Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy complex probe capable of effectively detecting a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations. The complex probe includes a nanolaminate including a nanogap and metal nanoparticles. In this case, the nanolaminate and the metal nanoparticles are modified to a compound that may be bound to each functional group included in catecholamine, and thus, catecholamine included in an analyte is doubly recognized by the complex probe. In addition, since a hotspot emitting a strong SERS signal is formed by a nanogap included in a nanolaminate, it is possible to effectively detect a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a membrane or textile having a mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate by in a first step adhesively bonding a micropatch array to a substrate, the micropatch array having a plurality of micron-scale pillars, each of the micron-scale pillars in the plurality of micron-scale pillars containing a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles dispersed within a polymer matrix; and in a subsequent step etching a portion of the polymer matrix to expose at least a portion of the plasmonic nanoparticles at or near a surface of the micron-scale pillars. Membranes and textiles containing the mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Power converters including electronic-embedded transformers for current sharing and load-independent voltage gain are described. In one example, a power converter system includes an input, an output, a power converter between the input and output, and a controller. The converter includes a first bridge, a second bridge, and an electronic-embedded transformer (EET) between the first and second bridge. The EET includes a capacitor and a capacitance coupling switch bridge. The controller generates switching control signals for the first and second bridges and phasing drive control signals for the capacitance coupling switch bridge in the EET. The controller applies a phase shift to the phasing drive control signals for the EET as compared to the switching control signals for the first and second bridges, so that the voltage across the capacitor in the EET cancels the leakage inductance of the transformer windings in the EET, at any switching frequency.

Abstract: An articulated multi-link robotic tail (MLRT) system is provided comprising a rigid housing, an actuation unit coupled to the rigid housing, and an MLRT having a proximal end that is coupled to the rigid housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The MLRT comprises N segments, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to one. Each segment comprises i links, where i is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to two. Each link is mechanically coupled to an actuator of the actuation unit and capable of being actuated by the actuator to which it is mechanically coupled to adjust a pitch, yaw and roll of the MLRT. The articulated MLRT system is well suited for being integrated with a mobile robot to assist in stabilizing and maneuvering the mobile robot.

Abstract: An inductor having a coaxial structure is described. In one example, the structure of the single-turn inductor can include a conductor, an insulation layer, a shielding layer, and a magnetic core. An air duct can be located between the shielding layer and the magnetic core. The shielding layer and the magnetic core can both be connected to a ground. In one example, the single-turn inductor can include a single-layer termination structure formed on terminations of the shielding layer. In another example, the single-turn inductor can include a double-layer termination structure formed on terminations of the shielding layer. Displacement current in the single-turn inductor can be reduced using, for example, lumped equivalent circuit models, a semi-conductive shielding layer model, or a resistive layer and conductive shielding layer model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relates to a polymer formulation for three-dimensionally (3D) printing an article by stereolithography, the formulation comprising a functionalized polymer. The invention further relates to lithographic methods to form 3D objects that incorporate the aforementioned polymer formulation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a merge vehicle travelling along a highway having a merge lane and a main lane. The method includes receiving merge data about the merge vehicle and a surrounding environment of the merge vehicle. The method includes detecting an intent to perform a merge maneuver by the merge vehicle from the merge lane to the main lane based on the merge data. Further, the method includes generating a graph having a plurality of nodes connected by edges. The plurality of nodes includes a start node set to a current position of the merge vehicle and a goal node located in the main lane after the merge lane has ended. The method includes calculating a three-dimensional (3D) trajectory based on the graph by optimizing edge costs from the start node to the goal node, and controlling the merge vehicle based on the 3D trajectory.

Abstract: Described herein are block copolymers that can be used as compatibilizers. The block copolymers can be graft block or triblock copolymers. The block copolymers can include a polysaccharide or a polyester and a polyolefin. Also described herein are polymer blends that can include and be made using the block copolymers described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of electroporation that can include the steps of contacting a cell that is responsive to an EphA2 receptor ligand with an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to the cell. Also described herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein the methods can include the steps of administering an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to a location on or within the subject.

Abstract: A kinetic energy harvesting device implementing a half-wave mechanical motion rectification (HMMR) mechanism is described. The energy harvesting device may include an energy harvesting railroad tie, where the tie includes a tie housing configured to be coupled to at least one rail. The tie housing includes at least one spring and at least one energy harvester. The at least one energy harvester includes a generator having an output shaft, a gearhead, a ball screw or other motion transmission, and a one-way clutch. Under a force of a passing wheel on the at least one rail, the at least one energy harvester is compressed, which causes a rotation of the ball screw or other motion transmission, a rotation of the output shaft, and a transmission of torque to a shaft of the gearhead, driving the generator in a unidirectional rotation to generate electrical power via the one-way clutch.

