Abstract: Example microfluidic devices and methods for sensing and sorting of particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. An example microfluidic device includes a substrate with a microfluidic channel having an inlet, a first region, and a second region, the microfluidic channel being coupled with output channels. The example microfluidic device also includes one or more sensors located adjacent to the first region for sensing respective particles, and an inlet piezoelectric actuator located adjacent to the inlet and configured to facilitate input mixing of samples. The example microfluidic device further includes a first piezoelectric actuator located adjacent to the second region and configured to deflect the respective particles to respective output channels based on signals from the one or more sensors, and a set of one or more outlet piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to at least one of the output channels and configured to facilitate ejection of the respective particles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for targeted monitoring of a patient in a bed comprises: receiving an image of the bed; predicting, based on a posture of the patient in the image, a pressure score for one or more contact regions between the patient and the bed; and providing an indication of the pressure score for the one or more contact regions.

Abstract: An example system includes an array of input nodes that includes a first input node and a second input node. The system also includes a set of multiply accumulate compute (MAC) components coupled to the first and second input nodes and configured to multiply and accumulate the first analog output and the second analog output. The system further includes a classification component coupled to an output of the set of MAC components and configured to classify the outputs of the set of MAC components. The first input node includes a first sensor configured to output a first analog signal according to changes in an external environment and a first analog frontend configured to generate a first analog output corresponding to the first analog signal. The second input node includes a second sensor and a second analog frontend configured to generate a second analog output corresponding to the second analog signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for sensing and sorting of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having an inlet, the microfluidic channel being coupled with two or more output channels; one or more sensors located adjacent to a first region of the microfluidic channel for sensing respective particles flown through the microfluidic channel; and a first piezoelectric actuator located adjacent to a second region of the microfluidic channel downstream from the first region for deflecting the respective particles flowing through the microfluidic channel to respective output channels of the two or more output channels based on signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A system for classifying individual particles includes a microfluidic device and an electronic device. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic channel arranged on a first substrate, an optical or magnetic sensing zone arranged along a first portion of the microfluidic channel, and an electrical sensing zone arranged along a second portion of the microfluidic channel. The system obtains a plurality of impedance values corresponding to a plurality of sample particles of a target sample, and inputs the plurality of impedance values into a first target particle classification model. The system applies, locally in the electronic device, the first target particle classification model to the plurality of impedance values to determine a respective particle type classification for each particle of the plurality of sample particles.

Abstract: An example device for analyzing biological components includes a first platter for positioning a set of biological components, and a first head positioned on a first side of the first platter and configured to provide first electromagnetic radiation to at least a first subset of the set of biological components. The example device further includes a first head actuator configured to move the first head relative to the first platter, and a first electrode positioned on a second side of the first platter, opposite the first side, and configured to detect the first electromagnetic radiation after having interacted with the first subset of the set of biological components.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for manipulating, and sensing at least one property of, cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic channel arranged on a substrate, a sensing zone arranged along a portion of the microfluidic channel, and a set of piezoelectric actuators arranged in proximity to the sensing zone. The sensing zone is configured to measure one or more properties of a cell or a particle in a fluid sample in the microfluidic channel. The set of piezoelectric actuators is configured to cause manipulation of the particle while the particle is in the sensing zone.

Abstract: Electrical connectors mountable on wheels are described. An electrical connector may include a sleeve sized for mounting on a barrel of a wheel. The sleeve defines one or more channels. The electrical connector may also include one or more hollow spokes mechanically coupled with the sleeve, and one or more electrical conductors. An electrical conductor extends from a portion of the sleeve corresponding to a bead seat region through the one or more channels and a hollow spoke for electrically coupling with an electrical module positioned on a tread region of a tire mounted on the wheel. Electrical devices including such electrical connectors and electrical devices including other electrical connectors are also described.

Abstract: A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

Abstract: An example microfluidic device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a set of electrodes, a set of piezoelectric components, a support, a set of piezoelectric actuators coupled to the support, and a polymer component. In the example device, the set of electrodes and the set of piezoelectric components are coupled to a surface of the second substrate. The support is configured to support at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The set of piezoelectric actuators is configured to adjust positioning of the support. The polymer is adapted to removably couple the first and second substrates such that a microfluidic channel is formed between the first and second substrates while the first and second substrates are coupled by the polymer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for dissociating and manipulating cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device includes an inlet, an outlet, and a microfluidic channel arranged on a substrate between the inlet and the outlet. The microfluidic device includes a first set of piezoelectric actuators arranged adjacent to the inlet channel and configured to dissociate particles of a fluidic sample in the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a second set of piezoelectric actuators arranged between the inlet channel and the outlet channel and configured to manipulate the particles of the fluidic sample as the particles move through the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a third set of piezoelectric actuators arranged above the outlet channel, adjacent to the outlet, and configured to eject a portion of the fluidic sample out of the microfluidic channel via the outlet.

