Abstract: Frequency-steerable acoustic transducers (FSATs) that allow directional generation or sensing of waves propagating in two-dimensional domains. Directionality is the result of the spatial filtering effect produced by the characteristic shape of the sensing surface. A wavenumber spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT) maps the direction of wave sensing in the [0°, 180°] range to a specific frequency component in the spectrum of the received signal. The use of a wavenumber spiral FSAT operating in sensing mode can be used for the localization of broadband acoustic events. One configuration includes a broadband source generating guided elastic waves in an isotropic plate. The WS-FSAT records the plate response and defines the source location through a time-frequency analysis of the received signal. The frequency selective response of the WS-FSAT directly maps the dominant component of the received signal to the direction of arrival of the incoming wave, thus greatly facilitating the source localization procedure.

Abstract: Ultra-low power single metallic single-wall-nano-tube (SWNT) interconnects for sub-threshold circuits are provided. According to some embodiments, an interconnect structure for use in electronic circuits can generally comprise a first substrate, a second substrate, and an interconnect. The first substrate can be spaced apart from the second substrate. The interconnect is preferably a single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) interconnect. The SWNT interconnect can be disposed between the first and second substrates to electrically connect the substrates. The substrates can form parts of electrical components (e.g., a transistor, processor, memory, filters, etc.) operating in a subthreshold operational state. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are claimed and described.

Abstract: This invention discloses and claims a cost-effective, wafer-level package process for microelectromechanical devices (MEMS). Specifically, the movable part of MEMS device is encapsulated and protected while in wafer form so that commodity, lead-frame packaging can be used. An overcoat polymer, such as, epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (EPOSS) has been used as a mask material to pattern the sacrificial polymer as well as overcoat the air-cavity. The resulting air-cavities are clean, debris-free, and robust. The cavities have substantial strength to withstand molding pressures during lead-frame packaging of the MEMS devices. A wide range of cavities from 20 ?m×400 ?m to 300 ?m×400 ?m have been fabricated and shown to be mechanically stable. These could potentially house MEMS devices over a wide range of sizes. The strength of the cavities has been investigated using nano-indentation and modeled using analytical and finite element techniques.

Abstract: A system and device for solving sparse algorithms using hardware solutions is described. The hardware solution can comprise one or more analog devices for providing fast, energy efficient solutions to small, medium, and large sparse approximation problems. The system can comprise sub-threshold current mode circuits on a Field Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) or on a custom analog chip. The system can comprise a plurality of floating gates for solving linear portions of a sparse signal. The system can also comprise one or more analog devices for solving non-linear portions of sparse signal.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a solar panel roof-ridge mounting system for use in mounting one or more solar panels to a roof of a building. The system can comprise a base plate and a plurality of attachment members coupled to the base plate. The base plate can be configured to interface with a deck of the roof at a roof-ridge. The base plate can comprise a first side and an opposing second side. The first side can be configured for placement adjacent a first side of the roof-ridge, and the second side can be configured for placement adjacent an opposing second side of the roof-ridge. The attachment members can be configured to couple the roof-ridge mounting system to a support system of the one or more solar panels.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a conduit device including an attaching device configured for defining a helical pathway through a tissue wall and complementary ring in cooperation for securing the device within an aperture defined in the tissue wall. Some embodiments of the present invention further provide a system for implanting a conduit device in a tissue wall. More specifically, some embodiments provide a system including a coring device for defining an aperture in a tissue by removing and retaining a tissue core and securely implanting a conduit device therein so as to provide fluid communication between a first and second surface of the tissue wall via the conduit device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for a cathode having a plurality of apertures in an insulating layer, pits in a substrate layer, and emitters in the pit. The device can also have gate layer on top of the insulating layer which has an opening that is substantially aligned with the pit and the aperture. The emitter can be an array of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes. The device and method produces cathodes that are designed to avoid shorting of the cathode due to emitter-gate contact and other fabrication challenges.

