It is known that panels moulded for structural use can be subject to undesirable levels of shrinkage and this can complicate their end use or a building made from them. It is an object of the invention to go at least some way to addressing this problem. Accordingly there is provided a method of significantly reducing panel shrinkage in the production of a structural building panel. The method involves spraying polyurethane foam onto a rigid open mould such that the foam substantially embeds mesh, which prevents or significantly reduces shrinkage of the polyurethane foam. A skin of polyurea is then sprayed over the polyurethane to enhance structural strength of the panel.

A manipulator configured for transferring a block having a core, the manipulator includes an end effector including an elongated member including a tip; and a resilient member configured for assuming a first state in which the resilient member has a first hardness and first size and a second state in which the resilient member is configured for assuming a second state in which the resilient member has a second hardness and second size, the resilient member is disposed on the tip, wherein the elongated member is configured to be disposed such that the tip is disposed within the core and the resilient member is disposed in the first state before the resilient member is disposed in the second state to engage the core and the elongated member is moved to transfer the block.

A method of making a geodesic shape is provided. The method comprises of providing and assembling a plurality of pre-made forms, and a plurality of struts. The pre-made forms have a triangular shape, first and second inner edges, and an outer edge. The length of each inner edge and outer edge are determined by the frequency of the geodesic shape, diameter of the geodesic shape, and known formulas for relating diameter and frequency when creating a geodesic dome or sphere. Using the pre-made forms and struts, a polygonal shape is assembled, each shape having either five or six pre-made forms. The resulting desired polygonal shape and additional desired polygonal shapes made using the same steps are connected at preset angles in known geodesic form and function. The desired polygonal shapes then combine to form a desired geodesic shape. Throughout the process, no struts are operably coupled to other struts.

An immersion platform includes a dome configured to display a predetermined scene. The dome includes an outer perimeter. A plurality of sensory accessories are configured to stimulate at least one sense of a user. The sensory accessories include at least one of an air blower module, a lighting module, an audio module, a scent module, a haptic vibration module, a temperature module, a floor module, and brain stimulation features. A controller is configured to display the predetermined scene on the dome and to activate the plurality of accessories according to a predetermined timeline.

A pre-fabricated dome and a spherical structure include strut assembly sets, into which glass panels or synthetic resin transparent plates are to be inserted, are assembled into 5 sets of hexagonal modular assemblies around a pentagonal assembly to build a primary pentagonal modular assembly, and further 5 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies, into which upper and lower, (outer and inner) struts are assembled in 2 layers (of outer and inner walls), are interconnected to build a semi-spherical dome, and if 12 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies are assembled, a solid cylindrical structure can be built to provide a perfect block between the outdoor and the indoor so that the room temperature will not be affected at all by the outdoor temperature.

A foldable tubular construct/element with one rigid degree of freedom is of a tubular construction formed by a number of single layered annular units which are connected in sequence; each single layered annular unit is of a prism having N ridge lines; two adjacent prisms each having N sides are connected to each other by sharing a polygon with N sides formed on an intersection plane; each prism with N ridge lines is composed of N rigid planar quadrilateral facets; two adjacent single layered annular units comprise N spherical mechanisms formed by the intersections of only four planar quadrilateral facets at each apex; the polygon having N sides formed in the intersection plane of the two adjacent single layered annular units is a planar polygon with an arbitrary number of sides greater than for a triangle; the ridge lines of each prism having N ridge lines are parallel to each other; the connecting ridge lines of the tubular element are coplanar; when the polygon having N sides formed in the intersection plane of the two adjacent single layered annular units is a line-symmetric polygon of even number of sides with at least one diagonal symmetric axis, the plane in which connecting ridge lines of the tubular element are located is perpendicular to one diagonally symmetric axis.

The invention provides a unique injection-molded, slotted, angled hub that connects standard timbers at predetermined angles to build geodesic domes. They form fit over the ends of multiple timbers to transfer load evenly, limit strut rotation and movement, and aid in easy construction of domes. Furthermore they include screw holes that help to snug the timbers flush into its slot to form a durable structure. Being injection molded, they are cost effective, lightweight and through multi directional load transfer, allow lightweight timbers to be used in maximizing the strength at each union. Building with molded slotted angled dome connectors one can assemble a geodesic dome without calculating angled cut for each timber.

An Injection Molded Slotted Angled Dome Connector

This invention provides a novel one-piece injection molded hub that form-fits around timbers to form a geodesic dome without the need for angled cuts.

Wall systems and buildings having such wall systems are disclosed. Such wall systems include parametric mullions each of which is constructed from a plurality of interconnecting components so that the wall systems may be disposed much closer to the building frame than conventional wall systems. Such wall systems may include panels disposed to form convex or concave facades. Such wall systems may also include decorative features superimposed over one or more panels or extending outward from the facade surface. The parametric mullions may be formed into trusses which may be used as part of a wall system or independently of such wall systems.

A novel workstation which incorporates an acoustical dome for increased acoustic and visual privacy for the user. The workstation further is adjustable in height such that it can accommodate a range of users from the 5.sup.th percentile seated female to the 95.sup.th percentile standing male according to the dictates of ANSI/HFES100-2007 national ergonomic standard. The workstation is further designed to be in electrical and data communication with other workstations to optimize the workstation density in an open working environment without compromising user privacy.

An immersion platform includes a dome configured to display a predetermined scene. The dome includes an outer perimeter. A plurality of sensory accessories are configured to stimulate at least one sense of a user. The sensory accessories include at least one of an air blower module, a lighting module, an audio module, a scent module, a haptic vibration module, a temperature module, a floor module, and brain stimulation features. A controller is configured to display the predetermined scene on the dome and to activate the plurality of accessories according to a predetermined timeline.