Abstract: A system for biological sample analysis includes a plurality of modular subassemblies and a precision mounting plate, wherein each modular subassembly includes an enclosure and a plurality of optical components pre-aligned to the enclosure, and the enclosure includes a plurality of precision mounting structures, and each modular subassembly is mechanically coupled to the precision mounting plate, such that each precision mounting structure from a modular subassembly attaches directly to a corresponding precision mounting structure located on the precision mounting plate or an adjacent modular subassembly to optimize optomechanical tolerance.

Abstract: A system for network aggregation/disaggregation includes an aggregation/disaggregation server; an aggregation/disaggregation router; and at least one carrier network; such that the aggregation/disaggregation router aggregates individual bandwidth subscriptions to provide an aggregated bandwidth local area network connection, which is accessed by a plurality of mobile devices. An aggregation/disaggregation router can include a processor; a non-transitory memory; an input/output; a proxy connection manager; a software-defined radio; a local area network manager; and a subscriber controller; all connected via a data bus.

Abstract: Methods of making various capillary foams are provided. The foams can include liquid foams having a plurality of particles connected by a network of a secondary fluid at the interface between the discontinuous and continuous phase. The foams can also include solid foams where the continuous phases (bulk fluid) is removed to produce the solid foam having high overall porosities and low densities. Densities as low as 0.3 g cm?3 and porosities as high as 95% or higher can be achieved. The secondary fluid can be polymerized to further strengthen the solid foam. Methods and devices are also provided for oil recovery from water using a capillary foam. The methods can include forming a capillary foam wherein the oil is the secondary fluid, and wherein the foam can transport the oil to the surface of the water.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for compositions and methods of making a waterborne epoxide resin that contains cellulose nanocrystals or nanofibrils.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide compositions, structures such as films and foams, methods of making nonaggregated stabilized charged polysaccharide nanofibers (e.g., nonaggregated stabilized cationized chitin nanofibers), methods of making structures such as films and foams, and the like.

Abstract: A system for network aggregation/disaggregation includes an aggregation/disaggregation server; an aggregation/disaggregation router; and at least one carrier network; such that the aggregation/disaggregation router aggregates individual bandwidth subscriptions to provide an aggregated bandwidth local area network connection, which is accessed by a plurality of mobile devices. An aggregation/disaggregation router can include a processor; a non-transitory memory; an input/output; a proxy connection manager; a software-defined radio; a local area network manager; and a subscriber controller; all connected via a data bus.

Abstract: A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite blend membranes formed from blends of one or more polyelectrolytes, and one or more types of nanoparticles. Preferably the blend also includes one or more fluoropolymers. The addition of the nanoparticles was found to enhance the conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes.

Abstract: A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite blend membranes formed from blends of one or more polyelectrolytes, and one or more types of nanoparticles. Preferably the blend also includes one or more fluoropolymers. The addition of the nanoparticles was found to enhance the conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes.

Abstract: An earplug (100) having an adjustable sound deadening rating is disclosed. The earplug (100) includes an ear piece (102) adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a core (104). The core (104) has a predetermined sound deadening rating. The ear piece (102) includes a coupling assembly (106) for removably coupling the core (104) to the ear piece (102) such that the core (104) may be removed from the ear piece (102) and replaced with another core (108) having a different preselected sound deadening rating to adjust a sound deadening rating of the earplug.

Abstract: A boat lift assembly comprises a winch, a cable wrapped around the winch and adapted to be attached to the platform, wherein rotation of the winch in a first direction urges the cable to wrap further around the winch, and rotation of the winch in a second direction urges the cable to unwrap around the winch, and a cable retainer comprising a first bracket and a second bracket. A gap separates the cable from the cable retainer when the cable is taut around the winch, and when the cable is slack the cable is restricted from movement away from the winch by the cable retainer.

Abstract: Tail Gator Grills/Carrier is the first tail gate grilling unit that is a combination tail gate grill and a luggage carrier, that can be used as a table when grilling and where the grills can be removed so the base can be used as a luggage carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coated fabric and a method of making the same, and laminates and articles comprising the coated fabric. The fabric comprises a woven substrate having fiber volume fraction of at least 70 percent and non-meltable, rigid rod, high strength filaments having angular cross sections created by densifying the woven substrate. The coated fabrics and laminates are especially useful in rigid armor applications.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing access to decision critical information for food services supply chain management are provided in accordance with the present invention. A food services customer can input menu item information into at least one customer database for one or more food services locations. At least one supplier database is provided, each of the at least one supplier database containing information relating to food service supplies offered by a respective supplier. Access to the at least one customer database and the at least one supplier database is controlled via a common access portal. The customer is provided with access to the databases via the portal. The customer can generate a request relating to selected menu items. Information is then provided to the customer from one of (i) the at least one customer database and (ii) the at least one supplier database in response to the request.

Abstract: A communication system can comprise an ordered arrangement or array of two sets, groups, or groups of antenna elements. The system can transmit or receive two bands or ranges of electromagnetic energy, signals, or radiation. The first set of the antenna elements can operate one of the bands, while the second set can operate the other band. The first set of antenna elements can be arranged or disposed to form a line or a column. The second set of antenna elements can be arranged or disposed on opposite sides of the line, with some of those elements on one side of the line and the remainder on the other side. The antenna elements that are on one side of the line can be staggered or longitudinally offset with respect to the antenna elements that are on the opposite side of the line.

Abstract: A musical instrument mounting adapter comprising a housing and a fastener. The housing includes a base, a wall emanating from the base and a flange positioned at a distal end of the wall, the flange extending in an outward direction. The base includes an opening extending therethrough. The fastener configured for clamping at least a portion of the musical instrument between the fastener and the flange.

Abstract: A class of modular, double-sided, edge-mounted printed circuit (PC) board modules and an associated modular network architecture for constructing stripline signal processing networks including high-power analog amplifiers and beam forming networks for driving multi-beam antenna systems. The stripline signal processing networks are characterized by network elements constructed from defined-length segments of transmission media configured to exhibit precisely determined phase and impedance characteristics. These circuits may also include conventional passive “lumped” electrical elements, such as resistors, capacitors and inductors; non-linear circuit elements such as diodes; and active electrical elements, such as amplifiers and transistors.

Abstract: A class of modular, double-sided, edge-mounted printed circuit (PC) board modules and an associated modular network architecture for constructing stripline signal processing networks including high-power analog amplifiers and beam forming networks for driving multi-beam antenna systems. The stripline signal processing networks are characterized by network elements constructed from defined-length segments of transmission media configured to exhibit precisely determined phase and impedance characteristics. These circuits may also include conventional passive “lumped” electrical elements, such as resistors, capacitors and inductors; non-linear circuit elements such as diodes; and active electrical elements, such as amplifiers and transistors.

Abstract: A dual-polarization wireless base station antenna that implements vertical electrical downtilt and sidelobe reduction using beam steering circuit that includes a variable power divider and a multi-beam beam forming network. The variable power divider includes a single adjustable control element to divide an input voltage signal into a pair of complimentary amplitude voltage drive signals that exhibit matched phase and constant phase delay through the variable power divider. The beam forming network is configured as a double-sided, edge-connected microstrip module mounted to a main panel, which support the antenna elements in a vertical column organized into sub-arrays in a manner that implements sidelobe reduction. The power distribution network connecting the beam steering network to the antenna elements implements beam tilt bias and sidelobe reduction through coordinated phase shifting implemented through transmission media trace length adjustment.