Abstract: A fiber capable of switching optical states is provided. The fiber includes a laminate having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electro-optic material between the first and second electrode layers, at least one of the first and second electrode layers being light-transmissive and a sheath surrounding the laminate. The fiber may have a ribbon-like structure, i.e. a width that is substantially greater than its thickness. The electro-optic medium may be an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

Abstract: In some implementations, a self-cleaning seat includes a cover layer with a photocatalyst; a light-emitting fiber layer including one or more light sources; a light-diffusing spacer configured to diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting fiber layer and positioned between the cover layer and the light-emitting fiber layer; and a triggering mechanism that activates a cleaning cycle by activating the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An article is a selected one of a set of articles. Each article of the set includes a fabric and is associated with a unique identification code. The selected article has a pattern distributed over at least 10% of an exposed surface of the selected article. The pattern encodes the identification code associated with the selected article, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods.

Abstract: A fabric or article has a pattern on an exposed surface that encodes a unique identification code, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods. The pattern may be a plaid code or may be incorporated into a representational aesthetic environment. Fabrics may include optical transmitters embedded therein and configured to transmit information that can be detected by a mobile computing device, directed to the wearable article, and executing a suitable application. Fabrics may include optical receives configured to receive information such as from a free-space optical communication system of certain embodiments.

Abstract: A color-changing flexible fiber that can be incorporated into fabrics and other woven materials. The color changing flexible fibers are hollow and include at least two wire electrodes integrated into the wall of the hollow fiber that provide an electrical potential across an electro-optic medium disposed inside the hollow fiber. The electro-optic medium includes a non-polar solvent and at least one set of charged particles.

Abstract: A fiber capable of switching optical states is provided. The fiber includes a laminate having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electro-optic material between the first and second electrode layers, at least one of the first and second electrode layers being light-transmissive and a sheath surrounding the laminate. The fiber may have a ribbon-like structure, i.e. a width that is substantially greater than its thickness. The electro-optic medium may be an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

Abstract: A textile capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation includes interlaced fibers; a photodetector embedded, as a result of a fiber draw process, within a particular one of the fibers; and a first electrical conductor extending within the particular fiber and along a longitudinal axis thereof. The first electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the photodetector, and the photodetector position in the particular fiber corresponds to a lowest energy configuration relative to a pattern of flow along the longitudinal axis of the particular fiber throughout the fiber draw process. A method of manufacturing the textile and a system including the textile are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article is a selected one of a set of articles. Each article of the set includes a fabric and is associated with a unique identification code. The selected article has a pattern distributed over at least 10% of an exposed surface of the selected article. The pattern encodes the identification code associated with the selected article, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods.

Abstract: A textile capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation includes interlaced fibers; a photodetector embedded, as a result of a fiber draw process, within a particular one of the fibers; and a first electrical conductor extending within the particular fiber and along a longitudinal axis thereof. The first electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the photodetector, and the photodetector position in the particular fiber corresponds to a lowest energy configuration relative to a pattern of flow along the longitudinal axis of the particular fiber throughout the fiber draw process. A method of manufacturing the textile and a system including the textile are also disclosed.

Abstract: A color-changing fiber that can be incorporated into fabrics and other woven materials. The color changing fibers are hollow and include at least two wire electrodes that provide an electrical potential across an electro-optic medium including a non-polar solvent and at least one set of charged particles.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparascopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving a request to generate a bootable image in a cloud-based computing environment, creating a block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment in response to receiving the request, the block storage volume having one or more partitions. Further, an apparatus, method and so forth may include installing software comprising one or more files in a file system on the block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment, creating a snapshot of the file system including the software in the cloud-based computing environment, and creating a bootable image from the snapshot of the file system in the cloud-based computing environment.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving a request to generate a bootable image in a cloud-based computing environment, creating a block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment in response to receiving the request, the block storage volume having one or more partitions. Further, an apparatus, method and so forth may include installing software comprising one or more files in a file system on the block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment, creating a snapshot of the file system including the software in the cloud-based computing environment, and creating a bootable image from the snapshot of the file system in the cloud-based computing environment.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving a request to generate a bootable image in a cloud-based computing environment, creating a block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment in response to receiving the request, the block storage volume having one or more partitions. Further, an apparatus, method and so forth may include installing software comprising one or more files in a file system on the block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment, creating a snapshot of the file system including the software in the cloud-based computing environment, and creating a bootable image from the snapshot of the file system in the cloud-based computing environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving a request to generate a bootable image in a cloud-based computing environment, creating a block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment in response to receiving the request, the block storage volume having one or more partitions. Further, an apparatus, method and so forth may include installing software comprising one or more files in a file system on the block storage volume in the cloud-based computing environment, creating a snapshot of the file system including the software in the cloud-based computing environment, and creating a bootable image from the snapshot of the file system in the cloud-based computing environment.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: An update service is provided for maintaining software of one or more users, or an enterprise. On behalf of users or enterprises, the update service collects information from various software vendors about the certification and updates for their software. Dependencies or issues between the software are determined based on the information collected from the software vendors. A set of applicable updates for particular users or enterprises may then be determined based on the dependencies or issues. The update service may then broker various aspects of the delivery and installation of these updates.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.