Electromagnetic state sensing device

Abstract

To provide one or more techniques for coping with defects since a prior art for using an electromagnetic sensing device shows many defects.SOLUTION: An application is configured so as to transmit first electromagnetic radiation, and to receive a first electromagnetic radiation return signal from an electromagnetic state sensing device (EMSSD) mounted to product packaging. The first electromagnetic radiation return signal is converted by the EMSSD, and generates an electromagnetic radiation signal for encoding first information including a product identification code. The application is configured so as to apply a rule selected based on the product identification code, transmit a second electromagnetic radiation pin adjusted based on a rule, receive a second electromagnetic radiation return signal for encoding second information regarding contents in a product package, and transmit at least a part of the second information to an upstream computing device from a user device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 716,741, "PRODUCT SENSING," filed August 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Sensors are widely used for many purposes, such as tracking inventory in a store and / or monitoring components end-to-end through the manufacturing and order fulfillment chain. Sensing devices typically utilize electromagnetic signals to receive and transmit information. For example, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags transmit information to an RFID reader, and in the case of passive RFID tags, the tag utilizes energy from an interrogation signal to power the tag and transmit a signal back to the reader. Conventional techniques for the use of electromagnetic sensing devices exhibit many drawbacks, and therefore, what is needed is one or more techniques that address such drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a request from a user device to download an application and providing access to the application in response to the request from the user device. The application is configured to transmit a first electromagnetic radiation and receive a first electromagnetic radiation return signal from a first electromagnetic state sensing device (EMSSD) attached to the product package. The first electromagnetic radiation return signal is converted by the first electromagnetic radiation state sensing device in response to the first electromagnetic radiation pin to generate an electromagnetic radiation signal encoding at least first information including a product identification code. The application is also configured to apply a rule selected at least in part based on the product identification code, transmit a second electromagnetic radiation pin regulated at least in part based on the rule, receive from the first electromagnetic state sensing device a second electromagnetic radiation return signal encoding second information regarding contents within the product package, and transmit at least a portion of the second information from the user device to an upstream computing device.

[0004] Further details of the aspects, objects and advantages of the technical embodiments are set forth in the specification, drawings and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] The drawings described below are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which an electromagnetic condition sensing device may be deployed, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a process flow in which an electromagnetic condition sensing device can be deployed, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic condition sensing device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B1]FIG. 3B1 illustrates a deployment scenario in which a first state of the fluid contents is measured, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B2] FIG. 3B2 illustrates a deployment scenario in which a second state of the fluid contents is measured, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B3] FIG. 3B3 illustrates a deployment scenario in which the state of the fluid contents is measured and displayed, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B4] FIG. 3B4 is a cross-sectional view of a printed display for indicating the state of contents of a product, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a selection chart for determining the dynamic range of an electromagnetic condition sensing device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] 4A1 and 4A2 are equivalent circuit models of an electromagnetic condition sensing device in a first environment and a second environment, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B illustrates an empirical data capture technique as used to calibrate an electromagnetic condition sensing device in different environments, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A illustrates a signature capture technique used for electromagnetic state sensing, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B illustrates a signature analysis technique used for electromagnetic state sensing, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a virtual assistant used as the hub of a replenishment system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A illustrates a rule coding technique used in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B illustrates a rule execution technique used in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices, according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary protocol used in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices, according to one embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 illustrates the system components as an arrangement of interconnected computing modules to implement certain of the embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 10A] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10B] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10C] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10D] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10E] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10F] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10G] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10H]10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10I] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10J] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10K] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10L] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10M] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10N] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10O] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10P]10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10Q] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10R] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10S] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10T] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10U] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10V] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10W] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10X]10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10Y] 10A-10Y show various three-dimensional carbon-containing assemblies grown on structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-based aggregates, and other materials, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure solve problems related to how to inexpensively deploy status sensors. Some embodiments relate to approaches for printing sensing devices that can emit not only identification information but also product status information.

[0007] overview Various methods for identifying packaged products have been used since the beginning of e-commerce, but the mere identification of the presence of a product at a particular location and time fails to address consumers' needs for ongoing, automated status checks on products at or near their residence, automobile, boat, etc.

[0008] Unfortunately, neither traditional radio frequency identifiers (RFID) nor traditional near-field labels can provide this information. What is needed is a new type of sensing device that can emit not only identification information but also product status information in a way that can be read by mobile readers or fixed scanners.

[0009] For as long as packaged products have existed, various methods have been used to identify the packaged products. In the early days of barcodes, a "mark and space" symbol was printed on the package. A specific product could then be identified using a symbol reader (e.g., a barcode reader / scanner). Printing such symbols on the package is very inexpensive, and symbol readers are inexpensive enough to be deployed and integrated with, for example, cash registers. If such symbol readers and corresponding cash registers are further interfaced with a central computer system, purchases of units of the uniquely identified product can be tallied. Inventory accounting, ordering, product replenishment, and other functions of ongoing transactions can be facilitated, sometimes without human intervention.

