| Scalable Manufacturing Approach of Graded Polymer Thin Film Has Potential for Widespread Use |
- Combines slot die coating with a custom roll-to-roll imaging system to allow for efficient, rapid, and scalable fabrication of high-quality gradient thin films.
- An improved manufacturing process over existing techniques because it uses broad material combinations and yields higher quality patterned thin films.
- Incorporates multiple materials to increase the application of patterned thin films across industries, including microelectronics, energy technologies, and environmental systems.
|
8994 |
|
| Leverage the Advantages of Aluminum Nitride for Superior Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for High-Power, High-Temperature Diodes and Transistors |
- Metal modulated epitaxy method enables the production of p-type beryllium-doped aluminum nitride films as key components in ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors for the first time.
- Achieves high reverse breakdown voltage—a significant advantage over wide bandgap materials such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride.
- Improves current conduction over best previous results in p-type aluminum nitride (AIN) by 30,000,000 times and n-type AlN by 6,000 times.
|
8666 |
|
| Overvoltage Surge Protection System for Distributed Energy Resources |
- iMOV is a dynamic system capable of achieving voltage surge clamping within 20% of the system’s nominal voltage. This effectively provides protection for highly sensitive semiconductors present in DER-associated power converters.
- This system is built upon a metal oxide varistors (MOV) foundation, whose material composition inherently allows rapid device connection of 500 picoseconds for quicker response times.
- iMOV uses integrated microprocessors and sensors in a cloud-based architecture that provides protection against cyberattacks, reduces system cost, and allows system and power grid monitoring.
|
9190 |
|
| Monitor Vehicle Location and Maintain Vehicle Health During Long-Term Storage |
- Vehicle health and location monitoring system automatically establishes a mesh network for vehicle fleet monitoring by a human, drone, or mobile robot.
- Checks battery and other vehicle health status as well as determines locations of all connected vehicles in storage.
- When a vehicle is found with low battery levels, a mobile robot can safely provide a charge to the battery to get the vehicle running.
|
8938 |
|
| Quantum Tunneling Radio Positioning System Achieves Higher Levels of Accuracy and Longer Range for Next-Generation Wireless Networks |
- This radiolocation system uses quantum tunneling tags (QTT) capable of operating in non-line-of-sight conditions to achieve longer range communications in outdoor and indoor applications.
- The use of QTTs, paired with a frequency hopping reader, results in positioning accuracy not achievable with standard methods.
- QTTs are inexpensive and operate under low power requirements to offer an affordable orientation system with long battery life.
|
8535 |
|
| Patient-Centered Biofeedback Headset Can Isolate, Monitor, and Analyze Vocal Output in Real Time for Optimal Voice Modulation in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease |
- Innovative headset offers real-time haptic feedback for vocal improvement and increased patient autonomy.
- Device stores easily accessible data for therapist review and fine-tuning of preset therapeutic thresholds to continually improve vocal output.
- Lightweight, low-profile, battery-powered headset are favorable for all-day wear and use omnidirectional microphones for optimal comfort.
|
9134 |
|
| Foot Ankle Orthotic (FAO) Delivers Real-Time Portable, Discreet Haptic Feedback for Patients and Athletes |
- Providing patients with discreet notifications of real-time plantar pressure to improve rehabilitation of foot-ankle injuries between clinical visits can reduce risk of injury strain and minimize long-term damage.
- Athletes from various sports (e.g., tennis, football, basketball) could prioritize injury prevention during practice and games because of the discreet haptic notifications that bring attention to foot planting techniques via pressure monitoring.
- The benefits of measuring plantar pressure from the four zones of this device’s insole (heel, toes, medial, and lateral) extend beyond foot-ankle injuries and can be key to diabetic pressure wound prevention as well as knee osteoarthritis therapy.
|
8944 |
|
| High-Precision, Hands-Free Remote Control of Complex Robotic Systems Via Eye Movements |
- This two-camera eye-tracking system (TCES) integrates a commercial eye tracker with machine-learning technology for continuous real-time classification of gaze and eye directions for robotic arm control.
- The system provides highly accurate classification for four directions of eye movement and has achieved 99.99% accuracy in studies.
- Using simple eye movement, the TCES offers low-cost, high-precision control of external devices/hardware for people with disabilities, surgery robots, warehouse systems, construction tools, and more.
|
9184 |
|
| Parametric Resonance Approach for Efficient, Versatile Acoustic Power Transfer for Implantable/Wearable Devices, Sensing, and Communications |
- New class of transducers utilizes parametric resonance to convert acoustic energy from an ultrasonic source to a sustained electrical signal.
- Technology powers implantable biomedical devices, small wearable sensors, and other wireless charging applications.
- Simple yet robust generation of stable electromechanical frequency combs is also possible in both air and liquid environments using a capacitive micro-resonator array.
|
7635, 9075 |
|
| Electronic Immunoassay Using Enzymatic Metallization on Microparticles |
- Lower cost: Replacing fluorescent markers and readout methods with impedance detection has the potential to significantly decrease the cost of the assay.
- Transportable: Impedance measurements in microfluidics can be made transportable, which can potentially enable point-of-care applications, as electronic elements are more durable than optical elements.
