Abstract: A system configured for use with a wearable article is disclosed herein. The system can include a heating portion including at least one heater trace. The system can further include a strain sensing portion including a flexible circuit formed from a deformable conductor. The flexible circuit can include a strain sensor and an inertial measurement unit. The heating portion is configured to radiate heat using the at least one heater trace, and the heating portion is further configured to radiate heat based on measurements received from at least one of the strain sensor or the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: A flexible differential strain sensor, system, and method includes a deformable substrate having a first axis and a second axis different than the first axis and a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first and second sensing elements are comprised of conductive gel. The first sensing element is arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis. The second sensing element has a first portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis and a second portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the second axis. The second sensing element is arranged to cancel at least a portion of the stimulus sensed by the first sensing element in the along the first axis.

Abstract: Various articles and methods for controlling an amount of thermal energy generated by the articles are disclosed herein. For example, an article can include a power source and a flexible circuit electrically coupled to the power source. The flexible circuit can include a trace including a deformable conductor. The trace can define a plurality of switchbacks. The plurality of switchbacks can be configured to generate a predetermined amount of thermal energy when a voltage from the power source is applied to the trace.

Abstract: A conductive assembly may include a deformable substrate disposed around an axis, and a deformable conductor arranged on the deformable substrate. The substrate may be arranged to form a channel along the axis, and the deformable conductor may be arranged on the deformable substrate to form a waveguide. The deformable substrate, the first deformable conductor, and a second deformable conductor may be arranged to form a microstrip or a coaxial transmission line. A deformable transmission line may include a deformable substrate arranged in a substantially enclosed channel around an axis, a first deformable conductor arranged in a trace along the axis of the deformable substrate, and a second deformable conductor arranged on the deformable substrate to form a reference conductor for the first deformable conductor. A method of fabricating a deformable conductive assembly may include forming a deformable conductor on a deformable substrate, and disposing the deformable substrate around an axis.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods include a conductive textile (106) comprising a plurality of conductive strands and a flexible bus (102). The flexible bus (102) includes a conductive gel (104) electrically coupled to the conductive strands and an encapsulant (108) bonded to the conductive textile (106) and configured to contain the conductive gel (104) in contact with the conductive strands. The flexible bus is configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and induce a current from the power source to the conductive strands.

Abstract: A wearable article configured to characterize motions of a user is disclosed herein. The wearable article can include a flexible substrate and a flexible circuit, wherein the flexible circuit includes an inertial measurement unit and a strain sensor comprising a first trace defined by a deformable conductor. The flexible circuit can further include a bus line including a first trace defined by a deformable conductor, wherein the bus line is configured to transmit electrical power and data to the inertial measurement unit and the strain sensor, and an integrated circuit configured to provide the electrical power to the bus line for transmission to the inertial measurement unit and the strain sensor. The motions of the user can be characterized based on a correlation of the signals generated by the flexible circuit to motion data stored in a repository.

Abstract: Systems, structures, and methods include a structure formed from a plurality of layers of matrix material. A bus is secured between adjacent layers of the plurality of layers of the matrix material. The bus includes a conductive gel configured to propagate an electrical signal through the structure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of autonomously dispositioning data generated by a wearable article in compliance with multiple application-specific requirements is disclosed herein. The method can include predefining one or more rules by which data generated by a wearable article should be managed, wherein the one or more rules include definition of a triggering event. The method can further include receiving data associated with motions of the wearable article, wherein the data includes information associated with electrical parameters generated by the wearable article that vary with the motions of the wearable article. The method can further include detecting an initiation of the triggering event and managing subsequent data generated by the wearable article, including data associated with varying electrical parameters, in accordance with the predefined one or more rules.

Abstract: A system configured to control a virtual representation of a user within a virtual environment is disclosed herein. The system can include a foot base configured to receive a user input. The foot base can include a flexible circuit including an encapsulated deformable conductor. The system can further include a processor communicably coupled to the flexible circuit, and a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive a signal from the flexible circuit, determine an electrical parameter based on the received signal, correlate the determined electrical parameter to a physical parameter of the flexible circuit, and alter the virtual representation of the user based on the correlation.

Abstract: A method of using a wearable article featuring a flexible circuit in conjunction with a non-fungible token is disclosed. The method can include generating electrical parameters generated by a deformable conductor of the flexible circuit, wherein the generated electrical parameters vary with motions performed by a performer; receiving data from the wearable article associated with the generated electrical parameters; minting the data associated with the generated electrical parameters into a non-fungible token; selling the non-fungible token to a consumer; correlating the data associated with the generated electrical parameters to various physical conditions of the flexible circuit; and generating a simulation of the motions performed while wearable article via an avatar based on the correlation.

