Abstract: Described embodiments include a battery manager system and a method. The battery manager system includes an asset database that includes records related to at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems and a management criteria respectively assigned to each rechargeable traction battery pack system. The system includes a compliance module configured to evaluate a fraction battery pack status report pertaining to an identified rechargeable traction battery pack system of the at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems (hereafter “the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system”), the evaluation with respect to the management criteria assigned to the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system. The system includes a manager module configured to generate a management instruction responsive to the evaluation of the battery status report. The system includes a communication system configured to communicate with the identified rechargeable traction battery pack system.

Abstract: A nanomechanical resonator includes processing electronics configured to control an actuator to actively control a resonant frequency of a portion of a graphene sheet by applying a variable out-of-plane force to the graphene sheet. The graphene sheet is at least partially suspended from a support structure and has a carbon lattice that substantially defines a plane.

Abstract: A motor vehicle system includes a motor vehicle including an aircraft landing portion, and an actively propelled unmanned aircraft configured to be supported on the aircraft landing portion. The vehicle and aircraft are configured such that the vehicle can provide at least one of fuel and electrical energy to the aircraft while the aircraft is supported on the aircraft landing portion.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine includes a connection to a fuel source, a nozzle which provides an outlet from the fuel injector, a fuel path from the fuel source to the nozzle, a valve between the fuel path and the nozzle, and a gas injection mechanism configured to insert a gas core into the fuel.

Abstract: A mobile device for requesting a capture of an image includes a beacon and a processing circuit. The beacon is configured to communicate with an unmanned camera. The processing circuit is configured to generate a request for the unmanned camera to capture an image of a user of the mobile device, where the request includes a condition that must be met by the image of the user, and send the request, via the beacon, to the unmanned camera.

Abstract: A system for detecting and responding to an intruding camera. The system includes an electronic media display device having a screen configured to display content, a sensor, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to obtain information from the sensor, analyze the information to determine a presence of a camera, and edit any displayed content in response to the presence of the camera.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.

Abstract: A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a detection system configured to acquire data regarding operation of the vehicle, and a robotic driving device configured to provide robotic control of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a control system configured to determine whether the robotic driving device is activated, such that the vehicle is in robotic driving mode; receive a request by a prospective operator of the vehicle to deactivate the robotic driving device to initiate a manual driving mode; determine whether the prospective operator is impaired based on the data; and selectively grant or refuse the request based on the determination.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine includes a connection to a fuel source, a nozzle which provides an outlet from the fuel injector, a fuel path from the fuel source to the nozzle, a valve between the fuel path and the nozzle, and a gas injection mechanism configured to insert a gas core into the fuel.

Abstract: A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.

Abstract: A method of pumping an optical resonator includes directing light generated by a pumping light at the optical resonator, exciting a propagating surface state of the optical resonator at an interface of the optical resonator, and changing a propagating frequency of the light proximate the interface, where the changed frequency corresponds to a propagation frequency of the surface state. The optical resonator includes a photonic crystal and a material, where the interface is formed between the photonic crystal and the material.

Abstract: A system for detecting and responding to an intruding camera. The system includes an electronic media display device having a screen configured to display content, a sensor, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to obtain information from the sensor, analyze the information to determine a presence of a camera, and edit any displayed content in response to the presence of the camera.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: A system for directing a bird away from equipment includes an emitter configured to transmit a beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound. The beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound is configured to frequency down-convert in the atmosphere to produce a specified audible sound for a bird at a selected distance away from the emitter.

Abstract: A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a detection system configured to acquire data regarding operation of the vehicle, and a robotic driving device configured to provide robotic control of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a control system configured to determine whether the robotic driving device is activated, such that the vehicle is in robotic driving mode; receive a request by a prospective operator of the vehicle to deactivate the robotic driving device to initiate a manual driving mode; determine whether the prospective operator is impaired based on the data; and selectively grant or refuse the request based on the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material.