Abstract: Described herein are aspects of a microfluidic separation and assay system that can include a microfluidic contactless dielectrophoretic (cDEP) device, a microfluidic concentrator, and a microfluidic assay chamber. In some aspects, microfluidic separation and assay system can be included on a single microfluidic chip. Also described herein are methods of using the microfluidic separation and assay system described herein.

Abstract: Various examples of a high-speed omnidirectional fully-actuated underwater propulsion mechanism are described. In one example, a propulsion system includes two decoupled counter-rotating rotors centered on a main axis, with each rotor comprising a plurality of pivotable blades projecting radially from the main axis, a servo-swashplate actuation mechanism comprising a plurality of servos and a linkage assembly connected from the servos to the pivotable blades, a blade-axis re-enforcing flap adapter comprising a plurality of stationary flaps, with the blade-axis re-enforcing flap adapter being positioned in a region between the two decoupled counter-rotating rotors centered on the main axis, and a controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. Included is a method of treating tissue with electrical energy, the method comprising: delivering electrical energy to tissue using one or more electroporation devices comprising one or more electrodes; and cooling the tissue, surrounding tissue, one or more of the electrodes, or one or more of the electroporation devices to minimize heating. In embodiments, the invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors, and in some embodiments, exemplary methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage medium, for processing radio signals. In once aspect, a system is disclosed that includes a processor and a storage device storing computer code that includes operations. The operations may include obtaining first output data generated by a first neural network based on the first neural network processing a received radio signal, receiving, by a signal transformer, a second set of input data that includes (i) the received radio signal and (ii) the first output data, generating, by the signal transformer, data representing a transformed radio signal by applying one or more transforms to the received radio signal, providing the data representing the transformed radio signal to a second neural network, obtaining second output data generated by the second neural network, and determining based on the second output data a set of information describing the received radio signal.

Abstract: Described in certain example embodiments herein are methods of isolating exosomes from a biological fluid, such as those containing caseins.

Abstract: Aspects of hybrid modulation control for DC-to-AC converters are described. In one embodiment, a hybrid modulation pattern is generated. The hybrid modulation pattern separates switch gating control into multiple control regions for a half cycle of the waveform. A first control region modulates according to a first modulation technique and a second control region modulates according to a second modulation technique. The switches of a resonant converter are controlled according to the hybrid modulation pattern to generate the waveform.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to methods for evaluating injury mitigation performance of helmets that are used for sports (e.g., whitewater kayaking and rafting) are described. In one embodiment, a method for evaluating injury mitigation performance of a helmet includes applying a first impact configuration to a first helmet and applying a second impact configuration to a second helmet of the same model as the first helmet. The method further includes generating acceleration data based on impacts that occur as part of the first impact configuration and the second impact configuration. The method further includes determining concussion risk values based on the generated acceleration data. The method also includes determining a concussion risk metric based on the concussion risk values and exposure values.

Abstract: In various aspects, a polymer resin is provided for vat photopolymerization. The resin can include a polyamic acid salt formed from the addition of a photocrosslinkable amine to a polyamic acid. The resin can include a photoinitiator suitable for initiating crosslinking of the photocrosslinkable amine when exposed to a light source of a suitable wavelength and intensity. The polyamic acid can be formed, for instance, by the addition of a diamine to a suitable dianhydride. Methods of additive manufacturing using the resins are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a data storage system including a host including a host cache portion of a mirror cache, the host cache portion for storing metadata indicating a location of a data node that is stored in a kernel cache portion of the mirror cache, and a storage device including the kernel cache portion located in a common memory area.

Abstract: Coaxial collinear antenna examples are described. An example coaxial collinear antenna includes a first segment and a second segment of a coaxial cable. The second segment includes a second inner conductor and a second outer conductor. The first inner conductor of the first segment is coupled to the second outer conductor of the second segment. The first outer conductor of the first segment is coupled to the second inner conductor of the second segment. Further, a first wire mesh is attached to the first outer conductor of the first segment, and a second wire mesh is attached to the second outer conductor of the second segment. Additionally, the coaxial collinear antenna includes an end-fed port that is situated at a distal end of the coaxial collinear antenna.