Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a healable, recyclable and malleable e-skin. In certain embodiments, the e-skin comprises sensors that can detect at least one applied stimulus. In other embodiments, the e-skin comprises a dynamic covalent thermo set doped with a nano-particle composition, thereby rendering the doped thermoset conductive. The e-skin of the invention has potential applicability to the fields of robotics, prosthetics, health monitoring, biomedical devices and consumer products.

Abstract: Soft motherboards having rigid plugin modules are described herein. In one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device can include a polymeric substrate having: a plurality of slots, each configured for receiving an electronic module; one or more electrical junctions including a stretchable conductive interconnect electronically coupling a slot to another slot of the plurality of slots; and at least one electronic module including: a film configured to: support other components of the electronic module; and be inserted, and be partially housed in, one of the plurality of slots of the polymeric substrate; and at least one electrode coupled to the film and positioned to be in contact with a corresponding electrical junction of the polymeric substrate when the film is partially housed in the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high-performance integrated strain sensing device that is highly stretchable, rehealable, recyclable and reconfigurable. This device can include dynamic covalent thermoset polyimine as the substrate and encapsulation, eutectic liquid metal alloy as the strain sensing unit and interconnects, and off-the-shelf chip components for measuring and magnifying functions. The device can be attached on the knee, elbow, wrist and finger joints for strain sensing and motion monitoring, and can also be attached on the abdomen to accurately measure respiration cycles.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shape-memory in-ear biosensor for polysomnography and monitoring physiological signals are provided. Various embodiments include an earpiece made from a shape memory or temperature-dependent phase transition material embedded into polydimethylsiloxane elastomer body. The earpiece can use electrodes to detect physiological signals by making direct contact with a user's skin and without the use of electrically conductive gel. When heated above the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer, various embodiments of the biosensor may be folded. When cooled, the biosensor will maintain the folded shape. The folded biosensor may then be inserted into the ear canal of a user where, in response to heating by the user's body, it partially unfolds to conform to the shape of the ear canal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a healable, recyclable and malleable e-skin. In certain embodiments, the e-skin comprises sensors that can detect at least one applied stimulus. In other embodiments, the e-skin comprises a dynamic covalent thermo set doped with a nano-particle composition, thereby rendering the doped thermoset conductive. The e-skin of the invention has potential applicability to the fields of robotics, prosthetics, health monitoring, biomedical devices and consumer products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing substituted piperidine compounds and especially chiral substituted piperidine compounds. The process involves reacting a substituted pyridinium ion with an amine as defined herein, in the presence of a hydrogen donor, a catalysts and a suitable solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing substituted piperidine compounds and especially chiral substituted piperidine compounds. The process involves reacting a substituted pyridinium ion with an amine as defined herein, in the presence of a hydrogen donor, a catalysts and a suitable solvent.

Abstract: A substituted paracyclophane of formula (I) is provided wherein X1 and X2 are linking groups comprising between 2 to 4 carbon atoms, Y1 and Y2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, oxygen, nitrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aryl group or heteroaryl group. The substituted paracyclophane provides transition metal catalysts that are useful in C—C and C—N bond formation and asymmetric hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iridium-based catalyst compound for hydrogenating reducible moieties, especially imines and iminiums, the catalyst compounds being defined by the formulas: where ring B is either itself polycyclic, or ring B together with R is polycyclic. The catalysts of the invention are particularly effective in reductive amination procedures 10 which involve the in situ generation of the imine or iminium under reductive hydrogenative conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iridium-based catalyst compound for hydrogenating reducible moieties, especially imines and iminiums, the catalyst compounds being defined by the formulas: where ring B is either itself polycyclic, or ring B together with R is polycyclic. The catalysts of the invention are particularly effective in reductive amination procedures 10 which involve the in situ generation of the imine or iminium under reductive hydrogenative conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iridium-based catalyst compound for hydrogenating reducible moieties, especially imines and iminiums, the catalyst compounds being defined by the formula: (Formula (I)) where ring B is a conjugated ring system with one or more substituents. The catalysts of the invention are particularly effective in reductive amination procedures which involve the in situ generation of the imine or iminium under reductive hydrogenative conditions.

Abstract: A substituted paracyclophane of formula (I) is provided wherein X1 and X2 are linking groups comprising between 2 to 4 carbon atoms, Y1 and Y2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, oxygen, nitrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aryl group or heteroaryl group. The substituted paracyclophane provides transition metal catalysts that are useful in C—C and C—N bond formation and asymmetric hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: A substituted paracyclophane is described of formula (I) wherein X1 and X2 are linking groups comprising between 2 to 4 carbon atoms, Y1 and Y2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, oxygen, nitrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aryl group or heteroaryl group. Preferably X1 and X2 are —(C2H4)— and Z is a substituted aryl group. The substituted paracyclophane provides transition metal catalysts that are useful in C—C and C—N bond formation and asymmetric hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: A substituted paracyclophane is described of formula (I) wherein X1 and X2 are linking groups comprising between 2 to 4 carbon atoms, Y1 and Y2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, oxygen, nitrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aryl group or heteroaryl group. Preferably X1 and X2 are —(C2H4)— and Z is a substituted aryl group. The substituted paracyclophane provides transition metal catalysts that are useful in C—C and C—N bond formation and asymmetric hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: An immobilised nitrogen-containing ligand is described comprising the reaction product of a compound of formula (I) wherein R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated C1-C10 alkyl group, an aryl group, a urethane group, a sulphonyl group or form an imine group, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated C1-C10 alkyl group or an aryl group and at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is functionalised with a functional group, and a solid support having a site capable of reacting with said functional group. The nitrogen-containing ligand is useful for preparing immobilised catalysts for performing e.g. asymmetric catalysis.

Abstract: A method of generating a functionalised arylphosphine, novel intermediates and novel functinalised arylphosphines.

Abstract: A method of generating a functionalised arylphosphine, novel intermediates and novel functionalised arylphosphines.