[0010] However, in some cases, it may not be possible and / or convenient to print such a barcode on the product packaging, and / or in some cases, it may not be possible and / or convenient to place a reader. In such cases, a radio frequency identifier (RFID) can be attached to or embedded in the product or its packaging. When the product (with the RFID attached or embedded) is in proximity to an RFID reader, its presence can be tallied. A given RFID can be manufactured to emit a unique identifier when excited by a "pin." The unique identifier can have any number of bits, so that the unique identifier can be associated with a particular product. In this way, product restocking and other transaction functions can be facilitated.

[0011] Unfortunately, simply identifying a product, or simply identifying the specific presence and location of an identified product, has limitations. For example, while sensing a product at a cash register or at an exit point can be useful information (e.g., to detect the purchase of a unit of the product or to detect the movement of a unit of the product), sometimes it is useful to sense more information (e.g., the state) about a particular unit of the product.

[0012] Some attempts have been made to sense characteristics of product contents by printing sensing devices on product packaging and "pinning" the sensing device to collect information about the contents. However, such sensing devices have been limited to measuring only environmental variables such as humidity, temperature, etc. Thus, there remains an unmet need to sense more information (e.g., condition) about specific units of a product.

[0013] For example, it may be useful to know how full a container is. Alternatively, it may be useful to know whether the container is leaking, whether the contents have deteriorated, spoiled, or are otherwise exuding gas. This situation is further complicated by the need to periodically update state information for multiple units of different products. For example, in a household situation, it may be desirable to periodically update the state information (e.g., quantity, potency, staleness, etc.) of some or all of the products that a consumer encounters as they traverse their residence (or car, boat, etc.).

[0014] Neither traditional RFID nor traditional near-field labels can provide the necessary information. What is needed is a system that facilitates collection from new types of sensing devices that can emit not only identification information but also product-specific status information.

[0015] Definitions and Use of Drawings Some of the terms used in this description are defined below for easy reference. The presented terms and their respective definitions are not intended to be strictly limited to these definitions, and terms may be further defined by the use of the terms within this disclosure. Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, "X uses A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations unless otherwise specified or clear from the context. That is, "X uses A or B" is satisfied if X uses A, if X uses B, or if X uses A and B. As used herein, at least one of A or B means at least one A, at least one B, or at least one of both A and B. In other words, the phrase is disjunctive. The articles "a" and "an," as used in this specification and the appended claims, should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or unless the context clearly indicates a singular reference.

[0016] Various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that elements of similar structure or function are sometimes represented by like reference numerals throughout the drawings. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended only to facilitate description of the disclosed embodiments; they do not represent an exhaustive treatment of all possible embodiments, nor are they intended to imply any limitations on the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrated embodiments need not illustrate all aspects or advantages of use in any particular environment.

[0017] Aspects or advantages described in connection with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment and may be implemented in any other embodiment, even if not so described. References herein to "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" refer to particular features, structures, materials, or properties described in connection with the embodiments that are included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0018] Description of exemplary embodiments 1 illustrates an environment 100 in which an electromagnetic condition sensing device may be deployed. Optionally, one or more variations of environment 100, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates aspects related to a printed sensing device that can emit not only identification information but also product status information. Specifically, the diagram is presented with respect to its contribution to addressing the problem of how to inexpensively deploy status sensors. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which quantitative values ​​can be sensed by an electromagnetic status sensing device (EMSSD) and relayed to a computational site for data processing. "Electromagnetic waves" refer to signals that propagate at relatively low frequencies (e.g., 125 kHz) or higher, such as radio frequencies (13.6 MHz) and above.

[0020] As shown, sensors (e.g., sensor 1011, sensor 1012, and sensor 1013) are stimulated by pins. The stimulated sensors emit resonant signatures that characterize one or more aspects of the product within their corresponding containers. Several different container types and several different container aspects are represented.

[0021] The ping can be initiated, for example, by a smartphone (or other type of mobile device). Specifically, an application ("app"; i.e., software application, computer program, computer-readable medium) on the mobile device (e.g., smartphone) can control an electromagnetic emitter device driver (e.g., a near-field communication (NFC) device driver), which causes the electromagnetic emitter device to initiate the ping. In this manner, the frequency, duration, and shape of the ping can be controlled. When excited by the ping, a nearby sensor resonates and emits a signature that encodes information related to aspects of the product in the container. The information related to the product in the container is reformatted and relayed upstream for further processing. In some embodiments, as shown, the reformatted and relayed upstream information can be routed for communication via the Internet or Intranet 108 for additional sensor data processing.

[0022] Many different types or configurations of EMSSDs can be applied to product packaging. As shown, a Type 1 EMSSD 1011 can be applied to a Type 1 container, a Type 2 EMSSD 1012 can be applied to a Type 2 container, and a Type 3 EMSSD 1013 can be applied to a Type 3 container. Such containers can be vessels (e.g., Type 1 containers such as plastic or glass jugs or bottles) that hold fluids or liquids (e.g., detergent, alcohol, fuel, milk, etc.). Alternatively, the containers can be cartons (e.g., Type 2 containers such as cardboard or cardboard boxes that may or may not be coated with a plastic material) for holding any contents. Additionally, the containers can be specialized containers (e.g., Type 3 containers such as pill bottles, hinged boxes, dropper bottles, etc.) that are designed to hold some specific product, such as medicine. Any of the aforementioned containers can be provided in any setting.

