Abstract:
A printing device for printing of micro wires includes a first reservoir configured to hold an insulator, and a second reservoir configured to hold a low-melting-temperature metal. The printing device further includes a print head configured to deposit the insulator and the low-melting-temperature metal in contact with each other over at least a portion of a substrate. The printing device further includes a processing circuit configured to receive data specifying a structure to be printed and control the operation of the print head based on the data.
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 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 soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems and methods associated with a golf tee configured to reduce or eliminate spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a retracting mechanism to retract the support member of the golf tee prior to impact between the golf club face and the golf ball, at least one swing sensor to measure motion parameters of an approaching golf club, and a processing unit to control the retracting mechanism based on the measured motion parameters. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a contactless support mechanism to support the golf ball, a position sensor to detect a position of the golf ball, and a processing unit to control the support mechanism, based on data from the position sensor, to manipulate the position of the golf ball.
Abstract:
An electronic cigarette includes a housing, an atomizer disposed in the housing, and a control circuit disposed in the housing and configured to control operation of the atomizer based on time data regarding a current time.
Abstract:
A deicing method includes the steps of determining a necessary quantity of heat to substantially vaporize an interfacial layer between a solid surface and a layer of ice and applying pulsed heating at the interfacial layer. The pulsed heating is applied with the determined necessary quantity of heat to substantially vaporize the interfacial layer.
Abstract:
Provided is a reflective article including a first reflecting material and a second retro reflecting material; where sunlight that is photosynthetically active is at least partially reflected by the article and sunlight that is not photosynthetically active is at least partially retro reflected by the article. Also provided is a method for growing a plant, where the method includes placing the reflective article under, around, or in the proximity of the plant.
Abstract:
Systems for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The robot includes a body. The robot further includes a tool coupled to the body and configured to hold a structural maintenance tool. The robot includes a sensor coupled to the body. The robot includes a drive system configured to allow positioning of the body along the structure, including inverted positioning and vertical positioning. The robot further includes a communication interface coupled to the body. The robot includes a controller coupled to the body. The controller is in communication with the tool, the sensor, and the drive system. The controller is configured to receive an operating instruction through the communication interface. The controller is configured to autonomously position the body via the drive system and to perform a task with at least one of the tool and the sensor according to the operating instruction.
Abstract:
Described embodiments include an electric vehicle battery system and a method. The electric vehicle battery system includes a rechargeable traction battery pack configured to supply electric power to a propulsion system of a vehicle. The system includes a data-gathering module configured to monitor or test an aspect of the traction battery pack and in response to generate a traction battery pack status report. The system includes a gatekeeper module configured to permit or deny the rechargeable traction battery pack (i) supplying electric power to the propulsion system or (ii) receiving a recharge, the permit or deny in response to a management instruction issued by a remote battery manager system. The system includes a communication system configured to communicate with the remote battery manager. In an embodiment, the system includes an on-board charging system configured to recharge the rechargeable traction battery pack.