Abstract: An apparatus for simulating a body part includes a base and an actuator connected to the base. Rotors are rotatable about an axis in response to actuation of the actuator. Each rotor includes radially extending slots. Flanges are circumferentially arranged about the rotor. Each flange includes actuating pistons slidably received in the slots of the rotors such that the flanges are moved radially relative to the axis in response to actuation of the actuator to vary a volume defined by the flanges and thereby simulate body part expansion.

Abstract: A method of estimating chlorophyll content of a leaf including providing a device wherein the device includes a mobile computing device with a digital camera; and a peripheral removably attached to the mobile computing device, the peripheral including a light source aligned with the digital camera, wherein the peripheral provides for a space between the light source and the digital camera; capturing by the digital camera a first image of the light source turned on without the leaf interposed between the digital camera and the light source; retrieving exposure data of the first image; capturing by the digital camera a second image with the leaf interposed between the digital camera and the turned on light source; retrieving exposure data of the second image; and using a processor, estimating the chlorophyll content of the leaf based on the retrieved exposure data of the first and second images.

Abstract: A method of estimating chlorophyll content of a leaf including providing a device wherein the device includes a mobile computing device with a digital camera; and a peripheral removably attached to the mobile computing device, the peripheral including a light source aligned with the digital camera, wherein the peripheral provides for a space between the light source and the digital camera; capturing by the digital camera a first image of the light source turned on without the leaf interposed between the digital camera and the light source; retrieving exposure data of the first image; capturing by the digital camera a second image with the leaf interposed between the digital camera and the turned on light source; retrieving exposure data of the second image; and using a processor, estimating the chlorophyll content of the leaf based on the retrieved exposure data of the first and second images.

Abstract: As the functionality, speed and portability of consumer electronics increases, so does the need for more circuitry to be packed into smaller spaces. All this leads to the fact that the size of a device is now becoming more often a function of the circuit board or module size than anything else. In order to achieve size reduction of multi-featured products, passive components on the surface of the circuit need to be eliminated by burying them within the inner layers of the printed wiring board. Embedded passives are passive components placed between the interconnecting substrates of a printed wiring board. Implementation of embedded passives reduces space requirements and enables more silicon devices to be placed on the same sized substrate, thereby allowing functional potential of small electronic devices to increase. However, additional steps are conventionally required for embedding passive components within the interconnect layer between substrates.