Abstract: A processing technique for creating nanowires and hierarchically porous micro/nano structures of ceramic materials is provided. The process includes evaporation of micron-sized water droplets containing dissolved organic salts on heated substrates followed by thermal decomposition of the deposited material. The micron-sized droplets may be generated by supercritical CO2 assisted nebulization, in which high-pressure streams of aqueous solution and supercritical CO2 are mixed, followed by controlled depressurization through a fine capillary. Rapid evaporation takes place on the heated substrates and structures are generated due to CO2 effervescence from the droplets and evaporation of water, along with the pinning of the three phase contact line. Depending on the mass deposited, a mesh of nano-wires or membrane-like structures may result. Sintering of the membrane-like scaffolds above the decomposition temperature of the organic salt creates nanopores within the structures, creating a dual hierarchy of pores.

Abstract: A processing technique for creating nanowires and hierarchically porous micro/nano structures of ceramic materials is provided. The process includes evaporation of micron-sized water droplets containing dissolved organic salts on heated substrates followed by thermal decomposition of the deposited material. The micron-sized droplets may be generated by supercritical CO2 assisted nebulization, in which high-pressure streams of aqueous solution and supercritical CO2 are mixed, followed by controlled depressurization through a fine capillary. Rapid evaporation takes place on the heated substrates and structures are generated due to CO2 effervescence from the droplets and evaporation of water, along with the pinning of the three phase contact line. Depending on the mass deposited, a mesh of nano-wires or membrane-like structures may result. Sintering of the membrane-like scaffolds above the decomposition temperature of the organic salt creates nanopores within the structures, creating a dual hierarchy of pores.

Abstract: A processing technique for creating nanowires and hierarchically porous micro/nano structures of ceramic materials is provided. The process includes evaporation of micron-sized water droplets containing dissolved organic salts on heated substrates followed by thermal decomposition of the deposited material. The micron-sized droplets may be generated by supercritical CO2 assisted nebulization, in which high-pressure streams of aqueous solution and supercritical CO2 are mixed, followed by controlled depressurization through a fine capillary. Rapid evaporation takes place on the heated substrates and structures are generated due to CO2 effervescence from the droplets and evaporation of water, along with the pinning of the three phase contact line. Depending on the mass deposited, a mesh of nano-wires or membrane-like structures may result. Sintering of the membrane-like scaffolds above the decomposition temperature of the organic salt creates nanopores within the structures, creating a dual hierarchy of pores.

Abstract: An automated consumable dispenser with a precision method for delivering consumable ingredients in specific proportions to a container up to a specified volume. This method involves the use of a system of sensors and a micro-microprocessor, which detects, digitizes and develops a three dimensional rendering of the container, calculates the container volume and dispenses specific amounts of consumable ingredients. A user is able to pick the level in the vessel to which the consumable ingredients should be dispensed and displays the selected desired level. The embodiments described include an automated dispenser capable of dispensing beverages and food items, either separately or together.

Abstract: An automated consumable dispenser with a precision method for delivering consumable ingredients in specific proportions to a container up to a specified volume. This method involves the use of a system of sensors and a micro-microprocessor, which detects, digitizes and develops a three dimensional rendering of the container, calculates the container volume and dispenses specific amounts of consumable ingredients. A user is able to pick the level in the vessel to which the consumable ingredients should be dispensed and displays the selected desired level. The embodiments described include an automated dispenser capable of dispensing beverages and food items, either separately or together.

Abstract: A blind aid device designed for non-verbal communication between a blind person and a companion includes a body-worn sensor system to be worn by the companion, a body-worn actuation system to be worn by the blind person and a wireless communication link between the body-worn sensor system and the wearable body-worn actuation system. The body-worn sensor system includes a gyroscope configured to detect and record a velocity of tilting and turning head movements of the companion, an accelerometer configured to detect and record an extent of the tilting head movements of the companion, and a magnetic compass sensor configured to detect and record an extent of the turning head movement of the companion. The wearable body-worn actuation system includes an array of control electronics and actuators configured to translate electronic signals transmitted from the body-worn sensor system into physical movements, in real time.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a first and a second guide rails. The exercise apparatus further has a first and a second handle, the first handle being mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail while the second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further has a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward, and a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: An improved processing technique that can be used to collect nanoparticles produced by the RESS process. The collection efficiency by almost an order of magnitude compared to the traditional collection processes. One process does not utilize any stabilizing solid co-solvents but produces similar effects using the supercritical solvent itself (e.g. CO2) as a stabilizing phase. Very small particles (diameter <10 nm) with uniform size distribution and particulate suspensions thereof may be produced.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for capturing, using a camera, an image of a general writing surface. The captured image is compared with one or more previously saved images. A related image is determined based upon syntax and semantics of handwriting recognized in the captured image and the one or more previously saved images. A previous document associated with the related image is retrieved and set as the active document. A position of a writing instrument is mapped to a position within the previous document.

