Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a first string and a second string configured to be pulled; a first portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in a direction when the first string is unwound from the bobbin as the first string is pulled; a second portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in the direction when the second string is unwound from the bobbin as the second string is pulled; and an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin. The pulling of the second string causes the first string to retract and the pulling of the first string causes the second string to retract.

Abstract: Synchronous control for an output of a generator is disclosed. A desired output level at the output of the generator is received. An off time to achieve the desired output level is determined. A timing for the off time is determined. One or more coil outputs are caused to switch off for the off time at the determined timing for the off time. The one or more coil outputs contribute to the output of the generator in the event that the one or more coil outputs are switched on.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and two or more indicator threads. The two or more indicator threads are located with respect to the plurality of structural threads such that a differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads indicates a curvature. The differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads is measured using a change in one or more electrical properties of each of the two or more indicator threads as each of the two or more indicator threads changes in length. A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and one or more indicator threads. Each of the one or more indicator threads is more sensitive to elongation in a region of length of the fibrous tension member.

Abstract: A method of coupling a mechanical power source through an electrical power generator to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of an electrical output is measured from the electrical power generator produced during a power generation cycle during which there is a coupling of the mechanical power source through the electrical power generator to the electrical load. The coupling of the mechanical power source is adjusted through the electrical power generator to the electrical load during a subsequent power generation cycle based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the electrical output.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and two or more indicator threads. The two or more indicator threads are located with respect to the plurality of structural threads such that a differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads indicates a curvature. The differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads is measured using a change in one or more electrical properties of each of the two or more indicator threads as each of the two or more indicator threads changes in length. A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and one or more indicator threads. Each of the one or more indicator threads is more sensitive to elongation in a region of length of the fibrous tension member.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member comprises a plurality of structural threads and an indicator thread. The indicator thread modulates one or more electrical properties of the indicator thread based at least in part on the elongation of the indicator thread. A system for sensing elongation of a fibrous tension member comprises a plurality of structural threads, at least one indicator thread, and a sensing-processing device. The sensing-processing device is electrically connected to the at least one indicator thread to determine the elongation of the fibrous tension member.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a first string and a second string configured to be pulled; a first portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in a direction when the first string is unwound from the bobbin as the first string is pulled; a second portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in the direction when the second string is unwound from the bobbin as the second string is pulled; and an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin. The pulling of the second string causes the first string to retract and the pulling of the first string causes the second string to retract.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a case with a sealed chamber and a chamber that can be opened. The sealed chamber protects the electric power generator from environmental contamination and the chamber that can be opened allows the string to be accessed.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as it is being pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a mass attached to the rotor to store rotational energy and to output rotational energy while the string is being wound around the bobbin as the string is retracted.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to a shaft; and a case with a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber includes a primary mechanical turning source. The primary mechanical turning source can be removed to enable the attachment of a secondary mechanical turning source.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a case containing the bobbin and the electric power generator, wherein the case configured with an integral anchoring attachment.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a retraction circuit, wherein the retraction circuit uses the electric power generator as a motor to retract the string.

Abstract: A method of coupling a mechanical power source through an electrical power generator to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of an electrical output is measured from the electrical power generator produced during a power generation cycle during which there is a coupling of the mechanical power source through the electrical power generator to the electrical load. The coupling of the mechanical power source is adjusted through the electrical power generator to the electrical load during a subsequent power generation cycle based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the electrical output.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.

Abstract: A method of and device for controlled printing using liquid embossing techniques is disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention a stamp comprises a differentiated embossing surface with protruding and recessed surfaces to enhance the ability of the stamp to selectively displace liquid ink from a print surface and/or remove solvent from the liquid in a soft curing process. A stamp with differentiated surfaces is fabricated by selectively coating, or otherwise treating the protruding features, the recessed features, or a combination thereof, such that the surface energies and/or wettability of the protruding surfaces and the recessed surfaces are differentiated.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes at least one indicator thread that has discrete segments of conductive fibers. The indicator thread provides means for electrically sensing elongation of the fibrous tension member.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method of patterning a surface or layer in the fabrication of a micro-device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first mask structure is formed by depositing a layer of a first material onto the surface or layer and embossing the layer with a micro-stamp structure. The layer is preferably embossed as a liquid, which is solidified or cured to form the first mask structure. The first mask structure can be used as an etch-stop mask which is removed in a subsequent processing step or, alternatively, the first mask structure can remain a functional layer of the micro-device. In further embodiments, unmasked regions of the surface or layer are chemically treated through the first mask structure and/or a second material is deposited onto the unmasked regions of the surface or layer through the first mask structure to form a second mask structure and/or a second functional layer of the micro-device.

Abstract: In a system for contact printing, two surfaces are brought into intimate aligned contact, under controlled pressure, without the entrapment of air. A controlled bow in a stamp pushes air ahead of a moving contact line between the stamp and a substrate. In one embodiment, the bow is created by a difference in pressure between the two sides of a flexible stamp. In an alternate embodiment, a flexible stamp is rolled into contact with the substrate. Alignment of the stamp and any previously patterned features on the substrate is accomplished with an X-Y translation stage or other suitable mechanism. If an optically clear stamp is utilized, features in the stamp and the substrate can be compared simultaneously and the relative position adjusted. In another aspect, a pattern in a thin film of liquid is created by liquid embossing on an offset substrate. The offset substrate is then brought into contact with the final substrate and the high regions of the liquid film are transferred to that substrate.

Abstract: Elastomeric stamps facilitate direct patterning of electrical, biological, chemical, and mechanical materials. A thin film of material is deposited on a substrate. The deposited material, either originally present as a liquid or subsequently liquefied, is patterned by embossing at low pressure using an elastomeric stamp having a raised pattern. The patterned liquid is then cured to form a functional layer. The deposition, embossing, and curing steps may be repeated numerous times with the same or different liquids, and in two or three dimensions. The various deposited layers may, for example, have varying electrical characteristics, interacting so as to produce an integrated electronic component.