Abstract: Variable stiffness materials with a modulus that can be tuned via an external stimulus offer a unique approach to realize dynamic control of adhesion. Here, an unstructured shape memory polymer (SMP) membrane with variable stiffness is used to pick-and-place of 3D objects. The variable stiffness of the SMP allows the membrane to conform to and make good contact with objects of various shapes in its soft state and then achieve high adhesive load capacity by switching to the stiff state. Release of objects is realized by switching to the soft state. The ratio between the high-adhesion and low-adhesion state is demonstrated (in non limiting embodiments) to be >2000 on a curved substrate and ˜115 on a flat substrate. This gripper exhibits no adhesion in non-actuated state and maintains adhesion passively once actuation is complete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications device, system, and method of use, having multiple posts or darts that can be dropped (e.g., with a drone) at spaced apart locations to form a communications fence. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a sensor and transmitter communications device that can create a virtual sensor fence that can include sensor posts or darts and gateway posts or darts.

Abstract: A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAVhu68 capsid produced in a production system comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a sequence at least 75% identical thereto which encodes SEQ ID NO:2. The AAVhu68 capsid comprises subpopulations of highly deamidated asparagine residues in asparagine-glycine pairs in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are compositions containing the rAAV and uses thereof. Additionally, rAAV having an engineered AAV capsid comprising at least one subpopulation of vp1 or vp2 proteins having a Val at amino acid position 157 with reference to the AAVhu68 vp1 numbering are provided.

Abstract: A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAVhu68 capsid produced in a production system comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a sequence at least 75% identical thereto which encodes SEQ ID NO:2. The AAVhu68 capsid comprises subpopulations of highly deamidated asparagine residues in asparagine-glycine pairs in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are compositions containing the rAAV and uses thereof. Additionally, rAAV having an engineered AAV capsid comprising at least one subpopulation of vp1 or vp2 proteins having a Val at amino acid position 157 with reference to the AAVhu68 vp1 numbering are provided.

Abstract: Provided are structurally-reconfigurable, optical metasurfaces constructed by, for example, integrating a plasmonic lattice array in the gap between a pair of microbodies that serve to locally amplify the strain created on an elastomeric substrate by an external mechanical stimulus. The spatial arrangement and therefore the optical response of the plasmonic lattice array is reversible.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating an object includes a substrate, an electrically conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a porous medium comprising an electrically conductive material. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the porous medium to insulate the porous medium from the object during use. The porosity of the porous medium is about 90% or greater. The adhesive strength of the porous medium is about 1 kPa or lower, and the modulus of the porous medium is about 1 GPa or lower.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a blended airfoil that includes generating a plurality of simulated blended airfoil designs each including one of a plurality of blend geometries, training surrogate models representing the plurality of simulated blended airfoil designs based on natural frequency, modal force, and Goodman scale factors, determining a likelihood of operational failure of each of the plurality of blended airfoil designs in response to one or more vibratory modes, determining which of the plurality of simulated blended airfoil designs violate at least one aeromechanical constraint and generating, a blend design space visualization including a blend design space, where the blend design space includes one or more restricted regions indicating blended airfoil designs where at least one aeromechanical constraint is violates and one or more permitted regions indicating blended airfoil designs where no aeromechanical constraints are violated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods that utilize dry adhesion tuning of a composite structure to adhere substrates. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods utilize dry adhesion between a composite structure and a substrate and further dynamically control the resulting dry adhesion strength through a heating step, which facilitates rigidity tuning of a core component of the composite structure and/or facilitates thermal control of the interface between the substrate and the composite structure. Also disclosed herein are array devices and other products comprising the disclosed composite structures.

Abstract: A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAV capsid having a heterogeneous population of vp1 proteins, a heterogeneous population of vp2 protein and a heterogeneous population of vp3 proteins. The capsid contains modified amino acids as compared to the encoded VP1 amino acid sequence, the capsid containing highly deamidated asparagine residues at asparagine-glycine pair, and further comprising multiple other, less deamidated asparagine and optionally glutamine residues.

Abstract: Provided are structurally-reconfigurable, optical metasurfaces constructed by, for example, integrating a plasmonic lattice array in the gap between a pair of microbodies that serve to locally amplify the strain created on an elastomeric substrate by an external mechanical stimulus. The spatial arrangement and therefore the optical response of the plasmonic lattice array is reversible.