[0023] Specifically, as an example, the different types of containers mentioned above may be found in a domestic setting. Thus, a consumer may walk through their residence, and in the process of walking, a mobile device may emit electromagnetic pings and capture electromagnetic returns. Any one or more user devices 117 that can be controlled to emit electromagnetic radiation can emit pings and capture the returned signals.

[0024] As shown, user device 117 can be a Type 1 mobile device 131 (e.g., an iOS phone), or user device 117 can be a Type 2 mobile device 132 (e.g., an Android phone), or user device 117 can be a stationary instance of interrogation device 133 (e.g., a stationary RFID reader) such as might be located in a pantry or medicine cabinet. Any such user device or variation can be comprised of executable code (e.g., an app) that directly or indirectly controls an electromagnetic-emitting device such as the illustrated NFC device (user device 117). Any number of user devices can generally be in proximity to any EMSSD, with each user device issuing a ping and capturing a response. If multiple pings and multiple returns happen to occur simultaneously and in close proximity to each other, each app (e.g., APP 1371, APP 1372, and APP 1373) can recognize a collision and retry the ping, thus implementing a collision-detection multiple-access protocol.

[0025] In the present disclosure, the PIN can be tuned to different frequencies for different purposes based on the type of product identified by the system without the need for human interaction. In the example shown, PIN 1021 is emitted at a first frequency corresponding to a first RFID frequency. A first portion of the EMSD 1011 responds to that PIN with a return 1031 (i.e., an electromagnetic signal such as "PID1") that encodes a value (e.g., a string of ones and zeros) corresponding to the product and / or container type. Given that encoded value, the APP 1371 can identify (e.g., adjust, tune, customize) the characteristics of the subsequent PIN 1022. A return 1032 responds to the subsequent PIN 1022. The return 1032 encodes information about the contents of the indicated container type 1. The return from the EMSSD may also be referred to as a "signature." In some embodiments, the return is captured by the APP and decoded on the mobile device. In other embodiments, the return is captured by the APP, packaged in a network communication packet, and forwarded to the cell tower 114, which then relays the network communication packet over the Internet to a data processing facility (e.g., the sensor data processing module 110). The data processing facility then applies the rule set 121 to identify further action (such as replenish, dispose, or repair).

[0026] The devices and systems shown in environment 100 operate together to form an autonomous monitoring system, such as an order fulfillment system. As shown, sensor data processing module 110 communicates over autonomous fulfillment path 1291 to a delivery service, which then traverses autonomous fulfillment path 1292 to deliver the replenished product to the user.

[0027] As mentioned above, an EMSSD can be configured to correspond to a particular product and / or container type. FIG. 1 illustrates a carton designated as container type 2, within which a carton product may be located. Specifically, container type 2 may hold perishable items (e.g., fruits, vegetables, etc.). A corresponding EMSSD can be configured to sense, for example, any or all of: (1) the level or volume of the product within the container; (2) the concentration of gases associated with perishable food or food spoilage; and (3) temperature. In operation, a pin 1023 at RFID frequency originates part of the EMSD 1012 and responds with a return 1033 (e.g., "PID2") that encodes a product ID. The product ID is used as an index for the rule set 121 to isolate at least one rule 122, the application of which results in calibration data that is delivered to the app in the form of a downstream message 1261. For example, based on the product identified from the first pin, the selected rule may customize the signal frequency range and / or number of pins for the type of sensor on the product to be used when subsequent pins are sent to gather information about the contents of the product package.

[0028] Some topologies of the environment 100 include an intranet 108. In some such topologies, downstream messages 1261 pass through a hub 106 before being routed to an application. In such cases, the occurrence of a detection of a product corresponding to a product ID is recorded in a log 127, which is used for various purposes, some of which are discussed below.

[0029] As previously mentioned, downstream message 1261 may include calibration data. The calibration data includes information used by the app to transmit one or more additional pins (e.g., pin 1024). The additional pins may be tuned to a specific frequency, which may be identified at least in part based on the characteristics of the EMSSD. More specifically, a product ID may be used as a key to look up one or more rules, which may inform the app about specific pin frequencies and timing of the pins. As just one example, rules may be processed by the app to interrogate the EMSD according to any of a variety of pins, including simple to complex combinations of pins, in various timing sequences, over any period of time. In this manner, return 1034 may be composed of several signatures in response to the various pins, any of which may be sent as messages (e.g., upstream message 1251, upstream message 1252) to sensor data processing module 110 (e.g., via the Internet) for analysis. The analysis may result in the identification of some or all of the following: (1) the level or volume of product in the container, (2) the concentration of analytes associated with perishable food or food spoilage (e.g., ethylene, ammonia, other gases), (3) the temperature, and / or other information regarding the condition of the contents in the container, which may be sent to hub 106 as formatted content in downstream message 1262.

