Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal (LC)-infused materials and methods for detecting compounds or impurities in liquid samples using such materials. These slippery materials comprise a lubricating liquid, preferably a thermotropic liquid crystal, and a solid substrate able to immobilize or host the lubricating liquid. The portion of the substrate coated by the lubricating fluid forms a slippery surface able to allow droplets of various materials to slide off the slippery surface in a manner dependent on the chemical composition of the droplet, which can be used to detect the presence of analytes, impurities and other molecules within the droplet.

Abstract: A protective mesh system for distributing electrical power. The protective mesh system may include a body that supports and positions a protective mesh within its outer edges. The protective mesh may be of a single polarity and includes conductors and circuit opening devices. The protective mesh may provide for connecting to one or more power devices. One or more connectors may be electrically connected to the protective mesh and positioned along one or more of the edges of the body. The connectors may provide for connecting to an external power source.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining a first video data including sign language originating at a first device during a communication session, obtaining one or more features from the first video data, and determining one or more matching functions from the one or more features. The method may further include determining, using a language model, a first set of one or more symbols from the one or more matching functions, and determining a second set of one or more symbols from the first set of one or more symbols.

Abstract: Methods and systems for geothermal energy production wherein multiple horizontal or vertical wells may be used to pass fluids through the Earth from an injector well to a producer well through induced cracks, splits, fractures, conduits, or channels in the rock. Such methods and systems may include controlling tensile-split conduits in a subterranean geothermal formation by providing an injection well, providing a production well, configuring the injection well for injection of a tensile-splitting fluid into a production zone, configuring the production well to produce a heated fluid from the production zone, applying pressure to the production well, creating a plurality of tensile-split conduits, raising or lowering the pressure in the production well, establishing fluid communication between the injection well and the production well, and producing the heated fluid to the surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for geothermal energy production wherein multiple horizontal or vertical wells may be used to pass fluids through the Earth from an injector well to a producer well through induced cracks, splits, fractures, conduits, or channels in the rock. Such methods and systems may include controlling tensile-split conduits in a subterranean geothermal formation by providing an injection well, providing a production well, configuring the injection well for injection of a tensile-splitting fluid into a production zone, configuring the production well to produce a heated fluid from the production zone, applying pressure to the production well, creating a plurality of tensile-split conduits, raising or lowering the pressure in the production well, establishing fluid communication between the injection well and the production well, and producing the heated fluid to the surface.

Abstract: A portable net system for net games is disclosed which provides for rapid assembly, lightweight construction, durability against damage while assembling and playing, and also provides enhancements inherent in the design which allow for improved marketing and advertising during tournaments. The net functions through having a bow-shaped tensioning rod reacting against the net top-tape to provide primary shape, net tension and height control. A vertical post at each distal end is attached to the foldable feet to provide lateral stability, and these are attached to the net via insertion into the net end-band and durably connected via the rigid bow end-connectors. Removable end-panels at each end net termination provides for a self-tensioned surface where advertising and sponsor labels may be attached.

Abstract: The present technology provides a system for monitoring quorum-sensing in bacteria comprising bacteria that release at least one membrane-lytic toxin when the bacteria are at a quorum-sensing density; synthetic lipid vesicles comprising an environmentally sensitive indicator, wherein the synthetic lipid vesicles release the environmentally sensitive dye in the presence of an effective amount of the membrane-lytic toxins; and a growth medium; wherein the bacteria and synthetic lipid vesicles are in contact with the growth medium. Methods using the system and compounds discovered with the system (e.g., compounds of Formulas I and II) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technology provides a system for monitoring quorum-sensing in bacteria comprising bacteria that release at least one membrane-lytic toxin when the bacteria are at a quorum-sensing density; synthetic lipid vesicles comprising an environmentally sensitive indicator, wherein the synthetic lipid vesicles release the environmentally sensitive dye in the presence of an effective amount of the membrane-lytic toxins; and a growth medium; wherein the bacteria and synthetic lipid vesicles are in contact with the growth medium. Methods using the system and compounds discovered with the system (e.g., compounds of Formulas I and II) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cantilevered imaging modality wearable optical systems that provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.

