Abstract: A method includes receiving/processing a device geometry data for a device based on a boundary element method (BEM) to generate a surface physics solution and further to generate a first intermediate data; applying additional underlying physics rule to the generated surface solution and generating a second intermediate data; evaluating performance of the device based on the applying; generating a gradient between the evaluated performance of the device and a desired performance; storing the intermediate data in a memory component; applying the additional underlying physics rule to the generated gradient and to the second intermediate data to generate a gradient of the parameters of the physics rules; processing the gradient of the parameters of the physics rules based on the BEM and the first intermediate data to generate a gradient of the generated surface solution; and updating the device geometry data based on the gradient of the generated surface boundary.

Abstract: Provided are methods of engulfing particles into droplets. The methods use a microfluidic device comprising a droplet generator and a chamber, the chamber comprising a liquid medium disposed on a voltage supply electrode and a ground electrode. The methods comprise dispensing a particle and a droplet into the liquid medium, and dielectrophoretically trapping the particle and the droplet using the voltage supply electrode and the ground electrode. The methods further comprise engulfing the particle into the droplet, wherein the engulfing comprises increasing a supply voltage between the voltage supply electrode and the ground electrode, thereby moving the droplet toward the voltage supply electrode and engulfing the particle into the droplet. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise modifying the engulfed particle, assessing the engulfed particle, or both. Devices that find use in practicing the methods of the present disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an X-ray amplitude analyzer grating adapted for use in an interferometric imaging system, the interferometric imaging system comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray detector with an X-ray fringe plane between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, wherein an X-ray fringe pattern is formed at the X-ray fringe plane, wherein the X-ray amplitude analyzer grating is provided. The X-ray amplitude analyzer grating comprises a plurality of grating pixels across two dimensions of the X-ray amplitude analyzer grating, wherein each grating pixels of the plurality of grating pixels has a different pattern with respect to all adjacent grating pixels to the grating pixel so that all adjacent grating pixels do not have a same pattern as the grating pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray imaging is provided. An X-ray source provides an X-ray along an X-ray beam path. A holographic medium is along the X-ray beam path. An X-ray phase grating is between the X-ray source and the holographic medium along the X-ray beam path. A readout beam source provides a readout beam along a readout beam path. A readout detector is along the readout beam path, wherein the holographic medium is along the readout beam path.

Abstract: An X-ray grating configured for use in an X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. The X-ray grating has a silicone-based base layer. A plurality of silicon-based ridges is on a surface of the silicon-based base layer, wherein the plurality of silicon-based ridges from a plurality of trenches, where a trench of the plurality of trenches is between two silicon-based ridges of the plurality of silicon-based ridges. A plurality of silicon-based bridges extends between adjacent silicon-based ridges, wherein each silicon-based ridge of the plurality of silicon-based ridges is connected to at least one adjacent silicon-based ridge of the plurality of silicon-based ridges by at least one of a silicon-based bridge of the plurality of silicon-based bridges and wherein at least one of a plurality of four adjacent trenches does not have any silicon-based bridges.

Abstract: A method for correcting image data from a differential phase contrast imaging system is provided. Data comprising distorted data due to spatial variation is obtained. The data is corrected by correcting the distorted data.

Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray imaging is provided. An X-ray source provides an X-ray along an X-ray beam path. A holographic medium is along the X-ray beam path. An X-ray phase grating is between the X-ray source and the holographic medium along the X-ray beam path. A readout beam source provides a readout beam along a readout beam path. A readout detector is along the readout beam path, wherein the holographic medium is along the readout beam path.

Abstract: A Stirling engine feedback controller is provided that includes a Stirling engine having at least one piston, where the Stirling engine includes an Alpha-Stirling engine, and a Gamma-Stirling engine. The feedback controller includes a power sensor, a computer, and an electronic feedback loop. Here, the power sensor is configured to sense the power of the Stirling engine then output a power signal. In one aspect, the computer can be a central processing unit (CPU), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), where the computer operates a control algorithm. Further, the electronic feedback loop receives the output power signal and an output signal from the computer, where an output signal from the electronic feedback loop is configured to a control a position of the piston(s).

Abstract: Single X-ray grating differential phase contrast (DPC) X-ray imaging is provided by replacing the conventional X-ray source with a photo-emitter X-ray source array (PeXSA), and by replacing the conventional X-ray detector with a photonic-channeled X-ray detector array (PcXDA). These substitutions allow for the elimination of the G0 and G2 amplitude X-ray gratings used in conventional DPC X-ray imaging. Equivalent spatial patterns are formed optically in the PeXSA and the PcXDA. The result is DPC imaging that only has a single X-ray grating (i.e., the G1 X-ray phase grating).

Abstract: An X-ray grating configured for use in an X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. The X-ray grating has a silicone-based base layer. A plurality of silicon-based ridges is on a surface of the silicon-based base layer, wherein the plurality of silicon-based ridges from a plurality of trenches, where a trench of the plurality of trenches is between two silicon-based ridges of the plurality of silicon-based ridges. A plurality of silicon-based bridges extends between adjacent silicon-based ridges, wherein each silicon-based ridge of the plurality of silicon-based ridges is connected to at least one adjacent silicon-based ridge of the plurality of silicon-based ridges by at least one of a silicon-based bridge of the plurality of silicon-based bridges and wherein at least one of a plurality of four adjacent trenches does not have any silicon-based bridges.

