Abstract: A monitoring system has integrated exit signs, which preferably have electroluminescent elements. The signs connect to internal wiring of a building, but local power sources can provide emergency power if building power is lost. Controllers on the signs communicate with a central workstation using building wiring and/or wireless communication. The controllers have one or more automated features for monitoring operation of the exit signs and the surrounding environment. These automated components, including an intensity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a temperature sensor, a smoke detector, a camera, a speaker, a microphone, a motion detector, an RFID detector, and the like. Because the signs are widely distributed throughout the building, operators can get detailed information of the building environment, security, fire, smoke, temperature, etc. The exit signs can store this information locally and can communicate useful information using a communication link to the central workstation.

Abstract: Nanoparticle inks and powders are sintered using an applied mechanical energy, such as uniaxial pressure, hydrostatic pressure, and ultrasonic energy, which may also include applying a sheer force to the inks or powders in order to make the resultant film or line conductive.

Abstract: Graphite aluminum composites for use in thermal management applications, such as heat sinks, are manufactured using pressure molds. The materials may be mixed previous to insertion into the mold, or can be mixed within the mold. Further, graphitic particles, such as graphitic needle coke surfaces, can be coated with the aluminum before the mold process is performed. Further, ceramic sheets can be inserted into the mixture before the mold process is performed so that the molded material can then be sliced to provide a carbon aluminum composite plate with a ceramic sheet on one of its surfaces.

Abstract: Optical analysis system fluidically self-assembled using shape-coded freestanding optoelectronic components and a template having shape-coded recessed binding sites connected by an embedded interconnect network. Also includes methods of manufacture and use for optical analyses.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a carbon-containing matrix. The carbon-containing matrix may comprise at least one type of carbon material selected from the group comprising graphite crystalline carbon materials, carbon powder, and artificial graphite powder. In addition, the carbon-containing matrix comprises a plurality of pores. The article of manufacture also comprises a metal component comprising Al, alloys of Al, or combinations thereof. The metal component is disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of pores. Further, the article of manufacture comprises an additive comprising at least Si. At least a portion of the additive is disposed in an interface between the metal component within the pores and the carbon-containing matrix. The additive enhances phonon coupling and propagation at the interface.

Abstract: A self-assembly process is disclosed for integrating free standing microcomponents onto a template having a plurality of binding sites, an interconnect network, and trapping structures disposed downstream of the binding sites. The self-assembly is accomplished by flowing a fluid medium containing the microcomponents over the template such that some of the microcomponents are trapped at binding sites. The template may be simultaneously (or subsequently) heated to melt a binder such as a solder spot at each of the binding sites, and then cooled to connect the trapped microcomponents to the interconnect network. In one embodiment, removable blocking elements are disposed upstream of some of the binding sites, for example formed from photoresist. After assembling a first set of microcomponents, the blocking elements are removed, and a second set of microcomponents in a fluid medium are flowed over the template for assembly into the newly unblocked binding sites.

Abstract: Devices having features deposited on two sides of a device substrate and methods for making the same. The devices are useful, for example, as the components in a macroelectronic system. In a preferred embodiment, the devices are photosensors having a plurality of electrodes patterned on a first side of the device and an electromagnetic interference filter patterned on a second side of the device. The method facilitates the fabrication of two-sided devices through the use of an immobilizing layer deposited on top of devices patterned on a first side of a device substrate; flipping the device substrate; processing the second side of the device substrate to produce patterned features on the second side of the device substrate; and releasing the devices having patterned elements on two sides of each device.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preventing motion sickness from afflicting a passenger in a moving vehicle which includes a means for capturing and substantially simultaneously displaying video images collected from a frontal view to a passenger having an obstructed view of the environment in front of the moving vehicle. The system, method and apparatus includes cropping/zooming the video images displayed to the passenger in order to create a view for the passenger in order to prevent motion sickness from afflicting the passenger.

Abstract: Optical analysis system fluidically self-assembled using shape-coded freestanding optoelectronic components and a template having shape-coded recessed binding sites connected by an embedded interconnect network. Also includes methods of manufacture and use for optical analyses.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a thermally-conductive fluid barrier having first and second surfaces, at least one first type of foam element placed in thermally-conductive contact with the first surface of the thermally-conductive fluid barrier and having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and at least one second type of foam element placed in thermally-conductive contact with the second surface of the thermally-conductive fluid barrier and having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The first coefficient of thermal expansion of the first type of foam element and the second coefficient of thermal expansion of the second type of foam element are substantially different.

