Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: Methods, materials and devices that pertain to solid-state gel-free sensor for touch-based rapid physiological and chemical sensing are disclosed. In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, a sensor device includes a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes formed over the substrate, a first current collector formed over the substrate and coupled to the plurality of first electrodes at one end of each first electrode, and a second current collector formed over the substrate and coupled to the plurality of second electrodes at one end of each second electrode, wherein the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged, and adjacent first and second electrodes are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents. Unlike conventional electrolytes, disclosed electrolytes are based on “compressed gas solvents” mixed with various salts, referred to as “compressed gas electrolytes.” Various embodiments of a compressed gas solvent includes a material that is in a gas phase and has a vapor pressure above an atmospheric pressure at a room temperature. The disclosed compressed gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high pressure solvent properties. Examples of a class of compressed gases that can be used as solvent for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, in particular fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane. Also disclosed are battery and supercapacitor structures that use compressed gas solvent-based electrolytes, techniques for constructing such energy storage devices.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for implantable a biofuel cells. In some aspects, a biofuel cell device for extracting energy from a biological fluid includes a substrate including two compartments each with one or more openings; an anode assembly disposed in the substrate and including an anode electrode and functionalization material to facilitate an oxidative process that releases electrons captured at the anode electrode; and a cathode assembly disposed in the substrate separated from the anode assembly and including a catalytic material facilitate a chemical reduction process such that the biofuel cell device extracts electrical energy from the substance in the biological fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a bodily fluid sample of a user, the apparatus has an analysis circuitry comprising at least a coupling reference-electrode (RE), a coupling control-electrode (CE), and a plurality of coupling working-electrodes (WEs) for electrically coupling to a RE, a CE, and a plurality of WEs of the electrochemical-sensor structure for analyzing one or more biomarkers in the bodily fluid sample, and an output for outputting an analytical result of said analysis of the identified one or more biomarkers in the bodily fluid sample. At least one of the coupling WEs is for electrically coupling to at least one of the WEs of the electrochemical-sensor structure that is oversaturated with one or more capture ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed are nano/micromotor devices, systems, and methods for providing payloads in the gastrointestinal system. In one aspect, a micromotor for a gastrointestinal tract includes a micromotor body including a one or more material layers to provide a structure that surrounds a hollow interior region and has an opening to an exterior of the micromotor body; one or more particles including a biocompatible metal element, the one or more particles contained in the interior region of the micromotor body; a coating coupled to the structure of the micromotor body; and a payload material, in which the micromotor is structured to move in a fluid of a gastrointestinal system based on a reaction between the one or more particles and a constituent or a condition of the fluid, such that the reaction generates bubbles that accelerate out of the opening of the micromotor body to propel the micromotor in the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents. Unlike conventional electrolytes, disclosed electrolytes are based on “compressed gas solvents” mixed with various salts, referred to as “compressed gas electrolytes.” Various embodiments of a compressed gas solvent includes a material that is in a gas phase and has a vapor pressure above an atmospheric pressure at a room temperature. The disclosed compressed gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high pressure solvent properties. Examples of a class of compressed gases that can be used as solvent for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, in particular fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane. Also disclosed are battery and supercapacitor structures that use compressed gas solvent-based electrolytes, techniques for constructing such energy storage devices.

Abstract: Microalgae combined with antibiotic-loaded neutrophil membrane-coated polymeric nanoparticles provide a hybrid microrobot having robust locomotion in the lungs in vivo toward effective treatment of pulmonary and gastrointestinal tract infections. The algae-nanoparticle hybrid microrobots are provided in methods of treatment of disease or conditions by administration for active in vivo delivery of therapeutics to the lungs or gastrointestinal tract. The microrobot system can be applied to treat a wide range of diseases, including viral pneumonia.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for implantable biofuel cells. In some aspects, a biofuel cell device for extracting energy from a biological fluid includes a substrate including two compartments each with one or more openings; an anode assembly disposed in the substrate and including an anode electrode and functionalization material to facilitate an oxidative process that releases electrons captured at the anode electrode; and a cathode assembly disposed in the substrate separated from the anode assembly and including a catalytic material facilitate a chemical reduction process such that the biofuel cell device extracts electrical energy from the substance in the biological fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are sensor devices, systems, and methods for performing electrochemical measurements. The sensor device includes a flexible orthodontic device substantially cylindrical in shape with a hole in an end configured to allow saliva to pass. The device further includes one or more valves to allow the saliva to pass in a forward direction through the flexible orthodontic device and not in a reverse direction, and one or more electrochemical electrodes configured to contact the saliva, wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to determine the presence of one or more chemical biomarkers in the saliva.

