Abstract: An actuation device includes a Peltier comprising a first side and a second side; a first module thermally coupled to the first side of the Peltier, and a second module thermally coupled to the second side of the Peltier. The first module is configured to axially contract in response to an increased pressure within the first module and axially expand in response to a decreased pressure within the first module. The second module is configured to axially expand in response to an increased pressure within the second module and axially contract in response to a decreased pressure within the second module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide robotic systems, apparatuses, and methods. One such robotic system comprises a robotic surgical tool; and a steering system configured to steer the robotic surgical tool based on motion angle commands along X and Y axes as the robotic surgical tool moves in an Z axis direction within a tubular passageway. The system further comprises a computing device that executes an artificial intelligence program configured to control the steering system by computing the motion angle commands based on a current position of the robotic surgical tool along planar axes of the tubular passageway and center positions of the passageway along the planar axes. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Consistent the present disclosure, a network or system is provided in which a hub or primary node may communication with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity that may be greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed that receive data carrying optical signals from and supply data carrying optical signals to the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Consistent with an aspect of the present disclosure, optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.

Abstract: Quantum computing systems require methods to control energies of qubits and couplers for quantum operations. Flux biasing of qubits and quantum couplers is provided for a superconducting quantum computer using single-flux-quantum (SFQ) technology. This method is applicable to a wide range of superconducting qubit structures and couplers, including transmons, fluxoniums, flux qubits, phase qubits and other superconducting qubits. This method enables arbitrary-amplitude time-varying flux biasing of qubits and couplers, due to a sequence of high-speed SFQ pulses. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed which provide high-fidelity control of fast single-qubit and multi-qubit operations.

Abstract: A device includes a flexible Peltier; a power supply in electrical communication with the flexible Peltier; a control switch electrically coupled to the power supply and the flexible Peltier. The control switch is configured to control direction of current supplied from the power supply to the flexible Peltier, and at least one flexible layer is coupled to the flexible Peltier. The at least one flexible layer is configured to retain the flexible Peltier about a portion of a subject.

Abstract: A device can include at least one of an exoskeleton comprising a preloaded elastic spring, a plurality of drums coupled to the preloaded elastic spring, and a cable coupled to a user, the plurality of drums and the preloaded elastic spring; and a robotic hand. The robotic hand includes a glove comprising digits, a tubing system in fluid communication with a fluid supply, a plurality of sensors coupled to the digits of the glove, and a plurality of soft actuators coupled to the tubing system and the plurality of sensors. The plurality of soft actuators comprises a thickened base, a fluid cavity above the thickened base defined by a tube, and a retaining device wrapped around the tube.

Abstract: An actuator includes an output link; an input member, wherein the output link and the input member are rotatable about an axis of rotation; an elastic member disposed between the output link and the input member and configured to allow transmission of torque between the output link and the input member about the axis of rotation, and to allow at the same time, as a result of elastic deformation of the elastic member, a relative rotation between the output link and input member about the axis of rotation; and a thermo-active module comprising one or more thermoplastic inserts, wherein the thermoplastic inserts are configured to apply a variable resistance between the output link and the input member and provide an adjustable damping between the output link and the input member.

Abstract: An actuation device includes a Peltier comprising a first side and a second side; a first module thermally coupled to the first side of the Peltier, and a second module thermally coupled to the second side of the Peltier. The first module is configured to axially contract in response to an increased pressure within the first module and axially expand in response to a decreased pressure within the first module. The second module is configured to axially expand in response to an increased pressure within the second module and axially contract in response to a decreased pressure within the second module.

Abstract: Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have recently been developed for a wide range of applications, including imaging and communications. An improved detection system is disclosed, whereby the detectors are monolithically integrated on the same chip with Josephson junctions for control and data processing. This enables an enhanced data rate, thereby facilitating several new and improved applications. A preferred embodiment comprises integrated digital processing based on single-flux-quantum pulses. An integrated multilayer fabrication method for manufacturing these integrated detectors is also disclosed. Preferred examples of systems comprising such integrated nanowire photon detectors include a time-correlated single photon counter, a quantum random number generator, an integrated single-photon imaging array, a sensitive digital communication receiver, and quantum-key distribution for a quantum communication system.

Abstract: This patent document is directed to implementations of embodiments of an error correction module or gadget using a cryogenic classical superconducting circuit that can be used as a decoder of quantum error correcting codes correcting errors in quantum computing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microrobotic device. The microrobotic device being coupled to a steering system configured to steer the microrobotic device along X, Y, and Z axes.

