Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.

Abstract: A sensing system and method utilizes measured flywheel speed variations to determine engine torque. The measured engine torque can be used to control vehicle transmissions, clutches, and other vehicle components and systems.

Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.

Abstract: A fluorescent oxygen sensing ink includes at least one organic solvent, at least one polymer binder disposed in the organic solvent, and an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye disposed in the organic solvent. The oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye and the at least one polymer can interact to form a moisture-resistant film. The fluorescent oxygen sensing ink can be incorporated into an oxygen sensing wound dressing.

Abstract: A multichannel stethographic device includes a plurality of individual stethoscopes that may be embedded in a foam pad or surface mounted on a thin flexible substrate. Additional stethoscopes for the heart and thorax may also be utilized. The system may include a signal conditioning circuit, wireless DAQ module, and software (algorithms). The systems may be configured to identify and diagnose various disease conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD).

Abstract: A pressure sensing system for measuring pressure acting between a user's head and a protective helmet includes a flexible article that is configured to fit between a wearable protective article and a body part of a user. The system further includes a pressure sensor array comprising a plurality of pressure sensors secured to the flexible article. The system may include a data acquisition module configured to provide data from the pressure sensor array to a computer having a display that provides pressure data to a user.

Abstract: Immunogenic potential of a virus-like particle (VLP) for use in developing a vaccine is predicted by comparing order parameters of the VLP and a target virus. The method may include determining a numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of viral coat proteins of a target virion (virus). A numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of the surface proteins of a VLP is also determined. The numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the viral coat proteins of the target virion (virus) are compared to the numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the VLP to determine if the VLP satisfies pre-defined matching criteria indicative of high immunogenic potential and corresponding vaccine efficacy.

Abstract: A flexible dry electrode comprises a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The flexible dry electrode may be utilized for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The dry ECG electrode may be fabricated by screenprinting silver (Ag) ink on flexible polyethylene terephtha late (PET) substrate, followed by bar coating of a MWCNT/PDMS composite.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed electronic device on a thin PDMS film which includes coupling a first layer of a water-soluble polymer to a substrate and drying the first layer of the water-soluble polymer. The method further includes coupling a second layer of a crosslinkable PDMS polymer to the first layer of the water-soluble polymer and curing the second layer of the crosslinkable PDMS polymer to form the thin PDMS film. The method also includes printing one or more functional layers on the thin PDMS film and drying the one or more functional layers on the thin PDMS film to form the printed electronic device coupled to the substrate.

Abstract: A flexible dry electrode comprises a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The flexible dry electrode may be utilized for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The dry ECG electrode may be fabricated by screenprinting silver (Ag) ink on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, followed by bar coating of a MWCNT/PDMS composite.

Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.

Abstract: A pressure sensing system for measuring pressure acting between a user's head and a protective helmet includes a flexible article that is configured to fit between a wearable protective article and a body part of a user. The system further includes a pressure sensor array comprising a plurality of pressure sensors secured to the flexible article. The system may include a data acquisition module configured to provide data from the pressure sensor array to a computer having a display that provides pressure data to a user.

Abstract: A gyroscopic detection system utilizes magnetic nanoparticles that are suspended in a solution and exposed to a rotating magnetic field. The nanoparticles experience angular deviation from their axes if an external force is applied to the system. Solution composition and oscillation frequency may be varied to optimize the gyroscopic feedback.

Abstract: A printed stretchable strain sensor is provided. The printed stretchable strain sensor has a stretchable substrate and a composite ink coupled to a surface of the stretchable substrate to form a strain-sensitive conductive structure. The composite ink includes both a nanowire and a metal flake. The capability of the fabricated strain sensor, printed in two design configurations: straight line and wavy line, was investigated by studying its electro-mechanical response towards varying elongations of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm.

Abstract: A sensing system and method utilizes measured flywheel speed variations to determine engine torque. The measured engine torque can be used to control vehicle transmissions, clutches, and other vehicle components and systems.

Abstract: A 3D metal printing machine or apparatus includes a welder that deposits one or more layers of metal, and a powered cutting tool that may be utilized to remove a portion of the metal deposited by the welder after the metal has solidified. Numerous layers of metal can be deposited and machined to form complex 3D metal parts. During fabrication, a part may be formed on a support whereby the part can be fabricated by welding and machining operations without removing the part from the support. A 3D CAD model of a part may be utilized to generate code that controls the 3D metal printing apparatus. A measuring device such as a probe or laser scanner may be utilized to measure the shape/size of parts in the 3D metal printing machine.

Abstract: A dual pressure respiratory assistance device including a gas source which supplies a flow of gas into an air tube having a bubbler branch and a patient branch. A first tube that is connected to the bubbler branch is at least partially submerged in a fluid. An oscillatory relief valve cycles between first and second configurations. The relief valve includes an oscillating member which captures gas released through at least one hole in the first tube when the oscillating member is in a first position. The gas in the oscillating member causes the oscillating member to rise to a second position, wherein gas is released from the oscillating member and the at least one hole is blocked when the oscillating member reaches the second position.

Abstract: A colored special effect ink includes a special effect pigment and a colored pigment. The colored pigment is more hydrophobic than the special effect pigment, and the colored pigment is miscible in a solvent chosen from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, and water. The colored pigment optionally has a surface energy of less than 35 dynes/cm. A method for preparing the colored special effect ink and treating the colored pigment to form the colored special effect ink are also described.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive (LC) wireless sensor for the detection of toxic heavy metal ions includes inductors and interdigitated electrodes (IDE) in planar form. The sensor is fabricated by screen printing silver (Ag) ink onto a flexible polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) substrate to form a metallization layer. Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NP) is drop casted onto the IDEs to form a sensing layer. The resonant frequency of the LC sensor is remotely monitored by measuring the reflection coefficient (S11) of a detection coil (planar inductor). The resonant frequency of the LC sensor changes with varying concentrations of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg2+) and lead (Pb2+) ions. Changes in the resonant frequency are used to detect the presence and/or concentration of heavy metal ions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented tool having a collection of content management subsystems allows the content creator to construct a web-based behavioral modification site without the need for computer programming skills. The content delivery system constructed with this tool employs a lesson manager that delivers lesson content based on a tree structure; a virtual educator manager that presents different graphical images of an educator character, complete with different facial expressions and gestures designed to facilitate learning; a link manager that supplements lesson content with links to supplemental material and automatically suppresses dead links; and an impact manager that automatically administers a stage-of-change questionnaire a predefined time interval after the lesson was completed.