[0030] In some topologies, downstream messages 1261 pass through a hub 106 before being routed to the app. The hub can be implemented by a voice-activated command 105 (e.g., a voice assistant). The voice assistant can intercept the downstream message 1261 and process it, perhaps by issuing a notification 107. This notification can be in the form of natural language, such as, for example, "It's time to order more kale. Shall I order it?" or "It's too warm today. I need to move the kale to a cooler place." or "The kale is going bad. I need to compost it." In some topologies, the notification 107 can take other forms, such as, but not limited to, a text message or email message. The notification message can include information such as a quantity indicator, expiration date, refill date, refill count or number of refills, lot number, chemical composition, and / or concentration indicator. Some topologies can maintain at least some information about the contents of the product package in a log. For example, the log may include entries corresponding to at least a portion of the information about the content. The log may be maintained by a network access point, where the network access point may be activated by receiving a voice-activated command.

[0031] In some configurations, using all or some of the communication and data analysis techniques described above, interrogation device 133 emits ping 1025, receives return 1035 (e.g., product ID "PID3"), and then emits a further ping 1026, which is tailored specifically to the characteristics of container type 3 and / or the characteristics of the product contained in container type 3. Issuing the further ping 1026 results in issuance of return 1036.

[0032] As described above, an app on a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) can control an electromagnetic emitter device driver (e.g., an NFC device driver) so that the electromagnetic emitter device can raise a ping. The process flow in one exemplary deployment scenario is shown in Figure 2.

[0033] 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a process flow 200 in which an electromagnetic condition sensing device may be deployed. Optionally, one or more variations of process flow 200, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. Process flow 200, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0034] In the illustrated deployment scenario, an app is developed by application and driver software engineers and stored in a web-accessible location (step 202). Web-accessible location 254 can be any location where a downloadable instance of app 252 can be stored. The download can be requested by an internet-connected requesting device 256. Furthermore, the requesting device can be any type of mobile device or any type of stationary device, such as a desktop computer, hub, or digital assistant. In this scenario, requesting device 256 is shown as a smartphone, but could also be, for example, a smartwatch, tablet, or laptop computer.

[0035] A requesting device can issue a request at any time (e.g., via an Internet call to a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)), which causes the app to be downloaded onto the device and configured for ongoing operation (step 204). The configuration can be specific to the characteristics of the target device (i.e., the requesting device) and / or any monitoring software (e.g., operating system) hosted on the target device. At some point after download and configuration, the app enters a processing loop (step 206). Iteration through loop 220 can be performed on any schedule, perhaps a schedule that implements various power-saving techniques. In some cases, the order of operations performed in the loop can change based on conditions existing at the time. While app operations 205 show a particular flow of operations, alternative orderings are possible in some situations, and in some cases, some of the operations are not performed in a given iteration of the loop.

[0036] As shown, loop 220 includes the act of emitting a first pin signal when in proximity to an EMSD (step 208), thus stimulating at least an identification portion 261 of the EMSD (step 208). Based on an identification code (e.g., product ID) derived from the identification signal (step 210), the app then applies all or a portion of applicable rules (step 212). Such identification code (e.g., product ID) can be used as an index into rule set 121 to identify EMSD rules 209 and fulfillment rules 211. Application of a particular EMSD rule 209 results in synchronization of data delivered to the app. Application of a particular fulfillment rule 211 results in an action related to the product contents, such as reading the liquid level, providing measurements of different analytes, or reading the amount of contents in its container. The app then transmits a second pin signal to stimulate at least a status portion 262 of the EMSD (step 214). The app receives return status signals in response to the second ping signal based on the state of the product at the time of the second ping (step 216). These return status signals are decoded to identify state information. For example, a printed electromagnetic state sensing device can emit a first variant of a second electromagnetic radiation signal (e.g., a first resonant frequency) when the contents within the product package are in a first state, and can emit a second variant of the second electromagnetic radiation signal (e.g., a second resonant frequency) when the contents within the product package are in a second state. In some cases, the return status signal is analyzed by the requesting device (e.g., by the app), while in other cases, as shown, the requesting device offloads the requesting device by transmitting the return status signal to an upstream network device (step 218).

[0037] In this particular embodiment, the upstream device is an instance of hub 106, but the upstream device can be any device that is connected to an intranet or that is connected to the Internet.

[0038] The processing depends, at least in part, on the response characteristics of the EMSSD. In particular, the application relies on the aspect that the EMSSD includes an identification portion 261 and at least one status portion 262. Various techniques for forming the EMSSD are shown and described in connection with FIG. 3A.

[0039] 3A is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic condition sensing device 3A00. Optionally, one or more variations of the electromagnetic condition sensing device 3A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The electromagnetic condition sensing device 3A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic condition sensing device 3A00.

[0040] The EMSSD 3A00 is configured as an elongated sensor. That is, the EMSSD has multiple sections spanning the length (e.g., longitudinally in a particular direction, such as vertically) of the product contents. As shown, the first resonating section 301 is configured to provide RFID functionality. Specifically, upon pinging at a predetermined frequency, the first resonating section 301 is energized and emits a bit string, some of which are concatenated to form a unique identification code. The figure also shows a second resonating section 302, a third resonating section 303, and an Nth resonating section 399, which may be used to communicate information about the product (i.e., the status of the contents within the product package). There may be many resonating sections juxtaposed proximate the Nth resonating section 399 (e.g., in a linear array, as shown). The EMSD 3A00 represents a sensing device having multiple resonating sections, each printed from ink and having a resonant threshold determined by the material properties and / or geometry of the printed ink. The resonating portions are positioned along the path and may or may not be adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, the resonating portions may be printed using different carbon-containing inks. In some implementations, the resonating portions are each substantially the same size and shape. In some embodiments, the different resonating portions may be printed using the same carbon-containing ink, with the different resonating portions having different geometric shapes. The identification portion 261 is tuned to resonate at a different frequency than any of the state portions.

