Abstract: A downwind morphing rotor that exhibits bending loads that will be reduced by aligning the rotor blades with the composite forces. This reduces the net loads on the blades which therefore allow for a reduced blade mass for a given maximum stress. Also provided is a pre-aligned configuration rotor whereby the rotor geometry and orientation does not change with wind speed, and instead is fixed at a constant downwind deflection consistent with alignment at or near the rated wind speed conditions. Also provided is a twist morphing rotor where the airfoil-shapes around the spars twist relative to the wind due to aerodynamic forces so as to unload the rotors when there is a gust. This can help reduce unsteady stresses on the blade and therefore may allow for reduced blade mass and cost. The twist morphing rotor may be combined with either downwind morphing rotor or pre-alignment rotor.

Abstract: Devices for generating streamwise vorticity in a boundary includes various forms of vortex generators. One form of a split-ramp vortex generator includes a first ramp element and a second ramp element with front ends and back ends, ramp surfaces extending between the front ends and the back ends, and vertical surfaces extending between the front ends and the back ends adjacent the ramp surfaces. A flow channel is between the first ramp element and the second ramp element. The back ends of the ramp elements have a height greater than a height of the front ends, and the front ends of the ramp elements have a width greater than a width of the back ends.

Abstract: A portable active pneumatically-powered ankle foot orthosis. A lower leg mount and a foot bed are pivotally coupled at or proximate to an ankle position. A pneumatically powered rotary actuator is configured to receive power from a wearable fluid power source and provide controlled force and resistance to aid or inhibit relative rotation of the foot bed and the lower leg mount. Embedded sensors provide feedback from the device.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a substrate having a layer thereover, the layer comprising a fluoropolymer and a nanofiller. Compositions comprising a substrate having a layer thereover, the layer comprising a fluoropolymer and a clay material. Methods for preparing a composite coating material solution, comprising: preparing a first solution comprising a fluoropolymer and an acetate; preparing a second solution comprising a clay material and a nanofiller suspension; and mixing the first and second solutions to form a composite coating material solution. Methods for applying a composite material layer to a substrate, comprising depositing a solution onto a substrate, wherein the solution comprises a clay material and fluoropolymer. Methods for applying a composite material layer to a substrate, comprising depositing a solution onto a substrate, wherein the solution comprises a fluoropolymer and a nanofiller.

Abstract: A watch having a civil time display (12, 16), a solar time display (13, 18) and a mechanism for correction (24, 34, 36) of these displays. The correction mechanism is arranged in such a way as to allow the relative desynchronization of the civil time and solar time displays. A way of displaying this desynchronization (20, 22) is provided.