Abstract: A pneumatic actuator that includes a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers stacked lengthwise in an array from a top-end to a bottom end, the plurality of elongated inflatable chambers defined by an inextensible body that is inextensible along one or more plane axes of the body while being flexible in other directions.

Abstract: A poppet valve system that includes a valve body having a first and second end and defining a valve cavity and a poppet assembly extending from the first end to the second end and through the valve cavity. The poppet assembly can include a movable poppet head disposed at the first end of the poppet assembly and configured generate a seal by contacting a portion of the valve body and configured to define an opening between the valve cavity and a pressure cavity. The poppet assembly can also include a movable guiding element disposed at the second end of the valve body and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end and coupled to the poppet head and guiding element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for isolating the sequences of an antibody that reacts with a disease related antigen, e.g., an autoantigen, without knowing the identity of the antigen (sequence or structural epitope) a priori. The methods can also be used to identify an antigen that mediates a disease state, e.g., an autoantigen implicated in an autoimmune disorder or a tumor response.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for the use of a collapsible and deployable interactive structure. An interactive structure that is collapsible and deployable is provided in an outdoor or interior location. The interactive structure includes at least a door with a locking mechanism, an interior display, and a physical presence sensor, and may include ceiling tiles made of melt-away material, external displays, and an external bench that houses electrical components. Communication with a user is initiated, and information about the user is obtained for authentication and identification purposes. The user is authenticated, thereby unlocking the door to allow the user to enter the interactive structure. Once the user is inside, the interior display is activated to allow an underlying system to communicate with the user to determine a desired action for with the user. The interior display and underlying system facilitate the performance of the desired action.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Abstract: A fluidic actuator comprises a chamber. The chamber is provided using a mass manufacturing technique. The chamber is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis. The chamber allows a volume change by localized bending of a chamber wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for the use of a collapsible and deployable interactive structure. An interactive structure that is collapsible and deployable is provided in an outdoor or interior location. The interactive structure includes at least a door with a locking mechanism, an interior display, and a physical presence sensor, and may include ceiling tiles made of melt-away material, external displays, and an external bench that houses electrical components. Communication with a user is initiated, and information about the user is obtained for authentication and identification purposes. The user is authenticated, thereby unlocking the door to allow the user to enter the interactive structure. Once the user is inside, the interior display is activated to allow an underlying system to communicate with the user to determine a desired action for with the user. The interior display and underlying system facilitate the performance of the desired action.

Abstract: A camera gimbal has a gearbox including a housing containing therein a central main gear secured to a bearing shaft in a fixed-position relative to the bearing shaft and at least one rotary damper secured to the housing at a fixed-location relative to the housing. The at least one rotary damper is engaged with the central main gear in a manner permitting rotation of the at least one rotary damper about a periphery of the main central gear such that the housing rotates about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally through the bearing shaft and the central main gear. A camera-mount extends from the housing. Gravity acting on the mass/weight of the camera and a counterweight causes rotation of the gearbox to maintain the camera in a relatively level position while the at least one rotary damper damps the rotational movement of the gearbox.

Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: Provided herein are high-throughput sequencing methods to study the diversity and functionality of lymphocyte receptor chains and pairing of the same. Specifically, the methods provided herein are used to identify with confidence one or more lymphocyte receptor chain pairs in a sample, for example one or more functional chain pairs.

Abstract: Provided herein are high-throughput sequencing methods to study the diversity and functionality of lymphocyte receptor chains and pairing of the same. Specifically, the methods provided herein are used to identify with confidence one or more lymphocyte receptor chain pairs in a sample, for example one or more functional chain pairs.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: A poppet valve system that includes a valve body having a first and second end and defining a valve cavity and a poppet assembly extending from the first end to the second end and through the valve cavity. The poppet assembly can include a movable poppet head disposed at the first end of the poppet assembly and configured generate a seal by contacting a portion of the valve body and configured to define an opening between the valve cavity and a pressure cavity. The poppet assembly can also include a movable guiding element disposed at the second end of the valve body and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end and coupled to the poppet head and guiding element.

Abstract: A polymer film is provided that adheres to the outer epidermal surface of human skin, for instance, and is suitable to be worn as a protective covering in the general nature of a glove, bandage, or wound closure, for instance. The film is durable and may be peeled off in more or less one piece without damaging or irritating the skin. The film is also discreet insofar as it is substantially clear and colorless, as well as thin. Thus, the film may go unnoticed by casual observers.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: A poppet valve system that includes a valve body having a first and second end and defining a valve cavity and a poppet assembly extending from the first end to the second end and through the valve cavity. The poppet assembly can include a movable poppet head disposed at the first end of the poppet assembly and configured generate a seal by contacting a portion of the valve body and configured to define an opening between the valve cavity and a pressure cavity. The poppet assembly can also include a movable guiding element disposed at the second end of the valve body and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end and coupled to the poppet head and guiding element.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.