| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20160140448 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING PETROLEUM FUELS PRODUCTION - A method for selecting one or more crude oils from a plurality of crude oils. In some embodiments, a plurality of scenarios may be generated, each scenario comprising a plurality of values corresponding, respectively, to a plurality of uncertain parameters, the plurality of uncertain parameters comprising at least one uncertain parameter relating to a quality of a crude oil of the plurality of crude oils. In some embodiments, a stochastic programming model may be solved to obtain a solution that optimizes an objective function, and one or more crude oils may be procured based on respective procurement amounts in the solution of the stochastic programming model. In some embodiments, a chance-constrained programming model may be solved to obtain a solution that optimizes an objective function, and a plurality of feedstocks may be blended into a final product based on the solution of the chance-constrained programming model. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160139487 | OPTICAL MODULATOR FROM STANDARD FABRICATION PROCESSING - An optical modulator is disclosed that includes an optical resonator structure. The optical resonator structure includes at least one non-linear portion, the at least one non-linear portion comprising at least one radial junction region. The at least one radial junction region is formed between at least first and second materials, respectively, having different electronic conductivity characteristics. A principal axis of the at least one radial junction region is oriented along a radius of curvature of the at least one non-linear portion. The optical modulator includes an optical waveguide that is coupled to the at least one non-linear portion of the optical resonator structure. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160137785 | POLY(BETA-AMINO ALCOHOLS), THEIR PREPARATION, AND USES THEREOF - A new class of poly(beta-amino alcohols) (PBAAs) has been prepared using combinatorial polymerization. The inventive PBAAs may be used in biotechnology and biomedical applications as coatings (such as coatings of films or multilayer films for medical devices or implants), additives, materials, excipients, non-biofouling agents, micropatterning agents, and cellular encapsulation agents. When used as surface coatings, these PBAAs elicited different levels of inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo, depending on their chemical structures. The large chemical diversity of this class of materials allowed us to identify polymer coatings that inhibit macrophage activation in vitro. Furthermore, these coatings reduce the recruitment of inflammatory cells, and reduce fibrosis, following the subcutaneous implantation of carboxylated polystyrene microparticles. These polymers may be used to form polyelectrolyte complex capsules for cell encapsulation. The invention may also have many other biological applications such as antimicrobial coatings, DNA or siRNA delivery, and stem cell tissue engineering. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160136579 | MINOR COMPONENT RATIO BALANCING IN FILTRATION SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Filtration systems in which the ratios of minor components in mixtures can be balanced, and associated methods, are generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods in which a portion of a retentate stream produced by filtering an initial liquid feed during a first filtration step is mixed with the permeate produced by filtering the permeate from the first filtration step. In some cases, the amount of the first retentate that is mixed with the second permeate is selected such that the ratios of the minor components within the final retentate and permeate streams produced by the filtration system are similar to the ratio of the minor components within the initial liquid. By maintaining similar ratios of minor components, according to certain embodiments, the flavor profile of the initial liquid mixture can be substantially maintained in the concentrated and diluted streams produced by the filtration system. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160136578 | FLOW CONTROL IN MULTI-STEP FILTRATION, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS - Flow control in multi-step filtration systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods in which a single filter is used to perform multiple, separate filtration steps. In some cases, a diluted permeate from a first filtration step can be recycled back through the filter, as part of a separate filtration step, to produce a second retentate and a second permeate. Subsequent filtration steps can also be performed. Systems configured to perform multiple, separate filtration steps using a single filter are also described. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160136577 | CONCENTRATION CONTROL IN FILTRATION SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Concentration control in filtration systems and associated methods are generally described. Streams originating from upstream filters and having similar concentrations of a target minor component and/or similar osmotic pressures can be mixed and subsequently filtered within additional filters. Certain embodiments comprise recycling an output stream produced by a filter to a filter feed stream, wherein the output stream and the filter feed stream have similar concentrations of a target minor component and/or similar osmotic pressures. Such strategic mixing and/or recycling can reduce the amount of energy and/or the amount of filtration medium surface area required to achieve a desired concentration of the target minor component in a final product stream. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160136307 | NANOPARTICLES FOR MAGNETIC PARTICLE IMAGING APPLICATIONS - One method of preparing a nanoparticle can include decomposing a compound at a high temperature, adding an acid to the solvent to form a reaction mixture, increasing the temperature of the reaction mixture to boiling point of the reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture at the boiling point for 60 to 120 minutes to produce the nanoparticle. The coated nanoparticle or the nanoparticle can be used in magnetic particles imaging. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160133710 | REDUCING LEAKAGE CURRENT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor device includes a first region having a first semiconductor material and a second region having a second semiconductor material. The second region is formed over the first region. The semiconductor device also includes a current blocking structure formed in the first region between first and second terminals of the semiconductor device. The current blocking structure is configured to reduce current flow in the first region between the first and second terminals. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160132787 | DISTRIBUTED, MULTI-MODEL, SELF-LEARNING PLATFORM FOR MACHINE LEARNING - A system is provided for multi-methodology, multi-user, self-optimizing Machine Learning as a Service for that automates and optimizes the model training process. The system uses a large-scale distributed architecture and is compatible with cloud services. The system uses a hybrid optimization technique to select between multiple machine learning approaches for a given dataset. The system can also use datasets to transferring knowledge of how one modeling methodology has previously worked over to a new problem. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160132634 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS OF DETERMINING PROTEIN VISCOSITY - The invention provides computer-implemented methods for screening proteins such as antibodies based on viscosity properties. The methods involve making a spatial charge map (SCM) of the three-dimensional structure of the antibody or protein and determine a SCM score depending on a condition such as e.g. pH, which score correlates with the viscosity. Thus a quantitative measure of the viscosity is obtained. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160131527 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS METHOD - A two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy system and a 2D spectroscopic analysis method are disclosed. The 2D spectroscopy system includes: a light transmission delayer configured for forming a plurality of first light pulses from first light pulse and causing a relative time delay therebetween; a response pulse wave generator configured for generating a plurality of response pulse waves responds and having a relative time delay, and for irradiating the plurality of response pulse waves on the sample; an optical readout pulse array generator configured for forming an optical readout pulse array by splitting the second light pulse into a plurality of regions having different time delays and spatially discriminated from one another; and a reader configured for reading out by overlapping the optical readout pulse array with a signal generated from the sample. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160130306 | Human Adaptation of H7 HA - The present invention provides, among other things, systems (e.g., comprising compositions and/or methods) for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment, prevention, and/or characterization of influenza transmission and/or infection. The present invention also provides methods for monitoring influenza variants for their potential to present a pandemic risk to humans. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160121546 | Methods and apparatus for hygromorphic shape control - A composite film includes a substrate that is not responsive to relative humidity, and also one or more layers of hygromorphic material. The hygromorphic material expands in response to an increase in relative humidity and contracts in response to a decrease in relative humidity. In some cases, the composite film is bi-layer or tri-layer. The composite films are fabricated such that they undergo a desired bending pattern in response to changes in relative humidity. In some cases, these bending patterns are combinations of two bending primitives: a smooth curve and a sharply angled curve. These two primitives are combined to create a variety of shape transformations including 1D linear transformation, 2D surface expansion and contraction, 2.5D texture change and 3D folding. Any type of hygromorphic material may be employed, including living gram positive and gram negative bacterial cells, yeast cells, plant cells, mammalian cells, cell debris, or hydrogel. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160117932 | Method and Apparatus For Locating A Target Using An Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Described herein is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that incorporates sensor data to statistically minimize the time to autonomously locate a target on the ground. The system uses a two-stage approach to finding the RF target: 1) randomized flight, such as Lévy fight, to search the ground space and, 2) a geo-localization process, such as a simplex minimization process, to home in on the target. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160117610 | TRANSPORTATION SERVICE RESERVATION METHOD, TRANSPORTATION SERVICE RESERVATION APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A transportation service reservation method executes, by a computer, a process including receiving a ride request specifying an origin and a destination, generating feasible products having service types, by referring to a storage unit that stores information indicating a schedule allocated to each vehicle and the service types of the schedule, for each vehicle capable of providing products having the service types, computing a choice probability of each product forming an assortment of the feasible products, for each of assortments satisfying a predetermined condition amongst the subsets of the feasible product set that are generated, computing an expected value of a number of future ride requests, and selecting an assortment to be presented with respect to the ride request, from the assortment satisfying the predetermined condition, based on the choice probability and the expected value. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160114290 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CARRYING OUT A PH-INFLUENCED CHEMICAL AND/OR BIOLOGICAL REACTION - The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for carrying out a pH-influenced chemical and/or biological reaction. In some embodiments, the pH-influenced reaction involves the conversion of CO | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160114042 | AMINE-CONTAINING LIPIDOIDS AND USES THEREOF - Provided herein are lipidoids that may be prepared from the conjugate addition of alkylamines to acrylates. In some embodiments, provided lipidoids are biodegradable and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the amino moiety of the lipidoids, they are well-suited for the delivery of polynucleotides, in addition to other agents. Nanoparticles containing the inventive lipidoids and polynucleotides have been prepared and have been shown to be effective in delivering siRNA. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160112279 | Sensor-based Distributed Tangible User Interface - A distributed tangible user interface comprises compact, self-powered, tangible user interface manipulative devices having sensing, display, and wireless communication capabilities, along with one or more associated digital content or other interactive software management applications. The manipulative devices display visual representations of digital content or program controls and can be physically manipulated as a group by a user for interaction with the digital information or software application. A controller on each manipulative device receives and processes data from a movement sensor, initiating behavior on the manipulative and/or forwarding the results to a management application that uses the information to manage the digital content, software application, and/or the manipulative devices. The manipulative devices may also detect the proximity and identity of other manipulative devices, responding to and/or forwarding that information to the management application, and may have feedback devices for presenting responsive information to the user. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111242 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A POROUS ELECTROSPRAY EMITTER - An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The body can be formed of a porous material compatible with at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt. The body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, such that the at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt is capable of being transported through capillarity from the base to the tip. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160107178 | ELECTROSPRAYING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Electrospraying systems and associated methods are generally described. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160106821 | FUNCTIONAL GHRELIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONISM DURING PREGNANCY TO PREVENT STRESS-ASSOCIATED MENTAL ILLNESS IN OFFSPRING AND MOTHERS - The invention relates to methods of protecting against elevated ghrelin levels in a fetus by antagonizing ghrelin or ghrelin receptor. The invention also encompasses methods of treating postpartum depression by administering ghrelin antagonists. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160103951 | Techniques for Controlling Spatial Structure of Nucleic Acid Structures Based on Lattice-free, Three Dimensional Junction Coordinates - Techniques for controlling nucleic acid structures include determining, for each junction type, values for parameters indicating ground-state geometry and both translational and rotational stiffness coefficients. Topological design data indicates a number of bases in each helix connected to corresponding junctions. Initial positions of each base are determined by connecting helices to junctions using the ground-state geometry and arbitrary coordinates not confined to lattice coordinates. Misalignment vectors each indicate a difference in coordinates and orientations between initial positions of a pair of bases that are not adjacent in the initial positions but are adjacent or coincident in the design data. Forces and moments at the junctions to reduce misalignment magnitudes are determined based on the translational and rotational stiffness coefficients at each junction. Position and orientation in 3D coordinates of each base are determined by reducing or eliminating the misalignment magnitudes and balancing forces and moments across the nanostructure. