Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conductive composite material, comprising a pollen-based substrate layer, an elastomeric adhesive layer on top of the pollen-based substrate layer, a biocompatible polymer substrate layer on top of the elastomeric adhesive layer, and a metal layer on top of the biocompatible polymer substrate layer and a method of forming the same. Also disclosed herein is a stretchable biopolymer-based heating pad comprising a pollen-based substrate layer, a cured polymeric layer or a metal layer on top of the pollen-based substrate layer, where, when present, the cured polymeric layer comprises a cured polymeric material and a metal, an encapsulation coating comprising a polymeric material that encapsulates the cured polymeric layer or the metal layer, wherein the pollen-based substrate layer and the cured polymeric layer are patterned to provide a heating pad and the method of forming the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to multiaxially straining defect doped materials as well as their use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to straining defect doped materials as well as their methods of use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating fluid flow characteristics are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a plurality of images of fluid flow at a plurality of times. The images may be analyzed with a machine learning model to predict one or more physical characteristics of the fluid flow, such as a velocity field, a pressure field, and/or a stress field. A loss measure may be calculated for the physical characteristics based on physical fluid flow constraints, boundary condition constraints, and/or data mismatch constraints. The machine learning model may be updated based on the loss value.

Abstract: A pollen paper formed from a plurality of pollen microgels, which paper is dimensionally locked for use in the generation of conventional printed matter. It is possible to remove the printed subject matter from the pollen paper by a process that involves immersing the pollen paper into an alkaline bath, then removing the water through immersing it in a dehydrating bath and finally dimensionally locking the paper by immersing it in an acidic bath.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hygromorphic composite material comprising a moisture-active pollen paper substrate formed from a plurality of pollen microgel particles, and at least one moisture-inactive layer applied onto the top and/or bottom surface of the moisture-active pollen paper substrate with a pattern that causes the hygromorphic composite material to change its shape in a pre-determined manner due to a change in relative humidity of its ambient environment. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming the hygromorphic composite material.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a 3-dimensional structure from a hydrogel, the process comprising the steps of: (a) placing a hydrogel polymerisation solution into a reaction vessel, and (b) allowing the hydrogel polymerisation solution to react without mixing for a period of time at ambient temperature, while introducing a polymerisation modulator to the reaction solution through a reaction solution/polymerisation modulator interface, wherein over the period of time, a modulation effect gradient is established in the reaction solution, where the modulation effect has a maximal value at the reaction solution/polymerisation modulator interface and a minimal value at a point furthest away from said interface. The said method additionally includes the use of physical constraint members such as wires and/or threads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting one or more mechanical properties for a material based on one or more indentation parameters for the material. The method comprises receiving load-displacement data from one or more instrumented indentation tests on the material, determining, by at least one computer processor, the indentation parameters for the material based, at least in part, on the received load-displacement data, providing as input to a trained neural network, the indentation parameters for the material, determining, based on an output of the trained neural network, the one or more mechanical properties of the material, and displaying an indication of the determined one or more mechanical properties of the material to a user of the computer system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting one or more mechanical properties for a material based on one or more indentation parameters for the material. The method comprises receiving load-displacement data from one or more instrumented indentation tests on the material, determining, by at least one computer processor, the indentation parameters for the material based, at least in part, on the received load-displacement data, providing as input to a trained neural network, the indentation parameters for the material, determining, based on an output of the trained neural network, the one or more mechanical properties of the material, and displaying an indication of the determined one or more mechanical properties of the material to a user of the computer system.

Abstract: Methods for training statistical models for modeling phononic energy and/or frequency dispersion, as well as phononic stability of materials as a function of an applied strain, as well as uses of these trained statistical models for elastic strain engineering of materials, are described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to multiaxially straining defect doped materials as well as their use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to straining defect doped materials as well as their methods of use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: Methods for training statistical models for the bandgap and energy dispersion of materials as a function of an applied strain, as well as uses of these trained statistical models for elastic strain engineering of materials, are described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to straining defect doped materials as well as their methods of use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to straining defect doped materials as well as their methods of use in electrical circuits are generally described.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a 3-dimensional structure from a hydrogel, the process comprising the steps of: (a) placing a hydrogel polymerisation solution into a reaction vessel, and (b) allowing the hydrogel polymerisation solution to react without mixing for a period of time at ambient temperature, while introducing a polymerisation modulator to the reaction solution through a reaction solution/polymerisation modulator interface, wherein over the period of time, a modulation effect gradient is established in the reaction solution, where the modulation effect has a maximal value at the reaction solution/polymerisation modulator interface and a minimal value at a point furthest away from said interface. The said method additionally includes the use of physical constraint members such as wires and/or threads.

Abstract: Methods and devices for manipulating one or more particles (e.g., cells) in three dimensions using surface acoustic waves is described. Methods and devices for printing or more biological cells onto a substrate using surface acoustic waves are also provided.

Abstract: The invention in some aspects relates to high throughput methods and devices for evaluating mechanical, morphological, kinetic, rheological or hematological properties of cells, such as blood cells under regulated gas conditions. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods and devices for diagnosing and/or characterizing a condition or disease in a subject by measuring a property of a cell from the subject, under controlled gas conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting cells from a mixed population of cells using surface acoustic waves is described. Methods for separating cancer cells from a mixed population of cells are provided. Methods for separating cells or particles having different size, density and/or compressibility properties are also provided.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention detects changes in cell biomechanics caused by any of a variety of diseases and conditions. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus of the invention detect infection of red blood cells. In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus comprising a microfluidic channel with a constriction, for trapping infected red blood cells while allowing healthy red blood cells to deform and pass through the channel. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a suspended microchannel resonator for detecting and counting red blood cells at the constriction of the microfluidic channel.