Abstract: A device for analyzing biological cells is disclosed. The device includes a first platter for positioning a first group of biological cells; a first head positioned adjacently to the first platter for providing first electromagnetic radiation to at least a first subset of the first group of biological cells; and a first electrode positioned adjacently to the first platter for detecting the first electromagnetic having interacted with the first subset of the first group of biological cells for determining impedance values for the first subset of the first group of biological cells.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a signal map are disclosed. The system includes memory, one or more processors, instructions stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors. The system generates a signal profile for each block of a plurality of blocks obtained from a tissue sample, where each block of the plurality of blocks contains multiple cells. The system generates a spatial map of signals from a plurality of signal profiles corresponding to the plurality of blocks. In some embodiments, the system further creates a tree of cell populations from the spatial map. In some embodiments, the system includes a microfluidic device (e.g., a microfluidic sensor chip) configured to detect impedance of cells, and the signal profile for each block is an impedance profile generated based on impedances detected from the microfluidic device.

Abstract: An example wearable device includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of microfluidic devices attached to the flexible substrate, each microfluidic device of the plurality of microfluidic devices comprising an actuator configured to cause a displacement of a corresponding portion of the flexible substrate to which the microfluidic device is attached. The wearable device further includes a control module electrically coupled to the plurality of microfluidic devices, the control module configured to govern operation of the plurality of microfluidic devices, and a fluid reservoir configured to store a supply of fluid. The wearable device also includes a set of fluidic connectors coupling the fluid reservoir to the plurality of microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A self-calibrating scanning system and method provides a novel way to eliminate errors in scanning systems, such as lidar or radar detection, using an inertial measurement unit. The system includes an energy transmission source configured to transmit an energy signal through a transmittal area. A detector receives a return energy signal of at least one target object of the energy transmitter source within the transmittal area. The system calculates at least one of the range and position of an object from information relating to at least one of the time and phase of the return energy signal relative to the transmittal energy signal. The spatial or angular displacement of the detector relative to the light source is measured using data from the inertial measurement unit, and at least one of calculated range and position of the object is adjusted based on the spatial or angular displacement of the detector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for haptic feedback are provided. A microfluidic device includes an inlet port for supplying a fluid into the microfluidic device. A tube receives the fluid from the inlet port. The microfluidic device includes a piezoelectric actuator for realizing a displacement of a substrate to which the microfluidic device is attached, the displacement based on an electrical actuation applied to the piezoelectric actuator, and an amount of the fluid or a pressure in the tube. In some embodiments, the tube includes a carbon nanotube. In some embodiments, an amount of the fluid in the tube is controlled by an actuator (e.g., the piezoelectric actuator).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for haptic feedback are provided. A microfluidic device includes an inlet port for supplying a fluid into the microfluidic device. A tube receives the fluid from the inlet port. The microfluidic device includes a piezoelectric actuator for realizing a displacement of a substrate to which the microfluidic device is attached, the displacement based on an electrical actuation applied to the piezoelectric actuator, and an amount of the fluid or a pressure in the tube. In some embodiments, the tube includes a carbon nanotube. In some embodiments, an amount of the fluid in the tube is controlled by an actuator (e.g., the piezoelectric actuator).

Abstract: Electrical connector assemblies mountable on a tire of a wheel of a vehicle are described. An electrical connector assembly may include one or more electrical conductors, a respective electrical conductor extending from an inside surface of the tire to an outside surface of the tire. Tire assemblies including at least partially embedded electrical connector assemblies and wheel assemblies including such tire assemblies are also described.

Abstract: Electrical connector assemblies mountable on a tire of a wheel of a vehicle are described. An electrical connector assembly may include one or more electrical conductors, a respective electrical conductor extending from an inside surface of the tire to an outside surface of the tire. Tire assemblies including at least partially embedded electrical connector assemblies and wheel assemblies including such tire assemblies are also described.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein include methods and devices for the evaluation of sub-cellular and molecular structures of cells and particles. In one aspect, a microfluidic device includes: (i) a sensor positioned adjacent to a microfluidic channel for detecting particles flowing through the microfluidic channel and (ii) a transmission line positioned adjacent to the sensor for receiving electromagnetic signals from the sensor.