Abstract: A self-adjusting adapter for a prosthetic leg having a foot and a leg socket has a low stiffness spring having a central opening, a high stiffness spring that has a central opening and is adjacent the low stiffness spring, a shaft or a bolt passing through the central opening in the low stiffness spring and the central opening in the high stiffness spring and a spring stiffener configured and positioned to restrain movement of the high stiffness spring relative to the low stiffness spring in a direction parallel to the low-stiffness spring. A connector for attaching the adapter to a leg socket is connected to the bolt or shaft and is capable of pivoting about an axis through the bolt or shaft. The adapter can be used an add-on component for existing prosthetic legs, or it can be integrated with foot design for the ankle-foot product category.

Abstract: A self-adjusting adapter for a prosthetic leg having a foot and a leg socket has a low stiffness spring having a central opening, a high stiffness spring that has a central opening and is adjacent the low stiffness spring, a shaft or a bolt passing through the central opening in the low stiffness spring and the central opening in the high stiffness spring and a spring stiffener configured and positioned to restrain movement of the high stiffness spring relative to the low stiffness spring in a direction parallel to the low-stiffness spring. A connector for attaching the adapter to a leg socket is connected to the bolt or shaft and is capable of pivoting about an axis through the bolt or shaft. The adapter can be used an add-on component for existing prosthetic legs, or it can be integrated with foot design for the ankle-foot product category.

Abstract: A thermal to electrical energy conversion device has freestanding thin or thick films of thermoelectric materials, n or p type or both, extending from thermally conducting and electrically insulating substrates. The freestanding thermoelectric elements exploit up to two orders of magnitude higher free convective heat transfer coefficient and thermal resistance. The combined effect is very large temperature differential not possible with prior art unless an auxiliary cooling mechanism (pumped liquid or fanned air) is used. The large temperature differential results in higher efficiency and power output. Methods of making these thermal electric conversion devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vigilance monitoring system to determine the alertness of a driver of a vehicle. The system uses one or multiple sensors located at the driver-vehicle interface (steering wheel, accelerator, brakes). The sensor monitors the magnitude and frequency of the force (or displacement) exerted by a driver at the driver interface. A time derivative of the force or displacement profile is created. The variability of the time derivative of the force/displacement data from the general trend of the data as obtained by an optimized moving average of the data. An intelligent control system measures the variability and compares with an alertness rating scale to determine the alertness score of the driver and issue warning signals and actions as appropriate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a thin film material. A chip is fabricated that includes the specimen to be tested, held by a force sensor beam at a first longitudinal end and by a support structure at a second longitudinal end. The chip is configured to be placed into a testing environment for quantitative and qualitative material property testing of the specimen. Methods are also provided for fabricating a testing chip.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a thin film material. A chip is fabricated that includes the specimen to be tested, held by a force sensor beam at a first longitudinal end and by a support structure at a second longitudinal end. The chip is configured to be placed into a testing environment for quantitative and qualitative material property testing of the specimen. Methods are also provided for fabricating a testing chip.