Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring hair moisture using a hair moisture measuring device including a vibrator, a sound wave detector, a heater, and/or a processor. The vibrator may generate and propagate first sound waves through a strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may then measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. After heating the hair by the heater, the vibrator may generate and propagate second sound waves through the strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals, and also measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

Abstract: Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for harvesting energy for a vehicle having an engine and a torque converter. In various examples, an energy harvesting system is described, where the torque converter may be configured to have an input shaft driven by the engine, and an output shaft. Each of the input shaft and output shaft of the torque converter may be mechanically coupled to one of a first portion and a second portion of an electric generator. The electric generator may generate electrical energy using a rotational speed difference between the input shaft and the output shaft of the torque converter. As a result, the electric generator may store at least a portion of the electrical energy, which otherwise would be lost at the torque converter, in a charge storage device. The stored electrical energy may be transmitted to an assist motor configured to drive a rotation of wheels.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring skin moisture using a skin moisture measuring device. Example devices and systems described herein may include one or more of an elongated enclosure, an inlet, a moisture sensor, and/or a cooling unit. The inlet may be arranged at a first end of the elongated enclosure, and may be configured to be in contact with skin and receive moisture transpiring from the skin. The moisture sensor may be arranged between the first end and a second end inside the elongated enclosure, and configured to detect an amount of the moisture. Further, the cooling unit may be arranged at the second end of the elongated enclosure, and configured to cool and condense the moisture. The cooling unit may be controlled to maintain a substantially constant temperature difference between a first temperature proximate the moisture sensor and a second temperature proximate the cooling unit.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring hair condition using a hair condition measuring device. Example devices and systems described herein may include a first clamp, a second clamp, a vibrator, a laser beam source, a photodetector and/or a processor. The first claim may be configured to clamp a first end of hair, and the second clamp may be configured to clamp a second end of the hair, so that the hair is stretched between the first clamp and the second clamp. The laser beam source may be configured to generate a laser beam toward the hair. The photodetector may be configured to detect at least part of the laser beam reflected by the hair and convert an intensity of the detected part of the laser beam to an electrical signal. The processor may be configured to measure condition of the hair based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to robotic limbs and uses thereof. In some embodiments, the motor for driving movement of the limb can itself be repositioned, thereby altering the forces and/or torque involved in moving and/or operating the limb.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for generating electrical power from piezoelectric power. Example devices/systems described herein may use one or more of a piezoelectric device, a plurality of solid particles, and/or a container. In various examples, an electrical power generator apparatus is described, where the apparatus may be configured to provide an electrical signal upon application of a mechanical stress to the piezoelectric device. Some example apparatus may also be configured to contain the plurality of solid particles in the container, which may be coupled to at least a portion of a surface of the piezoelectric device. When a mechanical force is exerted on the plurality of solid particles, the plurality of solid particles may be effective to receive at least a portion of the mechanical force and responsively apply the mechanical stress to the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: In some examples, a method is described. The method may include obtaining an electrical signal as an input signal. The method may also include generating a reference signal based on the input signal. Moreover, the method may include generating a device-under-test signal based on the input signal and based on a device-under-test capacitance between a first contact point and a second contact point. The first contact point may be electrically coupled to a first contact mechanism configured to contact a first contact area of the device-under-test. The second contact point may be configured to be electrically coupled to a second contact mechanism configured to contact a second contact area of the device-under-test. The method may also include generating a comparison signal based on a comparison between the reference signal and the device-under-test signal. Additionally, the method may include emitting an output signal that is based on the comparison signal.

Abstract: A linear motion actuator is disclosed. The linear motion actuator can include a double-shafted motor having a first motor shaft with a first screw thread and a second motor shaft with a second screw thread. The first screw thread can have certain characteristics that are different from that of the second screw thread. The linear motion actuator is disclosed for use in an arm assembly of a laparoscopic manipulator, but can also be used in other types of devices.

