Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a gradient catalyst structure and a method of making the same. The gradient catalyst structure can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on layered buckypaper. The layered buckypaper can include at least a first layer and a second layer and the first layer can have a lower porosity compared to the second layer. The gradient catalyst structure can include single-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both in the first layer of the layered buckypaper and can include carbon nanofibers in the second layer of the layered buckypaper. The MEA can have a catalyst utilization efficiency of at least 0.35 gcat/kW or less.

Abstract: Methods are provided for functionalizing a macroscopic film comprised of nanoscale fibers by controlled irradiation. The methods may include the steps of (a) providing a nanoscale fiber film material comprising a plurality of nanoscale fibers (which may include single wall nanotubes, multi-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or a combination thereof); and (b) irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material with a controlled amount of radiation in the open air or in a controlled atmosphere. The step of irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material is effective to functionalize the plurality of nanoscale fibers. Irradiated nanoscale fiber films are also provided having improved mechanical and electrical conducting properties.

Abstract: A computer system for visualizing recombination events in a group of individuals is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, high-density SNP genotype data is obtained from related individuals in a family. A pedigree is created, haplotypes are reconstructed and likely recombination breakpoints are identified with the use of publicly available computer programs. A software tool is then used facilitate the visualization of the recombination events in the family.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a flow process in resin transfer molding can include the steps of pre-infusing a vacuum-assisted resin transfer mold with a liquid. A sequence of the mold pre-infusion step is detected, from which a flow inhomogeneity adjacent the auxiliary infusion gate is determined. Such a flow inhomogeneity can include, for example, a region where air bubbles can collect, leaving a dry spot in the mold that is not adequately reached by flowing liquid or resin. A resin infusion sequence can then be created, including an opening of the auxiliary infusion gate following a passage of resin therepast to prevent the formation of dry spots.

Abstract: Methods for aligning nanoscale fibers are provided. One method comprises providing a network of nanoscale fibers and mechanically stretching the network of nanoscale fibers in a first direction. The network of nanoscale fibers is substantially devoid of a liquid. A network of aligned nanoscale fibers and a composite comprising a network of aligned nanoscale fibers are also provided.

Abstract: A composite material for electromagnetic interference shielding is provided. The composite material comprises a stack including at least two electrically conductive nanoscale fiber films, which are spaced apart from one another by at least one insulating gap positioned between the at least two nanoscale fiber films. The stack is effective to provide a substantial multiple internal reflection effect.

Abstract: A method of differentiating embryonic stem cells into oligodendroglial precursor cells and oligodendroglial cells by culturing a population of cells comprising a majority of cells that are characterized by a neural tube-like rosette morphology and are Pax6+/Sox1+ into a population of cells that are PDGFR?+.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer and a method of making the same. The catalyst layer can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on buckypaper. The catalyst layer can have 1% or less binder prior to attachment to the membrane electrode assembly. The catalyst layer can include (a) single-wall nanotubes, small diameter multi-wall nanotubes, or both, and (b) large diameter multi-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both. The ratio of (a) to (b) can range from 1:2 to 1:20. The catalyst layer can produce a surface area utilization efficiency of at least 60% and the platinum utilization efficiency can be 0.50 gPt/kW or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric constructs that can advantageously be utilized in a wide variety of fluid contact devices. The constructs include two or more polymeric materials, at least one of which includes reactive functionality so as to preferentially interact with an analyte of interest. The polymeric constructs include the reactive materials in discrete areas of the devices, so as to provide the reactive functionality in a patterned array across a fluid contacting surface of the device. The reactive functionality can be provided in a macro-, a micro-, or a nano-patterned array, depending upon the specific parameters of the formation process. The devices can be utilized in separation protocols as well as other applications involving controlled fluid flow across a reactive surface.