[0041] All of the aforementioned portions 301-399 can be printed in various geometries using carbon-containing inks, with the geometries (e.g., linear / curved / spiral patterns, line widths, shape factors) and carbon-containing inks (e.g., various allotropic compositions) specified by the manufacturer or designer of the EMSD based on the sensing criteria to be detected by the EMSSD 3A00. In some cases, the sensing criteria include environmental indicators such as "Is ethylene present?" or "Is this portion of the EMSSD deformed by the presence of liquid?" In some cases, the sensing criteria and their respective resonances correspond to environmental indicators such as "What is the dielectric constant at this location?" As such, a series of resonating portions of the EMSD can be printed on the container, and the series of resonating portions can be tuned to respond to the particular container and contents to be detected and / or based on the particular location of that resonating portion on the container. For example, a change in the amount of liquid contents in the container causes a change in the dielectric constant sensed by the EMSSD. Thus, the EMSSD can be designed to be sensitive to the dielectric constant of a particular resonating portion in the then-current environment. Techniques for achieving and / or adjusting sensitivity to the permittivity or permeability of a particular resonating section in the current environment include selecting a particular carbon ink or combination of carbon inks and adjusting the geometry (e.g., layout and / or dimensions) of the electrode lines. Specifically, as an example, a container holding a liquid exhibits a first permittivity when the container is full, but the same container exhibits a second permittivity when, for example, the container is nearly empty. This phenomenon can be used to determine the level of liquid in the container. Indeed, this phenomenon can be observed when using only a single resonating section (e.g., as an analog signal with a specific precision) or when using a series of resonating sections, such as an elongated linear array of resonating sections (e.g., organized into a series of digital bits with any desired precision). In the case of a single resonating section, the frequency change in response to the environmental change comprises an analog signal, while in the case of multiple resonating sections, the return from each resonating section is analyzed against a threshold to identify an “on” or “off” value.The "on" or "off" values ​​of multiple resonant sections can be combined from a series of digital bits.

[0042] While the foregoing examples are specific to liquids within a container, deployment of an EMSSD as disclosed herein can be used to detect any change in the environment proximal to the container. As an example of an environmental change, the EMSSD can detect any one or more of the following: galvanostatic change, piezo-static change, and / or potentio-static change. Any such change or change in the proximal environment causes one or more changes in the resonant response or responses of one or more portions of the EMSSD. For example, piezo-static change, resulting from deformation of the product contents (e.g., expansion due to temperature or amount of contents present), can cause distortion in the resonating portion of the EMSSD, resulting in a change in the emitted resonant frequency. Different types of product contents have different densities, and therefore, different products can cause different degrees of distortion in the resonating portion. Thus, each product and each container can have a unique EMSSD, calibrated for that particular product and container combination.

[0043] A technique for sensing the level of a liquid in a container is shown and described in the deployment scenarios of Figures 3B1 and 3B2.

[0044] 3B1 illustrates deployment scenario 3B100 in which a first state of the liquid contents is measured. Optionally, one or more variations of deployment scenario 3B100, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. Deployment scenario 3B100, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0045] In this deployment scenario, the EMSSD is printed on the side (e.g., exterior) of the liquid container. In other deployments, the EMSSD is printed on the inside of the container. In other deployments, the EMSSD is printed on a label that is affixed to the container.

[0046] When the container is filled to near capacity with liquid (as shown), resonating portions 303 through 399 cover the area where there is liquid in the container, while resonating portion 302 is at a location where there is no liquid in the container. The permittivity and / or permeability of the environment surrounding the resonating portions at these two locations differ based at least on the level of liquid in the container. Thus, when other parameters remain the same over the length of the EMSD, the resonant frequency radiated by resonating portion 302 will be different from resonating portion 399. Such parameters include material and environmental properties such as the density of the contents or their packaging, the relative permittivity of the contents or their packaging, the magnetic permeability of a label affixed to the packaging, the shape of the container, and variations in the thickness of the container.

[0047] Given several pin returns from several resonant parts of the EMSD, the difference between the several pin returns corresponds to the liquid level. More specifically, multiple pins of different frequencies are emitted by the user device. These different frequencies trigger responses in the form of pin returns from different resonant parts of the EMSD. The signals comprising these pin returns are then analyzed to identify the amplitude of the center frequency.

[0048] In the deployment scenario of Figure 3B2, a nearly empty liquid level is shown and explained. While the presence or absence of liquid may dominate the resonance of a particular resonating section in some situations, the presence or absence of liquid at one end of the EMSD can cause a change in the resonant frequency of a different resonating section located at the opposite end of the EMSD. This effect, as well as other effects caused by the container's geometry, can be measured during the calibration procedure.

