Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a housing. The housing has at least one open end and a sidewall. The sidewall has a recess. An anode; a cathode; a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an electrolyte are included within the housing. An end cap assembly is placed within the at least one open end of the housing. An integrated circuit is positioned on a surface of the end cap.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a housing. The housing has at least one open end and a sidewall. An anode; a cathode; a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an electrolyte are included within the housing. A magnetic diverter is affixed to an external surface of the sidewall of the housing. The magnetic diverter includes a recess. An integrated circuit is positioned within the recess.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a housing. The housing has at least one closed end. An anode; a cathode; a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an electrolyte are included within the housing. An integrated circuit is positioned on a surface of the closed end of the housing.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal(s) of the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip, a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the chip and a non-conductive coating disposed upon a surface of the tag. The chip comprises a memory element providing electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit and output terminals. The antenna is in electrical communication with the output terminals. The non-conductive coating covers the chip and defines a perimeter. The perimeter is disposed over and exposes a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, an analog to digital converter, a passive radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The analog to digital converter is adapted to convert an analog output of the sensor to a digital value. The analog to digital converter includes input and output terminals. The input terminals of the analog to digital converter are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The passive radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, a radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The output of the sensor alters the value of at least one bit in the memory of the chip. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the level of contact between the consumer and the absorbent article and/or with bodily fluids is provided. The sensor comprises wetness sensels, pressure sensels, and combinations thereof. The sensor further comprises a microelectronic device and a power source. The sensor is attached to the microelectronic device providing a contiguous chamber with the sensor and the microelectronic device. The sensor may attach to a portion of skin.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip, a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the chip and a non-conductive coating disposed upon a surface of the tag. The chip comprises a memory element providing electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit and output terminals. The antenna is in electrical communication with the output terminals. The non-conductive coating covers the chip and defines a perimeter. The perimeter is disposed over and exposes a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal(s) of the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, a radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The output of the sensor alters the value of at least one bit in the memory of the chip. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, an analog to digital converter, a passive radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The analog to digital converter is adapted to convert an analog output of the sensor to a digital value. The analog to digital converter includes input and output terminals. The input terminals of the analog to digital converter are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The passive radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to deliver a composition, preferably a medical or pharmaceutical composition or active, through the stratum corneum of skin, without introducing bleeding or damage to tissue, and absent pain or other trauma. The dimensions and shapes of the microelements are controlled so as to control the penetration depth into the skin. The microelements can be “hollow” such that passageways are created therethrough to allow the composition to flow from a chamber, through the microelements, and into the skin. Alternatively, the microelements can be “solid,” and the composition is applied directly to the skin just before or just after the microelements are applied to the skin surface to create the openings in the stratum corneum.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for product identification. One embodiment of a system includes an image capture device that captures a real-time video image of a retail environment product and a memory component that stores a computer application. In some embodiments, the computer application causes the system to identify the retail environment product from the real-time video image and determine whether a predetermined potential product is similar to the retail environment product. Similarly, in some embodiments, the computer program causes the system to provide, in response to determining that the predetermined potential product is similar to the retail environment product, product identification information for the retail environment product, the product identification information including an altered version of the real-time video image.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for article utilization. One embodiment of a system includes a first image capture device that captures a first real-time video image of an article and a memory component that stores a computer application. The computer application may be configured to cause the system to identify the article from the first real-time video image, identify an action to be performed on the article, and provide data for performing the action via an altered version of the first real-time video image. The system may also include a display device for displaying the altered version of the first real-time video image.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring moisture content of a substrate, comprising: a coplanar waveguide; a directional coupler having a pair of generally parallel first and second strips defining a coupling gap therebetween; and a high frequency signal generator electrically coupled to said first strip and operable to couple power to said second strip with the substrate placed across said coupling gap to thereby generate a coupled power signal in said second strip having an amplitude related to moisture content of the substrate.

Abstract: A responsive coated substrate, said substrate comprising an interfacial surface to which a responsive coating attaches, said responsive coating comprising (a) at least one silicone-based, substantially hydrophobic polymer and (b) at least one substantially hydrophilic polymer wherein said responsive coating substrate is in a first state; and methods of coating the same.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.