Abstract: A motor drive system and method for determining an optimized efficiency of the motor drive system are provided. The motor drive system includes a system controller, a motor drive having includes an inverter configured to generate the AC power upon one or more motor leads, and an electric motor, which is to convert the AC power from the motor leads to rotational energy. A dynamometer may include a load coupled to the shaft and sensors to measure to measure operating characteristics such as torque and speed of the electric motor. The system controller is configured to generate a lookup table, with an entry describing an output current command for operating the inverter and the motor at a maximum system efficiency for a given combination rotational speed and output torque. Motor temperature may also be measured and used as an additional index into the lookup table.

Abstract: A motor drive system for an electrified vehicle includes a DC source, such as a battery, and an inverter, which includes one or more phase drivers, each configured to switch current from the DC source to generate AC power upon one or more output terminals using a hybrid of two or more different solid-state switches, each having a corresponding voltage rating. A nine-switch inverter includes three phase drivers, each including high, low, and middle solid-state switches, with Si-MOSFET high and low switches having a first voltage rating of half of the rated voltage of the system, and with Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors rated to block a full rated voltage of the system used for the middle switches. A delay driver synchronizes timing between two different solid-state switches by energizing control terminals at different rates. The inverter can be operated using near-state pulse-width modulation (NSPWM) to reduce switching losses.

Abstract: An inspection probe and system for inspecting a welded or brazed joint includes a housing having an internal cavity and opposed tapered standoffs disposed at a distal end portion of the housing. Distal ends of the opposed tapered standoffs define pivot surfaces, and the opposed tapered standoffs are spaced apart to define a secondary enclosure. A plurality of transducer elements are disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and a primary coupling medium made of a flexible, semi-solid material is secured between the opposed tapered standoffs. A signal processing module is in communication with a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with the transducer elements. The inspection probe is rotated across the joint, data from the transducer elements is communicated to the signal processing module, and reconstructed and corrected images obtained at different angles from the transducer elements are stitched to generate an inspection image.

Abstract: An inspection probe and system for inspecting a welded or brazed joint includes a housing having an internal cavity and opposed tapered standoffs disposed at a distal end portion of the housing. Distal ends of the opposed tapered standoffs define pivot surfaces, and the opposed tapered standoffs are spaced apart to define a secondary enclosure. A plurality of transducer elements are disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and a primary coupling medium made of a flexible, semi-solid material is secured between the opposed tapered standoffs. A signal processing module is in communication with a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with the transducer elements. The inspection probe is rotated across the joint, data from the transducer elements is communicated to the signal processing module, and reconstructed and corrected images obtained at different angles from the transducer elements are stitched to generate an inspection image.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a self-healing polymer composition preferably for use in manufacturing a dielectric layer of a capacitive pressure sensor, and which comprises a central atom and a polymer having a main chain and one or more terminal moieties coupled to the main chain, wherein said one or more terminal moieties are selected to operate as ligands to form a coordination complex with the central atom, and preferably, the ligands and the central atom are selected to form the coordination complex after being subject to an external force sufficient to remove coordinate covalent bonds therebetween.

Abstract: An analyzer for diagnosing pulmonary and abdominals including, a pulsed force generator for outputting a mechanical disturbance to generate vibrations and reflected/return waves/vibrations in a patient's torso, and sensors for detecting the vibration/return wave signals. The apparatus compares the detected electrical signals with pre-stored reference wave profiles and based on the compared data generates an output signal indicative of a potential presence or absence of a pulmonary disease and/or condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to elastomeric coatings for electronics. Disclosed is a electronic device comprising a substrate layer, a conductive layer and an encapsulant layer. The encapsulant layer comprises at least a butyl rubber material. The butyl rubber encapsulant prevents a change in resistivity of the conductive layer following exposure to nitric acid vapour for 12 hours or hydrochloric acid vapour for 10 hours.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a transgenic non-human animal model having germ cells and somatic cells containing an endogenous MMTV-SV40-Spy1A gene sequence introduced into said animal model or an ancestor of said animal model at an embryonic stage, wherein said gene sequence comprises a mouse mammary tumor virus gene (MMTV), a functionally disrupted SV40 gene (SV40) and a human Spy1A gene. In another aspect, the present invention provides a transgenic non-human animal model whose germ cells and somatic cells contain an endogenous Spy1A-pTRE-Tight gene sequence introduced into said animal model or an ancestor of said animal model at an embryonic stage. Preferably, the Spy1A-pTRE-Tight animal model expresses the Spy1A gene and develop cancer, preferably breast cancer, when administered with tetracycline, preferably doxycycline.