[0049] Further details regarding printed sensors and resonating components can be found in No. 10,218,073, entitled "Antenna with Frequency-Selective Elements," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 461,693, entitled "Energy Harvesting Using 2D / 3D Packaging," filed February 21, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 552,522, entitled "Printed Electrical Components," filed August 31, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 589,893, entitled "Printed Chemical Sensor," filed November 22, 2017, all of which are owned by the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0050] 3B2, 3B3, and 3B4 illustrate deployment scenarios 3B200, 3B300, and 3B400, respectively, in which a second state of the liquid contents is measured and optionally displayed on the container. Optionally, one or more variations of deployment scenario 3B200, 3B300, or 3B400, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in instances of the architecture and functionality of embodiments described herein. Deployment scenario 3B200, 3B300, or 3B400, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0051] When the liquid in the container is nearly empty (as shown in FIG. 3B2), resonating portions 302 through 398 are located where no liquid is present in the container, and resonating portion 399 is located where liquid is present in the container. The permittivity and / or permeability of the environment at these two locations differ based at least on the level of product. Therefore, if other parameters are the same across the length of the EMSD, the resonant frequency emitted by resonating portion 302 will be different from that of resonating portion 399. Given several pin returns from several resonating portions of the EMSD, the difference between the several pin returns corresponds to the liquid level. Accuracy (e.g., full, ½ full to ±¼ full, ¼ full to ±⅛ full, etc.) can be configured within the EMSD by the number, length, and / or spacing of the resonating portions.

[0052] In some embodiments, the status of the container may be indicated on the container using a printed visual status pattern on a status display 3990, as shown in FIG. 3B3. The status display may be printed, for example, using a carbon-containing ink. In this illustration, the status display 3990 displays "FULL," indicating that the liquid level in the container is full. The status display 3990 may be printed directly on the exterior of the container or may be printed on a substrate (e.g., a label) and attached to the container. While the status display 3990 is located at the bottom of the EMSD in this illustration, the status display 3990 may be located elsewhere within the container, such as at the top of the EMSD, or at a location separate from the EMSD. The status display 3990 may be used to indicate various types of status of the product contents, such as quantity, freshness, or suggested action (e.g., "time to reorder"), and may use text and / or graphics (e.g., icons).

[0053] 3B4 shows cross-sectional views of a printed status display 3990 according to several deployment scenarios. The status display 3990 is an electrophoretic visual display device that uses a carbon matrix 3991 (i.e., an electrophoretic display matrix) according to some embodiments. The display 3990 includes a substrate 3992, a first electrode layer 3993 on the substrate 3992, a carbon matrix layer 3991 on the substrate 3992, electrophoretic ink 3994 within the carbon matrix 3991, and a second electrode layer 3995 on the carbon matrix 3991. When the electrode layers 3993 and 3995 are energized, the ink 3994 moves toward or away from the layer 3995 to form an image (e.g., pattern, graphics, text) to be viewed from the layer 3995, as indicated by the eye icon. The carbon matrix 3991 is composed of carbon particles 3996 connected by a polymer, forming a porous network. The substrate 3992 may be a flexible material such as a polymeric film or paper material (eg, cardboard, paper, polymer-coated paper, and polymeric film).

[0054] The thickness of the carbon matrix 3991 layer can be thinner than conventional electrophoretic display materials (i.e., a shorter distance between electrode layers 3993 and 3995) due to the conductive nature of the carbon matrix 3991, which allows for electrode connections within the matrix itself. For example, the thickness of the carbon matrix 3991 can be 10 μm to 40 μm, or 10 μm to 100 μm. The electrical conductivity of the carbon matrix 3991 can be greater than 20,000 S / m, or greater than 5,000 S / m, or greater than 500 S / m, or greater than 50 S / m. Having a thinner passive phase (carbon matrix 3991) requires less energy to move the ink 3994, making the display 3990 lower power and therefore more amenable to being powered solely by energy harvesting methods. For example, the status display 3990 may be powered by an energy harvesting antenna 3997, which may harvest energy from electromagnetic signals emitted by the user device.

[0055] Carbon matrix 3991 is a porous conductive layer having pores within or between carbon particles 3996 that allow ink 3994 to migrate through carbon matrix 3991. Ink that migrates toward second electrode layer 3995 produces a visible image, while ink that migrates away from layer 3995 produces blank spaces in the observed image. In some embodiments, ink 3994 can be a white electrophoretic ink to contrast with the dark color of carbon matrix 3991.

[0056] The carbon matrix 3991 is made from carbon particles 3996 held together by a binder, such as a polymer (e.g., cellulose, cellulose acetate butyrate, styrene butadiene, polyurethane, polyether-urethane) or a cross-linkable resin (e.g., acrylate, epoxy, vinyl) that forms polymerizable covalent bonds. The binder connects the carbon particles 3996 to one another but does not encompass all of the space between the carbon particles; pores (i.e., spaces, voids) exist within the carbon matrix 3991. The carbon particles 3996 are electrically conductive and may include allotropes such as graphene, carbon nano-onions (CNO), carbon nanotubes (CNT), or any combination thereof. Some or all of the carbon particles 3996 may be aggregates of subparticles of these allotropes. In some embodiments, the majority of the carbon matrix 3991 may be graphene, for example, greater than 50%, greater than 80%, or greater than 90% of the carbon particles within the carbon matrix 3991. In some embodiments, the status display 3990 is an electrophoretic display matrix comprising a plurality of carbon particles crosslinked to one another by a polymer, wherein the matrix has a porosity comprising at least one of: i) an interparticle porosity with an average distance between the carbon particles of up to 10 μm, or ii) an intraparticle porosity with an average porosity of greater than 200 nm. Further details of printed visual displays can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 866,464, filed June 25, 2019, and entitled "Electrophoretic Display," which is owned by the assignee of the present application and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0057] A technique for determining the dynamic range of sensitivity based on the number of independent sensor portions of an EMSD is shown in Figure 3C.

