Abstract: A microfluidic chip device for the purification of radiochemical compounds includes a chip having an injection channel and intersecting branch channels with a plurality of valves are located along the injection channel and branch channels and configured to retain a plug of solution containing the radiochemical compound. The chip further includes a serpentine channel segment (for separation) coupled to the output of the injection channel. A high voltage power source advances the plug of solution through the purification region and into the downstream fraction collection channel. The chip includes a downstream fraction collection channel coupled to the serpentine channel segment and having an optical and radiation detection regions. One or more branch fraction channels intersect with the fraction collection channel and include valves located therein so that the radiochemical compound that is detected using a radiation detector is directed into the desired branch fraction channel for subsequent use.

Abstract: A galactic extrusion manufacturing (GEM) system for performing an extrusion process includes an extruder assembly for extruding building material during the extrusion process, and a connection system including a robotic arm-tether-crimper for attachment of the GEM system to space bound vehicles and/or structures in space or on orbit. The extrusion assembly includes an extruder head outfitted with multiple different heads for shaping the building material during the extrusion process, at least one power cartridge, and at least one building material cartridge containing the building material, wherein the power cartridge and the building material cartridge are removable and replaceable. Also provided are a building material cartridge for use with a GEM system or a dispensing control unit (DCU) to perform an extrusion process, and a smart extrusion system including a building material cartridge and a DCU.

Abstract: A galactic extrusion manufacturing (GEM) system for performing an extrusion process includes an extruder assembly for extruding building material during the extrusion process, and a connection system including a robotic arm-tether-crimper for attachment of the GEM system to space bound vehicles and/or structures in space or on orbit. The extrusion assembly includes an extruder head outfitted with multiple different heads for shaping the building material during the extrusion process, at least one power cartridge, and at least one building material cartridge containing the building material, wherein the power cartridge and the building material cartridge are removable and replaceable. Also provided are a building material cartridge for use with a GEM system or a dispensing control unit (DCU) to perform an extrusion process, and a smart extrusion system including a building material cartridge and a DCU.

Abstract: A cover board and roofing system including a cover board are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cover board includes a core having a first surface and a second surface. The core is configured to overlie a roof substrate. The cover board includes at least one facer attached to the first surface, the second surface, or both the first surface and second surface of the core. The cover board includes a reinforcing layer positioned between the core and the at least one facer. The reinforcing layer may comprise a scrim material. An impact resistance of the cover board may be greater than an impact resistance of an identical cover board without the scrim material.

Abstract: A cover board and roofing system including a cover board are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cover board includes a honeycomb layer positioned between a first face sheet and a second face sheet. The honeycomb layer comprises a honeycomb structure having a plurality of partition walls forming a plurality of cells. When the cover board is applied as part of a roof structure, including an insulation layer and a roof deck below the cover board, the roof structure exceeds requirements for Very Severe Hail Resistance according to the FM Approvals FM 4470 VSH impact resistance testing standard for Single-Ply, Polymer-Modified Bitumen Sheet, Built-Up Roof (BUR) and Liquid Applied Roof Assemblies.

Abstract: A radiosynthesis system is disclosed that leverages droplet microfluidic radiosynthesis and its inherent advantages including reduction of reagent consumption and the ability to achieve high molar activity even when using low starting radioactivity. The radiosynthesis system enables the parallel synthesis of radiolabeled compounds using droplet-sized reaction volumes. In some embodiments, a single heater is used to create multiple reaction or synthesis sites. In other embodiments, separate heaters are used to create independently-controlled heating conditions at the multiple reaction or synthesis sites. In one embodiment, a four-heater setup was developed that utilizes a multi-reaction microfluidic chip and was assessed for the suitability with high-throughput radiosynthesis optimization. Replicates of several radiochemical operations including the full synthesis of various PET tracers revealed the platform to have high repeatability (e.g., consistent fluorination efficiency).

Abstract: A system for managing the performance of services. A schedule includes slots for performing services. A referral profile database contains historical data for referral sources of the services. An incoming request module receives on an inquiry date an inquiry from a client to reserve one of the slots in the schedule for performing a requested service, and also receives one of the referral sources referring the client. A scheduling module reserves a scheduled slot among the slots for performing the requested service for the client. An analysis module determines whether the requested service has been performed and, when performed, stores a completion date corresponding thereto. The analysis module calculates a delay between the inquiry date and the completion date. An action module updates the historical data for the one of the referral sources based upon whether the requested services were performed, and based on the delay calculated.

Abstract: Devices and techniques are generally described for sending a first instruction for a device to output first content while the speech-processing device is in an ambient state during a first time period. First feedback data is received indicating that a first action associated with the first content was requested at a first time. A determination is made that the first time is during the first time period. Timing data related to a current time of the device is determined. Second content is determined based at least in part on the first action being requested during the first time period and the timing data. A second instruction is sent effective to cause the device to output second content while in the ambient state during a second time period.

