Abstract: A system for incorporating electronic functionality into a flexible layer includes a flexible printed circuit board having a spine portion and one or more legs in electronic communication with the spine portion. Multiple pads may be disposed on the flexible printed circuit board. The spine portion and the one or more legs may be structured and arranged to be disposed within one or more pockets of the flexible layer. The system may further include electronic devices, each one of which may be in electronic communication with at least one of the pads. In addition, the system may include a controller in electronic communication with at least one of the pads. The system may be characterized by an absence of any external hard-wire interfaces for communication external to the system.

Abstract: In some implementations, a self-cleaning seat includes a cover layer with a photocatalyst; a light-emitting fiber layer including one or more light sources; a light-diffusing spacer configured to diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting fiber layer and positioned between the cover layer and the light-emitting fiber layer; and a triggering mechanism that activates a cleaning cycle by activating the one or more light sources.