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160102118 | SOLID PHASE PEPTIDES SYNTHESIS PROCESSES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS - Systems and processes for performing solid phase peptide synthesis are generally described. Solid phase peptide synthesis is a known process in which amino acid residues are added to peptides that have been immobilized on a solid support. In certain embodiments, the inventive systems and methods can be used to perform solid phase peptide synthesis quickly while maintaining high yields. Certain embodiments relate to processes and systems that may be used to heat, transport, and/or mix reagents in ways that reduce the amount of time required to perform solid phase peptide synthesis. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160100900 | ROBOTIC APPARATUS - A robotic apparatus has eight actuators (M | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160098650 | System for Real-Time Optimal Matching of Ride Sharing Requests - System for optimal matching of ride sharing requests. A trip request manager receives trip requests from patrons and a shareability network is established. The system checks to see whether certain parameters related to ride-sharing delays are less than or equal to other parameters to decide whether trips are shareable. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160097606 | Heterogeneous Surfaces - Condensation can be an important process in both emerging and traditional power generation and water desalination technologies. Superhydrophobic nanostructures can promise enhanced condensation heat transfer by reducing the characteristic size of departing droplets via a surface-tension-driven mechanism. A superhydrophobic surface can include a heterogeneous surface. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160091705 | Methods and apparatus for stretched light field microscope - The information budget of a light field microscope is increased by increasing the field of view and image circle diameter of the microscope, while keeping the ratio of overall magnification of the microscope to the numerical aperture of the microscope unchanged. Alternatively, the information budget is increased by increasing the field of view and image circle diameter of the microscope by a first factor, while increasing the ratio of overall magnification of the microscope to the numerical aperture of the microscope by a smaller, second factor. In some cases, an infinity-corrected light field microscope has an overall magnification that is greater than the nominal magnification of the objective lens. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160083722 | COMPOSABILITY AND DESIGN OF PARTS FOR LARGE-SCALE PATHWAY ENGINEERING IN YEAST - Expression cassettes comprising promoter and terminator combinations are provided and can be used to tune gene expression. Synthetic yeast promoters and methods of making them also are provided. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160083256 | CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NANOSTRUCTURES INCLUDING NANOTUBES - The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160079060 | Patterning of Nanostructures - A technique for forming nanostructures including introducing a plurality of molecular-size scale and/or nanoscale building blocks to a region near a substrate and simultaneously scanning a pattern on the substrate with an energy beam, wherein the energy beam causes a change in at least one physical property of at least a portion of the building blocks, such that a probability of the portion of the building blocks adhering to the pattern scanned by the energy beam is increased, and wherein the building blocks adhere to the pattern to form the structure. The energy beam and at least a portion of the building blocks may interact by electrostatic interaction to form the structure. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160076978 | DEPOSITION AND IMAGING OF PARTICLES ON PLANAR SUBSTRATES - Among other aspects, the present invention provides for the deposition of biological particles, such as cells, in a liquid, in a desired two-dimensional pattern on a planar surface of a substrate so as to permit rapid, simple, and sensitive detection of cells and/or sub-cellular components (e.g., proteins, biomarkers) disposed on the substrate. In various aspects, the systems and methods can enable reproducible high-throughput screening and/or allow for sensitive and specific detection of rare events in heterogeneous cell populations within a biological sample, with limited or no selective cell loss or sample enrichment. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160076061 | ENGINEERING MICROBES AND METABOLIC PATHWAYS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL - The invention relates to recombinant cells and their use in the production of ethylene glycol. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075089 | Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing along user-specified toolpaths - One or more input/output devices accept user-inputted path instructions that specify a set of multiple deposition paths for an extruder to travel. An actuator actuates motion of the extruder along a trajectory that includes each of the deposition paths and also includes multiple non-deposition paths. For each deposition path: (a) the user-inputted path instructions specify a thickness of an object; and (b) the extruder extrudes the object in accordance with fabrication instructions computed by a computer based at least in part on the thickness. As the extruder moves over the entire trajectory, the extruder extrudes a set of objects, one object per deposition path. The objects adhere to each other to form an integral 3D structure. In some cases, the objects include functionally graded material. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160074812 | Energy-Efficient Conductive-Gap Membrane Distillation - Apparatus for energy-efficient conductive-gap membrane distillation includes a feed-liquid source and a distillation module. The distillation module includes a feed-liquid chamber in fluid communication with the feed-liquid source. The feed-liquid chamber includes a selectively porous material that allows a component of the feed liquid to pass through the selectively porous material and exit the feed-liquid chamber in vapor form but not in liquid form. The distillation module also includes a conductive-gap chamber adjacent to the selectively porous material on an opposite side of the selectively porous material from the feed-liquid chamber; a heat-transfer surface maintained at a lower temperature than the feed liquid in the feed-liquid chamber, wherein the heat-transfer surface is in thermal contact with the conductive-gap chamber; and a thermally conductive material extending across the conductive-gap chamber. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160070254 | Methods and Apparatus for Digital Material Skins - A digital material skin is made of a set of discrete units with a finite set of parts and joints. The discrete units are assembled into a layer according to a regular geometry, with each of the discrete units being reversibly connected to at least one other unit in the set. The reversibly connected set of units forms an exterior structure surface that is larger than the individual discrete units. Digital material skins may be used to construct any shape or interior volume, whether regular or amorphous. The skin surface may be enclosed or open. The skin may rely on an interior digital material structure for support or may be self-supported. The skin may be part of a larger assembly or apparatus, enclosing an interior volume or structure. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160070161 | Illuminated 3D Model - An illuminated three-dimensional model is fabricated by importing or generating a digital dataset representing the surface of a three-dimensional source surface; producing a three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional source surface from the digital dataset, wherein the three-dimensional model has a translucent or diffusive surface and a base surface; and mounting a projection device in a configuration such that distinctive patterns of light are directed from the projection device through the base surface of the three-dimensional model to selectively illuminate at least a portion of the translucent or diffusive surface of the three-dimensional model. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160067346 | BRUSH-POLY (GLYCOAMIDOAMINE)-LIPIDS AND USES THEREOF - The present disclosure provides brush-poly(glycoamidoamine)-lipids (PGALs) (e.g., polymers of any one of Formulae (I)-(IV)) and methods of preparing the PGALs. A described PGAL may include poly(glycoamidoamine)-derived moieties (e.g., | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160064539 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND RECESS FORMATION ETCH TECHNIQUE - A semiconductor structure has a first layer that includes a first semiconductor material and a second layer that includes a second semiconductor material. The first semiconductor material is selectively etchable over the second semiconductor material using a first etching process. The first layer is disposed over the second layer. A recess is disposed at least in the first layer. Also described is a method of forming a semiconductor structure that includes a recess. The method includes etching a region in a first layer using a first etching process. The first layer includes a first semiconductor material. The first etching process stops at a second layer beneath the first layer. The second layer includes a second semiconductor material. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160060519 | HIGHLY LUMINESCENT COLOR-SELECTIVE NANOCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS - A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160058851 | USE OF ANTAGONISTS OF GHRELIN OR GHRELIN RECEPTOR TO PREVENT OR TREAT STRESS-SENSITIVE PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS - The invention relates to methods of protecting against chronic stress in a subject and treating stress sensitive disorders in a subject by antagonizing ghrelin or ghrelin receptor. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160052261 | Methods and Apparatus for Handheld Inkjet Printer - A handheld inkjet printer includes an inkjet print head and a tip. One or more sensors measure the position of points on a curved surface that are physically touched by the tip while the tip is moved relative to the surface. Based on these measurements, a computer generates or modifies a computer model that specifies at least (i) position of the curved surface, and (ii) a target region of the curved surface on which a pattern is to be printed. In addition, the one or more sensors measure position and orientation of nozzles in the print head, while the handset is moved relative to the surface. The computers also calculate, based on the computer model and these additional measurements, which of the nozzles to fire at a different times, such that the pattern is printed on the target region as the handset is moved relative to the surface. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160044218 | HIGH-RESOLUTION SURFACE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - This disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for capturing and measuring surface topography. This disclosure provides a high resolution retrographic sensor comprising a volume of elastomer and a thin, opaque reflective membrane. The reflective membrane is arranged to conform to a specimen that contacts it. The disclosure provides a high resolution visualization system comprising the retrographic sensor and an illumination source. Also provided are high resolution measurement systems comprising the retrographic sensor, an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processing component. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160043270 | ENGINEERED BAND GAPS - An optoelectronic device as well as its methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optoelectronic device includes first and second semiconducting atomically thin layers with corresponding first and second lattice directions. The first and second semiconducting atomically thin layers are located proximate to each other, and an angular difference between the first lattice direction and the second lattice direction is between about 0.000001° and 0.5°, or about 0.000001° and 0.5° deviant from of a Vicnal angle of the first and second semiconducting atomically thin layers. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the first and second semiconducting atomically thin layers may form a Moiré superlattice of exciton funnels with a period between about 50 nm to 3 cm. The optoelectronic device may also include charge carrier conductors in electrical communication with the semiconducting atomically thin layers to either inject or extract charge carriers. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160040657 | Self-Folding Machines - A self-folding machine comprises a laminate including a flexible layer with a first side and a second side; a first rigid layer including at least one gap laminated to the first side of the flexible layer; a second rigid layer including at least one gap laminated to the second side of the flexible layer, wherein the rigid layers are more rigid than the flexible layer; a first contractible layer laminated to the first rigid layer and extending across at least one gap in the first rigid layer; and a second contractible layer laminated to the second rigid layer and extending across at least one gap in the second rigid layer, wherein the first and second contractible layers retract to respectively create folds in the machine across gaps in the first and second rigid layers when activated. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160039902 | CHANNELRHODOPSIN VARIANTS AND USES THEREOF - CsChrimson light-activated ion channel polypeptides, their encoding polynucleotides, and variants thereof are provided. Methods of introducing and using CsChrimson light activated ion channels and variants thereof for to alter cell activity and function are also provided. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160038415 | LIPID VESICLE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles comprise terminal-cysteine-bearing antigens or cysteine-modified antigens, at their surface and/or internally. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160031931 | SOLID PHASE PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS PROCESSES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS - Systems and processes for performing solid phase peptide synthesis are generally described. Solid phase peptide synthesis is a known process in which amino acid residues are added to peptides that have been immobilized on a solid support. In certain embodiments, the inventive systems and methods can be used to perform solid phase peptide synthesis quickly while maintaining high yields. Certain embodiments relate to processes and systems that may be used to heat, transport, and/or mix reagents in ways that reduce the amount of time required to perform solid phase peptide synthesis. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160031837 | COMPOUNDS FOR INDUCING PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF CELLS, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - The present invention provides methods of inducing proliferation of and/or differentiating cells comprising contacting cells with compounds within the methods of the invention. The present invention further provides cells obtainable by the methods of the invention. Liver disease affects more than 500 million people worldwide. Organ transplantation is the gold standard for treatment of liver failure, but organ shortages are acute. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160031824 | BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES AND USES THEREOF - The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The present invention also provides methods and kits using the inventive compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with protein aggregation, such as amyloidoses (e.g., Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, treating and/or preventing diseases associated with Tar DNA binding protein 43 kDa, reducing or preventing protein aggregation, and/or modulating E3 ubiquitin ligase in a subject in need thereof. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160030359 | Multi-Layer Hydrogel Capsules for Encapsulation of Cells and Cell Aggregates - Biomedical devices for implantation with decreased pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth are disclosed. The device includes biocompatible materials and has specific characteristics that allow the device to elicit less of a fibrotic reaction after implantation than the same device lacking one or more of these characteristic that are present on the device. Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160028403 | SUPERCONDUCTING THREE-TERMINAL DEVICE AND LOGIC GATES - A three-terminal device that exhibits transistor-like functionality at cryogenic temperatures may be formed from a single layer of superconducting material. A main current-carrying channel of the device may be toggled between superconducting and normal conduction states by applying a control signal to a control terminal of the device. Critical-current suppression and device geometry are used to propagate a normal-conduction hotspot from a gate constriction across and along a portion of the main current-carrying channel. The three-terminal device may be used in various superconducting signal-processing circuitry. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160028402 | SUPERCONDUCTING THREE-TERMINAL DEVICE AND LOGIC GATES - A three-terminal device that exhibits transistor-like functionality at cryogenic temperatures may be formed from a single layer of superconducting material. A main current-carrying channel of the device may be toggled between superconducting and normal conduction states by applying a control signal to a control terminal of the device. Critical-current suppression and device geometry are used to propagate a normal-conduction hotspot from a gate constriction across and along a portion of the main current-carrying channel. The three-terminal device may be used in various superconducting signal-processing circuitry. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160024687 | Confined Lateral Growth of Crystalline Germanium Material - There is provided a substrate with a lower growth confinement layer disposed thereon. An upper growth confinement layer is disposed above and vertically separated from the lower growth confinement layer. A planar lateral growth channel is provided between the upper and lower growth confinement layers with a vertical separation between the layers along the lateral growth channel. A germanium material growth seed of amorphous silicon is disposed at a site adjacent to the lateral growth channel. The upper growth confinement layer and the lower growth confinement layer each prohibits crystalline germanium material nucleation on the upper and lower growth confinement layers during exposure to GeH | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160023904 | STRAIN ENGINEERED MICROSTRUCTURES - The present invention generally relates to articles comprising microstructures and methods for forming microstructures. The microstructures may be mechanically coupled to impart complex three dimensional shapes. For example, one or more microstructures may be grown on a substrate at different average growth rates, resulting in curved microstructures. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160023403 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MACHINE VISION ASSISTED ADDITIVE FABRICATION - The present application relates generally to systems and methods for using machine vision to provide information on one or more aspects of an additive fabrication device, such as calibration parameters and/or an object formed by the device or in the process of being formed by the device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for calibrating an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for assessing at least a portion of an object formed using an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for fabricating a second object in contact with a first object using an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device configured to perform one or more of the above methods may be provided. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160022821 | BIODEGRADABLE POLY (BETA-AMINO ESTERS) AND USES THEREOF - Poly(β-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer/polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160022794 | SIDEROPHORE-BASED IMMUNIZATION AGAINST GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA - The present invention provides novel enterobactin-carrier protein conjugates and salmochelin-carrier protein conjugates, such as compounds of Formula (I), and salts thereof. The present invention also provides compositions, kits, and methods that involve the compounds of Formula (I) and are useful in inducing an immune response, treating a bacterial infection and/or inflammatory bowel disease in a subject, preventing a bacterial infection and/or inflammatory bowel disease in a subject, or inhibiting the growth of or killing a bacterium. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160017283 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CULTURING EPITHELIAL CELLS - The present invention features assays for co-culturing primary cells while maintaining key biological activities specific to the primary cells. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that compositions and methods for primary cells in a high-throughput co-culture platform, image analysis for distinguishing cells in co-cultures and assays that are suitable for screening of agents in epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160006813 | Sensor Platform for Context-Aware Experimental Research - A platform for context-aware experimentation includes a housing for one or more sensors for obtaining data pertaining to an on-going experiment, a communications subsystem for transmitting data obtained by the sensors, and a microcontroller for receiving data from the sensors, providing it to the communications subsystem, and possibly controlling the sensors. The housing may be a tube, which may be configured to hold a sample and may have a cap, or a waterproof package, which may have an opening to admit at least part of a sample. The platform may include a power source. The platform may include a computer processor, located outside the housing, for analyzing the data obtained by the sensors, determining the experimental context in which the sensors are operating and/or which experimental step in a protocol is being performed, and/or reminding users of required parameters for the steps in the protocol. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160002822 | Production of Free-Standing Crystalline Material Layers - Herein is provided a growth structure for forming a free-standing layer of crystalline material having at least one crystallographic symmetry. The growth structure includes a host substrate and a separation layer disposed on the host substrate for growth of a layer of the crystalline material thereon. The separation layer has a separation layer thickness, and is mechanically weaker than the host substrate and the crystalline material. An array of apertures is in the separation layer, each aperture extending through the separation layer thickness. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160002611 | Methods and Apparatus for Cell-Free Microfluidic-Assisted Biosynthesis - A trans-disciplinary system for cell-free biosynthesis includes a cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) tool and modular, generalizable microfluidic architectures. Both components of the system are independently functional and are combinable into a cell-free biosynthesis platform. In the first component, modular plasmid libraries are used to program bacterial cell-free TX-TL systems. Each plasmid holds one gene or operon, and all the genes are controlled by the same promoter, so that the stoichiometry of enzyme synthesis is determined by the stoichiometry of plasmids in the reaction. In the second part, in order to facilitate high throughput mixing and matching of gene units from the modular plasmid libraries, a modular, reconfigurable, flexible, and scalable microfluidic architecture is employed. The microfluidic modules share common form factors and port/valve locations, so that a small set of module types, with multiple instances of each type interconnected in different geometries, allows simple reconfiguration to achieve different modes of operation. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160002178 | POLYAMINE-FATTY ACID DERIVED LIPIDOIDS AND USES THEREOF - The present disclosure provides polyamine-fatty acid derived lipidoids (e.g., compounds of Formula (I) or (II)) and methods of preparing the lipidoids. A described lipidoid includes R—C(═O)—O— moieties (where R is a lipid moiety), which may be hydrolyzed into non-toxic fatty acids. Also provided are compositions including a described lipidoid and an agent (e.g., polynucleotide, small molecule, peptide, or protein). The present disclosure also provides methods, kits, and uses that involve the lipidoids or compositions for delivering an agent to a subject, tissue, or cell and/or for treating and/or preventing a range of diseases, such as genetic diseases, proliferative diseases, hematological diseases, neurological diseases, immunological diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, painful conditions, psychiatric disorders, and metabolic disorders. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160000590 | Intravascular Device - An electronic intravascular device is placed in tight contact with vessel walls and is used for electrical stimulation and/or electrical recording of the vessel wall and surrounding target tissue. The electrodes may operate via connectors interfacing them to external hardware or may incorporate electronics to allow wireless power, information transfer, and control. The device includes an internal skeleton, a flexible substrate attached to the exterior of the skeleton, at least one pair of electrodes located on the substrate, and power and control circuitry connected to the electrodes. The power and control circuitry may include connectors for direct powering of the electrodes or circuit elements for wireless powering of the device by RF-based, optical-based, ultrasound-based, piezoelectric, or vibrational energy harvesting methods. The power and control circuitry may include circuit elements for wireless communication, including between the device and the external environment, and may include on-board processing for control of the electrodes. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20150376811 | ELECTROPHORETIC-DEPOSITED SURFACES - A method of altering a property of a surface includes suspending a plurality of low surface energy particles in a solvent, agglomerating the suspension of particles, and subjecting the suspension of particle agglomerates to electrophoretic deposition onto a substrate for a predetermined time. The altered surface may be superhydrophilic or superhydrophobic. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150372081 | IMPROVING LINEARITY IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A field effect transistor that has a source, a drain, a gate and a semiconductor region. The semiconductor region has a source access region between the gate and the source, a drain access region between the gate and the drain, and a channel region under the gate. The channel region under the gate has a maximum current-carrying capability that is lower than a maximum current-carrying capability of the source access region. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150370961 | WATER-SOLUBLE TRANS-MEMBRANE PROTEINS AND METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION AND USE THEREOF - The present invention is directed to water-soluble membrane proteins, methods for the preparation thereof and methods of use thereof. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150370960 | WATER-SOLUBLE MEMBRANE PROTEINS AND METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION AND USE THEREOF - The present invention is directed to water-soluble membrane proteins, methods for the preparation thereof and methods of use thereof. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150368625 | ARTIFICIAL SIGMA FACTORS BASED ON BISECTED T7 RNA POLYMERASE - Aspects of the invention relate to a regulatory system that follows design principles of natural systems but creates novel synthetic biology tools using bisected polymerase proteins. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150368121 | Multi-Stage Bubble Column Humidifier - A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150367457 | Methods for Digital Composites - In exemplary implementations of this invention, a digital material comprising many discrete units is used to fabricate a sparse structure. The units are reversibly joined by elastic connections. Each unit comprises fiber-reinforced composite material. Each unit is small compared to the sparse structure as a whole. Likewise, in a sparse structure made from this digital material, the number of types of units is small compared to the total number of units. The digital material is anisotropic. This anisotropy may be due to different fiber orientations within each unit. Furthermore, different units in a single sparse structure may be oriented in different directions and in different, non-parallel planes. In some cases, the digital material is reinforced with carbon fibers, and connections between units are stronger than the units themselves. The small discrete units may be assembled into a strong, lightweight sparse structure, such as an airframe. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150365956 | Cognitive Radio Method And Apparatus For Achieving Ad Hoc Interference Multiple Access Wireless Communication - In a radio network having a plurality of first users on channel (FUOCs) and one or more second users on channel (SUOCs), a method and apparatus for a SUOC to select a channel to co-occupy based in part upon the expected impact on the FUOC. The FUOC collects signal parameters associated with the FUOC, such as actual rate, bandwidth, received signal power, and noise power, and uses the signal parameters to calculate the expected impact. In some embodiments, the expected impact is proportional to the ratio of the FUOC's actual rate and the FUOC's possible code rate. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150365724 | Network Coding for Multi-Resolution Multicast - A method, apparatus and computer program product for utilizing network coding for multi-resolution multicast is presented. A network source partitions source content into a base layer and one or more refinement layers. The network source receives a respective one or more push-back messages from one or more network destination receivers, the push-back messages identifying the one or more refinement layers suited for each one of the one or more network destination receivers. The network source computes a network code involving the base layer and the one or more refinement layers for at least one of the one or more network destination receivers, and transmits the network code to the one or more network destination receivers in accordance with the push-back messages. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150365222 | Traffic Backfilling Via Network Coding In A Multi-Packet Reception Network - Network coding and multiple packet reception (MPR) are used together to improve message dissemination speed in a wireless network using half duplex communication. In at least one embodiment, MPR is used to initially distribute data packets from a number of source nodes in the network to the other nodes of the network. Network coding techniques may then be used to perform backfilling within the network to supply data packets to the source nodes that were originally missed due to the half duplex constraint. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150364753 | CONTROLLED POROSITY IN ELECTRODES - Porous electrodes in which the porosity has a low tortuosity are generally provided. In some embodiments, the porous electrodes can be designed to be filled with electrolyte and used in batteries, and can include low tortuosity in the primary direction of ion transport during charge and discharge of the battery. In some embodiments, the electrodes can have a high volume fraction of electrode active material (i.e., low porosity). The attributes outlined above can allow the electrodes to be fabricated with a higher energy density, higher capacity per unit area of electrode (mAh/cm | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362743 | Content-Adaptive Parallax Barriers for Automultiscopic Display - In exemplary implementations of this invention, two LCD screens display a multi-view 3D image that has both horizontal and vertical parallax, and that does not require a viewer to wear any special glasses. Each pixel in the LCDs can take on any value: the pixel can be opaque, transparent, or any shade between. For regions of the image that are adjacent to a step function (e.g., a depth discontinuity) and not adjacent to a sharp corner, the screens display local parallax barriers comprising many small slits. The barriers and the slits tend to be oriented perpendicular to the local angular gradient of the target light field. In some implementations, the display is optimized to seek to minimize the Euclidian distance between the desired light field and the actual light field that is produced. Weighted, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is used for this optimization. