Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.

Abstract: A new acoustic technique, tensile acoustic rheometry (TAR) for performing rheology measurement of a soft viscoelastic material sample is provided. In TAR, an excitation acoustic pulse is applied using a focused ultrasound transducer to a sample material to induce oscillatory motion of the sample. To track this induced motion, high repetition frequency ultrasound pulse-echo technique is used using a co-linear, con-focal ultrasound transducer that detects the backscattered echo signal from a surface or an interface of the sample. The detection ultrasound transducer system converts the echo signals to an electrical signal, and a processor determines a displacement of the interface of the sample as a function of time. The processor also determines the spectrogram, or the frequency spectrum of the dynamic surface movement of the sample material as a function of the time. Viscoelastic properties of the material are then determined from the displacement and the spectrogram measurements.

Abstract: There is provided an additive manufacturing process. An aluminum alloy is deposited layer by layer from powder or wire feedstock, the aluminum alloy comprising Si, Fe, Ti, 0.3-1 wt. % of Mn and 0.3-1 wt. % of Mg. A thermal consolidation is then performed to obtain a manufactured product.

Abstract: A voltage sensor includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) and a reference load. The DSC is operably coupled to a point along a wire that is proximate to a battery terminal. The wire connects the battery terminal to a load. The DSC is configured to generate a signal based on a reference signal that is reference signal is based on an estimate of a voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC is also configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to a difference between the signal and the reference signal and to tune the reference signal until the signal compares favorably to the voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC also is configured to determine the voltage at the point along the wire based on the tuned reference signal. The reference load is operably coupled to the DSC and the point along a wire.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules that are unique to Brassica Event MON94100 and transgenic Brassica plants, Brassica plant parts, Brassica seeds, Brassica cells, and agricultural products containing Brassica Event MON94100 as well as methods of using and detecting Brassica Event MON94100. Transgenic Brassica plants containing Brassica Event MON94100 exhibit tolerance to dicamba.

Abstract: The disclosure describes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the manipulation of nucleic acids in a targeted fashion. The disclosure describes non-naturally occurring, engineered CRISPR systems, components, and methods for targeted modification of nucleic acids. Each system includes one or more protein components and one or more nucleic acid components that together target nucleic acids.

Abstract: A foot-supporting appendage of a wearable robotic exoskeleton configured to support a foot of a user wearing the robotic exoskeleton. The foot-supporting appendage can include a rearward support configured to support a hind foot portion of a foot of the user. The foot-supporting appendage can further include a frontward support configured to connect to the rearward support and configured to support a forefoot portion of the foot of the user. A size of the foot-supporting appendage is adjustable to accommodate a respective foot of a user of a plurality of users having different sizes of feet.

Abstract: Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to electronic devices that present indications of changes to a shared document and/or to the users in a messaging conversation while displaying the messaging conversation. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to electronic devices that present options to update the users with access to shared documents and/or messaging conversations. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to electronic devices that participate in communication sessions associated with a shared document.

Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device that distributes forces along the user's head. A head-mountable device can include head securement element with a support element to engage the head of the user. The support element can be coupled to the frame or light seal module of the head-mountable device. The support element can be attachable or deployable from the head-mountable device. A head-mountable device can also distribute forces with a support portion extending from a band.

Abstract: A panel which may be used as a part of a surface covering system, such as that for a wall or a ceiling, and which is useful to provide easy installation, durability, beneficial fire preventive performance, resistance to mold growth, and resistance to moisture. The panels may have a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a side surface extending between the first and second major surfaces. The panel may be formed from polyvinyl chloride present in an amount from about 45 to about 70 wt. %; carbonate present in an amount from about 10 to about 31 wt. %; stearate present in an amount from about 1 to about 6 wt. %; and aluminum hydroxide present in an amount from about 10 to about 30 wt. %.