Abstract: A non-invasive epidermal electrochemical sensor device includes an adhesive membrane; a flexible or stretchable substrate disposed over the adhesive membrane; and an anodic electrode assembly disposed over the flexible or stretchable substrate including an iontophoretic electrode. The device includes a cathodic electrode assembly disposed adjacent to the anodic electrode assembly over the flexible or stretchable substrate and includes an iontophoretic electrode. Either the cathodic electrode assembly or the anodic electrode assembly also includes a sensing electrode that includes a working electrode and at least one of a counter electrode or a reference electrode. The iontophoretic electrode in either the anodic electrode assembly or the cathodic electrode assembly that includes the sensing electrode is disposed on the substrate to at least partially encompass the working electrode and the at least one of the counter electrode or the reference electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are nano/micromotor devices, systems, and methods for providing payloads in the gastrointestinal system. In one aspect, a micromotor for a gastrointestinal tract includes a micromotor body including a one or more material layers to provide a structure that surrounds a hollow interior region and has an opening to an exterior of the micromotor body; one or more particles including a biocompatible metal element, the one or more particles contained in the interior region of the micromotor body; a coating coupled to the structure of the micromotor body; and a payload material, in which the micromotor is structured to move in a fluid of a gastrointestinal system based on a reaction between the one or more particles and a constituent or a condition of the fluid, such that the reaction generates bubbles that accelerate out of the opening of the micromotor body to propel the micromotor in the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed mouth-based biosensors and biofuel cells. In one aspect, an electrochemical sensor device for detecting analytes in saliva includes a substrate including an electrically insulative material, a first electrode disposed on the substrate at a first location, in which the first electrode includes a surface including a chemical agent (e.g., a catalyst or a reactant) corresponding to an analyte in saliva; and a second electrode disposed on the substrate at a second location separated from the first electrode by a spacing region, the first and second electrodes capable of sustaining a redox reaction involving the chemical agent and the analyte to produce an electrical signal, such that, when the device is present in the mouth of a user and electrically coupled to an electrical circuit, the device is operable to detect the analyte in the user's saliva.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for collecting and transferring naturally-produced sweat containing an analyte to a biosensor and/or biofuel cell to estimate a concentration of the analyte corresponding to the analyte's concentration in blood and/or for producing electricity. In some aspects, a device includes a substrate, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate and operable to detect an analyte in naturally-produced sweat of an individual, and a sweat permeation layer including a hydrogel, wherein the sweat permeation layer is in contact with the plurality of electrodes and configured to transfer the sweat containing the analyte through the sweat permeation layer to reach the plurality of electrodes for detection and/or energy harvesting.

Abstract: Disclosed here are devices, systems, and methods for continuous monitoring of biomarkers using a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor patch platform. In some aspects, a wearable, non-intrusive microneedle sensor device includes a microneedle sensor unit couplable to an electronics unit, where the microneedle sensor unit comprises a substrate, an array of spiked microneedle structures configured as electrochemical sensor electrodes, an array of base structures that encase a lower portion of spiked microneedle structures, and electrical interconnections that electrically couple the electrodes to the electronics unit for processing of detectable signals associated with one or multiple biomarkers in a biofluid.

Abstract: Compositions, materials, methods, articles of manufacture and devices that pertain to chemical-resistant elastomer binders and flexible, printed, high-performance electrochemical systems based on said binders. The chemical-resistant, flexible elastomer binder can be used in printable, flexible high areal energy density batteries for wearable and flexible electronics and printable, flexible fuel cells. More generally, the disclosed binder material can be used in any printed electrochemical and electronic systems, e.g., supercapacitors, electrochromic cells, sensors, circuit interconnections, organic electrochemical transistors, touch screens, solar cells, etc.

Abstract: A device and method for emitting an electrospray of ionized particles is disclosed, comprising a reservoir, an emitter in communication with the reservoir and having openings, wherein the openings are configured to permit release of the liquid media therefrom in response to a dynamic magnetic field; and an element for generating a dynamic magnetic field that runs through the emitter. The element may comprise two orthogonal Helmholtz coil pairs. In another example embodiment, an electrospray thruster is disclosed. The electrospray thruster may comprise: a reservoir for accommodating a volume of liquid media capable of being ionized; an emitter grid comprising a plurality of emitters, wherein each emitter of the plurality of emitters is in communication with the reservoir and comprises an opening disposed therethrough; and an element for causing the liquid media to be ionized from the emitter by a dynamic magnetic field.

Abstract: A method, according to one example, includes receiving a 360-degree image that was captured by a 360-degree camera, converting the 360-degree image into a rectangular image, and copying an edge portion from a first edge of the rectangular image and pasting the copied edge portion to a second edge of the rectangular image, thereby forming a modified rectangular image. The method further includes applying a neural network to the modified rectangular image to identify objects appearing in the modified rectangular image, wherein the modified rectangular image facilitates object identification near the second edge.