Abstract: A strain compensated heterostructure comprising a substrate comprising silicon carbide material; a first epitaxial layer comprising single-crystal aluminum nitride material formed on a top surface of the substrate; a second epitaxial layer formed on the first epitaxial layer opposite the top surface of the substrate, the second epitaxial layer comprising single-crystal scandium aluminum nitride material; and a third epitaxial layer formed on the second epitaxial layer opposite the first epitaxial layer, the third layer comprising single-crystal aluminum nitride material.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure may be directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and three mutually perpendicular planes. The medical device may include a first steering line and a second steering line and a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material. The first stiffening material and the second stiffening material may be configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: An integrated tire monitoring system for an agricultural vehicle control system comprises at lease one sensor integrally coupled to at least one tire on a farm vehicle; an external reader for obtaining tire revolution speed data from the sensor during each revolution of the tire; input means for delivering the tire revolution speed data to a vehicle control unit, the vehicle control unit calculating vehicle speed based on the inputted tire revolution speed data and outputting at least one control signal. The reader may input tire pressure data from the sensor into the vehicle control unit for the calculation of pressure adjusted vehicle speed. The sensor may store tire specific identification data accessible by the external reader and one or more control signals from the vehicle ECU may be used to control speed between a plurality of vehicle wheels; engine speed; wheel slippage; and/or tire air pressure.

Abstract: A metal connector for use in the fabrication of structural I-beams having upper and lower flanges in which each flange includes a pair of timber members, the connector having two spatially separated attachment sections that can be located between the timber members of each flange, wherein at least one of the attachment sections has a plurality of spikes projecting outwardly from opposite sides that are capable of piercing and fastening one pair of timber members to the connector to form one of the flanges of the beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring adhesion capability in a tire liner, the apparatus including a film strip attaching to the tire liner and having a through opening and an attachment interface distanced from the opening; an adhesive backed cover member attaching to the film strip in covering relationship to the strip opening and a cover member surface portion establishing an adhesive bond with the tire liner through the film strip opening; means attached to the strip attachment interface for exerting a directional peeling force upon the strip sufficient to unitarily peel the film strip and the cover member from the tire liner; and means for measuring the directional peeling force.

Abstract: An annular antenna and transponder are affixed to a tire using the transponder as a counterweight to offset tire imbalance. The annular antenna is attached to an inner tire surface and is coupled electrically to a transponder device and is fixed relative to a housing in which the transponder device is packaged. The mass of the transponder housing is used specifically to counterbalance tire imbalance by first ascertaining the position at which a counterbalance would prove to be beneficial and then affixing the annular assembly to the tire so as to position the mass of the transponder housing at the optimal location for counterbalancing benefit.

Abstract: An antenna conductor is electrically coupled to a transponder and antenna conductor ends are spliced. The antenna conductor and the transponder are formed into a ring assembly and at least partially embedded within an adhesive material. The annular assembly affixes to a tire by means of the adhesive material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing specified actions when the relative position of specified objects satisfies conditions specified by a user and expressed in one or more rules. Each of the rules contains a condition part and an action part. The condition part of each rules specifies one or more conditions that are satisfied when specified objects move into or out of a predetermined range of one another. Each rule further contains an action part which specifies a function to be performed when the condition part of the rule is satisfied. The relative positions of objects are determined by an electronic interrogation device which can determine the identity of other electronic devices that are within range of the interrogation device. The electronic interrogation devices and the identification devices may be implemented using Bluetooth compliant devices, RFID tags and tag readers, or GPS devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a tire surface for installation of a transponder apparatus of the type comprising a transponder housing and an antenna, includes the steps: identifying a tire target surface having a footprint configured to receive the transponder apparatus thereagainst; positioning the tire target surface in an accessible relationship to cleaning apparatus; and actuating the cleaning apparatus to substantially eliminate undesired surface agents from the tire target surface. Relative movement between the cleaning apparatus and the tire target surface may be initiated to create the desired target surface shape, such as an annular configuration, and to facilitate a substantial purging of undesired surface agents from substantially all of the target surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing specified actions when the relative position of specified objects satisfies conditions specified by a user and expressed in one or more rules. Each of the rules contains a condition part and an action part. The condition part of each rules specifies one or-more conditions that are satisfied when specified objects move into or-out of a predetermined range of one another. Each rule further contains an action part which specifies a function to be performed when the condition part of the rule is satisfied. The relative positions of objects are determined by an electronic interrogation device which can determine the identity of other electronic devices that are within range of the interrogation device. The electronic interrogation devices and the identification devices may be implemented using Bluetooth compliant devices, RFID tags and tag readers, or GPS devices.