- Practical: Identification of COVID-19 antibodies in COVID-positive serum samples has already been demonstrated.
|
8813 |
|
| Wearable Ocular Electronics with Virtual Reality Solution for Effective Home-Based Vision Therapy |
- The first fully portable and wireless ocular electronic system in a VR environment provides an effective, home-based visual therapy program.
- The integrated wearable system has a data classification algorithm to provide high-fidelity, real-time detection of eye vergence to treat eye disorders.
- Running a VR system on a smartphone can create “virtual therapies” that can be used anywhere anytime.
|
7916 |
|
| DetectIV Offers Noninvasive Early IV Infiltration and Extravasation Detection |
- DetectIV provides a continuous, noninvasive, and wireless IV infiltration and extravasation detection system.
- The sensor does not cover the IV site and works well with all skin types—significant improvements over existing detection devices.
- The device detects infiltrations on average 2 hours ahead of nursing standard of care making it an effective early detection system that prevents extended hospital stays.
|
7207 |
|
| Biologically Inspired Connected Advanced Driver Assistance System |
- Cost-effective: Leverages existing vehicle infrastructure (e.g., sensors, lights) along with an affordable software upgrade to provide enhanced collision avoidance capabilities, typically for less than $500
- Safety-enhancing: Designed to help prevent up to 94% of automotive crashes by providing reduced lag time and enabling faster driver reaction rates
- Convenient: Aims to optimize vehicle travel speeds and reduce traffic congestion and travel times
|
8918 |
|
| Atomic Metal Catalysts |
- Innovative: Generates new isomers by changing the order in which atoms are added in a hetero-atomic cluster (can maximize available catalytic sites)
- Efficient: Creates and optimizes active isomers of atomic metals such as Au and Pd, increasing the catalytic efficiency of these high-demand metals (requires minimal precious catalytic metal)
- Scalable: Provides a scalable process resulting in theoretically predictable catalytic properties
|
6451, 5217 |
|
| Airborne Acoustic Sensing System for “Ear in the Sky” Capabilities on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) |
- Optimizes speech clarity: Uses acquired empirical data and iteratively refines the processing capability until the optimal signal to noise ratio (SNR) is achieved
- Improves covert detection: Enables acquisition of a live voice signal from a person of interest without detection by using UAS platforms to remotely acquire acoustic signals and using digital signal processing algorithms to filter, enhance, and localize the speech signal of interest
- Enhances warfare tools: Provides increased situational awareness, enhanced ISR capabilities, and helps identify potential security threats to deployed assets
|
6985, 7223 |
|
| TabAccess: A Wireless Controller for Tablet Accessibility |
- Enabling: Provides an alternative interface to touchscreen-based devices for people with limited fine motor control, potentially enabling them to interact with applications that could improve their quality of life or even create employment opportunities
- Reconfigurable: Sensor modules can be interconnected as well as separated and mounted anywhere (e.g., on the human body or on a table, floor, wheelchair, etc.), enabling adaptation of the device based on the capability, range of access, and the individual’s range of motion.
- Adjustable: Uses an adjustable Velcro strap so one size fits the majority of forearms
|
5946 |
|
| Passive Learning via Wearable Haptic Stimuli System |
- Fast: This technology significantly reduces the time needed to learn Braille. In only four hours, eight test subjects were taught to type the entire Braille alphabet as well as read Braille (with >90% accuracy), while simultaneously focusing on another task.
- Simplifies learning: A lack of certified Braille teachers, few learning centers, and a steep learning curve make teaching Braille difficult. This technology greatly simplifies the learning process.
- Passive: Because it doesn’t require the user’s attention on the stimuli, this technology allows them to focus on other tasks while still learning.
|
6678 |
|
| Self-Powered Highly Stretchable Sensing Interface for Gesture Recognition |
- Self-contained: Includes a signal processing pipeline, providing gesture recognition for an extensive range of input modalities without the need for external power or sensing equipment
- Assistive: Enables eyes-free, unobtrusive, and ergonomic interaction with computing devices embedded in wearables
- Versatile: Demonstrates far-reaching potential for applications beyond gesture recognition including in actuation and data acquisition
|
7987 |
|
| AwareSite Proximity Safety Sensing System for Construction and Other Work Sites |
- Improved work safety and efficiency: Not only are accidents prevented when workers and equipment operators are alerted that they are crossing set safety boundaries, their proximity and movement data are also stored in the cloud and can be used to analyze work patterns that could improve safety, work process efficiency, and more.
- Low-cost and flexible hardware: The system uses inexpensive custom PPU devices but can also be paired with workers’ personal smartphones for connecting to the system.
- User friendly and reliable: System setup and operation is simple. Beacons use Bluetooth® low-energy technology and can last more than one year without changing batteries.
|
7970, 7971 |
|
| Advance Warning System for Improved Safety in Roadway Work Zones |
- Enhanced safety: Rather than relying on impact-activated devices, the system issues real-time warnings as soon as the perimeter is breached, providing more time for workers to react and get to safety.
- Portable and changeable: The system can be easily moved or adjusted to accommodate changes to the work zone during the day.
- Smart analytics: Analysis of intrusion data helps pinpoint areas within the work zone that are more susceptible to breaches, enabling more effective and efficient security.
|
7397 |
|
