Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Abstract: A debridement device having a controllable Lorentz-force actuator is disclosed. The debridement device includes a nozzle delivering a jet of debridement substance to a tissue and the jet is driven by the Lorentz-force actuator. The device may have a suction port for removing the debridement substance. A second Lorentz-force actuator can be used for each of the jet and suction. The first and second Lorentz-force actuators for the jet and suction can also be configured to provide for continuous jet injection and continuous suction. The device may include a second nozzle delivering a second jet of debridement substance to the region of tissue and the first and second jets may intersect and dissipate into a mist upon intersection to dissipate the kinetic energy of the jets. The Lorentz-force actuator may drive a reciprocating piston pump providing continuous pressure to the nozzles.

Abstract: A method of detecting whether a foreign object is near a transmit coil in a wireless power transfer system (WPTS), the method involving: applying a pseudo-random signal to the transmit coil; while the pseudo-random signal is being applied to the transmit coil, recording one or more signals produced within the WPTS in response to the applied pseudo-random signal; by using the one or more recorded signals, generating a dynamic system model for some aspect of the WPTS; and using the generated dynamic system model in combination with stored training data to determine whether an object having characteristics recognizable from the stored training data as characteristic of the foreign object is near the transmit coil.

Abstract: A spectral imaging system includes an autocorrelator to generate different autocorrelations when the moving reflector in the autocorrelator is at different positions so as to reconstruct spectral images. The system also includes a position measurement system to measure the actual positions of the moving reflector when autocorrelations are taken. These actual locations, instead of the desired locations in conventional methods, are then used to reconstruct the spectral image. This approach can address the misalignment of the moving reflector from its desired location (due to external disturbances, slow actuator dynamics, and other factors) in conventional spectral imaging techniques and allow the development of high-resolution, high-stability, portable imaging spectrometers for the general public.

Abstract: The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber of a plurality of chambers. A plurality of electromagnetic actuators are in communication with the plurality of chambers. The actuators, when activated, generate a pressure within at least the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

Abstract: An energy storage system for use with an external device including: an energy storage cell; a microcontroller; an internal communication bus; an interface including two power terminals and a communications port electrically connected to the internal communication bus; power conversion circuitry for performing a charging operation during which energy is transferred from the power terminals to the energy storage cell and a discharging operation during which energy is transferred from the energy storage cell to the power terminals; and one or more sensors for monitoring one or more parameters of the energy storage cell, wherein it is all packaged to form a single, integrated unit.

Abstract: Instead of being made from one continuous piece of material, a coil includes multiple flat coil segments that are stacked together and electrically coupled in series. In many embodiments, the coil segments are U-shaped segments, and the segments are arranged so that each segment is rotated (e.g., by 270 degrees) with respect the segment it follows. The stacked coils may then be fastened together using, for example, bolts through the corners of the coil segments. The combined coil segments form a continuous coil.

Abstract: An energy-storage device is formed from a first and a second yarn, each yarn including a plurality of nanowires including aluminum and/or a transition metal. An anode pad is in contact with the first yarn and a cathode pad is in contact with the second yarn. Alternatively, first and second metallic electrodes may be disposed substantially in parallel, with pluralities of nanowires including aluminum and/or a transition metal extending therefrom. In another embodiment, a supercapacitor may include a niobium yarn including a plurality of niobium nanowires. Each niobium nanowire may include at least (i) a first section comprising at least one of unoxidized niobium and niobium oxide; (ii) a second section comprises a niobium pentoxide layer; and (iii) a third section comprises a layer formed by dipping the niobium nanowire in at least one of a conductive polymer and a liquid metal.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a nozzle, for use in an injection device, that projects material at an ultra-high velocity. The nozzle includes an integrally formed body having an interior passageway that has a longitudinal axis. The input of the nozzle is configured to interface with a cartridge, and the output is configured to be placed proximate to a target. The passageway includes a taper, and its path length, from an initial diameter to a position along the passageway where the passageway first reaches a smallest diameter, is at least 0.5 mm. The taper of the passageway defines a shape, in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis, that is a continuous and monotonically decreasing function of distance along the longitudinal axis in a direction of flow through the nozzle.

Abstract: An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.

Abstract: An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a mechanical guide system supporting the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis; and a multi-bar linkage mechanism connecting to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connecting the hub assembly to the mechanical guide system, wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and third r

Abstract: An electric motor including: a hub assembly defining a rotational axis; a magnetic rotor assembly; a first coil stator assembly; a second coil stator assembly; and a system of rotor bearings rotatably supporting each of the magnetic rotor assembly, the first coil stator assembly, and the second coil stator assembly on the hub assembly so that each of the magnetic rotor assembly, the first coil stator assembly, and the second coil stator assembly are rotatable about the rotational axis independently of each other.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Abstract: An energy-storage device is formed from a first and a second yarn, each yarn including a plurality of nanowires including aluminum and/or a transition metal. An anode pad is in contact with the first yarn and a cathode pad is in contact with the second yarn. Alternatively, first and second metallic electrodes may be disposed substantially in parallel, with pluralities of nanowires including aluminum and/or a transition metal extending therefrom. In another embodiment, a supercapacitor may include a niobium yarn including a plurality of niobium nanowires. Each niobium nanowire may include at least (i) a first section comprising at least one of unoxidized niobium and niobium oxide; (ii) a second section comprises a niobium pentoxide layer; and (iii) a third section comprises a layer formed by coating the niobium nanowire in at least one of a conductive polymer and a liquid metal.

Abstract: An apparatus including an array of coils wherein each coil of the array of coils is wound around a core region for containing a fluid; an external magnet assembly mounted outside of the array of coils and movable over the array of coils; and an internal magnet assembly mounted inside the core region around which the coils of the array of coils are wound, wherein the internal magnet assembly is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the external magnet assembly so that the external and internal magnet assemblies move together along the array of coils in response drive signals applied to the coils within the array of coils.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting whether a receiver coil is near a transmit coil in a wireless power transfer system (WPTS), the method involving: applying a pseudo-random signal to the transmit coil; while the pseudo-random signal is being applied to the transmit coil, recording one or more signals produced within the WPTS in response to the applied pseudo-random signal; by using the one or more recorded signals, generating a dynamic system model for some aspect of the WPTS; and using the generated dynamic system model in combination with stored training data to determine whether an object having characteristics distinguishing the object as a receiver coil is near the transmit coil.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a magnet assembly relative to an array of inductive elements arranged adjacent to a magnetically permeable material, the method involving: measuring electrical characteristics of each of one or more inductive elements of the array of inductive elements; and from information derived from the measured electrical characteristics of the one or more inductive elements of the array of inductive elements, determining the position of the magnet assembly relative to the array of inductive elements.

Abstract: A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer.