Abstract: Techniques described include methods, systems, products, devices, and/or apparatuses related to food processing systems related methods, and food items produced therewith. For example, the food processing system may be configured to fabricate food aggregates from multiple food elements. The food processing system includes a first press body and a second press body. The second press body is positioned and oriented opposite to the first press body and reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second, non-planar configuration. The second, non-planar configuration of the press body is different from the first configuration. At least one of the first or second press bodies is movable in a manner that decreases space between the first and second press bodies, to compress the food elements and form the food aggregate. A dispenser of the food elements is positioned and configured to dispense the food elements between the first and second press bodies.

Abstract: Methods for making a three dimensional object are disclosed. The method includes positioning a nozzle of an additive manufacturing device within a support matrix, extruding a feed material through the nozzle and into the support matrix, and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern within the support matrix, while depositing the feed material, thereby forming the three-dimensional object within the support matrix. Systems for making the three-dimensional object in accordance with the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for controlling temperature loss and shrinkage of meat after an animal is slaughtered for food. Shrinkage is controlled by compressing the meat during cooling, the compression offsetting a natural tendency of the meat to contract and providing a measure of control over the shaping of the meat. Apparatus for the process includes one or more rigid rings for placement around the meat. Each ring is wrapped with a thread secured rigidly to one side of the ring and secured movably to the other side such as to allow the length of thread on the second side of the rigid ring to form at least one winding around the meat. As the meat cools, the thread shrinks, applying the thermal contraction of the thread along the ring to constrict the winding around and thus longitudinally elongate the meat.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a chip with a refractive index gradient, including fabrication thereof, are generally described. The refractive index gradient may be formed by creating atomic scale inclusions throughout a thickness of the chip by inducing nanoporosity into the chip, dissociating and diffusing oxygen into the chip, or performing chemical vapor deposition. One or more integrated circuit (IC) components and optical transceiver devices may be provided by mounting, growing, or etching the IC components and optical transceiver devices at a surface of the chip. The optical transceiver devices may be configured to transmit and/or receive an optical communication signal to and/or from at least one IC component or other optical transceiver device via an optical communication path within the thickness of the chip. The optical communication path may include a direction and distance, within the thickness of the chip, based on the refractive index gradient and angle of incidence.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide devices, systems and methods for produce scanning, wherein the produce scanning devices comprise a light source, a produce stage, and a detector array positioned on the opposing side of the produce stage to the light source, wherein the light source and the detector array form a scanning assembly, and the transmitted light from the light source can reach the detector array. In some embodiments, the light source is a collimated light source, and only the directly transmitted light may reach the detector array. In some embodiments, a collimating filter is positioned between the produce stage and the detector array.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for terahertz tags and methods of making and using them. A tag may include a terahertz reflective material; and a saturated hygroscopic material positioned on the terahertz reflective material. A tag may include a terahertz reflective material; and an anhydrous hygroscopic material positioned on the terahertz reflective material. A humidity sensor may include a terahertz reflective material; and an anhydrous hygroscopic material positioned on the terahertz reflective material. A temperature sensor may include a terahertz reflective material; an anhydrous hygroscopic material positioned on the terahertz reflective material; and a polymer overlay having thermally controlled water permeability disposed on the anhydrous hygroscopic material. Some embodiments relate to a tag identification device configured to transmit an incident signal toward the tag, and to receive a reply signal from the tag in response to the incident signal.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for controlling temperature loss and shrinkage of meat after an animal is slaughtered for food. Shrinkage is controlled by compressing the meat during cooling, the compression offsetting a natural tendency of the meat to contract and providing a measure of control over the shaping of the meat. Apparatus for the process includes one or more rigid rings for placement around the meat. Each ring is wrapped with a thread secured rigidly to one side of the ring and secured movably to the other side such as to allow the length of thread on the second side of the rigid ring to form at least one winding around the meat. As the meat cools, the thread shrinks, applying the thermal contraction of the thread along the ring to constrict the winding around and thus longitudinally elongate the meat.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that may include a substrate that may have a surface, a channel of a volume that may be defined, at least in part, by the substrate, wherein the channel may have a first end and a second end, a valve may be coupled to the channel at the first end, wherein the valve may be configured to allow a fluid to pass into the channel when the valve is open, and a continuity detector, which may be coupled to the channel at the second end, wherein the continuity detector may be activated when the fluid contacts the continuity detector, wherein the continuity detector may further be configured to provide a signal to close the valve and remove the fluid from the channel. A method for calculating a rate of flow of a fluid collected from a bodily surface into a body-worn device is disclosed.

