A system of construction that uses a discrete repertoire of elastic modular units that interconnect forming assemblies of diverse curved geometries applicable at any scale. Each modular unit is formed with linear elements with less than infinite elastic modulus. The modular units connect to one another under tension creating structural networks that have stored elastic potential energy. The linear elements may be formed of carbon based composite materials and their future permutations, including smart materials. The modular assemblies created using this system have application in terrestrial, space and aquatic environments and as an educational tool.

A method of manufacturing a taxidermy mannequin includes providing a mold having an open end, a wall having an internal surface and an opposing external surface, and an internal cavity surrounded by the internal surface of the wall. The method further includes applying a layer of a mold release material to a portion of the internal surface, applying a powder material on an exposed surface of the mold release material, applying a layer of a glue mixture on an exposed surface of the powder material and the mold release material layer, applying a granular or fibrous material on an exposed surface of the glue mixture layer, allowing the glue mixture to at least partially dry, filling at least a portion of the internal cavity of the mold with a liquid expandable urethane foam, allowing the expandable urethane foam to expand and harden, and removing the taxidermy mannequin from the mold.

According to some embodiments, a system comprises a generator of a truly random signal is connected to an input and feedback device for the purpose of providing a user with real time feedback on the random signal. The user observes a representation of the signal in the process of an external physical event for the purpose of finding a correlation between the random output and what happens during the physical event. In some examples, the system is preferably designed such the system is shielded from all classically known forces such as gravity, physical pressure, motion, electromagnetic fields, humidity, etc. and/or, such classical forces are factored out of the process as much as possible. The system is thus designed to be selectively response to signals from living creatures, in particular, humans.

According to some embodiments, a system comprises a generator of a truly random signal is connected to an input and feedback device for the purpose of providing a user with real time feedback on the random signal. The user observes a representation of the signal in the process of an external physical event for the purpose of finding a correlation between the random output and what happens during the physical event. In some examples, the system is preferably designed such the system is shielded from all classically known forces such as gravity, physical pressure, motion, electromagnetic fields, humidity, etc. and/or, such classical forces are factored out of the process as much as possible. The system is thus designed to be selectively response to signals from living creatures, in particular, humans.

A dental procedure simulator includes a support structure and a linkage suspended from the support structure. The linkage is controlled by a computer that is configured to simulate a dental procedure or treatment. A handpiece is coupled to the linkage and configured to be held in a hand of a user and to be manipulated by the user in a workspace (W) in real space. The phenom head is provided with a phantom upper jaw and a phantom lower jaw and is supported by the support structure and arranged in the workspace (W.) The phantom lower jaw is arranged movably relative to the phantom upper jaw.

Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to systems and methods for controlling a robot using physical tiles embodied as an interactive robotic game. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an interactive game system is provided. The interactive game system generally includes an interlocking game tile having a body, an interlocking component, an automatic data capture device configured for identification of a target position, and a path disposed on the top surface of the tile. The tile provides a surface and route for travel of a programmable robotic device having a body, a microprocessor, a path sensor, and an automatic data capture device reader. The programmable robotic device generally travels along the path of the game tiles to the target position where it interrogates the automatic data capture device of the game tile and performs actions based on the information received.

Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to systems and methods for controlling a robot using physical tiles embodied as an interactive robotic game. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an interactive game system is provided. The interactive game system generally includes an interlocking game tile having a body, an interlocking component, an automatic data capture device configured for identification of a target position, and a path disposed on the top surface of the tile. The tile provides a surface and route for travel of a programmable robotic device having a body, a microprocessor, a path sensor, and an automatic data capture device reader. The programmable robotic device generally travels along the path of the game tiles to the target position where it interrogates the automatic data capture device of the game tile and performs actions based on the information received.

An educational construction kit and methods are disclosed. The kit may have a plurality of blocks, each one of the blocks having an integral block data flow, a power exchange, and a structural connector side. Each one of the plurality of blocks may have (a) reprogrammable software to enable end-users to reprogram a unique and a specific behavior of each of the plurality of blocks; and (b) an embedded electronic device with a microcontroller that processes the reprogrammable software to instruct the respective block to perform the unique and the specific behavior. Interconnection of two or more blocks of the plurality of blocks may form a distributed communication network. At least one block of the plurality of blocks may include an additional component to allow the block to perform a different behavior from at least one other block.

An educational construction kit and methods are disclosed. The kit may have a plurality of blocks, each one of the blocks having an integral block data flow, a power exchange, and a structural connector side. Each one of the plurality of blocks may have (a) reprogrammable software to enable end-users to reprogram a unique and a specific behavior of each of the plurality of blocks; and (b) an embedded electronic device with a microcontroller that processes the reprogrammable software to instruct the respective block to perform the unique and the specific behavior. Interconnection of two or more blocks of the plurality of blocks may form a distributed communication network. At least one block of the plurality of blocks may include an additional component to allow the block to perform a different behavior from at least one other block.

A dynamic lunar eclipse lamp is provided, which includes a blocking piece including a transparent area and a circular opaque area, the opaque area is provided at a non-central position of the blocking piece; an imaging lens provided on one side of the blocking piece, one end of the imaging lens is provided with a Fresnel lens, a non-central position on the Fresnel lens is provided with an image, and the imaging lens is configured to project the image onto a non-central position on the blocking piece, a position of the image projected by the imaging lens corresponds to a position of the opaque area on the blocking piece; a rotary drive component connected to the Fresnel lens and configured to drive the Fresnel lens to rotate; and a light source component, the lamp is caused to form a lunar eclipse effect, a crescent or a half-moon display effect.