Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

Abstract: A diffuse-optical-spectroscopy system and method for scanning human tissue is provided. The system includes: (a) a handheld probe operable to emit electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths corresponding to absorption associated with one or more human-tissue constituents, respectively, the handheld probe being operable to detect received electromagnetic radiation at each of the wavelengths; and (b) a processor operable to produce, in response to the received electromagnetic radiation, one or more cross-sectional images of the human tissue respectively associated with the wavelengths. The handheld probe includes first and second sources for emitting the electromagnetic radiation and one or more sensors for detecting the received electromagnetic radiation. The sensors are aligned along a first axis and face in an outward direction. The first and second sources are aligned along the first axis, face in the outward direction, and are disposed on either side of the sensors.

Abstract: A diffuse-optical-spectroscopy system and method for scanning human tissue. The system includes: (a) a handheld probe operable to emit electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths corresponding to absorption associated with one or more human-tissue constituents, respectively, the handheld probe being operable to detect received electromagnetic radiation at each of the wavelengths; and (b) a processor operable to produce, in response to the received electromagnetic radiation, one or more cross-sectional images of the human tissue respectively associated with the wavelengths. The handheld probe includes first and second sources for emitting the electromagnetic radiation and one or more sensors for detecting the received electromagnetic radiation. The sensors are aligned along a first axis and face in an outward direction. The first and second sources are aligned along the first axis, face in the outward direction, and are disposed on either side of the sensors.

Abstract: A method for reducing rotational acceleration during an impact to an outside surface of protective headgear involves positioning a body between a head of a person and an inside top surface of the protective headgear. The body has a first face and a second face, with the first face providing a slippery exterior surface. Sliding movement along this slippery exterior surface is used to dissipate kinetic energy. In a first embodiment, a head of a person slides along the slippery exterior surface. In a second embodiment, the inside surface of the protective headgear slides along the slippery exterior surface. In a third embodiment, a helmet liner (with the head of a person positioned within it) slides along the slippery exterior surface.

Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to impact mitigating membranes. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the impact mitigating membranes generally include a laminar core having a first lamina and a second lamina coupled to the first lamina and configured to shift relative to the first lamina to dissipate kinetic energy resulting from an oblique impact force. The laminar core may include a lubricating layer or self-lubrication between the lamina to reduce friction. In general, the laminar core is surrounded by first and second encapsulating layers positioned adjacent each lamina. An anchoring attachment coupled to one or more of the first and second encapsulating layer and associating with the laminar core constrains relative lateral motion between the laminar core and the first and second encapsulating layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a low voltage interface coupleable between an energy storage device or a DC power source (e.g., fuel cell stack, battery) and one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. The low voltage interface reduces a voltage of the DC power source and supplies the reduced voltage to the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems without affecting the results of the measurements obtained by the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. Such functionality provides a safer method for performing advanced analysis (e.g., EIS, frequency analysis) while utilizing lower cost and/or smaller components.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a hydrogen leak and quantifying a rate of the same in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack are provided, as well as a fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a hydrogen leak in a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The disclosed devices utilize nonlinearly coupled modes of vibration to provide robust inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes. This actuation mechanism introduces a wider bandwidth in the sense-mode frequency response curve, and consequently enhances robustness to parameter fluctuations due to operating conditions and fabrication imperfections. The vibratory modes of the device are designed to have distinct frequencies where the drive-mode natural frequency is twice the modal frequency of the sense mode. The nonlinear modal interaction due to internal resonance can also be magnified through nonlinearity feedback. The sense mode response can be enhanced in shape, quality factor, and bandwidth by feeding back nonlinear quadratic, cubic, etc. terms.

Abstract: A diffuse-optical-spectroscopy system and method for scanning human tissue. The system includes: (a) a handheld probe operable to emit electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths corresponding to absorption associated with one or more human-tissue constituents, respectively, the handheld probe being operable to detect received electromagnetic radiation at each of the wavelengths; and (b) a processor operable to produce, in response to the received electromagnetic radiation, one or more cross-sectional images of the human tissue respectively associated with the wavelengths. The handheld probe includes first and second sources for emitting the electromagnetic radiation and one or more sensors for detecting the received electromagnetic radiation. The sensors are aligned along a first axis and face in an outward direction. The first and second sources are aligned along the first axis, face in the outward direction, and are disposed on either side of the sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a suspension-based impact test system for testing impact of a testing object against an impacting object. The impact test system includes components to couple the testing object to a suspension arm through a coupling member, and the suspension arm interfaces a motion-guiding mechanism. The impact test system generally includes a detachment mechanism for releasing the testing object from the suspension arm when initiated by a release system. The testing object releases from the constraints such that the testing object can move freely just prior to contacting the impacting object.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a low voltage interface coupleable between an energy storage device or a DC power source (e.g., fuel cell stack, battery) and one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. The low voltage interface reduces a voltage of the DC power source and supplies the reduced voltage to the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems without affecting the results of the measurements obtained by the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. Such functionality provides a safer method for performing advanced analysis (e.g., EIS, frequency analysis) while utilizing lower cost and/or smaller components.

Abstract: The disclosed devices utilize nonlinearly coupled modes of vibration to provide robust inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes. This actuation mechanism introduces a wider bandwidth in the sense-mode frequency response curve, and consequently enhances robustness to parameter fluctuations due to operating conditions and fabrication imperfections. The vibratory modes of the device are designed to have distinct frequencies where the drive-mode natural frequency is twice the modal frequency of the sense mode. The nonlinear modal interaction due to internal resonance can also be magnified through nonlinearity feedback. The sense mode response can be enhanced in shape, quality factor, and bandwidth by feeding back nonlinear quadratic, cubic, etc. terms.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a hydrogen leak and quantifying a rate of the same in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack are provided, as well as a fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a hydrogen leak in a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism comprising a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: A configurable vibration sensor having a sensor circuit, an analog-to-digital converter and a processor is provided. The sensor circuit employs a vibration sensing element and a variable bandwidth filter controllable by the processor. In addition to the variable bandwidth filter, other configurable elements may also be employed in the sensor circuit, including a variable gain amplifier. These configurable elements allow the configurable vibration sensor to be configured for different vibration measurement applications when measuring vibrations from vibrating structures such as machinery and the like.

Abstract: A configurable vibration sensor comprising a sensor circuit, an analog-to-digital converter and a processor, where each sensor circuit comprises a vibration sensing element and a variable bandwidth filter controllable by the processor. In addition to the variable bandwidth filter, other configurable elements may also be employed in the sensor circuit, including a variable gain amplifier. These configurable elements allow the configurable vibration sensor to be configured for different vibration measurement applications when measuring vibrations from vibrating structures such as machinery and the like.