Abstract: An exemplary surgical instrument tracking system includes at least one physical computing device that determines, based on endoscopic imagery of a surgical area and using a trained neural network, an observation for an object of interest depicted in the endoscopic imagery, associates, based on a probabilistic framework and kinematics of a robotically-manipulated surgical instrument located at the surgical area, the observation for the object of interest to the robotically-manipulated surgical instrument, and determines a physical position of the robotically-manipulated surgical instrument at the surgical area based on the kinematics of the robotically-manipulated surgical instrument and the observation associated with the robotically-manipulated surgical instrument.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include a pin configured to form an external battery terminal, an insulator surrounding the pin and configured to electrically isolate the pin, a channel, and a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin at a first end. The serpentine tab is nested within the channel to minimize use of space within an enclosure of the battery cell thereby increasing energy capacity of the battery cell by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the tab.

Abstract: Activatable environmental sensing through chemical encapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable environmental indicator has a non-activated configuration that is unresponsive to a predetermined environmental stimulus, an activated configuration that is responsive to the predetermined environmental stimulus, and an exposed configuration after responding to the predetermined environmental stimulus. The activatable environmental indicator includes a first visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the non-activated configuration, a second visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the activated configuration, and a third visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the exposed configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wirelessly transferring power to a multi-junction photovoltaic cell of a space apparatus via a light emission system. The light emission system uses multiple lasers emitting different wavelengths and/or photon energies to produce electron-hole pairs in each layer of the multi-junction photovoltaic cell to prompt power generation by the multi-junction photovoltaic cell. The light emission system may be located on Earth or on another space apparatus. The multi-junction photovoltaic cell can convert sunlight and the light emitted by the light emission system into electrical energy.

Abstract: Flight planning and/or optimizing flight plans can be performed using ground-based systems with little or no instrumented data, providing efficient communications between aircraft and ground-based systems. Estimates of airspeeds (i.e., derived airspeed) can be derived from transponder telemetry, which is optionally collected independently of flight planning. Alternative (adjusted or revised or modified) flight plans can be generated based on derived airspeed, weather, traffic, etc., and/or performance data specific to an individual aircraft. Aircraft performance models can be updated (e.g., fuel consumption) based on monitoring an aircraft over time. Winds aloft data can be updated based on monitoring of one or more aircraft. Data can be selectively identified and uplinked to aircraft based on certain criteria (e.g., data relevant to geographic areas and altitudes proximate flight path as indicated by flight plan).

Abstract: A method includes receiving data acquired with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system physically coupled to a computed tomography (CT) imaging system of a subject to be imaged disposed on a cradle of a table, wherein the table is configured to move the subject into and out of a bore of a gantry of the CT imaging system. The method also includes generating a multi-dimensional avatar of the subject representing a topography of the subject. The method further includes causing display of the multi-dimensional avatar positioned on the cradle that represents a current position of the subject on the display, wherein the display is disposed adjacent the table within view of the subject. The method even further includes providing instructions on the display to enable the subject to guide themselves to a target position on the cradle for a CT scan with the CT imaging system.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace and provides support for a joint complex. The preferred embodiment includes an elastomeric sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion that surrounds and supports one or more joints and with fenestrations or cut-outs and optional supplemental supports or framework so as to provide an external anatomically configured network that augments the effects of the ligaments. The brace can be used prophylactically or therapeutically.

Abstract: A system and method for holding position of a mover in an independent cart system includes receiving a current feedback signal corresponding to a current present in at least one coil for a linear drive system in the independent cart system. A motion command for the mover is received, where the motion command defines a desired position along a track of the independent cart system to which the mover is to travel. An electromagnetic pinning control mode is disabled while controlling operation of the at least one mover to the desired position and enabled when the at least one mover is at the desired position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various embodiments of a patient-specific ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) and methods of producing the same. The AFO includes a body comprising an upper support member, a lower support member, and a footplate. The upper support member comprises a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface designed to selectively engage with at least a portion of a patient's calf. The lower support member comprises a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second inner surface designed to selectively engage with at least a portion of the patient's ankle. The footplate comprises a third outer surface and a third inner surface, the third inner surface designed to selectively engage with at least a portion of the patient's foot. The body includes one or more structural bands disposed on portions of the first outer surface, second outer surface, and third outer surface.

