Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable liquid region and a dielectric liquid housed within the housing. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric liquid into the expandable liquid region, expanding the expandable liquid region. The artificial muscle also includes a composite electrical insulating layered structure in contact with at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode, wherein the composite electrical insulating layered structure that includes an electrical insulator layer surrounded by adhesive surfaces. The adhesive surfaces are located between one or more flexible electrical insulators.

Abstract: A server includes a controller programmed to obtain information about a first perception model installed in a vehicle. The controller is further programmed to determine a value of updating the first perception model. The controller is further programmed to determine whether the first perception model needs to be updated to a second perception model based on the value of updating the first perception model. The controller is further programmed to transmit the second perception model to the vehicle in response to determining that the first perception model needs to be updated to the second perception model.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a charging dock which allows a mobile robot to self-dock for charging more efficiently and reliably. The charging dock has a pivoting face including a disk fashioned with charging connection points. When a robot encounters the dock, the pivoting face is able to pivot to ensure the charging disk can align with corresponding charging pickup points within the robot's charging receptor. The pivoting face improves efficiency and reliability of the robot's docking procedures.

Abstract: An anti-warping design method for designing a resin molded article on a programmed computer includes dividing the molded article into a plurality of small elements, calculating sensitivity values for at least part of the elements with respect to warpage of the molded article, and displaying a distribution of the sensitivity values.

Abstract: An optical amplifier device employing a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) that reduces the amount of residual pump power in the optical output of the amplifier is disclosed. The MZI amplifier employs two geometrically linear optical amplifier arms or two multi-spatial-mode racetrack optical amplifiers to amplify a signal with a pumping beam, with the signal output port having extremely low levels of residual pump power. The MZI optical amplifier is a silicon photonic integrated circuit, with all optical amplifiers, couplers, phase shifters, and optical attenuators formed of silicon photonic integrated circuit elements. The MZI optical amplifier may include one, two, or three MZI stages, and multiple MZI optical amplifiers may be used in parallel or sequentially to achieve higher overall signal gain or power. The MZI optical amplifier may employ Brillouin-scattering-based amplifiers, Raman-based integrated waveguide optical amplifiers, or Erbium-doped integrated waveguide optical amplifiers.

Abstract: Navigational running light retrofit system comprises a position tube that is inserted into a U.S. Naval specified navigational running light fixture and is further positioned, aligned and sealed using existing elements of the navigational running light fixture being retrofit. The positioning tube, having a generally tubular form, is a receiver for a commercially available LED navigational running light having cylindrical form. LED navigational running light is modified to secure a plate to the top surface of the assembly. This stabilizer plate has a similar diameter to the inner housing of the navigational running light fixture being retrofit, whereby stabilizing the retrofit system assembly when subjected to extreme mechanical shock. The positioning elements of the navigational running light retrofit system cooperate with the elements of the navigational running light fixture being retrofit to align and maintain alignment of the light exiting the fixture at the direction and angle.

Abstract: A collection of compressible particles. The compressible particles are intended to be used for attenuating pressure build-up within a confined volume such as a trapped annulus in a wellbore. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to collapse in response to fluid pressure within the confined volume, and comprises carbon. Particularly, each of the particles comprises a plurality of peripheral openings, permitting an ingress of wellbore fluids in response to an increase in pressure within a trapped annulus. The collection of compressible particles together has a reversible volumetric expansion/contraction of ?10% and up to 25% at pressures up to 10,000 psi. A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore using the collection of compressible particles is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic package and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The electronic package includes a first conductive structure, a second conductive structure, an electronic component, an underfill and a dam structure. The second conductive structure is disposed on the first conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure defines a cavity over the first conductive structure. The electronic component is disposed on the first conductive structure and at least partially disposed in the cavity. The underfill is disposed between the first conductive structure and the electronic component. The dam structure is disposed on the first conductive structure and configured to confine the underfill.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate configured to secure cargo and methods of using the same. The vehicle tailgate tray have a base portion. The base portion may have a top surface and be attachable to the vehicle. The vehicle tailgate may further have a top portion. The top portion may have a bottom surface and be attachable to the base portion. The top surface and the bottom surface may face each other and be configured to receive and fix the cargo when the top portion and the base portion are attached together. The bottom surface may be configured to adapt to a shape of the cargo.

