Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming apparatus comprising a first sheet comprising a first conductive layer, the first sheet comprising a set of first features, a first dielectric layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer, the second sheet comprising a set of second features. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible. The first sheet and the second sheet are movable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective elements that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective meats that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure an electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising a first sheet having a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some embodiments, the applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure an electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising a first sheet having a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some embodiments, the applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming apparatus comprising a first sheet comprising a first conductive layer, the first sheet comprising a set of first features, a first dielectric layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer, the second sheet comprising a set of second features. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible. The first sheet and the second sheet are movable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming device formed by a sheet having a conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The jamming device includes a first section of the sheet, the first section being separated from the sheet, and a second section of the sheet, the second section being separated from the sheet. The sheet is non-extensible and flexible. The first section and the second section are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first section and the second section are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between a conductive layer of the first section and a conductive layer of the second section.

Abstract: In one example, a system includes one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) devices each configured to be worn by a worker, the PPE devices each including one or more sensors that generate activity data indicative of activities of workers operating within one or more work environments. The system also includes a computing device, the computing device configured to: identify, based at least on the activity data, a plurality of clusters of one or more entities, wherein each entity of the entities is associated with one or more of the workers; and output an indication of a difference between performance by a target entity with respect to safety events and performance by the cluster that includes the target entity with respect to safety events.

Abstract: In one example, a system includes one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) devices each configured to be worn by a worker, the PPE devices each including one or more sensors that generate activity data indicative of activities of workers operating within one or more work environments. The system also includes a computing device, the computing device configured to: identify, based at least on the activity data, a plurality of clusters of one or more entities, wherein each entity of the entities is associated with one or more of the workers; and output an indication of a difference between performance by a target entity with respect to safety events and performance by the cluster that includes the target entity with respect to safety events.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective meats that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.

Abstract: In one example, a system includes one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) devices each configured to be worn by a worker, the PPE devices each including one or more sensors that generate activity data indicative of activities of workers operating within one or more work environments. The system also includes a computing device, the computing device configured to: identify, based at least on the activity data, a plurality of clusters of one or more entities, wherein each entity of the entities is associated with one or more of the workers; and output an indication of a difference between performance by a target entity with respect to safety events and performance by the cluster that includes the target entity with respect to safety events.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus has a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a third one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, a second fluid pathway, and a third fluid pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus comprises a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, and a second fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway pass through the filter. A method of processing a sample using the apparatus is also provided. The method comprises placing a sample comprising a liquid into the processing chamber; urging at least a portion of the liquid through the filter; after urging the at least a portion of the liquid through the filter, urging a portion of a back-flush liquid through the filter into the process chamber to form a first processed sample; and analyzing at least a portion of the first processed sample to detect an indication of a microorganism.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, and a second fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway pass through the filter. A method of processing a sample using the apparatus is also provided. The method includes placing a sample comprising a liquid into the processing chamber; urging at least a portion of the liquid through the filter; after urging the at least a portion of the liquid through the filter, urging a portion of a back-flush liquid through the filter into the process chamber to form a first processed sample; and analyzing at least a portion of the first processed sample to detect an indication of a microorganism.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an assembly for preparing a sample for analysis. The assembly comprises a hollow body comprising first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending therebetween; a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway; and a closure comprising a third opening and a chamber, the closure being slideably engaged with the outlet. The chamber and the outlet are dimensioned so that the outlet is sealingly engaged with the chamber. A method of using the assembly to detect a microorganism is also provided.

Abstract: Luminaire assemblies are described. In particular, luminaire assemblies that include a dimensionally stable housing and a hollow waveguiding core having a length and capable of transporting light along the length removably nested within the housing are described. Luminaire systems including two or more luminaire assemblies are also described.