Abstract: Processes for forming sulfur polymer cathodes include heating elemental sulfur above a melting point of sulfur to form molten sulfur having linear polysulfide chains, combining the molten sulfur with a cross-linker to form a sulfur polymer mixture, depositing a film of the sulfur polymer mixture on a substrate, and cooling the film of the sulfur polymer mixture to solidify the sulfur polymer mixture into a sulfur polymer. The cross-linker is a cyclic organic vinylic monomer comprising diene groups.

Abstract: An animal monitoring and deterrent device includes a lure body, one or more sensors, an animal deterrent mechanism, a mounting fixture, and a controller. The lure body is configured to attract the attention of a pest animal. The sensors are configured to detect movement or presence of the pest animal proximal to the device. The animal deterrent mechanism includes a source of animal deterrent and an animal deterrent delivery system. The animal deterrent delivery system is fluidly connected to the source of animal deterrent and is configured to disperse the animal deterrent upon activation of the animal deterrent delivery system. The mounting allows at least one of rotational, pivotal, or translational motion of the lure body. The controller is communicatively connected to the one or more sensors and the animal deterrent mechanism and analyzes data generated by the sensors to initiate release of the animal deterrent.

Abstract: An animal monitoring and deterrent device includes a lure body, one or more sensors, an animal deterrent mechanism, and a controller. The lure body is configured to attract the attention of a pest animal. The sensors are configured to detect movement of the device or presence of the pest animal proximal to the device. The animal deterrent mechanism includes a source of animal deterrent and an animal deterrent delivery system. The animal deterrent delivery system is fluidly connected to the source of animal deterrent and is configured to disperse the animal deterrent upon activation of the animal deterrent delivery system. The controller is communicatively connected to the one or more sensors and the animal deterrent mechanism and analyzes data generated by the sensors to initiate release of the animal deterrent. An associate method to deter a pest animal from attacking endangered or threatened species utilizing the device is also provided.

Abstract: A biosensor system comprises a first layer comprising an adhesive layer, a second layer comprising an electrode layer (such as a laser induced graphene (LIG) electrode layer), a third layer comprising a microfluidic layer, and an electronic component. The microfluidic layer comprises reservoirs arranged in an array to chronologically capture and store liquid samples, e.g., sweat samples.

Abstract: A health exposure sensor system includes a housing, a monitoring platform in the housing, and a power source. The monitoring platform includes at least one modular gas sensor, a circuit board having a microcontroller, and data ports for connecting the modular gas sensor to the circuit board. The housing includes manifolds to direct atmospheric air to the modular gas sensor. The modular gas sensor includes a gas detector and a gas sensor circuit board having a gas sensor microcontroller. The gas sensor microcontroller includes at least one on-chip universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter peripheral and at least one on-chip USB peripheral, where both peripherals include input/output functionality and are connected to a single data port interface for external communication. An associated method of operating the same includes selectively enabling individually either the UART peripheral or the USB peripheral via digital I/O configuration of the microcontroller.

Abstract: An apparatus for an armor system includes a housing case, an interior ballistic panel, a frame, an electrical energy storage unit, a flexible backplane system, and a control unit. The housing case includes a top shell and a bottom shell, where the top shell is removably secured to the bottom shell, forming a cavity. The interior ballistic panel is removably arranged within the cavity between the top shell and the bottom shell. The frame is arranged within the cavity between the top shell and the interior ballistic panel, the frame including a compartment. The electrical energy storage unit is arranged within the compartment of the frame, and the control unit is communicatively connected to the electrical energy storage unit to manage operation of the electrical energy storage unit. The flexible backplane system includes electrical connectors and electrical traces on a flexible substrate connecting the electrical energy storage unit to the control unit.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery cathode including conductive porous carbon particles vacuum infused with sulfur and a conductive collector substrate to which the sulfur infused porous carbon particles are deposited. The sulfur infused carbon particles are encapsulated by an encapsulation polymer, the encapsulation polymer having ionic conductivity, electronic conductivity, polysulfide affinity, or combinations thereof. A lithium-sulfur battery including the lithium-sulfur battery cathode, a lithium anode and an electrolyte disposed between the sulfur cathode and the lithium anode is also provided. Methods of producing the sulfur cathode for use in a lithium-sulfur battery by a hybrid vacuum-and-melt method are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for an armor system includes a housing case, an interior ballistic panel, a frame, a power source, and a control unit. The housing case includes a top shell and a bottom shell, where the top shell is removably secured to the bottom shell, forming a cavity. The interior ballistic panel is removably arranged within the cavity between the top shell and the bottom shell. The frame is arranged within the cavity between the top shell and the interior ballistic panel, the frame including a compartment. The power source is arranged within the compartment of the frame, and the control unit is communicatively connected to the power source to manage operation of the power source.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery cathode including conductive porous carbon particles vacuum infused with sulfur and a conductive collector substrate to which the sulfur infused porous carbon particles are deposited. The sulfur infused carbon particles are encapsulated by an encapsulation polymer, the encapsulation polymer having ionic conductivity, electronic conductivity, polysulfide affinity, or combinations thereof. A lithium-sulfur battery including the lithium-sulfur battery cathode, a lithium anode and an electrolyte disposed between the sulfur cathode and the lithium anode is also provided. Methods of producing the sulfur cathode for use in a lithium-sulfur battery by a hybrid vacuum-and-melt method are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid absorption and distribution enhancement (FADE) product comprises at least one flow media layer, and at least one superabsorbent polymer layer.

Abstract: A composite having a substrate and a plurality of core-shell nanoparticles. The substrate has microporosity, nanoporosity, or free volume and is a polymer matrix, a metal-organic framework, a micro-porous structure, or a nano-porous structure. The plurality of core-shell nanoparticles each has a core and at least one shell layer. The core is made from a decomposed product of a first precursor disposed in the microporosity, nanoporosity, or free volume of the substrate. The at least one shell layer is made from a decomposed product of a second precursor and is disposed on the core.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid absorption and distribution enhancement (FADE) product comprises at least one flow media layer, and at least one superabsorbent polymer layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid absorption and distribution enhancement (FADE) product comprises at least one flow media layer, and at least one superabsorbent polymer layer.

Abstract: A composite having a substrate and a plurality of core-shell nanoparticles. The substrate has microporosity, nanoporosity, or free volume and is a polymer matrix, a metal-organic framework, a micro-porous structure, or a nano-porous structure. The plurality of core-shell nanoparticles each has a core and at least one shell layer. The core is made from a decomposed product of a first precursor disposed in the microporosity, nanoporosity, or free volume of the substrate. The at least one shell layer is made from a decomposed product of a second precursor and is disposed on the core.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid absorption and distribution enhancement (FADE) product comprises at least one flow media layer, and at least one superabsorbent polymer layer.

Abstract: A thermodynamic container for regulating the temperature of a liquid. An exemplary embodiment may include an inner layer of a thermal buffering material and an outer layer of insulation. The thermal buffering layer may include a phase change material and/or a non-phase change material. Some exemplary embodiments may include lid, which may include insulation, a thermal buffering layer, and/or a drinking port.

Abstract: A thermodynamic container for regulating the temperature of a liquid. An exemplary embodiment may include an inner layer of a thermal buffering material and an outer layer of insulation. The thermal buffering layer may include a phase change material and/or a non-phase change material. Some exemplary embodiments may include lid, which may include insulation, a thermal buffering layer, and/or a drinking port.