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: 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 microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smart wheel implementations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a smart wheel system includes: a first plurality of modules attached to a circumferential surface of a wheel, wherein the first plurality of modules are interconnected with one another in a ring configuration that spans along the circumferential surface of the wheel, wherein the first plurality of modules includes: at least one energy harvesting (EH) module comprising at least one EH component configured to convert a force acting on the at least one EH component into at least one electrical signal; and at least one dummy cavity module comprising at least one electronic module, wherein the at least one EH module and the at least one dummy cavity module are each electrically coupled to an electrical interface coupled to the wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smart wheel implementations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a smart wheel system includes: a first plurality of modules attached to a circumferential surface of a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first plurality of modules includes: at least one energy harvesting (EH) module comprising at least one EH component configured to convert a force acting on the at least one EH device into at least one electrical signals; and at least one electronic module, wherein the at least one EH module and the at least one electronic module are each electrically coupled to an electrical interface coupled to the wheel.

Abstract: A device including a magnetoresistance sensor for detecting a magnetic field from an ear cavity is disclosed. Methods for detecting a magnetic field from an ear cavity with a magnetoresistance sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: This application relates generally to sensor systems and, more particularly, relates to systems and methods for management of smart wheel sensors that collect actionable sensor data from a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel. In certain embodiments, a system includes a vehicle body; a rotatable component configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body; an energy harvesting component disposed along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein the energy harvesting component is configured to generate electric power based on a force to the rotatable component; a sensor configured to produce sensor data by using the electric power while disposed on the rotatable component; and at least one processor disposed within the vehicle body, the at least one processor configured to perform an action within the vehicle body based on a parameter value meeting a threshold value, wherein the parameter value is based on the sensor data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing a tire parameter from a rotating wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes: a rotatable component configured to rotate; a piezoelectric transducer disposed along a circumference of the rotatable component, where the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an offload voltage based on a mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric transducer; and at least one processor in communication with the piezoelectric transducer, the at least one processor configured to determine a temperature value based on the offload voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a monitor configured to be coupled to multiple sensors over time to monitor one or more physiological characteristics of one or more patients. A first sensor of the multiple sensors includes a sensor memory, and the monitor is configured to transfer information to the first sensor for storage in the sensor memory of the first sensor. The information includes information related to one or more sensors of the multiple sensors that were coupled to the monitor prior to the first sensor.

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: 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 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: A system includes a monitor configured to be coupled to multiple sensors over time to monitor one or more physiological characteristics of one or more patients, and including an information collection system configured to store in a database unique sensor identifying information and information related to plural uses of the same sensor.

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: 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.