Abstract: A new fabrication process for flexible and wearable microfluidic channel structures and devices is provided. Microfluidic channel structures and devices can be printed on textiles and in particular on flexible fabrics, such as clothing, for applications in wearable microfluidic sensors and systems. The wearable and flexible microfluidic devices are fabricated from water-insoluble plastisol polymers, which may be screen-printable, and sheets of paper may be used as a sacrificial substrate during production.

Abstract: A fibre-based sensor for yarn senses strain or pressure and includes: (a) a fibre extending along a centerline with a first longitudinal portion thereof forming a first fibre member that is elastic and has a first stiffness, first hysteresis, and first electrical conductivity; and (b) a second fibre member selected as a second fibre or a second longitudinal portion of the fibre, the second fibre member being elastic, having a second stiffness, second hysteresis, and second conductivity, wherein the first and second fibre members are non-slidable relative to each other along the centerline, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness so sensor stiffness is dominated by the first stiffness, the first hysteresis being less than the second hysteresis so sensor hysteresis is dominated by the first hysteresis, the first conductivity being less than the second conductivity so sensor conductivity is dominated by the second electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A magnetic device comprising having a first magnetic layer having a first magnetization direction, a second magnetic layer having a second magnetization direction, a first coupling layer interposed between the first and second magnetic layers, a third magnetic layer having a third magnetization direction, a first magnetoresistive layer interposed between the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a circuit connected to one or more of the layers of the magnetic device by at least a pair of leads. The circuit is configured to determine a change in resistance between the pair of leads. The change in resistance is based at least in part on a change in an angular relationship between the third magnetization direction and the second magnetization direction caused by an external magnetic field or a current passing through at least a portion of the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alkaline-stable m-terphenyl benzimidazolium hydroxide compounds, in which the C2-position is attached to a phenyl group having various substituents at the ortho positions. Polymers incorporating m-terphenylene repeating groups derived from these alkaline-stable benzimidazolium hydroxide compounds are also presented, along with their inclusion in ionic membranes and in electrochemical devices.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: A vector light sensor (VLS) includes a substrate and a sensor structure. The substrate includes a major surface. The sensor structure includes a pyramid structure, light-sensitive areas, and electrical contacts. The pyramid structure forms at least a portion of a body of the sensor structure and has predefined angles between the major surface of the substrate and a plurality of sidewalls of the pyramid. The light-sensitive areas are formed on two or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the pyramid structure. The electrical contacts are electrically coupled to the light-sensitive areas. Information about the information about intensity and direction of an incident light beam can be extracted by comparing signals from two or more of the light-sensitive areas.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensorless adaptive optics imaging system includes a source of light, an optical delivery unit having a wavefront modifying element, and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) sensor configured to acquire OCT images based on light emitted by the source of light and transmitted through the optical delivery unit. The system also includes a processing unit that can: process the OCT images, and determine an adjustment of parameters of the wavefront modifying element. In some embodiments, the system includes a multi-photon microscopy (MPM) sensor that acquires MPM images based on the light transmitted through the optical delivery unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an angular rate of rotation in the presence of linear movement includes: (a) an enclosure for containing a fluid; (b) a heater disposed within the enclosure in fluid communication with the fluid; and (c) a plurality of temperature detectors disposed within the enclosure in fluid communication with the heater and the fluid, the plurality of temperature detectors being arranged symmetrically about the heater such that a superposition of a plurality of differential-temperature indications produced by the plurality of temperature detectors is maximally sensitive to the rotation while being minimally sensitive to the linear movement. In some embodiments, the heater and the plurality of temperature detectors form a gyroscopic unit, and the apparatus includes a plurality of the gyroscopic units having an angular relationship. The angular relationship may have an angular-relationship value defined by a full-circle angle divided by a number of the gyroscopic units.

