Abstract: An ultrasonic coupling device. The ultrasonic coupling device includes a hydrogel wherein the hydrogel has a water content of at least 10 wt %; and a near field communication device.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.

Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques of this disclosure may also be used to control the operation of the fall protection equipment based on the connection status.

Abstract: Techniques are described for forming a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave comprising receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a model comprising data specifying a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprises an arrangement of one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric profile that is made up of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the volume elements in the layer, and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the GRIN lens based on the model.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar device, comprises one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant and a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix. The light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle. Each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar device, comprises one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant and a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix. The light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle. Each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure.

Abstract: Gradient permittivity films are described. In particular, gradient permittivity films including a plurality of layers each having a thickness where at least one layer is perforated and has a different air volume fraction from another of the plurality of layers by at least 0.05. Such films may be useful in improving the signal to noise ratio for transmitting and receiving units operating between 20 GHz and 300 GHz behind a protective cover.

Abstract: A tracker device for a first responder including a radio configured to receive a first radio signal from an emitter, and receive a second radio signal from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The second radio signal includes at least one data packet including location information associated with the emitter. Processing circuitry in communication with the radio is configured to determine at least one location parameter associated with the emitter based on the first radio signal and the location information of the at least one data packet of the second radio signal.

Abstract: Embodiments include wireless authentication devices, systems, and methods. A wireless authentication system can include an active wireless communication device including a first memory, first processing circuitry, and a first antenna, the first processing circuitry to produce an identifier request for an identifier (ID) and cause the first antenna to transmit the identifier request, receive the ID in a response to the identifier request, identify, based on the ID and data in the first memory, a location of a second memory to access, and produce an access request for the identified location of the second memory and cause the first antenna to transmit the access request.

Abstract: Radar standing wave dampening systems and components are described. In particular, systems and components including an absorber composite including at least one of ceramic filler, magnetic filler, or conductive filler materials are described. Such components can reduce the intensity of standing waves and may also be combined in systems with one or more gradient permittivity tapes or films.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.

Abstract: A method of making a coated abrasive article includes at least four steps. In step a), a web is provided comprising a backing having a make layer precursor disposed thereon. The web moves along a web path in a downweb direction, and the web has a crossweb direction that is perpendicular to the downweb direction. The make layer precursor comprises a first curable binder precursor; In step b) an applied magnetic field is provided. In step c), a mixture of magnetizable non-magnetizable particles is passed through the applied magnetic field and onto the make layer precursor such that the magnetizable and non-magnetizable particles are predominantly deposited onto the web in a drop zone according to a predetermined order. At least one of the magnetizable particles or the non-magnetizable particles comprises abrasive particles. In step d), the make layer precursor is at least partially cured to provide a make layer.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems (2) of navigating a hazardous environment (8). The system includes personal protective equipment (PPE) (13) and computing device(s) (32) configured to process sensor data from the PPE (13), generate pose data of an agent (10) based on the processed sensor data, and track the pose data as the agent (10) moves through the hazardous environment (8). The PPE (13) may include an inertial measurement device to generate inertial data and a radar device to generate radar data for detecting a presence or arrangement of objects in a visually obscured environment (8). The PPE (13) may include a thermal image capture device to generate thermal image data for detecting and classifying thermal features of the hazardous environment (8). The PPE (13) may include one or more sensors to detect a fiducial marker (21) in a visually obscured environment (8) for identifying features in the visually obscured environment (8).

Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems of navigating a hazardous environment. The system includes personal protective equipment (PPE) and computing device(s) configured to process sensor data from the PPE, generate pose data of an agent based on the processed sensor data, and track the pose data as the agent moves through the hazardous environment. The PPE may include an inertial measurement device to generate inertial data and a radar device to generate radar data for detecting a presence or arrangement of objects in a visually obscured environment. The PPE may include a thermal image capture device to generate thermal image data for detecting and classifying thermal features of the hazardous environment. The PPE may include one or more sensors to detect a fiducial marker in a visually obscured environment for identifying features in the visually obscured environment. In these ways, the systems may more safely navigate the agent through the hazardous environment.

Abstract: A mold for making abrasive particles is presented. The mold includes a surface and a plurality of cavities extending downward from the surface. Each cavity includes a particle shape portion comprising a polygonal shape and a fracture portion coupled to the particle shape portion. The fracture portion is configured to break from the particle shape portion during a stress event, resulting in a fractured shape abrasive particle.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.

Abstract: Coated abrasive articles comprises a backing having a major surface with an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer has an outer major surface comprising ridges separated by valleys, wherein the abrasive layer comprises magnetizable particles and abrasive particles in a binder. Each of the ridges is irregularly shaped and is oriented along at least a portion of its length substantially parallel to adjacent ridges. Methods of making the same involving a modulated magnetic field are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.