Abstract: A blower/filtration unit for a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) includes a motor configured to operate according to a motor control algorithm. The blower/filtration unit also includes a first pressure sensor positioned at an inlet of the blower/filtration unit. The blower/filtration unit also includes a second pressure sensor positioned at an outlet of the blower/filtration unit. The blower/filtration unit also includes a motor controller that executes the motor control algorithm. The motor control algorithm determines a motor speed required to maintain an airflow rate based on signals from the first and second pressure sensors.

Abstract: A blower/filtration unit for a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) is presented that includes a motor configured to operate in a standard mode and in a high magnetic field (HMF) mode. The unit also includes a magnetic field sensor. The unit also includes a controller comprising a control mode switching function. The controller executes the control function upon detection of a magnetic field strength that exceeds a reference threshold magnetic field strength. The control function switches the motor operation from the standard mode to the HMF mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the status of air filters are provided. One or more thermoelectric sensors are provided to have an upstream sensing surface positioned adjacent the inlet surface of the air filter, and a downstream sensing surface positioned adjacent the outlet surface of the air filter. Sensing circuitry are connected to the thermoelectric sensors, configured to receive signals from the thermoelectric sensors and process the signals to obtain status information of the air filter.

Abstract: Electronic devices including a layer of polymeric material and solid semiconductor dies partially embedded in the layer are provided. The dies have first ends projecting away from the first major surface of the layer. The electronic devices can be formed by sinking the first ends of the dies into a major surface of a liner. A flowable polymeric material is filled into the space between the dies and solidified to form the layer of polymeric material. The first ends of the dies are exposed by delaminating the liner from the first ends of the dies. Electrical conductors are provided on the layer to connect the first ends of the dies.

Abstract: Electronic devices including a layer of polymeric material and solid semiconductor dies partially embedded in the layer are provided. The dies have first ends projecting away from the first major surface of the layer. The electronic devices can be formed by sinking the first ends of the dies into a major surface of a liner. A flowable polymeric material is filled into the space between the dies and solidified to form the layer of polymeric material. The first ends of the dies are exposed by delaminating the liner from the first ends of the dies. Electrical conductors are provided on the layer to connect the first ends of the dies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the status of air filters are provided. One or more thermoelectric sensors are provided to have an upstream sensing surface positioned adjacent the inlet surface of the air filter, and a downstream sensing surface positioned adjacent the outlet surface of the air filter. Sensing circuitry are connected to the thermoelectric sensors, configured to receive signals from the thermoelectric sensors and process the signals to obtain status information of the air filter.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure direct to a flexible thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, a first set of connectors, and a second set of connectors. The substrate includes a plurality of vias filled with an electrically conductive material or thermoelectric elements. In some cases, the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure direct to a flexible thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, a first set of connectors, and a second set of connectors. The substrate includes a plurality of vias filled with an electrically conductive material or thermoelectric elements. In some cases, the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure direct to a thermoelectric tape. The thermoelectric tape comprises a substrate having a plurality of vias, a series of flexible thermoelectric modules connected in parallel, and two conductive buses running longitudinally along the thermoelectric tape. Each flexible thermoelectric module includes a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements. The series of flexible thermoelectric modules are electrically connected to the conductive buses.

Abstract: A method for a light bulb or fixture to emit light and measure ambient light. The method includes driving solid state light sources, such as LEDs, in the bulb with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn them off and on, where the light sources are turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the bulb to appear on. The method also includes measuring ambient light via a light sensor in or on the bulb during at least some times when the light sources are off, and outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light. In some cases the light sensor saturates when the solid state light sources are active and measures the ambient light level when the solid state light sources are not active. The ambient light level signal can be used to control when the light bulb is on and an intensity of light output by the bulb.

Abstract: A method for a light bulb or fixture to emit light and measure ambient light. The method includes driving solid state light sources, such as LEDs, in the bulb with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn them off and on, where the light sources are turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the bulb to appear on. The method also includes measuring ambient light via a light sensor in or on the bulb during at least some times when the light sources are off, and outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light. In some cases the light sensor saturates when the solid state light sources are active and measures the ambient light level when the solid state light sources are not active. The ambient light level signal can be used to control when the light bulb is on and an intensity of light output by the bulb.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: first and second aligned roller pairs each having a nip between the aligned rollers of each aligned roller pair, wherein each of the first and second roller pairs have parallel axes of rotation, wherein each of the first and second aligned roller pairs is configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through the nip and to measure an electrical property of the excited web, wherein the first and second aligned roller pairs are configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through their respective nips are configured to provide a line of charge parallel to the axes of rotation of the respective roller pairs, and wherein the rollers of the aligned roller pairs are each electrically insulated from each other and from the apparatus; and a processing unit configured to at least analyze the measured electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for a light bulb or fixture to emit light and measure ambient light. The method includes driving solid state light sources, such as LEDs, in the bulb with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn the solid state light sources off and on, where the light sources are turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the bulb to appear on. The method also includes measuring ambient light via a light sensor in or on the bulb during at least some times when the light sources are off, and outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light. The ambient light level signal can be used to control when the light bulb is on and an intensity of light output by the bulb.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: first and second aligned roller pairs each having a nip between the aligned rollers of each aligned roller pair, wherein each of the first and second roller pairs have parallel axes of rotation, wherein each of the first and second aligned roller pairs is configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through the nip and to measure an electrical property of the excited web, wherein the first and second aligned roller pairs are configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through their respective nips are configured to provide a line of charge parallel to the axes of rotation of the respective roller pairs, and wherein the rollers of the aligned roller pairs are each electrically insulated from each other and from the apparatus; and a processing unit configured to at least analyze the measured electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for assessing the quality of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the method comprising: applying a first voltage across the thickness of a first (MEA) passed through a nip of a first pair of rollers thereby providing a first charge to the first MEA; determining a first electrical figure of merit (FOM) of the first charged MEA at a first period of time; after the first period of time applying a second voltage across the thickness of the first (MEA) passed through a nip of a second pair of rollers thereby providing a second charge to the first (MEA); determining a second electrical (FOM) of the second charged first (MEA) at a second, later period of time; and calculating a total electrical (FOM) using the first and second electrical (FOM); and comparing the total electrical (FOM) to a predetermined quality value to assess the quality of the first (MEA).

Abstract: A driver circuit is configured for connection to a power source and includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having at least one performance characteristic that varies according to different performance categories ranging between higher performance and lower performance. The driver circuit also includes a plurality of LED sections each populated with at least one LED of a different one of the different performance categories. Circuitry is coupled to the LED sections and configured to activate and deactivate the LED sections based on LED performance.

Abstract: A method for a light bulb or fixture to emit light and measure ambient light. The method includes driving solid state light sources, such as LEDs, in the bulb with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn the solid state light sources off and on, where the light sources are turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the bulb to appear on. The method also includes measuring ambient light via a light sensor in or on the bulb during at least some times when the light sources are off, and outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light. The ambient light level signal can be used to control when the light bulb is on and an intensity of light output by the bulb.

Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.

Abstract: A driver circuit is configured for connection to a power source and includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having at least one performance characteristic that varies according to different performance categories ranging between higher performance and lower performance. The driver circuit also includes a plurality of LED sections each populated with at least one LED of a different one of the different performance categories. Circuitry is coupled to the LED sections and configured to activate and deactivate the LED sections based on LED performance.