[0058] 3C is a selection chart 3C00 for determining the dynamic range of an electromagnetic condition sensing device. Optionally, one or more variations of selection chart 3C00, or any aspect thereof, can be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of embodiments described herein. Selection chart 3C00, or any aspect thereof, can be implemented in any environment.

[0059] As shown, the more sensor segments used in a slender EMSD, the more accurate the measurements. In the figure, a dynamic range of 3 dB corresponds to a ratio of 2 (1 bit corresponds to 1 sensor segment), 6 dB corresponds to a ratio of 4 (2 bits correspond to 2 sensor segments), and 9 dB corresponds to a ratio of 8 (3 bits correspond to 3 sensor segments). As an example, if there is only one independent sensor, the reading may be {empty or full} with a large plus or minus error, whereas if there are three sensor segments (e.g., three segments spaced equally apart in the direction of product content depletion), the combined readings from each of the three sensors may indicate {full, 7 / 8, 3 / 4, 5 / 8, 1 / 2, 3 / 8, 1 / 4, 1 / 8, or empty} with a plus or minus error of approximately 1 / 16. That is, the various indications result from environmental conditions corresponding to whether the product content completely covers, partially covers, or does not cover the various resonant segments.

[0060] The embodiments described thus far rely, at least in part, on readings from EMSSD sections, where each section responds to a pin in different environments with a different respective return signature. The different respective return signatures can be measured in various environments and the return signature readings can be used as calibration points, as shown in Figures 4A1 and 4A2.

[0061] 4A1 and 4A2 are equivalent circuit models 4A100 and 4A200 of an electromagnetic state sensing device in a first environment (e.g., a carton nearly full of powder) and a second environment (e.g., a carton nearly empty), respectively. Optionally, one or more variations of the equivalent circuit model, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The equivalent circuit model, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, each carbon-containing material (i.e., ink) used in each portion of the EMSD is formulated differently to resonate at different tuned frequencies. The physical phenomenon of material resonance can be explained in terms of corresponding molecular and / or morphological composition. Specifically, a material having a first molecular structure resonates at a first frequency in a particular environment, while a material having a different second molecular structure resonates at a different second frequency in the same particular environment. Similarly, a material having a first molecular structure resonates at a first frequency in a particular environment, while the same material having the same molecular structure resonates at a different second frequency in a different environment. Often, these resonant frequencies form a unique signature of the composition when placed in a particular environment. For example, a first carbon-containing ink may be formulated primarily of graphene. The second carbon-containing ink may be similar to the first ink, but may have a different molecular structure than the first carbon-containing ink, for example, a different composition (e.g., the addition of multilayered spherical fullerenes or other allotropes) or structure (e.g., graphene with fewer or more layers than the first ink).

[0063] This phenomenon can be controlled using the techniques described herein: more specifically, (1) materials can be tuned to naturally resonate at selected frequencies, and (2) the response of the material in different environments can be measured and used for calibration.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2 and described herein, the difference between a first pin return measurement from a first resonating section in a first environment and a second pin return measurement from the same resonating section in a second environment corresponds to a difference in resonant frequency. Furthermore, with other parameters being equal, the difference between the first and second environments can correspond to a product sensing state (e.g., product present or product absent). The difference in resonant frequency between product sensing states (e.g., state = product present or state = product absent) can be measured in situ. In some cases, the difference in resonant frequency between product sensing states can be calculated. Whether the difference in resonant frequency between product sensing states is measured empirically (e.g., for calibration) or calculated, this phenomenon occurs due to the atomic or molecular structure of the materials in the sensor and / or the environmental conditions present at the time of measurement. The following paragraphs explain this phenomenon step by step.

[0065] As is known in the art, atoms emit electromagnetic radiation at frequencies characteristic of a particular element. That is, atoms of a particular element have a characteristic vibrational frequency that corresponds to the characteristics of that atom's configuration. For example, when a cesium atom is stimulated, the valence electrons jump from a lower energy state (e.g., the ground state) to a higher energy state (e.g., an excited energy state). When the electrons return to the lower energy state, they emit electromagnetic radiation in the form of photons. For cesium, the photons emitted are in the microwave frequency range of 9.192631770 THz.

[0066] Subatomic structures, such as molecules formed from multiple atoms, also resonate (i.e., emit electromagnetic radiation) at predictable frequencies. For example, liquid water in bulk resonates at 109.6 THz. Water in tension (e.g., at the surface of the bulk, various states of surface tension) resonates at or near 112.6 THz.

[0067] Carbon atoms and carbon structures also exhibit natural frequencies that depend on the structure. For example, the natural resonant frequency of a carbon nanotube (CNT) depends on the diameter and length of the CNT tube. Growing CNTs under controlled conditions (e.g., controlling the tube diameter and length) leads to control of the natural resonant frequency of the structure. Therefore, growing CNTs is one way to tune to a desired resonant frequency.

