Abstract: Custom-form batteries can supply complex, practical systems with an optimal energy density that wouldn't otherwise be possible using traditional battery form-factors. For example, iron disulfide (FeS2) is a prominent conversion cathode of commercial interest. 3D direct-ink write (DIW) printing of FeS2 inks can be used to produce ridged cathodes from the filamentary extrusion of highly concentrated FeS2 inks (60-70% solids). These ridged cathodes exhibit optimal power, uniformity, and stability when cycled at higher rates (in excess of C/10). Meanwhile, functional cells with custom-form wave-shaped electrodes (e.g., printed FeS2 cathodes and pressed lithium anodes) exhibit improved performance over similar cells in planar configurations. In general, the DIW of concentrated inks is a viable path toward the making of custom-form conversion lithium batteries. More broadly, ridging is found to optimize rate capability.

Abstract: A universal smart key (USK) provides advanced proximity, location, distance or ranging capabilities and communicates with vehicles and smart phones to perform a set of vehicle-related operations and replicates OEM key and may include one or more of Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, NFC and other communications capabilities for determining location, proximity, range, distance of a user possessing the USK relative to vehicle location. A mobile (key) fob bridge (MFB) connected with vehicle communications/immobilizer control system and provides proximity, location, distance or ranging capabilities and communicates with vehicle and smart phones to perform a set of operations and may be located within a vehicle and communicate with smart key to provide a passive keyless entry system. The MFB may include Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, NFC and other communications capabilities for determining one or more of location, proximity, range, distance of a user possessing a smart key relative to the MFB device and one or more vehicle location(s).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modifying audio-based communications produced during a conference call is disclosed. The computer-implemented method can include monitoring a plurality of utterances transmitted via an audio feed of a device connected to the conference call. The computer-implemented method can identify a first unwanted audio component transmitted via the audio feed. The computer-implemented method can actively modify the audio feed by removing the first unwanted audio component from the audio feed.

Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a detector system having a photodetector and an amplifier to amplify the photodetector signal. A discriminator generates an active output signal when the output from the amplifier is greater than a threshold. An injection circuit is coupled to the input of the amplifier. The injection circuit is configured to selectively inject a test pulse that mimics a pulse from the photodetector for verifying operation of the detector system.

Abstract: A method for proximal distance and usage pattern access management includes identifying a first trigger event based on a financial device profile indicating a first proximal distance threshold is exceeded for a first device relative to a second device, where the first device is capable of executing financial transactions. The method further includes querying one or more network devices in the vicinity of the first device to validate the first trigger event. The method further includes responsive to receiving a first validation of the first trigger event from at least one network device from the one or more network devices, applying a first temporal lock on the first device preventing future executions of financial transactions. The method further includes responsive to validating a user associated with the second device, updating the financial device profile based on at least on the first trigger event and a location for the trigger event.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.

Abstract: The disclosure describes articles having coating systems configured to inhibit or prevent crystallization of TGO at the operating temperature of the article. An article includes a substrate defining a surface; a bond coat on the surface of the substrate; a coating layer that includes a boron dopant configured to inhibit crystallization of amorphous silicon dioxide thermally grown oxide on the bond coat at an operating temperature of the article. By inhibiting or preventing TGO crystallization, the described coating systems may increase a useable life of the component.

Abstract: A flooring panel sample module and method of manufacturing the same. The module provides superior construction integrity without relying on the unpredictable performance of glue.

