Abstract: A system for muscle activity sensing and feedback includes a base textile, an electrode coupled to the base textile, a sensor coupled to the base textile, a controller coupled to the base textile, and a feedback element coupled to the base textile. The feedback element is in communication with the controller. The feedback element receives a feedback signal from the controller and imparts feedback to a user based on an electrical signal from the electrode and/or a sensor signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A wearable sensor system includes a flexible patch, an electronic circuit disposed on the flexible patch, and a disposable sensor disposed on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit via a socket. The disposable sensor detects a chemical compound. The electronic circuit generates a detection signal commensurate with the chemical compound detected by the disposable sensor. The disposable sensor is removably plugged into the socket, thereby permitting replacement of the disposable sensor upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. A battery disposed is on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit to power the electronic circuit. A transceiver is connected to the electronic circuit, wherein the transceiver transmits the detection signal.

Abstract: A fabrication method includes depositing a semiconductor material onto a substrate, applying hard mask layer and a photoresist layer, and performing lithography to form voids in the photoresist layer that form a pattern. Additionally, the method may include patterning the hard mask layer based on the pattern in the photoresist layer and etching the semiconductor material based on the patterned hard mask layer to form a cavity in the semiconductor material, and performing atomic layer deposition to deposit pillar material into the cavity including the sidewalls of the cavity such that the pillar material accumulates inwardly from the sidewalls until the cavity is filled. The method may also include planarizing to remove the hard mask layer and pillar material disposed above a pillar height from a surface of the substrate, and removing the semiconductor material to release a pillar of the pillar material supported by the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a first patterned layer, and a second patterned layer. The first patterned layer may be coupled to the substrate and may have a first metasurface pattern. The second patterned layer disposed separately from the substrate and the first patterned layer, and may have a second metasurface pattern. Movement of the first patterned layer relative to the second patterned layer may be controllable via control circuitry such that a gap distance of a gap between the first patterned layer and the second patterned layer is changed to cause a transmittance for radiant energy of a selected wavelength passing through the apparatus to change from a first transmittance value to a second transmittance value.

Abstract: A muscle activity sensor includes a base textile, an electrode, and an interconnect. The base textile is configured to apply a compression force against a dermal surface of the user. The electrode is coupled to the base textile and includes a sensor layer including a conductive textile coupled to a dermal side of the base textile. The sensor layer is configured to receive electrical signals associated with muscle activity of the user. The electrode may also be configured to provide the electrical signals as an output signal. The interconnect may be coupled to the base textile over a distance from the electrode to an interconnect junction contact such that the interconnect moves with the base textile as the user moves. The interconnect may be further configured to deliver the output signal from the electrode to the interconnect junction contact.

Abstract: A wearable sensor system includes a flexible patch, an electronic circuit disposed on the flexible patch, and a disposable sensor disposed on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit via a socket. The disposable sensor detects a chemical compound. The electronic circuit generates a detection signal commensurate with the chemical compound detected by the disposable sensor. The disposable sensor is removably plugged into the socket, thereby permitting replacement of the disposable sensor upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. A battery disposed is on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit to power the electronic circuit. A transceiver is connected to the electronic circuit, wherein the transceiver transmits the detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a first patterned layer, and a second patterned layer. The first patterned layer may be coupled to the substrate and may have a first metasurface pattern. The second patterned layer disposed separately from the substrate and the first patterned layer, and may have a second metasurface pattern. Movement of the first patterned layer relative to the second patterned layer may be controllable via control circuitry such that a gap distance of a gap between the first patterned layer and the second patterned layer is changed to cause a transmittance for radiant energy of a selected wavelength passing through the apparatus to change from a first transmittance value to a second transmittance value.

Abstract: A reaction characteristic detector comprising a ladder assembly including a plurality of rungs, where each rung in the plurality of rungs comprises a reaction passage determiner spaced a distance from a point of an energetic material reaction initiation. Each reaction passage determiner has at least one characteristic that is configured to change in response to the reaction occurring proximate to the reaction passage determiner.

Abstract: An acceleration switch array having at least two acceleration switches. Each acceleration switch includes a substrate, an anchor attached to the substrate, an electrically conductive mass disposed around the anchor and secured to the anchor by a spring assembly which permits movement of the mass relative to the anchor, and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned at circumferentially spaced positions around and outwardly from the mass. These electrical contacts are aligned along at least one orthogonal axis. A resistor array is electrically connected between the electric contacts of each acceleration switch for each orthogonal axis so that, upon contact between the mass and any of the electrical contacts, an electrical resistance is presented at an output terminal that is unique for each electrical contact for each acceleration switch.

Abstract: An acceleration switch array having at least two acceleration switches. Each acceleration switch includes a substrate, an anchor attached to the substrate, an electrically conductive mass disposed around the anchor and secured to the anchor by a spring assembly which permits movement of the mass relative to the anchor, and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned at circumferentially spaced positions around and outwardly from the mass. These electrical contacts are aligned along at least one orthogonal axis. A resistor array is electrically connected between the electric contacts of each acceleration switch for each orthogonal axis so that, upon contact between the mass and any of the electrical contacts, an electrical resistance is presented at an output terminal that is unique for each electrical contact for each acceleration switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a MEMS directional sensor system capable of determining direction from at least two microphones to a sound source over a wide range of frequencies is disclosed. By utilizing a stiff beam stand-off architecture that relies on a unique manufacturing technique in a MEMS device, such as described herein, a very small set of microphones, on the order of a few micrometers, can be designed with unsurpassed ability to detect a sound source location.

Abstract: A reaction characteristic detector comprising a ladder assembly including a plurality of rungs, where each rung in the plurality of rungs comprises a reaction passage determiner spaced a distance from a point of an energetic material reaction initiation. Each reaction passage determiner has at least one characteristic that is configured to change in response to the reaction occurring proximate to the reaction passage determiner.

Abstract: Silicon-based explosive devices and methods of manufacture are provided. In this regard, a representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing undoped silicon on a first side of the substrate; and infusing an oxidizer into an area bounded at least in part by the undoped silicon; wherein the undoped silicon limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area. Another representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing a masking layer of low-pressure chemical vapor deposited (LPCVD) Silicon nitride to the first side of the substrate; patterning the nitride mask and etching the porous silicon, and infusing oxidizer into an area bounded by the LPCVD nitride; wherein the silicon nitride limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area.

Abstract: Silicon-based explosive devices and methods of manufacture are provided. In this regard, a representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing undoped silicon on a first side of the substrate; and infusing an oxidizer into an area bounded at least in part by the undoped silicon; wherein the undoped silicon limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area. Another representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing a masking layer of low-pressure chemical vapor deposited (LPCVD) Silicon nitride to the first side of the substrate; patterning the nitride mask and etching the porous silicon, and infusing oxidizer into an area bounded by the LPCVD nitride; wherein the silicon nitride limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a MEMS directional sensor system capable of determining direction from at least two microphones to a sound source over a wide range of frequencies is disclosed. By utilizing a stiff beam stand-off architecture that relies on a unique manufacturing technique in a MEMS device, such as described herein, a very small set of microphones, on the order of a few micrometers, can be designed with unsurpassed ability to detect a sound source location.