Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite constellation includes, but is not limited to, an array of satellites that each include a satellite imaging system including at least: at least one first imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a first field of view; at least one second imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a second field of view that is proximate to and that is larger than a size of the first field of view; and a hub processing unit linked to the at least one first imaging unit and the at least one second imaging unit.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

Abstract: A fuel tank includes a port and an open-cell foam. The open-cell foam is configured to retain a liquid fuel by an interfacial surface tension between the open-cell foam and the liquid fuel. The open-cell foam is configured to selectively release the liquid fuel when a surfactant is applied to the open-cell foam to reduce the interfacial surface tension between the open-cell foam and the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A germination facility includes a seedling growing system configured to grow a plurality of seedlings; and a seedling sorting device configured to receive spatially variable planting data regarding a planting area for planting the seedlings; receive seedling data regarding the plurality of seedlings; and arrange the plurality of seedlings in a planting container based on the seedling data and on the planting data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-testing archival memory devices are described. The memory device includes a data storage component capable of being coded with data. The memory device further includes a read-write mechanism configured to read, write, and delete data stored on the data storage component. The memory device includes a read-write controller configured to control the read-write mechanism based on input received through a device interface of the memory device, wherein the device interface of the memory device is configured to connect to an external computing device. The memory device further includes a diagnostic controller configured to perform a test on at least one of the data stored on the data storage component, the data storage component, and the read-write mechanism. The memory device includes a power source configured to provide operational power to the diagnostic controller when the memory device is not connected to an external power source.

Abstract: A device and methods are disclosed herein for fluid removal during wound treatment or for removal or dialysis of components from blood or tissue. A device is disclosed that includes a multilayer membrane including a plurality of layers; an electroactive polymer within each layer; and a controller operably connected to sequentially activate the electroactive polymer to alter one or more sizes of the plurality of the variably-sized pores within one or more layers of the multilayer membrane. A device is disclosed that includes a multilayer membrane including a plurality of layers; an actuator operably attached to the plurality of layers of the multilayer membrane; and a controller operably activating the actuator to alter a relative lateral position of the two or more layers of the multilayer membrane to align two or more of the plurality of pores within the plurality of layers of the multilayer membrane.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include accepting input of a request for a particular image of a scene that is larger than the particular image, transmitting the request for the particular image to an image sensor array that includes more than one image sensor and that is configured to capture the scene and retain a subset of the scene that includes the request for the particular image of the scene, receiving only the particular image from the image sensor array, wherein the particular image represents a subset of the scene, and wherein a size characteristic of the particular image is at least partially based on a property of a requestor, and presenting the received particular image to the requestor. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: A microwave heating element includes a microwave antenna configured to absorb power from a microwave field in a microwave oven, a housing having a first end coupled to the microwave antenna and a second end configured to be inserted into an item to be heated, and a transmission line positioned within the housing, the transmission line having an end coupled to the microwave antenna. The transmission line is configured to spatially distribute the power absorbed from the microwave field into the item to be heated at a location between the first end and the second end of the housing.

Abstract: A tree harvester includes a body and a harvesting system coupled to the body. The tree harvester further includes a control system coupled to the body. The control system is configured to receive data from the harvesting system regarding a characteristic of a harvested tree and control operation of the harvesting system based on the data. The harvesting system is configured to remove an intermediate portion of the harvested tree below a tree crown and graft the tree crown to a tree stump.

Abstract: A semiconductor-transistor-based system and device that are designed to, but are not limited to: electronically outputting electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted-user-menu-selection display associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted collection of user-physiological information, associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted collection of user-conduct information, and associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted obtaining of food-based information. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A lightweight transport vessel transports compressed natural gas underwater without needing to liquefy the gas for transport.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include capturing a scene that includes one or more images, through use of an array of more than one image sensor, selecting a particular portion of the scene that includes at least one image, wherein the selected particular portion is smaller than the scene, transmitting only the selected particular portion from the scene to a remote location, and de-emphasizing pixels from the scene that are not part of the selected particular portion of the scene. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a real-time system, method, and apparatus. A system includes an incoming object sensor configured to be worn by a human and to acquire data indicative of a trajectory of an incoming projectile. The system includes a warning device configured to be worn by the human and to provide a notification to the human. The system includes a processing circuit configured to (i) receive the data indicative of a trajectory of the incoming projectile; (ii) predict a spatial relationship of the trajectory of the incoming projectile relative to the human; and (iii) initiate a notification by the warning device suggesting a movement by the human to evade the incoming projectile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes a sensor system configured to monitor the target zone, detect one or more inhabitants present within the zone, and identify an alpha person from the one or more inhabitants. Once the alpha person is identified, a measurement sensor measures a skin parameter from the identified alpha person and generates a sensor signal communicating the measured skin parameter to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the sensor signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the measured skin parameter from the alpha person.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a machine-vision enabled fundoscope for retinal analysis includes, but is not limited to, an optical lens arrangement; an image sensor positioned with the optical lens arrangement and configured to convert detected light to retinal image data; computer readable memory; at least one communication interface; and an image processor communicably linked to the image sensor, the computer readable memory, and the at least one communication interface, the image processor programmed to execute operations including at least: obtain the retinal image data from the image sensor; generate output data based on analysis of the retinal image data, the output data requiring less bandwidth for transmission than the retinal image data; and transmit the output data via the at least one communication interface.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes an occupancy sensor configured to monitor the target zone and determine a number of inhabitants present within the zone. The occupancy sensor generates an occupancy signal communicating the number of detected inhabitants to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the occupancy signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the number of inhabitants present in the zone.

Abstract: A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.