Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure an unburned fuel component in an exhaust stream from a gas-fueled combustion device. The system includes a feedback controller configured to generate a combustion management signal responsive to the measured unburned fuel component and to a target value for the measured unburned fuel component. The system includes a combustion controller configured to regulate an aspect of a combustion component delivered to a burner of the gas-fueled combustion device in response to the combustion management signal. In an embodiment, the system includes a user interface configured to display a quality of combustion information responsive to the measured unburned fuel component in a human perceivable format.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure an unburned fuel component in an exhaust stream generated by a gas-fueled combustion device. The system includes a combustion analysis circuit configured to generate a quality of combustion information responsive to the measured unburned fuel component. The system includes a user interface configured to display the quality of combustion information in a human perceivable format. In an embodiment, the system includes a combustion component controller configured to regulate an aspect of a combustion component delivered to the gas-fueled combustion device in response to the combustion management selection entered by a human user.

Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.

Abstract: A method for scanning an individual with a security device includes providing a scanner, engaging the scanner in a first scanning mode to produce an initial scan of the individual with a controller, producing an initial representation based on the initial scan, determining a property of a second scanning mode based on information from the initial representation, and engaging the scanner in the second scanning mode to produce a second scan of the individual.

Abstract: A traceable cement mixture includes a volume of cementitious material and a taggant disposed within the volume of cementitious material. The taggant includes data relating to a characteristic of the volume of cementitious material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and mechanisms for measuring small masses attached to a substrate within a microcantilever. Specifically, the disclosure describes the measurement of small particles accumulated at a substrate that cannot be flowed through a microchannel within a microcantilever. A resonance measurement is acquired at a first time. A pair resonance measurements is then acquired at a second point in time—one with the test mass at a first position off or along the microcantilever, the second with the test mass at a second position along the microcantilever. Comparing the resonance frequencies determined for the two test mass positions allows for disambiguation of changes in the mass of the particles from changes in the resonant behavior of the microcantilever itself.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: A method of controlling a Casimir-effect device includes applying a voltage to a field-effect gate of the Casimir-effect device. The Casimir-effect device includes a conducting material and a semiconductor. The conducting material and semiconductor are separated by a gap to form the field-effect gate over at least a portion of the semiconductor facing the gap. The method further includes altering, in response to the applied voltage, a density of free charge carriers in the portion of the semiconductor facing the gap to control a nanoscale Casimir force between the conducting material and the portion of the semiconductor facing the gap.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and mechanisms for measuring small masses attached to a substrate within a microcantilever. Specifically, the disclosure describes the measurement of small particles accumulated at a substrate that cannot be flowed through a microchannel within a microcantilever. A resonance measurement is acquired at a first time. A pair resonance measurements is then acquired at a second point in time—one with the test mass at a first position off or along the microcantilever, the second with the test mass at a second position along the microcantilever. Comparing the resonance frequencies determined for the two test mass positions allows for disambiguation of changes in the mass of the particles from changes in the resonant behavior of the microcantilever itself.

Abstract: A kinetic penetrator includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end, a nose coupled to the first end of the tubular body, the nose configured to penetrate a ground surface and subsurface materials of a subterranean ground volume, a retrieval system including a tether, a collector coupled to at least one of the nose and the tubular body, and a sample compartment configured to interface with the collector. The sample compartment is releasably coupled to at least one of the tubular body, the nose, and the collector, and the tether is coupled to the sample compartment and is configured to facilitate removal thereof from the subterranean ground volume.

Abstract: A method for scanning an individual with a security device includes providing a scanner, engaging the scanner in a first scanning mode to produce an initial scan of the individual with a controller, producing an initial representation based on the initial scan, determining a property of a second scanning mode based on information from the initial representation, and engaging the scanner in the second scanning mode to produce a second scan of the individual.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a number of passive and active defense designs and methods that enable a wind turbine to escape high wind events. The disclosure includes descriptions of multiple designs and methods for lowering the elevated portion of a wind turbine. Other embodiments of the invention concern ways to connect the elevated portion of a wind turbine to the tower. Numerous counterweight systems are also disclosed which enable the lowering of the elevated portion of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method of transporting liquefied breathing gases in underground mines includes providing a conduit system that extends within a mine shaft to a work space below ground where the conduit system includes an outlet positioned in the work space, delivering liquefied breathing gases through the conduit system, and vaporizing the liquefied breathing gases at the outlet of the conduit system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.

Abstract: Data in a portable electronic device is protected by using external and internal status detection means to determine if the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen. The device then takes, singly or in combination, one of several actions to protect the data on the device, including declaring its location to an owner or service provider, locking the device or specific functions of the device to disable all data retrieval functionality, erasing or overwriting all the stored data in the device or, where the data has been stored in the device in an encrypted format, destroying an internally-stored encryption key, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the encrypted data in the device.

Abstract: Touch sensor gesture recognition for operation of mobile devices. An embodiment of a mobile device includes a touch sensor for the detection of gestures, the touch sensor including multiple sensor elements, and a processor, the processor to interpret the gestures detected by the touch sensor, where the mobile device divides the plurality of sensor elements into multiple zones, and the mobile device interprets the gestures based at least in part on which of the zones detects the gesture.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable primary boring tool, a secondary boring tool and a sensor. The steerable primary boring tool is configured to excavate a primary bore. The secondary boring tool is configured to excavate a plurality of side bores that extend outward from the primary bore at a plurality of azimuthal locations around the primary bore. The sensor is configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent each of the side bores.