Abstract: A two-step process is provided for forming large photonic single crystals of about 0.1 millimeter and greater via DNA coated colloidal particles. The two-step process generally include decoupling the nucleation and growth steps. In particular, DNA colloidal particles are partitioned in nanoliter droplets formed in a water in oil emulsion using microfluidics. Once a crystal nucleates within a droplet, depletion of particles occurs as the crystal grows inhibit formation of more crystals within the droplet. A small number of droplets containing these seed crystals are then mixed with droplets containing weak DNA coated colloidal particles. The emulsion is then broken and heated at a temperature effective to cause dissociation of the weak particles while the seeds remain stable. The system is further cooled at a temperature effective that the particles stably adhere to the seed crystals resulting in growth while inhibiting nucleation of new crystals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.

Abstract: A facility for causing the refill of prescriptions is described. The facility conducts a conversational exchange with a person. From the exchange, the facility discerns (1) an intent of refilling a prescription, and (2) an identification of a prescription to be fulfilled. In response to this discerning, the facility causes a pharmacy refill order to be placed on behalf of the person for the identified prescription.

Abstract: A wireless proximity detection system employs short-range wireless communication to detect the proximity of a user device within a strictly defined wireless zone and as a result trigger a desired action. The proximity detection system may utilize one or more leaky feeders to define the wireless zone and the associated received signal strength(s) detected by the user's wireless device. Alternatively, a compact planar antenna structure coupled with a highly shielded radio transceiver is used to allow a similar precise low-power radio beam to be emitted defining a small location to enable identification of a wireless device such as a smartphone in a given area in front of the device. The planar antenna structure allows a compact and low-cost fabrication method and the use of common printed circuit fabrication methods provide an integrated solution.

Abstract: A just in time personal information sharing system employs short-range wireless communication to detect the presence of a user and identify them prior to sharing the user's information. The user stores personally identifying information within their user device and controls which parties it may be shared with. Subsequently when a user is detected within a location using a wireless terminal, the user's presence is verified using a biometric profile, and if confirmed, then the user's personally identifying information is shared with the other transacting party for temporary use in completing a desired transaction. In this manner, no transacting party is required to maintain user information, and in addition, a user controls their own information and its sharing without the need for arduous user input to facilitate the same.

Abstract: A wireless proximity detection system employs short-range wireless communication to detect the proximity of a user device within a strictly defined wireless zone and as a result trigger a desired action. The proximity detection system may utilize one or more leaky feeders to define the wireless zone and the associated received signal strength(s) detected by the user's wireless device. Alternatively, a compact planar antenna structure coupled with a highly shielded radio transceiver is used to allow a similar precise low-power radio beam to be emitted defining a small location to enable identification of a wireless device such as a smartphone in a given area in front of the device. The planar antenna structure allows a compact and low-cost fabrication method and the use of common printed circuit fabrication methods provide an integrated solution.

Abstract: A wireless device system employs short-range wireless communication to require the local biometric authentication of a user prior to completing a desired transaction. In order to achieve this authentication, a mobile device connects to a local terminal and provides, along with the identifying information, a confirmed biometric profile of the user. At the time the transaction is to be completed, the terminal, which is equipped with a biometric sensor such as a camera, seeks to confirm that the user in the defined zone seeking to make the transaction matches the biometric profile submitted by the user's device. In this manner, the biometric verification is performed entirely by the terminal, independent of the user's phone, and without the need to connect to a centralized (and thus remote) server.

Abstract: A wireless device system employs short-range wireless communication to require the proximity of a user device to a defined area prior to communicating a request or notification to the wireless user device. The system authenticates a request and the proximity of the user to or within the defined area prior to transmitting a command, request, or notification to the user or a third party. Additionally, the system uses an access node configured to shape the radiation pattern of short-range wireless communications to better determine the position of a user proximate in or around a defined area.

Abstract: A wireless proximity detection system employs short-range wireless communication implementing circular polarization to detect the proximity of a user device within a strictly defined wireless zone, regardless of its orientation and location on the user, and as a result trigger a desired action. The proximity detection system may utilize one or more patch antennas to define the wireless zone and the associated received signal strength(s) detected by the user's wireless device, as well as a distance-measuring device. A beacon may be utilized to prepare the user's mobile phone for detection as well as other antennas for coordination with the primary short-range antenna. The novel antenna structure allows a compact and low-cost fabrication method and the use of common printed circuit fabrication methods provide an integrated solution.

Abstract: An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

Abstract: An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

Abstract: An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming an item in a mould using a casting process, typically a counter gravity casting system. Heating assembly, transfer assembly and mould filling assembly can be used in combination. The transfer assembly includes apparatus and method for removing sedimentation from the liquid metal and/or metal alloy received from the heating assembly and extracting the same prior to the metal and/or metal alloy reaching the mould filling assembly at which the same is supplied to fill a cavity of a mould and which, once filled, can be slid to a location to cool and thereby make available the mould filling assembly for the next mould to be filled. This apparatus and method provide an efficient, high throughput system, along with high quality cast items.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.

Abstract: A device can communicate with a set of devices to obtain input data from a set of data sources. The device can process the input data to determine a state of a first job, of a plurality of jobs, based on the state of the vehicle and the state of the operator of the vehicle. The device can determine, based on the state of the first job, a plurality of estimated times of arrival of the vehicle at two or more downstream jobs, of the plurality of jobs, occurring after the first job. The device can determine, based on the plurality of estimated times of arrival, a set of alerts or a set of response actions relating to the plurality of estimated times of arrival of the vehicle. The device can communicate with at least one customer device to provide the alert or implement the response action.

Abstract: A snubbing jack including a jack assembly including a base plate, a traveling plate, an axis extending through the base plate and the traveling plate, and a plurality of piston-cylinder assemblies, a rotary drive including a rotary base and a hub, wherein the rotary drive is configured to rotate the hub relative to the rotary base, a clamp coupled to the rotary base and configured to grip a first tubular member, a power tongs coupled to the rotary base and configured to grip a second tubular member and to rotate the second tubular relative to the rotary base, and a torque transfer device coupled between the rotary drive and the jack assembly and configured to allow the rotary drive to move axially relative to the base plate and configured to restrict rotation of the rotary drive relative to the jack assembly.

Abstract: An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

Abstract: In some examples, an aircraft comprises a motorized module. The motorized module comprises a motor and a first coil. The motor is to operate equipment onboard the aircraft and generates vibrations during operation. The first coil is operable to wirelessly transmit power to a separate module onboard the aircraft based on electromagnetic induction between the first coil and a second coil in a separate module, and wirelessly transfer data with the separate module via the second coil based on the electromagnetic induction, the data being associated with the motor. A gap separates the motorized module and the separate module. The gap isolates the separate module from the vibrations.

Abstract: Efficient distributed indexing of clumpy data is disclosed. For example, a plurality of data stores store a plurality of data objects, where a plurality of data references to each of the plurality of data objects is recorded on a distributed index and an index manager executes a processor to temporarily partition a namespace of the plurality of data references into a plurality of temporary partitions. A respective count of data references in each temporary partition is computed. A trend line approximating a distribution of data references is calculated based on the respective counts. A cumulative representation of the distribution of the respective counts is calculated based on the trend line. The namespace is repartitioned based on the cumulative representation resulting in a repartitioned namespace, where the distributed index is divided into index segments based on the repartitioned namespace.