Abstract: Provided are wireless electronic devices for thermally interfacing with a biological tissue. The device may have a flexible substrate; a thermal actuator supported by said flexible substrate configured to provide a thermal input to said biological tissue; a temperature sensor supported by said flexible substrate configured to measure a temperature to determine thermal conductivity of said biological tissue; and a wireless electronic system in electronic communication with said thermal actuator and said temperature sensor, wherein said wireless electronic system is configured to provide two-way communication with an external controller. Also provided are related methods of using the electronic devices, including for cosmetic, beauty, or medical applications.

Abstract: Hydrocephalus and shunt-related expenditures cost the US system over $2 billion dollars in annual expenses, with 125,000 shunt surgeries per year and an untreated mortality rate estimated at 50-60%. Existing diagnostics are expensive, inaccurate, and often harmful or invasive, and can lead to unnecessary admissions, further testing, or needless surgery. Collaborative efforts between Northwestern materials engineers headed by Dr. John Rogers alongside the leadership of neurological surgeons at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital have produced and validated a noninvasive, thermal biosensor capable of diagnosing ventricular shunt malfunction.

Abstract: Three-dimensionally (3D) printed, wearable, electronic sensing articles and methods of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an implantable optogenetic stimulation device. In one embodiment the device includes a housing and an optoelectronic stimulation circuit for light delivery for optogenetic stimulation. The stimulation circuit includes energy harvesting circuitry to receive radio frequency (RF) energy; one or more capacitor storage elements to store energy associated with the RF energy; a light emitting diode (LED) to generate a light source for optogenetic stimulation at a selected frequency and duty cycle; and controller circuitry to discharge the one or more capacitor storage elements at a selected duty cycle to cause the LED to generate pulsed light at the selected duty cycle with energy requirement above the peak power capability of the RF harvesting circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides a versatile sensing platform for sensing and analysis of biofluids, particularly well-suited for sensing and analysis of sweat. Systems of the invention allows for sensitive and selective detection of a range of analytes in sweat including metabolites, electrolytes and biomarkers. Systems of the invention provide a noninvasive and accurate means for quantitative characterization of important sweat characteristics including sweat volume, sweat loss and sweat rate. Systems of the invention are compatible with materials and device geometries for important class of conformal tissue mounted electronic devices, including epidermal electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention features a sensor implant that can adhere to bone. The sensing device is capable of sensing bone strains and reporting them as well as loads passing through bone for extended periods of time. The sensor implant can also be used to monitor bone growth for bone segmental repair of long bones or to monitor changes in bone characteristics of patients with osteoporosis. The present technology has the potential to give physicians the ability to predict when a patient with osteoporosis has an impending fracture and thus be able to intervene and prevent further damage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) featuring a device that targets the vagal nerve fiber looped around both right and left main bronchi. The system comprises digital and analog electronics; a strain sensor for measuring arterial pressure operatively connected to the electronics, and a stimulator for selectively stimulating a vagus nerve operatively connected to electronics. The system is a closed- loop system. The strain sensor has sufficient flexibility to wrap around an artery. The system stimulates the vagus nerve with specific electrical signals that relax the smooth muscle of pulmonary vascular tree. The electric stimulation can be controlled to achieve localized pulmonary vascular smooth muscle relaxation with non or minimal systemic side effects.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of collecting environmental and/or biometric information and/or data using a chronic monitoring apparatus that includes a wearable expandable support structure to wirelessly receive power via a wireless power transfer antenna disposed in, on, or about the wearable expandable support structure. The chronic monitoring apparatus includes power receiver circuitry, data transmission circuitry, sensor circuitry, and control circuitry. The wearable expandable support structure maintains close contact between at least a portion of the sensor circuitry and the wearer of the chronic monitoring apparatus without requiring the use of adhesives or other bonding agents. The chronic monitoring apparatus communicates the collected environmental and/or biometric information to external data collection circuitry.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: The invention provides a versatile sensing platform for sensing and analysis of biofluids, particularly well-suited for sensing and analysis of sweat. Systems of the invention allows for sensitive and selective detection of a range of analytes in sweat including metabolites, electrolytes and biomarkers. Systems of the invention provide a noninvasive and accurate means for quantitative characterization of important sweat characteristics including sweat volume, sweat loss and sweat rate. Systems of the invention are compatible with materials and device geometries for important class of conformal tissue mounted electronic devices, including epidermal electronic devices.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: Provided are wireless electronic devices for thermally interfacing with a biological tissue. The device may have a flexible substrate; a thermal actuator supported by said flexible substrate configured to provide a thermal input to said biological tissue; a temperature sensor supported by said flexible substrate configured to measure a temperature to determine thermal conductivity of said biological tissue; and a wireless electronic system in electronic communication with said thermal actuator and said temperature sensor, wherein said wireless electronic system is configured to provide two-way communication with an external controller. Also provided are related methods of using the electronic devices, including for cosmetic, beauty, or medical applications.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an electric drive with a power accumulator, a fuel cell, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the fuel cell. The control unit has logic, at least partially including hardware configured to activate and deactivate the fuel cell as a function of a first characteristic map having a first input variable representing a present power demand of the hybrid vehicle which exists over a first defined observation time range.

Abstract: A method for determining and optionally additionally implementing an optimal route for a vehicle that has an electrical drive system having an energy storage device, and a converter to charge the energy storage device.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to a flexible or stretchable sensor and a method of detecting a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation using said sensor. The sensor comprises a flexible or stretchable substrate, a pair of terminal electrodes disposed on the flexible or stretchable substrate in mutually spaced apart and opposing relation, and a sensing element applied to the flexible or stretchable substrate, between and in electrical contact with the pair of terminal electrodes, wherein the sensing element is responsive to a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging thereon, and wherein when a voltage is applied across the sensor, an electrical signal is generated that is proportional to a resistance value corresponding to a sensing of the substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging on the sensing element.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to a flexible or stretchable sensor and a method of detecting a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation using said sensor. The sensor comprises a flexible or stretchable substrate, a pair of terminal electrodes disposed on the flexible or stretchable substrate in mutually spaced apart and opposing relation, and a sensing element applied to the flexible or stretchable substrate, between and in electrical contact with the pair of terminal electrodes, wherein the sensing element is responsive to a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging thereon, and wherein when a voltage is applied across the sensor, an electrical signal is generated that is proportional to a resistance value corresponding to a sensing of the substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging on the sensing element.

Abstract: A method for determining and optionally additionally implementing an optimal route for a vehicle that has an electrical drive system having an energy storage device, and a converter to charge the energy storage device.