Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having a plurality of warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: Articles including nanoscale fibers aligned by mechanical stretching are provided. Methods for making composite materials comprising a network of aligned nanoscale fibers are also provided. The network of nanoscale fibers may be substantially devoid of a liquid, and may be a buckypaper. The network of nanoscale fibers also may be associated with a supporting medium.

Abstract: A walker seat may include a seat bottom and a support structure. The seat bottom may include an anterior region, a posterior region, an upper side, and a lower side. The lower side may include a central segment retention portion. The support structure may include a central segment, a left-side segment, and a right-side segment. The central segment may be retained by the central segment retention portion. The left-side segment may be extendable from a left side of the central segment, whereby the left-side segment extends beyond a left side of the seat bottom. Similarly, the right-side segment may be extendable from a right side of the central segment, whereby the right-side segment extends beyond a right side of the seat bottom.

Abstract: Systems and methods for culturing cells are disclosed. A system can comprise an auxetic scaffold substrate. The substrate can comprise scaffold units at least a portion of which comprise living cells. Scaffold units can be configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. Units can comprise an interior void having a contracted volume in the contracted state and an expanded volume in the expanded state, in which the expanded volume is greater than the contracted volume. Units can be configured to pass a fluid into the interior void of the corresponding unit when the unit transitions from the contracted state to the expanded state. Units can be configured to pass the fluid out of the interior void of the corresponding unit when the unit transitions from the expanded state to the contracted state.

Abstract: A touch sensor includes electrodes that are serially arranged and a processor with multiple input terminals. The electrodes are grouped into first, second and third groups of electrodes. Each electrode of the first group is coupled with a corresponding input terminal of the processor. The electrodes of the second group are sequentially coupled with the input terminals of the processor by way of odd numbered electrodes of the first group. The electrodes of the third group are sequentially coupled with the input terminals of the processor by way of even numbered electrodes of the first group. Each of the electrodes, other than the electrodes on the ends, is triggered simultaneously with at least one of its neighboring electrodes to provide sensed signals to the processor.

Abstract: A touch sensor includes electrodes that are serially arranged and a processor with multiple input terminals. The electrodes are grouped into first, second and third groups of electrodes. Each electrode of the first group is coupled with a corresponding input terminal of the processor. The electrodes of the second group are sequentially coupled with the input terminals of the processor by way of odd numbered electrodes of the first group. The electrodes of the third group are sequentially coupled with the input terminals of the processor by way of even numbered electrodes of the first group. Each of the electrodes, other than the electrodes on the ends, is triggered simultaneously with at least one of its neighboring electrodes to provide sensed signals to the processor.

Abstract: A walker seat may include a seat bottom and a support structure. The seat bottom may include an anterior region, a posterior region, an upper side, and a lower side. The lower side may include a central segment retention portion. The support structure may include a central segment, a left-side segment, and a right-side segment. The central segment may be retained by the central segment retention portion. The left-side segment may be extendable from a left side of the central segment, whereby the left-side segment extends beyond a left side of the seat bottom. Similarly, the right-side segment may be extendable from a right side of the central segment, whereby the right-side segment extends beyond a right side of the seat bottom.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for producing a model of a biological tissue, comprising a primary elastic material formed in the shape of an organ, and a secondary stiffener material embedded in the primary elastic material, wherein the secondary stiffener material is formed into a metamaterial design that increases the elastic modulus of the model in at least one predetermined direction. Models in accordance with embodiments mimic both the shape and mechanical properties of the organ they depict.

Abstract: A machine for fabricating three-dimensional interlaced composite components including a frame, a deposition surface, a first set of two or more warp heads, a second set of two or more of warp heads, and a weft inserter. An interlaced composite component including a first set of two or more warp filaments parallel to each other and a first set of two or more weft filaments parallel to each other. Warp filaments are interlaced with, and bonded to, weft filaments s. Warp filaments and weft filaments are interlaced in at least two different weave patterns. Warp filaments and weft filaments are continuous, and the weave patterns transition from one pattern to another.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for producing interlaced composite components. The method includes: depositing a first one or more warp filaments onto a deposition surface in a first linear direction, inserting, on top of the first one or more warp filaments, a first one or more weft filaments in a second linear direction, where the second direction is in the same plane as the first one or more warp filaments but is not parallel to the direction of the first one or more warp filaments, depositing, on top of the one or more first weft filaments, one or more second warp filaments in first linear direction, where the second one or more warp filaments are not collinear with the first one of more warp filaments, and inserting, on top of the second one or more warp filaments, a second one or more weft filaments in the second direction.

