Abstract: A sound absorbing device includes an acoustic resonator with an opening and at least one fabric layer extending across the opening. The at least one fabric layer includes reversible actuatable liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fibers such that an average pore size of the at least one fabric layer increases with decreasing temperature and decreases with increasing temperature. The sound absorbing device also includes at least one of a heater configured to heat the at least one fabric layer such that the average pore size of the at least one fabric decreases and a cooler configured to cool the at least one fabric layer such that the average pore size of the at least one fabric increases. And in some variations a controller configured to command the heater to heat to the at least one fabric layer and command the cooler to cool the at least one fabric layer is included.

Abstract: A modular floating platform system includes a detachable floating buoy providing a body tethered to a seafloor with a plurality of mooring lines and coupled to a subsea production system via one or more communication lines, and a plurality of floating surface facilities, each floating surface facility providing a standardized bottom interface matable with the detachable floating buoy. A latching mechanism individually couples each floating surface facility to the detachable floating buoy when each floating surface facility is individually mated to the detachable floating buoy. One or more communication couplings place each floating surface facility in communication with the subsea production system via the one or more communication lines when each floating surface facility is individually mated to the detachable floating buoy.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an alignment system including an alignment source module (ASM) and an alignment indicator module (AIM) configured to be releasably coupled to a first unit and a second unit, respectively, of a pair of optoelectronic arrays. In an illustrative example, the ASM may be oriented, when coupled, to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit. The AIM may, for example, be configured, when coupled, to provide a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit. Each of the AIM and the ASM may, for example, be configured to axially couple along respective longitudinal axes of the first unit and the second. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate manipulation of the pair of optoelectronic arrays into near alignment with each other.

Abstract: A light apparatus includes an optical member, composed of an elastically deformable material, having a reflective surface to reflect light. The optical member moveable between a first state in which the reflective surface has a first structural shape, and a plurality of second states in which the reflective surface has a second structural shape different than the first structural shape. Elastically deformable position adjustment members are operable to move the optical member between the first state and the plurality of second states. The elastically deformable position adjustment members have one or more photochromatic regions that are moveable in response to exposure to UV light. Light sources are operable to selectively emit illuminating UV light in a direction that contacts the one or more photochromatic regions to thereby adjust an orientation of the optical member in a manner which changes a direction of light reflected by the optical member.

Abstract: The present invention also provides for a method to deconstruct a biomass: the method comprising: (a) introducing a solvent to a biomass to dissolve at least part of solid biomass in the solvent, wherein the solvent comprises (i) a metal salt, and (ii) an ionic liquid (IL) or deep eutectic solvent (DES), or mixture thereof, to form a solubilized biomass mixture; (b) optionally introducing an enzyme and/or a microbe to the composition such that the enzyme and/or microbe produce a biofuel and/or chemical compound from the solubilized biomass; and, (c) optionally the biofuel and/or chemical compound is separated from the composition.

Abstract: Methods of generating a camera model are provided. A robotic assembly is used to move a calibration assembly relative to a camera assembly through a series of poses. The calibration assembly comprises a calibration target and markers. The camera assembly comprises a mount, a camera having a field of view, and markers. The predetermined series of poses, together, cause the calibration target to pass through the field of view of the camera. The camera is used to generate a respective image of the calibration target. A tracker is used, to determine respective locations in space of the markers. A transformation function is generated that maps onto a three-dimensional space the stored coordinates and determined locations in space of the markers and features of the calibration target. The transformation functions are used to generate a model of parameters of the camera. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an air filter configured to be mounted onto air inlets of turbochargers and superchargers. The air filter comprises a proximal base including an inlet receiver configured to receive an air inlet, a clamp to secure the air inlet within the inlet receiver, and a first opening aligned with a screw mechanism of the clamp. A filter medium fastened to the proximal base is configured to remove particulate matter and other contaminates from an incoming air stream. A distal end cap fastened to the filter medium comprises a second opening aligned with the first opening. A conduit within an interior cavity of the air filter is disposed between the first opening and the second opening, facilitating tightening and loosening the clamp by extending an appropriate tool through the interior cavity so as to engage the screw mechanism of the clamp.

Abstract: The actuation of a seat actuator can be customized to provide an enhanced user experience. In one respect, a seat actuation profile can be modified or a new seat actuation profile can be created based on user data, vehicle data, and/or environmental data. The modified seat actuation profile or the new seat actuation profile to be implemented. As a result, one or more actuators operatively connected to a seat can selectively activated or deactivated in accordance with the modified seat actuation profile or the new seat actuation profile. In another respect, an aspects can be identified from a one or more seat actuation profiles and/or one or more seat actuation preferences. A seat actuation profile can be caused to be presented to a user based on the identified aspect.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a horizontal well cuttings bed processing method and device. The method includes: based on drilling engineering information of a horizontal well, predicting a distribution pattern of a cuttings bed throughout a drilling process, determining a cuttings bed height risk level in each well section, and outputting a cuttings bed removal solution associated with the well section. According to the present disclosure, processing accuracy and processing efficiency of the cuttings bed in a horizontal well can be improved, and accumulation of the cuttings bed in the horizontal well can be effectively resolved.

