Abstract: The present invention relates to, in part, artificial antigen presenting cells that are useful in treating disease (including cancers) and have uses, for example, directly in vivo and/or in the expansion of a patients cells for re-introduction ex vivo.

Abstract: A transducer (140) having a mechanical impedance over an operative frequency range and having a desired power coupling (145) to a load over the operative frequency range comprises a piezoelectric device (141) having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range; and an overmould (143). The overmould (143) is arranged to surround at least part of the piezoelectric device (141); and the parameters of the overmould (143) are selected to provide a required impedance matching between the mechanical impedance of the transducer (140) and the mechanical impedance of the load. An alternative transducer comprises a mounting means for holding a discrete portion of at least a part of the periphery of the piezoelectric device wherein the parameters of the mounting means are selected to provide a required boundary condition for the periphery of the piezoelectric device whereby the desired power coupling between the transducer and the load is provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a two-dimensional distributed mode actuator. One of the systems includes a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis; a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width; and a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The loudspeaker also includes an actuator coupled to one side of the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface and a plate extending parallel to the panel. The actuator also includes a magnet assembly and a magnetic coil forming a magnetic circuit. The actuator further includes at least one flexible member connecting the magnetic circuit to the portion of the rigid frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes a compliant member positioned between the magnetic circuit and the panel, the compliant member being configured to increase output of the loudspeaker compared to the actuator without the compliant member.

Abstract: A method for producing an audio signal from a panel audio loudspeaker in a mobile device includes receiving information about a status of the mobile device from one or more sensors of the mobile device. The method further includes driving, with a first drive signal, a first actuator coupled to a display panel of the panel audio loudspeaker at a first location and simultaneously driving, with a second drive signal, a second actuator coupled to the display panel at a second location different from the first location. The method also includes varying a relative timing of the first and second drive signals based on the information about the status of the mobile device to vary a direction of an audio signal and/or a source location of the audio signal on the display panel.

Abstract: A method for producing an audio signal from a panel audio loudspeaker in a mobile device includes receiving information about a status of the mobile device from one or more sensors of the mobile device. The method further includes driving, with a first drive signal, a first actuator coupled to a display panel of the panel audio loudspeaker at a first location and simultaneously driving, with a second drive signal, a second actuator coupled to the display panel at a second location different from the first location. The method also includes varying a relative timing of the first and second drive signals based on the information about the status of the mobile device to vary a direction of an audio signal and/or a source location of the audio signal on the display panel.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel and an actuator rigidly coupled to a surface of the panel. The actuator includes: a magnet assembly that includes a permanent magnet arranged within a cup, wherein an air gap exists between sidewalls of the cup and the permanent magnet; and a coil rigidly coupled to the panel, the coil including a length of an electrically conducing wire wound in a coil and extending along an axis. The coil includes a first region having a first winding density and a second region having a second winding density higher than the first winding density, the second region at least partially extending into the air gap of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The loudspeaker also includes an actuator coupled to one side of the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface and a plate extending parallel to the panel. The actuator also includes a magnet assembly and a magnetic coil forming a magnetic circuit. The actuator further includes at least one flexible member connecting the magnetic circuit to the portion of the rigid frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes a compliant member positioned between the magnetic circuit and the panel, the compliant member being configured to increase output of the loudspeaker compared to the actuator without the compliant member.

Abstract: A system includes a flat panel display having a panel resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, shape, and structure of the flat panel display; and an actuator having an actuator resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, size, and shape of the actuator; in which the actuator is mechanically-coupled to the flat panel display at a mechanical drive point, in which a coupled resonant frequency response of the system is lower than the panel resonant frequency response of the flat panel display.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The loudspeaker also includes an actuator coupled to one side of the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface and a plate extending parallel to the panel. The actuator also includes a magnet assembly and a magnetic coil forming a magnetic circuit. The actuator further includes at least one flexible member connecting the magnetic circuit to the portion of the rigid frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes a compliant member positioned between the magnetic circuit and the panel, the compliant member being configured to increase output of the loudspeaker compared to the actuator without the compliant member.