Abstract: A glove for use in collecting data for sign language recognition comprises: multiple azimuth sensors arranged on the glove at positions corresponding to the phalanges and metacarpal bones of the hand and used for sensing postures of the hand. The azimuth sensors are only arranged on the glove at positions corresponding to the phalanges of the hand other than the distal phalange in proximity to the fingertip of at least one finger among the middle finger, the index finger, the ring finger, and the little finger. The glove reduces the number of the azimuth sensors arranged on the glove at positions corresponding to the phalanges of the hand, thus reducing costs while not affecting detection performance.

Abstract: A walker seat may include a seat bottom and a support structure. The seat bottom may include an anterior region, a posterior region, an upper side, and a lower side. The lower side may include a central segment retention portion. The support structure may include a central segment, a left-side segment, and a right-side segment. The central segment may be retained by the central segment retention portion. The left-side segment may be extendable from a left side of the central segment, whereby the left-side segment extends beyond a left side of the seat bottom. Similarly, the right-side segment may be extendable from a right side of the central segment, whereby the right-side segment extends beyond a right side of the seat bottom.

Abstract: A prosthetic sock for a patient to wear over a residual limb is provided. The prosthetic sock includes an inner layer configured to fit over at least a portion of the residual limb of the patient. A foam layer is disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer. The foam layer compensates for changes in shape or volume of the residual limb within the prosthetic sock by changing shape in a manner effective to maintain a secure fit between the residual limb and a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic limb.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for producing interlaced composite components. The method includes: depositing a first one or more warp filaments onto a deposition surface in a first linear direction, inserting, on top of the first one or more warp filaments, a first one or more weft filaments in a second linear direction, where the second direction is in the same plane as the first one or more warp filaments but is not parallel to the direction of the first one or more warp filaments, depositing, on top of the one or more first weft filaments, one or more second warp filaments in first linear direction, where the second one or more warp filaments are not collinear with the first one of more warp filaments, and inserting, on top of the second one or more warp filaments, a second one or more weft filaments in the second direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a retrofit LED lamp that is operated by a dual mode circuit, enabling maximum compatibility with the ANSI reference ballasts to satisfy UL requirements to replace HID and fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp operates at two different modes, offered by the dual mode PCB circuit. In one of the mode, namely ANSI ballast testing, a low frequency current from the ballast is throttled through a bypass circuit to LEDs, since a field effect transistor of the circuit is in open circuit mode due to insufficient current. During the second mode, namely field ballast operation, a high frequency current is provided by the ballast, which short circuits the FET, causing it to conduct and thus operating the LEDs. Advantageously, the LED lamp offers maximum compatibility with ballasts using such dual mode circuit and consumes less power.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a retrofit LED lamp that is operated by a dual mode circuit, enabling maximum compatibility with the ANSI reference ballasts to satisfy UL requirements to replace HID and fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp operates at two different modes, offered by the dual mode PCB circuit. In one of the mode, namely ANSI ballast testing, a low frequency current from the ballast is throttled through a bypass circuit to LEDs, since a field effect transistor of the circuit is in open circuit mode due to insufficient current. During the second mode, namely field ballast operation, a high frequency current is provided by the ballast, which short circuits the FET, causing it to conduct and thus operating the LEDs. Advantageously, the LED lamp offers maximum compatibility with ballasts using such dual mode circuit and consumes less power.

Abstract: Articles including nanoscale fibers aligned by mechanical stretching are provided. Methods for making composite materials comprising a network of aligned nanoscale fibers are also provided. The network of nanoscale fibers may be substantially devoid of a liquid, and may be a buckypaper. The network of nanoscale fibers also may be associated with a supporting medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for functionalizing nanoscale fibers including reacting a plurality of nanoscale fibers with at least one epoxide monomer to chemically bond the at least one epoxide monomer to surfaces of the nanoscale fibers to form functionalized nanoscale fibers. Functionalized nanoscale fibers, nanoscale fiber films, and composite materials are also provided.