Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device may be provided. The method may include obtaining a radial sampling scheme including a plurality of radial lines that each pass through a center of k-space. The method may include selecting the plurality of radial lines of the radial sampling scheme. Each of the plurality of radial lines may be selected in a random and unrepeatable manner. The method may include acquiring k-space data along the selected radial lines. The method may include reconstructing at least one image of the subject based on the acquired k-space data.

Abstract: A solid-state lithium ion electrolyte is provided which contains a composite material having at least 94 mole % lithium ions as cation component and multiple anions in an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy for lithium ion migration in the solid state lithium ion electrolyte is 0.5 eV or less. Composites of specific formulae are provided. A lithium battery containing the composite lithium ion electrolyte is also provided.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing including a first portion thereof defining opposed parallel spaced apart internal and exterior generally planar surfaces. The pump also includes a first impeller rotatably secured to the housing and positioned within the housing. The pump also includes a first axial flux motor connected to the first impeller and at least partially positioned within the housing. The first axial flux motor includes a first motor rotor fixedly secured to the first impeller. The first motor rotor has a generally planar surface thereof positioned adjacent to and parallel to the internal generally planar surface of the first portion of the housing. The first axial flux motor includes a first motor stator fixedly secured to the housing. The first motor stator has a generally planar surface thereof positioned adjacent to and parallel to the external generally planar surface of the first portion of the housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention involve systems, methods, and computer program products utilized in facilitating alternative delivery options for customers. In certain embodiments, a consignee may meet a driver and receive an item at a location different from the delivery address associated with the item. The receipt of the item may be prior to the driver attempting to deliver the item to the designated shipping location or after an unsuccessful delivery attempt. The carrier, the driver, the carrier system, the mobile station, and/or the sensors located on the item may communicate with the consignee to arrange a mutually acceptable time and location to accomplish the delivery. In certain embodiments, the consignee may be responsible for arriving at a dynamic delivery location to retrieve the item while the driver is at the location performing other tasks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a position of a window. A window position monitoring system comprises a display screen, a camera configured to capture an image for display on the display screen, and a controller including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine a position of the window; determine at least one of a camera setting of a camera and a display screen setting of the display screen based on the determined position of the window; capture, using the camera, at least one frame of a video of a real-world environment; and display, on the display screen, based on the at least one of the camera setting and the display screen setting, the at least one frame of the video of the real-world environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting a desired position of or adjustment to one or more accommodation devices of a vehicle, e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, a rearview mirror, etc. A user's position or adjustment preferences may be learned over time by measuring or obtaining data regarding the position or adjustment of accommodation devices. These learned position or adjustment preferences may be stored along with a corresponding day, time of day, and/or vehicle location during or at which the position or adjustment preferences were measured or obtained. During a subsequent occurrence of the day, time of day, and/or if the vehicle is at or traverses a location during which a previous position or adjustment was made, the same or similar position or adjustment can be effectuated. Whether or not the position or adjustment is effectuated can depend on how accurate the predicted position or adjustment may be.

Abstract: An attachment tab configured to house a nut includes a housing, a first beam, and a second beam. The housing defines a cavity for receiving the nut. The first beam is attached to a first inside surface of said housing by a first biasing member. The second beam is attached to a second inside surface of the housing by a second biasing member. The second inside surface is opposite the first inside surface, and the second beam opposes the first beam. The first biasing member and the second biasing member are configured to move between a first position and a second position, moving the first beam and the second beam toward and away from the first inside surface and the second inside surface of the housing, respectively. The first position is a decompressed position and the second position is a compressed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring time-series data relative to a temporal logic specification regarding expected behavior of a system, such as a vehicle. The time-series data and a threshold value(s) specified in the temporal logic specification may be encrypted and analyzed without decrypting the time-series data to maintain the privacy of a user(s) of the vehicle. Encryption of the time-series data and the threshold value(s) may be accomplished using an order preserving encryption scheme. Analysis of the time-series data may be accomplished utilizing a batch processing-type architecture or a continuous processing-type architecture. When utilizing the continuous processing-type architecture, historical time-series data may be stored and utilized to determine whether currently-monitored time-series data satisfies the temporal logic specification.

Abstract: An actuator includes a plurality of artificial muscle fibers and at least one conducting material. The at least one conducting material electrically stimulates the plurality of artificial muscle fibers during activation of the actuator. An actuator device includes at least one artificial muscle fiber and at least one high-strength creep-resistant fiber.

Abstract: Actuators having reversible seals are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using a reversible seal. The device can include a soft hydraulic actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, a reversible seal between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the reversible seals and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the reversible seals be actuated and controllably sealed to prevent return flow.