Abstract: Approaches to loading explosives into blast holes to provide increased explosive density can involve loading the hole with a detonable charge in which energetic material is arranged into zones of differing densities. Related systems and methods may provide for parallel independent streams of energetic material having differing densities and delivering the differentiated streams into a bore hole so as to create an explosive charge therein having a particular geometric arrangement of material from the respective streams.

Abstract: A backlight includes a substrate, a plurality of light sources proximate the substrate, a first reflective layer on the substrate, and a plurality of patterned reflectors over the plurality of light sources. Each light source includes a size measured in a plane parallel to the substrate. Each patterned reflector is aligned with a corresponding light source and includes a thickness profile. The thickness profile includes a substantially flat section and a curved section extending from and surrounding the substantially flat section. The substantially flat section varies in thickness by no more than plus or minus 20 percent of an average thickness of the substantially flat section. The substantially flat section includes a size in a plane parallel to the substrate equal to or greater than the size of each light source.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cantilevered imaging modality wearable optical systems that provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.

Abstract: Approaches to loading explosives into blast holes to provide increased explosive density can involve loading the hole with a detonable charge in which energetic material is arranged into zones of differing densities. Related systems and methods may provide for parallel independent streams of energetic material having differing densities and delivering the differentiated streams into a bore hole so as to create an explosive charge therein having a particular geometric arrangement of material from the respective streams.

Abstract: A protective mesh system for distributing electrical power. The protective mesh system may include a body that supports and positions a protective mesh within its outer edges. The protective mesh may be of a single polarity and includes conductors and circuit opening devices. The protective mesh may provide for connecting to one or more power devices. One or more connectors may be electrically connected to the protective mesh and positioned along one or more of the edges of the body. The connectors may provide for connecting to an external power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS), slippery nanoemulsion-infused porous surfaces (SNIPS), lubricant-impregnated surfaces (LIS), and other materials fabricated using polymers, linkers, and/or liquids and emulsions that are degradable (preferably biodegradable) and biocompatible. In addition to having reduced negative environmental effects, these coatings exhibit durable and robust anti-fouling properties against a wide range of substances and organisms, and advance new approaches to the design of biodegradable and sustainable liquid-infused materials.

Abstract: A marking system for decorating one or more workpieces includes a plurality of marking stations that can mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof, a control system that can select one of the plurality of marking stations and send product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations, and a robotic manipulator that can transport a blank workpiece to the selected marking station under the control of the robotic manipulator. The selected marking station can mark the product image the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece. The robotic manipulator can remove the product workpiece from the selected one of the plurality of marking stations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing current sense compensation for one or more power stages in a multiphase voltage regulator are described. A controller can be connected to a plurality of power stages through a communication interface. The controller can generate a data packet including a command to obtain temperature information and an address that identifies a specific power stage among the plurality of power stages. The controller can send the data packet to the plurality of power stages using the communication interface. The controller can receive temperature information of the specific power stage from the specific power stage through the communication interface. The controller can compensate a sensed current of the specific power stage based on the received temperature information of the specific power stage.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating ClO2 gas are disclosed. A composition that includes a chlorite salt is activated by exposure to ultraviolet light. After an optional storage period, the composition is then exposed to moisture, resulting in the generation of ClO2 gas. Exemplary compositions include polymers in which the chlorite salt is dispersed. The polymers may be used to form films that can be used to package, e.g., food products, pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and/or laboratory devices. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light and moisture, the packaging releases controlled quantities of ClO2 gas, which may disinfect and/or deodorize the packaged device or product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cantilevered imaging modality wearable optical systems that provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.

Abstract: A marking system for decorating one or more workpieces includes a plurality of marking stations that can mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof, a control system that can select one of the plurality of marking stations and send product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations, and a robotic manipulator that can transport a blank workpiece to the selected marking station under the control of the robotic manipulator. The selected marking station can mark the product image the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece. The robotic manipulator can remove the product workpiece from the selected one of the plurality of marking stations.