Abstract: A surgical appliance includes a pair of opposed prongs slideably disposed on an elongated locking track for retracting neurovascular and musculotendinous anatomical structures through an incision for affording access to deeper structures for inserting osteosynthesis hardware in the surgical treatment of a distal radius fracture or other surgical procedure. The prongs extend from retractors that traverse the locking track for opposed linear movement while recessed in a surgical working region accessible through an incision. The prongs terminate in curvatures defining a void that gather and engage the elongated anatomical structures on top of the skeletal members receiving the plate. The prongs draw back the tendons, blood vessels and nerve structures to allow unimpeded surgical access for manipulating and attaching skeletal and soft tissue members and/or appliances.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for determining a deformity in a bone surface comprises performing a scan of a healthy bone and a diseased bone; creating 3-dimensional (3D) representations of a current surface of the diseased bone; constructing an estimated healthy surface in 3D for the diseased bone based on the surface of the healthy bone; and identifying a deformity in the diseased bone by comparing the estimated healthy surface to the current surface of the diseased bone. In some embodiments, the scan is performed using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Abstract: A noncontact temperature sensing device receives radiative emissions from a sensed object to measure radiant heat flux and computes a temperature using multiple photodiode sensors, or elements, each sensitive to a different bandwidth of near IR light. The device samples a fluctuating heat source such as a flame or explosion at a fast sampling frequency, and compares corresponding or simultaneous readings in each bandwidth for computing a ratio of the respective bands and determining a temperature via ratio pyrometry. Multiple sensors of adjacent bands each receive corresponding readings of near IR emissions, perform fast, concurrent sampling to mitigate inconsistencies of heat source fluctuations, and compute a temperature based on a ratio between the sampled readings of the different bands. Near IR detection allows common and inexpensive photodiodes to be employed, and the photoelectric rather than thermoelectric sensing allows faster sampling and at a greater distance from the sensed heat source.

Abstract: A toroidal actuator is responsive to a teleoperator for providing haptic feedback responsive to a curvature or articulated movement applied to a gripped object. The toroidal actuator surrounds an operator member such as a finger, and is responsive to pneumatic pressure for increasing telepresence force defined by resistance encounter against a teleoperated robotic claw. As the teleoperated claw grips an object, increased pneumatic pressure in the toroidal actuator tends to elongate the toroidal shape in a linear manner and oppose a curvature force applied by an inserted operator finger. Resistive force is based on soft sensing of the gripped object, thus the toroidal actuator applies an increasing resistive force to curvature as the robotic claw closes around a gripped object by solenoid regulated air pressure. A typical assembly includes at least 3 toroidal actuators for two digits and a thumb of an operator.

Abstract: A visual tracking system, comprises an eye-tracking device and a cognitive load detection device disposed in electrical communication with the eye-tracking device, the cognitive load detection device comprising a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive eye-movement data from the eye-tracking device, the eye-movement data comprising pupil dilation event data and at least one of saccade event data and fixation event data, apply a classification function to the eye-movement data to detect a cognitive load associated with the eye-movement data and corresponding to a visual location of a field of view of the user, and output a notification regarding the cognitive load associated with the eye-movement data.

Abstract: A dry electrode manufacturing process employed for low cost battery through a dry mixing and formation process. A thermal activation renders the dry fabricated electrode comparable to conventional slurry casted electrodes. The dry electrode mixture results from a combination of a plurality of types of constituent particles, including at least an active charge material and a binder, and typically a conductive material such as carbon. The process heats the deposited mixture to a moderate temperature for activating the binder for adhering the mixture to the substrate; and compresses the deposited mixture to a thickness for achieving an electrical sufficiency of the compressed, deposited mixture as a charge material in a battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a scaffold of extracellular matrix polymers with recombinant chimeric peptides tethered thereto. The invention also provides recombinant chimeric peptides of antimicrobial peptides and extracellular matrix binding domains. The invention also provides methods for treating chronic wounds using the scaffold and/or recombinant chimeric peptides.

Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.

Abstract: A mixed reality device includes a mixed reality display and a controller disposed in electrical communication with the mixed reality display. The controller is configured to display a hierarchical data structure as a virtual object in a 3D space on the mixed reality display, the hierarchical data structure constructed from topology data associated with a network and three-dimensional (3D) embedded network data associated with the network; receive a hierarchy traversal command relative to at least one node of a first level of the hierarchical data structure; and, in response to receiving the hierarchy traversal command, display at least one node of the second level of the hierarchical data structure on the mixed reality display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to, in a modeling apparatus, a method of identifying electromagnetic behavior of an electronic component. The method includes receiving, by the modeling apparatus, geometric design criteria and material property criteria for the component; defining, by the modeling apparatus, a set of finite elements representing the component based upon the geometric design criteria and material property criteria; applying, by the modeling apparatus, a Hermite finite element method function to each finite element to define an electromagnetic field for each finite element; applying, by the modeling apparatus, a divergence-free condition at each node of each finite element to define an electromagnetic field at each node; and based upon application of the Hermite finite element method function and the divergence free condition to generate the electromagnetic fields, generating, by the modeling apparatus, a model of the electromagnetic behavior of the component.

