Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis comprises a foot structure having a foot keel leaf spring, a heel leaf spring, and an upper J leaf spring above the keel leaf spring. An ankle bearing block is mounted to the keel leaf spring and a shank shell is mounted to the ankle bearing block. A shank interface mounts to the shank shell. A processor controlled active element extends along an axis between the shank shell and the upper leaf-spring.

Abstract: A modular reusable elastomeric half-face respirator device includes a modular housing and an elastomeric facepiece. The respirator device can include one or more modular straps, which can be coupled to the filter housing or the facepiece. The modular housing includes a modular filter component configured to hold filter media and to couple to the facepiece. A filter retention mechanism includes an interlocking bayonet-type ratcheting ramp configured to form a seal around the modular filter component, the filter media, or both. The facepiece can include an interfacing portion configured to seal to the face of a person wearing the respirator device, the interfacing portion having a geometry with an outward curvature allowing the interfacing portion to seal to the face by rolling back and increasing contact area between the facepiece and the face. A lock ring receivable in a port of the facepiece can couple the facepiece to the filter component.

Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis comprises a foot structure having a foot keel leaf spring, a heel leaf spring, and an upper J leaf spring above the keel leaf spring. An ankle bearing block is mounted to the keel leaf spring and a shank shell is mounted to the ankle bearing block. A shank interface mounts to the shank shell. A processor controlled active element extends along an axis between the shank shell and the upper leaf-spring.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a frame defining an output axis, a cantilever beam spring attached to the frame, a moment arm attached to the spring, and a rigid output arm coupled to the frame and rotatable about the output axis. A connector assembly is configured to apply a moment to the cantilever beam spring via the moment arm while applying a torque about the output axis via the output arm. An ankle-foot device includes foot and ankle members connected for two-degree of freedom movement relative to one another, allowing for rotation about an ankle axis and rotation about a subtalar axis. Two linear actuators, each coupled to corresponding series elastic element, link the foot and ankle members. Driving the actuators in the same direction causes rotation about the ankle axis and driving the actuators in opposing directions causes rotation about the subtalar axis. A processor receives sensory information from a sensor and drives the actuators to control an equilibrium position of the series elastic elements.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method comprising receiving one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors that are worn by a wearer, and determining, based on the one or more sensor signals, one or more poses of a leg of the wearer during motion. The method further comprises controlling, based on the one or more poses, a pressure of one or more actuatable components to adjust the leg toward a target pose during the motion. The one or more actuatable components are worn on one or both of the leg and a foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a frame defining an output axis, a cantilever beam spring attached to the frame, a moment arm attached to the spring, and a rigid output arm coupled to the frame and rotatable about the output axis. A connector assembly is configured to apply a moment to the cantilever beam spring via the moment arm while applying a torque about the output axis via the output arm. An ankle-foot device includes foot and ankle members connected for two-degree of freedom movement relative to one another, allowing for rotation about an ankle axis and rotation about a subtalar axis. Two linear actuators, each coupled to corresponding series elastic element, link the foot and ankle members. Driving the actuators in the same direction causes rotation about the ankle axis and driving the actuators in opposing directions causes rotation about the subtalar axis. A processor receives sensory information from a sensor and drives the actuators to control an equilibrium position of the series elastic elements.

Abstract: An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.

Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, load bearing structure.

Abstract: An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.

Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.

Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.

Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.

Abstract: Discrete motion systems move relative to a lattice, using bistable mechanisms to snap between lattice locations. A discrete motion system includes a lattice having a regular configuration of attachment points, one or more motion modules that move across the lattice in discrete increments, and controllers that direct the modules. A module includes a body, actuators, and feet having mechanisms for attaching and detaching the module from the lattice. The module may include actuated joints that cause movement of arm structures to engage and disengage the feet from the lattice. The module may be a digital inchworm, and may be a relative assembler having at least one assembler arm. A method for discrete extensible construction includes creating a lattice having a regular configuration of attachment points, causing a discrete motion relative assembler to systematically move across the lattice in discrete increments, and causing placement of materials by the assembler arm.

Abstract: A system according to the exemplary embodiment of this invention includes a bluff body coupled to a gyroscopic electrical generator. The bluff body interacts with the fluid stream and generates a series of oscillating pressure gradients trailing along the leeward side, known as the von Karman Vortex Street. Motion is induced upon the bluff body by these shedding vortices. The systems and methods of the invention take advantage of this fluid behavior and convert a portion of the fluid stream energy into oscillatory mechanical energy. An exemplary electric generation system embodiment based on a gyroscope performs complimentary with the oscillatory motion of the vortex induced oscillations by using rotational kinematics to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Because the exemplary bluff body embodiment does not require spinning blades, there is minimal affect on the environment and minimal chance of harming creatures, such as birds or fish, located in the medium.