Abstract: A kinetic seat back assembly that rotates based on a force applied on an occupant seated therein is provided. The kinetic seat back assembly includes a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat back frame, a seat back tilt mechanism coupling the secondary seat back frame to the primary seat back frame such that the secondary seat back frame is movable with respect to the primary seat back frame, and an upper pivot mechanism that pivotally couples an upper portion of the primary seat back frame to an upper portion of the secondary seat back frame.

Abstract: Techniques are described for transferring nanofiber forests using transfer films that either lack a conventional adhesive at the substrate—nanofiber forest interface or that include a diffusion barrier that prevents diffusion of adhesive molecules (or other polymer molecules mobile at ambient temperatures) into the nanofiber forest. These techniques can be applied to single layer nanofiber forests or stacks of multiple nanofiber forest. By selecting the bond strength between the nanofiber forest and the transfer films, the nanofibers can be aligned in a common direction that includes, but is not limited to, perpendicular to a substrate or transfer film.

Abstract: An extendable biosensing device comprising a robotic structure. The robotic structure comprises a pliable exterior lining and an extendable core. The robotic structure comprises at least one sensor located on or within the pliable exterior lining. The sensor is configured to measure a physiological condition. The extendable core automatically extends from a retracted state to a deployed state in response to a triggering event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminated body with electric conductor including a substrate; a functional layer having at least an adhesive layer; an electric conductor; and a protective material, wherein the substrate, the functional layer having at least the adhesive layer, the electric conductor, and the protective material are sequentially laminated in a thickness direction, and wherein a thickness of the functional layer is less than or equal to 0.300 mm.

Abstract: A programmable texture surface including one or more artificial muscles is provided. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having a first wall opposite a second wall and an electrode region adjacent an expandable fluid region. One or both of the first wall and the second wall include an interior tapered portion within the electrode region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and an electrode pair is housed within the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode coupled to the first wall and a second electrode coupled to the second wall, such that at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is coupled to the interior tapered portion. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly that rotates based on a force applied on an occupant seated therein is provided. The kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat cushion frame pivotally connected to the primary seat cushion frame, and a secondary seat back frame pivotally connected to the primary seat back frame. The kinetic seat assembly further includes a front pivot mechanism for damping movement between the primary seat cushion frame and the secondary seat cushion frame in a kinetic seat vertical direction, and an upper pivot mechanism for damping movement between the primary seat back frame and the secondary seat back frame in a kinetic seat longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A coaxial connector includes a base surface; a coaxial structure where a dielectric is between a central conductor and an outer conductor; and a protrusion protruding from the base surface. The central conductor includes a contact portion protruding from the base surface. In response to a substrate being inserted toward the base surface between the contact portion and the protrusion, the contact portion comes into contact with a conductor pattern formed on a surface of the substrate. The outer conductor includes a protruding conductor protruding from the base surface and not in contact with the substrate inserted between the contact portion and the protrusion.

Abstract: A variable stiffening device that includes a flexible envelope having a fluid chamber, a dielectric fluid housed within the fluid chamber, and an electrode stack that includes a plurality of electrodes and one or more abrasive strips. The electrode stack is housed within the fluid chamber and is configured to receive voltage. In addition, the one or more abrasive strips are each positioned between adjacent electrodes, such that when voltage is applied to the electrode stack thereby electrostatically drawing adjacent electrodes together, the one or more abrasive strips generate frictional engagement between adjacent electrodes to actuate the variable stiffening device from a relaxed state to a rigid state.

Abstract: A method includes receiving from a vehicle, a position of the vehicle, obtaining locations of one or more available parking spaces from a plurality of parking spaces based at least in part on the position of the vehicle, determining an estimated travel time for the vehicle to arrive at each of the one or more available parking spaces based at least in part on the position of the vehicle and the locations of the one or more parking spaces, obtaining historical usage data for the one or more available parking spaces, and determining a probability that one or more of the available parking spaces will be available at a time when the vehicle arrives at each of the available parking spaces based at least in part on the estimated travel time and the historical usage data.

Abstract: A kinetic seat cushion assembly that rotates based on a force applied on an occupant seated therein is provided. The kinetic seat cushion assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame, a seat cushion tilt mechanism coupling the secondary seat cushion frame to the primary seat cushion frame such that the secondary seat cushion frame is movable with respect to the primary seat cushion frame, and a front pivot mechanism that pivotally couples a front portion of the primary seat cushion frame to a front portion of the secondary seat cushion frame.