Abstract: Autonomous ground vehicles equipped with one or more sensors may capture data regarding ground conditions at a location. The data may refer to or describe slopes, surface textures, terrain features, weather conditions, moisture contents or the like at the location, and may be used to select one or more areas for receiving a delivery of an item. The sensors may include one or more inclinometers, imaging devices or other systems. The autonomous ground vehicles may also engage in one or more direct interactions or communications with a delivery vehicle, and may select an appropriate area that is suitable for such interactions. The autonomous ground vehicles may also prepare the area for an arrival of a delivery vehicle, such as by making one or more visible markings in ground surfaces at the area.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: A method for applying an abrasion-resistant coating to a substrate including the steps of generating an atmospheric plasma, introducing a precursor to the atmospheric plasma, the precursor being selected to form the abrasion-resistant coating, and positioning the substrate relative to the atmospheric plasma such that the atmospheric plasma deposits the abrasion-resistant coating onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoscale pattern on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a substrate having a surface; providing a nanoscale pattern forming device, comprising an elongated cantilever that has a tip portion proximate an end of the elongated cantilever; and controllably illuminating at least the tip portion of the cantilever with a beam of substantially coherent monoenergetic particles when the cantilever moves relative to the substrate to form a nanoscale pattern on the surface, wherein the tip portion of the cantilever is made from lightly doped silicon.

Abstract: A method for applying an abrasion-resistant coating to a substrate including the steps of generating an atmospheric plasma, introducing a precursor to the atmospheric plasma, the precursor being selected to form the abrasion-resistant coating, and positioning the substrate relative to the atmospheric plasma such that the atmospheric plasma deposits the abrasion-resistant coating onto the substrate.

Abstract: A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.

Abstract: Nanoscale impedance microscopy and related methods, circuit and/or apparatus capable of quantitatively measuring magnitude and phase of alternating current flow.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoscale pattern on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a substrate having a surface; providing a nanoscale pattern forming device, comprising an elongated cantilever that has a tip portion proximate an end of the elongated cantilever; and controllably illuminating at least the tip portion of the cantilever with a beam of substantially coherent monoenergetic particles when the cantilever moves relative to the substrate to form a nanoscale pattern on the surface, wherein the tip portion of the cantilever is made from lightly doped silicon.

Abstract: A conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM) technique which can concurrently monitor topography, charge transport, and electroluminescence with nanometer spatial resolution. This cAFM approach is particularly well suited for probing the electroluminescent response characteristics of operating organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) over short length scales.