Abstract: Quantum computing systems require methods to control energies of qubits and couplers for quantum operations. Flux biasing of qubits and quantum couplers is provided for a superconducting quantum computer using single-flux-quantum (SFQ) technology. This method is applicable to a wide range of superconducting qubit structures and couplers, including transmons, fluxoniums, flux qubits, phase qubits and other superconducting qubits. This method enables arbitrary-amplitude time-varying flux biasing of qubits and couplers, due to a sequence of high-speed SFQ pulses. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed which provide high-fidelity control of fast single-qubit and multi-qubit operations.

Abstract: A transmitter can include a laser operable to output an optical signal; a digital signal processor operable to receive user data and provide electrical signals based on the data; and a modulator operable to modulate the optical signal to provide optical subcarriers based on the electrical signals. A first one of the subcarriers carriers carries first TDMA encoded information and second TDMA encoded information, such that the first TDMA encoded information is indicative of a first portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a first time slot, and the second TDMA encoded information is indicative of a second portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a second time slot. The first TDMA encoded information is associated with a first node remote from the transmitter and the second TDMA encoded information is associated with a second node remote from the transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mechanically over-damped actuator includes an output link comprising a lever and a torsion spring associated with the lever, wherein the lever has an initial equilibrium position and is pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the spring opposes pivoting of the lever away from its initial equilibrium position such that the spring tends to return the lever to the equilibrium position.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of producing polyaluminum chlorides are described herein which, in some embodiments, provide increased reaction rates and/or reductions in stoichiometric excesses of aluminum feedstock. In some embodiments, a method of producing polyaluminum chloride comprises providing a feedstock comprising aluminum, contacting the feedstock with a solution comprising hydrochloric acid and one or more transition metal compounds, and catalyzing formation of the polyaluminum chloride with the one or more transition metals. As described further herein, the one or more transition metal compounds can comprise a transition metal coordination complex, transition metal salt, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have recently been developed for a wide range of applications, including imaging and communications. An improved detection system is disclosed, whereby the detectors are monolithically integrated on the same chip with Josephson junctions for control and data processing. This enables an enhanced data rate, thereby facilitating several new and improved applications. A preferred embodiment comprises integrated digital processing based on single-flux-quantum pulses. An integrated multilayer fabrication method for manufacturing these integrated detectors is also disclosed. Preferred examples of systems comprising such integrated nanowire photon detectors include a time-correlated single photon counter, a quantum random number generator, an integrated single-photon imaging array, a sensitive digital communication receiver, and quantum-key distribution for a quantum communication system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide robotic systems, apparatuses, and methods. One such robotic system comprises a robotic surgical tool; and a steering system configured to steer the robotic surgical tool based on motion angle commands along X and Y axes as the robotic surgical tool moves in an Z axis direction within a tubular passageway. The system further comprises a computing device that executes an artificial intelligence program configured to control the steering system by computing the motion angle commands based on a current position of the robotic surgical tool along planar axes of the tubular passageway and center positions of the passageway along the planar axes. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing an out-of-band communication channel used to exchange control channel information in sub-carrier-based optical communication systems. In an example implementation, an optical communication system includes a primary transceiver, a component, and secondary transceivers. The primary transceiver is operable to supply first optical subcarriers to an optical communication path, the first optical subcarriers being amplitude modulated at a first frequency to carry first control information and amplitude modulated at a second frequency to carry second control information. The component is operable to be coupled to the optical communication path and includes circuitry operable to detect the first control information. The secondary transceivers are coupled to a terminal end of the optical communication path. At least one of the secondary transceivers is operable to detect the second control information and block the first control information.

Abstract: A transmitter can include a laser operable to output an optical signal; a digital signal processor operable to receive user data and provide electrical signals based on the data; and a modulator operable to modulate the optical signal to provide optical subcarriers based on the electrical signals. A first one of the subcarriers carriers carries first TDMA encoded information and second TDMA encoded information, such that the first TDMA encoded information is indicative of a first portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a first time slot, and the second TDMA encoded information is indicative of a second portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a second time slot. The first TDMA encoded information is associated with a first node remote from the transmitter and the second TDMA encoded information is associated with a second node remote from the transmitter.

Abstract: Consistent the present disclosure, a network or system is provided in which a hub or primary node may communication with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity that may be greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed that receive data carrying optical signals from and supply data carrying optical signals to the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Consistent with an aspect of the present disclosure, optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.