Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing. In some examples, a system includes a frame defining an interior volume and an overhead robotic arm suspended from a gantry on a ceiling of the frame. The system includes manufacturing subsystems located within the interior volume of the frame. The system includes a control system configured for controlling the overhead robotic arm for parts movement among additive manufacturing processes using the manufacturing subsystems. The manufacturing subsystems can include one or more of: a microassembly station, an aerosol jetting print station, an intense pulsed light (IPL) photonic sintering station, a fiber weaving station, and a 3D printing station.

Abstract: A robot skin apparatus includes polymer membranes encapsulating a pressure sensor. The sensor includes piezo-sensitive material in contact with a pair of electrodes in spaced relationship to form a circuit. The apparatus may include a flexible substrate, with the electrodes thereon. The piezo-sensitive material may be piezoresistive film. The electrodes may be symmetrically patterned on the substrate to form a substantially circular peripheral boundary. The apparatus may include pressure sensors on opposite sides of a plane for temperature compensation, a plurality of pressure sensors arrayed on the substrate, and a data acquisition system. A method of fabricating the apparatus includes a wet lithography process for patterning the piezoresistive film. A system includes a pair of gripper fingers, an actuator connected to the fingers, a robot skin apparatus positioned on one of the fingers, and an electronic unit for receiving data from the robot skin and controlling the fingers.

Abstract: A robot skin apparatus includes polymer membranes encapsulating a pressure sensor. The sensor includes piezo-sensitive material in contact with a pair of electrodes in spaced relationship to form a circuit. The apparatus may include a flexible substrate, with the electrodes thereon. The piezo-sensitive material may be piezoresistive film. The electrodes may be symmetrically patterned on the substrate to form a substantially circular peripheral boundary. The apparatus may include pressure sensors on opposite sides of a plane for temperature compensation, a plurality of pressure sensors arrayed on the substrate, and a data acquisition system. A method of fabricating the apparatus includes a wet lithography process for patterning the piezoresistive film. A system includes a pair of gripper fingers, an actuator connected to the fingers, a robot skin apparatus positioned on one of the fingers, and an electronic unit for receiving data from the robot skin and controlling the fingers.

Abstract: This specification describes an adaptive robotic nursing assistant for physical tasks and patient observation and feedback. In some examples, the adaptive robotic nursing assistant includes an omni-directional mobile platform; a footrest on the omni-directional mobile platform; a handlebar located above the footrest such that a user standing on the footrest can grasp the handlebar; a display above the handlebar and at least one user input device; a robot manipulator comprising a robotic arm and an end effector on the robotic arm; and a control system coupled to the omni-directional mobile platform, the control system comprising at least one processor and memory storing executable instructions for the at least one processor to control the omni-directional mobile platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manual gesture recognition to control prosthetic devices. Low encumbrance systems utilizing glove-based recognition to control prosthetic devices. Prosthetic control systems and methods are also provided utilizing elements for application on the user's fingernails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manual gesture recognition to control prosthetic devices. Low encumbrance systems utilizing glove-based recognition to control prosthetic devices. Prosthetic control systems and methods are also provided utilizing elements for application on the user's fingernails.

Abstract: A robot skin apparatus includes polymer membranes encapsulating a pressure sensor. The sensor includes piezo-sensitive material in contact with a pair of electrodes in spaced relationship to form a circuit. The apparatus may include a flexible substrate, with the electrodes thereon. The piezo-sensitive material may be piezoresistive film. The electrodes may be symmetrically patterned on the substrate to form a substantially circular peripheral boundary. The apparatus may include pressure sensors on opposite sides of a plane for temperature compensation, a plurality of pressure sensors arrayed on the substrate, and a data acquisition system. A method of fabricating the apparatus includes a wet lithography process for patterning the piezoresistive film. A system includes a pair of gripper fingers, an actuator connected to the fingers, a robot skin apparatus positioned on one of the fingers, and an electronic unit for receiving data from the robot skin and controlling the fingers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manual gesture recognition to control prosthetic devices. Low encumbrance systems utilizing glove-based recognition to control prosthetic devices. Prosthetic control systems and methods are also provided utilizing elements for application on the user's fingernails.

