupled to a respective rail inlet. One or more fluids introduced via the channel inlets can form first, second, and third droplets, respectively, and the plurality of rails can comprise first, second, and third rails configured such that droplets disposed on the rails form a tripartite droplet interface bilayer (DIB) network.

Abstract: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are provided with hammers having contact surfaces to produce acoustic signals in structures to be inspected. By selecting a suitable flight path, the contact surface can be dragged across or tapped against the structure to produce acoustic signals indicative of structure condition. Acoustic detectors are coupled to the UAV to produce detected acoustic signals that can be stored, communicated, and/or processed to access to arbitrary structure surfaces, including bottom surfaces of bridge decks and to locate delaminations.

Abstract: The bioink disclosed herein includes one or more cells, a carrier material, and microspheres. The microspheres can include one or more biodegradable polymers and one or more compounds, such as a morphogenic compound. The methods disclosed herein can include three-dimensional bioprinting. Additional methods disclosed herein include producing functional tissue.

Abstract: Technologies are described for authenticating a sender identity of an online message. For example, an online message having a purported sender identity can be obtained. Various features can then be extracted from the message, including stylometric features, origin location features, attached file features for any files attached to the message, and embedded URL features. The extracted features can then be compared to a sender profile for a known sender identity matching the purported sender identity, or to one or more sender profiles for recognized suspicious senders if the purported sender identity does not match a known sender identity. The sender profile for a given sender identity can include features extracted from one or more messages previously sent by the sender identity. A global risk score for the message indicating a likelihood that the purported sender identity is inauthentic can be determined based at least in part upon the comparison.

Abstract: Dual-clutch transmission assemblies for use with electric vehicles include a first shaft having a plurality of input gearwheels mounted thereon. The assembly further includes a second shaft having a plurality of intermediate gearwheels that are freely rotatable with respect to the second shaft and situated to mesh with respective input gearwheels on the first shaft. The assembly also includes a first clutch mounted to the first shaft and a second clutch mounted to the first shaft, the second clutch being spaced apart from the first clutch along a longitudinal axis of the first shaft. The assembly can further include a gear selector disposed on the second shaft to selectively engage at least one of the intermediate gearwheels of the second shaft to lock the at least one intermediate gearwheel to the second shaft such that the at least one intermediate gearwheel co-rotates with the second shaft.

Abstract: Technologies are described for authenticating a sender identity of an online message. For example, an online message having a purported sender identity can be obtained. Various features can then be extracted from the message, including stylometric features, origin location features, attached file features for any files attached to the message, and embedded URL features. The extracted features can then be compared to a sender profile for a known sender identity matching the purported sender identity, or to one or more sender profiles for recognized suspicious senders if the purported sender identity does not match a known sender identity. The sender profile for a given sender identity can include features extracted from one or more messages previously sent by the sender identity. A global risk score for the message indicating a likelihood that the purported sender identity is inauthentic can be determined based at least in part upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method of depositing nanowire chains includes applying a nanowire mixture to a chain-site. The chain-site includes a patterned conductive film covering at least a portion of a surface of a substrate. The patterned conductive film includes a gap. The method also includes, after applying the nanowire mixture, forming a nanowire chain suspended adjacent to a portion of the patterned conductive film by generating an electric field proximate to the patterned conductive film; and depositing the nanowire chain across the gap by removing a liquid portion of the nanowire mixture. An average length of the nanowires of the nanowire mixture is less than a width of the gap.

Abstract: A wound covering includes a flexible main body, and a sensor element incorporated into the main body. The sensor element includes a mesh formed from a plurality of fibers, and is configured to undergo a change in appearance in response to a change in a parameter associated with wound exudate. The wound covering further includes a supply of therapeutic agent configured to diffuse therapeutic agent from the wound covering into a wound when the wound covering is placed on a wound.