Abstract: In some examples, a method to monitor an animal may include determining a physiological status of the animal based on a tattoo that includes intelligent ink injected into skin of the animal. The method may also include recording the physiological status of the animal. The method may also include, in response to the physiological status indicating a physiological event or condition, triggering an alert to address the physiological event or condition.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.

Abstract: A system may include a mesh that includes a non-electrically conductive mesh material. The system may also include a first electrode coupled to the mesh at a first location of the mesh. The system may further include a second electrode coupled to the mesh at a second location of the mesh that is different from the first location. Additionally, the system may include a control unit electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The control unit may be configured to generate a notification signal when the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled to each other.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a chip with a refractive index gradient, including fabrication thereof, are generally described. The refractive index gradient may be formed by creating atomic scale inclusions throughout a thickness of the chip by inducing nanoporosity into the chip, dissociating and diffusing oxygen into the chip, or performing chemical vapor deposition. One or more integrated circuit (IC) components and optical transceiver devices may be provided by mounting, growing, or etching the IC components and optical transceiver devices at a surface of the chip. The optical transceiver devices may be configured to transmit and/or receive an optical communication signal to and/or from at least one IC component or other optical transceiver device via an optical communication path within the thickness of the chip. The optical communication path may include a direction and distance, within the thickness of the chip, based on the refractive index gradient and angle of incidence.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described to employ an optical effect, such as Pockels effect to direct an optical communication signal within a gradient index (GRIN) backplane. An electric field may be created between two or more electrodes located on different surfaces of the GRIN backplane in response to an application of electrical excitation to at least one of the electrodes. The electric field may be configured to change an orientation of nanoparticles in at least a portion of GRIN material comprising the GRIN backplane so as to control a direction of one or more optical pathways within the GRIN backplane. Propagation of an optical communication signal between one or more components mounted on one or more surfaces of the GRIN backplane may be facilitated via the controlled direction of the optical pathways, which may enable control of routing, including switching, of the optical communication signal to a particular optical pathway.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described to fabricate an optical circuit board with a non-linear gradient index (GRIN) optical backplane. An optical backplane with a non-linear GRIN may be formed as a circuit board enabling communicative coupling between at least two components on the circuit board and/or between one or more components and an optical interface via one or more optical pathways within the optical backplane. The components may be placed at a location along one or more surfaces of the non-linear GRIN optical backplane based on an approximate angle of incidence for the optical pathways between a component and other components to be coupled to the component. The components may be further placed to enable an optical communication signal projection from the optical interface to arrive at one or more of the placed components.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that may include a substrate that may have a surface, a channel of a volume that may be defined, at least in part, by the substrate, wherein the channel may have a first end and a second end, a valve may be coupled to the channel at the first end, wherein the valve may be configured to allow a fluid to pass into the channel when the valve is open, and a continuity detector, which may be coupled to the channel at the second end, wherein the continuity detector may be activated when the fluid contacts the continuity detector, wherein the continuity detector may further be configured to provide a signal to close the valve and remove the fluid from the channel. A method for calculating a rate of flow of a fluid collected from a bodily surface into a body-worn device is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating corrosion of components of a reactor system, including a supercritical water gasification system, are described. The reactor system may include various system components, such as one or more pre-heaters, heat exchangers and reactor vessels. The system components may be configured to receive a reactor fluid corrosive to an inner surface thereof and to separately receive a protective fluid that has a higher density and is substantially immiscible with the reactor fluid. A rotating element may be configured to generate a rotational force that forces at least a portion of the protective fluid to flow in a layer between the reactor fluid and at least a portion of the inner surface, the layer operating to reduce corrosion by forming a barrier between the reactor fluid and at least a portion of the inner surface.

Abstract: Methods of making optical circuits or waveguides and optical circuits and waveguides made by such methods are disclosed. Optical circuits may include a substrate, a first polymer layer, and a second polymer layer. A first portion of the first polymer layer has a higher refractive index than a second portion of the first polymer layer. Optical waveguides may include a first polymer layer on a surface of a substrate. A first portion of the first polymer layer has a higher refractive index than a second portion of the first polymer layer.

Abstract: Ultrasound thin film tags are disclosed. The tags include a pattern of regions, wherein the pattern is configured to create thin film interference when scanned with ultrasound energy. The tags can be placed in various locations within the article including interior surfaces and they can be used to encode a variety of information about the article. Devices and methods for scanning and decoding the tags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gradient refractive index light emitting diode is disclosed. The light emitting diode includes a die at least partially encapsulated within a polymer, and nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer along a concentration gradient related to the distance from the die. The refractive index of the nanoparticles is different from the refractive index of the polymer.