Abstract: An infill includes a granular elastomeric substrate, and a fungal-derived biomass that forms a discontinuous solid filler phase within the elastomeric substrate. The fungal-derived biomass forms a desiccated mycomaterial in the elastomeric substrate.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor coupled to a memory, and the memory includes instructions to perform surface property assessment. When executed by the processor the instructions cause the processor to analyze a surface associated with sensor data received from one or more sensors, where the sensor data indicates a condition at a location on the surface, and the processor determines the location based upon the received sensor data. The instructions also cause the processor to compute a surface property measurement based on the sensor data and the location, generate a treatment recommendation based upon the surface property measurement, and indicate the treatment recommendation via a user interface.

Abstract: A method of joining carpet components, including a backing and a fiber, is provided. The method includes tufting the fiber through the backing, where the fiber forms piles at a top side of the backing, and forms a staple along a bottom side of the backing opposite the top side, between consecutive iterations of the piles. The method also includes ultrasonically welding the fiber to the backing at the staple.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor coupled to a memory that stores instructions to perform surface property assessment that cause the processor to extract ball movement information from a sequence of images that record ball movement across a surface to be assessed. Extracting the ball movement information comprises locating the ball in the sequence of images, translating a position of the ball in pixels in each of the sequence of images into a real-world position of the ball, and determining a trajectory of the ball interacting with the surface, including determining a speed, an angle, a height, a distance, or a spin of the ball relative to the surface over time. The instructions also cause the processor to determine a property of the surface based on the extracted ball movement information, including a coefficient of friction, a horizontal surface drag, a coefficient of restitution, or a deviation angle.

Abstract: An infill composition for artificial turf fields comprising at least one layer of particles comprising curable oil and natural polymers-based particles, the particles can include a particle size distribution of curable oil-based particles with a size of 0.6 to 7 mm to after wetting. The infill composition can be installed according to a method of spreading a layer of curable oil-based particles over a carpet that is on a base of compacted stone, wherein the layer of curable oil-based particles consists of dry particles.

Abstract: A synthetic turf system including a backing, turf fibers extended upward from the backing, and one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers. The one or more infill layers includes rock dust, or the synthetic turf system further includes a layer of the rock dust disposed above or below the one or more infill layers. The rock dust is accessible to rainwater from the top portion of the turf fibers, where the rainwater and the rock dust chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate.

Abstract: A synthetic turf system includes a backing, turf fibers extended upward from the backing, and one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers. The one or more infill layers includes carbon sequestration sand, or the synthetic turf system further comprises a layer of carbon sequestration sand disposed above or below the one or more infill layers.

Abstract: A method of modifying the properties of an artificial turf includes applying a turf modifier compound over a top surface of the artificial turf. The artificial turf includes a carpet or an infill that forms the top surface, and the turf modifier compound alters a property of the artificial turf at the carpet or the infill, including at least one of water retention, water absorption, stiffness, friction, infill splash, reflectance, mechanical resilience, ultraviolet radiation resistance, heat emission, heat retention, heat reflection, and antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects pertain to surface analysis based on wearable sensor data. Sensor data can be acquired from pressure-sensitive wearable sensors, such as shoe insole sensors, based on interaction with a surface. A location can also be determined for the sensor data with respect to a surface utilizing a positioning system. The sensor data can be utilized to determine surface properties at a particular location. Further, a graphical representation of the surface properties and location can be generated and conveyed for display on a display. Furthermore, movement instructions can be provided to aid in analysis of an entire surface, and recommendations can be made regarding surface maintenance based on collected sensor data.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects pertain to surface analysis based on wearable sensor data. Sensor data can be acquired from pressure-sensitive wearable sensors, such as shoe insole sensors, based on interaction with a surface. A location can also be determined for the sensor data with respect to a surface utilizing a positioning system. The sensor data can be utilized to determine surface properties at a particular location. Further, a graphical representation of the surface properties and location can be generated and conveyed for display on a display. Furthermore, movement instructions can be provided to aid in analysis of an entire surface, and recommendations can be made regarding surface maintenance based on collected sensor data.

Abstract: A natural turf reinforcement system and method are provided. A fiber yarn having at least one biodegradation characteristic is inserted into a soil bed to provide support to a natural grass component. The biodegradation characteristic includes a full or a substantially full biodegradation in the soil after injection after a defined time period. The fiber yarn may include one or more plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers, or at least one synthetic fiber. The fibers may further include one or more chemical treatments or coatings configured to extend or modify properties of the fiber yarn and/or the natural grass component.

Abstract: An infill composition for artificial turf fields comprising at least one layer of particles comprising ligneous-belt corn-based particles, the ligneous-belt corn-based particles include a particle size distribution of ligneous-belt corn-based particles with an initial dry size of 0.5 to 5 mm and a final size of 0.6 to 7 mm to after wetting. The infill composition can be installed according to a method of spreading a layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles over a carpet that is on a base of compacted stone, wherein the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles consists of dry particles; watering the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the dry particles are expanded after the watering; brushing the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles; and decompacting the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the ligneous-belt corn-based particles are evenly distributed over the carpet.

Abstract: Spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields are proposed, which granules have a polymer matrix with a percentage between 10% by mass and 100% by mass of at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one filler from the group of natural fillers, embedded in the polymer matrix with the at least one biodegradable polymer. The invention provides for the spreadable granules to have at least one filler from the group including comminuted fruit kernels. In addition, the invention relates to the use of such spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields, as a spacer material for the storage of construction materials, such as, e.g., floor covering materials, and as grit for road maintenance in winter.

Abstract: Playing surface properties can be assessed electronically. A ball can be launched onto the playing surface, and movement of the ball recorded. Ball movement information can be derived from a recording of ball movement. A ball's position in pixels in each frame of recording can be translated to a real-world position of the ball to determine the ball's path or trajectory. Further ball movement information, such as bounce height and spin, can be determined based on the trajectory and other information. Properties of the playing surface, including a coefficient of friction, coefficient of restitution, and deviation angle, can be determined based on the ball movement information. The properties can then be output and utilized to determine whether the playing surface meets expectations or if maintenance is required, among other things.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects pertain to surface analysis based on wearable sensor data. Sensor data can be acquired from pressure-sensitive wearable sensors, such as shoe insole sensors, based on interaction with a surface. A location can also be determined for the sensor data with respect to a surface utilizing a positioning system. The sensor data can be utilized to determine surface properties at a particular location. Further, a graphical representation of the surface properties and location can be generated and conveyed for display on a display. Furthermore, movement instructions can be provided to aid in analysis of an entire surface, and recommendations can be made regarding surface maintenance based on collected sensor data.