Abstract: Described embodiments include a plasmonic apparatus and method. The plasmonic apparatus includes a substrate having a first negative-permittivity layer comprising a first plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plasmonic nanoparticle having a base with a second negative-permittivity layer comprising a second plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a dielectric-filled gap between the first plasmonic surface and the second plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plasmonic cavity created by an assembly of the first plasmonic surface, the second plasmonic surface, and the dielectric-filled gap, and having a spectrally separated first fundamental resonant cavity wavelength ?1 and second fundamental resonant cavity wavelength ?2. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plurality of fluorescent particles located in the dielectric-filled gap.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating device includes heating air in a heating device chamber. The method further includes exhausting outgoing air from the heating device chamber via a first flow path through which the outgoing air flows in a first direction, and supplying incoming air to the heating device chamber via a second flow path through which the incoming air flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The latent heat in the outgoing air in the first flow path is transferred to the incoming air in the second flow path thereby condensing water vapor contained in the outgoing air to produce liquid water.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure a combustion product in an exhaust stream generated by a fossil-fueled combustion apparatus. The system includes a combustion analysis circuit configured to generate air pollution information responsive to (i) the measured combustion product and (ii) an emission target for the measured combustion product. The system includes a user interface configured to display the air pollution information in a human perceivable format. In an embodiment, the system includes a combustion controller configured to regulate an aspect of the combustion of the fossil fuel in response to the air quality management selection entered by the human user.

Abstract: In an aspect, an eating utensil includes a controllable odorant emitter for delivering an odorant to a person who is eating or drinking from the eating utensil. The odorant may be delivered orthonasally or retronasally. The odorant may be used to stimulate or suppress appetite. In an aspect, a controllable odorant emitter is provided in an attachment that may be removably secured to an eating utensil. Related methods and systems for delivering odorant in connection with use of an eating utensil are described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure a combustion product in an exhaust stream from a fossil-fueled combustion apparatus. The system includes a compliance circuit configured to generate an air quality management signal responsive to (i) the measured combustion product and (ii) an emission target for the measured combustion product. The system includes a combustion controller circuit configured to regulate an aspect of the combustion of the fossil fuel in response to the air quality management signal. In an embodiment, the system includes a receiver circuit configured to receive a current or forecasted air quality status or condition. In an embodiment, the system includes a combustion analysis circuit configured to generate air pollution information responsive to the measured combustion product. In an embodiment, the system includes a user interface configured to display the air pollution information.

Abstract: A system may include utensil means for portioning a foodstuff into a first portion and a second portion, a means for detecting a first portion size for the first portion with the utensil means, a means for detecting a second portion size for the second portion with the utensil means, and a means for determining a cumulative amount of portioned foodstuff based upon the first portion size and the second portion size.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide automated nuclear fission reactors and methods for their operation. Exemplary embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, re-use of nuclear fission fuel, alternate fuels and fuel geometries, modular fuel cores, fast fluid cooling, variable burn-up, programmable nuclear thermostats, fast flux irradiation, temperature-driven surface area/volume ratio neutron absorption, low coolant temperature cores, refueling, and the like.

Abstract: Provided embodiments include a device, apparatus, system, computer program product, and method. A medical apparatus is provided. At least a portion of which is configured for implantation in an animal. The medical apparatus includes a communication module configured to receive communications originating external to the animal. The medical apparatus also includes a threat assessment module configured to ascertain a threat characteristic of a communication received by the communication module. The medical apparatus further includes a threat mitigation module configured to implement a mitigation measure responsive to the ascertained threat characteristic of the received communication.

Abstract: A system for delivering optical power over an optical conduit includes at least one optical power source delivering multiple optical power forms, at least one of the optical power forms being a modulated optical power form. The system includes an optical power receiving device that is directly driven by the at least one modulated optical power form.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for tracking, registering, etc. of medical staff, patients, instrumentation, events, or the like according to a treatment staging plan. For example a medical apparatus includes a right-patient verification device having an interrogation interface device that elicits at least one of identification data, authorization data, or treatment plan data from a medical procedure authorization device associated with a patient; and a right-site verification device that generates patient-specific treatment staging data consistent with the at least one of the identification data, the authorization data, or the treatment plan data.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device.

Abstract: Structures and protocols are presented for signaling a status or decision concerning a wireless service or device within a region to a network participant or other communication device (smartphone or motor vehicle, e.g.).

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide automated nuclear fission reactors and methods for their operation. Exemplary embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, re-use of nuclear fission fuel, alternate fuels and fuel geometries, modular fuel cores, fast fluid cooling, variable burn-up, programmable nuclear thermostats, fast flux irradiation, temperature-driven surface area/volume ratio neutron absorption, low coolant temperature cores, refueling, and the like.

Abstract: A method for providing an environmental impact rating for a solar cell includes acquiring power generation data and thermal exchange data regarding the solar cell using a data acquisition device, transmitting the power generation data and the thermal exchange data to a controller, and generating the environmental impact rating based on the power generation data and the thermal exchange data using the controller, wherein the environmental impact rating provides an indication of an environmental impact of using the solar cell.

Abstract: A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for use in generating one or more customized food items that are customized specifically for the one or more users, the user information to be acquired including at least one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of the one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the one or more customized food items having been customized to show one or more visual indicators that provide customized information that has been customized in accordance, at least in part, with the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: An airbag inflation system includes a processing circuit configured to receive object data including positional data regarding an object and at least one of a relative velocity and a relative acceleration of the object relative to a first helmet and control operation of an inflation device to inflate an airbag based on the object data.

Abstract: Machines, Processes, compositions of matter, and articles that include at least one input acceptance machine and at least one track data presentation device. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes an energy storage device configured to store and release energy. The system includes a waveform sensor configured to detect a second harmonic or higher frequency component deviation in a waveform of electric power supplied to the system by an electrical power grid. The system includes a bi-directional switched-mode converter coupled between the energy storage device and the electrical power grid. The switched-mode converter is configured to receive and convert electric power from the electrical power grid into energy stored in the energy storage device and to convert energy released from the energy storage device into electric power and discharge the converted electric power into the electrical power grid. The system includes a waveform correction manager configured to control the bi-directional switched-mode converter in a manner implementing a waveform deviation reduction strategy responsive to the detected deviation in the waveform.