Abstract: A composite material having a black pigment and a textile material. The composite material has a reflectivity toward near infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm of greater than or equal to 12%, and the composite material has a reflectivity toward visible light having a wavelength from 350 nm to 750 nm of less than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: A composite material including a black pigment and a textile material. The composite material has a reflectivity toward near infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm of greater than or equal to 12%, and has a reflectivity toward visible light having a wavelength from 350 nm to 750 nm of less than or equal to 10%. The composite material also has a blackness (My) from 125 to 165.

Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable liquid region and a dielectric liquid housed within the housing. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric liquid into the expandable liquid region, expanding the expandable liquid region. The artificial muscle also includes a composite electrical insulating layered structure in contact with at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode, wherein the composite electrical insulating layered structure that includes an electrical insulator layer surrounded by adhesive surfaces. The adhesive surfaces are located between one or more flexible electrical insulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for accounting for, and keeping track of, commodities which are gathered or harvested in one location and thereafter transported for delivery to another location. While the invention is applicable for use with a variety of commodities, the embodiment discussed concerns timber. It provides for a paperless process which accommodates the use by, and inputs from, various persons responsible for different steps in the process. It can be initiated by the timber owner and thereafter allows for the accumulation and recordation of pertinent information by other persons responsible for the various steps of timber identification, harvesting and delivery, such as the forester, loader, timber cutting crew chief, transporter, and destination purchaser. The method provides security, accountability, data entry, data retrieval, and reporting, with respect to commodity harvesting, transport, delivery, and receipt.