NanoHybrids (United States)

We report on the development of a preclinical 3D imaging platform integrating photoacoustic tomography and fluorescence (PAFT). The proposed multimodal imaging concept addresses known deficiencies in sensitivity, anatomical registration, and spatial resolution of the individual imaging modalities. Multi-view photoacoustic and optical projections of the studied animal are utilized to reconstruct large (27 cm3) volumes showing vascular network and blood-rich tissues, as well as regions with induced optical/fluorescence contrast with 3D resolution exceeding 150 μm. An additional 532-nm low-energy pulsed laser excitation is implemented as a separate imaging channel for registration over skin topography and superficial vasculature. PAFT technology enables functional and molecular volumetric imaging using wide range of fluorescent and luminescent biomarkers, nanoparticles, and other photosensitive constructs mapped with high fidelity over robust anatomical structures of the studied animal model. We demonstrated the PAFT performance using phantoms and by in vivo imaging of preclinical murine models.

High electrically conducting fluids such as liquid metals offer a unique solution to the current and future cooling needs of high power density heat sources. The two principal advantages of developing single phase cooling systems based on liquid metals lie in their superior thermophysical properties and in the ability to pump these liquids efficiently with silent, nonmoving pumps. Closed loop systems based on liquid metals and liquid metal pumps enable gravity independent high performance cooling systems. Analytical and experimental work is presented showing heat transfer coefficients on the order of 10W∕cm2∕K and miniature pumps operating at greater than 8kPa maximum pressure rise and 1% maximum efficiency.

In this paper we propose a distributed control architecture for Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) applications which allows for the dynamic integration and communication of interacting processes using intelligent control agents cooperating via a logic communication network. The type of DIS applications which we discuss include the interactive simulation initiative of the US Army to create a realistic warfare training environment by using high speed communications to permit real-time interaction between geographically dispersed warfare simulations with actual combat units in the field, cooperative game playing, and virtual manufacturing. Our architecture, termed Multiple Agent Hybrid Control Architecture (MAHCA), is based on recent advancements in hybrid systems theory and applications. Our approach provides for the flexible interoperability of distributed, real-time information systems by generating, in real time, control programs which comply with logical and evolutionary specifications.