Abstract: Methods of using refrigerant compositions and systems thereof are described. In particular, methods of using refrigerant compositions and systems thereof, include refrigerant compositions including a two component blend. One of the components is a refrigerant blend that, when first combined, is considered an azeotropic blend, azeotrope, near azeotropic, or the like. This component is one component of the two components of the resulting refrigerant composition, which is combined with a second component being another refrigerant.

Abstract: A rocker shoe has a lower rocker surface extending across the plantar surface of the shoe sole from the heel and terminating short of the toe. A rocker shoe construction kit has a rigid or substantially rigid rocker piece having an upper surface for securing over a major portion of a lower plantar surface of the sole of a shoe upper and a lower surface of predetermined rocker shape, a cushioning layer for securing over the lower surface of the rocker piece, and a layer of tread material configured for securing over the lower surface of the cushioning layer and any exposed portion of the plantar surface of a shoe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for providing software updates to client devices. A client device (such as a thermostat) executes software to perform one or more functionalities of the device. Upon receiving an indicating that a software update is available, the device waits to download the software update until pre-download conditions are satisfied. Once the software update is downloaded, the device then waits to install the software update until pre-install conditions are satisfied. If the software update is non-critical and received during an initial installation of the device, the software update may not be installed until after installation of the device is complete. If the device is a thermostat, the device may delay installation of the software update until a controlled HVAC system in inactive. Control of the HVAC system may be disabled during installation of the software update.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods and systems for playback of adaptive music corresponding to an athletic activity. A user input is received from a user selecting an existing song for audible playback to the user, the song comprising a plurality of audio layers including at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Augmented playback of the existing song to the user is initiated by audibly providing the first layer but not the second layer. Physical activity information derived from a sensor corresponding to a real-time physical activity level of a user is received. If the physical activity level of the user is above a first activity level threshold, the augmented playback of the existing song is continued by audibly providing the first layer and the second layer to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficient communication through a fabric network of devices in a home environment or similar environment. For example, an electronic device may efficiently control communication to balance power and reliability concerns, may efficiently communicate messages to certain preferred networks by analyzing Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) packet headers that use an Extended Unique Local Address (EULA), may efficiently communicate software updates and status reports throughout a fabric network, and/or may easily and efficiently join a fabric network.

Abstract: A head-mounted imaging apparatus includes a frame that houses a left-eye and a right-eye imaging apparatus. Each imaging apparatus forms a virtual image to an eye of an observer and includes a projector, a planar waveguide, and an optical coupler. The projector is supported by a temple member of the frame and emits a central projected light beam along a projection axis. The planar waveguide accepts the projected light beam through an input aperture and forms an expanded light beam that is output from an output aperture and directed toward the observer's eye. The optical coupler receives the central projected light beam along a first axis that is at an obtuse angle with respect to the waveguide surface, and the optical coupler redirects the central projected light beam along a second axis that is at an acute angle with respect to the waveguide surface.

Abstract: A head-mounted virtual image display apparatus has a projector that directs image-bearing light beams along a projection axis. A planar waveguide is configured to receive the image-bearing light beams through an input aperture and to form expanded image-bearing light beams that are output from an output aperture of the waveguide. An optical coupler is configured to receive the image-bearing light beams along the projection axis, to reorient the projection axis with respect to the waveguide, to rotate the image-bearing light beams about the projection axis, and to direct the rotated image-bearing beams along the reoriented projection axis through the input aperture of the waveguide.

Abstract: A non-flammable refrigerant composition for a HVACR system that includes R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant that has a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 or a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, and CF3I. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACR system that includes selecting an amount of a first refrigerant that is a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant or a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, selecting an amount of CF3I, and selecting an amount of R134a refrigerant. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition in an HVACR system that includes adding one or more compounds to the refrigerant composition. The retrofitted composition including R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant having a GWP of less than 150, and CF3I, or R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, and CF3I.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions for an HVACR system that includes R1123, R32 and at least one more refrigerant. The refrigerant composition has a reduced GWP of about or less than 1500. Some of the refrigerant composition may be suitable for replacing R410A, R32, and/or R22. Methods for making the refrigerant composition including mixing an amount of R1123, and amount of R32, and an amount of at least one more refrigerant. Methods of retrofitting an existing refrigerant composition include adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant composition. The retrofitted refrigerant composition includes at least R1123 and R32.

Abstract: A refrigerant composition for an HVACR system that includes R1123 refrigerant, R32 refrigerant, and CF3I. The refrigerant composition having a capacity greater than 85% of a capacity of R410 or a capacity of R32. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACR system is also disclosed. The method includes mixing an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, and an amount of CF3I. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition that results in the refrigerant composition is disclosed.

Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus configured to produce a distillate from a source liquid mixture, including a base member defining at least one flow path, a transparent cover panel spaced apart from the base member to define a volume therebetween; and an intermediate panel positioned between the base member and the transparent cover panel to divide the volume into an evaporation chamber and a condensation chamber, wherein the evaporation chamber communicates with the condensation chamber, the flow path of the base member is configured to carry the source liquid mixture in a first direction in the evaporation chamber to increase evaporation of a liquid from the source liquid mixture, and the evaporated liquid is configured to flow from the evaporation chamber in a second and opposite direction into the condensation chamber where the evaporated liquid condenses into the distillate.

Abstract: Polyurethane nanocomposites are provided which include a polyurethane and surface modified silica nanoparticles covalently bound into the polyurethane. High loadings in excess of 30% may be achieved. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are covalently bound to the polyurethane polymer through a linkage derived from a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment. In some embodiments the polyurethane nanocomposite may be provided as a tape or film. In addition, precursors for a polyurethane nanocomposites are provided comprising: a first polyol and surface modified silica nanoparticles dispersed within the first polyol. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are surface-modified by reaction with a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment derived from a second polyol, which may be the same or different from the first polyol.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficient communication through a fabric network of devices in a home environment or similar environment. For example, an electronic device may efficiently control communication to balance power and reliability concerns, may efficiently communicate messages to certain preferred networks by analyzing Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) packet headers that use an Extended Unique Local Address (EULA), may efficiently communicate software updates and status reports throughout a fabric network, and/or may easily and efficiently join a fabric network.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia is described. The method uses the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath that indicate pneumonia or the presence of pathogens in the respiratory tract in intubated and mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. The apparatus may be an electronic nose incorporated into a ventilation system, which outputs to a display the indication of pneumonia. One particular useful VOC is 1-propanol.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.

Abstract: A rocker shoe has a lower rocker surface extending across the plantar surface of the shoe sole from the heel and terminating short of the toe. A rocker shoe construction kit has a rigid or substantially rigid rocker piece having an upper surface for securing over a major portion of a lower plantar surface of the sole of a shoe upper and a lower surface of predetermined rocker shape, a cushioning layer for securing over the lower surface of the rocker piece, and a layer of tread material configured for securing over the lower surface of the cushioning layer and any exposed portion of the plantar surface of a shoe.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: A dual chamber drinking vessel includes a cup chamber positioned adjacent to an angled chamber. The cup chamber includes a cup upper portion and a cup lower portion. The angled chamber includes an angled chamber upper portion and an angled chamber lower portion. The cup upper portion is joined to the angled chamber upper portion by a bridge. The dual chamber drinking vessel is configured to allow different liquids to be received within the cup chamber and angled chamber without mixing the liquids until the vessel is tilted to elevate the angled chamber relative to the cup chamber. The angled chamber includes an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion. The inner wall portion extends at an angle from the bridge and meets the outer wall portion at an angle configured to enhance the mixing of the second liquid with the first liquid.