Abstract: Containers including internal mixers and actuators assemblies and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a container may include a mixer and an actuator, at least one of which may be located inside of the container. The actuator may actuate the mixer to induce flow within the container and mix the contents of the container with a low volumetric footprint and high mixing efficiency. In some embodiments, the actuator may be configured to deform the mixer, which may include one or more features which may be deformed out of plane in a Kirigami or Origami fashion. The actuator and mixer may be arranged in series or in parallel. The actuator may be used without a mixer to induce flow within the container. The actuator may be driven pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, and/or in any other suitable manner.

Abstract: Kirigami mixing systems and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a mixing system includes one or more grippers configured to deform a portion of a flexible container containing fluid when undergoing axial deformation. The grippers may include features including slots, hinges, and spines to aid in the transition of the grippers between a closed and retracted configuration when the one or more grippers are deformed. The compression of the container subsequently result in fluid flow within the container which may mix or agitate the fluid. In some embodiments, the described grippers may be formed integrally with the flexible containers. In some embodiments, the mixing system may include a plurality of grippers arranged around the flexible container.

Abstract: Valves, systems, articles, and methods for controlling fluid flow are generally described. According to some aspects, valves that can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration in response to a change in magnetic field and/or voltage potential are provided. According to certain aspects, valves comprising elastic diaphragms comprising magnetic materials (e.g., an elastic composite material including magnetic nanoparticles or other magnetic materials dispersed in a matrix) and/or electroactive polymers are provided. In some aspects, magnetically actuated systems and/or voltage potential actuated systems comprising elastomeric valves are described. In some embodiments, valves and systems described herein are useful for liquid handling, dosing, and regulation of fluid flow, though embodiments in which the disclosed valves are used in different applications are also contemplated.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for adjusting rate of spool centering in a pilot-controlled hydraulic spool valve. The apparatus includes a first pilot port and a second pilot port. The apparatus includes a first valve port and a second valve port. The apparatus also includes a first hydraulic circuit connecting the first pilot port and the first valve port, wherein the first hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the second pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition. The apparatus further includes a second hydraulic circuit connecting the second pilot port and the second valve port, wherein the second hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the first pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for adjusting rate of spool centering in a pilot-controlled hydraulic spool valve. The apparatus includes a first pilot port and a second pilot port. The apparatus includes a first valve port and a second valve port. The apparatus also includes a first hydraulic circuit connecting the first pilot port and the first valve port, wherein the first hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the second pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition. The apparatus further includes a second hydraulic circuit connecting the second pilot port and the second valve port, wherein the second hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the first pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a dynamic latch circuit. The dynamic latch circuit includes a first NMOS transistor, a second NMOS transistor, a first PMOS transistor, and a second PMOS transistor. A source terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a source terminal of the first PMOS transistor to form a data input terminal. A drain terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a drain terminal of the first PMOS transistor to form a latch internal node. A gate terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a clock input signal. A gate terminal of the first PMOS transistor is connected to an inverse clock input signal. A gate terminal of the second NMOS transistor and a gate terminal of the second PMOS transistor are connected to the latch internal node. A drain terminal of the second NMOS transistor and a drain terminal of the second PMOS transistor are connected to form an inverted output terminal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for adjusting rate of spool centering in a pilot-controlled hydraulic spool valve. The apparatus includes a first pilot port and a second pilot port. The apparatus includes a first valve port and a second valve port. The apparatus also includes a first hydraulic circuit connecting the first pilot port and the first valve port, wherein the first hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the second pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition. The apparatus further includes a second hydraulic circuit connecting the second pilot port and the second valve port, wherein the second hydraulic circuit, based on a hydraulic fluid pressure of the first pilot port, comprises one of a controlled-flow condition and an unrestricted-flow condition.

Abstract: A multi-core processing integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a plurality of processing unit groups. Each processing unit group includes a group voltage input terminal, a group voltage ground terminal, and one or more processing units, each processing unit having a voltage input terminal and a voltage ground terminal. The plurality of processing unit groups includes a bottom-level processing unit group and a top-level processing unit group. The group voltage ground terminal of the bottom-level processing unit group is connected to a ground pin of the multi-core processing integrated circuit chip. For each processing unit group other than the bottom-level processing unit group, the group voltage ground terminal of the processing unit group is connected to the group voltage input terminal of a previous-level processing unit group within the plurality of processing unit groups.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a dynamic latch circuit. The dynamic latch circuit includes a first NMOS transistor, a second NMOS transistor, a first PMOS transistor, and a second PMOS transistor. A source terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a source terminal of the first PMOS transistor to form a data input terminal. A drain terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a drain terminal of the first PMOS transistor to form a latch internal node. A gate terminal of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a clock input signal. A gate terminal of the first PMOS transistor is connected to an inverse clock input signal. A gate terminal of the second NMOS transistor and a gate terminal of the second PMOS transistor are connected to the latch internal node. A drain terminal of the second NMOS transistor and a drain terminal of the second PMOS transistor are connected to form an inverted output terminal.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus (1) comprising: a first mobile transceiver unit (2), and a second mobile transceiver unit (3), the first mobile transceiver unit being in wireless communication with the second mobile transceiver unit for the transfer of data therebetween, the first mobile transceiver unit being arranged for location within an environment and being operable to determine data regarding the environment and to emit some or all of the determined data which is received by the second mobile transceiver unit for storage thereon when it is determined by the first mobile transceiver unit that the second mobile transceiver unit is located within a distance of the first mobile transceiver unit.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: A Common Component Framework (CCF) provides a container interface and a component interface for communication in a multi-tiered software application. Component context data may be transmitted to and from a container describing a current state of a component executing within the container. Context data may correspond to a specific entity (e.g., a financial entity such as a company or stock) identified by a user interacting with the component. The container may communicate the context data between different components to synchronize and coordinate component behavior, providing a more robust and coherent user experience. In addition to component context data, other information may be transmitted between containers and components such as properties, menu options, and data fields, supporting more complete integration of even web-based components into containers.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus (1) comprising: a first mobile transceiver unit (2), and a second mobile transceiver unit (3), the first mobile transceiver unit being in wireless communication with the second mobile transceiver unit for the transfer of data therebetween, the first mobile transceiver unit being arranged for location within an environment and being operable to determine data regarding the environment and to emit some or all of the determined data which is received by the second mobile transceiver unit for storage thereon when it is determined by the first mobile transceiver unit that the second mobile transceiver unit is located within a distance of the first mobile transceiver unit.

Abstract: A Common Component Framework (CCF) provides a container interface and a component interface for communication in a multi-tiered software application. Component context data may be transmitted to and from a container describing a current state of a component executing within the container. Context data may correspond to a specific entity (e.g., a financial entity such as a company or stock) identified by a user interacting with the component. The container may communicate the context data between different components to synchronize and coordinate component behavior, providing a more robust and coherent user experience. In addition to component context data, other information may be transmitted between containers and components such as properties, menu options, and data fields, supporting more complete integration of even web-based components into containers.

Abstract: A time keeping device comprising (i) time keeping means, (ii) a display means, capable of displaying at least first and second images to differentiate between two different time periods, wherein the first image can alter to indicate the passage of time throughout a user-selected time period, and (iii) control means for causing the display means to display either its first or its second image dependent on the time of day and/or on timing information input by a user, and for causing alteration of the first image with the passage of time during the user-selected time period.