Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy absorbing three dimensional (3D) structure. The structure may have an outer shell formed from a shell material. The outer shell may have a void forming a core volume. A transformative feedstock is contained in the void. The transformative feedstock is encapsulated within the outer shell, within the void, and provides enhanced energy absorbing properties to the 3D structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a change to a region of interest over time are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments may: (a) apply one or more layers of a stress-sensitive material to an object of interest; (b) incorporate the object of interest into a region of interest; (c) insert the region of interest with stress-sensitive material into an electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) device to interrogate the region of interest; (d) generate a first map of the region of interest based on captured information from the ECT device; (e) after a first length of time, repeat steps (c)-(d) to generate a second map of the region of interest; and (f) compare the first map to the second map to determine changes to the region of interest based on changes to the stress-sensitive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy absorbing three dimensional (3D) structure. The structure may have an outer shell formed from a shell material. The outer shell may have a void forming a core volume. A transformative feedstock is contained in the void. The transformative feedstock is encapsulated within the outer shell, within the void, and provides enhanced energy absorbing properties to the 3D structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an energy absorbing three dimensional (3D) structure. The method involves forming an outer shell for the 3D structure from a shell material, the outer shell having a void forming a core volume. The method also involves filling the core volume with a transformative liquid. When the 3D structure is fully formed, the transformative liquid is encapsulated within the outer shell and provides enhanced energy absorbing properties to the 3D structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a change to a region of interest over time are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments may: (a) apply one or more layers of a stress-sensitive material to an object of interest; (b) incorporate the object of interest into a region of interest; (c) insert the region of interest with stress-sensitive material into an electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) device to interrogate the region of interest; (d) generate a first map of the region of interest based on captured information from the ECT device; (e) after a first length of time, repeat steps (c)-(d) to generate a second map of the region of interest; and (f) compare the first map to the second map to determine changes to the region of interest based on changes to the stress-sensitive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an energy absorbing three dimensional (3D) structure. The method involves forming an outer shell for the 3D structure from a shell material, the outer shell having a void forming a core volume. The method also involves filling the core volume with a transformative liquid. When the 3D structure is fully formed, the transformative liquid is encapsulated within the outer shell and provides enhanced energy absorbing properties to the 3D structure.

Abstract: A multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film can be manufactured and operatively attached to a fabric for use with immobilized patients to sense when one or more body parts of an immobilized patient experiences prolonged pressure. A boundary of the multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film can be equipped with a plurality of electrodes that can be injected with current. Voltage measurements can be taken which can be translated into changes in impedance throughout the multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film. The changes in impedance, in turn, are representative of points and magnitudes of pressure experienced by the multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film as a result of the one or more body parts of the immobilized patient contacting and exerting pressure on the multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film.

Abstract: A method for sensing a stimulus comprising providing a sensing assembly having a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure is made of a material different than the second structure and each of the first structure and the second structure is nanoscale. The method further includes providing an inductive antenna operably coupled to the sensing assembly, disposing the sensing assembly upon a spatial area, exposing the sensing assembly to the stimulus thereby producing a detectable change in the sensing assembly, and wirelessly coupling a reader with the inductive antenna to obtain a signal representative of the detectable change in the sensing assembly.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the application of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to demonstrate the multifunctionality of carbon nanocomposite thin films under various types of environmental stimuli. Carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films are fabricated by a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique or other techniques and mounted with electrodes along their boundaries. The response of the thin films to various stimuli determined by relying on electric current excitation and corresponding boundary potential measurements. The spatial conductivity variations are reconstructed based on a mathematical model for the EIT technique. Here, the ability of the EIT method to provide two-dimensional mapping of the conductivity of CNT thin films is validated by (1) electrically imaging intentional structural defects in the thin films and (2) mapping the film's response to various pH environments.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the application of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to demonstrate the multifunctionality of carbon nanocomposite thin films under various types of environmental stimuli. Carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films are fabricated by a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique or other techniques and mounted with electrodes along their boundaries. The response of the thin films to various stimuli determined by relying on electric current excitation and corresponding boundary potential measurements. The spatial conductivity variations are reconstructed based on a mathematical model for the EIT technique. Here, the ability of the EIT method to provide two-dimensional mapping of the conductivity of CNT thin films is validated by (1) electrically imaging intentional structural defects in the thin films and (2) mapping the film's response to various pH environments.

Abstract: A method for sensing a stimulus comprising providing a sensing assembly having a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure is made of a material different than the second structure and each of the first structure and the second structure is nanoscale. The method further includes providing an inductive antenna operably coupled to the sensing assembly, disposing the sensing assembly upon a spatial area, exposing the sensing assembly to the stimulus thereby producing a detectable change in the sensing assembly, and wirelessly coupling a reader with the inductive antenna to obtain a signal representative of the detectable change in the sensing assembly.