Abstract: One example includes a method for making a switch. The method includes forming an insulating layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a resistive heating material over the insulating layer. The method also includes depositing a thermally conductive electrically insulating barrier layer over the heating material. The method also includes forming a phase-change material (PCM) component over the barrier layer spaced apart and proximal to the resistive heating material. The method also includes forming a quench layer proximal to at least one of the resistive heating material and the PCM component. The method further includes forming conductive lines from ends of the PCM component and control lines from ends of the resistive heating material.

Abstract: A smoke detection system for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The smoke detection system includes a detection module and a reporting module. The detection module, while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service: receives a sensor signal from a smoke detector; compares data included in the sensor signal to smoke characteristic or smoke pattern data; based on the comparison, determines whether an occupant of the vehicle is smoking; and generates an alert signal if the occupant is smoking. The reporting module at least one of: based on the alert signal, visually or audibly provides a warning to the occupant to stop smoking; transmits the alert signal to a mobile device of the occupant to indicate that a smoking event has been detected; or transmits the alert signal to a network device of a service provider to report the smoking event.

Abstract: A system for authorizing temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, the system includes a processor and a memory device. The system also includes a SRWC module configured to communicate with the mobile computing device; and a CNG module being in communication with the SRWC module, the CNG module includes a NAD, configured to communicate with one or more remote entities over a wireless carrier system; a GPS module, configured to generate vehicle position information and communicate that position data to the one or more remote entities; a CGM, configured to monitor and control incoming communications from the SRWC module, NAD, and GPS module. The CGM further configured to establish communications across a CAN; and a CMS, configured to encrypt the communications established by CGM as well as store the communications in the memory device.

Abstract: A superconducting structure is provided that comprises a first superconducting device coupled to a second superconducting device employing a plurality of superconducting bump bond structures. Each of the plurality of superconducting bump bond structures comprise a first normal metal layer disposed on the top surface of a given one of a plurality of first contact pads, a second normal metal layer disposed on the top surface of a given one of a plurality of second contact pads, and a superconducting metal layer disposed between the first normal metal layer and the second normal metal layer. The metal thicknesses of each of the first normal metal layer, the second normal metal layer, and the specific material of the superconducting metal and normal metal are selected to inhibit the transfer of heat between the first superconducting device and the second superconducting device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a first ground plane associated with a first set of circuits that have a first operational temperature requirement, and a second ground plane associated with a second set of circuits that have a second operational temperature requirement that is higher than the first operational temperature requirement. The second ground plane is substantially thermally isolated from the first ground plane. A superconducting coupler electrically couples the first ground plane and the second ground plane while maintaining relative thermal isolation between the first ground plane and the second ground plane.

Abstract: A drawer system including: a drawer cabinet and a drawer mounted in said cabinet for forward and backward travel relative thereto; a power supply socket mounted in said drawer or said cabinet for providing power to the interior of said drawer at all positions between open and closed, the power supply socket including a pair of electrical conductors in electrical communication with a pair of contact means, said pair of contact means including a first contact half on or secured to said cabinet and a complementary second contact half on or secured to said drawer for movement therewith, said power supply socket being in electrical communication with said second contact half for electrical current can flow from said first contact half to said second contact half at all positions of the drawer between open and closed, the first half being in electrical communication with a power supply.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a phase-change material switch. The switch includes a first terminal that receives an input signal and a second terminal. The switch includes an actuation portion that receives a control signal in one of a first state to emit a first heat profile and a second state to emit a second heat profile. The switch further includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material arranged as a plurality of longitudinal strips that each interconnect the first terminal and the second terminal and that are each in proximity with the actuation portion. The phase-change material can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to block the input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal.

Abstract: A towing mirror including: a mount adapted to be mounted to a vehicle cabin; an extension component including a first member or portion extending from said mount and a second member operatively connected to said first member or portion for movement relative thereto from a retracted position to an extended position; and a mirror component operatively connected to said second member for pivoting movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially in the intended direction of travel of the vehicle cabin to which the mirror is to be mounted.

Abstract: Systems and devices for cooling and dispensing a beverage fluid are disclosed herein. One beverage dispensing system includes a beverage tower comprising a tower body, a shank, and a faucet. In some implementations, a coolant line is routed proximal to a beverage supply line through the tower body, through the shank, and into the faucet. In these and other implementations, the faucet includes a removable nozzle having a supplemental portion of the coolant line. In these and still other implementations, the faucet include a removable nozzle having a second coolant line. The coolant line and the second coolant line are configured to transport a coolant medium proximal to a beverage fluid in the beverage supply line to maintain or adjust the temperature of the beverage fluid. Many other features are described herein.

Abstract: Electrolytic Etching/Deposition System. A system for continuous circuit fabrication comprising means for storing and dispensing the substrate, means for laminating the substrate, means for printing the substrate, means for optical inspection of the substrate, means for photolithography of the substrate, means for drying the substrate, means for developing the substrate, means for washing the substrate and means for electroplating the substrate.

