Abstract: A smart object may be used to monitor the hydration level of a person. The object has at least two impedance sensors that can be used to sense the complex impedance of a person when a tissue of the user comes into contact with the impedance sensors. The measured impedance can then be used to determine the hydration level of the person. In addition to using the impedance sensors to determine the hydration level of the person, the impedance sensors can also be used to capture an electrocardiogram for the person. The smart object may also be used with another smart object to determine the identity of the user or other physiological parameters of the user such as blood pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of tuning chromatic aberration of the eyes of a subject for the treatment of myopia. Refractive errors of an eye of the subject are assessed in the presence of one or more of red, blue, or green colored light, individually. A hybrid achromatic lens having a refractive portion and a diffractive portion is then designed, with the hybrid lens having a distribution of power varied between the refractive portion and diffractive portion. As such, the hybrid lens produces a state of chromatic aberration for the eyes of the subject capable of reducing or eliminating myopia advancement for the eyes of the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for upcycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that involve the dissolving of PVC in an organic solvent; and contacting the PVC with a base, thereby providing a partially dehydrochlorinated PVC. Polymers made by the disclosed, and articles therefore, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intrusion prevention system can be embedded in an industrial controller to detect possible attacks on the corresponding physical system of the industrial controller. The intrusion prevention system can analyze the payload of network packets received at the industrial controller and predict what harm the payload of the network packet could cause to the physical system if executed by the industrial controller. To predict how the payload of a network packet may affect the physical system, the intrusion prevention system can perform a simulation with the payload of the network packet. The simulation can incorporate a model of the physical system, a copy of the logic used by the industrial controller and information relating to the current state of the system. The result of the simulation can be new predicted states for the physical system that can be evaluated to determine if a safety violation has occurred.

Abstract: A system for improving radiation tolerance of memory senses an amount of radiation exposure and, based on the sensed amount of radiation exposure, determines whether to perform one or more techniques for mitigating the effects of the radiation exposure. As an example, the system may perform a data refresh operation by re-writing data that has been corrupted by radiation, or the system may adjust the reference voltage used to read memory cells. In another example, the system may perform a fault repair operation by re-programming cells that have erroneously transitioned from a program state to an erase state. The system may selectively perform different radiation-mitigation techniques in a tiered approach based on the sensed amount of radiation in order to limit the adverse effects of the more invasive techniques.

Abstract: A direction-finding system is disclosed. The receiving system includes a channel sounder using a Pseudo-Doppler Antenna Array (PDAA) configured to locate transmitters and to sound the channel at pre-defined operating frequency.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to the design of an apparatus for enhancing the operation and reliability of high-power multi-chip modules, which are used in the design and implementation of power electronics converters. This apparatus is especially useful for modules containing recently-commercialized, high-performance wide band-gap semiconductors such as Silicon Carbide (SiC), which commonly emit undesirable high-frequency ringing and oscillation in the “Near-RF” spectral band between 1-30 MHz. The disclosed apparatus provides near-complete elimination of this high frequency spectral content, while leaving the desired frequency range (1-100 kHz) of the module unaffected. In addition to the suppression of this undesirable high-frequency content, the disclosed apparatus also provides for accurate, galvanically-isolated, high-bandwidth, real-time current measurement, which is essential for some types of power electronics converters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring anatomical dimensions from a single two-dimensional (2D) digital image. The digital image is taken from the front/anterior view using a mobile, handheld communication device. The linear measurements are used to estimate the body volume of the individual. Total body density is calculated from estimated body volume and body weight. Body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) of the individual is derived from density using known mathematical conversion formulas. A method for estimating body composition analysis is provided. Systems and methods are provided that determine an individual's fitness by determining body composition of the individual using a picture of the individual, determining the individual's VO2 max based on the individual's movement (e.g., walking and/or running a measured distance over a measured amount of time), and determining the individual's fitness based on the body composition and the determined VO2 max.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a plasma sheet source and methods of using same. The plasma sheet source includes a cylindrical electrode having a conductive cylindrical core surrounded by a dielectric material, a plurality of channels configured to direct gas from a gas inlet to the electrode, and a plasma outlet positioned below the electrode. Gas is introduced to the plasma sheet source and directed toward the electrode, which when powered by pulsed direct current, produces plasma as the gas ionizes. The produced plasma is then directed out of the plasma outlet to a specimen for treatment of the specimen. Notably, the plasma exiting the plasma outlet is in the form of a plasma sheet that is at approximately room temperature.

