Abstract: A flexible, sterilizable pouch includes a first wall coupled to a second wall and a cavity defined between the first wall and the second wall. The cavity is configured to receive a medical device, and the pouch is configured to seal the medical device within the cavity. At least one of the first wall and the second wall of the pouch includes two layers. Each layer is coupled to the adjacent layer such that a breach in any one layer of the multi-layered wall will not breach the seal of the pouch. A pocket may be formed between the layers of the multi-layered wall and may include a gas under pressure to inflate the corresponding wall to an inflated state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a dielectric elastomer device may include at least first and second dielectric elastomer layers, and a first layer of conductive particles disposed between the first and second dielectric elastomer layers and forming a first electrode of the device, wherein portions of the second dielectric elastomer layer are directly bonded with portions of the first dielectric elastomer layer through the first layer of the conductive particles. The dielectric elastomer layer may, for example, comprise a cured acrylic elastomer precursor with an additive including urethane, polybutadiene, or silicone. Electrodes in different layers may be interconnected by infusing a liquid or semi-liquid conductive material in contact with each of a plurality of the electrodes of the actuator or sensor device, and solidifying the conductive material to form a conductive path that interconnects the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A flameproof housing (202) includes a display aperture (212), a shoulder (207) adjacent to the display aperture (212), a transparent panel (230) including an outer face (231) and a perimeter (232), and a fastener element (236) configured to hold the transparent panel (230) against the shoulder (207). A perimeter interface region (264) between the perimeter (232) of the transparent panel (230) and the interior surface (203) of the flameproof housing (202) creates a perimeter gap that does not exceed a predetermined flameproof gap limit and a face interface region (260) between the outer face (231) of the transparent panel (230) and the shoulder (207) creates a face gap that does not exceed the predetermined flameproof gap limit.

Abstract: A device holder to hold an electronic device is provided. The device holder comprises an upper arc arm; a lower arc arm; and a drive device. The upper arm and the lower arc arms are attached to the drive device and moveably between a non-use position and a use position and the drive device enables a synchronized movement of the upper arc arm and a lower arc arm at opposite directions.

Abstract: A flameproof housing (202) includes a display aperture (212), a shoulder (207) adjacent to the display aperture (212), a transparent panel (230) including an outer face (231) and a perimeter (232), and a fastener element (236) configured to hold the transparent panel (230) against the shoulder (207). A perimeter interface region (264) between the perimeter (232) of the transparent panel (230) and the interior surface (203) of the flameproof housing (202) creates a perimeter gap that does not exceed a predetermined flameproof gap limit and a face interface region (260) between the outer face (231) of the transparent panel (230) and the shoulder (207) creates a face gap that does not exceed the predetermined flameproof gap limit.

Abstract: Example methods and mechanisms are described herein for implementing and adiabatically operating a topological quantum computing (TQC) phase gate that complements the existing Clifford operations, and thereby allows universal quantum computation with Majorana systems. Further embodiments include a testing system for the phase gate that is feasible with Majorana zero modes and demonstrates violations of the CHSH-Bell inequality. Further, the design used for the testing of the inequality leads directly to a practical platform for performing universal TQC with Majorana wires in which explicit braiding need never occur.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device configured to protect a circuit from ESD conditions. The protection device includes an emitter region having a first diffusion polarity; a collector region laterally spaced apart from the emitter region, and having the first diffusion polarity; and a barrier region interposed laterally between the emitter region and the collector region while contacting the emitter region. The barrier region has a second diffusion polarity opposite from the first diffusion polarity. The device can further include a base region having the second diffusion polarity, and laterally surrounding and underlying the emitter region and the barrier region. The barrier region can have a higher dopant concentration than the base region, and block a lateral current flow between the collector and emitter regions, thus forming a vertical ESD device having enhanced ESD performance.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus moveable between a bipod mode and a tripod mode includes a housing, a first leg and a second leg extending from the housing, and a retractable third leg positioned between the first leg and the second leg. The third leg is configured to extend from the housing in the tripod mode and retract at least partially into the housing in the bipod mode. The robotic apparatus also includes a motor disposed within the housing and a transmission system coupled between the motor and at least one of the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg. The transmission system is configured to move the robotic apparatus between the bipod mode where the first leg and the second leg support the housing and the tripod mode where the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg support the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods related to the suppression of invasive plant species by laying down a fabric over beds of such invasive plants. A watercraft with a fabric laying mechanism is provided with the mechanism automatically guiding the fabric from a fabric stockpile to a frame that spreads the fabric prior to the fabric being laid over the underwater plant bed. The watercraft may be provided with a device for dispensing material over the fabric that has been laid down to weigh down or hold down the fabric. Preferably, the fabric is biodegradable and the material is natural to the area. In one implementation, the fabric (e.g jute burlap) is coarsely woven from natural plant fibers.

