Abstract: Optimizing automated fiber placement in fabrication of a fiber-based laminate includes identifying a plurality of individual tows within a ply of the fiber-based laminate, each of the individual tows having a respective design length, specifying a minimum tow length, identifying a first set of tows that includes each of the individual tows that has a length less than the minimum tow length and that extends to a boundary of the fiber-based laminate, increasing a design length of each of the first set of tows to match the minimum tow length such that each of the first set of tows extends across and beyond a boundary of the fiber-based laminate, identifying a second set of tows that includes each of the individual tows that has a length less than the minimum tow length and that does not extend to a boundary of the fiber-based laminate, and increasing a design length of each of the second set of tows to match the minimum tow length.

Abstract: An inflatable antenna may include an inflatable sock, an antenna, and an attachment port. The inflatable sock may have an inflated state and a deflated state, where the inflatable sock assumes an elongated inflated shape in the inflated state. The antenna may extend along the length of the inflatable sock. The attachment port may be configured for operable connection to an inflation mechanism.

Abstract: Inflatable antenna assemblies are provided, including an inflatable container having an inflated state and a deflated state, the inflatable container having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a flexible antenna extending along the interior surface or the exterior surface of the inflatable container, such that the antenna deploys to an operable, extended configuration upon inflation of the inflatable container to the inflated state, and a port configured for operable connection to an inflation mechanism to inflate the container to the inflated state. Safety device structures, such as life rafts, life preservers, life jackets, buoys, and emergency beacons, having inflatable antenna portions, are also provided.

Abstract: An illumination device is provided. The illumination device includes a base; an upright portion extending from the base; a light source located in the base and projecting into the upright portion; and an electronic controller that controls the light source according to a program, the program including a plurality of different preprogrammed control functions.

Abstract: A solid lozenge composition for oral dissolution. The solid lozenge composition includes an inactive carrier medium that is a solid at room temperature, at least one flavoring component, and silver nanoparticles. The concentration of silver nanoparticles is between about 0.1 micrograms per teaspoon and 5 micrograms per teaspoon.

Abstract: Often times, a touch-sensitive area of a touch-screen of a communication device is touched by a finger or a hand of a user. In some instances, a touch-based stylus of the present disclosure is available to the user. The user touches the touch-sensitive area of the communication device with the touch-based stylus. The communication device induces a current within the touch-based stylus. This induced current causes a voltage to accumulate within the passive object when touched by the user. This accumulated voltage transfers to the touch-sensitive area when the touch-based stylus touches the touch-sensitive area of the communication device. Thereafter, the communication device compares signal metrics of various regions of the touch-sensitive area to detect an instance and/or a location of the touch from the touch-based stylus.

Abstract: A biometric device configured to be attached to a portion of a body of a user measures biometric data of the user. The device includes an optical emitter, a wavelength filter, an optical sensor and a processor, for sending a light to the body of a user, receiving light received from the user, filtering and processing it to measure biometric data of the user, including for example, heart rate and blood flow rate. In addition, the biometric device may include other sensors, such as a galvanic skin response sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, skin temperature, motion sensor, etc., to enable the biometric device to measure arousal or conductivity changing events, ambient temperature, user temperature and motion associated with the user. Additionally, information from each sensor may be used to further filter noise in one or more signals received by the sensors to provide biometric data to the user.

Abstract: A flow control device for controlling fluid flow into a turbine comprising a stator and a rotor located in a fluid flow direction downstream of the stator is provided. The stator has a plurality of vanes extending radially inwards from a casing. Nozzles are defined, with each being defined between each adjacent pair of vanes. A flow controller is arranged to control a nozzle area open for fluid flow from a stator to rotor by altering the radial length of at least one of the nozzles and comprises an actuator and baffle plates connected at first ends thereof to a periphery of the turbine and at second ends thereof to arcuate plates of the actuator. Each baffle plate extends through a corresponding nozzle from an upstream to a downstream side of the stator. The actuator may selectively move the baffle plates to adjust flow through the nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow control device for controlling fluid flow into a turbine, said turbine comprising: a stator comprising a plurality of vanes extending radially inwards from a casing and arranged to define therebetween a plurality of nozzles extending radially inwards from casing; a rotor located in a fluid flow direction downstream of said stator and comprising a plurality of blades extending radially from said turbine shaft, wherein said fluid is arranged to be admitted to said turbine upstream of said stator and to flow around said plurality of vanes through said plurality of nozzles for impingement upon said plurality of blades of said rotor; and flow control means arranged to control a nozzle area open for fluid flow by altering the radial length of at least one of said plurality of nozzles, said flow control means comprising: an actuating means comprising a plurality of arcuate plates located within a peripheral cavity in a housing of said turbine such that a longer curved edge of ea

Abstract: A mouth prop for insertion in use between the opposed tooth or gum regions of the patient's mandible or maxilla to space the patient's incisors thereapart, the mouth prop having a grippable portion which a clinician can use for assisting in the location and removal of the mouth prop and can be supplied with elements for delivering and/or sampling gases to or in the mouth and/or nasal region of a patient.