Abstract: An exemplary random number generation system leverages the r includes at least one solar power panel of a solar power system, at least one sensor and a random number generator. The sensor senses one or more output parameters (e.g., voltage or current) from the solar power system and provides the sensed parameter to the random number generator, which uses the sensed parameter to generate a number that is truly random (i.e., is not deterministic). As an example, the random number generator may receive multiple samples of the measured parameter and generate a random number based on a difference of the multiple samples. If desired, the random number generator may include an algorithm to remove biasing in the random number.

Abstract: A method for determining MTPA, flux-weakening, and MTPV operating points over the full speed range of an IPM motor for the most efficient torque control of the motor using a neural network is provided. The neural network is trained using a cloud-based neural network training algorithm. A special technique is developed to generate neural network training data, that is particularly suitable and favorable, to develop a high-performance neural network-based IPM torque control system, and the impact of variable motor parameters is embedded into the neural network system development and training. The provided method can achieve a fast and accurate current reference generation with a simple neural network structure, for optimal torque control of an IPM motor. The method can handle the MTPA, MTPV, and flux-weakening operation considering physical motor constraints.

Abstract: In an implementation, a method for pixel level roadway crack segmentation is provided. The method includes: receiving a plurality of roadway range images; generating a plurality of image patches from the plurality of roadway range images; generating a crack map for the plurality of image patches by a DCNN; and generating a crack map for the plurality of roadway range images based on the generated crack map for the plurality of image patches.

Abstract: A multi-core dielectric circular waveguide (MCDCW) is described. A hybrid mode excitation for multi-core dielectric filled circular waveguide fed parabolic antenna is also described. A multi-core dielectric circular waveguide with four cylinders of different relative permittivity (?r) inside each other is used to generate the hybrid mode (HE11) directly without need for coupling TE11 and TM11 modes as in prior art corrugated waveguide feeders. This mode is preferable to be used as operating mode to feed the reflector. Four concentric cylinders of different relative permittivity ?r are used as an example.

Abstract: An assistive device for stair-climbing assistance includes a powered rail-sliding platform that assists its user through a unique human interface. The device provides powered assistance (a gentle pulling force) and protection (through a safety belt) to help users climb or descend stairs.

Abstract: A memory authentication system initiates various memory operations on a memory chip and then assesses the performance of the memory chip in performing such operations in an attempt to identify a signature in the chip's performance that can be used to identify the chip's source. As an example, a partial erase operation may be performed on programmed memory cells in order to drain some charge from the cells but allowing some charge to remain in the cells. Due to process variations during manufacturing, charge should drain from the cells at different rates such that some of the cells may flip to an erase state while other cells remain in a program state. The pattern of bit flips defines a unique signature that may be used to identify the chip's manufacturing source (e.g., the foundry at which the chip was manufactured).

Abstract: An image processing system receives a digital image and analyzes the digital image to determine a resolution limit, referred to herein as “feature resolution,” for measuring a metric for features of the image within an acceptable margin of error. Specifically, the system segments a digital image and calculates the error associated with the segmented data when features within a certain range a measured metric (e.g., size range) are removed from the segmented data. This analysis can be repeatedly performed with different cutoff values for the metric until at least a threshold amount of error is reached, thereby indicating a resolution limit at the boundary of an acceptable amount of error.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for detecting cracks in road segments is provided. The method includes: receiving raw range data for a first image by a computing device from an imaging system, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of pixels; receiving raw intensity data for the first image by the computing device from an imaging system; fusing the raw range data and raw intensity data to generate fused data for the first image by the computing device; extracting a set of features from the fused data for the first image by the computing device; providing the set of features to a trained neural network by the computing device; and generating a label for each pixel of the plurality of pixels by the trained neural network, wherein a received label for a pixel indicates whether or not the pixel is associated with a crack.

Abstract: Imidazole-containing polymer membranes and resins are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the membranes and resins include reducing acids from liquid phases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for measuring motion of a shoe and tension in the shoelace of the shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a target analyte includes a sensing material of a baseline composition. The sensing material is in electrical communication with an alternating energy input across the sensing material at a first frequency. The sensing material is configured to be placed within an environment such that an exposed state is in communication with a concentration of a target analyte proximate the sensing material, and wherein the target analyte changes at least one compositional property of the baseline composition. An impedance detection device is connected to a sensing circuit and receives an output from the sensing material, the output exhibiting a respective impedance value of the sensing material corresponding to the input for the first frequency. The respective impedance value is dependent upon the concentration of the target analyte in the environment and the first frequency.