Abstract: A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic book data having a plurality of different content layers each associated with a different content difficultly level, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory.

Abstract: A method of forming composite materials includes mixing a first metal precursor with a chelating agent to form a first metal-chelate complex. The first metal-chelate complex is added to a polymer binder having terminating hydroxyl groups to form a polymer binder-first metal-chelate. The polymer binder first metal-chelate complex is mixed with an aluminum precursor. The aluminum precursor decomposes forming aluminum nanoparticles dispersed in a continuous phase material having metallic aluminum cores. At least one of the first metal-chelate complex and the first metal is dissolved in the continuous phase. The aluminum nanoparticles can have a passivating coating layer thereon provided by the polymer binder, or can have a passivating coating layer formed by including an epoxide, alcohol, carboxylic acid, or amine in the adding that forms passivating compound(s) which add further protection that can provide complete protection from oxidation of the metallic aluminum cores by air.

Abstract: A fluid mixing method using a micromixing apparatus which includes a mixing microchannel having a channel length and a continuously variable channel width defined by a first sidewall surface and an opposing second sidewall surface. The channel width varies from a minimum channel width h to a maximum channel width H in a ratio of H:h?1.1:1.0. A first inlet injects a first fluid and a second inlet a second fluid into the mixing microchannel which both flow in a flow direction in the mixing microchannel along the channel length. The first sidewall surface includes first curved surface portions and the second sidewall surface includes second curved surface portions. The first and second curved surface portions are non-overlapping to provide the variable channel width. The flow velocity profile is passively varied and exclusively controlled by the continuously variable channel width.

Abstract: A fiber is provided, including a cladding material that is disposed along a longitudinal-axis fiber length. A plurality of spherical particles are disposed as a sequence along a longitudinal line parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis in at least a portion of the fiber length, and include a spherical particle material that is interior to the fiber cladding material and different than the fiber cladding material. To produce particles, a drawn fiber, having a longitudinal-axis fiber length and including at least one fiber core that has a longitudinal core axis parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis and that is internally disposed to at least one outer fiber cladding layer along the fiber length, is heated for a time that is sufficient to cause a fiber core to break-up into droplets sequentially disposed along the fiber core axis. Fiber cooling solidifies droplets into spherical particles interior to fiber cladding.

Abstract: A photoacid includes a nucleophilic (NuH) moiety having a photodissociable proton, an electron accepting (EA) moiety, and a bridge structure (X) bonded to both the NuH moiety and EA moiety positioned between the NuH and EA moieties. The NuH and EA moieties each include respective structure so that the EA moiety bonds to a proton photodissociated form of the NuH moiety during a reversible photoinduced intramolecular reaction to form a ring, which has been found to significantly increase the lifetime of the proton dissociation state.

Abstract: A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic book data having a plurality of different content layers each associated with a different content difficultly level, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory.

Abstract: A computer system may include a plurality of computing devices each including a display, a memory to store electronic book data comprising at least one configurable problem to be solved, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory. The processor may display the electronic book data with the at least one configurable problem on the display, and apply a changeable seed value to the at least one configurable problem to change an answer associated with the at least one configurable problem.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer/fullerene nanoparticles that have selective uptake into cancer cells, and which, upon being taken into the cancer cells induce apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis can be controlled by activation of the nanoparticles. Activation can occur such as by photoactivation, or other means.

Abstract: An alkali metal-cathode solution storage battery includes an alkali metal anode including at least one alkali metal, a cathode including copper metal, and an alkali ion conducting electrolyte/separator separating the anode and cathode. An anode side electrolyte is between the anode and the separator, and a cathode side electrolyte is between the cathode and the separator. The cathode side electrolyte is selected to have capacity to dissolve metal ions from the alkali metal and electron conducting materials. An ion exchange reaction occurs during operation of the battery within the cathode side electrolyte. The battery can be operated at low temperature (i.e., <100° C.), and provide high specific energy density. The battery can be a planar battery arrangement.

Abstract: A stress-sensing material containing a matrix material and a photo-luminescent particle is disclosed, together with adhesives and coatings containing the stress-sensing material. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the stress-sensing material and measuring the stress on an article using the stress-sensing material.