Abstract: A method for making an actuator capable of dry actuation is provided. The method includes providing a first nanoscale fiber film, providing a second nanoscale fiber film, positioning a solid polymer electrolyte at least partially between and adjacent to the first nanoscale fiber film and the second nanoscale fiber film, and then affixing the solid polymer electrolyte to the first nanoscale fiber film and the second nanoscale fiber film. The nanoscale fiber films may be buckypapers, made of carbon nanotubes. The actuator is capable of dry actuation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for functionalizing a macroscopic film comprised of nanoscale fibers by controlled irradiation. The methods may include the steps of (a) providing a nanoscale fiber film material comprising a plurality of nanoscale fibers (which may include single wall nanotubes, multi-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or a combination thereof); and (b) irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material with a controlled amount of radiation in the open air or in a controlled atmosphere. The step of irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material is effective to functionalize the plurality of nanoscale fibers. Irradiated nanoscale fiber films are also provided having improved mechanical and electrical conducting properties.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a composite material that includes (a) providing at least one sheet which includes woven or non-woven glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, or nanoscale fibers; and (b) stitching a plurality of stitches of a thermally conductive fiber through the at least one sheet in a Z-axis direction to form paths of higher conductivity through the sheet of material to increase its thermal conductivity in the Z-axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generate and optimize query plans that are at least partially executable in hardware. Upon receiving a query, the query is rewritten and optimized with a bias for hardware execution of fragments of the query. A template-based algorithm may be employed for transforming a query into fragments and then into query tasks. The various query tasks can then be routed to either a hardware accelerator, a software module, or sent back to a database management system for execution. For those tasks routed to the hardware accelerator, the query tasks are compiled into machine code database instructions.

Abstract: Throughput of a high-volume throughput-centric computer system is controlled by dynamically adjusting a concurrency level of a plurality of events being processed in a computer system to meet a predetermined target for utilization of one or more resources of a computer system. The predetermined target is less than 100% utilization of said one or more resources. The adjusted concurrency level is validated using one or more queuing models to check that said predetermined target is being met. Parameters are configured for adjusting the concurrency level. The parameters are configured so that said one or more resources are shared with one or more external programs. A statistical algorithm is established that minimizes total number of samples collected. The samples may be used to measure performance used to further dynamically adjust the concurrency level.

Abstract: Methods are provided for mechanically chopping nanotubes and other nanoscale fibrous materials. The method includes forming a macroscale article which include the nanoscale fibers, and then mechanically cutting the macroscale article into a finely divided form. In one embodiment, these steps are repeated. The nanoscale fibers may be carbon nanotubes, which optionally are aligned in the macroscale article. The macroscale article may be in the form of or include one or more buckypapers. In one embodiment, the macroscale article further includes a solid matrix material in which the nanoscale fibers are contained or dispersed. The forming step can include making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium and then solidifying the liquid medium to form the macroscale article. After the mechanical cutting step, the medium can be dissolved or melted to enable separation of the chopped nanoscale fibers from the medium.

Abstract: Spam filtering methods and systems are provided for filtering spam SMS SMPP messages from an ESME to an SMSC associated with a wireless network, in which an anti-spam application receives SMPP SMS messages from the ESME and performs spam filtering prior to providing SMPP messages to the wireless network, with good messages being forwarded to the SMSC of the network and spam messages being discarded or persisted.

Abstract: Provided is a method for modeling the cost of XML as well as relational operators. As with traditional relational cost estimation, a set of system catalog statistics that summarizes the XML data is exploited; however, the novel use of a set of simple path statistics is also proposed. A new statistical learning technique called transform regression is utilized instead of detailed analytical models to predict the overall cost of an operator. Additionally, a query optimizer in a database is enabled to be self-tuning, automatically adapting to changes over time in the query workload and in the system environment.

Abstract: A sensor is provided, which includes a plurality of conducting elements spaced apart from each other and at least one deformable electrolyte bridge contacting each of the conducting elements at one or more contact points having an aggregate contact area. Upon formation of an ionic circuit between two of the conducting elements, a first resistivity between the two conducting element exists. Upon application of a compressive force on the at least one deformable electrolyte bridge directed toward at least one of the conducting elements, the aggregate contact area increases such that a second resistivity between the two conducting elements exists.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for filtering spam MAP SMS messages in an SS7 network, including mobile originated and mobile terminated MAP SMS messaging to mitigate spam-related traffic in the SS7 network. The system includes an anti-spam application (42) running on one or more network servers (40) that receives the MAP messages before routing to any SMSC or MSC, and classify these as spam or good. The good MAP SMS messages are then provided to the corresponding destinations by appropriate SMSC or MSC in the SS7 network, while the spam MAP SMS messages are not delivered to the SMSC.

Abstract: A method and system for checking health of information technology infrastructure based on log data, in one aspect, collect log data non-intrusively from a production system, said log data at least associated with transactions occurring in the production system and resource utilization of the production system, normalize said log data into a plurality of log data types, perform data regression analysis using said plurality of log data types to estimate resources consumed by each of said transactions and throughput of each of said transactions, and use a queuing model to predict performance of the information technology infrastructure under various workloads.