Worcester Polytechnic Institute

An ultrasonic imaging configuration rendering an image based on a reflected beam aligned with a needle insertion axis provides enhanced images and guidance. A percutaneous insertion guidance device for ultrasonic (US) imaging includes an US transducer and a reflector for redirecting imaging signals between the transducer and an imaged region. An enclosure or bracket is adapted to support the reflector at a predetermined angle based on a surgical target in the imaged region such that a forward beam direction from the transducer reflects in a direction of the needle insertion as the needle passes through a discontinuity or slot in the reflector. The resulting return signal is based on an axial alignment of the US signals with the needle travel towards the surgical target.

A passive vortex formed or induced from a temperature difference across a cavity or void aggregates and supports a horizontal flow over the top of the cavity. A cavity of a suitable depth and width exhibits a small difference in temperature, or heat source, along the sides or bottom of cavity. A resulting convective flow tends to form a rising current along a warmer side, and a complementary downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. The formed vortex tends to draw the cooler downward flow across the warmer, heated surface, enhancing the vortex flow. The vortex aligns with a horizontal flow across the top of the cavity as the upward current complements the downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. A plurality of adjacent cavities tend to align with an aggregate horizontal flow contributed from each cavity.

Aptamers are recognized in biology and biotechnology for use in binding to specific target molecules such proteins, peptides, or small molecules, with high affinity and specificity. Traditional use has focused on antibodies and related cell chemistry. However, these short nucleic acid strands, typically DNA or RNA with other chemical base modifications, may be used for gathering and collection of various molecular substances. A method of biomining an earthborn substance binds and sequesters rare earth elements by identifying an earthborn, target substance sought for mining, and determining a binding aptamer having an affinity for the target substance. A nucleic acid strand is generated to include the binding aptamer, and is introduced into a cellular organism for binding with the target substance. Following binding of the nucleic acid strand with the target substance, separation of target substance occurs for collection of the target substance.

An in vitro meat having non-decellularized leaf scaffold and a method for producing an in vitro meat using non-decellularized leaf scaffold are described herein. The method includes preparing a non-decellularized plant leaf and incubating the leaf in a cell culture media to obtain a non-decellularized leaf scaffold; seeding the leaf scaffold with a population of muscle cells to obtain a leaf scaffold adhered population of muscle cells; and growing the leaf scaffold adhered population of muscle cells in cell culture media thereby obtaining the in vitro meat.

A reflectional ultrasound device and an acoustic medium for interference and artifact mitigation allows alternative orientation of ultrasound probes for aligning the probe with a sensing surface, a complementary cannula or needle or other position or angle offset from the intended imaging target. A gelatin or similar firm, non-fluid but sound-permeable material holds a shape for passing an ultrasound imaging signal from a transducer or emitter to an acoustic reflector for indirectly focusing onto an imaging target. Cumbersome or unreliable fluid containment is avoided, and the problematic movement of gel substances prone to air infiltration and inconsistent placement are averted. Ultrasound imagers may be oriented for emission parallel to a patient imaging surface, and reflected into internal anatomical structures without substantial interference or signal loss.

An electrode placement device allows placement and fixation of electrocardiogram (EKG) electrodes. Proper adherence of electrodes to predetermined positions on the epidermal surface is facilitated by a plurality of elongated placement members extending from a base that align with the electrodes. Each electrode is biased against the patient sensing region, typically the chest of an EKG patient, by prongs flanking the electrode at the distal end of each of the placement members. Flanking prongs engage an outer perimeter of a flexible, skin placed electrode, while a gap between the prongs allows for a signal wire to the electrically conductive center. Problems with weak adhesion from sweat, dirt or poor adhesive are avoided by a modest biasing force imposed equally on all electrodes from manual pressure applied to the base.

Lithium recycling from expended Li-Ion batteries occurs thought selective recovery of lithium charge materials from a recycling stream including transition metals used for the charge material. Li recovery performed using an organic acid-based approach including terephthalic acid (TPA), benzenetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), and other organic acids results in highly selective lithium extraction, achieving minimal transition metal contamination in the extracted solution. A recycling stream including cathode materials from spent/end-of-life Li-ion batteries provides a source for recycled Li, as well as other cathode material metals. Combining the organic acid in a hydrothermal reactor followed by filtration separates transition metal oxides from a lithium salt solution. The lithium salt may be recrystallized by acetone and dried to a powder consistency. Lithium carbonate is then recovered by sintering, and further filtered for recovering battery grade recycled Li.

A submersible, aquatic robot employs a deformable, tubular tail operable as a wave spring for directing movement through impelled fluid and controlled vectors based on directional orientation of the deformable tail. A central impeller in a toroidal housing forms a continuous fluid channel through the housing and tubular tail, while a series of tethers draws on opposed sides of the deformable tail for directing movement to one side or the other. The directed, tubular tail channels water for propulsion based on a vector defined by the directional tail. Wireless control of a fleet of aquatic robots can perform widespread sensory or dissemination tasks.

An aptamer having an affinity for contaminants or pollutants such as toxic metals and industrial chemicals may be introduced by a biocompatible delivery mechanism such as a DNA or RNA strand to which the aptamer is attached. The delivery mechanism delivers the aptamer, either as a direct nucleic acid sequence or expressed in a cell as a probiotic. When delivered as a prophylactic to the gastrointestinal tract (orally) as an aptamer or expressed within a probiotic cell, this would prevent absorption of metals and would thus reduce or eliminate the need for chelation therapy and thereby reduce disease burden. When used therapeutically, it could be ingested, or injected intravenously. Once bound, the toxic metals are expelled through normal gastrointestinal or urinary processes.

Provided herein are MXene-containing photodetectors and related methods. Also provided are MXene-containing THz polarizers as well as MXene-containing MOSFETs, MESFETs, and HEMFETs.