A sensor and a preparation method thereof are provided, the sensor includes a sensor substrate, functional cuts, crack-arrest holes, a patterned electrode, wires, an adhesive layer, and release paper. The preparation method includes following steps, preparing the sensor substrate and sticking the adhesive layer on the sensor substrate; then sticking the release paper on the adhesive layer; obtaining the functional cuts by laser cutting or blanking process; pasting a metal mask on a surface of the sensor substrate; depositing a material of the patterned electrode into a gap of the metal mask; removing the metal mask after a solvent of the liquid is volatilized; leading out the wires from patterned electrode pins; obtaining the sensor eventually. The sensor has advantages such as controllable adhesion, small size, light weight, sensitive sensing and simple manufacturing. The sensors are arrayable and suitable for sticking and sensing of large deformation and complex surfaces.

Circuitry for biasing a sensor comprises a bias generator module configured to receive a supply voltage and to generate a bias voltage for biasing the sensor. The circuitry further comprises a control module configured to compare a voltage indicative of the supply voltage to a threshold voltage and to output a control signal to the bias generator module based on the comparison. The bias generator module is configured to control the bias voltage based on the control signal.

A method for establishing a geostress field distribution of slopes in canyon areas includes: obtaining a persistence ratio of a fracture surface based on a structural plane trace length and a rock bridge length of the fracture surface, and then obtaining a fracture stage of a crack according to progressive failure characteristics of rock mass, combining a character of the fracture surface to obtain magnitude and direction of a maximum principal stress, and establishing the geostress field distribution. The method is simple to operate, does not need to carry out geostress testing, does not need a large amount of manpower and material resources, does not need redundant fund investment, and can simply and effectively obtain geostress field data. Moreover, combining with the geostress field inversion technology, a large-scale geostress field distribution condition can be obtained, which can provide a basis for engineering site selection and engineering rock mass stability determination.

Disclosed are devices and systems designed to assist an examiner in assessing the level of pain sensitivity in a patient, along with methods of using of the devices and/or systems. The device contains a tip for applying pressure to a point of the patient's body; a pressure sensor used to measure the pressure; a displacement sensor used to measure the depth of probing; and an optional third sensor used to measure temperature. The device can therefore simultaneously measure the pressure applied by the probe and the distance travelled by the tip of said probe (i.e. the displacement achieved). The device can be included in a system, which receives the data from the aforementioned sensors, and the patient's perceived pain value on a scale of 1-10. These values can be analyzed over time (i.e. over multiple applications of the device) to permit the examiner to use the data obtained to assess potential changes in the level of pain or discomfort and/or amount of healing of the patient.

A module, including at least one first component in the form of a semiconductor component including multiple stress measuring cells situated in a distributed manner for detecting stress measured values at different measuring positions of the semiconductor component, at least one second component which is mechanically coupled to the semiconductor component, and an evaluation unit, which is designed to ascertain at least one location-dependent stress distribution in the semiconductor component based on the stress measured values detected at one measuring point in time, and to ascertain a deformation state of the at least one second component at the measuring point in time on the basis of the at least one ascertained location-dependent stress distribution in the semiconductor component. A corresponding method for monitoring environmental influences on a module is also described.

A method for measuring interfacial stress and residual stress in multilayer thin films coated on a substrate is disclosed. First of all, a residual stress measurement process is applied to each thin film of a multi-layered structure. Subsequently, after two kinds of interfacial stress (F.sub.HL, F.sub.LH) are calculated, a mathematical formula for estimating at least one adjusting parameter is derived based on the two interfacial stresses. As a result, a modified Ennos formula is obtained by involving the adjusting parameters into the Ennos formula, such that a residual stress in the multi-layered structure (i.e., multilayer thin films) is therefore calculated by using the modified Ennos formula.

A gripping force measurement device includes a body portion and a plurality of pressure sensors. The plurality of pressure sensors includes at least one first sensor and two or more second sensors including pressure-sensitive surfaces oriented in the same direction. A pressure-sensitive surface of the first sensor and the pressure-sensitive surfaces of the two or more second sensors are disposed such that, when a subject pressurizes the pressure-sensitive surface of the first sensor and the pressure-sensitive surfaces of the two or more second sensors, the gripping force measurement device is grippable by the subject.

Systems, methods, and apparatus related to a homing mechanism within a drive mechanism of a lacing engine for an automated footwear platform are described. In an example, the homing apparatus can include an indexing wheel, a plurality of Geneva teeth and a stop tooth. The plurality of Geneva teeth can be distributed around a portion of a perimeter of the indexing wheel. Each Geneva tooth of the plurality of Geneva teeth can include side profiles conforming to a first side profile that generates a first force when engaged by an index tooth on a portion of the drive mechanism. The stop tooth can be located along the perimeter of the indexing wheel between two Geneva teeth. Additionally, the stop tooth can include side profiles conforming to a second side profile that generates a second force when engaged by the index tooth.

A stress distribution measurement device includes: a first magnetostrictive sensor and a second magnetostrictive sensor each including an excitation coil that excites AC magnetism in a measurement target using alternating current, and a detection coil to which alternating current is induced due to the AC magnetism flowing in the measurement target; an excitation circuit that applies a first excitation voltage to the excitation coil of the first magnetostrictive sensor and applies a second excitation voltage to the excitation coil of the second magnetostrictive sensor, the second excitation voltage having a phase or a waveform different from the first excitation voltage; and a detection circuit that includes a first detector that performs synchronous detection of current flowing in the detection coil of the first magnetostrictive sensor based on the first excitation voltage and a second detector that performs synchronous detection of current flowing in the detection coil of the second magnetostrictive sensor based on the second excitation voltage.

Systems and methods according to present principles provide for three axis force sensing in a convenient and manufacturable way. In one implementation, a vibrating motor is attached at the fixed end of an anisotropic structure, such as a rod, which then vibrates in a circular motion. A monitor such as a 3-axis accelerometer is also attached to the anisotropic structure. The resulting motion is then mapped electronically for analysis. With no force applied, a circular motion is achieved. When a net force is applied to the free, vibrating end of the rod, the circular pattern which is traced out becomes distorted, e.g., progressively flattened into an ellipse, in a repeatable way which is directly proportional to the applied force. The axis of the applied force can be ascertained according to the direction in which the ellipse forms. Systems and methods according to present principles may be used in any application in which force sensing is needed, e.g., robotics, including robotic surgery.