Abstract: A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.

Abstract: A pedicle screw includes a tulip head, a rod seat, a screw shank, and a retainer collar. The tulip head has an upper opening disposed in a top end of the tulip head and a lower opening disposed in a bottom end of the tulip head opposite the upper opening. The upper and lower openings form a single cavity extending through the tulip head from a top end to the bottom end. The rod seat is disposed within the cavity of the tulip head and engages a stop extending inwardly from an interior wall of the cavity. The screw shank has a thread disposed along a length of the screw shank and a connector positioned at an upper end. The retainer collar has a pass through aperture, an expansion slit, and is disposed about the connector of the screw shank. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

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: Pulling eyes are provided with integrated wiring systems suitable for installing conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may include body portions that define interior cavities that are sized to snugly engage outside portions of the conductors or cables. The body portions are sized to be deformably crimped onto the outside portions of the conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may also include head portions joined to the body portions, with the head portions defining apertures for receiving a strength member for installing the conductors or cables. These apertures place the interior cavities in communication with the exteriors of the pulling eyes.

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: The invention is a utility belt used to alert vehicles and pedestrians to the presence of a cyclist through a built-in LED lighting device. Another function of the safety utility belt is to alert vehicles and pedestrians of the direction the cyclist intends to turn by the use of built-in LED turn signal indicators. The utility belt is composed of a shock resistant, water resistant, silicone rubber belt. The electronics associated with this belt are encased within the silicon rubber belt to protect the electronics from shock and weather conditions. The cyclist has complete control over the brightness and alternating frequency or speed of the warning lights. This allows the cyclist to adjust to various traffic conditions. The cyclist can control whether the LED warning lights will be flashing or non-flashing. This adjustment allows the cyclist to use the non-flashing lights when cycling with other cyclists, therefore not interfering with the vision of other cyclists.

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: 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 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: There are disclosed embodiments of screws for use in orthopedic surgery, particularly in pediatric patients. In some embodiments, inner and outer implantable members are provided, with the outer implantable member threadable on the inner implantable member to provide compression on two or more bone parts. In some embodiments, screw members are provided with a threaded shaft, and the thread continues into the head of the screw member to enable the thread to remain in pediatric bone.

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: A system and method for planning and configuring the components of a modular computing system is provided. In some embodiments, the method for planning an implementation of a modular computing system comprises presenting a user interface at a display device, the user interface including a plurality of user-selectable objects, each of the user-selectable objects representing a component of the modular computing system. A user selection is received via a user input device. The user selection is from among the user-selectable objects and specifies one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component of the modular computing system. A representation of the specified one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component is displayed at a display device. The user selection is verified with respect to an implementation guideline. An indicator of whether the user selection meets the implementation guideline is displayed at the display device.

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: 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.