Abstract: The embodiments provide for binding files to an external drive, a secured external drive, or portable data locker. The files are bound in order to help restrict or to prevent access and modification by certain computers or users. Computers or users that are authorized or within the authorized domain are permitted full access. The files stored on the external drive may be bound in various ways. The files may be encapsulated in a wrapper that restricts the use and access to these files. The bound files may require execution of a specific application, plug-in, or extension. A computer may thus be required to execute program code that limits the use of the secured files. In one embodiment, the external drive provides the required program code to the computer. In other embodiments, the required program code may be downloaded from a network or provided by an external authority.

Abstract: A method for correcting image data from a differential phase contrast imaging system is provided. Data comprising distorted data due to spatial variation is obtained. The data is corrected by correcting the distorted data.

Abstract: A method of providing a program recording to a user includes: accessing an application service provider that includes a program database via a first connection over a network with a user processor; selecting, with the user processor, a program recording to be received at the location of the user processor; providing the program recording selected with the user processor, at the location of the application service provider or a third location different from the location of the application service provider and the location of the user processor; and delivering the selected program recording to the location of the user processor.

Abstract: A Stirling engine feedback controller is provided that includes a Stirling engine having at least one piston, where the Stirling engine includes an Alpha-Stirling engine, and a Gamma-Stirling engine. The feedback controller includes a power sensor, a computer, and an electronic feedback loop. Here, the power sensor is configured to sense the power of the Stirling engine then output a power signal. In one aspect, the computer can be a central processing unit (CPU), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), where the computer operates a control algorithm. Further, the electronic feedback loop receives the output power signal and an output signal from the computer, where an output signal from the electronic feedback loop is configured to a control a position of the piston(s).

Abstract: Secure and remote operation of a remote computer from a local computer over a network includes authenticating a remote computer for connection to a computer over the network and/or a local computer for connection to a remote computer over the network; establishing a secure connection therebetween; and integrating a desktop of a remote computer on a display of a local computer. Functions that are performed may include one or more of: integrating a file structure of accessible files accessed at the second or first computer, into a file structure contained at the first or second computer, respectively; at least one of integrating a desktop of the second computer on a display of the first computer and integrating a desktop of the first computer on a display of the second computer; and directly operating the second computer from the first computer or the first computer from the second computer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring a media file from a first user device to a second user device. The first user device receives a first media file, and receives a first digital rights management (DRM) license from a DRM server corresponding to the first media file. The first user device encodes the first media file into a second media file using the first DRM license, and transfers the second media file to the second user device.

Abstract: The embodiments provide for binding files to an external drive, a secured external drive, or portable data locker. The files are bound in order to help restrict or to prevent access and modification by certain computers or users. Computers or users that are authorized or within the authorized domain are permitted full access. The files stored on the external drive may be bound in various ways. The files may be encapsulated in a wrapper that restricts the use and access to these files. The bound files may require execution of a specific application, plug-in, or extension. A computer may thus be required to execute program code that limits the use of the secured files. In one embodiment, the external drive provides the required program code to the computer. In other embodiments, the required program code may be downloaded from a network or provided by an external authority.

Abstract: A method of controlling facility power requirements using a thermoacoustic power device is provided that includes determining energy assets in a facility, controlling the energy assets using an appropriately programmed controller across a network having a security system protocol, monitoring outside temperatures and weather, measuring usage of the energy assets using a temperature sensor or an electrical usage sensor to a load-response signal of an on/off operation and usage of the energy assets to identify a specific energy asset by the controller to determine aggregate energy needs of the energy assets, and using a thermoacoustic power device controlled by the controller to generate electricity and heat according to the monitored temperature, weather and energy assets.

Abstract: Secure and remote operation of a remote computer from a local computer over a network includes authenticating a remote computer for connection to a computer over the network and/or a local computer for connection to a remote computer over the network; establishing a secure connection therebetween; and integrating a desktop of a remote computer on a display of a local computer. Functions that are performed may include one or more of: integrating a file structure of accessible files accessed at the second or first computer, into a file structure contained at the first or second computer, respectively; at least one of integrating a desktop of the second computer on a display of the first computer and integrating a desktop of the first computer on a display of the second computer; and directly operating the second computer from the first computer or the first computer from the second computer.

Abstract: The embodiments provide for binding files to an external drive, a secured external drive, or portable data locker. The files are bound in order to help restrict or to prevent access and modification by certain computers or users. Computers or users that are authorized or within the authorized domain are permitted full access. The files stored on the external drive may be bound in various ways. The files may be encapsulated in a wrapper that restricts the use and access to these files. The bound files may require execution of a specific application, plug-in, or extension. A computer may thus be required to execute program code that limits the use of the secured files. In one embodiment, the external drive provides the required program code to the computer. In other embodiments, the required program code may be downloaded from a network or provided by an external authority.