Abstract: An agent activated non-metal antenna for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna, and a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC), includes a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent. The antenna is further configured to transmit power to turn on the wireless data communication IC only when the non-metal antenna is active upon interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: An agent activated non-metal antenna for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna, and a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC), includes a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent. The antenna is further configured to transmit power to turn on the wireless data communication IC only when the non-metal antenna is active upon interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: An ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor includes an agent activated non-metal antenna formed of a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna includes a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC). The non-metal antenna is configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: A suture needle apparatus includes a needle body and a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) chip disposed proximate to the needle body. The RFID chip is encoded with an identifying information associated with the suture needle apparatus. The RFID chip includes an electromagnetic coupling element. A suture thread is operatively coupled to the needle body. At least one of the needle body and the suture thread is an antenna selectively electromagnetically coupled to the RFID chip and, when coupled, is configured to wirelessly communicate the identifying information responsive to radio-frequency interrogation of the suture needle apparatus. A method of providing a suture needle apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-based method to facilitate detecting wheel imbalance, a tire pressure problem, or excessive tread wear on tires of a moving vehicle is disclosed. The method includes collecting (e.g., from an accelerometer of a mobile personal computing device) data that represents vibration that results, at least in part, from the vehicle's motion, and determining, with a computer-based processor, whether the moving vehicle has wheel imbalance, a tire pressure problem, and/or excessive tire tread wear based at least in part on the vibration data produced by the accelerometer (and, possibly other data), where the mobile personal computing device and the accelerometer are moving with the vehicle when the data is being collected.

Abstract: An ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor includes an agent activated non-metal antenna formed of a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna includes a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC). The non-metal antenna is configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent.

Abstract: An RFID-based anemia detection sensor that integrates a paper-based diagnostic device with a passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID tag. Differences in red blood cell (RBC) count in a patient's blood manifests itself as a controlled time-dependent change in the tag's signal response. In one embodiment, the sensor is capable of reliably differentiating between blood having 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent RBC concentration by volume, which is indicative of anemic vs. healthy blood. In another embodiment, the sensor is read using standard RFID equipment allowing for large-scale automated screening of blood specimens.

Abstract: A computer-based method to facilitate detecting wheel imbalance, a tire pressure problem, or excessive tread wear on tires of a moving vehicle is disclosed. The method includes collecting (e.g., from an accelerometer of a mobile personal computing device) data that represents vibration that results, at least in part, from the vehicle's motion, and determining, with a computer-based processor, whether the moving vehicle has wheel imbalance, a tire pressure problem, and/or excessive tire tread wear based at least in part on the vibration data produced by the accelerometer (and, possibly other data), where the mobile personal computing device and the accelerometer are moving with the vehicle when the data is being collected.

Abstract: Fluid level sensor. The sensor includes first and second RFID tag antennas disposed in spaced-apart relation on the outside of a container including fluid therein. An RFID reader transmits power to, and receives backscatter power from, the first and second RFID tag antennas. A difference in backscatter power from the first and second tag antennas indicates the presence of fluid behind the second RFID tag antenna. In another aspect, a single RFID tag antenna is disposed on the outside of a container including fluid therein. An RFID reader transmits power over a selected range of frequencies to the tag antenna and receives backscatter power from the tag antenna. The tag response across all frequencies in the selected range indicates no liquid in the container while tag response in only the higher frequencies of the selected range indicates presence of fluid in the container.