A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

A handheld scale for weighing luggage having a body housing a power source, a processor, and a display, a luggage engagement member rotatably coupled to the body and moveable between a first position and a second position in which the luggage engagement member presents a surface from which a piece of luggage can be supported, a load sensor, and a switch activated by the luggage engagement member, the switch being configured such that when the luggage engagement member is in the second position, the power source is operatively coupled to the display, and the processor is configured to receive, from the load sensor, a signal proportional to a force applied to the surface relative to the body, and to provide, via the display, an indication of the force; and when the luggage engagement member is in the first position, the power source is operatively decoupled from at least the display.

There is described a device, such as a wireholder, for measuring a load of an elongate member, such as a power line. The device includes a body, a load-bearing member, and a first sensor operable to measure a load applied to the load-bearing member in a first direction, for example a direction of sensitivity defined by the first sensor. The load-bearing member is movably coupled to the body such that the load-bearing member is displaced from a reference position as a function of a load applied to the load-bearing member in a second direction, such as a direction normal to the first direction. The device may further include a second sensor for measuring a displacement of the load-bearing member.

A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

A conducting shear thinning gel composition and methods of making such a composition are disclosed. The conducting shear thinning gel composition includes a mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide, wherein the mixture of eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide has a weight percentage (wt %) of between about 59.9% and about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy, and a wt % of between about 0.1% and about 2.0% gallium oxide. Also disclosed are articles of manufacture, comprising the shear thinning gel composition, and methods of making article of manufacture having a shear thinning gel composition. Also disclosed are sensors and multiplexed systems utilizing deformable conductors.

A conducting shear thinning gel composition and methods of making such a composition are disclosed. The conducting shear thinning gel composition includes a mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide, wherein the mixture of eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide has a weight percentage (wt %) of between about 59.9% and about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy, and a wt % of between about 0.1% and about 2.0% gallium oxide. Also disclosed are articles of manufacture, comprising the shear thinning gel composition, and methods of making article of manufacture having a shear thinning gel composition. Also disclosed are sensors and multiplexed systems utilizing deformable conductors.

A tension sensor includes a planar tab having a first and second side, first and second end sections and an aperture through each of the end sections. A first strain gage is attached to the first side of the tab. The first strain gage has a tension grid aligned to a longitudinal axis of the tab and a cross-tension grid perpendicular to the tension grid. A second strain gage is attached to the second side of the tab. The second strain gage has a tension grid aligned to the longitudinal axis of the tab and a cross-tension grid perpendicular to the tension grid. The first strain gage and second strain gage are wired in a Wheatstone bridge in which the tension grid and the cross-tension grid of the first strain gage form one side and the tension grid and the cross-tension grid of the second strain gage form another side.

A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

A foot sensor feedback device with multiple passive sensors in a shoe insole to provide real time feedback for a microprocessor to control a haptic device on the ankle of a person and to store and display data on an application on a smart phone to provide balance to a person while standing still or walking.