Abstract: System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a nerve bundle, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.

Abstract: A system is provided for integrating conformal electronics devices into apparel. The system includes a flexible substrate onto which a flexible device is disposed. The flexible device can include a stretchable coil that can be used to receive and transmit near field communications. The flexible device also includes an integrated circuit component and a memory unit. In some examples, the device also includes a sensor that is configured to record measurement of the wearer of the apparel and/or the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for monitoring a condition of a tissue based on a measurement of an electrical property of the tissue. In an example, the electrical property of the tissue is performed using an apparatus disposed above the tissue, where the apparatus includes at least two conductive structures, each having a non-linear configuration, where the at least two conductive structures are disposed substantially parallel to each other. In another example, the electrical property of the tissue is performed using an apparatus disposed above the tissue, where the apparatus includes at least one inductor structure.

Abstract: Light emitters using nanotubes and methods of making same. A light emitter includes a nanotube article in electrical communication with a first and a second contact, a substrate having a predefined region with a relatively low thermal conductivity said region in predefined physical relation to said nanotube article; and a stimulus circuit in electrical communication with the first and second contacts. The stimulus circuit provides electrical stimulation sufficient to induce light emission from the nanotube article in the proximity of the predefined region. The predefined region is a channel formed in the substrate or a region of material with relatively low thermal conductivity. The light emitter can be integrated with semiconductor circuits including CMOS circuits. The light emitter can be integrated into optical driver circuits (on- and off-chip drivers) and opto-isolators.

Abstract: Sensing a force and/or a change in motion proximate to an arbitrarily-shaped surface via a conformal sensing element (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer) disposed on a flexible substrate and having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the surface. The conformality of the sensing element facilitates intimate proximity to the surface to ensure accurate sensing. Examples of arbitrarily-shaped surfaces include body parts of a person (e.g., a head). A processor receiving one or more signals from the sensing element may provide information relating to possible injury to a body part (e.g., head trauma) resulting from sensed forces and/or changes in motion. Such information may be conveyed by one or more output devices that provide indications of possible degrees of injury/trauma. A conformal sensing apparatus may be integrated with a protective garment or accessory, such as a helmet, wherein the conformality of the sensing apparatus also ensures sufficient comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and/or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.

Abstract: A protective case for a wireless electronics device includes one or more output devices integrated with or bonded to the protective case, from which a perceivable output (e.g., visible or audible indication) is generated. Various other electronics (e.g., circuit elements, ICs, microcontrollers, sensors) also may be integrated with or bonded to the protective case to provide power and/or one or more output signals to control the output device(s). In one example, a wireless signal generated by the wireless device is sensed by the integrated electronics, and the output device(s) are controlled based on the detected wireless signal. The protective case may be substantially rigid or at least partially deformable (flexible and/or stretchable), and the integrated electronics similarly may be at least partially deformable such that they may conform with various contours of the protective case and remain operative notwithstanding flexing and/or stretching of the case.

Abstract: Sensing a change in motion proximate to an arbitrarily-shaped surface via a single sensing element (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer) disposed on a flexible substrate having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the arbitrarily-shaped surface. The change in motion may include at least one of an acceleration, an orientation, a vibration shock and a falling process. In one example, the flexible substrate substantially conforms to the arbitrarily-shaped surface so as to facilitate intimate proximity to the arbitrarily-shaped surface. In another example, a coupling mechanism may mechanically couple the sensing element to the arbitrarily-shaped surface. One or more LEDs coupled to the sensing element may provide a visual cue representing impact or trauma to the surface based on different colors respectively corresponding to a degree of the impact or trauma.

Abstract: Manufacturers encounter limitations in forming low resistance ohmic electrical contact to semiconductor material P-type Gallium Nitride (p-GaN), commonly used in photonic applications, such that the contact is highly transparent to the light emission of the device. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can address this problem due to their combined metallic and semiconducting characteristics in conjunction with the fact that a fabric of CNTs has high optical transparency. The physical structure of the contact scheme is broken down into three components, a) the GaN, b) an interface material and c) the metallic conductor. The role of the interface material is to make suitable contact to both the GaN and the metal so that the GaN, in turn, will make good electrical contact to the metallic conductor that interfaces the device to external circuitry. A method of fabricating contact to GaN using CNTs and metal while maintaining protection of the GaN surface is provided.

Abstract: Sensing a change in motion proximate to a body part of a person via one or more sensing elements disposed on a flexible substrate and having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the body part. A proximity of the sensing element(s) to the body part is detected, and power is coupled to or decoupled from the sensing element(s) based at least in part on the detected proximity.

