Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system. The system incorporates a nozzle in communication with a quantity of feedstock material including granular metal powder particles. The nozzle is configured to deposit the granular metal powder particles on at least one of a build plate or a previously formed material layer, to form at least one layer of a part. The system also incorporates a magnetic field generator subsystem for producing a magnetic field configured to orient the granular metal powder particles in a desired orientation before fusing of the granular metal powder particles occurs.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: A composition includes a polyester urethane. The polyester urethane includes a crosslinker based on diisocyanate and an alternating copolymer resin of polyol and polyacid. The resin has a degree of branching, weight average molecular weight, polydispersity index, and viscosity prior to the crosslinking. The polyester urethane has a microstructure of hard segments and soft segments based on a selected combination of polyol, polyacid, degree of branching, the weight average molecular weight, the polydispersity index, the viscosity, the diisocyanate, the first stoichiometric ratio, and the second stoichiometric ratio. The microstructure provides a predetermined property to the composition selected from a degradation rate in an aqueous environment, release rate of a drug loaded in the polyester urethane in the aqueous environment, solubility of the drug, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A sleeve for a container, such as a water bottle, that is configured in a manner that secures the container or that may be positioned on its side where it functions as a container itself, such as a bowl.

Abstract: Electrostatic chuck (ESC) apparatuses and systems are provided. An ESC may have one or more chucking electrodes and a blocking electrode that surrounds the chucking electrodes. The blocking electrode may reduce non-uniformities in semiconductor processing operations performed with the ESC. In some implementations, the blocking electrode is positioned beneath the chucking electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing robotically-assisted surgery in conjunction with intra-operative imaging. A method includes moving a robotic arm with respect to a patient and an imaging device to move an end effector of the robotic arm to a pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient based on imaging data of the patient obtained by the imaging device. The robotic arm maintains the end effector in the pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient and does not collide with the imaging device or with the patient when the imaging device moves with respect to the patient.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system includes at least one active thermal storage battery and at least one passive thermal storage battery. The at least one active thermal storage battery includes a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a first phase change material disposed within the container and in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. The at least one passive thermal storage battery comprises a plurality of thermal storage cells, individual thermal storage cells comprising a container having an interior volume, and a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: Articulated mechanical connectors and processes for using same. The connector can include a first connector part and a second connector part. The first connector part can include a gimbal table, first and second trunnions disposed on the gimbal table, a first arm, and a stopper assembly. The second connector part can include a second arm. The second arm can include one or more shoulders disposed between a first end and a second end of the second arm. The second arm can be configured to be at least partially disposed within an aperture defined by the first arm such that one of the one or more shoulders can engage with the stopper assembly.

Abstract: A sleeve for a container, such as a water bottle, that is configured in a manner that secures the container or that may be positioned on its side where it functions as a container itself, such as a bowl.

Abstract: A sleeve for a container, such as a water bottle, that is configured in a manner that secures the container or that may be positioned on its side where it functions as a container itself, such as a bowl.

Abstract: A rear view mirror having one motor rotating the viewing angle of the mirror about the vertical axis and one motor rotating the viewing angle of the mirror about the horizontal axis, both motors working in unison to provide a multitude of viewing angles for the user, the motors controlled by user requests by way of manually adjusting a trackball or joystick type controller, creating a safer driving experience by removing the need to have one's hand between the users eyes and the mirror while driving.

Abstract: In one aspect, a charging device includes a plug, a platform defining one or more planar surfaces, a leg having a bottom end coupled to the plug and a top end coupled to the platform with a length measured between the top and bottom ends and a minimum width that is less than one-third of a width of the platform, and one or more chargers. The plug is configured to be received into a receptacle on a wall such that the one or more chargers are in electrical communication with the receptacle, the leg extends between the receptacle and the platform along the wall, and the platform projects outwardly from the wall such that each of the one or more planar surfaces is substantially perpendicular to the wall and the width of the platform is substantially parallel to the wall. Other aspects and features are described.

Abstract: In one aspect, a charging device includes a plug, a platform defining one or more planar surfaces, a leg having a bottom end coupled to the plug and a top end coupled to the platform with a length measured between the top and bottom ends and a minimum width that is less than one-third of a width of the platform, and one or more chargers. The plug is configured to be received into a receptacle on a wall such that the one or more chargers are in electrical communication with the receptacle, the leg extends between the receptacle and the platform along the wall, and the platform projects outwardly from the wall such that each of the one or more planar surfaces is substantially perpendicular to the wall and the width of the platform is substantially parallel to the wall. Other aspects and features are described.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a top member having an outer surface and an inner surface and mounted on the sole. The top member and sole to together define a space for receiving a foot, and the top member further comprises an opening. A fastener is provided in the top member and extends from the opening and continues over the top member such that a portion of the top member is movable between a first position in which the space is substantially closed and a second position in which a portion of the top member is folded back from the sole to provide access to the space, and further comprising areas with controllable expansion to accommodate an ankle or foot brace.

Abstract: An illustrative method includes a data protection system detecting a data corruption event that impacts data stored within a storage element of a storage system, identifying one or more attributes associated with the storage element, and determining, based on the one or more attributes associated with the storage element, a recovery plan for the storage element, the recovery plan specifying one or more operations configured to recover the data stored within the storage element from the data corruption event.

Abstract: Virtual machine server clusters are managed using self-healing and dynamic optimization to achieve closed-loop automation. The technique uses adaptive thresholding to develop actionable quality metrics for benchmarking and anomaly detection. Real-time analytics are used to determine the root cause of KPI violations and to locate impact areas. Self-healing and dynamic optimization rules are able to automatically correct common issues via no-touch automation in which finger-pointing between operations staff is prevalent, resulting in consolidation, flexibility and reduced deployment time.

Abstract: A spring compression system for shoes that functions much like a car's suspension in absorbing the shock and impact that occurs when shoes contact the ground. Wherein form is the most important element of shoes and function is a distant afterthought, the ergonomically poor design of shoes desperately require the healthier environment for the wearer a spring compression system would offer with the additional ability to be adjusted to suit the weight of the wearer as well as the level of shock absorption desired.

Abstract: A process of forming a confectionery product includes heating a confectionery mixture comprising a sweetened milk product and fat while stirring until the confectionery mixture reaches a predetermined consistency. The process also includes forming the confectionery product upon cooling of the confectionery mixture. The confectionery product has a water activity of about 0.59 or greater, has a sugar content of about 87 degrees Brix or less, and has a shelf life of about three months or greater. A confectionery product includes a confectionery mixture. The confectionery product includes a sweetened milk product, butter, cocoa powder, a sweetener, and a preservative. The sweetener is corn syrup, inulin, tapioca syrup, maltodextrin, pear puree, and/or a combination thereof. The confectionery mixture has a water activity of about 0.59 or greater, has a sugar content of about 87 degrees Brix or less, and has a shelf life of about three months or greater.