Abstract: Described is a micro-lattice damping material and a method for repeatable energy absorption. The micro-lattice damping material is a cellular material formed of a three-dimensional interconnected network of hollow tubes. This material is operable to provide high damping, specifically acoustic, vibration or shock damping, by utilizing the energy absorption mechanism of hollow tube buckling, which is rendered repeatable by the micro-lattice architecture.

Abstract: A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface. The floor tool including a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air, an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source, and a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air. The floor tool further including a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface. During use, the or a substantial portion of the weight of the floor tool is borne/carried by the sealing member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vibration control apparatus is provided having a pair of face sheets with a core material in between. The core material comprising a positive stiffness material. A stack comprising a positive stiffness structure in series with a negative stiffness structure is located between the pair of face sheets, in parallel with the core material. The stack may be embedded in the core material. Various embodiments may include multiple stacks in parallel with each other. In some embodiments, the stack may include multiple positive stiffness structures in series with multiple negative stiffness structures. The multiple positive stiffness structures and negative stiffness structures may be interleaved.

Abstract: An energy absorbing structure configured to buckle in response to an impulsive load includes a facesheet and a micro-truss core coupled to the facesheet. The facesheet and the micro-truss core are wound together into a hollow tube structure. The hollow tube structure may have any shape suitable for the intended application of the energy absorbing structure, including prismatic shapes, non-prismatic shapes, axisymmetric shapes, and non-axisymmetric shapes. In one embodiment, the stiffness of the micro-truss core varies axially, radially, and/or circumferentially along the energy absorbing structure.

Abstract: Devices associated with on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. These devices include any of packaging and/or loading systems, applicators and elements of the on-body sensor units themselves. Also, various approaches to connecting electrochemical analyte sensors to and/or within associated on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. The connector approaches variously involve the use of unique sensor and ancillary element arrangements to facilitate assembly of separate electronics assemblies and sensor elements that are kept apart until the end user brings them together.

Abstract: A multi-chemistry structure includes: a plurality of interconnected polymer struts arranged in a lattice; a first layer of the lattice including a first array of first unit cells; a second layer of the lattice including a second array of second unit cells; at least one region of the lattice being formed of a first polymer; and at least one region of the lattice being formed of a second polymer different from the first polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for forming microlattice structures of large thickness. In one embodiment, a photomonomer resin is secured in a mold having a transparent bottom, the interior surface of which is coated with a mold-release agent. A substrate is placed in contact with the top surface of the photomonomer resin. The photomonomer resin is illuminated from below by one or more sources of collimated light, through a photomask, causing polymer waveguides to form, extending up to the substrate, forming a microlattice structure connected with the substrate. After a layer of microlattice structure has formed, the substrate is raised using a translation-rotation system, additional photomonomer resin is added to the mold, and the photomonomer resin is again illuminated through the photomask, to form an additional layer of microlattice structure. The process is repeated multiple times to form a stacked microlattice structure.

Abstract: A system for the removal of oxygen from an inert atmosphere includes a media housed in a body and passes the inert atmosphere through the media using a fan, where delivery of power from a power source to the fan is stopped when a temperature proximate the media exceeds a predetermined temperature or when the oxygen level exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Devices associated with on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. These devices include any of packaging and/or loading systems, applicators and elements of the on-body sensor units themselves. Also, various approaches to connecting electrochemical analyte sensors to and/or within associated on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. The connector approaches variously involve the use of unique sensor and ancillary element arrangements to facilitate assembly of separate electronics assemblies and sensor elements that are kept apart until the end user brings them together.

Abstract: A Toll-Free Management Platform (TFMP) includes methods and systems for number administration, customer administration, call management services, texting services and text registry, and a smart services registry. The TFMP may allow users to receive through a web-based interface, an activate request from a user, wherein the request includes at least a customer record template reference and an indication of when to active a toll-free telecommunications number associated with the request. The request may include at least one IP address datum associated with the toll-free telecommunications number. A user interface may allow activating a toll-free number, and users may access the TFMP to create and access existing templates of toll-free call routing templates, and utilize a routing tree engine to create customized call routing trees for the toll-free numbers of interest to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the management, routing and reporting of toll-free telecommunications calls and data. Methods and systems are provided for pre-populating a call routing template based on natural language inputs and populating telecommunications routing codes at nodes of a call routing decision tree to generate a call routing template that may be identified and presented to a user interface based at least in part on a natural language input.

