Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a flexible and stretchable textile composite including an electrophoretic film. According to one embodiment, a textile composite material can comprise a textile base layer, a first flexible, optically transparent film layer deposited onto and affixed to the textile base layer, and an electrophoretic film layer disposed onto the first flexible, optically transparent film layer on a side of the first flexible, optically transparent film layer opposite the textile base layer. The electrophoretic film layer can comprise a plurality of relief cuts therein. The plurality of relief cuts can allow the electrophoretic film layer to flex or stretch in at least one direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for a garment comprising a fabric layer, a plurality of biometric sensors integrated into the fabric layer, and a connectivity layer integrated into the fabric layer. The connectivity layer can comprise signal conductors and power conductors coupled with each of the plurality of biometric sensors. The garment can further comprise a power source coupled with each of the power conductors and providing, via the power conductors of the connectivity layer, electrical power to each of the plurality of biometric sensors, a signal monitor coupled with the connectivity layer and receiving, via the signal conductors of the connectivity layer, a signal comprising biometric information from each of the plurality of biometric sensors, and a gateway coupled with the signal monitor, the gateway receiving the biometric information from the signal monitor and providing the biometric information to an external computer system.

Abstract: A vessel includes a container, a bracket, a bail and a grip. The container has a cavity configured to hold a liquid. The bracket extends from the container and comprises an arm spaced from the container. The arm has opposed first and second ends, and the arm is connected to the container only at its first end. The bail is pivotally connected to the container and has a grip thereon. The vessel is configured so that the grip has a position that is in contact with the arm, thereby defining, in combination, a composite vessel handle. A method of supporting a vessel includes pivoting the bail so that the grip is in contact with the arm and positioning at least a portion of a hand on the grip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for wearable dry electrodes for collecting biometric information. According to one embodiment, a dry electrode bio-sensor can comprise one or more conductive pads comprising electrodes of the dry electrode bio-sensor and one or more connectivity traces coupled with each of the one or more conductive pads. The connectivity traces can provide electrical connections for one or more of power to the one or more conductive pads or signals comprising biometric information from the one or more conductive pads. A backing can be coupled with and can retain the one or more conductive pads and the one or more connectivity traces. The dry electrode bio-sensor can comprise an electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, a respiration sensor, a PhotoPlethysmoGram (PPG) sensor, a temperature sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, or another biometric sensor.

Abstract: A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a flexible and stretchable textile composite including an electrophoretic film. According to one embodiment, a textile composite material can comprise a textile base layer, a first flexible, optically transparent film layer deposited onto and affixed to the textile base layer, and an electrophoretic film layer disposed onto the first flexible, optically transparent film layer on a side of the first flexible, optically transparent film layer opposite the textile base layer. The electrophoretic film layer can comprise a plurality of relief cuts therein. The plurality of relief cuts can allow the electrophoretic film layer to flex or stretch in at least one direction.

Abstract: An interconnect component is configured as an adapter or interposer providing mechanical and electrical interconnects between conductive threads, such as those woven within fabrics, and electrical connection points, such as contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and/or a rigid-flex circuit board.

Abstract: A circuit board transmission line structures has microstrip or stripline transmission line geometries and cross-hatch patterned return planes. The cross-hatch design structure of the return planes and the relative position of the cross-hatch pattern to the transmission lines are configured to increase the usable bandwidth of the transmission lines. By properly adjusting the size and shape of the cross-hatch pattern, the performance of the microstrip and stripline transmission lines can be largely restored to the performance where continuous, solid return planes are used.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for a garment comprising a fabric layer, a plurality of biometric sensors integrated into the fabric layer, and a connectivity layer integrated into the fabric layer. The connectivity layer can comprise signal conductors and power conductors coupled with each of the plurality of biometric sensors. The garment can further comprise a power source coupled with each of the power conductors and providing, via the power conductors of the connectivity layer, electrical power to each of the plurality of biometric sensors, a signal monitor coupled with the connectivity layer and receiving, via the signal conductors of the connectivity layer, a signal comprising biometric information from each of the plurality of biometric sensors, and a gateway coupled with the signal monitor, the gateway receiving the biometric information from the signal monitor and providing the biometric information to an external computer system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for wearable dry electrodes for collecting biometric information. According to one embodiment, a dry electrode bio-sensor can comprise one or more conductive pads comprising electrodes of the dry electrode bio-sensor and one or more connectivity traces coupled with each of the one or more conductive pads. The connectivity traces can provide electrical connections for one or more of power to the one or more conductive pads or signals comprising biometric information from the one or more conductive pads. A backing can be coupled with and can retain the one or more conductive pads and the one or more connectivity traces. The dry electrode bio-sensor can comprise an electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, a respiration sensor, a PhotoPlethysmoGram (PPG) sensor, a temperature sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, or another biometric sensor.

Abstract: A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

Abstract: A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

Abstract: A mechanical strain reduction system include a flexible circuit section of a printed circuit board configured with a meandering shape while in a static state, and a compressible material having a cavity such that the meandering flexible circuit section is positioned within the cavity while the flexible circuit section is in the static state. The flexible circuit section can be part of a rigid-flexible printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board. The cavity can be shaped with the same meandering shape as the flexible circuit section in the static state. In general, the cavity is sufficiently shaped to allow positioning of the meandering flexible circuit section within the cavity. Support structures of the same, or different, compressible material can be interspersed within the meander of the flexible circuit section.

Abstract: The luggage lighting system includes a piece of luggage and a lighting module coupled to the luggage. In some embodiments, the lighting module is a fiber-optic lighting module. The luggage includes an outer surface, and the lighting module includes a light diffuser coupled to the outer surface. In some embodiments, the light diffuser is a fiber-optic light diffuser. The lighting module also includes a light source, such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED). When the light source is powered on, the output light is directed through the light diffuser. The light diffuser is configured to output single or multiple colors of light, easily observed by someone looking at the luggage. The luggage lighting system is particularly useful for identifying one's luggage from surrounding pieces of luggage lacking the luggage lighting system.

Abstract: An interconnect component is configured as an adapter or interposer providing mechanical and electrical interconnects between conductive threads, such as those woven within fabrics, and electrical connection points, such as contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and/or a rigid-flex circuit board.

Abstract: A rip stop material is attached at a stress area of a flexible circuit board in order to strengthen the flexible circuit board and minimize ripping and cracking in the polyimide and/or the copper conductors of the circuit. A rip stop transition layer is formed and deposited at a location on the flexible circuit in order to minimize, reduce, if not preventing cracking and ripping of the circuit as it is bent and flexed. The rip stop transition layer can be placed at different locations on and within the flexible circuit in order to minimize cracking and ripping as the flexible circuit is bent, flexed and twisted.

Abstract: An electrically interconnected assembly is a technology enabler for mechanical and electrical interconnects between conductive threads, such as those within fabrics and textiles, to electrical connection points, such as contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and/or rigid-flexible circuit board. The electrically interconnected assembly uses an anisotropic conductive coated fabric to make an electrical and mechanical interconnect in fabrics or textiles. All fabrics or textiles can be anisotropic conductive coated and cut into sheet form or supplied in roll form.

Abstract: A process of constructing a filled via of a printed circuit board comprises drilling a via hole through a body of the printed circuit board, desmearing a barrel of the via hole, metallizing a outer surface of the via barrel, electroplating the via barrel, pushing nano-copper solder into the via hole and heating the circuit board in order to melt the nano-copper solder within the via hole. The nano-copper solder improves the thermal conductivity of the printed circuit board for applications when heat needs to be conducted from one side of the printed circuit board to another.