Abstract: A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAV capsid having a heterogeneous population of vp1 proteins, a heterogeneous population of vp2 protein and a heterogeneous population of vp3 proteins. The capsid contains modified amino acids as compared to the encoded VP1 amino acid sequence, the capsid containing highly deamidated asparagine residues at asparagine-glycine pair, and further comprising multiple other, less deamidated asparagine and optionally glutamine residues. Methods of reducing deamidation in the AAV capsid of a rAAV are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating an object includes a substrate, an electrically conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a porous medium comprising an electrically conductive material. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the porous medium to insulate the porous medium from the object during use. The porosity of the porous medium is about 90% or greater. The adhesive strength of the porous medium is about 1 kPa or lower, and the modulus of the porous medium is about 1 GPa or lower.

Abstract: A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAVhu68 capsid produced in a production system comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a sequence at least 75% identical thereto which encodes SEQ ID NO:2. The AAVhu68 capsid comprises subpopulations of highly deamidated asparagine residues in asparagine glycine pairs in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are compositions containing the rAAV and uses thereof. Additionally, rAAV having an engineered AAV capsid comprising at least one subpopulation of vp1 or vp2 proteins having a Val at amino acid position 157 with reference to the AAVhu68 vp1 numbering are provided.

Abstract: A structured composite surface includes a backing layer and a plurality of composite posts in contact with the backing layer, each composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus of at least 50 times greater than the outer shell. A method of transfer printing includes pressing a stamp including at least one composite post to a substrate, the at least one composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus at least 50 times greater than the outer shell, and retracting the stamp from the substrate by applying a shear load to the stamp.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods that utilize dry adhesion tuning of a composite structure to adhere substrates. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods utilize dry adhesion between a composite structure and a substrate and further dynamically control the resulting dry adhesion strength through a heating step, which facilitates rigidity tuning of a core component of the composite structure and/or facilitates thermal control of the interface between the substrate and the composite structure. Also disclosed herein are array devices and other products comprising the disclosed composite structures.

Abstract: A structured composite surface includes a backing layer and a plurality of composite posts in contact with the backing layer, each composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus of at least 50 times greater than the outer shell. A method of transfer printing includes pressing a stamp including at least one composite post to a substrate, the at least one composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus at least 50 times greater than the outer shell, and retracting the stamp from the substrate by applying a shear load to the stamp.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabrication of a stimulation lead for electrical stimulation of tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing a substrate of non-conductive material for a stimulation portion of the stimulation lead; processing the substrate to create a plurality of recessed features into a surface of the substrate, wherein the plurality of recessed features comprise a plurality of paths for electrical traces and a plurality of surfaces for electrodes with each of the surfaces being connected to one of the traces; providing first conductive material over the surface of the substrate; subjecting the surface of the substrate to mechanical processing to remove conductive material from portions of the substrate disposed above the plurality of recessed features, wherein each respective connected electrode and trace is electrically isolated from the other electrodes and traces after the mechanical processing; electrically plating second conductive material over the first conductive material; pr

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabrication of a stimulation lead comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing an elongated, substantially cylindrical substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of recesses defined in an outer surface of the substrate; coating the substrate with conductive material; patterning conductive material on the substrate to form a plurality of electrode surfaces for at least the plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of traces connected to the plurality of electrode surfaces, wherein each electrode surface and its corresponding trace are defined in the recesses on the outer surface of the substrate and are electrically isolated from other electrode surfaces and traces; providing insulative material over at least the plurality of traces; and electrically coupling the plurality of traces to conductive wires of a lead body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabrication of a stimulation lead comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing a substrate comprising (i) a substantially cylindrical body and (ii) a plurality of projections extending radially from the cylindrical body; coating the substrate with first conductive material; patterning the first conductive material on the cylindrical body into a plurality of traces, the plurality of traces extending along the cylindrical body and electrically contacting conductive material about the plurality of projections; providing an insulative layer over the traces; coating the insulative layer over the traces with second conductive material; patterning the second conductive material to form at least a plurality of electrode surfaces including a plurality of segmented electrodes, the segmented electrodes being in electrical contact with conductive material on projections of the plurality of projections; and electricall

Abstract: A sterile, substantially maintenance free disposable dental handpiece is constructed from two shells and a center core, the center core having a flow deflector on one end. The shells are joined around the core with mating protrusions and/or tapered walls to form the body and head of the handpiece. A base is integrally-formed with the center core. The base has conduits that allow entry of light and pressurized air and/or water into the body. The head at the opposite end of the body from the base rotatably mounts an impeller assembly having an impeller shaft. The impeller shaft includes blades driven by the pressurized air. The blades can have cavities to reduce weight.