A method for fabricating a wildlife reproduction includes placing a reference device relative to a wildlife subject. The reference device pertains to scale and chromaticity coordinates to provide an accurate size and color reference for fabricating the wildlife reproduction of the wildlife subject. The wildlife subject is photographed in combination with the reference device at one or more predefined locations to produce two dimensional photographic image data. The two dimensional image data is converted to a three dimensional image file using photogrammetry. A value of the principal dimension of the wildlife subject is determined using the reference device. Dimensions of at least one other feature of the wildlife subject are calculated from the principal dimension to modify a three-dimensional image file of a selected wildlife subject to correspond to the wildlife subject. A three dimensional wildlife reproduction is fabricated from the modified three-dimensional image file of the selected wildlife subject.

An implantable medical device is provided. The device comprises a drug release layer, wherein the drug release layer comprises a naked nucleic acid dispersed within a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and has a melting temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C. as determined in accordance with ASTM D3418-15 and a melt flow index of from about 0.2 to about 100 gram per 10 minutes as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238-20 at a temperature of 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kilograms.

A system and method for fabricating replicas of wildlife reproductions. The system includes a scanner configured to optically acquire digital images of wildlife subjects, a three-dimensional printer operative to produce a three-dimensional reproduction of wildlife subjects and a processor issuing command signals to the three-dimensional printer to print the digital image file of the selected wildlife subject. The digital images of each wildlife subject being saved to a library of digital image files within a computer database. The processor, furthermore, includes program code for accessing the library of digital image files which is responsive to an input command signal which selects the three-dimensional digital image file of the wildlife subject.

The present disclosure may be embodied as a method for creating a restriction pattern from a mask material having a strain (ε.sub.mask) an for mapping elastomeric membrane having a strain (ε.sub.membrane) into a target 3D shape. The method may include discretizing the target 3D shape into a plurality of radial segments, and a radial strain (ε.sub.r) is determined for each radial position (r) on each radial segment of the plurality of radial segments. A restriction pattern is determined, wherein the restriction pattern comprises a quantity of mask material for each position r to provide a composite strain (ε.sub.mask, ε.sub.silicone). In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing a first membrane layer into a mold and placing mask material into the first membrane layer according to the determined restriction pattern. The first membrane layer is cured.

Apparatus and methods are provided for providing an artificial turf system having an array of integrated fibers and base arrangement. The fibers can be integrally formed with a substrate, for example, by using a molding process. The fibers can be formed to be bonded directly to the base using molecular bonds of the material that formed the base and the fibers at the same time.

A three-dimensional (3D) article including both a solid portion and a folding paper portion and method of making same is disclosed. For example, a 3D article includes one or more solid portions and one or more folding paper portions. The solid portions of the 3D article may be, for example, any solid material used in sculpture applications, such as, but not limited to, clay, plaster, stone, wood, plastic, glass, and the like. The folding paper portions of the 3D article may be, for example, glued layers of paper, sliced wood, books, recycled materials, and the like. Further, a method is provided of making stretchable and flexible 3D articles that include one or more solid portions and at least one folding paper portion.

A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (IELs) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.

In one embodiment, an artificial turf system includes an existing artificial turf, an elastic layer and a new artificial turf. The existing artificial turf includes a plurality of existing artificial turf fibres and existing infill granules. The existing infill granules lie between the existing artificial turf fibers and form an existing infill layer on top of a carrier structure. The elastic layer is formed by a hardened binder. At least a lower portion of the elastic layer overlaps with and penetrates at least an upper portion of the existing infill layer. The new artificial turf includes a plurality of new artificial turf fibres.

Apparatus and methods are provided that provide an artificial turf fiber having an integrated fiber and base arrangement. The fibers can be integrally formed with a substrate such by using a molding process. The fibers can be formed to be bonded directly to the base using the molecular bonds of the material that formed the base and fiber at the same time.

A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (IELs) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.