Abstract: An electrically releasable buckle assembly (12) for a motor vehicle restraint (10) may include latch components (18) configured to releasably engage a tongue member (14B) of the motor vehicle restraint (10), a release button (16) operatively coupled to the latch components (18), the release button (16) having a latched position in which the latching components engage the tongue member (14B) and a release position in which the latch components (18) release the tongue member (14B), an electrical energy source (32), at least one shape memory alloy component (26) operatively coupled to the release button (16), the at least one shape memory alloy component (26) responsive to heating thereof by electrical energy supplied by the source (32) to a temperature at or above a transition temperature thereof to move the release button (16) from the latched position to the release position, and means (34) for selectively supplying electrical energy from the electrical energy source (32) to the at least one shape memory allo

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A system may include ring devices. A ring device may have a housing that is configured to be worn on a finger of a user. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, touch sensors, and other components may be used in gathering input from a user. Control circuitry may wirelessly transmit information gathered from sensors and other input devices to an associated electronic device. The information may be used in controlling operation of the electronic device. The housing of the ring device may have an annular main body and an expandable portion coupled to the main body. The expandable portion may include a flap with a hinge, a rotatable housing member, a housing with an internal adjustable frame and a cover, an expandable housing formed from an expandable tube coupled between first and second annular devices, and other expandable structures.

Abstract: Provided herein are membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for COx reduction. According to various embodiments, the MEAs are configured to address challenges particular to COx including managing water in the MEA. Bipolar and anion-exchange membrane (AEM)-only MEAs are described along with components thereof and related methods of fabrication.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for performing medical procedures are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system for performing a medical procedure includes a medical instrument configured to be inserted within an anatomic region and including an image capture device. The system can receive a three-dimensional (3D) model of the anatomic region, the 3D model including a model landmark corresponding to an anatomic landmark in the anatomic region. The system can obtain, via the image capture device, a plurality of images of the anatomic landmark, at least some of the images representing different views of the anatomic landmark. Based on the images, the system can determine a set of transformation parameters for aligning the anatomic landmark with the model landmark. The system can use the set of transformation parameters as a seed for registering the 3D model to the anatomic region.

Abstract: A voltage sensor includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) and a reference load. The DSC is operably coupled to a point along a wire that is proximate to a battery terminal. The wire connects the battery terminal to a load. The DSC is configured to generate a signal based on a reference signal that is reference signal is based on an estimate of a voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC is also configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to a difference between the signal and the reference signal and to tune the reference signal until the signal compares favorably to the voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC also is configured to determine the voltage at the point along the wire based on the tuned reference signal. The reference load is operably coupled to the DSC and the point along a wire.

Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes TSD electrodes associated with a surface of the TSD. Also, an overlay that includes marker electrode(s) is also associated with at least a portion of the surface of the TSD. The TSD also includes drive-sense circuits (DSCs) operably coupled to the plurality of TSD electrodes. A DSC is configured to provide a TSD electrode signal to a TSD electrode and simultaneously to sense a change of the TSD electrode signal based on a change of impedance of the TSD electrode caused by capacitive coupling between the TSD electrode and the marker electrode(s) of the overlay. Processing module(s) is configured to process a digital signal generated by the DSC to determine characteristic(s) of the overlay that is associated with the at least a portion of the surface of the TSD.

Abstract: A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing component at least partially defining an internal volume and including a wall. A component can be disposed within the wall and at least partially surrounded by a material forming the housing. A battery can be disposed in the internal volume and electrically connected to the component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the location of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) scanner using scan data converted into images of a target object. Scan images are formed by aggregating successive scan strips acquired using one or two one-dimensional sensor arrays. An image processor computes a change in location of the NDI scanner relative to a previous location based on the respective positions of common features in partially overlapping scan images. The performance of the NDI scanner tracking system is enhanced by: (1) using depth and intensity filtering of the scan image data to differentiate features for improved landmark identification during real-time motion control; and (2) applying a loop-closure technique using scan image data to correct for drift in computed location. The enhancements are used to improve localization, which enables better motion control and coordinate accuracy for NDI scan data.