Abstract: An example operation may include one or more of receiving storage requests endorsed by blockchain peers of a blockchain, selecting a group of the endorsed storage requests to be stored together and ordering the group of endorsed storage requests with respect to each other based on timestamps, encoding the group of ordered and endorsed storage requests into an image, and storing the encoded image within a data section of a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a needle to facilitate suturing, such as in surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one guide member configured to extend from a suturing mechanism that is configured to revolve a helically-shaped needle around an axis while the needle is advanced around an object to be sutured. A guide track is configured to be positioned around the object and to guide the suturing mechanism in an articulated path around the object. The guide track defines at least one guide channel configured to receive the guide member, where the at least one guide channel is configured to direct movement of the guide member to cause the suturing mechanism to pivot to realign the axis to be tangential to the curved guide track.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing signal return of photons reflected by a target illuminated by laser energy using at least one threshold. Parameters of pulses in the signal return exceeding one or more thresholds can be stored in memory. Example parameters include time of flight (ToF) and a time over threshold (ToT).

Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.

Abstract: An image of a garment is obtained (101). The garment comprises a marker located on an outside surface of the garment. The marker comprises a code string identifying the garment encoded into a visual symbol. The image is processed to generate a data string representing the visual symbol (102). The data string is used to access activity data associated with a sensor of the garment identified by the code string. The system comprises the garment and one or more electronic devices operable to perform the method.

Abstract: Aspects provide for dynamic pathloss mitigation via a cross layer tool chain by simulating a three-dimensional model of a physical environment including an access point, an endpoint running an application, and a passive object; emulating network traffic for the application transmitted between the access point and the endpoint; simulating, in the model, pathways for signals to carry the traffic in a plurality of regions for the physical environment; emulating signal degradation along the pathways in the plurality of regions based on respective locations for the access point, the endpoint, and the passive object in the physical environment; and in response to the signal degradation satisfying a pathloss threshold, outputting a command to the application to affect operations of the endpoint. Additionally, the cross layer tool chain outputs a Graphical User Interface showing a signal degradation map based on the simulated network traffic overlaid on the model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a system including an optic to receive light from near objects and far objects and a photoreceiver optically coupled to the optic, the photoreceiver including a photodetector array. A light scattering structure is positioned a distance from the photodetector array to compensate for parallax effects for the received energy from the near objects and the far objects. The light scattering structure is configured to scatter light onto pixels of the photodetector array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for photodetection having parallax compensation for near and far object signal return. In embodiment, a photoreceiver comprising a at least one light-sensitive pixel to transduce light to electrical signals has at least a first one of the pixels including a first subpixel region having a first light response characteristic and a second subpixel region having a second light response characteristic, wherein the first and second light characteristics are configured to correspond to variations in intensity of reflected light from objects at different distances when the portion of the reflected light reaching the first one of the pixels imaged onto the first and second subpixel regions.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for personalized voice responses is provided. The present invention may include gathering a plurality of user data from an Internet of Things (IoT) connected sensor. The present invention may include identifying a personalized vocabulary based on the gathered plurality of user data. The present invention may include training a voice response system based on the gathered plurality of user data and the identified personalized vocabulary. The present invention may include receiving a verbal request. The present invention may include responding to the received verbal request using the trained voice response system.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a computer-implemented method for rendering advertisements in a Mixed Reality space, including: profiling a plurality of users in a smart home sharing the MR space; building a social network graph between the plurality of users; building a user embedding matrix based on the social network graph; recommending a plurality of first advertisements for one or more target users; building a joint embedding matrix across the plurality of users and the plurality of first advertisements; identifying a particular position and a particular time period for the one or more target user, while the remaining users are not viewing the particular position during the particular time period; selecting one or more advertisements from the plurality of first advertisements based on the joint embedding matrix; and rendering the one or more advertisements to the one or more target users at the particular position during the particular time period.

Abstract: In an approach for improving operational efficiencies in IoT agricultural ecosystems, a processor receives a request from a user for a production plan to modify one or more values of a set of values of an area of interest. A processor maps the area of interest using a set of data originating from a LIDAR instrument to create a digital elevation model of the area of interest. A processor creates a knowledge set to train a decision engine. A processor calculates one or more modifications to be made to the one or more values of the set of values of the area of interest. A processor generates a map of applicable land options that the user may interact with to select the one or more modifications to be made to the one or more values of the set of values. A processor plots a finalized rendering of the production plan.