Abstract: A partially fluid-fillable circuit assembly is disclosed herein. The partially fluid-fillable circuit can include a layup composed of a substrate layer; a deformable conductor; and an encapsulation layer covering the deformable conductor. A first portion of the layup can include a sealed perimeter that, along with at least one surface defined by the layup, can define a first fluid-fillable cavity. A second portion of the layup can be unitized and structurally distinguished from the cavity defined by the first portion of the layup.

Abstract: A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

Abstract: A fluid-fillable circuit assembly is disclosed herein. The fluid-fillable circuit assembly can include a seal and a layup that includes a substrate layer, a deformable conductor, an encapsulation layer that covers the deformable conductor, and an inner surface. The inner surface and the seal define an internal cavity of the fluid-fillable circuit assembly.

Abstract: A deformable assembly may include a first structural layer, a first bonding layer bonded to the structural layer, and a pattern of functional material entrapped between the first structural layer and first the bonding layer. The functional material has a viscous characteristic, an elastic characteristic and/or a viscoelastic characteristic. The assembly may further include a second structural layer bonded to the first bonding layer. The first structural layer may include a first piece of fabric, the second structural layer may include a second piece of fabric, and the functional material may be electrically conductive. The functional material may include a conductive gel. The assembly may further include a second bonding layer bonded to the first bonding layer and the first structural layer, and the pattern of functional material may be entrapped between the first and second bonding layers.

Abstract: An interface device includes an electronic trace comprising a fluid phase conductor. The electronic trace is configured to transmit a current from a first end of the electronic trace to a second end of the electronic trace. A portion of the electronic trace is configured to receive a physical manipulation from a user, where the physical manipulation causes a change in current along the electronic trace which is configured to be interpreted as a control action. The electronic trace is further configured to sense a strain field produced by the physical manipulation by the user and interpret the strain field as a variable control action.

Abstract: A flexible differential strain sensor, system, and method includes a deformable substrate having a first axis and a second axis different than the first axis and a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first and second sensing elements are comprised of conductive gel. The first sensing element is arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis. The second sensing element has a first portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis and a second portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the second axis. The second sensing element is arranged to cancel at least a portion of the stimulus sensed by the first sensing element in the along the first axis.

Abstract: A flexible hybrid electronic system includes a first structure electrically coupled to a second structure through a via. The first structure includes a first flexible substrate, a first electronic component secured to the first flexible substrate, and a first flexible conductive trace formed in part from a fluid phase conductor and enclosed within the first flexible substrate. The second structure includes a second flexible substrate, a second electronic component secured to the second flexible substrate, and a second flexible conductive trace formed in part from the fluid phase conductor and enclosed within the second flexible substrate. The via is filled with a conductive medium and extends between and electrically couples the first flexible conductive trace to the second flexible conductive trace. The first structure is bonded to the second structure at an interconnect region and the via is located within the interconnect region.

Abstract: A human interface device may include a deformable body having a handle portion, and a deformable conductor coupled to the deformable body and arranged to deform in response to a physical manipulation of the deformable body. The physical manipulation may include compressing, flexing, twisting, and/or stretching at least a portion of the deformable body. The deformable conductor may be arranged to change an electric characteristic such as a resistance, capacitance and/or inductance in response to the physical manipulation. The deformable conductor may include a sensor portion, and a transmission portion. The sensor portion may sense a first type of physical manipulation, and the transmission portion may sense a second type of physical manipulation.

Abstract: A method may include providing a fluid material, solidifying the fluid material, providing a substrate, and depositing the solidified fluid material on the substrate. Providing the fluid material may include providing a mold, and filling the mold with the fluid material. Solidifying the fluid material may include solidifying the fluid material in a mold, and removing the solidified fluid material from the mold. Providing the substrate may include preparing the substrate for deposition of the solidified fluid material, and adjusting the temperature of the substrate. Depositing the solidified fluid material on the substrate may include fixturing the substrate, and loading the solidified fluid material in a deposition tool. The fluid material may include a liquid phase component, and a solid phase component. The solid phase component may include particles suspended in the liquid phase component. The liquid phase component may include a gallium alloy.

Abstract: A system configured to characterize a physical motion performed by a user is disclosed herein. The system can include a wearable article including a first flexible circuit, that includes a first trace formed from a deformable conductor. The first flexible circuit is positioned in a first location of interest on the wearable article. The system can further include a computing device configured to receive a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, determine a physical condition of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter, compare the physical condition of the first flexible circuit to previously determined physical conditions associated with the wearable article, and characterize the physical motion performed by the user based on the comparison.