In one aspect the invention provides a method of fabricating a laminate of flexible and compliant layers of material, such as used to provide a dielectric elastomer sensor. According to the method a flexible and compliant layer of material which is affixed to a substrate to avoid strain during processing is bonded to another layer of flexible and compliant material and released from the substrate to form a laminate. The layer of flexible and compliant material affixed to the substrate may be inspected prior to bonding.

A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto, a power source, a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft, a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles, and a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source; wherein during operation of the motor, the control assembly monitors a current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on the current draw.

The present disclosure provides a graphene-based touch sensor device using triboelectric effect, the device comprising: a substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on the substrate; a graphene channel layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the graphene channel layer is flush with the first electrode layer, and is spaced from the first electrode layer; a gate dielectric layer in partial contact with the electrode layer and the graphene channel layer respectively; source and drain electrodes formed on both opposing ends of the graphene channel layer respectively; and a triboelectric layer formed on the first electrode layer, wherein the triboelectric layer generates a triboelectric potential via contact of an external friction material therewith, wherein the contact of the external friction material is detected based on a current change in the graphene channel layer due to the triboelectric potential applied thereto.

A force measuring unit for measuring a force applied to an individual chain link of a chain strand is used in underground mining applications. The force measuring unit may include a housing having a first end configured to be contacted by a first chain link leg and a second end configured to be contacted by a second chain link leg, and a distance measuring device accommodated within the housing and configured to measure an actual distance between the first chain link leg and the second chain link leg. The distance measuring device may include a first unit part configured to be contacted by the first chain link leg and a second unit part configured to be contacted by the second chain link leg.

A force measuring unit for measuring a force applied to an individual chain link of a chain strand is used in underground mining applications. The force measuring unit may include a housing having a first end configured to be contacted by a first chain link leg and a second end configured to be contacted by a second chain link leg, and a distance measuring device accommodated within the housing and configured to measure an actual distance between the first chain link leg and the second chain link leg. The distance measuring device may include a first unit part configured to be contacted by the first chain link leg and a second unit part configured to be contacted by the second chain link leg.

A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.

Monitoring deformation of a flexible electronic apparatus. Changes in space within the apparatus between at least two measurement points are detected; and degree of deformation of the apparatus is determined based on the detected changes in the space within the apparatus between the at least two measurement points.

A force sensing module is disclosed. One of the embodiments disclosed a first force sensor, and a second force sensor stacked on a top surface of the first force sensor; a signal processing circuit electrically coupled to the first signal force sensor and the second force sensor; when a force is applied on a top surface of the stack, a corresponding force signal is generated; wherein a strength of the force signal is related to an amount of the force applied against the stack.

A position detection apparatus that illuminates light from a light source unit onto an object and that receives reflected light from the object on a light receiver to detect position information of the object, includes a detector (10) and a signal processor (102), the detector includes a first grating (15) in an optical path between the light source unit and the object, a second grating (16) in an optical path between the object and the light receiver, and a third grating (17) in an optical path between the second grating and the light receiver, the signal processor acquires the position information of the object based on a phase variation of the second periodic image detected by the light receiver, and the position information of the object is information related to a distance from the detector to the object.

According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base, and a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit includes a first transducer thin film, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device. The first strain sensing device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and the second magnetic layers. The second strain sensing device is provided apart from the first strain sensing device on the first membrane surface and provided at a location different from a location of the barycenter, the second strain sensing device including a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third and the fourth magnetic layers, the first and the second intermediate layers being nonmagnetic. The first and the second strain sensing devices, and the barycenter are in a straight line.