Abstract: A processing technique for creating nanowires and hierarchically porous micro/nano structures of ceramic materials is provided. The process includes evaporation of micron-sized water droplets containing dissolved organic salts on heated substrates followed by thermal decomposition of the deposited material. The micron-sized droplets may be generated by supercritical CO2 assisted nebulization, in which high-pressure streams of aqueous solution and supercritical CO2 are mixed, followed by controlled depressurization through a fine capillary. Rapid evaporation takes place on the heated substrates and structures are generated due to CO2 effervescence from the droplets and evaporation of water, along with the pinning of the three phase contact line. Depending on the mass deposited, a mesh of nano-wires or membrane-like structures may result. Sintering of the membrane-like scaffolds above the decomposition temperature of the organic salt creates nanopores within the structures, creating a dual hierarchy of pores.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fluid harvesting and surface cleaning. A fluid harvesting device comprises a harvester having a hydrophobic surface and a collection device, adjacent the harvester, which receives fluid from the surface of the harvester.

Abstract: A blind aid device designed for non-verbal communication between a blind person and a companion includes a body-worn sensor system to be worn by the companion, a body-worn actuation system to be worn by the blind person and a wireless communication link between the body-worn sensor system and the wearable body-worn actuation system. The body-worn sensor system includes a gyroscope configured to detect and record a velocity of tilting and turning head movements of the companion, an accelerometer configured to detect and record an extent of the tilting head movements of the companion, and a magnetic compass sensor configured to detect and record an extent of the turning head movement of the companion. The wearable body-worn actuation system includes an array of control electronics and actuators configured to translate electronic signals transmitted from the body-worn sensor system into physical movements, in real time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer readable media, for determining, using a pressure sensor, pressure data comprising a pressure indication and a time indication. A first mood is determined based upon the pressure data and one or more songs are selected based upon the determined first mood. A playlist is modified based upon the selected one or more songs, wherein the modified playlist comprises the selected one or more songs and the modified playlist is played. Song data, based upon the modified playlist, is wirelessly transmitted to a remote device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for capturing, using a camera, an image of a general writing surface. The captured image is compared with one or more previously saved images. A related image is determined based upon syntax and semantics of handwriting recognized in the captured image and the one or more previously saved images. A previous document associated with the related image is retrieved and set as the active document. A position of a writing instrument is mapped to a position within the previous document.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for implementing circular replication among nodes. In a representative example, a plurality of nodes are arranged in a circular replication configuration. Each of the nodes has a logfile indicating storage of a plurality of entries, where each of the nodes receives the entries from a plurality of external devices. The entries received by a respective one of the nodes are replicated in the remaining ones of the nodes via circular replication.

Abstract: An integrated electromechanical disc drive system for creating nanoscale patterns comprises a spinning disc coated with a liquid or solid film and at least one flying integrated write head, said write head being attached to a pivoted swing arm and comprising a heating tip locally exerting heat when a current is driven through it; and at least one electrically conductive electrode tip which functions as an electrostatic atomic force tip capable of exerting an electric field between the tip and the disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering solvent free marking material to a receiver is provided. A printhead includes a discharge device having an inlet and an outlet with a portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A material selection device has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet of the material selection device being connected in fluid communication to the inlet of the discharge device. The inlet of the material selection device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: The invention relates a wire grid polarizer that includes a micropatterned substrate having channels. An electrically conductive material is disposed on the micropatterned substrate in strips having a width of 10 to 20 nm and oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a nanostructured pattern on a substrate. The steps include providing a substrate and coating the substrate with functional material to form a layer of functional material. A block copolymer of at least an A polymer chain and a B polymer chain is coated on the functional material to forma a layer. The block copolymer is dried to form ordered nanodomains. The A polymer chain of the dried block copolymer is removed to form voids and the functional material is then removed from where the A polymer chain has been removed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanoscale particulate material is described comprising: (i) combining one or more functional material to be precipitated as nanoscale particles and one or more surface active material in a compressed CO2 phase with a density of at least 0.1 g/cc, where the functional material is substantially insoluble in the compressed CO2 in the absence of the surfactant, the surfactant comprises a compressed CO2-philic portion and a functional material-philic portion, and the compressed CO2 phase, functional material and surfactant interact to form an aggregated system having a continuous compressed CO2 phase and a plurality of aggregates comprising surfactant and functional material molecules of average diameter less than 10 nanometers dispersed therein; and (ii) rapidly depressurizing the compressed CO2 phase thereby precipitating the dispersed functional and surfactant materials in the form of composite particles of average diameter from 0.5 to less than 10 nanometers.