Abstract: An electrical circuit to interrupt a DC current includes a bypass switch and an AC high voltage breaker which includes interrupters that are rated for carrying a current having a value of the DC current for a period of time less than or equal to continuous duty. The first interrupter is electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass switch. A making switch causes a cancellation current to flow from an energy source through the second interrupter, and through the first interrupter, in addition to the DC current. The AC high voltage breaker is adapted to a DC service as the DC current in addition to the cancellation current causes an arc quench which allows the AC high voltage breaker to cause the interruption of the DC current in the electrical circuit. A method for interrupting a DC current flowing in an AC high voltage circuit breaker is also described.

Abstract: A Toll-Free Management Platform (TFMP) includes methods and systems for number administration, customer administration, call management services, texting services and text registry, and a smart services registry. The TFMP may allow users to search for, receive recommendations for, and make reservations of toll-free numbers. A user interface may allow activating a toll-free number, through a one-click activation function and users may access the TFMP to create and access existing templates of toll-free call routing templates, and utilize a routing tree engine to create customized call routing trees for the toll-free numbers of interest to the user. Predictive analytic services may be provided that allow a user through a customizable user interface, or dashboard, to access third party data sources and other information derived from toll-free telecommunications networks.

Abstract: A new battery structure as disclosed allows convective flow of electrolyte through three-dimensional structured electrodes. Hierarchical battery structure design enables three-dimensional metal structures with fluid transport capabilities. Some variations provide a lithium-ion battery system with convective electrolyte flow, comprising: a positive electrode comprising a lithium-containing electrode material and a conductive network with hollow liquid-transport conduits; a negative electrode comprising a lithium-containing electrode material in the conductive network; a separator that electronically isolates the positive and negative electrodes; and a liquid electrolyte contained within the hollow liquid-transport conduits of the conductive network. The hollow liquid-transport conduits serve as structural members, and the walls of these conduits serve as current collectors. The conductive networks may include a micro-lattice structure with a cellular material formed of hollow tubes.

Abstract: A sparse micro-truss structure having a series of unit cells arranged in an array is disclosed. Each of the unit cells includes a series of struts interconnected at a node. Adjacent unit cells are spaced apart by a gap. Spacing apart the adjacent unit cells is configured to reduce the sensitivity of the sparse micro-truss structure to premature mechanical failure due to buckling in one or more of the struts compared to related art micro-truss structures having a series of fully interconnected unit cells.

Abstract: Devices associated with on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. These devices include any of packaging and/or loading systems, applicators and elements of the on-body sensor units themselves. Also, various approaches to connecting electrochemical analyte sensors to and/or within associated on-body analyte sensor units are disclosed. The connector approaches variously involve the use of unique sensor and ancillary element arrangements to facilitate assembly of separate electronics assemblies and sensor elements that are kept apart until the end user brings them together.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a separator having an inlet for receiving dirt laden air and an outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further includes a suction source and a chamber having an inlet in communication with the separator outlet and outlet in communication with the suction source. The chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are offset from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are surface-functionalized powders which alter the solidification of the melted powders. Some variations provide a powdered material comprising a plurality of particles fabricated from a first material, wherein each of the particles has a particle surface area that is continuously or intermittently surface-functionalized with nanoparticles and/or microparticles selected to control solidification of the powdered material from a liquid state to a solid state. Other variations provide a method of controlling solidification of a powdered material, comprising melting at least a portion of the powdered material to a liquid state, and semi-passively controlling solidification of the powdered material from the liquid state to a solid state. Several techniques for semi-passive control are described in detail.

Abstract: A Toll-Free Management Platform (TFMP) includes methods and systems for number administration, customer administration, call management services, texting services and text registry, and a smart services registry. The TFMP may allow users to search for, receive recommendations for, and make reservations of toll-free numbers. A user interface may allow activating a toll-free number, through a one-click activation function and users may access the TFMP to create and access existing templates of toll-free call routing templates, and utilize a routing tree engine to create customized call routing trees for the toll-free numbers of interest to the user. Predictive analytic services may be provided that allow a user through a customizable user interface, or dashboard, to access third party data sources and other information derived from toll-free telecommunications networks.