Abstract: A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to processing and executing digital asset transfers between two users. An example method includes receiving a data object defining a digital asset transfer, and the data object may be a query from the first user to initiate an outbound transfer to a second user or an approval of a request for digital asset units from the second user. The method further includes retrieving account balance data objects associated with the digital asset accounts for the first and second users. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the digital asset transfer satisfies one or more transfer conditions, executing the digital asset transfer by executing a closed-loop debit from the first user and executing a closed-loop credit to the second user. The method further includes updating the account balance data object to reflect the resulting balances of each digital asset account.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to processing conversions of digital assets to fiat currency. An example method includes obtaining a conversion rate for a digital asset via an API, providing the conversion rate via a client device, receiving a digital asset conversion request and executing a digital asset conversion within a configurable time period. Executing the digital asset conversion includes causing digital asset units to be debited from the digital asset user account and causing fiat currency units to be credited to a fiat currency user account. The method further includes dynamically providing a notification of execution of the digital asset conversion via the client device, updating account balance data objects associated with the digital asset user account and the fiat currency user account, and subsequent to executing the digital asset conversion, executing a fiat currency transaction (e.g., a settlement) with a digital asset exchange system.

Abstract: New shape-cast 7xx aluminum alloys products are disclosed. The new shape-cast products may include from 3.0 to 8.0 wt. % Zn, from 1.0 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, where the wt. % Zn exceeds the wt. % Mg, from 0.35 to 1.0 wt. % Cu, where the wt. % Mg exceeds the wt. % Cu, from 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % V, from 0.01 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element (Mn, Cr, Zr, Ti, B, and combinations thereof), up to 0.50 wt. % Fe, and up to 0.25 wt. % Si, the balance being aluminum and other elements, wherein the aluminum casting alloy include not greater than 0.05 wt. % each of the other elements, and wherein the aluminum casting alloy includes not greater than 0.15 wt. % in total of the other elements.

Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.

Abstract: New aluminum alloys are disclosed. The new aluminum alloys may include from 0.70 to 1.4 wt. % Si, from 0.70 to 1.3 wt. % Mg, wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is not greater than 1.40, from 0.70 - 3.0 wt. % Zn, from 0.55 to 1.3 wt. % Cu, wherein the total amount of Si+Mg+Zn+Cu is not greater than 4.25 wt. %, from 0.01 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, up to 0.70 wt. % Mn, up to 0.15 wt. % Cr, up to 0.20 wt. % Zr, up to 0.20 wt. % V, and up to 0.25 wt. % Ti, the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements and impurities. The new aluminum alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as an improved combination of strength, formability and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: New 7xx aluminum casting alloys are disclosed. The aluminum casting alloys generally include from 3.0 to 8.0 wt. % Zn, from 1.0 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, where the wt. % Zn exceeds the wt. % Mg, from 0.35 to 1.0 wt. % Cu, where the wt. % Mg exceeds the wt. % Cu, from 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % V, from 0.01 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element (Mn, Cr, Zr, Ti, B, and combinations thereof), up to 0.50 wt. % Fe, and up to 0.25 wt. % Si, the balance being aluminum and other elements, wherein the aluminum casting alloy include not greater than 0.05 wt. % each of the other elements, and wherein the aluminum casting alloy includes not greater than 0.15 wt. % in total of the other elements.

Abstract: New shape-cast 7xx aluminum alloys products are disclosed. The new shape-cast products may include from 3.0 to 8.0 wt. % Zn, from 1.0 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, where the wt. % Zn exceeds the wt. % Mg, from 0.35 to 1.0 wt. % Cu, where the wt. % Mg exceeds the wt. % Cu, from 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % V, from 0.01 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element (Mn, Cr, Zr, Ti, B, and combinations thereof), up to 0.50 wt. % Fe, and up to 0.25 wt. % Si, the balance being aluminum and other elements, wherein the aluminum casting alloy include not greater than 0.05 wt. % each of the other elements, and wherein the aluminum casting alloy includes not greater than 0.15 wt. % in total of the other elements.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a lower assembly including a lower frame having wheels rotatably mounted thereto, an upper assembly including an upper frame supporting a seat, a backrest and at least one movable armrest, and a lift mechanism configured to move the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a user can move sideways out of the seat in the raised position with the movable armrest lowered.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a lower assembly including a lower frame having wheels rotatably mounted thereto, an upper assembly including an upper frame supporting a seat, a backrest and at least one movable armrest, and a lift mechanism configured to move the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a user can move sideways out of the seat in the raised position with the movable armrest lowered.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a lower assembly including a lower frame having wheels rotatably mounted thereto, an upper assembly including an upper frame supporting a seat, a backrest and at least one movable armrest, and a lift mechanism configured to move the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a user can move sideways out of the seat in the raised position with the movable armrest lowered.

Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing new 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products having tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions. The tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions may be produced by preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet for precipitate phase modification, and then modifying an initial precipitate phase particle size distribution of the material. The modifying may include heating the intermediate gauge strip to a temperature of from 440° C. (825° F.) to 500° C. (932° F.) and for a time sufficient to create a modified strip product having a modified (tailored) precipitate phase particle size distribution. The modified strip product may realize improved properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing new 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products having tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions. The tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions may be produced by preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet for precipitate phase modification, and then modifying an initial precipitate phase particle size distribution of the material. The modifying may include heating the intermediate gauge strip to a temperature of from 440° C. (825° F.) to 500° C. (932° F.) and for a time sufficient to create a modified strip product having a modified (tailored) precipitate phase particle size distribution. The modified strip product may realize improved properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of producing heat-treatable as-cast plate, and products based on the same. Generally, the new methods comprise continuously delivering a molten aluminum alloy having at least one of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), and copper (Cu) to a molten belt caster, continuously solidifying the molten aluminum alloy into an aluminum alloy plate via the horizontal belt caster, then continuously discharging the aluminum alloy plate at an exit of the horizontal belt caster, and then quenching the discharged aluminum alloy plate via a quenching apparatus located proximal the exit of the horizontal belt caster.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a lower assembly including a lower frame having wheels rotatably mounted thereto, an upper assembly including an upper frame supporting a seat, a backrest and at least one movable armrest, and a lift mechanism configured to move the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a user can move sideways out of the seat in the raised position with the movable armrest lowered.

Abstract: New methods for aging aluminum alloys having zinc and magnesium are disclosed. The methods may include first aging the aluminum alloy at a first temperature of from about 310° F. to 530° F. and for a first aging time of from 1 minute to 6 hours, and then second aging the aluminum alloy at a second temperature for a second aging time of at least 30 minutes, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.