Abstract: A reinforcing cable for a prestressed concrete structure is disclosed. The cable has an optical fiber entwined between the twisted wire ropes that form the cable. The optical fiber facilitates in situ monitoring of cable integrity by comparing optical signal transmission over time.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to ground planes. In some examples, an electrical cable is described that can include multiple signal lines. The multiple signal lines can be arranged to extend along a length of the electrical cable. A ground plane can be spaced apart from the multiple signal lines. The ground plane can include a mesh structure and an electrically conductive layer that is arranged to coat the mesh structure. The mesh structure can include multiple resin fibers.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to laminated semiconductor structures. In some examples, method of forming a polyimide film are described. An example method may include forming a through hole in a laminated semiconductor structure that includes multiple stacked semiconductor layers. An inner wall of the laminated semiconductor structure can define the through hole. The inner wall can be exposed to a solution including a salt of polyamic acid and/or a polyamic acid that can be precipitated on the inner wall. The precipitated polyamic acid on the inner wall can be transformed into a polyimide film substantially coating the inner wall.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described for a lock system. An example lock system includes a lock with a lock module that controls a lock mechanism. The lock is configured to transmit optical signals to a key. The key reflects the optical signals back to the lock. The key is configured to encode the optical signals with a combination. The lock module is configured to determine whether the combination is valid. The lock module actuates the locking mechanism when the key is determined to be valid.

Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a burst of a battery and a battery safety alarm system therefor are provided. A battery system includes a lithium ion battery formed in a cylindrical shape and including an organic electrolytic solution as an electrolyte. A laser beam source emits a laser beam. An optical fiber of a single mode is wound around an outer circumferential portion of the lithium ion battery in a plurality of lines and via which the laser beam emitted from the light source is transmitted. A detector receives the laser beam transmitted via the optical fiber and detects abnormality of the lithium ion battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam due to the optical fiber or a change with time of the loss. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when abnormality of the lithium ion battery is detected by the detector.

Abstract: Techniques associated with energy storage devices are generally described. An example energy storage device includes a battery integrated with a sensor such as an optical waveguide. The sensor can be arranged in contact with an outer wall of the battery and can be configured to detect a safety condition associated with the battery.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a support unit configured to support a power transmission line disposed on a transmission line tower, and a power generation unit. The support unit includes a support line having an end part connected to the power transmission line and a rotary body configured to rotate in a manner cooperating with the support line. The power generation unit is configured to generate electric power in response to rotation of the rotary body caused by movement of the support line resulting from tension of the power transmission line.

Abstract: A hot-melt molding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cylinder, a molding head, a heating device, a conveyor screw, a heat transport section, a thermoelectric element, and a power storage section. The cylinder communicates with the apparatus body and is configured to receive thermoplastic material. The molding head is provided at one end of the cylinder. The heating device is configured to heat the cylinder and the molding head to melt thermoplastic material therein. The conveyor screw is provided inside the cylinder to convey thermoplastic material to the molding head. The heat transport section has a first end connected to at least one of the cylinder and the molding head. The thermoelectric conversion element is connected to a second end of the heat transport section. The power storage section is connected to the thermoelectric conversion element and is configured to store power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to laminated semiconductor structures. In some examples, method of forming a polyimide film are described. An example method may include forming a through hole in a laminated semiconductor structure that includes multiple stacked semiconductor layers. An inner wall of the laminated semiconductor structure can define the through hole. The inner wall can be exposed to a solution including a salt of polyamic acid and/or a polyamic acid that can be precipitated on the inner wall. The precipitated polyamic acid on the inner wall can be transformed into a polyimide film substantially coating the inner wall.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to ground planes. In some examples, an electrical cable is described that can include multiple signal lines. The multiple signal lines can be arranged to extend along a length of the electrical cable. A ground plane can be spaced apart from the multiple signal lines. The ground plane can include a mesh structure and an electrically conductive layer that is arranged to coat the mesh structure. The mesh structure can include multiple resin fibers.