Abstract: A self-assembly process is disclosed for integrating free standing microcomponents onto a template having a plurality of binding sites, an interconnect network, and trapping structures disposed downstream of the binding sites. The self-assembly is accomplished by flowing a fluid medium containing the microcomponents over the template such that some of the microcomponents are trapped at binding sites. The template may be simultaneously (or subsequently) heated to melt a binder such as a solder spot at each of the binding sites, and then cooled to connect the trapped microcomponents to the interconnect network. In one embodiment, removable blocking elements are disposed upstream of some of the binding sites, for example formed from photoresist. After assembling a first set of microcomponents, the blocking elements are removed, and a second set of microcomponents in a fluid medium are flowed over the template for assembly into the newly unblocked binding sites.

Abstract: A motion sickness reduction device includes an image capture device for capturing an image device environment and an image display device for displaying image related to the captured image. In order to effectively prevent or reduce motion sickness, the right amount of motion must be displayed on the image display device when the vehicle accelerates or turns. Various methods are disclosed for adjusting the image on the display device and/or the angle of the environment subtended to make the motion sickness reduction device effective.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for enabling a passenger in a moving vehicle to read text or view an image while avoiding or reducing the symptoms of motion sickness, by providing the passenger a view of the text or image simultaneously with a view of external stationary reference points. The methods, apparatuses, and systems, in some embodiments, include the use of a transparent medium which can display text or images. Other embodiments include a video camera capturing video images and substantially simultaneously displaying such images together with text or images on a means of display.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preventing motion sickness from afflicting a passenger in a moving vehicle which includes a means for capturing and substantially simultaneously displaying video images collected from a frontal view to a passenger having an obstructed view of the environment in front of the moving vehicle. The system, method and apparatus includes cropping/zooming the video images displayed to the passenger in order to create a view for the passenger in order to prevent motion sickness from afflicting the passenger.

Abstract: An electrically isolated rotor assembly for a cassette assembly of a circuit breaker includes a rotor having a first side and an opposing second side, a first isolation cap disposed on the first side, a second isolation cap disposed on the second side. Each isolation cap preferably includes a centrally located knob with a bushing surrounding each knob, wherein the bushings are sized for securement within apertures within first and second cassette half pieces.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, an operating mechanism, and a cassette. The cassette includes a separable current path having a movable contact arm, two arc receptors each disposed for receiving an electrical arc in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition, and two slot motors each disposed proximate the movable contact arm for magnetically driving the movable contact arm to a blown open position in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition. The slot motors each have two side legs opposing each other and defining a space therebetween for receiving the movable contact arm, each side leg having a magnetic core and an insulative layer and being biased toward the interior of the side walls of the cassette, wherein each side leg is restrained from being magnetically attracted toward the movable contact arm during a short circuit condition.

Abstract: A multipole cassette assembly having a center pole cassette assembly includes a first side and a second side, a first outer pole cassette assembly having a first side and a second side, a first spacer interlocking receptacle positioned on one of the first side of the center pole cassette assembly and the second side of the first outer pole cassette assembly, and a first interlocking spacer positioned on one of the first side of the center pole cassette assembly and the second side of the first outer pole cassette assembly, wherein the first interlocking spacer is engaged with the first spacer interlocking receptacle. A method for maintaining spacing between poles of the multipole cassette assembly includes providing an interlocking spacer on the first cassette assembly, providing an interlocking receptacle on a second cassette assembly, and engaging the interlocking spacer with the interlocking receptacle.

Abstract: Rekeying in an authentication system including an authenticated data processing system and an authenticating data processing system is provided by the authenticating data processing system detecting failure of an authentication of the authenticated data processing system with a current public key associated with the authenticated data processing system and automatically updating the current public key associated with the authenticated data processing system with an updated public key responsive to detecting failure of an authentication of the authenticated data processing system with the current public key. Automatic rekeying of a client in a server-side authentication system is provided. Automatic rekeying may occur upon detection by the client that server authentication has failed. The automatic rekeying may include requesting an updated key from a server.

Abstract: An electrically isolated rotor assembly for a cassette assembly of a circuit breaker includes a rotor having a first side and an opposing second side, a first isolation cap disposed on the first side, a second isolation cap disposed on the second side. Each isolation cap preferably includes a centrally located knob with a bushing surrounding each knob, wherein the bushings are sized for securement within apertures within first and second cassette half pieces.

Abstract: A multipole cassette assembly having a center pole cassette assembly includes a first side and a second side, a first outer pole cassette assembly having a first side and a second side, a first spacer interlocking receptacle positioned on one of the first side of the center pole cassette assembly and the second side of the first outer pole cassette assembly, and a first interlocking spacer positioned on one of the first side of the center pole cassette assembly and the second side of the first outer pole cassette assembly, wherein the first interlocking spacer is engaged with the first spacer interlocking receptacle. A method for maintaining spacing between poles of the multipole cassette assembly includes providing an interlocking spacer on the first cassette assembly, providing an interlocking receptacle on a second cassette assembly, and engaging the interlocking spacer with the interlocking receptacle.