Abstract: A location of a center of pressure is determined in two-dimensions by a multi-layer sensor, which has a first sensing layer with a first sensing area and a second sensing layer with a second sensing area. The first sensing area includes one or more first sensing cells, and the second sensing area includes one or more second sensing cells. The first and second sensing areas overlap in plan view. Each of the first and second sensing cells can be respectively defined by a set of linearly-varying sensing aperture patterns. In each of the first and second sensing cells, a combination of the respective set of linearly-varying sensing aperture patterns forms a uniform sensing aperture pattern. The location of the center of pressure can be determined using a maximum of four output signals from the multi-layer sensor.

Abstract: A compact directional high resolution magnetostrictive phased array sensor (MPAS) includes a magnetostrictive comb-shaped patch and a magnetic circuit device. The patch was machined with 24 comb fingers along its radial direction. The magnetic circuit device contains a sensing array of angularly spaced apart sensing coils and cylindrical biasing magnets. The individual sensing coils have distinct directional sensing preferences designated by the normal direction of the coil winding. The directional sensing feature of the developed MPAS is supported by the combined effect of the magnetic shape anisotropy of the comb finger formation in the patch and the sensing directionality of the sensing array. The MPAS detects the strain-induced magnetic property change on the comb-shaped patch due to the mechanical interaction between the patch and GLWs propagating in the structure under study.

Abstract: A location of a center of pressure is determined in two-dimensions by a multi-layer sensor, which has a first sensing layer with a first sensing area and a second sensing layer with a second sensing area. The first sensing area includes one or more first sensing cells, and the second sensing area includes one or more second sensing cells. The first and second sensing areas overlap in plan view. Each of the first and second sensing cells can be respectively defined by a set of linearly-varying sensing aperture patterns. In each of the first and second sensing cells, a combination of the respective set of linearly-varying sensing aperture patterns forms a uniform sensing aperture pattern. The location of the center of pressure can be determined using a maximum of four output signals from the multi-layer sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of a mobile object is provided. The system determines the location of the mobile object by determining distances between a plurality of sensors provided on a first and second movable parts of the mobile object. A stride length, heading, and separation distance between the first and second movable parts are computed based on the determined distances and the location of the mobile object is determined based on the computed stride length, heading, and separation distance.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of a mobile object is provided. The system determines the location of the mobile object by determining distances between a plurality of sensors provided on a first and second movable parts of the mobile object. A stride length, heading, and separation distance between the first and second movable parts are computed based on the determined distances and the location of the mobile object is determined based on the computed stride length, heading, and separation distance.

Abstract: Micro/nano mono-wing aircraft with the wing configured as a winged seed (Samara) is uniquely suited for autonomous or remotely controlled operation in confined environments for surrounding images acquisition. The aircraft is capable of effective autorotation and steady hovering. The wing is flexibly connected to a fuselage via a servo-mechanism which is controlled to change the wing's orientation to control the flight trajectory and characteristics. A propeller on the fuselage rotates about the axis oriented to oppose a torque created about the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and is controlled to contribute in the aircraft maneuvers. A controller, either ON-board or OFF-board, creates input command signals to control the operation of the aircraft based on a linear control model identified as a result of extensive experimentations with a number of models.

Abstract: Micro/nano mono-wing aircraft with the wing configured as a winged seed (Samara) is uniquely suited for autonomous or remotely controlled operation in confined environments for surrounding images acquisition. The aircraft is capable of effective autorotation and steady hovering. The wing is flexibly connected to a fuselage via a servo-mechanism which is controlled to change the wing's orientation to control the flight trajectory and characteristics. A propeller on the fuselage rotates about the axis oriented to oppose a torque created about the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and is controlled to contribute in the aircraft maneuvers. A controller, either ON-board or OFF-board, creates input command signals to control the operation of the aircraft based on a linear control model identified as a result of extensive experimentations with a number of models.

Abstract: A biomimetic pitching and flapping mechanism including a support member, at least two blade joints for holding blades and operatively connected to the support member. An outer shaft member is concentric with the support member, and an inner shaft member is concentric with the outer shaft member. The mechanism allows the blades of a small-scale rotor to be actuated in the flap and pitch degrees of freedom. The pitching and the flapping are completely independent from and uncoupled to each other. As such, the rotor can independently flap, or independently pitch, or flap and pitch simultaneously with different amplitudes and/or frequencies. The mechanism can also be used in a non-rotary wing configuration, such as an ornithopter, in which case the rotational degree of freedom would be suppressed.

Abstract: A biomimetic pitching and flapping mechanism including a support member, at least two blade joints for holding blades and operatively connected to the support member. An outer shaft member is concentric with the support member, and an inner shaft member is concentric with the outer shaft member. The mechanism allows the blades of a small-scale rotor to be actuated in the flap and pitch degrees of freedom. The pitching and the flapping are completely independent from and uncoupled to each other. As such, the rotor can independently flap, or independently pitch, or flap and pitch simultaneously with different amplitudes and/or frequencies. The mechanism can also be used in a non-rotary wing configuration, such as an ornithopter, in which case the rotational degree of freedom would be suppressed.