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 filtration system for a tank includes a filter housing, at least a portion of which is disposed in a tank and in fluidic communication with a dielectric fluid within the tank; at least one filtration element, disposed within the filter housing; and a fluid pump, at least a portion of which is disposed within the filter housing and immersed in the dielectric fluid, the fluid pump in fluidic communication with the at least one filtration element.

Abstract: Gradient permittivity films are described. In particular, gradient permittivity films that include a first continuous matrix of a first component having a first relative permittivity and a second component disposed within the continuous matrix having a second relative permittivity. The first permittivity is greater than the second permittivity for at least one wavelength between 20 GHz and 300 GHz. Such films may be useful in improving the signal to noise ratio for transmitting and receiving units behind a protective cover.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method can comprise: providing a tool that has a first portion that comprises a first material and a second portion that comprises a second material, wherein the second material differs from the first material and the tool is subject to a magnetic field, and wherein the first material and the second material are provided such that the magnetic field is relatively stronger at and adjacent the first portion relative to the magnetic field at and adjacent the second portion; positioning a surface adjacent to the tool so as to be subject to the magnetic field; and disposing magnetizable abrasive particles on the surface, wherein the magnetizable abrasive particles are attracted to an area on the surface adjacent the first portion where the magnetic field is relatively stronger so as to provide for at least one of a desired orientation, placement and alignment of a majority of the magnetizable abrasive particles on the surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of making an abrasive layer on a backing is disclosed. The method can comprise: providing a distribution tool having a dispensing surface with cavities, providing a backing having a first major surface, supplying magnetizable abrasive particles to the dispensing surface such that at least one of the magnetizable abrasive particles is disposed in a respective one of the cavities, applying a magnetic field to retain the magnetizable abrasive particles disposed in the cavities, aligning the backing with the dispensing surface with the first major surface facing the dispensing surface, transferring the magnetizable abrasive particles from the cavities to the backing, sequent to or simultaneous with transferring the abrasive particles, removing or changing a magnetic field so the magnetic field no longer retains the magnetizable abrasive particles in the cavities.

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: A method of applying magnetizable particles onto an adherent web includes several steps. Step a) provides a magnetizable particle coating apparatus comprising a downward sloping dispensing surface at least partially disposed within an applied magnetic field. Step b) disposes an adherent web between upper and lower magnetic members and beneath the downward sloping dispensing surface, wherein the web comprises a backing having a curable binder precursor layer disposed on a major surface thereof. Step c) disposes magnetizable particles onto at least a portion of the downward sloping dispensing surface within the applied magnetic field, and subsequently disposed onto the curable binder precursor layer while the adherent web is advanced from an upweb position to a downweb position. Step d) at least partially cures the curable binder precursor layer to fix the orientations of the magnetizable particles.

Abstract: A magnetic shielding film includes opposing first and second major surfaces and a plurality of particles dispersed therebetween, each particle having a magnetic permeability, a thickness H along a thickness direction of the particle, and a longest dimension L along a length direction of the particle orthogonal to the thickness direction, L/H greater than or equal to 2, the particles defining a plurality of voids therebetween, the length directions of at least 60% of the particles oriented within 5.5 degrees of a same orientation direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic coupling device. The ultrasonic coupling device includes a foam having an aperture; a hydrogel wherein the hydrogel has a water content of at least 10 wt %, wherein at least part of the hydrogel locates in the aperture of the foam; and a near field communication device.

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: 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: 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 magnetic shielding film includes opposing first and second major surfaces and a plurality of particles dispersed therebetween, each particle having a magnetic permeability, a thickness H along a thickness direction of the particle, and a longest dimension L along a length direction of the particle orthogonal to the thickness direction, L/H greater than or equal to 2, the particles defining a plurality of voids therebetween, the length directions of at least 60% of the particles oriented within 5.5 degrees of a same orientation direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods of path-based mapping and routing are provided. Translation information and absolute information of mobile objects in environments are determined based on a fusion of sensing data from a radar and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) including a gyroscope and an accelerometer, from which path-based maps and optimal routes can be generated.

Abstract: A method of making an optical film for control of light includes positioning a first mixture on a substrate, wherein the first mixture includes a first plurality of magnetizable particles dispersed in a first resin, assembling the first plurality of magnetizable particles into a desired structure for the control of the light by rotating modulation of at least a first magnetic field relative to the first plurality of magnetizable particles, and vitrifying the first resin while the first plurality of magnetizable particles are in the desired structure.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.