Abstract: A smoke detection system for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The smoke detection system includes a detection module and a reporting module. The detection module, while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service: receives a sensor signal from a smoke detector; compares data included in the sensor signal to smoke characteristic or smoke pattern data; based on the comparison, determines whether an occupant of the vehicle is smoking; and generates an alert signal if the occupant is smoking. The reporting module at least one of: based on the alert signal, visually or audibly provides a warning to the occupant to stop smoking; transmits the alert signal to a mobile device of the occupant to indicate that a smoking event has been detected; or transmits the alert signal to a network device of a service provider to report the smoking event.

Abstract: A tunable antenna structure including a substrate and at least one radiating element configured on the substrate. The antenna structure further includes a plurality of nanomaterial-based phase changing material (PCM) switches configured in the radiating element so that current flowing through the radiating element passes through the PCM switches. The antenna structure also includes a heating device, such as a laser or a resistive heater, configured relative to the PCM switches and being operable to selectively heat the PCM switches to switch the PCM switches between an on crystalline state and an off amorphous state, where once the heat is removed, the PCM switch remains in the particular state.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a thermal sink layer, a first ground plane associated with a first set of circuits that have a first operational temperature requirement, and a first thermally conductive via that couples the first ground plane to the thermal sink layer. The circuit further comprises a second ground plane associated with a second set of circuits that have a second operational temperature requirement that is higher than the first operational temperature requirement, and a second thermally conductive via that couples the second ground plane to the thermal sink layer, wherein the first thermally conductive via has a greater volume of thermal conductive material than the second thermally conductive via to remove heat from the first set of circuits with less gradient than the second set of circuits.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a first ground plane associated with a first set of circuits that have a first operational temperature requirement, and a second ground plane associated with a second set of circuits that have a second operational temperature requirement that is higher than the first operational temperature requirement. The second ground plane is substantially thermally isolated from the first ground plane. A superconducting coupler electrically couples the first ground plane and the second ground plane while maintaining relative thermal isolation between the first ground plane and the second ground plane.

Abstract: A system for authorizing temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, the system includes a processor and a memory device. The system also includes a SRWC module configured to communicate with the mobile computing device; and a CNG module being in communication with the SRWC module, the CNG module includes a NAD, configured to communicate with one or more remote entities over a wireless carrier system; a GPS module, configured to generate vehicle position information and communicate that position data to the one or more remote entities; a CGM, configured to monitor and control incoming communications from the SRWC module, NAD, and GPS module. The CGM further configured to establish communications across a CAN; and a CMS, configured to encrypt the communications established by CGM as well as store the communications in the memory device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a thermal sink layer, a first ground plane associated with a first set of circuits that have a first operational temperature requirement, and a first thermally conductive via that couples the first ground plane to the thermal sink layer. The circuit further comprises a second ground plane associated with a second set of circuits that have a second operational temperature requirement that is higher than the first operational temperature requirement, and a second thermally conductive via that couples the second ground plane to the thermal sink layer, wherein the first thermally conductive via has a greater volume of thermal conductive material than the second thermally conductive via to remove heat from the first set of circuits with less gradient than the second set of circuits.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a thermal sink layer, a first ground plane associated with a first set of circuits that have a first operational temperature requirement, and a first thermally conductive via that couples the first ground plane to the thermal sink layer. The circuit further comprises a second ground plane associated with a second set of circuits that have a second operational temperature requirement that is higher than the first operational temperature requirement, and a second thermally conductive via that couples the second ground plane to the thermal sink layer, wherein the first thermally conductive via has a greater volume of thermal conductive material than the second thermally conductive via to remove heat from the first set of circuits with less gradient than the second set of circuits.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a reconfigurable circuit comprising a phase-change material switch. The phase-change material switch includes an actuation portion configured to receive a control signal having one of a first state and a second state and to emit a first heat profile in response to the first state of the control signal and a second heat profile in response to the second state of the control signal. The phase-change material switch also includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material in proximity with the actuation portion. The switch portion can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from an input to an output of the phase-change material switch and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to substantially block the input signal from the input to the output.

Abstract: A heat shield for a thrust bearing assembly of a pump. The heat shield includes a member having an inner surface and an outer surface. A raised flange is formed on a perimeter of the inner surface. The raised flange is configured to seal with a back surface of a thrust shoe holder, and form a cavity between the inner surface and the back surface of the thrust shoe holder. At least one weep hole is on the flange. The weep hole is configured to allow water to enter the cavity to form an insulating stagnant water layer.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a key fob for use in a car sharing vehicle access system, including the steps of: authenticating the key fob for use with a specific vehicle; receiving a key fob activation command; obtaining an authorization to control, using the vehicle commands, at least some vehicle functions on the vehicle; in response to obtaining the authorization, enabling transmissions of any one or more of the vehicle commands from the key fob; receiving a user input requesting that one of the vehicle commands be sent to the vehicle; sending the requested one of the vehicle commands to the vehicle; and subsequently removing the authorization such that the key fob is disabled from further controlling the vehicle functions.