Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: Provided herein are high-throughput sequencing methods to study the diversity and functionality of lymphocyte receptor chains and pairing of the same. Specifically, the methods provided herein are used to identify with confidence one or more lymphocyte receptor chain pairs in a sample, for example one or more functional chain pairs.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a safe and effective system for removal of a range of common pharmaceutical compounds. The formulation comprises activated carbon, accompanied by some larger pebble-like material to help break up capsules and tablets upon shaking, in the presence of an acidified liquid medium. Drugs are added to the bottle and the bottle is shaken so that the drugs are dissolved by the liquid solution and are irreversibly adsorbed onto activated carbon, thereby sequestering them from further use.

Abstract: A poppet valve system that includes a valve body having a first and second end and defining a valve cavity and a poppet assembly extending from the first end to the second end and through the valve cavity. The poppet assembly can include a movable poppet head disposed at the first end of the poppet assembly and configured generate a seal by contacting a portion of the valve body and configured to define an opening between the valve cavity and a pressure cavity. The poppet assembly can also include a movable guiding element disposed at the second end of the valve body and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end and coupled to the poppet head and guiding element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided herein for identifying a cell population comprising an effector cell that exerts an extracellular effect. In one embodiment the method comprises retaining in a microreactor a cell population comprising one or more effector cells, wherein the contents of the microreactor further comprise a readout particle population comprising one or more readout particles, incubating the cell population and the readout particle population within the microreactor, assaying the cell population for the presence of the extracellular effect, wherein the readout particle population or subpopulation thereof provides a direct or indirect readout of the extracellular effect, and determining, based on the results of the assaying step, whether one or more effector cells within the cell population exerts the extracellular effect on the readout particle. If an extracellular effect is measured, the cell population is recovered for further analysis to determine the cell or cells responsible for the effect.

Abstract: A safe and effective system for removal of a range of common pharmaceutical compounds. The formulation comprises activated carbon, accompanied by a dissolution aid, such as a larger pebble-like material, in the presence of an acidified liquid medium. In one exemplary method, drugs are added to the formulation in a container, whereby chemicals contained within the drug are irreversibly adsorbed onto activated carbon, thereby rendering them inactive and sequestered from further use.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a safe and effective system for removal of a range of common pharmaceutical compounds. The formulation comprises activated carbon, accompanied by some larger pebble-like material to help break up capsules and tablets upon shaking, in the presence of an acidified liquid medium. Drugs are added to the bottle and the bottle is shaken so that the drugs are dissolved by the liquid solution and are irreversibly adsorbed onto activated carbon, thereby sequestering them from further use.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a thermal interface material with aligned graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material to enhance the thermal interface material performance. The thermal interface material having a thickness between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The comprising thermal interface material includes a plurality of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), wherein a majority of the CNFs are oriented orthogonal to a plane of the first surface. The apparatus includes the thermal interface material, and a first object having a third surface; and a second object having a fourth surface; wherein the thermal interface material is sandwiched between the third surface and the fourth surface.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a thermal interface material with aligned graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material to enhance the thermal interface material performance. The thermal interface material having a thickness between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The comprising thermal interface material includes a plurality of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), wherein a majority of the CNFs are oriented orthogonal to a plane of the first surface. The apparatus includes the thermal interface material, and a first object having a third surface; and a second object having a fourth surface; wherein the thermal interface material is sandwiched between the third surface and the fourth surface.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heat from one or more heaters to a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in the layer are mobilized; and producing at least some of the hydrocarbons through one or more production wells located in the hydrocarbon containing layer. At least one of the production wells is located at a selected depth in the hydrocarbon containing layer so that hydrocarbons of a selected quality are produced from a part of the hydrocarbon containing layer.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ includes allowing a temperature of a portion of the formation to decrease. The portion has previously undergone an in situ heat treatment process. A first fluid is injected into a part of the portion and a second fluid is produced from the formation.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for aligning graphite nanofibers in a thermal interface material to enhance the thermal interface material performance. The method includes preparing the graphite nanofibers in a herringbone configuration, and dispersing the graphite nanofibers in the herringbone configuration into the thermal interface material. The method further includes applying a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to align the graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material. The system includes the graphite nanofibers configured in a herringbone configuration and a means for dispersing the graphite nanofibers in the herringbone configuration into the thermal interface material. The system further includes a means for applying a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to align the graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material.

Abstract: A method and connector housing are provided for implementing an impedance gradient connector for board-to-board applications. The impedance gradient connector housing includes a plurality of impedance zones with a first impedance zone including a first mating face with a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and with a second impedance zone including a second mating face with a second PCB. Each of the respective predefined impedance zones including the first mating face and the second mating face include a selected impedance to minimize impedance mismatch with associated PCBs.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism is disclosed for via stub elimination in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a plurality of insulator layers and internal conductive traces. First and second through-holes extend completely through the substrate and respectively pass through first and second ones of the internal conductive traces, which are at different depths within the substrate. Photolithographic techniques are used to generate plated-through-hole (PTH) plugs of controlled, variable depth in the through-holes before first and second conductive vias are respectively plated onto the first and second through-holes. The depth of these PTH plugs is controlled (e.g., using a photomask and/or variable laser power) to prevent the first and second conductive vias from extending substantially beyond the first and second internal conductive traces, respectively, and thereby prevent via stubs from being formed in the first place.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism is disclosed for via stub elimination in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a plurality of insulator layers and internal conductive traces. First and second through-holes extend completely through the substrate and respectively pass through first and second ones of the internal conductive traces, which are at different depths within the substrate. Photolithographic techniques are used to generate plated-through-hole (PTH) plugs of controlled, variable depth in the through-holes before first and second conductive vias are respectively plated onto the first and second through-holes. The depth of these PTH plugs is controlled (e.g., using a photomask and/or variable laser power) to prevent the first and second conductive vias from extending substantially beyond the first and second internal conductive traces, respectively, and thereby prevent via stubs from being formed in the first place.

Abstract: A pipe joining device for forming a junction in pressurised and rehabilitated pipes between a first pipe and a branch pipe, the pipe joining device including a substantially rigid body at least in part of thermoplastic, the body including a first pipe sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the first pipe and a branch pipe sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the branch pipe.

Abstract: A method and connector housing are provided for implementing an impedance gradient connector for board-to-board applications. The impedance gradient connector housing includes a plurality of impedance zones with a first impedance zone including a first mating face with a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and with a second impedance zone including a second mating face with a second PCB. Each of the respective predefined impedance zones including the first mating face and the second mating face include a selected impedance to minimize impedance mismatch with associated PCBs.