Abstract: A method for producing an experimental output satisfying an objective includes conducting an experimental execution process including applying a selection criterion to select an approach to determining a set of parameters for a set of experiments, and determining a first set of parameters for a first experiment according to the selected approach based on one or more of (i) a predicted relationship between a set of parameters and a characteristic of a corresponding experimental output, (ii) the measured characteristic of a second experimental output from a second experiment executed according to a second set of parameters, (iii) the objective, and (iv) a parameter selection rule.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing convolutional computations using an optical system. In some aspects computations for a neural network are performed in a digital domain using electronic circuitry, the neural network including a convolutional layer. Input data for the convolutional layer of the neural network is obtained, and a convolution or correlation computation on the input data in an analog domain using an optical correlator module is performed to generate an optical correlator module output. Based on the optical correlator module output, data is processed through additional layers of the neural network in the digital domain using the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder to support an indenter relative to a sample, a depth sensor, and a controller. The operations include applying a first force on the sample with the indenter and determining a first depth of the indenter based on data generated by the sensor, moving the indenter from the first depth to a greater predetermined depth, then applying the first force on the sample with the indenter and determining a second depth of the indenter based on second data generated by the sensor, and determining a value indicative of hardness of the sample based on a difference between the first depth and the second depth. The apparatuses described can use a single scale for hardness that enables hardness values for different materials to be compared to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder to support an indenter relative to a sample of material, a depth sensor, and a controller to execute instructions for performing operations. The operations include controlling the holder to apply a first force on the sample with the indenter and determining a first depth of the indenter based on first data generated by the depth sensor, controlling the holder to move the indenter from the first depth to a predetermined depth greater than the first depth, after the indenter is moved to the predetermined depth, controlling the holder to apply the first force on the sample with the indenter and determining a second depth of the indenter based on second data generated by the depth sensor, and determining a value indicative of hardness of the sample based on a difference between the first depth and the second depth.

Abstract: A vacuum deposition system includes a vacuum deposition chamber having multiple regions defined therein; a carousel disposed in the vacuum deposition chamber, the carousel configured to hold multiple substrates, the carousel rotatable around a central spindle; a deposition source positioned to deposit material onto a substrate located in a deposition region of the vacuum deposition chamber; and multiple heating elements disposed in the vacuum deposition chamber in a fixed position relative to the central spindle, each heating element being controllable separately from each other heating element, wherein each heating element is positioned to apply heat to a corresponding region of the vacuum deposition chamber.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a fluid flow characteristic of an ambient fluid and modifying fluid flow of the ambient fluid, the method including: applying a first voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space; applying a second voltage between the first electrode and a third electrode, the second voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the second space; measuring a first current between the first and second electrodes, and a second current between the first and third electrodes; determining a fluid flow characteristic of the ambient fluid; and applying a third voltage between the first and second electrodes, the third voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space sufficient to modify fluid flow of the ambient fluid in the first direction in the first space.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes receiving, by one or more processing devices configured to control a traffic signal at an intersection of roads, camera data providing images of the intersection, the processing devices being located proximate to the intersection, using one or more local machine learning models to identify objects at the intersection and paths of the objects based on the camera data, providing traffic data generated from outputs of the one or more local machine learning models to a remote traffic planning system over a network, receiving, from the remote traffic planning system, a remote instruction for the traffic signal determined using one or more remote machine learning models, and providing a control instruction to the traffic signal at the intersection that is determined based on (i) the remote instruction from the remote traffic planning system, and (ii) a local instruction generated by the processing devices.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a fluid flow characteristic of an ambient fluid and modifying fluid flow of the ambient fluid, the method including: applying a first voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space; applying a second voltage between the first electrode and a third electrode, the second voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the second space; measuring a first current between the first and second electrodes, and a second current between the first and third electrodes; determining a fluid flow characteristic of the ambient fluid; and applying a third voltage between the first and second electrodes, the third voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space sufficient to modify fluid flow of the ambient fluid in the first direction in the first space.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer apparatus is disclosed and includes a housing. A static portion is substantially immobilized within the housing and includes a magnetic flux generator for generating magnetic flux, a pair of pole pieces for coupling magnetic flux through at least one of a first magnetic circuit and a second magnetic circuit, and a coil disposed to electromagnetically interact with one of the magnetic circuits. The static portion is thermally coupled to the housing via a low thermal resistance path to permit removal of heat. A movable portion includes first and second closing pieces separated from the pole pieces by first and second gaps. The closing pieces are mechanically coupled and supported for reciprocating motion about an equilibrium position which varies the gaps to cause a variation in magnetic reluctance in each of the first and second magnetic circuits.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes receiving, by one or more processing devices configured to control a traffic signal at an intersection of roads, camera data providing images of the intersection, the processing devices being located proximate to the intersection, using one or more local machine learning models to identify objects at the intersection and paths of the objects based on the camera data, providing traffic data generated from outputs of the one or more local machine learning models to a remote traffic planning system over a network, receiving, from the remote traffic planning system, a remote instruction for the traffic signal determined using one or more remote machine learning models, and providing a control instruction to the traffic signal at the intersection that is determined based on (i) the remote instruction from the remote traffic planning system, and (ii) a local instruction generated by the processing devices.

Abstract: A system is configured to remotely determine characteristics of a local operating environment of an outdoor condenser unit. The system includes a detector configured to sample power consumption of the condenser unit to obtain a sampled power consumption time series. An analyzer receives the sampled time series of the detector and determines characteristics of a local operating environment of the condenser unit from the power consumption time series. The analyzer generates an output that includes information about the local operating environment.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer apparatus is disclosed and includes a housing. A static portion is substantially immobilized within the housing and includes a magnetic flux generator for generating magnetic flux, a pair of pole pieces for coupling magnetic flux through at least one of a first magnetic circuit and a second magnetic circuit, and a coil disposed to electromagnetically interact with one of the magnetic circuits. The static portion is thermally coupled to the housing via a low thermal resistance path to permit removal of heat. A movable portion includes first and second closing pieces separated from the pole pieces by first and second gaps. The closing pieces are mechanically coupled and supported for reciprocating motion about an equilibrium position which varies the gaps to cause a variation in magnetic reluctance in each of the first and second magnetic circuits.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the power consumption of a thermostat-controlled cycling appliance includes a detector configured to sample power consumption to obtain a power consumption time series having resolution sufficient to extract power cycle information for one or more individual components of a thermostat-controlled cycling appliance such as a refrigerator. An analyzer extracts the power cycle information from the sampled power consumption time series, compares the power cycle information to stored information of known power cycle characteristics and classifies the technology of one or more thermostat-controlled cycling appliance components based on comparison of the power cycle information to the stored information. The analyzer is further configured to generate an output that indicates the technology.