Abstract: A disclosed water droplet sensing system and methods using split-ring resonators, which may be embedded within a material. In use, a component includes at least one split-ring resonator (SRR) which may be embedded within a material of the component. The at least one SRR may be formed from a composite material. Additionally, the at least one SRR may be configured to form a signal that is correlated with a concentration of water proximate to the at least one SRR. In some aspects, each SRR may resonate at a first frequency in response to an electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the material may be based on physical characteristics of the material (including fluid accumulation on the material).

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus includes sensors incorporated into adhesive material. In use, an apparatus may comprise an adhesive material and at least one split-ring resonator (SRR) disposed on or in the adhesive material. Additionally, the at least one SRR is formed from a carbon-containing material, and the adhesive material is a non-elastomeric material or a semi-rigid material. In some aspects, each SRR may resonate at a first frequency in response to an electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the adhesive material may be based on physical characteristics of the adhesive material.

Abstract: A disclosed airborne vehicle includes split-ring resonators (split ring resonators), which may be embedded within a material. Each split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. Each split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, each may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensors-as-a-service ecosystem. In use, the system includes functions for receiving first sensor data at a sensors as a service platform, where the first sensor data corresponds to a first level of capabilities for a first sensor. The system also receives a selection of a sensor upgrade for the first sensor and provisions enhanced sensor capabilities for the sensor upgrade based on the selection. Furthermore, the system sends a sensor update with the enhanced sensor capabilities from the sensors as a service platform to the first sensor. Finally, the system receives second sensor data from the first sensor at the sensors as a service platform, where the second sensor data corresponds to a second level of capabilities for the first sensor.

Abstract: Resonant sensors for environmental health risk detection are disclosed. A mechanical member may include at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator disposed on a surface of the mechanical member. Additionally, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may include a plurality of first carbon particles configured to uniquely resonate in response to an electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the first carbon particles within the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator. Further, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may be configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a first state, and may be configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a second state.

Abstract: A disclosed construction structure unit may include at least one split-ring resonator, which may be embedded within a material. The split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. The split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, the split-ring resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: Acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. Technological and geopolitical advantages inure to conflict-free refinement of rare materials including critical minerals used in production of energy storage devices, among other applications. Additionally, the applied “clean tech” methods advance environmental goals such as those given in the Paris Agreement. Various site-specific system configurations and corresponding site-specific methods of operation bring to bear a panoply of economically viable approaches to critical mineral refinement. In some approaches, electrical power needed to drive refinement is provided by selected site-specific renewable energy sources. Real-world implementations involve co-locating a dissociating reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar. Refined critical minerals are produced on site.

Abstract: A disclosed airborne vehicle includes split-ring resonators (split ring resonators), which may be embedded within a material. Each split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. Each split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, each may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as associated physical characteristics and properties of the materials. In particular, particles comprising a metal lattice are characterized by having carbon (preferably graphene) disposed within the crystalline lattice structure thereof. The carbon is at least partially disposed in interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt % of the total particle mass, with about 15 wt % to about 60 wt % being disposed in the interstitial sites, e.g., between basal planes, of the metal lattice. The carbon, moreover, is substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a protective enclosure for electronic systems. The enclosure comprises a polymer-containing matrix and a metamaterial incorporated into the matrix. The metamaterial is tuned to a specific permittivity or permeability to absorb or reflect a particular frequency. The protective enclosure may be used to create a safe inner environment for electronic components while facilitating uninterrupted wireless communications to/from the outer environment. Additionally, the protective enclosure may be used to protect against electromagnetic interference. In particular, shielding metamaterials are configured individually or in combination to specifically shield (via reflection, absorption, etc.) against relatively wide bands of electromagnetic frequencies, while transparent metamaterials are configured specifically to pass electromagnetic signals within narrow bands of frequencies. This new approach resolves and vastly improves current shield solutions, such as Faraday cages.

Abstract: Resonant sensors for environmental health risk detection are disclosed. A mechanical member may include at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator disposed on a surface of the mechanical member. Additionally, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may include a plurality of first carbon particles configured to uniquely resonate in response to an electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the first carbon particles within the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator. Further, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may be configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a first state, and may be configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a second state.

Abstract: A resonant sensor is embedded within or applied to a component of a medical diagnostic apparatus. The resonant sensor is formed from a composite material. The resonant sensor undergoes a change of permittivity and/or change in permeability due to metabolic activity of a microorganism that is involved in the medical diagnostic and proximal to the resonant sensor. The medical diagnostic apparatus may be a blood culture bottle that is configured to contain a blood culture medium. The resonant sensor may be embedded in or applied to the exterior or interior wall of the blood culture bottle. The resonant sensor may undergo a change in permittivity and/or a change in permeability due to production of carbon dioxide by the microorganism. The composite material may comprise a carbonaceous material such as graphene.

Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as various advantageous physical characteristics, and associated properties of the resultant materials. In particular, particles comprising polymer matrices are characterized by having carbon disposed within the polymer matrix structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the polymer matrix, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt %. The carbon, moreover, forms covalent bonds with both atoms of the polymer matrix and other carbon atoms present in, but not part of, the matrix. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.

Abstract: Removing GHGs from various industrial and agricultural sources while concurrently generating useful solid and/or gaseous output materials enables an environmentally-clean and scalable approach for permanently dissociating the GHGs. Intra-reactor conditions can be controlled such that the solids produced are useful in advanced materials (e.g., in carbon fibers, in cements and concretes, etc.), and/or controlled in a manner such that the generated gases are useful (e.g., as fuel in hydrogen powered vehicles, in aeronautical and aerospace applications, and in energy storage applications, etc.). Eradicating GHGs (i.e., by dissociating GHGs into constituent carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, etc.) is facilitated through use of interconnected arc discharge reactors. Arc discharge reactors involve simple designs that are both energy efficient and highly scalable to virtually any specification.

Abstract: Acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. Technological and geopolitical advantages inure to conflict-free refinement of rare materials including critical minerals used in production of energy storage devices, among other applications. Additionally, the applied “clean tech” methods advance environmental goals such as those given in the Paris Agreement. Various site-specific system configurations and corresponding site-specific methods of operation bring to bear a panoply of economically viable approaches to critical mineral refinement. In some approaches, electrical power needed to drive refinement is provided by selected site-specific renewable energy sources. Real-world implementations involve co-locating a dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar or other source (preferably aqueous) of critical minerals therein. Refined critical minerals are produced on site.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.