Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Abstract: Sediment-control fences designed to withstand hydrostatic forces associated with elevated backwater against the fence are disclosed. The fences are made of anisotropic fabric having different mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness in the machine direction versus the transverse direction. The anisotropic fabric may include fibrillated yarns in one direction and monofilaments in another direction. The sediment-control fences may be used without the necessity of wire or chain-link backed supports that are conventionally used to resist structural failure due to hydraulic overtopping of the fences.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (23) includes a first part (24), a second part (25), and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20) including a total of four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that the second part (25) is movable towards or away from the first part (24) along a primary axis (z), and the second part (25) is movable relative to the first part (24) along a first axis (x) and/or a second axis (y). The first and second axes (x, y) are perpendicular to the primary axis (z) and the second axis (y) is different to the first axis (x).

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux;—a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part;—a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths into

Abstract: A sheath for an oximetry device includes a top and a body where the top opens to provide an opening where the oximetry device can be placed into the body of the sheath. The top of the sheath can be closed onto the body and the closure of the top can be verified by circuits in the oximetry device. The circuits can monitor the position of a latch that is connected to the top of the sheath. The circuits can determine when the latch is unlatched and the top is open and not sealed closed to the body. And, the circuits can determine when the latch is latched and the top is closed and sealed to the body.

Abstract: A radiative cooling composition comprises a first component having >55% reflectance in a wavelength range of 0.2 to 2.5 ?m and a second component having >0.85 peak thermal emissivity for at least one wavelength in a range of 4-35 ?m. A third pigmented component of the composition is configured to emit at least a fraction of absorbed energy, and in certain embodiments the pigmented component comprises at least one phosphor.

Abstract: A router node comprises a link discovery module, a security module, a secure access module and storage. The link discovery module discovers a link to an adjacent router node and receives its first loopback address. The link discovery module creates a first tunnel between the security module in the router node and the first loopback address. The security module receives a second loopback address for the second router node, and creates a second tunnel. The security module repeats the discovering, receiving and creating steps for each router node adjacent to the first router node. The storage separately stores a link discovery routing table which comprises information relating to the links between the router node and each adjacent router note; a security routing table which stores the unique first loopback address; and a secure access routing table which stores the unique second loopback address.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, methods, regimens, and kits for improving the appearance of the skin by applying acetyl trifluoromethylphenyl valylglycine and at least one peeling agent to the skin.

Abstract: A gas separation system has system input inlet configured to receive a stream mixture including a target gas, one or more spray generators positioned to spray a non-sprayable liquid to change a concentration of the target gas in the non-sprayable liquid, one or more system outlets positioned to outlet an output material, wherein at least one of the system outlets outputs a material having a lower amount of the target gas than the input stream mixture, and a recirculating path connected to the one or more outputs and the input inlet to allow recirculation of the non-sprayable liquid. A method of performing gas separation includes absorbing a target gas from an input stream in a non-sprayable capture liquid, and releasing the target gas in an output gas stream by spraying the non-sprayable capture liquid into a heated volume using a spray generator.

Abstract: Sediment-control fences designed to withstand hydrostatic forces associated with elevated backwater against the fence are disclosed. The fences are made of anisotropic fabric having different mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness in the machine direction versus the transverse direction. The anisotropic fabric may include fibrillated yarns in one direction and monofilaments in another direction. The sediment-control fences may be used without the necessity of wire or chain-link backed supports that are conventionally used to resist structural failure due to hydraulic overtopping of the fences.

Abstract: A radiative cooling composition comprises a first component having >55% reflectance in a wavelength range of 0.2 to 2.5 ?m and a second component having >0.85 peak thermal emissivity for at least one wavelength in a range of 4-35 ?m. A third pigmented component of the composition is configured to emit at least a fraction of absorbed energy, and in certain embodiments the pigmented component comprises at least one phosphor.