Abstract: A printed target model is formed by 3D printing by inputting target model data, and based on target model data, identifying surface portions requiring support. The surface portions are projected onto a virtual printer table, and one or more virtual support structures having a V-shaped cap portion and optionally a generally planar web are created therefore. The virtual model is then used to control a 3D printer to integrally print-form the target model and support structures.

Abstract: The present invention providing a real-time positioning ultrasonic system that locates the dental implant drill bit relative to placed reference points or fiducial markers, and guides the drill entry point and angular trajectory, so that drilling is effected in the most optimum location in the jaw bone, as planned based on pre-surgery cone-beam computed tomography scans.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically transparent peroxide cured article made from a peroxide curable butyl rubber ionomer comprising repeating units derived from the reaction product of one or more multiolefin monomers and at least one nitrogen or phosphorous based nucleophile comprising a pendant vinyl group. A process is also disclosed for making the optically transparent article.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The microarray modules are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a rectangular or square matrix and are activatable individually, selectively or collectively to emit and received reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.

Abstract: A system for predicting epileptic seizures includes sensors operable to record a wearer's brain activity. The sensors electronically communicate with a processor configured to receive and store output EEG oscillations and activities. A threshold electrical fluctuation level is identified as the level electrical activity experienced at the onset of a seizure event, and is then stored in the PDA memory as a predetermined threshold value. The processor analyzes the input EEG data logged for a recording period, and the logged data is broken into a number of data values across a series of individual set sampling periods. Convert collected data value readings for individual sampling periods as a non-linear measure value using fractal dimension, P&H and/or Lyapunov weighing. The calculated values for a predicted next time intervals extending the sampling period is projected forward and compared against the predetermined threshold value to indicate a likely seizure event.

Abstract: Surface modification methods based on a combination of plasma and chemical treatments render an unfilled butyl rubber surface highly reactive toward organosilanes, allowing formation of an organosilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Plasma oxidation of the butyl rubber surface followed by vapor deposition of SiCl4 produces a hydrophilic surface suitable for anchoring organosilanes. Fabrication of SAMs on this hydrophilic butyl rubber surface with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) via vapor deposition resulted in a 15% and 25% decrease in gas permeability, respectively, with no change in optical transparency of the butyl rubber.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device evaluates the sound velocity of a nail to determine the overall health of a patient and to monitor cosmetological effects of certain products on the nail. The ultrasonic device includes a handhold probe having an piezoelectric transducer encased in cover that emits high-frequency ultrasonic impulses directed towards the nail. The nail reflects returning ultrasonic echoes back to the piezoelectric transducer. The returning ultrasonic echoes vibrate the piezoelectric transducer. A processor of a computer converts the vibrations into electrical pulses. The processor evaluates amplitude values of the electrical pulses to determine the parameters of the human nail, including the thickness, density and elasticity. The parameters are displayed on a display and analyzed by a technician to determine the nail condition. The health of the person or the effect of products on the nail can be determined based on the nail parameters.

Abstract: A stable delivery system for the therapeutic release and application of nitric oxide to a patient suffering from a cutaneous injury or wound includes a S-nitrosothiol and transition element nanoparticles. The transition metal nanoparticles are selected to react with the S-nitrosothiol to release and diffuse nitric oxide into the injury or wound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers is provided which is hardware based, and which uses unpredictable physical noise produced by an optoisolator. Specifically, the noises resulting from one or more of quantum shot, thermal noise, flicker, and the photoelectric effect are used as variable energy sources for subsequent conversion into a bitstream used for random number selection. The apparatus is preferably provided with a through hole prototype design and construction which requires minimal number of components reducing overall costs.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing neurogeneration in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising administration of a composition comprising CoQ10 and polyoxyethanyl-a-tocopherylsebacate (PTS). The compositions of the invention have been shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in mammals, thus effecting delivery of CoQ10 directly to brain tissue. Beneficial effects of the treatment have been observed at lower doses of CoQ10 than previously described.

Abstract: A printed target model is formed by 3D printing by inputting target model data, and based on target model data, identifying surface portions requiring support. The surface portions are projected onto a virtual printer table, and one or more virtual support structures having a V-shaped cap portion and optionally a generally planar web are created therefore. The virtual model is then used to control a 3D printer to integrally print-form the target model and support structures.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The microarray modules are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a rectangular or square matrix and are activatable individually, selectively or collectively to emit and received reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.