Abstract: Sensing a force and/or a change of motion proximate to a person's head via one or more sensing elements (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer) disposed on a flexible substrate having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the person's head. The conformality of the sensing element facilitates intimate proximity to the surface of the person's head to ensure accurate sensing. A processor receiving one or more signals from the sensing element may provide information relating to possible injury to a body part (e.g., head trauma) resulting from sensed forces and/or changes in motion. Such information may be conveyed by one or more output devices that provide indications of possible degrees of injury/trauma. A conformal sensing apparatus may be integrated with a protective garment or accessory, such as a helmet, wherein the conformality of the sensing apparatus also ensures sufficient comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: Sensing a force and/or a change in motion proximate to an arbitrarily-shaped surface via a conformal sensing element (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer) disposed on a flexible substrate and having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the surface. The conformality of the sensing element facilitates intimate proximity to the surface to ensure accurate sensing. Examples of arbitrarily-shaped surfaces include body parts of a person (e.g., a head). A processor receiving one or more signals from the sensing element may provide information relating to possible injury to a body part (e.g., head trauma) resulting from sensed forces and/or changes in motion. Such information may be conveyed by one or more output devices that provide indications of possible degrees of injury/trauma. A conformal sensing apparatus may be integrated with a protective garment or accessory, such as a helmet, wherein the conformality of the sensing apparatus also ensures sufficient comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a nerve bundle, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.

Abstract: Manufacturers encounter limitations in forming low resistance ohmic electrical contact to semiconductor material P-type Gallium Nitride (p-GaN), commonly used in photonic applications, such that the contact is highly transparent to the light emission of the device. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can address this problem due to their combined metallic and semiconducting characteristics in conjunction with the fact that a fabric of CNTs has high optical transparency. The physical structure of the contact scheme is broken down into three components, a) the GaN, b) an interface material and c) the metallic conductor. The role of the interface material is to make suitable contact to both the GaN and the metal so that the GaN, in turn, will make good electrical contact to the metallic conductor that interfaces the device to external circuitry. A method of fabricating contact to GaN using CNTs and metal while maintaining protection of the GaN surface is provided.

Abstract: A system, device and method are presented for utilizing stretchable active integrated circuits with inflatable bodies. The invention allows for such operative features to come into direct contact with body structures, such as the inner wall of a lumen. Such direct contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.

Abstract: Manufacturers encounter limitations in forming low resistance ohmic electrical contact to semiconductor material P-type Gallium Nitride (p-GaN), commonly used in photonic applications, such that the contact is highly transparent to the light emission of the device. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can address this problem due to their combined metallic and semiconducting characteristics in conjunction with the fact that a fabric of CNTs has high optical transparency. The physical structure of the contact scheme is broken down into three components, a) the GaN, b) an interface material and c) the metallic conductor. The role of the interface material is to make suitable contact to both the GaN and the metal so that the GaN, in turn, will make good electrical contact to the metallic conductor that interfaces the device to external circuitry. A method of fabricating contact to GaN using CNTs and metal while maintaining protection of the GaN surface is provided.

Abstract: Manufacturers encounter limitations in forming low resistance ohmic electrical contact to semiconductor material P-type Gallium Nitride (p-GaN), commonly used in photonic applications, such that the contact is highly transparent to the light emission of the device. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can address this problem due to their combined metallic and semiconducting characteristics in conjunction with the fact that a fabric of CNTs has high optical transparency. The physical structure of the contact scheme is broken down into three components, a) the GaN, b) an interface material and c) the metallic conductor. The role of the interface material is to make suitable contact to both the GaN and the metal so that the GaN, in turn, will make good electrical contact to the metallic conductor that interfaces the device to external circuitry. A method of fabricating contact to GaN using CNTs and metal while maintaining protection of the GaN surface is provided.

Abstract: Light emitters using nanotubes and methods of making same. A light emitter includes a nanotube article in electrical communication with a first and a second contact, a substrate having a predefined region with a relatively low thermal conductivity said region in predefined physical relation to said nanotube article; and a stimulus circuit in electrical communication with the first and second contacts. The stimulus circuit provides electrical stimulation sufficient to induce light emission from the nanotube article in the proximity of the predefined region. The predefined region is a channel formed in the substrate or a region of material with relatively low thermal conductivity. The light emitter can be integrated with semiconductor circuits including CMOS circuits. The light emitter can be integrated into optical driver circuits (on- and off-chip drivers) and opto-isolators.