Abstract: Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for harvesting energy for a vehicle having an engine and a torque converter. In various examples, an energy harvesting system is described, where the torque converter may be configured to have an input shaft driven by the engine, and an output shaft. Each of the input shaft and output shaft of the torque converter may be mechanically coupled to one of a first portion and a second portion of an electric generator. The electric generator may generate electrical energy using a rotational speed difference between the input shaft and the output shaft of the torque converter. As a result, the electric generator may store at least a portion of the electrical energy, which otherwise would be lost at the torque converter, in a charge storage device. The stored electrical energy may be transmitted to an assist motor configured to drive a rotation of wheels.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring hair moisture using a hair moisture measuring device including a vibrator, a sound wave detector, a heater, and/or a processor. The vibrator may generate and propagate first sound waves through a strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may then measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. After heating the hair by the heater, the vibrator may generate and propagate second sound waves through the strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals, and also measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring hair condition using a hair condition measuring device. Example devices and systems described herein may include a first clamp, a second clamp, a vibrator, a laser beam source, a photodetector and/or a processor. The first claim may be configured to clamp a first end of hair, and the second clamp may be configured to clamp a second end of the hair, so that the hair is stretched between the first clamp and the second clamp. The laser beam source may be configured to generate a laser beam toward the hair. The photodetector may be configured to detect at least part of the laser beam reflected by the hair and convert an intensity of the detected part of the laser beam to an electrical signal. The processor may be configured to measure condition of the hair based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a minimally-invasive medical instrument with a rotatable inner shaft mounting a medical tool. The medical tool may be, for example, a forceps, a grasper, a cutter or other medical tool useful for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures. The medical tool is desirably used in endoscopic, laparoscopic or other minimally-invasive procedures. The jaws or other end-effectors of the tool are operated by a first control wire, which will act to open or close the jaws or other end-effectors of the tool. A second control wire is used with a camming mechanism to transform linear movement of the second control wire into rotary motion of the inner shaft, thus also rotating the medical tool. The medical tool may thus be oriented at the surgical sit as desired by the surgeon, by rotating the tool without having to remove and re-place the tool within the patient.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for generating electrical power from piezoelectric power. Example devices/systems described herein may use one or more of a piezoelectric device, a plurality of solid particles, and/or a container. In various examples, an electrical power generator apparatus is described, where the apparatus may be configured to provide an electrical signal upon application of a mechanical stress to the piezoelectric device. Some example apparatus may also be configured to contain the plurality of solid particles in the container, which may be coupled to at least a portion of a surface of the piezoelectric device. When a mechanical force is exerted on the plurality of solid particles, the plurality of solid particles may be effective to receive at least a portion of the mechanical force and responsively apply the mechanical stress to the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: Implementations and techniques are generally disclosed for an actuator comprising: a first element, a second element, a third element, a first joint provided between the first element and the second element, a second joint provided between the second element and the third element, and a motor operably coupled to the first joint and configured such that the second element rotates with respect to the first element about a first rotational axis when the motor rotates, wherein the first joint is operably coupled to the second joint and configured such that the third element can rotate with respect to the second element about a second rotational axis when the motor rotates.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for treating diverticula. The diverticula may be present within a wall of a gastrointestinal organ, such as a colon, of a human or animal. In some examples, the apparatus may include a flexible conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway therethrough, a balloon-forming chamber at the distal end of the flexible conduit, and at least one heating element positioned on an interior of the balloon-forming chamber. The apparatus may further include an endoscope in which the flexible conduit may be positioned such that the balloon-forming chamber extends from an end of the endoscope.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring skin moisture using a skin moisture measuring device. Example devices and systems described herein may include one or more of an elongated enclosure, an inlet, a moisture sensor, and/or a cooling unit. The inlet may be arranged at a first end of the elongated enclosure, and may be configured to be in contact with skin and receive moisture transpiring from the skin. The moisture sensor may be arranged between the first end and a second end inside the elongated enclosure, and configured to detect an amount of the moisture. Further, the cooling unit may be arranged at the second end of the elongated enclosure, and configured to cool and condense the moisture. The cooling unit may be controlled to maintain a substantially constant temperature difference between a first temperature proximate the moisture sensor and a second temperature proximate the cooling unit.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to robotic limbs and uses thereof. In some embodiments, the motor for driving movement of the limb can itself be repositioned, thereby altering the forces and/or torque involved in moving and/or operating the limb.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to robotic limbs and uses thereof. In some embodiments, a motor for driving movement of the limb is provided. In some embodiments, the motor for driving movement of the limb can itself be repositioned, thereby altering the forces and/or torque involved in moving and/or operating the limb.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided which includes: a P-type memory cell transistor having a source, a drain, a gate, and a charge storage layer; and a control circuit which, in a case where the P-type memory cell transistor has its threshold greater than or equal to a first value (Vr) and less than or equal to a second value (Vrd), carries out a program operation of injecting electrons into the charge storage layer.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a minimally-invasive medical instrument with a rotatable inner shaft mounting a medical tool. The medical tool may be, for example, a forceps, a grasper, a cutter or other medical tool useful for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures. The medical tool is desirably used in endoscopic, laparoscopic or other minimally-invasive procedures. The jaws or other end-effectors of the tool are operated by a first control wire, which will act to open or close the jaws or other end-effectors of the tool. A second control wire is used with a camming mechanism to transform linear movement of the second control wire into rotary motion of the inner shaft, thus also rotating the medical tool. The medical tool may thus be oriented at the surgical sit as desired by the surgeon, by rotating the tool without having to remove and re-place the tool within the patient.