Abstract: Methods of manufacturing conductive molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are described herein. The methods include mixing a molybdenum disulfide powder in a liquid to form a molybdenum disulfide suspension, sonicating the molybdenum disulfide suspension for a first period of time at a first temperature, and retrieving the conductive molybdenum disulfide from the sonicated molybdenum disulfide suspension. Methods of manufacturing conductive forms of other transition metal dichalcogenides are also described. Materials produced by the methods described herein are also described.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of making a cell construct, comprising a) plating a plurality of cells on a substantially flat surface; b) growing the plurality of cells to at least 80% confluent to form a cell sheet with intercellular linkages; c) applying a culture medium having a pH of about 5 to about 6.8 to the cell sheet; d) replacing the culture medium of step c) with a culture medium having a pH of about 7.5 to about 8.5; and e) replacing the culture medium of step d) with a culture medium having a pH of about 7 to about 7.7, to obtain a substantially planar untethered cell sheet. Also provided is a cell construct formed according to the method and uses thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring phosphate in water. The methods can involve electrically pre-treating a potentiometric sensor and using the electrically pre-treated potentiometric sensor in a water sample to obtain a phosphate measurement. The potentiometric sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode. The working electrode includes a metal/metal oxide electrode having a detection surface. The electrical pre-treatment generates a metal phosphate on the detection surface of the metal/metal oxide electrode. The phosphate measurement results in a fresh layer of mixed oxide on the detection surface of the metal/metal oxide electrode. The electrically pre-treatment can be performed in situ in the water sample, allowing for field monitoring of water bodies. In some embodiments, the method can also involve cleaning the sensor prior to electrically pre-treating the sensor or after obtaining the phosphate measurement.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing conductive molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are described herein. The methods include mixing a molybdenum disulfide powder in a liquid to form a molybdenum disulfide suspension, sonicating the molybdenum disulfide suspension for a first period of time at a first temperature, and retrieving the conductive molybdenum disulfide from the sonicated molybdenum disulfide suspension. Methods of manufacturing conductive forms of other transition metal dichalcogenides are also described. Materials produced by the methods described herein are also described.

Abstract: Penetration-resistant composites and methods of forming penetration-resistant composites are described herein. The penetration-resistant composites include a woven or non-woven substrate; and an elastomeric binder covering at least a portion of the substrate. The elastomeric binder includes a polymeric base and particles dispersed within the polymeric base. The particles include one or more of amorphous silica particles, fumed silica particles, boron nitride particles, calcium chloride particles, aluminum oxide particles, calcium carbonate particles, graphite particles, metallic glass particles and silicon carbide particles. The particles have a concentration in a range of about 0 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the elastomeric binder and have a size in a range of about 1 nanometers to 100 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prognostic and mortality risk assessment method for patients with sepsis. The method involves measuring a combination of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), protein C, lactate, platelet count, creatinine level, and Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and analyzing the measured values using a complementary log-log model to determine the daily and 28-day (or other fixed term) probabilities of dying for septic patients and a binomial logit model to distinguish septic patients from non-septic patients.

Abstract: The present application relates to sensors and methods for detecting and/or quantifying an oxidant such as free chlorine in a liquid sample such as drinking water. The sensors comprise a first electrode, a second electrode and a composite material between and connecting the first electrode and the second electrode, the composite material comprising a semiconductor and a redox-switchable organic compound associated therewith. The methods comprise exposing the liquid sample to the sensor under conditions to oxide the redox-switchable organic compound and analyzing a resulting change in current.

Abstract: Sensors including thermal load sensors and chemical or biological load sensors, and methods of making the sensors, are disclosed. The sensors may include a solid polymeric matrix and at least one organic indicating material encapsulated within the solid polymeric matrix, wherein the organic indicating material is configured to diffuse into the solid polymeric matrix at a phase transition temperature of the organic indicating material, and wherein an extent of diffusion indicates a target load on the sensor. The target load may, for example, be a thermal load, or a chemical or biological load.

Abstract: An artificial placenta oxygenating device for use with an infant is provided. The device comprises a first layer comprising a gas permeable membrane; and a second layer comprising a vascular network that permits circulation of fluid therethrough, wherein a portion of the gas permeable membrane is attached to and covers the vascular network, wherein the vascular network comprises an inlet that permits fluid flow into the vascular network and an outlet that permits fluid to flow out of the vascular network and wherein the inlet and outlet are positioned so that fluid flows through the vascular network and in contact with the gas permeable membrane to permit gas exchange to occur. Assemblies comprising a plurality of single artificial placenta devices is also provided.

Abstract: Sensors including thermal load sensors and chemical or biological load sensors, and methods of making the sensors, are disclosed. The sensors may include a solid polymeric matrix and at least one organic indicating material encapsulated within the solid polymeric matrix, wherein the organic indicating material is configured to diffuse into the solid polymeric matrix at a phase transition temperature of the organic indicating material, and wherein an extent of diffusion indicates a target load on the sensor. The target load may for example be a thermal load, or a chemical or biological load.

Abstract: The present application relates to sensors and methods for detecting and/or quantifying an oxidant such as free chlorine in a liquid sample such as drinking water. The sensors comprise a first electrode, a second electrode and a composite material between and connecting the first electrode and the second electrode, the composite material comprising a semiconductor and a redox-switchable organic compound associated therewith. The methods comprise exposing the liquid sample to the sensor under conditions to oxide the redox-switchable organic compound and analyzing a resulting change in current.

Abstract: Described is a device that is able to distinguish different nucleic acid concentrations in whole blood or plasma sample directly in under 10 min. By using this device, cell-free DNA in whole blood or plasma can be quantified without extensive sample preparation. The device contains a sample channel, an accumulation channel and a pair of electrodes. Optionally, the device includes power supply connected to the electrodes for generating an electric field to move the DNA from the sample channel to the collection channel, and a sensor to quantify the amount of cell free DNA in the collection channel. Also provided are methods for providing a prognosis for a subject with sepsis or suspected of having sepsis comprising quantifying nucleic acid concentrations in a sample from a subject using a device as described herein.

Abstract: An artificial placenta oxygenating device for use with an infant is provided. The device comprises a first layer comprising a gas permeable membrane; and a second layer comprising a vascular network that permits circulation of fluid therethrough, wherein a portion of the gas permeable membrane is attached to and covers the vascular network, wherein the vascular network comprises an inlet that permits fluid flow into the vascular network and an outlet that permits fluid to flow out of the vascular network and wherein the inlet and outlet are positioned so that fluid flows through the vascular network and in contact with the gas permeable membrane to permit gas exchange to occur. Assemblies comprising a plurality of single artificial placenta devices is also provided.