Abstract: Techniques associated with energy storage devices are generally described. An example energy storage device includes a battery integrated with a sensor such as an optical waveguide. The sensor can be arranged in contact with an outer wall of the battery and can be configured to detect a safety condition associated with the battery.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described for a lock system. An example lock system includes a lock with a lock module that controls a lock mechanism. The lock is configured to transmit optical signals to a key. The key reflects the optical signals back to the lock. The key is configured to encode the optical signals with a combination. The lock module is configured to determine whether the combination is valid. The lock module actuates the locking mechanism when the key is determined to be valid.

Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a battery from bursting and a battery safety alarm system therefore are provided. A battery system includes an optical fiber wound around an outer circumferential portion of a battery. The battery system detects an abnormality of the battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam caused by lateral pressure acting on the optical fiber. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected.

Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a battery from bursting and a battery safety alarm system therefore are provided. A battery system includes an optical fiber wound around an outer circumferential portion of a battery. The battery system detects an abnormality of the battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam caused by lateral pressure acting on the optical fiber. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected.

Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a burst of a battery and a battery safety alarm system therefor are provided. A battery system includes a lithium ion battery formed in a cylindrical shape and including an organic electrolytic solution as an electrolyte. A laser beam source emits a laser beam. An optical fiber of a single mode is wound around an outer circumferential portion of the lithium ion battery in a plurality of lines and via which the laser beam emitted from the light source is transmitted. A detector receives the laser beam transmitted via the optical fiber and detects abnormality of the lithium ion battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam due to the optical fiber or a change with time of the loss. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when abnormality of the lithium ion battery is detected by the detector.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling condensation on the windshield of a vehicle caused by a difference in environments inside and outside of a tunnel. The system and method include a tunnel information acquisition section acquiring a dew point D or a saturated vapor density V in the tunnel; a vehicle information acquisition section acquiring a temperature Tf around an outer surface of a windshield of the vehicle or a vapor density Vf around the outer surface of the windshield of the vehicle outside the tunnel; and a control section controlling the device so as to perform a prescribed operation when the temperature Tf is equal to or less than the dew point D or when the vapor density Vf is at least the saturated vapor density V.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a support unit configured to support a power transmission line disposed on a transmission line tower, and a power generation unit. The support unit includes a support line having an end part connected to the power transmission line and a rotary body configured to rotate in a manner cooperating with the support line. The power generation unit is configured to generate electric power in response to rotation of the rotary body caused by movement of the support line resulting from tension of the power transmission line.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a traffic sign notification system is configured to notify a driver of a moving vehicle regarding the presence of a traffic sign. The traffic sign notification system may include a traffic sign including a traffic sign body attached to a pole, and a transmission apparatus configured to transmit a signal with predetermined electric power for notifying an automobile regarding the presence of the traffic sign. A notification apparatus is provided at the automobile. The notification apparatus is configured to generate a notification regarding the presence of the traffic sign to the driver of the automobile 10 in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: A hot-melt molding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cylinder, a molding head, a heating device, a conveyor screw, a heat transport section, a thermoelectric element, and a power storage section. The cylinder communicates with the apparatus body and is configured to receive thermoplastic material. The molding head is provided at one end of the cylinder. The heating device is configured to heat the cylinder and the molding head to melt thermoplastic material therein. The conveyor screw is provided inside the cylinder to convey thermoplastic material to the molding head. The heat transport section has a first end connected to at least one of the cylinder and the molding head. The thermoelectric conversion element is connected to a second end of the heat transport section. The power storage section is connected to the thermoelectric conversion element and is configured to store power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A plurality of pads are formed on a circuit board body at a pitch of 0.5 mm or less. The pads are formed such that a projecting height H of a pad from the board body surface and a width W of the pad satisfy a relation 2H<W, that a pad array is formed in which a width of each of the pads located at two ends of the pad array is larger than that of a pad located therebetween, and that the pad width W and a pad-to-pad distance D satisfy a relation W>D. A solder layer, obtained by a substitution reaction between a powder of a metal having the highest ionization tendency among metals constituting the solder layer or a powder of an alloy thereof and a salt formed by bonding the other metal or metals in the solder layer to an organic acid, is formed on each pad.