Abstract: A method and equipment for manufacturing a package structure are disclosed. The equipment includes a first space, a de-bonding apparatus, a second space and a fluid supply device. The de-bonding apparatus is disposed in the first space, and configured to perform a de-bonding process. The second space is disposed around the first space. The fluid supply device is configured to make a first humidity of an atmosphere in the first space greater than a second humidity of an atmosphere in the second space.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package includes an electronic component and a substrate. The electronic component has a first surface and a second surface. The substrate is connected to the first surface of the electronic component through an adhesive layer. The substrate includes a first antenna disposed over the second surface of the electronic components through the adhesive layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems include determining a driving maneuver to be performed by an ego vehicle based on a road geometry and a lane geometry, the ego vehicle surrounded by one or more surrounding vehicles, retrieving a trajectory model corresponding to the driving maneuver, encoding kinematic data of the surrounding vehicles relative to the ego vehicle to generate spatial relationships between the surrounding vehicles and the ego vehicle, predicting future trajectories of the surrounding vehicles based on the spatial relationships, the kinematic data, the road geometry, and the lane geometry, generating a collision coefficient based on the future trajectories and the driving maneuver, and when the collision coefficient is greater than a predetermined threshold value, determining an escape route for the ego vehicle, and causing the ego vehicle to autonomously operate based on the escape route.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package structure is provided. The method includes providing a package structure including a first region and a second region different from the first region, wherein the package structure comprises a package substrate having an active surface and a backside surface; and irradiating the package structure by a first light beam along a first direction from the active surface toward the backside surface, wherein the first light beam only irradiates the first region without irradiating the second region.

Abstract: One or more actuators can be used to provide a substantially continuous level of lumbar support to a seat occupant. An actuator can be operatively positioned relative to a lumbar region of a seat. The actuator can be caused to morph into an activated configuration to support a lumbar region of a seat occupant. The activated configuration of the actuator can be maintained to provide a substantially continuous level of lumbar support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fiber composite material toughened by nano-particles, comprising: first dispersing agglomerated nano-particles uniformly in a low-viscosity, volatile dispersant by ultrasonic and micro-jet treatment (two-stage dispersion), and spraying the dispersant containing nano-particles uniformly on the fiber fabric through a high-pressure spray gun; after the liquid is removed from the fiber fabric, subjecting the nano-modified fiber fabric and resin to composite molding. The method provided by the present application is simple to operate, can be scaled up, and does not change the original manufacturing process of the fiber composite material. Moreover, the method provided by the present application requires only a very small amount of toughening components to achieve a significant increase in the interlaminar fracture toughness of the composite, which has great application prospects.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing pressurized air from a vehicle. The apparatus includes an engine block including a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of pistons each disposed within a respective one of the plurality of cylinders, a crankshaft rotatably mounted on the engine block, a plurality of connecting rods each having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably connected to the crankshaft and the second end coupled to a respective one of the plurality of pistons, a fuel and air mixture intake line in communication with at least one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, an air intake line in communication with the at least one cylinder, an exhaust line in communication with the at least one cylinder, a switch, and a switch controller. The switch controller may cause the switch to switch between a fuel and air mixture configuration and an air-only configuration.

Abstract: A composite material having a black pigment and a textile material. The composite material has a reflectivity toward near infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm of greater than or equal to 12%, and the composite material has a reflectivity toward visible light having a wavelength from 350 nm to 750 nm of less than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: A combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap is provided for absorbing evaporative hydrocarbon emissions from an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine. The combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap comprises a duct that supports a hydrocarbon absorbing sheet in an unfolded configuration within a housing. The duct communicates an airstream from an air filter to the air intake duct during operation of the internal combustion engine. An opening in the housing receives a mass airflow sensor into the duct, such that the mass airflow sensor is disposed within the airstream. Guide vanes extending across the duct reduce air turbulence within the airstream passing by the mass airflow sensor. Ports disposed along the duct allow the evaporative hydrocarbon emissions to be drawn into the interior and arrested by the hydrocarbon absorbing sheet when the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: A ductile material, a method for manufacturing a ductile member, and an anti-collision device for bridge piers, wherein the ductile material includes specific components in parts by mass as follows: 50-62 parts of thermoplastic polyurethane, 11-33 parts of neodymium-iron-boron, 12-24 parts of nickel-titanium alloy, 2-3 parts of metal magnetic powder, and 1-2 parts of polypropylene or polyethylene or polylactic acid or polyetheretherketone. The use of the ductile material, the method for manufacturing a ductile member, and the anti-collision device for bridge piers facilitates navigation.