Abstract: A reduced throughput maintenance mode for adaptively managing input/output (I/O) operations within a resilient group of storage nodes. A first storage node in a resilient group of storage nodes is classified as operating in a normal throughput mode, and a second storage node in the resilient group is classified as operating in a reduced throughput mode. While the second node is classified as operating in the reduced throughput mode, read and write I/O operations are queued for the resilient group. The read I/O operation is prioritized for assignment to the first node, so as to reduce I/O load on the second node while it operates in the reduced throughput mode. The write I/O operation is queued to the second node, so as to maintain synchronization of the second node with the resilient group while it operates in the reduced throughput mode.

Abstract: A system for modifying pH in an aqueous environment comprises an aqueous salt solution feed stream having a first pH and an electrochemical device positioned proximate an aqueous restoration area. The electrochemical device is configured to receive the feed stream and convert the feed stream to an acid stream and a base stream having respective predetermined pH values. A first effluent stream comprises the base stream, wherein the first effluent stream has a second pH that is higher than the first pH. The first effluent stream is delivered proximate the aqueous restoration area. A second effluent stream comprises the acid stream, wherein the second effluent stream has a third pH that is lower than the second pH.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens assembly supported on a support structure, wherein the lens assembly includes an autofocus actuator arrangement and the camera assembly includes an optical image stabilization assembly arranged to move the lens assembly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A flexible printed circuit tape connected between the support structure and the lens assembly and providing an electrical connection to the auto-focus actuator arrangement is bent around a corner, thereby allowing the flexible printed circuit tape to accommodate the motion of the lens assembly perpendicular to the optical axis. A crimp plate connected to the lens assembly which crimps shape memory alloy wires has features extending out of the plane of the crimp plate for reducing flexibility. At least part of the optical image stabilization assembly overlaps the lens assembly in the direction along the optical axis, thereby reducing the height of the camera assembly.

Abstract: A multizone equipment tracking solution includes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to items of inventoried equipment; a plurality of RFID readers deployed in a plurality of different zones, including a transit zone and a storage zone, wherein an RFID reader in a transit zone comprises a mobile reader and a wireless signal strength measurement component; and a monitoring node. The RFID readers read tag codes from items that are in the different zones, and report the information to the monitoring node, permitting a real-time, end-to-end view of inventoried equipment across different zones. The RFID reader in the transit zone also measures a wireless signal strength (e.g., cellular) along a transit route and reports the measurements, thereby reducing a need for dedicated monitoring efforts by the wireless network operator. Reported data, may be advantageously mined to provide value for inventory management, while also providing cost savings for wireless network management.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus comprising: a support structure; a movable element; a helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable element on the support structure and arranged to guide helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure along a helical path around a helical axis; an actuating mechanism configured to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement; and a loading arrangement configured to exert a biasing force on the movable element in a direction that is at least substantially normal to the helical path over an operating range of the helical movement.

Abstract: Cheek risers for rifles have a shell configured to closely receive at least a portion of the tapered butt, the shell defining a stud aperture configured to receive the stud when the shell closely receives the butt, and an adjustable cheek rest connected to the shell and operable for vertical position adjustment with respect to the shell. The stud aperture may be circular. The stud aperture may be configured to closely receive a sling stud. The shell may have an upper portion and a lower portion selectably and removably connected to each other. The upper portion and lower portion may be unitary and connected via a live hinge. The upper portion and lower portion may include a separable hinge interface on one side, and a connection facility on an opposed side. The separable hinge interface may include a pin element and a hook element configured to engage the pin element.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens assembly supported on a support structure, wherein the lens assembly includes an autofocus actuator arrangement and the camera assembly includes an optical image stabilization assembly arranged to move the lens assembly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A flexible printed circuit tape connected between the support structure and the lens assembly and providing an electrical connection to the auto-focus actuator arrangement is bent around a corner, thereby allowing the flexible printed circuit tape to accommodate the motion of the lens assembly perpendicular to the optical axis. A crimp plate connected to the lens assembly which crimps shape memory alloy wires has features extending out of the plane of the crimp plate for reducing flexibility. At least part of the optical image stabilization assembly overlaps the lens assembly in the direction along the optical axis, thereby reducing the height of the camera assembly.