Abstract: Described are three-dimensional stacked semiconductor structures having one or more vertical interconnects. Vertical stacking relies on vertical interconnects and wafer bonding using a patternable polymer. The polymer is preferably lithographically patternable and photosensitive. Curing of the polymer is preselected from about 35% to up to about 100%, depending on a desired outcome. When fabricated, such vertically stacked structures include electrical interconnects provided by solder reflow. Solder reflow temperature is bounded by a curing and glass transition temperatures of a polymer used for bonding.

Abstract: Robots, and atomic force microscopes including robots, that utilize in-plane actuators to provide large out-of-plane working volumes and forces.

Abstract: Robots, controllers, systems, and methods for microcrawler robots (e.g., with stick-slip gaited locomotion and/or with power multiplexing between actuators).

Abstract: Robots, and atomic force microscopes including robots, that utilize in-plane actuators to provide large out-of-plane working volumes and forces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sensing and adjusting lateral motion in a comb drive actuated MEMS device are provided. If lateral motion is sensed by a lateral motion sensor coupled to the comb drive actuated MEMS device, and the lateral motion is greater than a reference value, a feedback controller adjusts the lateral motion by providing a drive signal to a comb drive electrode of a comb drive actuator.

Abstract: Sensitive elements and devices include at least one piezoelectric material and a compliant polymer substrate having elastomeric properties to lend flexibility without affecting sensitivity of the element and/or device. Sensitive elements are in operable communication with a control system; communication is wireless. Interaction of a sensitive element/sensitive device with an operator/environmental object/device is provided through use of an impedance controller and filter.

Abstract: Described are three-dimensional stacked semiconductor structures having one or more vertical interconnects. Vertical stacking relies on vertical interconnects and wafer bonding using a patternable polymer. The polymer is preferably lithographically patternable and photosensitive. Curing of the polymer is preselected from about 35% to up to about 100%, depending on a desired outcome. When fabricated, such vertically stacked structures include electrical interconnects provided by solder reflow. Solder reflow temperature is bounded by a curing and glass transition temperatures of a polymer used for bonding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sensing and adjusting lateral motion in a comb drive actuated MEMS device are provided. If lateral motion is sensed by a lateral motion sensor coupled to the comb drive actuated MEMS device, and the lateral motion is greater than a reference value, a feedback controller adjusts the lateral motion by providing a drive signal to a comb drive electrode of a comb drive actuator.

Abstract: This crane control apparatus and method with swing control and variable impedance is intended for use with overhead cranes where a line suspended from a moveable hoist suspends a load. It is responsive to operator force applied to the load and uses a control strategy based on estimating the force applied by the operator to the load and, subject to a variable desired load impedance, reacting in response to this estimate. The human pushing force on the load is not measured directly, but is estimated from measurement of the angle of deflection of the line suspending the load and measurement of hoist position.

Abstract: This crane control system with swing control and variable impedance is intended for use with overhead cranes where a line suspended from a moveable hoist suspends a load. It is responsive to operator force applied to the load and uses a control strategy based on estimating the force applied by the operator to the load and, subject to a variable desired load impedance, reacting in response to this estimate. The human pushing force on the load is not measured directly, but is estimated from measurement of the angle of deflection of the line suspending the load and measurement of hoist position.

Abstract: This crane control apparatus and method with swing control and variable impedance is intended for use with overhead cranes where a line suspended from a moveable hoist suspends a load. It is responsive to operator force applied to the load and uses a control strategy based on estimating the force applied by the operator to the load and, subject to a variable desired load impedance, reacting in response to this estimate. The human pushing force on the load is not measured directly, but is estimated from measurement of the angle of deflection of the line suspending the load and measurement of hoist position.

Abstract: This crane control system with swing control and variable impedance is intended for use with overhead cranes where a line suspended from a moveable hoist suspends a load. It is responsive to operator force applied to the load and uses a control strategy based on estimating the force applied by the operator to the load and, subject to a variable desired load impedance, reacting in response to this estimate. The human pushing force on the load is not measured directly, but is estimated from measurement of the angle of deflection of the line suspending the load and measurement of hoist position.