Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that are coated on only one side of a current collector. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a semi-solid positive electrode coated on only one side of a positive current collector and a semi-solid negative electrode coated on only one side of a negative current collector. A separator is disposed between the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode. At least one of the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode can have a thickness of at least about 250 ?m.

Abstract: Braille writing devices and systems, and corresponding methods of writing braille characters on a tape medium are described herein. The devices and systems emboss tactile dots on different types of tape medium to enable braille character writing and advance the tape medium to create accurate and repeatable spacing of the braille characters. The devices and systems may be comprised of simply molded plastic parts that snap together using elastically averaging precision alignment features.

Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell includes transferring an anode semi-solid suspension to an anode compartment defined at least in part by an anode current collector and an separator spaced apart from the anode collector. The method also includes transferring a cathode semi-solid suspension to a cathode compartment defined at least in part by a cathode current collector and the separator spaced apart from the cathode collector. The transferring of the anode semi-solid suspension to the anode compartment and the cathode semi-solid to the cathode compartment is such that a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the anode current collector and the separator is maintained within a predetermined tolerance. The method includes sealing the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A bilateral humeral guide for intraosseous infusion includes a three-dimensional mirror symmetric shell configured to fit on either shoulder of a patient, the shell being symmetric about a plane bisecting an alignment hole configured to aid positioning of the shell on the shoulder by aligning the alignment hole on acromion of the shoulder, and two insertion-site indication holes symmetrically positioned on two opposite sides of the plane, the insertion-site indication holes including a left and a right hole each configured to indicate insertion sites for intraosseous infusion through the shell to a target region of a left or right humerus of the patient when the shell is positioned on the shoulder corresponding to the respective humerus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

Abstract: A control system for forming a tapered structure includes a sensor providing feedback for a machine for forming a tapered structure including at least three rolls having at least one bend roll and at least two guide rolls. The guide rolls may include rollette banks having a plurality of rollettes. The machine may also include an adjustment mechanism to position at least one of the rolls, where a diameter of the tapered structure being formed is controlled by relative positions of the rolls. The machine may also include a joining element to join edges of a stock of material together as it is rolled through the rolls to form the tapered structure. The control system may also include a controller to receive feedback from the sensor and to send a control signal based on the feedback to the adjustment mechanism for positioning at least one of the rolls.

Abstract: A bilateral humeral guide for intraosseous infusion includes a three-dimensional minor symmetric shell configured to fit on either shoulder of a patient, the shell being symmetric about a plane bisecting an alignment hole configured to aid positioning of the shell on the shoulder by aligning the alignment hole on acromion of the shoulder, and two insertion-site indication holes symmetrically positioned on two opposite sides of the plane, the insertion-site indication holes including a left and a right hole each configured to indicate insertion sites for intraosseous infusion through the shell to a target region of a left or right humerus of the patient when the shell is positioned on the shoulder corresponding to the respective humerus.

Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.

Abstract: A handheld device to enable a person to create Braille impressions in adhesive tape as labels or messages, where the device includes a hollow base structure, with a tape exit port, and a top region with flexurally hinged embossing arms whose tips converge to a central region, where the tips have downwardly projecting convex bump structures located above concave bump receiving structures, and a tape holding structure onto which a roll of tape can be placed, whereby tape coming from the roll can pass between the convex and concave bump structures, over the cutting edge and out the tape exit port. Furthermore, the device can have a cover structure with flexurally hinged members located above, and coupled to, the hinged embossing arms with snap domes to provide an audible click and tactile cue when the flexurally hinged members are pushed down on by a user's fingers.

Abstract: A control system for forming a tapered structure includes a sensor providing feedback for a machine for forming a tapered structure including at least three rolls having at least one bend roll and at least two guide rolls. The guide rolls may include rollette banks having a plurality of rollettes. The machine may also include an adjustment mechanism to position at least one of the rolls, where a diameter of the tapered structure being formed is controlled by relative positions of the rolls. The machine may also include a joining element to join edges of a stock of material together as it is rolled through the rolls to form the tapered structure. The control system may also include a controller to receive feedback from the sensor and to send a control signal based on the feedback to the adjustment mechanism for positioning at least one of the rolls.

