Abstract: A method may include providing a fluid material, solidifying the fluid material, providing a substrate, and depositing the solidified fluid material on the substrate. Providing the fluid material may include providing a mold, and filling the mold with the fluid material. Solidifying the fluid material may include solidifying the fluid material in a mold, and removing the solidified fluid material from the mold. Providing the substrate may include preparing the substrate for deposition of the solidified fluid material, and adjusting the temperature of the substrate. Depositing the solidified fluid material on the substrate may include fixturing the substrate, and loading the solidified fluid material in a deposition tool. The fluid material may include a liquid phase component, and a solid phase component. The solid phase component may include particles suspended in the liquid phase component. The liquid phase component may include a gallium alloy.

Abstract: A system configured to characterize a physical motion performed by a user is disclosed herein. The system can include a wearable article including a first flexible circuit, that includes a first trace formed from a deformable conductor. The first flexible circuit is positioned in a first location of interest on the wearable article. The system can further include a computing device configured to receive a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, determine a physical condition of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter, compare the physical condition of the first flexible circuit to previously determined physical conditions associated with the wearable article, and characterize the physical motion performed by the user based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system configured to monitor and characterize motions of a user is disclosed herein. The system can include a wearable article including a tubular body comprising a resilient material, a flexible circuit including a fluid-phase conductor configured to generate a first signal, and an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) coupled to the resilient material, wherein the IMU is configured to generate a second signal. The system can further include a processor communicably coupled to the flexible circuit and the IMU.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: A vortex generator might be attached to various types of articles to reduce the drag. For example, vortex generators might be attached to a garment or to adhesive tape. In addition, vortex generators might be attached to various types of athletic equipment. A mapping can suggest placement of a vortex-generator arrangement on an article, as well as prescribe particular vortex-generator arrangements for regions of a person.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: A system configured to monitor and characterize motions of a user is disclosed herein. The system can include a wearable article including a tubular body comprising a resilient material, a flexible circuit including a fluid-phase conductor configured to generate a first signal, and an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) coupled to the resilient material, wherein the IMU is configured to generate a second signal. The system can further include a processor communicably coupled to the flexible circuit and the IMU.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for making and using highly sustainable circuit assemblies are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the highly sustainable circuit assembly includes a substrate layer; and a pattern of contact points supported by the substrate layer. The pattern of contact points can be configured to correspond to at least one terminal of an electrical component. The pattern of contact points can include a deformable conductive material. The deformable conductive material can be a non-hazardous, readily reclaimable, readily recyclable material.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: A flexible differential strain sensor, system, and method includes a deformable substrate having a first axis and a second axis different than the first axis and a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first and second sensing elements are comprised of conductive gel. The first sensing element is arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis. The second sensing element has a first portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the first axis and a second portion arranged to sense strain in the deformable substrate along the second axis. The second sensing element is arranged to cancel at least a portion of the stimulus sensed by the first sensing element in the along the first axis.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: A structure may include a first material, a second material joined to the first material at a junction between the first and second materials, and one or more media extending across the junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first and second materials, wherein the first and second materials are heterogeneous. The structure may further include a transition at the junction between the first and second materials. The one or more media may include a functional material which may be electrically conductive. The structure may further include a third material joined to the second material at a second junction between the second and third materials, the media may extend across the second junction to form a continuous interconnect between the first, second, and third materials, and the second and third materials may be heterogeneous.

Abstract: A circuit assembly may include a first layer arranged as a substrate, a second layer having a spiral pattern attached to the substrate, wherein the spiral pattern contains a deformable conductor. A circuit assembly may include a first portion of a deformable inductor fabricated on a first layer of the circuit assembly; and a second portion of the deformable inductor fabricated on a second layer of the circuit assembly and electrically connected to the first portion of the deformable inductor. A method may include sensing an interaction with a deformable inductor, wherein the deformable inductor may include an inductive pattern of deformable conductor, and a deformable substrate arranged to support the inductive pattern of deformable conductor. An article of manufacture may include an inductive pattern of deformable conductor, and a deformable substrate arranged to support the inductive pattern of deformable conductor.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.