Abstract: A seat that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, one or more pressure sensors communicatively coupled to a controller, and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles is communicatively coupled to the controller. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. 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, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor package structure is provided. The method includes: (a) providing a semiconductor structure including a first device and a second device; (b) irradiating the first device by a first energy-beam with a first irradiation area; and (c) irradiating the first device and the second device by a second energy-beam with a second irradiation area greater than the first irradiation area of the first energy-beam.

Abstract: A brush electrode includes an electrode base that is connectable to an external device that is configured to generate an electrical signal or receive an electrical signal. A plurality of strand electrodes extend outward from the electrode base. A distal end of each strand electrode is configured to contact a skin surface. The strand electrodes are configured to hold an electrolyte to facilitate ionic conduction of the electrical signal to or from the skin surface.

Abstract: A method for identifying in situ presence of a hydrocarbon reservoir or of a pipeline leakage is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a sample from an area of interest, such as a sediment sample or water column sample near a hydrocarbon seep or near an offshore pipeline; analyzing the sample to detect nucleic acid, protein or metabolite signatures that are indicative of cold-shock response; identifying the relative abundance of the cold-shock signatures present in the sample in comparison to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a engine compartment ventilation system. The engine compartment ventilation system includes a grille cover. The grille cover is configured to cover an engine compartment of the vehicle. The grille cover has one or more grille shutters. The engine compartment ventilation system includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the vehicle. The engine compartment ventilation system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the one or more grille shutters and the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to control the one or more grille shutters based on the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second transformer is disposed to provide a second electrical signal related to the CCVT. The second signal may be a voltage signal or a current signal. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a health factor comprising a ratio of magnitudes or a difference between phases from the transformers at a single frequency. The health factor is compared against an acceptable range and an alarm is generated when the range is exceeded.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses may provide for technology to configure input control systems for an automobile. The technology may include one or more controllers to provide an input control signal for a function of an automobile, wherein each of the one or more controllers are to be situated at different locations that are accessible by a driver. The technology may also include a human machine interface to reconfigure a layout or function of at least one of the one or more controllers so that at least one of the one or more controllers is relocated to a different location or the at least one of the one or more controllers controls a different automobile function. Reconfiguring the location or function of the one or more controllers is to improve driver access, comfort and safety.

Abstract: A plasma generator includes an outer electrode that encloses a first inner electrode and a second inner electrode. The first inner electrode includes a plurality of protrusions that extend towards the outer electrode. A voltage signal can be applied across the outer electrode and the first inner electrode to excite gas injected into gaps between the protrusions and the outer electrode. Plasma is generated surrounding the protrusions. The second inner electrode is at a downstream location of the excited gas relative to the first inner electrode. The second inner electrode forms a second gap with the outer electrode. A voltage signal can be applied across the second inner electrode and the outer electrode, further exciting the gas to generate second plasma at the second gap. The second plasma is spread evenly across the second inner electrode and the outer electrode.

Abstract: An information providing system is an information providing system for selecting reference information that is appropriate when a user to perform a task related to a device works on the task, and has an acquiring unit for acquiring acquired data including first image data, in which a specific device and a specific identification label for identifying the specific device are photographed. The system also includes a first database that is built on machine learning, using a data structure for machine learning, which includes a plurality of items of training data that each include evaluation target information including image data, and a meta-ID linked with the evaluation target information. The image data includes an image showing the device and the identification label for identifying the device.

Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and techniques of assembly of discrete modules of a control panel are disclosed. The modules can be independently wired, tested, and installed into a control panel. Module definitions are defined specifying components to perform the electrical function, a mechanical arrangement of the components, electrical connections, and logical interactions of the module. A bill of materials can be generated based on a designation of a set of modules for a control panel and the module definitions. Modularly assembled control panels are disclosed. An assembly frame is described herein for temporarily mounting components of a module for independent assembly of a control module and for eventual removal and installation into a control panel frame. The assembly frame may include a faceplate frame and side frames and temporary mounting features.