Abstract: Survival of patients suffering from many infections diarrheal diseases, including Ebola, as well as trauma and post-partum hemorrhage is improved with large-volume, parenteral, fluid replacement. In lieu of IVs, Intra-Osseous (IO) lines are placed with the help of a Humerus-Finder™, a one-piece guide that identifies the humeral head at the shoulder and allows for easy, safe, placement of an IO line. This guide enables healthcare providers and lay-providers to place IO lines and deliver fluids to infected persons without direct contact, limiting risk to providers. The Humerus-Finder™ makes early, potentially life-saving, supportive treatment available where large-volume fluid infusion can save lives and is useful in disaster medicine and emergency medicine when it is not possible to place an IV line rapidly and safely by helping first responders achieve IO access for delivery of fluid resuscitation in a safe, reliable manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with biomass decomposition are generally described. Certain embodiments are related to adjusting a flow rate of a fluid comprising oxygen into a reactor in which biomass is decomposed. The adjustment may be made, at least in part, based upon a measurement of a characteristic of the reactor and/or a characteristic of the biomass. Certain embodiments are related to cooling at least partially decomposed biomass. The biomass may be cooled by flowing a gas over an outlet conduit in which the biomass is cooled, and then directing the gas to a reactor after it has flowed over the outlet conduit. Certain embodiments are related to systems comprising a reactor and an outlet conduit configured such that greater than or equal to 75% of its axially projected cross-sectional area is occupied by a conveyor.

Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.

Abstract: A system for controlling contamination in hydrogen production from water-reactive aluminum includes at least one reaction vessel. For example, each reaction vessel may include a container, a conduit, and a plurality of baffles. The container may define a volume, and the conduit may define an orifice outside of the container and spaced away from the container. The plurality of baffles may be disposed in the volume to form a tortuous flow path through the volume to the orifice of the conduit to facilitate rapid production of a large quantity of hydrogen from water-reactive aluminum while reducing the likelihood that ejecta, aerosols, or a combination thereof, may escape the reaction vessel to interfere with end-use of the hydrogen produced.

Abstract: A system for deploying an inflatable structure may include a balloon defining an envelope having a first stiffness, a valve assembly including a control valve, and a reactor defining a chamber having a second stiffness, the valve assembly disposed in fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the control valve selectively actuatable to control fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the second stiffness of the chamber greater than the first stiffness of the envelope, and the reactor foldable onto itself along the chamber and elastically deformable to unfold in response to an increase in pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell includes transferring an anode semi-solid suspension to an anode compartment defined at least in part by an anode current collector and an separator spaced apart from the anode collector. The method also includes transferring a cathode semi-solid suspension to a cathode compartment defined at least in part by a cathode current collector and the separator spaced apart from the cathode collector. The transferring of the anode semi-solid suspension to the anode compartment and the cathode semi-solid to the cathode compartment is such that a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the anode current collector and the separator is maintained within a predetermined tolerance. The method includes sealing the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: System and methods related to lyophilization of pharmaceutical products are disclosed. In some embodiments, vials of product are moved through a system using one or more movers which are electromagnetically levitated and moved through the system without making mechanical contact with each other or the system. Load lock chambers may allow a mover to enter from one process region's environment and then be brought to an environment condition of the next process region to allow materials to be passed through conditioning, nucleation, and/or vacuum drying regions prior to finally exit the system to an unloading zone. The movers may then be cleaned or reloaded with vials to begin the process again with a new load of vials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing mixed lifting gases (e.g., hydrogen gas and steam) for filling balloons are described. In some embodiments, controlling an altitude of a balloon includes combining a reactant and water to produce hydrogen gas and steam, and flowing the hydrogen gas and steam into the balloon to increase a buoyancy of the balloon.

Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.