Abstract: A vanadium recovery approach utilizes oil fly ash (OFA), in contrast to coal fly ash, for separation and recovery of vanadium. OFA is first carbon burned to reduce the volume for recycling, and also to provide a fuel for other industrial processes. Following an almost 90% weight reduction from carbon burning, the remaining material includes about 18% vanadium. A salt roasting performed at the same temperature (about 650° C.) as the carbon burning allows use of the same oven or furnace, reducing heat requirements for the overall process. Salt roasting generates a water-soluble material from which a water leaching process yields a vanadium leach solution containing recovered vanadium, avoiding a need for caustic or volatile leaching agents. Ammonium metavanadate is precipitated from the vanadium leach solution through addition of ammonium sulfate, and a calcination process used to generate vanadium oxide (V2O5).

Abstract: A switching device receives an output cable from a guitar. The output cable has a plurality of conductors corresponding to each of the pickups on the guitar, typically 2 or 3. A passthrough signal based on manually switched pickup selection corresponds to a main guitar output. A pickup buffer circuit on the guitar isolates the signal conductors from the selected passthrough signal, and also switches the pickup buffer circuit on and off to allow for backwards compatibility. A multi-conductor cable and jack simultaneously transmits the plurality of signals to the switching device. The switching device receives the multi-conductor cable. A combination circuit in the switching device combines the signals from the pickups and also delivers the individual pickup signals to a respective output jack. Each output jack simultaneously delivers the respective pickup or combined signal to a mixer, amplifier or other signal processing device for recording and/or further processing.

Abstract: A robotic configuration employs a system of low-cost, relatively lightweight beams and linkages fabricated from a planer material from a series of cuts and folds. The beams are folded along crease lines to form a 3-dimensional structure from a 2-dimensional substrate such as a polyester or other semi-rigid sheet. Tabs and appendages, or keys, cut into the planar material engage slots or apertures cut into adjacent members to define linkages. The linkages include tabs that are insertable in a one-way manner, such that removal is prevented but articulate and rotational movement is permitted by the resilient and flexible nature of the planar sheet material. An arrangement of beams and linkages are cut and formed based on a pattern imposed on a single planar sheet. The beam and linkage arrangement defines a robotic configuration for transport and other actions from an actuation source such as a motor.

Abstract: A power point tracking apparatus employs irradiance detection for performing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of a PV panel. The apparatus controls an operating voltage of a PV panel inverter by regulating the operating voltage of the inverter at a computed optimal voltage based on a detected irradiance of light on the solar panel providing power to the inverter to result in a maximum power generation from the solar panel. The inverter receives the DC (direct current) from the solar panel and generates an AC (alternating current) signal at a fixed voltage (typically 110-120 v) usable by grid based power consumers.

Abstract: Actuators and methods of use are provided. An actuator may include an inner member made from an elastic material and defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid, the inner member being moveable in a longitudinal direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing an actuating fluid into the inner member; and an outer member made from an inelastic material and being disposed around the elastic inner member to control expansion of the elastic inner member in a radial direction, the outer member being moveable from a folded relaxed configuration to an unfolded extended configuration as the inner member moves from the relaxed state to the expanded state, wherein the movement of the actuator between the relaxed state and the expanded state causes a movement of a structure to which the actuator is attached.

Abstract: The invention provides a scaffold of extracellular matrix polymers with recombinant chimeric peptides tethered thereto. The invention also provides recombinant chimeric peptides of antimicrobial peptides and extracellular matrix binding domains. The invention also provides methods for treating chronic wounds using the scaffold and/or recombinant chimeric peptides.

Abstract: The airborne vehicle recovery method and apparatus enables radiosonde users to reliably recover launched radiosondes and provides new and unique opportunities for research and data acquisition with balloon launched radiosondes. Airborne vehicles such as radiosondes are disposed in a flight body adapted for propulsionless, gliding navigation for returning to one of several designated landing sites for recovery. Onboard electronics including a navigation computer, flight computer, and lightweight battery are employed for selecting a landing site, computing a heading and direction, and actuating flaps for pursuing a propulsionless, gliding path to the landing site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to, in an access controller, a method for providing access to a network resource. The method includes receiving, by the access controller, a network access request and user interaction information associated with the network access request from the client device, the user access information received with the network access request from the client device. The method includes comparing, by the access controller, the user interaction information with a policy corresponding to the user interaction information. The method includes providing communication, by the access controller, between the client device and the network resource associated with the network access request in response to detecting an association between the user interaction information and the policy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to a mixed reality device having a mixed reality display and a controller disposed in electrical communication with the mixed reality display. The controller configured to receive topology data associated with a network and three-dimensional (3D) embedded network data associated with the network. The controller is configured to construct a hierarchical data structure from the topology data and the 3D embedded network data. The controller is also configured to display a level of the hierarchical data structure as a virtual object in a 3D space on the mixed reality display, the level of the hierarchical data structure identifying a subset of nodes and a subset of edges of the hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, compositions that include the agent(s) and use(s) thereof are provided. Also disclosed are screening assays for identifying antimicrobial agents.