Abstract: Various examples of methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for monitoring using an improved mouth guard apparatus. In one example, a battery-free diagnostic mouth guard includes a biting force-voltage transducer comprising a piezoelectric film; a compact resonance tank comprising a wireless sensor; and a transmitting antenna for transmitting sensing data. A piezo-voltage from the biting force-voltage transducer can bias a varactor diode loaded on the wireless sensor whose response frequency is tuned due to a capacitance change of the varactor diode. In some implementations, an external processing equipment can wirelessly detect a frequency shift of the varactor diode integrated resonator. In another example, a method includes detecting a biting force via a biting force-voltage transducer; biasing a varactor diode with a voltage from the transducer; tuning a response frequency of a split ring resonator using a capacitance change of the varactor diode; and emitting sensing data at the response frequency.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for a smart mouth guard for diagnosis, quantification, and/or management of e.g., bruxism. In one example, among others, a diagnostic mouth guard includes a plurality of pressure sensors and processing circuitry configured to provide pressure sensor data to an external processing unit when located in an oral cavity. The diagnostic mouth guard may also include temperature, pH and/or inertia sensors. In another example, a system includes the diagnostic mouth guard and the external processing unit such as, e.g., a smart phone, table or computer. The diagnostic mouth guard can communicate with the external processing unit over a wireless channel.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for a helix antenna with dual functionality, in one embodiment, among others, a helix antenna includes a flexible substrate and a copper trace disposed on a side of the flexible substrate at a tilting angle (?). Turns of the helix antenna are formed from the copper trace by wrapping the flexible substrate. In another embodiment, a system includes a helix antenna, a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit coupled to a first end of the helix antenna, and a low frequency (LF) power transmission circuit coupled to the first end of the helix antenna. The RF communication circuit can process RF signals received by the helix antenna and the LF power transmission circuit can regulate LF voltage induced in the helix antenna.

Abstract: Various examples of methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for monitoring using an improved mouth guard apparatus. In one example, a battery-free diagnostic mouth guard includes a biting force-voltage transducer comprising a piezoelectric film; a compact resonance tank comprising a wireless sensor; and a transmitting antenna for transmitting sensing data. A piezo-voltage from the biting force-voltage transducer can bias a varactor diode loaded on the wireless sensor whose response frequency is tuned due to a capacitance change of the varactor diode. In some implementations, an external processing equipment can wirelessly detect a frequency shift of the varactor diode integrated resonator. In another example, a method includes detecting a biting force via a biting force-voltage transducer; biasing a varactor diode with a voltage from the transducer; tuning a response frequency of a split ring resonator using a capacitance change of the varactor diode; and emitting sensing data at the response frequency.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for folded patch antennas. In one embodiment, among others, a folded patch antenna includes a patch disposed on an outer side of a flexible substrate and a ground plane disposed on an inner side of the flexible substrate opposite the patch. The flexible substrate is folded to form an enclosed cavity defined by the inner side of the flexible substrate. The ground plane may provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of the cavity. In another embodiment, among others, a folded patch antenna platform includes a flexible substrate, a folded patch antenna, and a transceiver mounted on the flexible substrate. The folded patch antenna includes a patch communicatively coupled to the transceiver and a ground plane, which are disposed on opposite sides of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for fabrication of nanoporous membranes. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes electrode pairs including substantially parallel electrodes, a controllable power supply to control the electrical potential of each of the electrode pairs, and a syringe to eject an electrically charged solution from a needle to form a nanofiber. The orientation of the nanofiber in a nanofiber layer is determined by the electrical potentials of the electrode pairs. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a nanoporous membrane including nanofiber layers between a transferor and a mainmold of a stamp-through-mold (STM) where adjacent nanofiber layers are approximately aligned in different directions. A patterned membrane is sheared from the nanoporous membrane using the transferor and the mainmold of the STM and transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for a helix antenna with dual functionality, in one embodiment, among others, a helix antenna includes a flexible substrate and a copper trace disposed on a side of the flexible substrate at a tilting angle (?). Turns of the helix antenna are formed from the copper trace by wrapping the flexible substrate. In another embodiment, a system includes a helix antenna, a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit coupled to a first end of the helix antenna, and a low frequency (LF) power transmission circuit coupled to the first end of the helix antenna. The RF communication circuit can process RF signals received by the helix antenna and the LF power transmission circuit can regulate LF voltage induced in the helix antenna.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for a smart mouth guard for diagnosis, quantification, and/or management of e.g., bruxism. In one example, among others, a diagnostic mouth guard includes a plurality of pressure sensors and processing circuitry configured to provide pressure sensor data to an external processing unit when located in an oral cavity. The diagnostic mouth guard may also include temperature, pH and/or inertia sensors. In another example, a system includes the diagnostic mouth guard and the external processing unit such as, e.g., a smart phone, table or computer. The diagnostic mouth guard can communicate with the external processing unit over a wireless channel.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for folded patch antennas. In one embodiment, among others, a folded patch antenna includes a patch disposed on an outer side of a flexible substrate and a ground plane disposed on an inner side of the flexible substrate opposite the patch. The flexible substrate is folded to form an enclosed cavity defined by the inner side of the flexible substrate. The ground plane may provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of the cavity. In another embodiment, among others, a folded patch antenna platform includes a flexible substrate, a folded patch antenna, and a transceiver mounted on the flexible substrate. The folded patch antenna includes a patch communicatively coupled to the transceiver and a ground plane, which are disposed on opposite sides of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for fabrication of nanoporous membranes. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes electrode pairs including substantially parallel electrodes, a controllable power supply to control the electrical potential of each of the electrode pairs, and a syringe to eject an electrically charged solution from a needle to form a nanofiber. The orientation of the nanofiber in a nanofiber layer is determined by the electrical potentials of the electrode pairs. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a nanoporous membrane including nanofiber layers between a transferor and a mainmold of a stamp-through-mold (STM) where adjacent nanofiber layers are approximately aligned in different directions. A patterned membrane is sheared from the nanoporous membrane using the transferor and the mainmold of the STM and transferred to a substrate.