Abstract: A data extraction system for extracting a unique identifier from a plurality of different types of tokens, the data extraction system comprising a central processing system arranged to receive a data string representing an image of the token, the central processing system comprises: a data store of predetermined data records relating to the plurality of different types of token, each predetermined data record including a plurality of discrete features derived from an image of each type of token; a token type recognition module for identifying a type of token which the representation relates to, the recognition module comprising: a discrete feature identifier for iteratively identifying discrete features present in the representation; and a matching engine for iteratively comparing each of the identified features with each of the discrete features of the plurality of different types of token stored in the data store and registering each matched feature; wherein the recognition module is arranged to compare a c

Abstract: A neuromuscular aid for alleviation and prevention of conditions including muscle cramps and spasms. The neuromuscular aid may be in the form of a packet including a composition including 1 wt % to 15 wt % food grade acid. Instructions for use printed on an exterior of the packet include instructions to retain the composition in the oral cavity of a user for a length of time to alleviate or prevent muscle cramps. An oral treatment method includes administering a composition including 1 wt % to 15 wt % food grade acid to the oral cavity of a subject suffering from muscle cramps and retaining the composition in the oral cavity for a length of time. The composition may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, a solid, a gum, a powder, a thin film strip, a suspension, a colloid, or a gel.

Abstract: Example methods and mechanisms are described herein for implementing and adiabatically operating a topological quantum computing (TQC) phase gate that complements the existing Clifford operations, and thereby allows universal quantum computation with Majorana systems. Further embodiments include a testing system for the phase gate that is feasible with Majorana zero modes and demonstrates violations of the CHSH-Bell inequality. Further, the design used for the testing of the inequality leads directly to a practical platforms for performing universal TQC with Majorana wires in which explicit braiding need never occur.

Abstract: A “dry” packaging in which a prosthetic heart valve is packaged within a container with hydrogel that can be provided in many forms. Certain embodiments include hydrogel that is preloaded with glycerol or the like. The hydrogel regulates the humidity within the container through a diffusion-driven mechanism if a gradient of humidity between the inside and the outside of the hydrogel exists. Humidity regulation is important to prevent the tissue of the valve structure from drying out. When the partially-hydrated hydrogel is present within container, which is saturated with air of a predefined humidity, the water molecules from the air will be absorbed by the hydrogel if the air humidity is high (i.e. when the thermodynamics favor hydrogel hydration) or vice versa. Various embodiments are configured to also house at least a portion of a delivery device for delivering the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to “wet” transcatheter prosthetic heart valve or other implant packaging and assemblies in which a prosthetic heart valve or other implant is loaded into a first portion of a delivery device and positioned within a container in which sterilizing fluid is retained to sterilize interior portions of the container as well as provide moisture to prevent the implant from drying out. The disclosure also relates to methods of sterilizing the disclosed assemblies. Some disclosed methods include at least two sterilizing steps and adjustment of a mechanical seal member or formation of multiple seals so that areas proximate the seals are also sterilized during the sterilization process.

Abstract: A multi-body self-propelled device can include a drive body and a coupled head. The drive body can include a spherical housing, an internal drive system within the spherical housing to propel the multi-body self-propelled device, and a magnet holder coupled to the internal drive system to hold a first set of magnetic elements. The drive body can further include a first power source within the spherical housing to power the internal drive system and a first inductive interface. The coupled head can include second set of magnetic elements to establish a magnetic interaction with the first set of magnetic elements through the spherical housing. The coupled head can also include a second power source, and a second inductive interface. The multi-body self-propelled device can transfer power between the coupled head and the drive body via the first and the second inductive interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modulating light thorough a transparent laminate structure. The transparent laminate structure includes at least one soft dielectric layer and at least one stiff dielectric layer having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the at least one soft dielectric layer. The transparent laminate structure further comprises a plurality of stiff conductive elements formed on a surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer that, in the presence of an electric field, compress the at least one soft dielectric layer to alter a morphology of the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer on which the plurality of stiff conductive elements are formed. Light incident on the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer is scattered by the undulating morphology of the surface, thereby reducing the transmission of light through the transparent laminate structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device kit of parts comprising a lamp (3) and a lamp shade (5). The lamp (3) of the lighting device comprises a light source (11) and a heat sink area (13) comprising a main heat dissipating surface (15). The lamp shade (5) of the lighting device comprises a shade structure (17) conjoined via a thermal path part with a cooling structure (21) comprising a main surface (24). In a mounted position of the lamp shade (5) and the lamp (3), the main surface (24) of the cooling structure (21) adjoins the main heat dissipating surface (15) of the heat sink area (13). The invention further relates to a lamp and a lamp shade of said lighting device kit of parts.

Abstract: A device holder to hold an electronic device is provided. The device holder comprises an upper arc arm; a lower arc arm; and a drive device. The upper arm and the lower arc arms are attached to the drive device and moveably between a non-use position and a use position and the drive device enables a synchronized movement of the upper arc arm and a lower arc arm at opposite directions.

Abstract: A neuromuscular aid for alleviation and prevention of conditions including muscle cramps and spasms. The neuromuscular aid may be in the form of a packet including a composition including 1 wt % to 15 wt % food grade acid. Instructions for use printed on an exterior of the packet include instructions to retain the composition in the oral cavity of a user for a length of time to alleviate or prevent muscle cramps. An oral treatment method includes administering a composition including 1 wt % to 15 wt % food grade acid to the oral cavity of a subject suffering from muscle cramps and retaining the composition in the oral cavity for a length of time. The composition may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, a solid, a gum, a powder, a thin film strip, a suspension, a colloid, or a gel.

Abstract: A fault detection system for an aircraft braking system including: a controller configured to receive braking demand information; torque information; wear information; wheel speed information; and brake temperature information. The controller is to calculate an expected maximum temperature of the brake based on the torque information, the wear information and the wheel speed information; to determine whether a significant temperature discrepancy exists between the expected maximum temperature and the brake temperature information; to determine whether a significant torque-related discrepancy exists based on the braking demand information and the torque information.