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362469 | Methods and Apparatus for Artificial Olfaction - In exemplary implementations of this invention, an electronic olfactor determines whether a scent being tested matches the scent of a positive control. The electronic olfactor can perform this scent matching even in a changing olfactory environment, and even if the positive control scent is a combination of hundreds or thousands of different odorants. No prior training is needed, and no attempt is made to identify a single odorant that is unambiguously responsible for a scent. Instead, a computer compares the total scent pattern of a positive control sample with the total scent pattern of a test sample, across a sweep of many permutations of electrical inputs to scent sensors, to try to find any condition under which the total scent patterns do not match. If such a condition cannot be found, then the computer declares a match between the test and target scents. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150358136 | Method and Apparatus For Reducing Feedback and Enhancing Message Dissemination Efficiency in a Multicast Network - Message dissemination speed is increased during multicast operations in a network by intelligently selecting one or more feedback time slots for use by destination nodes. In at least one implementation, a feedback time slot is selected based upon probabilities that a plurality of data packets will be successfully distributed to a plurality of destination nodes by various future time slots. These probabilities may be estimated based on, for example, packet erasure probabilities in the network. In some implementations, only destination nodes that have not yet successfully received a plurality of data packets are permitted to transmit feedback during feedback time slots. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150357142 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE - Electromechanical devices described herein may employ tunneling phenomena to function as low-voltage switches. Opposing electrodes may be separated by an elastically deformable layer which, in some cases, may be made up of a non-electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the elastically deformable layer is substantially free of electrically conductive material. When a sufficient actuation voltage and/or force is applied, the electrodes are brought toward one another and, accordingly, the elastically deformable layer is compressed. Though, the elastically deformable layer prevents the electrodes from making direct contact with one another. Rather, when the electrodes are close enough to one another, a tunneling current arises therebetween. The elastically deformable layer may exhibit spring-like behavior such that, upon release of the actuation voltage and/or force, the separation distance between electrodes is restored. Thus, the electromechanical device may be actuated between open and closed switch positions. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150354046 | Continuous Oligocrystalline Shape Memory Alloy Wire Produced by Melt Spinning - There is provided herein a shape memory alloy wire that includes an alloy composition of CuAlMnNi and excluding grain refiner elements. The alloy composition includes 20 at %-28 at % Al, 2 at %-4 at % Ni, 3 at %-5 at % Mn with Cu as a remaining balance of the alloy composition. The alloy composition is disposed as an elongated wire of at least about 1 meter in length, having a wire diameter of less than about 150 microns. At least about 50 vol % of said alloy composition along said wire length has an oligocrystalline microstructure as-disposed in the wire and without thermal treatment of the wire. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150353503 | INDAZOLE DERIVATIVES AND USES THEREOF - The present invention provides novel compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits comprising the inventive compounds, or compositions thereof, for treating and/or preventing a fungal or protozoan infection, inhibiting the activity of a fungal or protozoan enzyme, killing a fungus or protozoon, or inhibiting the growth of a fungus or protozoon. The fungus may be a | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150348654 | Organically Cooled Nuclear Reactor for Enhanced Economics and Safety - An organically cooled nuclear reactor comprises fissionable fuel pellets and a neutron-moderator matrix in which the fissionable fuel pellets are distributed. The neutron-moderator matrix also defines coolant channels for flow of an organic coolant. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150345839 | THERMO-ADSORPTIVE BATTERY CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS - Thermo-adsorptive batteries can provide the heating and cooling functions by taking advantage of the reversible adsorption/desorption cycles involving the pair of the zeolite adsorbent and condensable vapor adsorbate. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150343023 | METHODS FOR CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOREGENERATION WITH DIMERS OF EGF FAMILY LIGANDS - The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing, preventing or reversing cardio toxicity side effects associated with certain therapeutic agents. The invention also provides methods and compositions for treating heart dysfunction including heart failure, and for reversing the effects of myocardial infarction. The various aspects of the invention involve the use of ligand dimers, such as neuregulin dimers, that selectively induce the dimerization of certain EGF receptors in cardiac tissue. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150340540 | METHODS OF IMPRINT PATTERNING OF IRREGULAR SURFACE - Patterned substrates for photovoltaic and other uses are made by pressing a flexible stamp upon a thin layer of resist material, which covers a substrate, such as a wafer. The resist changes phase or becomes flowable, flowing away from locations of impression, revealing the substrate, which is subjected to some shaping process. A typical substrate is silicon, and a typical resist is a wax. Workpiece textures include extended grooves, discrete, spaced apart pits, and combinations and intermediates thereof. Platen or rotary patterning apparatus may be used. Rough and irregular workpiece substrates may be accommodated by extended stamp elements. Resist may be applied first to the workpiece, the stamp, or substantially simultaneously, in discrete locations, or over the entire surface of either. The resist dewets the substrate completely where desired. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150337420 | Superelastic Alloy Structural Geometry for Ultrahigh Mechanical Damping - A mechanical structure is provided with a crystalline super alloy that is characterized by an average grain size and that exhibits a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress. A configuration of the superelastic alloy is provided with a geometric structural feature of the alloy that has an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size of the alloy. This geometric feature undergoes the martensitic transformation without intergranular fracture of the geometric feature. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150336092 | COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING FUNCTIONALIZED CARBON-BASED NANOSTRUCTURES AND RELATED METHODS - The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising and methods for forming functionalized carbon-based nanostructures. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150330905 | Methods and apparatus for surface classification - In illustrative implementations of this invention, light sources illuminate a surface with multi-spectral, multi-directional illumination that varies in direction, wavelength, coherence and collimation. One or more cameras capture images of the surface while the surface is illuminated under different lighting conditions. One or more computers take, as input, data indicative of or derived from the images, and determine a classification of the surface. Based on the computed classification, the computers output signals to control an I/O device, such that content displayed by the I/O device depends, at least in part, on the computed classification. In illustrative implementations, this invention accurately classifies a wide range of surfaces, including transparent surfaces, specular surfaces, and surfaces with few features. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150329590 | Cysteine Arylation Directed by a Genetically Encodable Pi-Clamp - Disclosed are methods of single-site-specific cysteine modification on peptide/protein molecules under physiologically relevant conditions. This process features several significant advantages over existing methods of peptide modification, such as specificity towards thiols over other nucleophiles (e.g., amines, hydroxyls), excellent functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions. Especially important is the specificity observed for thiols appearing in an X-Cys-Pro-X sequence over other thiols or disulfides, where X is Phe, Trp, or Tyr; under the inventive conditions, other cysteines or reactive functional groups on the same peptide/protein chain are not functionalized. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150328279 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR AFFECTING MOVEMENT OF CONTAMINANTS, BODILY FLUIDS OR OTHER ENTITIES, AND/OR AFFECTING OTHER PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS - Compositions which self-assemble under physiological conditions are formulated for application to wounds. The formulations include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or are provided as part of a medical device or coating. The formulations may also include other therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents. The formulation can be administered as appropriate for treatment of one or more disorders or conditions. For example, the formulation may be applied to repair an injury or during surgery of the lung, eye or dura, or following an epidural or spinal tap, to stop leakage of blood, interstitial fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. The formulation may be administered to a burn or ulcer. The formulation may be dispersed in a suture or adhesive for administration at the time of or as released following suturing or gluing of a wound, thereby limiting bleeding, loss of tissue fluids, or other fluids such as those produced by parenchymal tissues such as the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. The formulation may be applied to any site of bleeding, in a bandage, gauze, sponge, or other material, for immediate control of bleeding, or released later to control bleeding if the initial treatment such as suturing or pressure is insufficient. In one embodiment, the formulation is provided as a dry or lyophilized powder. In another embodiment, the material is provided in water. In another embodiment, the material is provided in combination with an oil and forms a laminate. In another embodiment, the formulation is provided as a coating on a device, for example a stent or a catheter. The material is also useful to isolate tissue, for preservation of tissue for subsequent transplantation or reattachment, and as a bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agent. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150322404 | ISOLATED ADULT CELLS, ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, REHABILITATED ORGANS, RESEARCH TOOLS, ORGAN ENCASEMENTS, ORGAN PERFUSION SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PREPARING AND UTILIZING THE SAME - One aspect of the invention provides a method for harvesting adult cells from an organ. The method includes perfusing the organ with a perfusate and isolating adult cells from the organ, thereby harvesting the adult cells from the organ. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for rehabilitating an organ. The method includes: dividing the organ into a first portion and a second portion, perfusing the first portion with a decellularization medium, isolating adult cells from the second portion, and recellularizing the first portion with a suspension of the adult cells, thereby rehabilitating the organ. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150321118 | Multi-Stage Bubble Column Humidification and Dehumidification - A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150318360 | REDUCING LEAKAGE CURRENT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor device includes a first region having a first semiconductor material and a second region having a second semiconductor material. The second region is formed over the first region. The semiconductor device also includes a current blocking structure formed in the first region between first and second terminals of the semiconductor device. The current blocking structure is configured to reduce current flow in the first region between the first and second terminals. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150315576 | GENETIC DEVICE FOR THE CONTROLLED DESTRUCTION OF DNA - The invention relates to DNA destruction devices and related methods reagents and kits. The DNA destruction devices are useful for achieving target specific DNA destruction in vivo using a system that involves an actuator element and a CRISPR array, under specific regulatory control. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150315574 | PRODUCTION OF STABLE NON-POLYADENYLATED RNAS - The invention relates in aspects to hybrid RNAs lacking a poly-A tail and nucleic acid vectors for expressing the RNA. The hybrid RNAs in some instances have a 3′ terminal stabilizing triple helical structure. Related methods for expressing said RNAs in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150315570 | DIRECTED EVOLUTION OF SYNTHETIC GENE CLUSTER - The invention relates to methods and products for generating diverse libraries of genetic material. The products include libraries and constructed nucleic acids as well as kits and databases and systems thereof. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150315562 | Synthetically Functionalized Living Cells - Uniform, functional polymer patches can be attached to a fraction of the surface area of living individual cells. These surface-modified cells remain viable after attachment of the functional patch. The patch does not completely occlude the cellular surface from the surrounding environment. Functional payloads carried by the patch may include, for example, drugs or other small molecules, peptides, proteins, thermally responsive polymers, and nanoparticles, or any other material that can be incorporated in a polymer patch of subcellular dimensions. The patch can include one or more polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150311982 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR INTEGRATED OPTICAL DATA COMMUNICATION - Devices and techniques for integrated optical data communication. An optical receiver may include a photodetector and a differential amplifier. The photodetector is coupled to an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is configured to provide an optical signal encoding data. A first terminal of the differential amplifier is coupled to receive a photodetection signal from the photodetector. A second terminal of the differential amplifier is coupled to receive, from a noise measurement unit, a reference signal representing a noise component of the photodetection signal. The differential amplifier is configured to provide an amplifier signal encoding at least some of the data. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311444 | ELECTRODES FORMED BY OXIDATIVE CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION AND RELATED METHODS AND DEVICES - The present invention generally relates to electrodes formed by oxidative chemical vapor deposition and related methods and devices. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311401 | THERMO-ELECTRICALLY PUMPED LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES - Contrary to conventional wisdom, which holds that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) should be cooled to increase efficiency, the LEDs disclosed herein are heated to increase efficiency. Heating an LED operating at low forward bias voltage (e.g., V| 10-29-2015 | |