Abstract: A cylindrical microelectrode array having an elongated cylindrical core, and a multilayer structure conformally folded around and affixed to the cylindrical core so as to extend between opposite ends of the core. The multilayer structure has integrated sections including an electrode section with electrodes exposed through electrically insulating layers, a connector section with conductive bond pads for interfacing with external electronics, and a cable section with conductive traces encapsulated in electrically insulating layers and which connect between the electrodes and their corresponding bond pads. The array may be fabricated using a planar multilayer structure having the electrode, connector, and cable sections, and conformally folding the multilayer structure around and affixing to the cylindrical core. The cable section in particular may be conformally coiled around and affixed to the cylindrical core so that the electrical conduits helically extend between the connector and electrode sections.

Abstract: A jack pad device adapted to transfer loads between an aircraft and a jack device for jacking the aircraft, and a method for jacking an aircraft are provided. In one non-limiting example, the jack pad device includes a jack pad body. A jack engagement portion extends from the jack pad body and is configured to engage the jack device. A first coupler is attached to the jack pad body and is configured to couple to the aircraft to hold the jack pad device to the aircraft.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports an anvil surface, and a second elongate member having a distal portion configured to receive a staple cartridge. The stapler further includes a pin rotatably coupled with the first elongate member, and a clamp member movably coupled with the second elongate member. The clamp member is operable to releasably capture the pin to thereby clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The pin is configured to rotate relative to the first elongate member in response to being captured by the clamp member.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half and a cartridge half. The anvil half includes an anvil channel member and an anvil surface. The cartridge half releasably couples with the anvil half and includes a cartridge channel member having a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge, and a latching member coupled to the cartridge channel member and movable between open and closed positions. A resilient member is arranged at a proximal end of one of the anvil half or the cartridge half, and a projection is arranged at a proximal end of the other of the anvil half or the cartridge half. The resilient member is configured to contact and releasably couple with the projection to thereby couple the proximal end of the anvil half with the proximal end of the cartridge half while the latching member is in the open position.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic object may include a robotic arm configured to dispense thermoplastic material, a support apparatus, a computing device and an imaging system. The imaging system may scan thermoplastic material dispensed by the first robotic arm and create a three-dimensional scan model. The model may be compared to a computer model profile to determine if the dispensed material requires adjustment. If the dispensed material requires adjustment, the computing device may adjust the robotic arm or the support apparatus.

Abstract: Purifying target biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins, from a biological source is a time intensive process and is typically performed by a skilled technician or scientist owing to the highly technical nature of the work. Systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein enable the automated bioprocessing and purification of target biomolecules from a biological source. For example, an instrument and disposable cartridge are provided for automatedly isolating and purifying nucleic acids (such as plasmid DNA from a bacterial culture) or for isolating protein from any biological sample. Such an exemplary instrument and cartridge can work in concert to timely release, mix, and move the target biomolecule and various reagents and buffers through a target biomolecule purification process, resulting in a purified target biomolecule with less manual oversight than traditional approaches.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports a plurality of staple-forming pockets, a second elongate member having a distal portion that supports a staple cartridge, and a clamp member movable from an open position to a closed position to releasably clamp the first and second elongate members together. A clamp lockout feature is supported by the first elongate member and is moveable between a lockout position in which the clamp lockout feature prevents closure of the clamp member, and a release position in which the clamp lockout feature permits closure of the clamp member. An actuating feature is supported by the second elongate member and is configured to actuate the clamp lockout feature from the lockout position to the release position in response to approximation of the distal portions of the first and second elongate members.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports a plurality of staple forming pockets, a second elongate member having a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first and second elongate members together. A retaining member is provided on one of the first elongate member or the second elongate member and is configured to releasably couple proximal ends of the first and second elongate members together with a resilient bias such that the first and second elongate members are pivotable relative to one another at the proximal ends. A decoupling mechanism is configured to overcome the resilient bias of the retaining member and thereby decouple the proximal ends from one another in response to the first and second elongate members being pivoted away from one another.

Abstract: A jack pad device adapted to transfer loads between an aircraft and a jack device for jacking the aircraft, and a method for jacking an aircraft are provided. In one non-limiting example, the jack pad device includes a jack pad body. A jack engagement portion extends from the jack pad body and is configured to engage the jack device. A first coupler is attached to the jack pad body and is configured to couple to the aircraft to hold the jack pad device to the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic object may include a robotic arm configured to dispense thermoplastic material, a support apparatus, a computing device and an imaging system. The imaging system may scan thermoplastic material dispensed by the first robotic arm and create a three-dimensional scan model. The model may be compared to a computer model profile to determine if the dispensed material requires adjustment. If the dispensed material requires adjustment, the computing device may adjust the robotic arm or the support apparatus.