Abstract: A hybrid atmospheric water generator (HAWG) utilizing, in certain embodiments, a core atmospheric water generator (105) and a preconditioning unit (110) to increase humidity of air prior to water condensation. The core atmospheric unit comprises a condensing unit (106) having a water condensing heat exchanger (107) coupled to source of cooling (109). The preconditioning unit (110) includes a heat exchanger (112) and a sorption unit (114) configured to store moisture for release when air is passed through or near the sorption unit (114). The heat exchanger (112) is used to increase the temperature of air moving into or through the preconditioning unit (110) in order to increase the amount of moisture the air is able to store. The preconditioning unit enables the generation of more water per energy unit expended and/or generating water from ambient air under conditions in which traditional atmospheric water generators cannot function.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for repelling an Anopheles gambiae including applying to a site of interest an effective amount of a compound of Formula I: wherein: R1 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, or allyl; R2 is at positions 2, 3 or 4 and is H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, or allyl; and R3 is optionally present at positions 2, 3 and 4, and is allyl; with the provisos that when R2 is at position 2, R3 if present is at position 3, or when R2 is at position 3, R3 if present is at positions 2 or 4, or when R2 is at position 4, R3 if present is at position 2; and with the proviso that the compound of Formula I does not include a compound according to Formula II: wherein R1? is methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, or allyl; or mixture thereof to a site of interest.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compounds that affect the olfactory responses of the honey bee mite (Varroa destructor) and methods of use thereof. The compounds do not kill Varroa destructor, and are therefore unlikely to generate Varroa destructor resistance, compared to an acaricide. The compounds can work in conjunction with other mite control approaches, such as a bottom board excluder and sticky board control devices, and can enhance the performance of other forms of mite control while decreasing disadvantages associated therewith.

Abstract: Described herein are stable hydroxide ion-exchange polymers. The polymers include ionenes, which are polymers that contain ionic amines in the backbone. The polymers are alcohol-soluble and water-insoluble. The polymers have a water uptake and an ionic conductivity that are correlated to a degree of N-substitution. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes including the polymers are also provided. The polymers are suitable, for example, for use as ionomers in catalyst layers for fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Abstract: The disclosed devices utilize nonlinearly coupled modes of vibration to provide robust inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes. This actuation mechanism introduces a wider bandwidth in the sense-mode frequency response curve, and consequently enhances robustness to parameter fluctuations due to operating conditions and fabrication imperfections. The vibratory modes of the device are designed to have distinct frequencies where the drive-mode natural frequency is twice the modal frequency of the sense mode. The nonlinear modal interaction due to internal resonance can also be magnified through nonlinearity feedback. The sense mode response can be enhanced in shape, quality factor, and bandwidth by feeding back nonlinear quadratic, cubic, etc. terms.

Abstract: A reconfigurable microfluidics multiplexing device for biological and chemical sample analysis which comprises: a cartridge comprising one or more sample fluid tracks (both horizontal and vertical) in a single plane, an array comprising one or more electronically programmable valves capable of being configured to alter fluid steering in the fluid tracks; a means for the array to interface with the fluid tracks; a means to control fluid flow in the fluid tracks; and a user interface to direct control of valves via control logic within the device; wherein, by the interface, valve positions are controllable and alterable.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compounds that affect the olfactory responses of the honey bee mite (Varroa destructor) and methods of use thereof. The compounds do not kill Varroa destructor, and are therefore unlikely to generate Varroa destructor resistance, compared to an acaricide. The compounds can work in conjunction with other mite control approaches, such as a bottom board excluder and sticky board control devices, and can enhance the performance of other forms of mite control while decreasing disadvantages associated therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides in part, compounds according to Formula I: and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides in part, conjugate compounds. The invention also provides synthesis methods for making the compounds, and uses of the compounds.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, among other embodiments, systems and related methods for selecting electrode combinations to be used during nerve pacing procedures. A first set of electrode combinations of a nerve pacing system, such as a phrenic nerve pacing system for diaphragm activation, may be mapped (or tested) to determine the location of the electrode combinations relative to a target nerve. Once the general location of the target nerve is known, a more localized second set of electrode combinations may be tested to determine the most suitable electrode combinations for nerve stimulation. At various stages of the mapping process, electrode combinations that are non-optimal may be discarded as candidates for use in a nerve pacing procedure. The systems and methods described herein may allow for the selection of electrode combinations that are most suitable for stimulation of the left and right phrenic nerves during diaphragm pacing.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.