Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.
Abstract:
Techniques and technologies are generally described herein for providing shape memory polymer packaging for meat products from sheets or films of shape memory polymer material. Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials which have the ability to return to their original or trained state from a deformed or temporary state when a stimulus is provided. The stimulus is typically a temperature change. The stimulus may also be exposure to an electric or magnetic field, exposure to light, or even exposure to a particular atmosphere, e.g., water. Shape memory polymers now include many materials, including both thermoplastic materials and thermoset materials (covalently cross-linked). The memory effect of the shape memory polymer is used to shape a meat product and to make the meat product more attractive to a consumer.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described for devices for detection of a biofilm by a color change in a moisture-indicating substance, such as a chemical or a dye. The moisture indicating material may be supported by a substrate and sealed to keep moisture from the moisture indicating material. Alternatively, the moisture indicating material may be supported in a pouch and sealed by the pouch. The color change results from an ingress of moisture accompanying growth of a biofilm. The moisture-indicating substance may be used with indwelling or other devices to detect a biofilm. When the biofilm has sufficiently degraded the seal, an ingress of moisture and its accompanying pH may cause a color change in the moisture-indicating substance to signify the presence of the biofilm. Methods of manufacture and use of the disclosed devices are also described.
Abstract:
A gradient refractive index light emitting diode is disclosed. The light emitting diode includes a die at least partially encapsulated within a polymer, and nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer along a concentration gradient related to the distance from the die. The refractive index of the nanoparticles is different from the refractive index of the polymer.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for changing a property of a coating are provided. The coating includes a dynamic material configured to be reversibly convertible between a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state, wherein transition between the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state occurs in an environment dependent manner. The coating also includes an environment altering material configured to alter the hydrophobic or hydrophilic state of the dynamic material.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to employ an optical effect, such as Pockels effect to direct an optical communication signal within a gradient index (GRIN) backplane. An electric field may be created between two or more electrodes located on different surfaces of the GRIN backplane in response to an application of electrical excitation to at least one of the electrodes. The electric field may be configured to change an orientation of nanoparticles in at least a portion of GRIN material comprising the GRIN backplane so as to control a direction of one or more optical pathways within the GRIN backplane. Propagation of an optical communication signal between one or more components mounted on one or more surfaces of the GRIN backplane may be facilitated via the controlled direction of the optical pathways, which may enable control of routing, including switching, of the optical communication signal to a particular optical pathway.
Abstract:
Technologies are disclosed for a method and a device for detecting device colonization. Disclosed herein is an indwelling medical device configured to detect a biofilm. The device comprises a substrate configured to contact blood and a detecting material, disposed with the substrate, configured to detect the presence of a biofilm thereon. The detecting material is soluble in blood, removable by kidneys from the blood, and passable to urine by the kidneys for detection in the urine. A method for detecting the growth of a biofilm on an indwelling medical and a method for making an indwelling medical device are also disclosed herein.
Abstract:
Liposomal detection devices and methods of making and using such devices are disclosed. Such liposomal detection devices may be used to detect microbes by detecting a byproduct of microbial metabolism, or may be used to detect changes in pH and/or changes in temperature. Liposomal detection devices may include a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound and a second liposome encapsulating a second destabilizing compound. The first liposome may destabilize in response to the detection of the target compound or change to release the first destabilizing compound which may destabilize the second liposome. A matrix, such as a hydrogel matrix, may encase the first liposome and the second liposome.
Abstract:
A matrix material dispersed with one or more susceptor structures can be formed into a feedstock for an additive manufacturing process. The one or more susceptor structures can be excited by an energy field such as an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field, or any combination thereof, to produce heat. The heat that is produced can be transferred to the matrix material that surrounds the one or more susceptor structures to provide heat treatment to the matrix material. The heat treatment can improve the material and mechanical properties of three dimensional objects formed from the feedstock.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.