Abstract: A method for updating a subject avatar with a facial expression collected in real time. The method includes receiving, from a sensor on a facial interface of a headset, a signal indicative of a movement in a facial muscle from a user of the headset, determining a facial expression of the user with the signal from the sensor in the facial interface of the headset, based on a machine learning algorithm trained to associate the facial expression to the movement of the facial muscle, adjusting a subject avatar for the user of the headset based on the facial expression, and providing the subject avatar to an immersive reality application hosted by a remote server. A headset, a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor cause the headset to perform the above method, and the processor, are also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a navigation apparatus and controller. The navigation apparatus includes a body assembly that includes a plurality of pneumatic or artificial muscles that are configured to interact with a sidewall of the conduit and move the body assembly through the conduit. The plurality of pneumatic or artificial muscles are independently actuated to steer the body assembly. The navigation apparatus also includes a sensor array coupled to the body assembly. The sensor array is positioned to interact with the sidewall of the conduit and provide signals as the body assembly moves through the interior cavity. The controller is communicatively coupled to the sensor array and configured to determine a characteristic of the conduit based on the signals provided by the sensor array.

Abstract: An optical metasurface includes a substrate and a plurality of nanostructures extending from a surface of the substrate and constructed of a material having an index of refraction. The plurality of nanostmctures are arranged in a plurality of unit cells comprising a dimension that is less than or equal to twice an effective wavelength of light incident on the optical metasurface, divided by the sinusoid of a deflection angle that the optical metasurface is designed to deflect the light. The plurality of nanostructures are asymmetrically arranged along a deflection direction. A unit cell aspect ratio of the plurality of nanostmctures is greater than or equal to 3, and a product of the unit cell aspect ratio and the index of refraction of the material is greater than or equal to 8.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes an enclosure assembly of a battery pack. The enclosure assembly has a coating. An attachment point is disposed within the enclosure assembly. The enclosure assembly is secured directly to the attachment point. The assembly includes a coating clearing feature that removes some of the coating from the enclosure assembly when the enclosure assembly is secured directly to the attachment point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stratigraphic heat maps to steer a well being drilled. Data from one or more offset wells can be provided to a computer system and used with data from a well being drilled to generate one or more stratigraphic heat maps during the drilling of the subject well. The stratigraphic heat maps can be displayed and used to determine the location of the wellbore relative to one or more geological formations, including one or more target formations or within a target formation. Based on the use of the heat maps and the location of the wellbore relative to a target, the drill plan can be adjusted or updated and/or one or more drilling parameters or operations may be adjusted to drill the wellbore, such as to drill the wellbore to the target or to maximize the length of the wellbore within a target zone.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separator. The dirt separator includes a chamber having an inlet through which dirt-laden fluid enters and an outlet through which cleansed fluid exits the chamber. A disc located at the outlet rotates about a rotational axis and comprises holes through which the cleansed fluid passes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generation of lower-frequency tactile energy (e.g., vibration) of a vehicle system based on audio signals. In one example, a method may include acquiring an audio signal from an audio system, generating a motor input command, and applying the motor input command to at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor to create a resultant vibrational force.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting an implant is provided. The cutter includes a handle; a handle coupler coupled to the handle; a drill guide coupled to the handle coupler and including at least one window; a mill extending through the handle coupler and the drill guide and disposed to rotate freely therein; and a catch cup circumscribing the drill guide to maintain chips of the implant removed by the mill.

Abstract: The disclosure provides genetically engineered microorganisms and methods for improved biological production of ethylene glycol and precursors of ethylene glycol. The microorganism of the disclosure produces ethylene glycol or a precursor of ethylene glycol through one or more of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, oxaloacetate, citrate, malate, and glycine. The disclosure further provides compositions comprising ethylene glycol or polymers of ethylene glycol such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: Traction battery pack designs are disclosed for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary traction battery packs may include an outer enclosure assembly establishing an interior, and a battery array housed within the interior. A peripheral component assembly may be secured within a wall of the outer enclosure assembly. The wall may be part of a tray or a cover of the outer enclosure assembly. The peripheral component assembly may include twist lock features for rotatably securing the peripheral component assembly in place within a mounting opening of the wall. Using the twist lock features, the peripheral component assembly may be installed from inside the outer enclosure assembly.

Abstract: A grounding assembly for a battery enclosure includes a washer including a first serrated surface and a second serrated surface opposite the first serrated surface, a fastener including a serrated surface configured to mate with the second serrated surface of the washer, and a seal disposed on the washer. The first serrated surface is configured to remove a non-conductive coating from the battery enclosure. The seal is configured to form a watertight barrier between the washer and the battery enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to objectively identify sub-second behavioral modules in the three-dimensional (3D) video data that represents the motion of a subject. Defining behavioral modules based upon structure in the 3D video data itself— rather than using a priori definitions for what should constitute a measurable unit of action— identifies a previously-unexplored sub-second regularity that defines a timescale upon which behavior is organized, yields important information about the components and structure of behavior, offers insight into the nature of behavioral change in the subject, and enables objective discovery of subtle alterations in patterned action. The systems and methods of the invention can be applied to drug or gene therapy classification, drug or gene therapy screening, disease study including early detection of the onset of a disease, toxicology research, side-effect study, learning and memory process study, anxiety study, and analysis in consumer behavior.

Abstract: A vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) and a method of forming the VECSEL is disclosed. The VECSEL includes a heat sink; a heat spreader or heat spreader formed on a top surface of the heat sink, where the heat spreader comprises a first material having a first refractive index; and a high contrast grating formed on a top surface of the heat spreader or active region, wherein the high contrast grating comprises an active region and the high contrast grating comprising a second material having a second refractive index, the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes at least one eye tracking system positioned detect the direction of at least one user's gaze. Input derived from the eye tracking system may be used to enter commands to the surgical robotic system depending on the directions of the gaze detected or other aspects of the gaze such as pupil dilation or speed of eye movement.

Abstract: An electrical ground assembly for a vehicle component includes a bushing including an upper serrated surface and a lower serrated surface opposite the upper serrated surface, a ground strap including a terminal, and a fastener including a head portion, a shaft extending from the head portion, and a flange extending radially between the head portion and the shaft portion. The terminal is electrically connected to the bushing between the upper serrated surface and the lower serrated surface. The flange includes a lower serrated surface configured to mate with the upper serrated surface of the bushing.

Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer article is formed from a crystallizable fluoropolymer and a nucleating agent. The polymer article may be a thin film or a fiber, for example. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 50% of the polymer article. In certain examples, a fluoropolymer may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. The polymer article may include up to approximately 10 wt. % of the nucleating agent. Such a polymer article is optically transparent, has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 3 GPa, and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.15.

Abstract: A steerable delivery system is provided for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve location. The steerable delivery system includes an outer sheath assembly having a capsule along a distal end portion for retaining the replacement heart valve in a compressed configuration. The capsule is constructed to provide both compression resistance and flexibility. The capsule may be formed with an outer polymer layer, a metal middle layer located on a radially inner surface of the outer polymer layer, and an inner liner located on a radially inner surface of the metal middle layer. A fluoroelastomer layer is provided for bonding the inner liner to the metal middle layer. The metal middle layer is preferably a metal hypotube.

Abstract: A charge coupler with integrated electrical and mechanical disconnect switching can include a first member. A charging coupler can include a first member and a second member. The second member can be coupled at a first end with the first member. A charging coupler can include a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle. A charging coupler can include a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.