Biofuel production from photoautotrophic biomass is a promising energy solution; also attractive is the carbon-neutral nature of resulting biofuels made with CO2 fixation. Strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. are promising candidates, with high biomass yield and robustness over a wide range of temperatures, salinity, and pH. For highest...

The accurate measurement of potassium ion levels in biological samples is essential given the impact such ion levels have on many aspects of homeo-stasis. Normal potassium levels are important for the maintenance of heart and nervous system function. Traditionally, potassium ions have been measured in plasma or serum using ion-selective electrodes,...

Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. However, these infectious diseases are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the growing abundance of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and insufficient development of new antibacterial agents. The development of novel and inexpensive treatment options...

Many efforts have been made to control the speed with which molecules pass through a small orifice. This could be useful for new approaches to DNA sequencing, new sensors, and digital computing based on hybrid electronic/molecular transistors. Current designs, however, are complex and have important limitations, such as limited ability to control...

This invention contains the following distinct novelties: 1. The ability to perform flip-chip based electronic packaging for a die that contains mechanical and electrically active MEMS (Micro Electromechanical System) structures. Currently, most MEMS packaging technology still use a old-fashioned (Gold or Aluminum) wire-bonding technology which...

BTEX is a complex group of aromatic volatile organic compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes) associated with automobile exhaust pollution. Many epidemiological studies have linked elevated levels of BTEX to adverse human health effects. Measuring BTEX usually requires the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS)....

Recent innovations in developing damage tolerance in ceramic composites have focused on three features, i.e. a porous matrix, low bonding strength coatings, and fugitive coatings that ultimately produce a gap between fiber and matrix. There is a lot of research being carried out in the field of ceramics to produce highly porous, and possess high...

Algal biofuels are a promising area of research in the field of alternative energy. A major drawback of the currently available methods of algae cultivation is the lack of an economical and efficient method to harvest the biomass; recovery of the algae biomass from the culture medium may contribute 20-30% of the total cost of culture. Recovery...

Despite recent progress in prosthetic science, 38% of artificial limb users ultimately reject their limb. This is mostly due to the quality of sensation and control. There are more than 1.7 million people with limb loss in the US with more than 185,000 new amputations each year. The development of a more responsive prosthesis communication interface...

The exponential growth of the Internet over the last few decades provides testament to the extreme success of the internet protocol (IP), the primary protocol responsible for delivering data packets between hosts across the heavily trafficked internet. Notwithstanding this success, IP address space is rapidly running out. Consequently, the more...