Abstract: Actively controlled texturing systems for and methods of selectively and reversibly forming wrinkles, or modifying the amplitude, wavelength, or pattern of existing wrinkles upon a surface using active material actuation.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based device and method may include the use of magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a primary magnetic field to control the viscosity of the fluid, and a secondary magnetic field to reduce clumping of ferromagnetic particles.

Abstract: An electronic device finder system includes a vehicle having a door handle, a piezo switch operatively positioned within the door handle, and a signal transmitter operatively connected to the piezo switch. The piezo switch has an on state that is triggered by door handle movement, and the signal transmitter is to generate a signal in response to detection of the on state of the piezo switch. An electronic device, selected from the group consisting of a key-fob and a mobile device, includes a signal receiver to receive the signal from the signal transmitter and an alarm system operatively connected to the signal receiver. The alarm system is to generate an alarm in response to the signal receiver receiving the signal.

Abstract: An inlet, positioned to access the flow of air passing around and under a moving vehicle, may draw in air which is conveyed through a duct and discharged to cool a brake on a vehicle. The inlet has a closure. The closure is opened and closed on demand by a temperature-operated actuator incorporating an active or smart material under the direction of a controller. In embodiments, a sensor, suitably positioned to sense a temperature representative of the brake temperature, communicates the sensed brake temperature to the controller. The controller may respond to the sensed brake temperature, by triggering operation of the actuator. Typically the closure is opened to allow passage of cooling air to the brake when the sensed brake temperature exceeds, or is anticipated to exceed, a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.

Abstract: A lockable or latchable device includes first and second members proximate to each other, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other. The device also includes a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the device such that the fluid is in simultaneous contact with at least a portion of each of the first and second members when the first and second members are in a position for locking or latching. A permanent magnet is disposed in the device to inhibit displacement of the magnetorheological fluid when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position. An electromagnet is disposed in the device such that magnetic flux from the electromagnet, when activated, disrupts the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position to unlatch or unlock the device.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a housing defining a cavity, an actuator formed from an alloy transitionable between first and second states, a plunger attached to the actuator, and a resilient member configured for translating the plunger within the cavity. The plunger is not translatable during a first condition in which a coating of debris is disposed on the housing as the alloy transitions between the first and second states to define a first stress on the actuator. The plunger is translatable during a second condition in which the housing is substantially free from the coating as the alloy transitions to define a second stress on the actuator that is less than the first stress. The alloy transitions from the first to the second state at a first transformation temperature during the first condition, and at a second transformation temperature that is less than the first temperature during the second condition.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler for cooling exhaust gas via a coolant includes at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet, and a casing defining a cooling chamber for carrying the coolant around the at least one channel. The exhaust gas is flowable through the at least one channel from the inlet to the outlet. At least a portion of the at least one channel is variable between a fully compressed position and an uncompressed position. The casing includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet through which the coolant enters and exits the cooling chamber. The casing also includes an exhaust gas inlet from which the exhaust gas enters the at least one channel, and an exhaust gas outlet into which the exhaust gas exits the at least one channel.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a first heat engine, a second heat engine, and an nth heat engine. The heat engines each include at least two rotatable pulleys and a first shape memory alloy (SMA) member. The SMA member is disposed about the at least two rotatable pulleys and defines an SMA pulley ratio. The second heat engine is disposed adjacent the first heat engine. The nth heat engine is disposed such that the second heat engine is disposed between the first heat engine and the nth heat engine. The first SMA member, the second SMA member, and the nth SMA member are configured such that a thermal energy conversion efficiency between the hot temperature region and the cold temperature region is nearly 100%.

Abstract: A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.

Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.

Abstract: An active headrest adapted for use with a rear seat, including a translatable, conformable, or otherwise reconfigurable shell, an active material actuator disposed within and drivenly coupled to the shell, and preferably including a linkage system fixedly coupled to the seat and/or shell, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the headrest to achieve one of a plurality of achievable positions.

Abstract: A method of autonomously preventing or reducing the affects of roof impact in automotive applications, including the steps of determining a vehicle condition indicative of an imminent roof impact, and modifying a vehicular seat or roof structure, or deploying a netting as a result thereof, wherein active material actuation is preferably utilized to effect the same.

Abstract: A method of reducing an initial stress on a cable includes stretching the cable to a first length to thereby define the initial stress. The cable has a central longitudinal axis, and includes a plurality of wires each twisted around the axis and formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable in response to a signal between a first state wherein each of the wires has a first temperature-dependent length, and a second state wherein each of the wires has a second temperature-dependent length that is less than the first. After stretching, the method includes activating the alloy by exposing the alloy to the signal such that the alloy transitions from the first to the second temperature-dependent state. Concurrent to activating, the method includes elongating the cable to a second length that is greater than the first to define a second stress on the cable that is less than the first.

Abstract: A heat engine system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is operable on a road surface, includes a collector configured for collecting an air layer disposed adjacent the road surface. The heat engine system also includes a heat engine configured for converting thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between the air layer and an ambient air surrounding the vehicle to another form of energy. The air layer has a first temperature, and the ambient air has a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. In addition, the heat engine system includes a guide configured for transferring the air layer from the collector to the heat engine. A vehicle includes a body defining an interior compartment and having an underside surface spaced opposite the road surface, and the heat engine system.

Abstract: A baffle controller for moving a baffle disposed within an HVAC outlet housing between an open position and a closed position to control airflow through an HVAC outlet in a vehicle includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator that is controlled and actuated by an electrical signal. The SMA actuator rotates a main lever that rotates a valve plate. The valve plate is attached to the baffle such that the baffle rotates with the valve plate. The baffle controller may include a position biasing device that increases a position holding ability of the baffle controller, and a cut-off switch that interrupts the electrical signal to the SMA actuator to prevent over-rotating the baffle.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.