Abstract: An apparatus for bending an object includes a first bending plate having a first rotational axis, and a second bending plate having a second rotational axis. The second bending plate is disposed proximate to the first bending plate. The apparatus further includes a pair of rotation elements. Each rotation element controls a respective bending plate from the first bending plate and the second bending plate. The first bending plate and the second bending plate are configured to rotate independently from each other about the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, respectively.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to a flexible device, comprising a flexible component layer, and a jamming device disposed proximate to the flexible component layer. The jamming device permits the flexible component layer to be bent in a first state. The jamming device is configured to resist bending of the flexible component layer in a second state.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure an electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising a first sheet having a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some embodiments, the applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming device formed by a sheet having a conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The jamming device includes a first section of the sheet, the first section being separated from the sheet, and a second section of the sheet, the second section being separated from the sheet. The sheet is non-extensible and flexible. The first section and the second section are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first section and the second section are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between a conductive layer of the first section and a conductive layer of the second section.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming apparatus comprising a first sheet comprising a first conductive layer, the first sheet comprising a set of first features, a first dielectric layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer, the second sheet comprising a set of second features. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible. The first sheet and the second sheet are movable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Method of using a shape-formable apparatus. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet can include a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

Abstract: A shape-formable apparatus comprising locking sheets. The apparatus can have a first state in which the apparatus is formable, and a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state. The apparatus can further include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet comprises a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface.

Abstract: A shape-formable apparatus comprising fibrous material. The apparatus can have a first state in which the apparatus is formable into a desired shape, and a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state. The apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and a fibrous material positioned in the chamber. The fibrous material can be substantially less formable when the apparatus is in the second state than when the apparatus is in the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body and a first portion. The first portion can be coupled to the body and moveable therewith. The first portion can comprise a rigidifying material and a layer. The rigidifying material can be positioned in a chamber defined by an envelope formed of a gas-impermeable material. A pressure within the chamber can be variable between at least a lower pressure state and a higher pressure state. In the higher pressure state the material is relatively flexible, and in the lower pressure state the material can be relatively less flexible than in the higher pressure state. The layer can be manipulatable by the rigidifying material. More particularly, the layer can have a first state when the pressure within the chamber is in the higher pressure state. In the first state, the layer can be formable by the target surface to take on a desired shape that can be substantially a match of the target surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body and a first portion. The first portion can be coupled to the body and moveable therewith. The first portion can comprise a rigidifying material and a layer. The rigidifying material can be positioned in a chamber defined by an envelope formed of a gas-impermeable material. A pressure within the chamber can be variable between at least a lower pressure state and a higher pressure state. In the higher pressure state the material is relatively flexible, and in the lower pressure state the material can be relatively less flexible than in the higher pressure state. The layer can be manipulatable by the rigidifying material. More particularly, the layer can have a first state when the pressure within the chamber is in the higher pressure state. In the first state, the layer can be formable by the target surface to take on a desired shape that can be substantially a match of the target surface.

Abstract: Method of using a shape-formable apparatus comprising fibrous material. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and a fibrous material positioned in the chamber. The fibrous material can be substantially less formable when the apparatus is in the second state than when the apparatus is in the first state. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

Abstract: A shape-formable apparatus comprising locking sheets. The apparatus can have a first state in which the apparatus is formable, and a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state. The apparatus can further include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet comprises a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface.

Abstract: Method of using a shape-formable apparatus. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet can include a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

Abstract: A shape-formable apparatus comprising fibrous material. The apparatus can have a first state in which the apparatus is formable into a desired shape, and a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state. The apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and a fibrous material positioned in the chamber. The fibrous material can be substantially less formable when the apparatus is in the second state than when the apparatus is in the first state.

Abstract: A sparse patterned mask for use in a laser ablation process to image a substrate. The mask has a plurality of apertures for transmission of light and non-transmissive areas around the apertures. The apertures individually form a portion of a complete pattern, and a plurality of apertures from one or more masks together form the complete pattern when the masks are imaged. Making a mask sparse provides for a path to remove debris from the substrate during the laser ablation process. Multiple interlaced sparse repeating patterns can create a more complex pattern with repeat distances larger than the individual patterns.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides for a light duct sensor that can monitor an average light flux through light duct useful for architectural lighting. The present disclosure provides for a system that allows a minimally obtrusive sampling of the light in a duct. It samples a small fraction of a cross sectional area of a light duct that is distributed across potentially the entire cross sectional area, without creating a significant disturbance to the light.

Abstract: A light duct elbow having two light conduits capable of transporting light along two different propagation directions. A light diverter is located between the light conduits and has a reflector for directing light along the light conduits. In the light duct elbow, a light ray propagating within a collimation angle in the first light conduit that intersects the reflector is diverted to a second light ray propagating within the collimation angle in the second light conduit.

Abstract: A light duct elbow having two light conduits capable of transporting light along two different propagation directions. A light diverter is located between the light conduits and has a reflector for directing light along the light conduits. In the light duct elbow, a light ray propagating within a collimation angle in the first light conduit that intersects the reflector is diverted to a second light ray propagating within the collimation angle in the second light conduit.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to concentrating daylight collectors useful for interior lighting of a building. The concentrating daylight collectors generally include a cassegrain-type concentrator section that provides for a full-tracking solar collector with one moving part and with a high efficiency of coupling of collected solar irradiation to a stationary duct. In some cases, the disclosed concentrating daylight collectors can be used more conventionally, such as for directing sunlight onto a photovoltaic cell for generation of electrical power, or an absorbing surface for extraction of thermal energy.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides for a light duct sensor that can monitor an average light flux through light duct useful for architectural lighting. The present disclosure provides for a system that allows a minimally obtrusive sampling of the light in a duct. It samples a small fraction of a cross sectional area of a light duct that is distributed across potentially the entire cross sectional area, without creating a significant disturbance to the light.