Abstract: Compositions and methods for the storage, organization, access, and retrieval of information encoded by sequence controlled polymers such as data storage nucleic acids are provided. In some embodiments, organization, storage, and/or selective retrieval of the data is facilitated by hybridization of barcode sequence of the sequence controlled polymer to the reverse complementary sequence of an oligonucleotide. The plurality of oligonucleotides can be arrayed using a known organization scheme, and selectively capture and localize the corresponding sequence controlled polymer. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods utilize recombinant bacteriophage, typically featuring a minigenome having a bacteriophage origin of replication and packaging signal separated from a data storage sequence by barcodes.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: A waveguide is provided. The waveguide having a first core, a second core spaced apart from and parallel with the first core, and a cladding surrounding the first core and the second core. An interstitial portion of the cladding is located between the first core and the second core. A first region of the first core adjacent to the cladding or of the cladding adjacent to the first core is color dyed.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are actuators and methods of making and actuating the same. Such actuators may comprise a body having a cavity, a membrane configured to cooperate with the cavity to form a combustion chamber, an inlet channel in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, an ignitor operable to ignite a combustible gas contained within the combustion chamber, and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The membrane may be configured to move in response to a change in pressure within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are actuators and methods of making and actuating the same. Such actuators may comprise a body having a cavity, a membrane configured to cooperate with the cavity to form a combustion chamber, an inlet channel in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, an ignitor operable to ignite a combustible gas contained within the combustion chamber, and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The membrane may be configured to move in response to a change in pressure within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a method for creating a restriction pattern from a mask material having a strain (?mask) an for mapping elastomeric membrane having a strain (?membrane) into a target 3D shape. The method may include discretizing the target 3D shape into a plurality of radial segments, and a radial strain (?r) is determined for each radial position (r) on each radial segment of the plurality of radial segments. A restriction pattern is determined, wherein the restriction pattern comprises a quantity of mask material for each position r to provide a composite strain (?mask, ?silicone). In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing a first membrane layer into a mold and placing mask material into the first membrane layer according to the determined restriction pattern. The first membrane layer is cured.

Abstract: Provided are sensors and articles of manufacture comprising one or more sensors. Also provided are uses of the sensors. The sensors have an elastomeric foam and one or more light sources and one or more light receivers. In various examples, the light source(s) and light receiver(s) are disposed on and/or disposed in and/or partially disposed in the elastomeric foam.

Abstract: Optical fibers, optical waveguides, optical sensors, and combinations thereof are disclosed. Strains in excess of 100% are permitted while subcentimeter changes in fiber length are detectable. Light intensity changes with changes in fiber or waveguide strain, and the changes are correlatable with other variables. Production of such devices according to some embodiments entails coating of a core with cladding. Core material may be polyurethane whilst cladding material may be silicone, for example.

Abstract: A waveguide is provided. The waveguide having a first core, a second core spaced apart from and parallel with the first core, and a cladding surrounding the first core and the second core. An interstitial portion of the cladding is located between the first core and the second core. A first region of the first core adjacent to the cladding or of the cladding adjacent to the first core is color dyed.

Abstract: By rotationally casting soft robots, no bonding of different material layers is required. Soft robots including one or more integrated enclosed compartments are constructed from fibers that are embedded directly into the mold prior to adding elastomeric precursors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the storage, organization, access, and retrieval of information encoded by sequence controlled polymers such as data storage nucleic acids are provided. In some embodiments, organization, storage, and/or selective retrieval of the data is facilitated by hybridization of barcode sequence of the sequence controlled polymer to the reverse complementary sequence of an oligonucleotide. The plurality of oligonucleotides can be arrayed using a known organization scheme, and selectively capture and localize the corresponding sequence controlled polymer. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods utilize recombinant bacteriophage, typically featuring a minigenome having a bacteriophage origin of replication and packaging signal separated from a data storage sequence by barcodes.

Abstract: This relates to a light guide for a lighting device for a vehicle, including at least one woven flat body and a plurality of optical fibers, which at least partly build the flat body. All or some of the optical fibers comprise at least one coupling section. Each coupling section is disposable or disposed in a socket of the lighting device to receive light from a light source of the lighting device. The optical fibers include at least one light decoupling section being part of at least one illumination section of the woven flat body. The woven flat body and/or the at least one light decoupling section of the optical fibers include at least one reflecting element to decouple light from the optical fibers.

Abstract: Provided are sensors and articles of manufacture comprising one or more sensors. Also provided are uses of the sensors. The sensors have an elastomeric foam and one or more light sources and one or more light receivers. In various examples, the light source(s) and light receiver(s) are disposed on and/or disposed in and/or partially disposed in the elastomeric foam.

Abstract: Printable elastomer materials that are conductive or insulating and that may be printed in three dimensions (3D) for use in applications, including for example fabrication of actuators such as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs).

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a method for creating a restriction pattern from a mask material having a strain (?mask) an for mapping elastomeric membrane having a strain (?membrane) into a target 3D shape. The method may include discretizing the target 3D shape into a plurality of radial segments, and a radial strain (?r) is determined for each radial position (r) on each radial segment of the plurality of radial segments. A restriction pattern is determined, wherein the restriction pattern comprises a quantity of mask material for each position r to provide a composite strain (?mask,?silicone). In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing a first membrane layer into a mold and placing mask material into the first membrane layer according to the determined restriction pattern. The first membrane layer is cured.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: One example of a method includes heating a ground steel part that has been chemical-etched. The method also includes detecting defects caused by grinding and watermarks caused by chemical etching by imaging the steel part with an infrared camera to capture infrared radiation from regions of the steel part that include defects and watermarks. Imaging the steel part can include imaging regions of the steel part at long-wavelengths of infrared radiation to detect defects on the regions of the steel part and generating a first image wherein the defects are visible in the image and the watermarks are not visible in the image.

Abstract: This relates to a light guide for a lighting device for a vehicle, including at least one woven flat body and a plurality of optical fibers, which at least partly build the flat body. All or some of the optical fibers comprise at least one coupling section. Each coupling section is disposable or disposed in a socket of the lighting device to receive light from a light source of the lighting device. The optical fibers include at least one light decoupling section being part of at least one illumination section of the woven flat body.