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks, in particular hybrid zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), devices having hybrid ZIFs, and methods for preparing hybrid ZIFs are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes preparing a first solution comprising a first imidazolate and a second imidazolate, preparing a second solution comprising a metal ion, and combining the first solution and the second solution to form the hybrid ZIF.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices or systems that include a composite thermal capacitor disposed in thermal communication with a hot spot of the device, methods of dissipating thermal energy in a device or system, and the like.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage mediums relate to generating an image that includes functional, anatomical, and physiological images. The generated image may be an integrated image based on the functional image on which the anatomical and physiological images are mapped. The generated image may indicate more than one location of optimal lead placement. The generated image may be useful in pre-planning cardiac intervention procedures.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to generate an image series that includes a patient image and a medical image. The patient image and the medical image may be associated based on identification information.

Abstract: Atomic gold electrodes, including electrodes containing a polyaniline gold complex are disclosed, including methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the atomic gold electrode can be described as a polyaniline coated electrode having atomic gold clusters complexed to the polyaniline at levels of between 1-20 gold atoms. A method for preparing the polyaniline gold complexes is disclosed that can deposit gold atoms one at a time into a complex with the polyaniline, allowing for highly tailored atomic clusters. A method of oxidizing alcohols, and the application to devices such as fuel cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves (CMS) membranes having improved thermal and/or mechanical properties are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a carbon molecular sieve membrane for separating a first and one or more second gases from a feed mixture of the first gas and one or more second gases comprises a hollow filamentary carbon core and a thermally stabilized polymer precursor disposed on at least an outer portion of the core. In some embodiments, the thermally stabilized polymer precursor is created by the process of placing in a reaction vessel the carbon molecular sieve membrane comprising an unmodified aromatic imide polymer, filling the reaction vessel with a modifying agent, and changing the temperature of the reaction vessel at a temperature ramp up rate and ramp down rate for a period of time so that the modifying agent alters the unmodified aromatic imide polymer to form a thermally stabilized polymer precursor.

Abstract: Methods and devices for dispersion of clusters of somatic plant embryos suspended in a liquid are disclosed. The methods comprise i) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain and ii) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain fluid dynamics and iii) repeating said steps in sequence until the individual embryos are separated from each other. The devices may comprise a flow channel including at least one constriction, such that clusters of embryos flowing through the flow channel are first subjected to axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain, and then to axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain from fluid dynamics forces.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and processes are provided that relate to microvascular-sized systems configured to identify specific pathophysiological characteristics related to the interactions between, for example, blood cells and endothelial cells combined with geometric and flow constraints of microvasculature. The device may include at least one layer, the layer including a plurality of microvascularized-sized fluidic channels, the plurality of microfluidic channels being disposed in a geometric pattern. The layer may be composed of a hydrogel and/or a silicon elastomer. The channels may include subchannels of different lengths.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing device and/or device type fingerprinting based on properties of network traffic originating from a device to be identified. In one implementation, the method includes capturing packets routed through a network at an intermediate node between the originating device to be identified and destination, measuring properties of the captured traffic, including packet inter-arrival time, and generating a signature based on the measured properties that includes identifying information about the hardware and/or software architecture of the device. Various implementations do not require deep packet inspection, do not require a managed device-side client, are protocol and packet payload agnostic, and effective for MAC or IP-level encrypted streams. Also, various implementations can provide wired-side detection of wireless devices and device types and can detect both previously detected and unknown devices.

Abstract: Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

Abstract: Methods of making supported polyamines, supported polyamines, and the like, are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic platform for single-cell capture, stimulation, and imaging. It passively traps 4,000 single cells on a 4.5 mm2 footprint in 30 seconds, with a single-cell loading efficiency of 95%. The array format and optimized geometry allows for easy, robust and efficient single-cell loading, while maintaining captured cells in a low shear stress environment for long-term studies. Because cells are captured sequentially, the system is adequate for rare cell samples. Trapped cells can be exposed to various environmental conditions and chemical stimulus and their dynamic response can be monitored over time. The information gained from high-throughput, single-cell time lapsed imaging presents new opportunities in quantifying cellular responses, as averaged information by other measurement methods eliminates sub-population phenotypes.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.