Abstract: A method for coating a component having: a metallic substrate; a ceramic coating having one or more ceramic coating layers atop the substrate; and a cooling passageway system comprising a plurality of feed passageways extending from one or more inlet ports and a plurality of outlet passageways. The outlet passageways have openings in the coating. The method involves: applying a slurry aluminide to the plurality of outlet passageways; coupling the one or more inlets to a suction source; applying an external gas flow to the component, the suction source drawing the external gas in through the outlet passageways and out through the one or more inlet ports, the external gas flow comprising at least 50% by volume combined one to all of Ar, He, and H2; and while the suction source is drawing the external gas, heating the component to aluminize the cooling passageway system.

Abstract: Electrical, mechanical, computing, and/or other devices that include components formed of extremely low resistance (ELR) materials, including, but not limited to, modified ELR materials, layered ELR materials, and new ELR materials, are described.

Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an additively manufactured component includes a tank storing a cleaning fluid. A fluid circuit is operably coupled with the tank. A pump is coupled with the fluid circuit. A manifold is configured to receive fluid from the fluid circuit through the pump. At least one of a coupler defined by the manifold or a hose is coupled with the manifold. The at least one of the coupler defined by the manifold or the hose is further configured to couple with said additively manufactured component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for producing synthesis gas (syngas) using bio-oil. In some embodiments, syngas is produced by steam reforming bio-oil. In some embodiments, the bio-oil is provided in liquid form. In some embodiments at least some of the liquid bio-oil is transitioned into droplet form when entering a reformer for steam-reforming. In some embodiments, the reformer produces a gas stream comprising syngas, which may be fed to a furnace (e.g., direct reducing furnace, shaft furnace) for reducing iron ore to iron. In some embodiments, the amount of oxygen provided to the reformer is regulated based on an equivalence ratio (ER) corresponding to moles of oxygen fed to the reformer divided by moles of oxygen necessary to achieve stoichiometric combustion of the bio-oil, wherein an exemplary ER value is from about 0.1 to about 0.6.

Abstract: A rabbeted edge of a building or construction piece includes a curved surface with a radius in a rabbet joint to provide improved mechanical strength and resist damage and breaking.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores events and available conversion options for a policy. The events include a conversion expiration event occurring on a conversion expiration date. Each conversion option is associated with a new policy type into which the policy is convertible prior to occurrence of the conversion expiration event. The processor presents a first page of a GUI, displaying a timeline of the events. The first page also displays a feature selectable to investigate the available conversion options. In response to receiving information associated with a selection of the feature, the processor presents a second page of the GUI, displaying the conversion options. The processor receives information associated with a selection of a first conversion option, and, in response, displays a graph illustrating the behavior of the policy upon conversion to the new policy type associated with the first conversion option.

Abstract: A processor comprises a computational array of computational elements and an instruction dispatch circuit. The computational elements receive data operands via data lanes extending along a first dimension, and processes the operands based upon instructions received from the instruction dispatch circuit via instruction lanes extending along a second dimension. The instruction dispatch circuit receives raw instructions, and comprises an instruction dispatch unit (IDU) processor that processes a set of raw instructions to generate processed instructions for dispatch to the computational elements, where the number of processed instructions is not equal to the number of instructions of the set of raw instructions.

Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for displaying one or more user interfaces based on a context of an electronic device within a physical environment. In some examples, the electronic device detects initiation of an exercise activity associated with a user of the electronic device, optionally while a computer-generated environment is presented at the electronic device. In some examples, in response to detecting the initiation of the exercise activity, the electronic device activates an exercise tracking mode of operation. In some examples, while the exercise tracking mode of operation is active, the electronic device captures one or more images of a physical environment. In some examples, in accordance with detecting, in the one or more images, a feature of the physical environment, the electronic device performs a first operation associated with the exercise tracking mode of operation.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices, systems, and methods for restricting, closing, or blocking an opening or defect in an anatomical structure. For example, many embodiments of the present technology are directed to implantable closure devices for plugging or sealing an opening in an anatomical structure separating a first body region and the second body region. In many of the embodiments described herein, the implantable closure devices are designed to be “recrossable,” such that a catheter or other percutaneous tool can be passed through the closure device after the device has been implanted.

Abstract: A glenoid implant (100) is disclosed. The glenoid implant including a plurality of bone fixation pegs (130, 140, 150) extending from a back or medial surface thereof. The bone fixation pegs including one or more features in the form of fins (132) and grooves (160) arranged and configured to provide increased fixation to the patient's bone thus minimizing the likelihood of the implant loosening.