Abstract: A transducer (140) having a mechanical impedance over an operative frequency range and having a desired power coupling (145) to a load over the operative frequency range comprises a piezoelectric device (141) having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range; and an overmould (143). The overmould (143) is arranged to surround at least part of the piezoelectric device (141); and the parameters of the overmould (143) are selected to provide a required impedance matching between the mechanical impedance of the transducer (140) and the mechanical impedance of the load. An alternative transducer comprises a mounting means for holding a discrete portion of at least a part of the periphery of the piezoelectric device wherein the parameters of the mounting means are selected to provide a required boundary condition for the periphery of the piezoelectric device whereby the desired power coupling between the transducer and the load is provided.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel and an actuator rigidly coupled to a surface of the panel. The actuator includes: a magnet assembly that includes a permanent magnet arranged within a cup, wherein an air gap exists between sidewalls of the cup and the permanent magnet; and a coil rigidly coupled to the panel, the coil including a length of an electrically conducing wire wound in a coil and extending along an axis. The coil includes a first region having a first winding density and a second region having a second winding density higher than the first winding density, the second region at least partially extending into the air gap of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a two-dimensional distributed mode actuator. One of the systems includes a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis; a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width; and a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The loudspeaker also includes an actuator coupled to one side of the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface and a plate extending parallel to the panel. The actuator also includes a magnet assembly and a magnetic coil forming a magnetic circuit. The actuator further includes at least one flexible member connecting the magnetic circuit to the portion of the rigid frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes a compliant member positioned between the magnetic circuit and the panel, the compliant member being configured to improve a response of the loudspeaker compared to the actuator without the compliant member.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel, a first actuator, a second actuator, and an electronic control module. The first actuator is attached to the panel at a first location and configured to vibrate the panel at the first location based on a first signal having a first phase. The second actuator is attached to the panel at a second location different from the first location and is configured to vibrate the panel at the second location based on a second signal having a second phase. The electronic control module is programmed to provide the first and second signals to the first and second actuators. During operation, the vibrations from the first and second actuators cause the panel to generate an audio response and the electronic control module varies the first phase relative to the second phase according to the frequency of the audio response.

Abstract: A transducer (140) having a mechanical impedance over an operative frequency range and having a desired power coupling (145) to a load over the operative frequency range comprises a piezoelectric device (141) having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range; and an overmould (143). The overmould (143) is arranged to surround at least part of the piezoelectric device (141); and the parameters of the overmould (143) are selected to provide a required impedance matching between the mechanical impedance of the transducer (140) and the mechanical impedance of the load. An alternative transducer comprises a mounting means for holding a discrete portion of at least a part of the periphery of the piezoelectric device wherein the parameters of the mounting means are selected to provide a required boundary condition for the periphery of the piezoelectric device whereby the desired power coupling between the transducer and the load is provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a two-dimensional distributed mode actuator. One of the systems includes a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis; a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width; and a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load.

Abstract: A system includes a flat panel display having a panel resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, shape, and structure of the flat panel display; and an actuator having an actuator resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, size, and shape of the actuator; in which the actuator is mechanically-coupled to the flat panel display at a mechanical drive point, in which a coupled resonant frequency response of the system is lower than the panel resonant frequency response of the flat panel display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a two-dimensional distributed mode actuator. One of the systems includes a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis; a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width; and a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load.

Abstract: A system includes a flat panel display having a panel resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, shape, and structure of the flat panel display; and an actuator having an actuator resonant frequency response corresponding to a composition, size, and shape of the actuator; in which the actuator is mechanically-coupled to the flat panel display at a mechanical drive point, in which a coupled resonant frequency response of the system is lower than the panel resonant frequency response of the flat panel display.