Abstract:
A hardware-facilitated secure software execution environment provides protection of both program instructions and data against unauthorized access and/or execution to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the software or the data during distribution, in external memories, and during execution. The secure computing environment is achieved by using a hardware-based security method and apparatus to provide protection against software privacy and tampering. A Harvard architecture CPU core is instantiated on the same silicon chip along with encryption management unit (EMU) circuitry and secure key management unit (SKU) circuitry. Credential information acquired from one or more sources is combined by the SKU circuitry to generate one or more security keys provided to the EMU for use in decrypting encrypted program instructions and/or data that is obtained from a non-secure, off-chip source such as an external RAM, an information storage device or other network source. In a non- limiting illustrative example implementation, the EMU decrypts a single memory page of encrypted instructions or data per a corresponding encryption key provided by the SKU. Although instantiated on the same chip, the CPU core does not have direct access to the SKU circuitry or to encryption key information generated by the SKU.
Abstract:
Nano-composite membranes and methods for making them are described. The nano-composite membranes a made from a layer of oriented carbon nanotubes fixed in a polymeric matrix. Methods for efficient, facile, and inexpensive fabrication of the nano-composite membranes using a filtration method are also described. The carbon nanotubes may also be modified with chemical functional groups to promote their orientation in the carbon nanotube layer or to confer to them other properties.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a microfluidic device and method for facilitating on-chip complex sample processing and detection. In general, the device comprises at least a separation channel of a separation system, an interface, and an array of microreservoirs disposed within the same chip. The interface is configured to orthogonally transfer separated components from the separation channel into the array of microreservoirs, enabling direct analyte detection from the chip and high- throughput analysis.
Abstract:
A system for detecting and locating a disturbance event within a power grid includes a series of frequency disturbance recorders (FDRs) taking measurements in the power grid at dispersed points of the power grid, an information management system, configured to receive data from the series of FDRs and analyze the received data and a communications network interconnecting the series of FDRs and the information management system. The information management system is configured to examine orders and patterns of receipt of frequency changes at the FDRs in the data caused by the disturbance event and to triangulate a location of the disturbance event based on the orders and patterns of receipt of the frequency changes. Example methods of detection and location of disturbance events are also described.
Abstract:
A low cost method of fabricating bipolar plates for use in fuel cells utilizes a wet lay process for combining graphite particles, thermoplastic fibers, and reinforcing fibers to produce a plurality of formable sheets. The formable sheets are sandwiched between outer layers consisting of polymer and graphite particles, then molded into a bipolar plates with features impressed therein via the molding process. The bipolar plates formed by the process have sufficient mechanical strength and bulk conductivity to be used in fuel cells The outer layers provide for enhanced conductivity and resistance to gas permeation.
Abstract:
Optical fiber preforms which can be drawn into optical fibers of desired dimensions are fabricated by applying a vacuum to a cladding tube and drawing molten glass from a crucible into a bore of the cladding tube while a portion of the cladding tube is within a furnace preferably through a small hole in the top of the furnace. The method and apparatus are particularly applicable to highly non-linear fiber (HNLF) glasses and highly doped or rare earth glasses since materials therein are generally expensive and only a small quantity of molten glass is required but can be applied to virtually any optical fiber construction where the core glass has a lower melting or softening point than that of the cladding tube. Sources of contamination, breakage and other preform defects are substantially avoided and toxic substances if presents are readily confined.
Abstract:
Supramolecular complexes designed to produce hydrogen from water are provided. The supramolecular complexes absorb visible light and undergo charge transfer, leading to the collection of electrons at a reactive metal center, where the electrons reduce water to hydrogen. The complex remains intact during electron collection and hydrogen production.
Abstract:
A single controllable switch (509) drive system for regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) (700) rotor may include a speed control feedback loop (970) component that uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter. And a current control feedback loop (976) component that uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding (505,508) of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter.
Abstract:
Ac-Phe-Tyr-phosphoSer-Ψ[CH=C]-Pro-Arg-NH 2 AND Fmoc-bis(pivaloylmethoxy)phosphoSer-Ψ[CH=C]-Pro-2-aminoethyl-(3-indole); and their Phospho-(D)-serine stereoisomers are novel compounds. Ψ refers to a pseudo amide. Such novel compounds advantageously may be used as alkene mimics.
Abstract:
Novel peptidomimetics are provided, which mimic collagen. Molecular structures of interest include for imparting the collagen-mimicking property are each of: Gly- Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Xaa-Yaa; Gly-Xaa-Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Yaa; Gly-Xaa-Yaa-Ψ[( E )CH=CH]; Gly- Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Xaa-Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Yaa; Gly-Xaa-Ψ( E )CH=C]-Yaa-Ψ[( E )CH=CH]; Gly-Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Xaa-Yaa-Ψ[( E )CH=CH] and Gly-Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Xaa-Ψ[( E )CH=C]-Yaa-Ψ[( E )CH=CH]. Xaa and Yaa each means a natural amino acid, Hyp or Flp. Amide bonds may be altered to create collagen mimics. Preferably a tripeptide polymer comprising at least about 60 (Gly-Pro-Hyp) repeating units and having molecular weight of at least about 40,000 is synthesized as a long, collagen-like material. The new synthetic collagen-like materials may have better resistance to degradation, better mechanical strength and/or better ability to fold than natural collagen.