Abstract: A method for modeling soft tissue includes receiving one or more images showing an anatomical geometry of a first subject. The anatomical geometry includes a soft tissue. The method also includes measuring a plurality of parameters of the anatomical geometry of the first subject using one or more sensors attached to the first subject. The method also includes receiving a first set of material properties for the soft tissue of the first subject, a second subject, or both. The method also includes identifying a second set of material properties that characterizes the soft tissue while the first subject performs a task. The method also includes determining a strain on the soft tissue, a stress on the soft tissue, or both based at least partially upon the one or more images, the parameters, the first set of material properties, and the second set of material properties.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining materials science properties of soft tissue for use in a damage model for ameliorating injuries in an individual performing a process are presented. The techniques can include obtaining physical parameters characterizing the soft tissue of the individual under each of a plurality of loading conditions, fitting a soft tissue damage model based on the parameters, and ameliorating injury in performing the process by implementing guidelines based on the soft tissue damage model.

Abstract: A roller for automated fiber placement includes a flexible rim member arranged about a central axis. The flexible rim member has an inner side and an outer side, and the central axis is closer to the inner side than to the outer side. The roller also includes a hub member arranged substantially concentric with the flexible rim member about the central axis. The hub member defines an opening to receive a shaft of an automated fiber placement machine. The roller further includes a plurality of curved interconnect members extending between the hub member and the flexible rim member. Each of the plurality of curved interconnect members is elastically deformable to accommodate deformation of the flexible rim member. The roller also includes one or more roller skin layers coupled to the outer side of the flexible rim member.

Abstract: An automated fiber-placement method comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy to first discrete portions of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy to second discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first discrete portions. The first quantity of pulsed energy heats the first discrete portions to a first temperature. The second quantity of pulsed energy heats the second discrete portions to a second temperature. The automated fiber-placement method further comprises laying down at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate along a virtual curvilinear path, such that (i) at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path, and (ii) the first discrete portions are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the first discrete portions.

Abstract: An automated fiber-placement method comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy to first portions of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy to second portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first portions. Each one of the second portions at least partially overlaps two adjacent ones of the first portions such that overlapping regions of the first portions and the second portions have a higher temperature than non-overlapping regions of the first portions and the second portions. The automated fiber-placement method further comprises laying down at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate along a virtual curvilinear path, such that (i) at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path, and (ii) the overlapping regions are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the overlapping regions.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a strip that extends along and is centered on a virtual curvilinear path, comprising an arc, having an arc length and a radius. A ratio of the strip-width to the radius is greater than or equal to 0.003. The arc length is equal to or greater than a product of the radius and ?/64. Within each of discrete strip-regions of the strip, one of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers that is closest to the first longitudinal strip-edge is more buckled than another one of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers that is closest to the second longitudinal strip-edge. Ones of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers that are buckled are parallel to a smallest one of virtual surfaces, joining the first longitudinal strip-edge and the second longitudinal strip-edge.

Abstract: An article of manufacture (200) comprises a strip (202) that extends along and is centered on a virtual curvilinear path (128), comprising an arc (156), having an arc length (154) and a radius (134). A ratio of the strip-width (208) to the radius (134) is greater than or equal to 0.003. The arc length (154) is equal to or greater than a product of the radius (134) and ?/64. Within each of discrete strip-regions (222) of the strip (202), one of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers (132) that is closest to the first longitudinal strip-edge (204) is more buckled than another one of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers (132) that is closest to the second longitudinal strip-edge (206). Ones of the unidirectional reinforcement fibers (132) that are buckled are parallel to a smallest one of virtual surfaces, joining the first longitudinal strip-edge (204) and the second longitudinal strip-edge (206).

Abstract: An automated fiber-placement method (300) comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy (122) to first discrete portions (124) of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104), and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy (123) to second discrete portions (125) of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104), alternating with the first discrete portions (124). The first quantity of pulsed energy (122) heats the first discrete portions (124) to a first temperature. The second quantity of pulsed energy (123) heats the second discrete portions (125) to a second temperature.

Abstract: An automated fiber-placement method comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy to first portions of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy to second portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first portions. Each one of the second portions at least partially overlaps two adjacent ones of the first portions such that overlapping regions of the first portions and the second portions have a higher temperature than non-overlapping regions of the first portions and the second portions. The automated fiber-placement method further comprises laying down at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate along a virtual curvilinear path, such that (i) at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path, and (ii) the overlapping regions are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the overlapping regions.