| 20150311363 | NANOWIRE-MODIFIED GRAPHENE AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME - A transparent electrode can include a graphene sheet on a substrate, a layer including a conductive polymer disposed over the graphene sheet, and a plurality of semiconducting nanowires, such as ZnO nanowires, disposed over the layer including the conductive polymer. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309306 | APPLICATIONS OF CONTACT-TRANSFER PRINTED MEMBRANES - The disclosed embodiments provide sensitive pixel arrays formed using solvent-assisted or unassisted release processes. Exemplary devices include detectors arrays, tunable optical instruments, deflectable minors, digital micro-mirrors, digital light processing chips, tunable optical micro-cavity resonators, acoustic sensors, acoustic actuators, acoustic transducer devices and capacitive zipper actuators to name a few. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150307385 | Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing of glass - In illustrative implementations of this invention, a crucible kiln heats glass such that the glass becomes or remains molten. A nozzle extrudes the molten glass while one or more actuators actuate movements of the nozzle, a build platform or both. A computer controls these movements such that the extruded molten glass is selectively deposited to form a 3D glass object. The selective deposition of molten glass occurs inside an annealing kiln. The annealing kiln anneals the glass after it is extruded. In some cases, the actuators actuate the crucible kiln and nozzle to move in horizontal x, y directions and actuate the build platform to move in a z-direction. In some cases, fluid flows through a cavity or tubes adjacent to the nozzle tip, in order to cool the nozzle tip and thereby reduce the amount of glass that sticks to the nozzle tip. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150306642 | APPARATUS AND METHODS EMPLOYING LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SURFACES - In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<φ≦0.25, where φ is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150306590 | CARBON-DIOXIDE COMPOUND AND CATALYST - Tetrahedral [MoO | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150304534 | Methods and Apparatus for Demultiplexing Illumination - In illustrative implementations of this invention, an imaging system includes multiple light sources that illuminate a scene, and also includes a lock-in time of flight camera. While the scene is illuminated by these light sources, each of the light sources is amplitude-modulated by a different modulation pattern, and a reference signal is applied to the lock-in time-of-flight camera. The modulation patterns and the reference signal are carefully chosen such that the imaging system is able to disentangle, in real time, the respective contributions of the different light sources, and to compute, in real-time, depth of the scene. In some cases, the modulation signals for the light sources are orthogonal to each other and the reference signal is broadband. In some cases, the modulation codes for the light sources and the reference code are optimal codes that are determined by an optimization algorithm. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150299233 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS COMPRISING RHENIUM FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCERS - Compositions and methods comprising rhenium are provided. In some embodiments, the rhenium compounds comprise a bidentate ligand. In some embodiments, the rhenium compounds are used in method for treating cancer. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150298827 | ATTITUDE DETERMINATION USING INFRARED EARTH HORIZON SENSORS - Described herein are systems and methods for attitude determination using infrared Earth horizon sensors (EHSs) with Gaussian response characteristics. Attitude information is acquired by detecting Earth's infrared electromagnetic radiation and, subsequently, determining the region obscured by Earth in the sensors' fields of view to compute a nadir vector estimation in the spacecraft's body frame. The method can be applied when two sensors, each with known and distinct pointing directions, detect the horizon, which is defined as having their fields of view partially obscured by Earth. The method can be implemented compactly to provide high-accuracy attitude within small spacecraft, such as CubeSat-based satellites. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150298089 | Systems for Filling a Sample Array by Droplet Dragging - A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface,, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150297691 | USE OF ANTAGONISTS OF GHRELIN OR GHRELIN RECEPTOR TO PREVENT OR TREAT STRESS-SENSITIVE PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS - The invention relates to methods of protecting against chronic stress in a subject and treating stress sensitive disorders in a subject by antagonizing ghrelin or ghrelin receptor. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150297458 | RAPID RECONSTITUTION PACKAGES FOR MIXING AND DELIVERY OF DRUGS - Rapid reconstitution package. The package includes a substantially cylindrical structure including a diluent chamber and a drug chamber communicating through a valve. The cylindrical structure is configured to retract under an axial force causing the valve to open to allow the diluent to flow through the valve into the drug chamber for mixing and reconstitution of the drug. The drug chamber shape is tuned to enhance mixing. In another aspect, the invention is a method for designing a rapid reconstitution package using computational fluid dynamics techniques. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150290078 | RECONSTITUTION OF PHARMACEUTICALS FOR INJECTION - A device is disclosed for reconstitution and delivery of an injectable pharmaceutical. A diluent is provided in a pressurized reservoir, while separately a syringe with a needle contains a pharmaceutical such as a lyophilized drug. When the pressurized reservoir is coupled to the interior of the syringe, such as by piercing the pressurized reservoir with the needle, the pressurized reservoir forces the diluent into the syringe where the diluent can mix with and reconstitute the pharmaceutical. A variety of techniques are disclosed for pressurizing the reservoir and fluidly coupling the reservoir with the syringe. The techniques disclosed herein may, for example, be adapted for use with a conventional syringe and needle. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150289825 | INTER-DETECTOR SCATTER ENAHNCED EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY - A method and system for acquiring a series of medical images includes receiving medical imaging data corresponding to photons emitted from a subject having received a dose of a radiotracer. Determining, from the medical imaging data, coincidence events including photon coincidence events involving two photons and photon coincidence events involving more than two photons. The photon coincidence events involving two photons and photon coincidence events involving more than two photons are processed and use to reconstruct a series of medical images of the subject. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150285765 | ACTIVE TRANSPORT OF CHARGED MOLECULES INTO, WITHIN, AND/OR FROM CHARGED MATRICES - Articles and methods for the active transport of molecules into, within, and/or from a matrix are generally described. In some embodiments, an electric field may be used to alter the position of the molecule with respect to the matrix. The electric field may be used to move the molecule to a new location within the matrix, remove the molecule from the matrix, or infuse the molecule into the matrix. For instance, the electric field may be used to move a molecule having a binding partner within the matrix into or away from the vicinity of the binding partner. In some embodiments, the position of the molecule may be altered by exposing the molecule to an electrodynamic field. In some such embodiments, the molecule exposed to the dynamic electric field may have enhanced mobility and minimal adverse matrix interactions relative to conventional molecular transport methods, and in some cases, a molecule exposed to an electrostatic field. The active transport methods and articles, described herein, may be particularly well-suited for a variety of applications including histological, biological, and pharmaceutical applications. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150285749 | Compact X-Ray Source for CD-SAXS - The structure of materials can be characterized (e.g., via CD-SAXS) by generating a burst of electron bunches in a pulse train and accelerating the electron bunches to relativistic energies. Meanwhile, an optical cavity is filled with a laser pulse; and the electron bunches collide with the laser pulse in the optical cavity, permitting a single laser pulse to interact with the electron bunch train to generate x-rays via inverse Compton scattering. The generated x-rays are then directed to a sample, and the sample is imaged by measuring the scattering of the x-rays from the sample. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150285387 | PRESSURE CONTROL IN FLUIDIC SYSTEMS - Pressure control in fluidic systems is generally described. New trends in chemical synthesis involve the use of continuous reaction schemes, for example, in microfluidic and/or millifluidic devices. In many of these processes, it is often helpful to maintain controlled separation between two liquid phases and/or between a liquid phase and a gas phase. For example, in many processes, liquid-liquid and/or a gas-liquid separations are performed (e.g., between an aqueous and an organic phase) | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150284550 | Tunable Surface Topography Through Particle-Enhanced Soft Composites - Composite material. The material included a matrix of a deformable material having a first stiffness and particles having a second stiffness different from the first stiffness are embedded near a surface of the matrix wherein a deformation of the matrix induces a change in topography of the surface. The particles may be stiffer or softer than the matrix material. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150283514 | NANOFLUIDIC SORTING SYSTEM FOR GENE SYNTHESIS AND PCR REACTION PRODUCTS - Devices and methods integrate nanopore and microfluidic technologies for recording molecular characteristics of individual molecules such as, for example, biomolecules. Devices comprise a first substrate comprising a microchannel, a second substrate comprising a microchannel, the second substrate positioned below the first substrate, and a membrane having a thickness of about 0.3 nm to about 1 nm and comprising at least one nanopore, the membrane positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a single nanopore of the membrane is constructed and arranged for electrical and fluid communication between the microchannel of the first substrate and the microchannel of the second substrate. To mitigate the effect of errors that occur during de novo DNA synthesis, longer DNA molecules are typically synthesized from shorter oligonucleotides by polymerase construction and amplification (PCA), or by other methods. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150282724 | Methods and Apparatus for Physiological Measurement Using Color Band Photoplethysmographic Sensor - In illustrative implementations of this invention, a photoplethysmographic device measures variations of light that is reflected from, or transmitted through, human skin. In some implementations, the device includes a camera that takes the measurements remotely. In others, the device touches the skin during the measurements. The device includes a camera or other light sensor, which includes at least orange, green and cyan color channels. In some cases, such as a contact device, the device includes three or more colors of active light sources, including at least orange, green and cyan light sources. A computer analyzes the sensor data, in order to estimate a cardiac blood volume pulse wave. For each cardiac pulse, a computer detects the systolic peak and diastolic inflection of the wave, by calculating a second derivative of the wave. From the estimated wave, a computer estimates heart rate, heart rate variability and respiration rate. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150280614 | ELECTRIC FIELD ACTIVATION OF SHAPE MEMORY CERAMICS - Articles and methods in which an electric field is used to actuate a material are generally described. Provided in one embodiment is a method including applying an electric field to a ceramic material. Applying the electric field to the ceramic material can transform the ceramic material from a first solid phase to a second distinct solid phase. The applied electric field is less than a breakdown electric field of the ceramic material, according to certain embodiments. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278635 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LEARNING REPRESENTATIONS - Systems and methods for processing an input signal. In some embodiments, an input pattern in the input signal may be combined with each stored representation of a plurality of stored representations of at least one template to obtain a respective value for each stored representation, thereby obtaining a plurality of values. A representation for the input pattern may be constructed at least in part by analyzing a probability distribution associated with the plurality of values, and the representation for the input pattern may be provided to a recognizer programmed to process the representation for the input pattern and output at least one label for the representation for the input pattern. In some embodiments, the plurality of stored representations of the at least one template comprises a sequence of stored representations representing the at least one template undergoing a transformation that is not translation or scaling. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150273085 | SHORT-WAVELENGTH INFRARED (SWIR) FLUORESCENCE IN VIVO AND INTRAVITAL IMAGING WITH SEMICONDUCTOR NANOCRYSTALS - InAs based core-shell particles which leads to tunable, narrow emitting semiconductor nanocrystals with a very high quantum yield which can be preserved in physiological buffers with long stability can used for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging. Increased resolution with reduced read time and increased imaging frequency can provide advantages in in vivo applications. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150272899 | BLOOD CLOTTING CONTROL - The disclosure is directed to enabling reversible, on-demand remote control of blood clotting and clot dissolution. In one embodiment, a laser at one wavelength triggers release of a DNA thrombin inhibitor from one nanorod, which acts as an anticoagulant to stop blood clotting. Another wavelength triggers release of a specific antidote, which reverses the effect of the thrombin inhibitor, restoring blood clotting. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150272884 | LIPID VESICLE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles may comprise prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150272504 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOTOR FUNCTION CHARACTERIZATION - Analysis of keystroke dynamics performed by an individual can be used for assessment and monitoring of the individual's motor function. Keystroke events related to a user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard or regions on a touch screen may be analyzed to identify a plurality of distributions of keystroke event intervals. The plurality of distributions may be analyzed to identify one or more features indicative of variation among the distributions and indicative of the user's motor function. Monitoring of a user's motor function may include comparing a value for a feature for one plurality of distribution to a second value for the same feature for another plurality of distributions. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150270356 | VERTICAL NITRIDE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A vertical semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. A vertical semiconductor device has a substrate that includes a first material, a first electrode below the substrate, and at least one semiconductor region. The at least one semiconductor region includes a second material different from the first material. The second material is a III-nitride semiconductor material. The at least one semiconductor region is formed over the substrate. The vertical semiconductor device also has a second electrode over the at least one semiconductor region. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150268461 | APPLICATIONS OF CONTACT-TRANSFER PRINTED MEMBRANES - The disclosed embodiments provide sensitive pixel arrays formed using solvent-assisted or unassisted release processes. Exemplary devices include detectors arrays, tunable optical instruments, deflectable mirrors, digital micro-mirrors, digital light processing chips, tunable optical micro-cavity resonators, acoustic sensors, acoustic actuators, acoustic transducer devices and capacitive zipper actuators to name a few. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150265956 | DISCRETE BYPASS PARTICLE CONCENTRATOR - A discrete bypass particle concentrator can significantly reduce surface fouling and manufacturing cost by including bypass stages after each of concentration stages. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150265161 | Methods and Apparatus for Physiological Parameter Estimation - In illustrative implementations, a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a camera gather sensor data indicative of motion of a human head. The gyroscope, accelerometer and camera are each housed in, or attached to, headwear that is worn on the head. In some cases, the headwear comprises a headband, hat, cap, or structure similar to an eyeglasses frame. A computer takes the sensor data as input and calculates a heart rate and respiration rate of the human. In some cases, a computer also calculates heart rate variability. The head motion being measured is caused by forces that are transmitted, at least in part, from the chest, through the neck, and to the head. This head motion is caused, at least in part, by respiration, by heart beats, or by blood flow caused by the heart beats. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150263606 | LEVEL-CROSSING BASED CIRCUIT AND METHOD WITH OFFSET VOLTAGE CANCELLATION - A level-crossing based circuit with offset voltage cancellation includes a first level-crossing detector section having a first output capacitor, wherein the first level-crossing section is configured to charge the first output capacitor to a first voltage corresponding to an input signal. The first voltage includes a first offset voltage. The level-crossing based circuit also includes a second level-crossing detector section having a second output capacitor, wherein the second level-crossing detector section is configured to discharge the second output capacitor to a second voltage corresponding to the input signal such that the second voltage includes a second offset voltage that is substantially equal in magnitude to the first offset voltage and opposite in polarity to the first offset voltage relative to an average of the first voltage and the second voltage. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150260769 | Contact-Independent Electrical Conductance Measurement - Electrical conductance measurement system including a one-dimensional semiconducting channel, with electrical conductance sensitive to electrostatic fluctuations, in a circuit for measuring channel electrical current. An electrically-conductive element is disposed at a location at which the element is capacitively coupled to the channel; a midpoint of the element aligned with about a midpoint of the channel, and connected to first and second electrically-conductive contact pads that are together in a circuit connected to apply a changing voltage across the element. The electrically-conductive contact pads are laterally spaced from the midpoint of the element by a distance of at least about three times a screening length of the element, given in SI units as (K∈ | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150259435 | HER2- AND VEGF-A-BINDING PROTEINS WITH ENHANCED STABILITY - The invention provides HER2-binding proteins and VEGF-A-binding proteins having a reduced tendency to aggregate. Compositions and methods of use are also provided. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150259298 | THIOHYDANTOIN DERIVATIVES AND USES THEREOF - The present invention provides novel compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrate, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits comprising the inventive compounds, or compositions thereof, for treating and/or preventing a fungal or protozoan infection, inhibiting the activity of a fungal or protozoan enzyme, killing a fungus or protozoan, or inhibiting the growth of a fungus or protozoan. The fungus may be a | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150257238 | Methods and Apparatus for Illumination Control - In exemplary embodiments of this invention, one or more I/O devices accept input from a human user. The input is indicative of a value for each control variable in a set of separate control variables. A computer analyzes the input and outputs control signals to specify a set of separate setpoints. Dimmers adjust the intensity or color of a set of luminaires according to the setpoints. The number of separate control variables is much less than the number of separate setpoints. Having a human control a small number of control variables, in order to control a much larger number of separate luminaire setpoints of luminaires, has at least two advantages: control is faster and control is more intuitive. In illustrative implementations, the luminaire setpoints that are being controlled are not functions of each other. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255549 | CONTROLLING GAASP/SIGE INTERFACES - Initiation conditions and strain techniques are described that enable forming high quality GaAsP semiconductor material on an SiGe semiconductor material with low threading defect density. Suitable initiation conditions include exposing the SiGe semiconductor material to a gas comprising arsenic. A tensilely-strained region may be formed in the semiconductor structure between regions of GaAsP semiconductor material and SiGe semiconductor material. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150253237 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING CELL IDENTITY - A method of tracking cell identity across analytical platforms uses stochastic barcoding (SB). SB uses a randomly generated code based on one or more of the number, color and position of beads encapsulated together with a set of cells of interest. SB use is demonstrated in an application where cells are transferred from a microwell array into a microtitre plate while keeping their identity, and obtained an average identification accuracy of 96% for transfer of 100 blocks. Model scaling of the method up to 1000 blocks demonstrated that SB is able to achieve approximately 90% accuracy. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150252412 | HIGH-DEFINITION DNA IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION (HD-FISH) COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - The invention provides methods and compositions relating to high definition fluorescence DNA in situ hybridization (HD-FISH). The probes generated using the methods of the invention demonstrate higher resolution and efficacy than conventional DNA FISH probes. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150252336 | SPLIT PEROXIDASES AND METHODS OF USE - An imaging method utilizing a split peroxidase is described herein. Imaging methods involve contacting a cell with a split peroxidase and a substrate thereof to allow conversion of a substrate into a product via an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by the reconstitute split peroxidase. Also disclosed herein are split peroxidases, related products and kits. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150247832 | GAS SENSORS BASED UPON METAL CARBON COMPLEXES - A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region including a conductive material and an alkene-interacting metal complex. | 09-03-2015 |
| 20150247805 | SENSOR OF SPECIES INCLUDING TOXINS AND CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS - The present invention generally relates to emissive materials, devices, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention provides sensors and methods for the determination of analytes, wherein the analytes may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of an emissive material upon exposure to an analyte. | 09-03-2015 |
| 20150239977 | CD20- AND EGFR-BINDING PROTEINS WITH ENHANCED STABILITY - The invention provides CD20-binding proteins and EGFR-binding proteins having a reduced tendency to aggregate. Compositions and methods of use are also provided. | 08-27-2015 |
| 20150236543 | MATERIALS FOR USE WITH AQUEOUS REDOX FLOW BATTERIES AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSYTEMS - Described herein are redox flow batteries comprising a first aqueous electrolyte comprising a first type of redox active material and a second aqueous electrolyte comprising a second type of redox active material. The first type of redox active material may comprise one or more types of quinoxalines, or salts thereof. Methods for storing and releasing energy utilizing the described redox flow batteries are also provided. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150234270 | Microstructure Synthesis by Flow Lithography and Polymerization - In a method for synthesizing polymeric microstructures, a monomer stream is flowed, at a selected flow rate, through a fluidic channel. At least one shaped pulse of illumination is projected to the monomer stream, defining in the monomer stream a shape of at least one microstructure corresponding to the illumination pulse shape while polymerizing that microstructure shape in the monomer stream by the illumination pulse. An article of manufacture includes a non-spheroidal polymeric microstructure that has a plurality of distinct material regions. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150230707 | BUFFERED BODY RETURN RECEIVER - Buffered body return receiver configurations are described. An amplifier for a receiver can be connected to two electrodes such that one of the two electrodes is connected to a non-inverting input of the amplifier and a second of the two electrodes is a driven node by being connected to both the inverting input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier. The amplifier may be connected as a fully differential amplifier, a single-ended differential amplifier, a buffer, or an amplifier with a gain greater than 1, while still enabling improved channel gains with reduced power consumption at the transmitter from the signal source. The buffered body return receiver is suitable for scenarios in which a signal source is electrically independent of the power supply of the receiver's amplifier. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150229910 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STEREOSCOPIC IMAGING - A device is disclosed that utilizes color or polarization to generate two separate images of the same object taken from the two perspectives that correspond to the left and right eyes of an observer. The two separate images are captured through a single camera objective (e.g., a single shutter camera), resulting in a single image with 3D information encoded in the color or polarization. Advantageously, the images are captured simultaneously, permitting obtaining stereoscopic images of both static and moving subjects, allowing 3D video capture. Examples include stereoscopic image acquisition devices that employ two or more image sensors, allowing for an acquisition of a high-definition image. For example, the device can include a trichroic prism and six image sensors, thus capturing left-eye and right-eye sets of color component images. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150228805 | ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED SQUISHABLE COMPOSITE SWITCH - A method and apparatus for making analog and digital electronics which includes a composite including a squishable material doped with conductive particles. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device has a channel made from the composite, where the channel forms a primary conduction path for the device. Upon applied voltage, capacitive actuators squeeze the composite, causing it to become conductive. The squishable device includes a control electrode, and a composite electrically and mechanically connected to two terminal electrodes. By applying a voltage to the control electrode relative to a first terminal electrode, an electric field is developed between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode. This electric field results in an attractive force between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode, which compresses the composite and enables electric control of the electron conduction from the first terminal electrode through the channel to the second terminal electrode. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150223679 | BLUE LIGHT-ACTIVATED ION CHANNEL MOLECULES AND USES THEREOF - The invention, in some aspects relates to light-activated ion channel polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids and also relates in part to compositions comprising light-activated ion channel polypeptides and methods using light-activated ion channel polypeptides to alter cell activity and function. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150218645 | METHODS AND PRODUCTS RELATED TO TARGETED CANCER THERAPY - The invention relates to methods and related products for treatment and determining modes of treatment for cancer or prognosis of cancer. Preferably the methods are related to the induction of CD80 in p53 responsive cancer cells. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150216416 | System and Method for Large Field of View, Single Cell Analysis - A method and system for medical imaging employs an excitation source configured to cause an object having a plurality of cells to at least one of emit, reflect, and fluoresce light. An optical receptor is employed that is configured to receive the light from the object. A filter assembly receives the light from the optical receptor and filters the light. An image processor having a field of view (FOV) substantially greater than a diameter of a cell of the object and an analysis resolution substantially matched to the diameter of a cell of the object that receives the filtered light from the filter and analyzes the filtered light corresponding to each cell in the FOV. A feedback system is provided that is configured to provide an indication of a state of each cell in the FOV and a location of a cell in the FOV meeting a predetermined condition. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150215353 | Tangible Social Network - A tangible social network system comprises at least two interactive physical objects adapted for communicatively linking with each other, a visualization application for providing a visual representation of a user's tangible social network, and an object communication frame. An interactive physical object comprises a controller for forming a communicatively linked relationship with another interactive physical object and for receiving and responding to commands and data received from a linked object, and an audio or visual response subsystem. An object communication frame comprises a housing adapted to receive interactive physical objects, a communications subsystem for managing communications with installed objects and with interactive physical objects communicatively linked with installed objects, a controller, and a power subsystem for powering installed objects. The frame or objects may interact with a visualization application, comprising subsystems for receiving information about the user's tangible social network and deriving a representation of it, and a graphical user interface for providing the visual representation to the user. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150213991 | MICROPLASMA GENERATION DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Microplasma generators and associated arrays and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments relate to a microplasma generator in which an elongated semiconductor structure can control electronic cun'ent supplied to a microplasma cavity. Plasmas can be created by supplying energy to a neutral gas so that free electrons and ions are created. In a thermal plasma, electrons, ions, and neutral atoms and/or molecules (referred to as “neutrals”) are in thermal equilibrium | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150213930 | No-Insulation Multi-Width Winding for High Temperature Superconducting Magnets - An HTS magnet having a stack of a plurality of double-pancake (DP) coils is disclosed, with each DP coil having a first superconducting coil and a second superconducting coil. The plurality of DP coils have varying widths, with DP coils with the widest widths at the top and bottom of the stack, and DP coils with the narrowest coils located substantially at a midpoint of the stack. The DP coils omit turn-to-turn insulation, or have minimal turn-to-turn insulation. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150213187 | System for Introspection and Annotation of Electronic Design Data - A system for introspection and annotation of electronic design data includes a tracked probe that interacts with an electronic circuit, a tracking system, schematics, design files, or models for the circuit, electronic design system software, and a user interface. The probe has a sensor that tracks the position of the probe within the circuit. The tracking system receives data from the sensor and translates it into coordinates reflecting the location of the probe within the circuit. The software uses the probe coordinates to locate the position of the probe on the circuit schematic, identify the circuit component at the probe location, and display information about the identified component. The displayed information preferably includes an annotated version of the circuit schematic. The system may include a measurement or instrumentation device, the probe may include at least one parameter measurement device, and the display may include information derived from the parameter measurements. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150209750 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A SLURRY OF PULVERIZED SOLID MATERIAL IN LIQUID OR SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE - Method for making a slurry of a pulverized solid in liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide. The method includes making a water-pulverized solid slurry at ambient pressure and pressurizing the water-pulverized solid slurry to a high pressure. The pressurized water-pulverized solid slurry is mixed in a pressurized chamber with liquid or supercritical CO | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150209509 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INSERTING A NEEDLE - An apparatus provides targeted placement of openings for infusing fluids into a body. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus due to contraction of an element made of interlaced flexible elements. A multi-opening needle is provided in some embodiments wherein placement of one of the openings in a target region with a relatively lower external pressure allows pressurized fluid to exit the needle while openings remaining in higher pressure, non-target regions do not release substantial amounts of the fluid. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150203880 | CO-CULTURE BASED MODULAR ENGINEERING FOR THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF ISOPRENOIDS, AROMATICS AND AROMATIC-DERIVED COMPOUNDS - The invention relates to co-cultures and their use in the biosynthesis of functionalized taxanes, other isoprenoids, aromatics, and aromatic-derived compounds. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150203371 | LIQUID SEPARATION DEVICE - A device for separating liquids such as oil and water includes a hydrophobic and oleophilic mesh that allows oil to pass through while preventing water from passing through. The mesh can be fabricated simply from inexpensive materials by coating a mesh with a hydrophobic polymer. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150202606 | HIGH CHARGE DENSITY STRUCTURES, INCLUDING CARBON-BASED NANOSTRUCTURES AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - The present invention generally provides compositions including carbon-based nanostructures, catalyst materials and systems, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention relates to carbon-based nanostructures comprising a high density of charged moieties. Methods of the invention may provide the ability to introduce a wide range of charged moieties to carbon-based nanostructures. The present invention may provide a facile and modular approach to synthesizing molecules that may be useful in various applications including sensors, catalysts, and electrodes. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150199424 | KNOWLEDGE REGISTRY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are disclosed that provide high-level, ontology-based analysis of low-level data stored within an unstructured key/value store. The systems and methods allow an analyst to make sense of massive amounts of data from diverse sources without having any knowledge of the underlying physical data storage. Additional features include feasibility queries to determine if requested data exists in the key/value store before performing an expensive query; automatic query optimization using secondary indexes; and a usage history service to identify performance bottlenecks and fine tune the storage schema. | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150199358 | System and Method For Providing Unidimensional Scale Extraction from a Multidimensional Entity - A method is provided for deriving a unidimensional scale from an object having multiple attributes. An object and a set of attributes for the object are determined. Units of scale ranking the set of attributes are created, and the units are ordered. The set of attributes is grouped into pairs of attributes, where a preference for each pair of attributes is determined. The preferences are entered into a matrix, and a principle eigenvector of the matrix is extracted. A collection of possible attribute values is constructed. | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150197838 | THERMO-MECHANICAL PROCESS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF GRAIN BOUNDARY NETWORKS IN METAL ALLOYS - Methods to enhance the quality of grain boundary networks are described. The process can result in the production of a metal including a relatively large fraction of special grain boundaries (e.g., a fraction of special grain boundaries of at least about 55%). | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150196773 | OPTOGENETIC CONTROL OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS - The invention features methods for regulating vascular properties by controlling the membrane properties of endothelial cells using optogenetics and light. The invention features methods to transport therapeutics across the vascular barrier into tissues such as the brain and the lung, with high spatial and temporal precision, and for controlling vascular properties such as vascular tone, arterial diameter, and vascular growth. | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150196489 | POLYMER MATRICES FOR CONTROLLING CRYSTALLIZATION - Compositions, methods, and systems for controlling crystallization of an agent are generally described. In some embodiments, an agent is crystallized in the presence of polymer matrices, such as polymer particles. The polymer matrix may influence at least a portion of the crystallization process and/or the resulting composition. In some such embodiments, the polymer matrix allows one or more aspect of the process and/or composition to be controlled and/or altered. For instance, the polymer matrix may act as a crystallization promoter and/or acceptable carriers of the crystallized agent. In certain embodiments, the polymer matrix described herein, can be used with any agent regardless of its chemical and/or physical properties. | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150192532 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTICALLY DETECTING MAGNETIC RESONANCE - A light-trapping geometry enhances the sensitivity of strain, temperature, and/or electromagnetic field measurements using nitrogen vacancies in bulk diamond, which have exterior dimensions on the order of millimeters. In an example light-trapping geometry, a laser beam enters the bulk diamond, which may be at room temperature, through a facet or notch. The beam propagates along a path inside the bulk diamond that includes many total internal reflections off the diamond's surfaces. The NVs inside the bulk diamonds absorb the beam as it propagates. Photodetectors measure the transmitted beam or fluorescence emitted by the NVs. The resulting transmission or emission spectrum represents the NVs' quantum mechanical states, which in turn vary with temperature, magnetic field strength, electric field strength, strain/pressure, etc. | 07-09-2015 |
| 20150190411 | ACTIVATION OF HISTONE DEACETYLASE 1 (HDAC1) PROTECTS AGAINST DNA DAMAGE AND INCREASES NEURONAL SURVIVAL - The invention provides methods and compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), traumatic brain injury, ischemic brain injury or a stroke. In one aspect the compounds are HDAC1 activators. Exemplary HDAC1 activators include metal chelators, iron chelators, deferoxamin, flavonoids, compounds comprising a catechol moity, ginkgetin K, Chembridge 5104434, sciadopilysin, tetrahydrogamboic acid, TAM-11, LY 235959, CGS 19755, SK&F 97541, etidronic acid, levonordefrin, methyldopa, ampicillin trihydrate, D-aspartic acid, gamma-D-glutamylaminomethylsulfonic acid, phenazopyridine to hydrochloride, oxalamine citrate salt, podophyllotoxin, SK&F 97541, (+−)-4-amino-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-butanoic acid, (RS)-(tetrazol-5-yl) glycine, R(+)-SKF-81297, gambogic acid, and derivatives thereof. | 07-09-2015 |
| 20150188448 | Apparatus For Multi-Level Switched-Capacitor Rectification And DC-DC Conversion - A voltage-step down rectifier topology suitable for integration on a die of an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment, a switched capacitor rectifier is provided having an architecture such that an input voltage swing of the switched-capacitor rectifier is a factor N times an output voltage where N depends upon the number of stages such that the switched-capacitor rectifier can provide a π/(2N) step-down voltage conversion ratio between an input fundamental ac peak voltage to the output dc voltage. In one embodiment, the rectifier is used in dc-dc conversion. In one embodiment, the rectifier is used in ac power delivery to low-voltage electronics. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150184213 | ENGINEERING DNA ASSEMBLY IN VIVO AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE TECHNOLOGY - Cells that can synthesize oligonucleotides in vivo to produce a nucleic acid nanostructure are described. Methods for producing oligonucleotide nanostructures for use in regulating gene expression and altering biological pathways are provided. Methods of performing multiplex automated genome editing (MAGE) are also provided. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150181559 | METHOD FOR CODING-BASED, DELAY-EFFICIENT DATA TRANSMISSION - A method, apparatus and computer program product for -based, delay-efficient data transmission for broadcasting a single file is presented. A file (ƒ) comprised of K packets to be broadcast to a plurality of receivers is determined. A plurality of packets (P | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150179044 | Wireless Communication Systems for Underground Pipe Inspection - Wireless communication system for underground pipeline inspection. The system includes a plurality of sensor nodes moved by robots within the pipeline and each sensor node includes a radio transceiver. A plurality of spaced apart, above ground relay nodes are deployed along the pipeline, each relay node including a radio transceiver for communication with the sensor nodes. A remote monitoring center is provided in communication with the relay nodes, whereby a leak detected by a sensor node is communicated to the remote monitoring center. Each sensor node may further include a microcontroller, an accelerometer and a timer. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150177133 | TOMOGRAPHIC PHASE MICROSCOPY - The present invention relates to systems and methods for quantitative three-dimensional mapping of refractive index in living or non-living cells, tissues, or organisms using a phase-shifting laser interferometric microscope with variable illumination angle. A preferred embodiment provides tomographic imaging of cells and multicellular organisms, and time-dependent changes in cell structure and the quantitative characterization of specimen-induced aberrations in high-resolution microscopy with multiple applications in tissue light scattering. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150175444 | WASTEWATER FILTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - The wastewater filtration system and method relates to systems and methods that use Ruba Al-Khali Saudi sand as the filtration media in systems for treating industrial wastewater. Ruba Al-Khali Saudi sand is effective in removing organic dyes, particularly rhodamine B, from the wastewater. The method includes bringing wastewater having an organic dye constituent into contact with the Saudi sand for a period of time sufficient to adsorb the organic dye. The system may include a batch reactor, such as a fixed bed or moving bed reactor, or a continuous flow reactor, such as a column reactor. When a batch reactor is used, the method may benefit from shaking or agitating the filtration media, particularly in the dark or under low ambient light conditions. The method may include regenerating the Saudi sand after use by heating the filtration media. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150174567 | HYBRID PHOTOCATALYST FOR WASTEWATER REMEDIATION - The hybrid photocatalyst for wastewater remediation is a composite of rhodamine B and BiOBr. The rhodamine B has a concentration between about 0.1 wt % and about 1 wt % of the overall photocatalyst. The hybrid photocatalyst is made by immersing a BiOBr semiconductor in an aqueous rhodamine B solution to form the hybrid photocatalyst by sorption of the rhodamine B by the BiOBr semiconductor. In use, the hybrid photocatalyst is added to wastewater containing at least one contaminant, such as methyl orange (sodium 4-[(4-dimethylamino)phenyldiazenyl]benzenesulfonate), to form a suspension of the hybrid photocatalyst and the at least one contaminant. The suspension is then exposed to visible to light to form a slurry containing a reaction mixture in the wastewater. The slurry is then filtered to remove the reaction mixture. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150174549 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SYNTHESIS OF NANOPARTICLES - A simple and versatile coaxial turbulent jet mixer can synthesize a range of nanoparticles at high throughput, while maintaining the advantages of homogeneity, reproducibility, and tunability that are normally accessible only in specialized microscale mixing devices. Rapid mixing down to a timescale of 7 ms can be achieved by controlling the Reynolds number, providing homogeneous and controllable environments for formation of nanoparticles, for example, by precipitation. The device fabrication does not require specialized machining, making it accessible for a wide range of biomedical laboratories. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150174265 | REVERSIBLE MASKING OF PORE-FORMING PROTEINS FOR MACROMOLECULAR DELIVERY - The present invention features compositions and methods for enhancing endosomal escape of therapeutic agents in the cytoplasm of a cell to thereby provide more effective therapy. The endocytic pathway is the major uptake mechanism of cells, and biological agents such as proteins, DNA, and siRNA become entrapped in endosomes and subsequently degraded by lysosomal enzymes. The present invention facilitates endosomal escape by providing fusion proteins with membrane disruptive activity. In some embodiments, the fusion protein has endosomolytic activity that is activated at endosomal or lysosomal pH. In other embodiments, the fusion protein has reversible and pH sensitive membrane disruptive activity so that once internalized into the endosomal or lysosomal compartments, the resulting reduction in pH causes the pH sensitive fusion protein to activate and disrupt the endosomal or lysosomal membrane. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150174212 | IDENTIFYING AND MODULATING MOLECULAR PATHWAYS THAT MEDIATE NERVOUS SYSTEM PLASTICITY - The present invention provides methods for identifying genes and pathways involved in plasticity. The invention applies some of these methods to identify genes that are differentially regulated in at least a portion of the nervous system of an individual subjected to conditions known to result in altered nervous system plasticity, i.e., dark rearing (DR) or monocular deprivation (MD). The genes are targets for pharmacological agents that modify plasticity. The invention also identifies biological pathways that are enriched in genes that are differentially regulated under conditions known to result in altered nervous system plasticity. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for modifying plasticity in the nervous system of a subject. The invention includes a method for modifying plasticity in the nervous system of a subject comprising administering a plasticity-modifying agent to the subject, wherein the plasticity-enhancing agent modulates a gene or pathway that is differentially regulated in developmental conditions that alter nervous system plasticity (e.g., DR or MD). The methods and compositions may be administered to a subject suffering from damage to the nervous system or from a neuropsychiatric disorder in order to enhance recovery, reorganization, or function of the nervous system. The methods optionally include administering a proteolysis-enhancing agent to the subject. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150158244 | Object Of Additive Manufacture With Encoded Predicted Shape Change And Method Of Manufacturing Same - The combination of 3D printing technology plus the additional dimension of transformation over time of the printed object is referred to herein as 4D printing technology. Particular arrangements of the additive manufacturing material(s) used in the 3D printing process can create a printed 3D object that transforms over time from a first, printed shape to a second, predetermined shape. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150158043 | DISCRETE DEPOSITION OF PARTICLES - A particle can be discretely ejected from a orifice. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150155585 | GRAVITY INDUCED FLOW CELL - Gravity induced flow cell. The flow cell includes first and second reservoirs having a selected volume containing a flowable redox electrode. A membrane separates charged and discharged material. An energy-extraction region includes electronically conductive porous current collectors through or adjacent to which the flowable redox electrodes flow and to which charge transfer occurs. Structure is provided for altering orientation of the flow cell whereby gravity induces flow of the flowable redox electrode between the first and second reservoirs to deliver power. By varying the angle of the cell, flow rate and power delivered on discharge or the charge rate on charge may be varied. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150153493 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LUMINESCENCE ENHANCEMENT BY RESONANT ENERGY TRANSFER FROM AN ABSORPTIVE THIN FILM - Disclosed are a device and a method for the design and fabrication of the device for enhancing the brightness of luminescent molecules, nanostructures, and thin films. The device includes a mirror, a dielectric medium or spacer, an absorptive layer, and a luminescent layer. The absorptive layer is a continuous thin film of a strongly absorbing organic or inorganic material. The luminescent layer may be a continuous luminescent thin film or an arrangement of isolated luminescent species, e.g., organic or metal-organic dye molecules, semiconductor quantum dots, or other semiconductor nanostructures, supported on top of the absorptive layer. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150151980 | NANOCRYSTAL SYNTHESIS - A method of preparing monodisperse MX semiconductor nanocrystals can include contacting an M-containing precursor with an X donor to form a mixture, where the molar ratio between the M containing precursor and the X donor is large. Alternatively, if additional X donor is added during the reaction, a smaller ratio between the M containing precursor and the X donor can be used to prepare monodisperse MX semiconductor nanocrystals. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150150892 | METHODS AND PRODUCTS RELATED TO LUNG CANCER - The invention relates to methods and related products for treatment and determining modes of treatment for cancer. Preferably the methods relate to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in lung cancer. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150145741 | Wideband Simultaneous Transmit And Receive (STAR) Antenna With Miniaturized TEM Horn Elements - An antenna system capable of achieving simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR.) operation over a wide bandwidth includes a ring array of TEM horn elements and a centrally located monocone or bicone antenna. The TEM horn elements each include a capacitive feed. The elements of the ring array are excited using a phasing scheme that results in signal cancellation, at the location of the central element. The ring array may serve as either the transmit antenna or the receive antenna. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150144176 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER BALANCING AND DIFFERENTIAL POWER PROCESSING - Power production among photovoltaic elements can be equalized through charge redistribution, which can reduce or eliminate the effect of partial shading. Also described is a technique for differential power processing by individually setting currents through different strings of photovoltaic elements. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150141756 | CONTINUUM STYLE MANIPULATOR ACTUATED WITH PHASE CHANGE MEDIA - A continuum style manipulator is actuated by jammable media within an envelope of a module, which is also actuated by a tensile element, such as a cable and spooler motor. Multiple modules may be reversibly added. Two or more tensile elements may also be used. Three or more actuated tensile elements can actuate three DOFs of each module, and the terminal module, as well as the entire manipulator. Jammable media may be granular, actuated by a pressure change. Coarsely ground coffee works well. Rather than a jammable media, tensile elements may alternatively be used with other phase change media, such as magnetorheological and electrorheological media. A high friction angle of the granular media is desirable, and has been achieved with a particle size dispersion including both small and relatively larger particles. Applications include endoscopes, proctoscopes, laparoscopic instruments, manufacturing and medical manipulators. Methods of actuating include unjamming all modules, positioning the manipulator with tensile elements or otherwise, jamming the base-most module, and then repositioning remaining, not-jammed modules, followed by jamming the base-most not-jammed module, and so on, until all modules are positioned and jammed. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150141684 | NICKEL PRE-CATALYSTS AND RELATED COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Described herein are nickel pre-catalysts and related compositions and methods. The nickel pre-catalysts may be activated to form catalysts which may be utilized in organic reactions. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150141263 | MASSIVELY PARALLEL COMBINATORIAL GENETICS - The invention relates to methods and compositions that enable the rapid generation of high-order combinations of genetic elements, and that provide a barcoded basis for rapid characterization of the specific combination of genetic elements encoded within a single cell or in a pooled population. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150132928 | Patterning of Nanostructures - A technique for forming nanostructures including introducing a plurality of molecular-size scale and/or nanoscale building blocks to a region near a substrate and simultaneously scanning a pattern on the substrate with an energy beam, wherein the energy beam causes a change in at least one physical property of at least a portion of the building blocks, such that a probability of the portion of the building blocks adhering to the pattern scanned by the energy beam is increased, and wherein the building blocks adhere to the pattern to form the structure. The energy beam and at least a portion of the building blocks may interact by electrostatic interaction to form the structure. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150132845 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS CELL CULTURE AND OTHER REACTIONS - Devices, systems, and methods for continuous cell culture and other reactions are generally described. In some embodiments, chambers (e.g., cell growth chambers) including at least a portion of a wall formed of a flexible member are provided. A retaining structure can be incorporated outside and proximate to the chamber such that when liquid is added to the chamber, the flexible member is consistently and predictably deformed, and a consistent volume of liquid is added. The flexible member can be formed of, in some embodiments, a gas-permeable medium. In some embodiments, reaction chambers can be arranged in a fluidic loop, and a bypass channel can be used to introduce and/or extract fluid from the loop without affecting loop operation. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150126496 | DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS - The invention relates to methods for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, particularly for autism spectrum disorders characterized by increased head size (circumference) and deficits in social behavior. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150126377 | SELECTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS BY SOLUTION HYBRIDIZATION TO OLIGONUCLEOTIDE BAITS - Methods of selection of nucleic acids using solution hybridization, methods of sequencing nucleic acids including such selection methods, and products for use in the methods are disclosed. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150125904 | PROBE INCORPORATION MEDIATED BY ENZYMES - Compositions (e.g., lipoic acid ligase polypeptides and lipoic acid analogs) and uses thereof in the Probe Incorporation Mediated By Enzymes (PRIME) methods both in vitro and in vivo. Also described herein are kits for performing the PRIME method and vectors/kits for expressing the lipoic acid ligases. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150125764 | Flow Battery Using Non-Newtonian Fluids - Flow battery. The battery includes high energy density fluid electrodes having a selected non-Newtonian rheology and structure for providing intermittent flow pulses of controlled volume and duration of the fluid electrodes, the structure adapted to promote interfacial slip to improve flow uniformity. The battery disclosed herein provides a potential solution to large-scale electrical energy storage needs. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150125111 | WAVEGUIDE FORMATION USING CMOS FABRICATION TECHNIQUES - Conventional approaches to integrating waveguides within standard electronic processes typically involve using a dielectric layer, such as polysilicon, single-crystalline silicon, or silicon nitride, within the in-foundry process or depositing and patterning a dielectric layer in the backend as a post-foundry process. In the present approach, the back-end of the silicon handle is etched away after in-foundry processing to expose voids or trenches defined using standard in-foundry processing (e.g., complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing). Depositing dielectric material into a void or trench yields an optical waveguide integrated within the front-end of the wafer. For example, a shallow trench isolation (STI) layer formed in-foundry may serve as a high-resolution patterning waveguide template in a damascene process within the front end of a die or wafer. Filling the trench with a high-index dielectric material yields a waveguide that can guide visible and/or infrared light, depending on the waveguide's dimensions and refractive index contrast. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150124907 | Hardware-Efficient Signal-Component Separator For Outphasing Power Amplifiers - Described herein is a fixed-point piece-wise linear (FP PWL) approximation technique for computations of nonlinear functions. The technique results in circuit designs having relatively few and simple arithmetic operations, short arithmetic operands and small-sized look-up tables and the circuits resultant there from can be efficiently pipelined to run at multi-GSamples/s throughputs. In one exemplary embodiment, the FP PWL approximation technique was used in the design of an energy-efficient high-throughput and high-precision signal component separator (SCS) for use with in an asymmetric-multilevel-outphasing (AMO) power amplifier. The FP PWL approximation technique is appropriate for use in any application requiring high-throughput, area and power constrained hardware implementations of nonlinear functions. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150122727 | MITIGATING LEAKS IN MEMBRANES - Two-dimensional material based filters, their method of manufacture, and their use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a membrane may include an active layer including a plurality of defects and a deposited material associated with the plurality of defects may reduce flow therethrough. Additionally, a majority of the active layer may be free from the material. In another embodiment, a membrane may include a porous substrate and an atomic layer deposited material disposed on a surface of the porous substrate. The atomic layer deposited material may be less hydrophilic than the porous substrate and an atomically thin active layer may be disposed on the atomic layer deposited material. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150120241 | Methods and Apparatus for Coded Time-of-Flight Camera - In illustrative implementations, a time-of-flight camera robustly measures scene depths, despite multipath interference. The camera emits amplitude modulated light. An FPGA sends at least two electrical signals, the first being to control modulation of radiant power of a light source and the second being a reference signal to control modulation of pixel gain in a light sensor. These signals are identical, except for time delays. These signals comprise binary codes that are m-sequences or other broadband codes. The correlation waveform is not sinusoidal. During measurements, only one fundamental modulation frequency is used. One or more computer processors solve a linear system by deconvolution, in order to recover an environmental function. Sparse deconvolution is used if the scene has only a few objects at a finite depth. Another algorithm, such as Wiener deconvolution, is used is the scene has global illumination or a scattering media. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150119286 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT CORROSION TESTING PLATFORM - A high-throughput corrosion testing mechanism was developed for metals in a variety of environments in controlled, multiplexed microenvironments. Many parallel experiments can be conducted with microbial and environmental variables independently manipulated to identify the key determinants of corrosion progression. The synthetic assay design enables subsequent surface characterization of select samples within the array. In as little as one day, diverse corrosive environments can be compared quantitatively. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150119280 | Hydrogel Microstructures with Immiscible Fluid Isolation for Small Reaction Volumes - Techniques for hydrogel microstructures with oil isolation for small reaction volumes include providing a hydrogel microstructure that has a plurality of pores and a hydrogel frame surrounding the pores. The microstructure has a volume in a range from about 1 picoliter to about 10,000 picoliters and is configured to repel an immiscible fluid. Each pore of the plurality of pores has a pore size configured to pass the target molecule in a first solution. The microstructure is contacted with the first solution, and with a second solution that includes a reactant molecule that reacts with the target molecule to produce an observable product molecule. The microstructure is encompassed with the immiscible fluid for an extended observation duration from about 1 to about 10,000 seconds, wherein the immiscible fluid does not pass into the pores but traps the product in the microstructure. The observable product molecule is measured at some time during the observation duration. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150118712 | CELL-DIRECTED SYNTHESIS OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANOPATTERNS AND NANOMATERIALS - Aspects of the invention relate to the engineering of biological nanostructures and materials. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150116887 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN ASYMMETRIC MAGNETIC FIELD - A system for generating an asymmetric magnetic field. The system includes a drive circuit and a stacked winding structure coupled to the drive circuit. The stacked winding structure includes a plurality of winding layers. The plurality of winding layers includes a first winding layer including a first conductive winding having first turns and a second winding layer including a second conductive winding having second turns ion. The plurality of winding layers is arranged to produce a first magnetic field at a first side of the stacked winding structure and a second magnetic field at a second side of the stacked winding structure when the drive circuit electrically drives the plurality of winding layers. The first magnetic field is greater than the second magnetic field. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150116093 | CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SENSING WITH A READER AND RFID TAGS - A method of detecting a stimulus can include detecting an output from a radio frequency identification tag including a sensor. A smartphone-based sensing strategy can use chemiresponsive nanomaterials integrated into the circuitry of commercial Near Field Communication tags to achieve non-line-of-sight, portable, and inexpensive detection and discrimination of gas phase chemicals (e.g., ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyclohexanone, and water) at part-per-thousand and part-per-million concentrations. | 04-30-2015 |