[0068] Other structures formed from carbon can be fabricated under controlled conditions. Such structures include, but are not limited to, carbon nano-onions (CNO), carbon lattices, graphene, other graphene-based carbon-containing materials, engineered nanoscale structures, and / or combinations thereof. Such structures can be fabricated to resonate at specific tuned frequencies and / or can be modified in post-processing to achieve desired properties or characteristics. For example, desired properties, such as high reinforcement values ​​when mixed with polymers, can be achieved through the selection of materials and specific combination ratios and / or the addition of other materials.

[0069] Furthermore, the collocation of such structures introduces additional resonance effects: for example, two graphene sheets may resonate with each other at a frequency that depends on the length, width, spacing, spacing geometry, and / or other physical properties of the sheets, and / or their juxtaposition with each other.

[0070] The material has specific, measurable properties. This applies to naturally occurring materials as well as engineered carbon allotropes. Such engineered carbon allotropes can be tailored to exhibit physical properties. For example, carbon allotropes can be engineered to exhibit (a) a specific arrangement of constituent primary particles, (b) the formation of aggregates, and (c) physical properties corresponding to the formation of aggregates. Each of these physical properties affects the specific resonant frequency of a material formed using the corresponding specific carbon allotrope.

[0071] In addition to tailoring a particular carbon-based structure to a particular physical configuration corresponding to a particular resonant frequency, a carbon-containing compound can be tuned to a particular resonant frequency or set of resonant frequencies. A set of resonant frequencies is called a "resonance profile." One possible technique for tuning a particular carbon-based structure to emit a set of resonant frequencies is disclosed as follows:

[0072] Formation of frequency tuning materials Carbon-containing resonant materials can be tuned to exhibit specific resonance profiles by tailoring the specific compounds that make up the material to have specific electrical impedances. Different electrical impedances therefore correspond to different frequency response profiles.

[0073] Impedance describes how difficult it is for an alternating current to flow through an element. In the frequency domain, impedance is a complex number with real and imaginary components due to the structure behaving as an inductor. The imaginary component is the inductive reactance component X, which is based on the frequency f and inductance L of a particular structure. L Is:

number

[0074] As the received frequency increases, the reactance also increases, resulting in a damped resonant response at some frequency threshold. The inductance L is affected by the electrical impedance Z of the material, where Z is related to the material properties of magnetic permeability μ and permittivity ε by the following relationship:

number

[0075] Therefore, adjusting the material properties changes the electrical impedance Z, which affects the inductance L and consequently the reactance XL.

[0076] The present embodiment observes that carbon-containing structures with different inductances have different frequency responses: a carbon-containing structure with a high inductance L (based on electrical impedance Z) reaches a specific reactance at a lower frequency than another carbon-containing structure with a lower inductance.

[0077] Additionally, the present embodiments utilize material properties of magnetic permeability, permittivity, and conductivity in preparing carbon-containing compounds to be tailored according to the requirements of a particular product condition sensor.

[0078] A first carbon-containing structure resonates at a first frequency, but the same structure is observed to resonate at a second frequency when the structure is in a different environment (e.g., when the carbon-containing structure is in physical contact with a structure in the environment).

[0079] As shown, the resonant frequency can be related to an equivalent electrical circuit including a capacitor C1 and an inductor L1. The frequency f1 is given by:

number

[0080] When the environment changes slightly, such as when the liquid in the container is no longer in contact with the sensor or is no longer adjacent to the wall of the container to which the sensor is attached, the change in environment causes a change in the inductance and / or capacitance of the entire structure. This change can be correlated to an equivalent electrical circuit including capacitor C2 and inductor L2. The frequency f2 is given by:

number

[0081] The magnitude of the quantities f1-f2 determines the sensitivity because they are used when comparing two readings or comparing a reading to a calibration point. Therefore, the geometry of the printed portion of the EMSD (e.g., lead length, lead width, curvature, etc.) and the choice of carbon used in carbon-containing inks are often dominant factors in determining the sensitivity of the EMSD. While some resonant frequencies of EMSDs can be calculated (e.g., using the equations described above), many deployment scenarios rely on empirical data acquisition techniques to form calibration points. Often, the more calibration points measured, the more accurate the measurement. In various calibration scenarios, many sets of calibration points are taken and saved for each variation of the container and / or intended contents.

[0082] 4B illustrates an empirical data acquisition technique 4B00 as used to calibrate an electromagnetic state sensing device in different environments. Optionally, one or more variations of the empirical data acquisition technique 4B00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The empirical data acquisition technique 4B00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0083] Practical use of this empirical data capture technique results in the capture of actual measurements of each specific portion of a multi-portion EMSSD. In an exemplary usage scenario, a three-column table such as that shown in FIG. 4B is constructed by obtaining a series of empirical measurements. Specifically, for each independent portion of the EMSSD, the response to a stimulus is measured under two different environmental conditions. The empirical response of the specially tuned independent portion of the EMSSD is measured and recorded in a first environment (referred to as RENV1). Next, the empirical response of the specially tuned independent portion of the EMSSD is measured and recorded in a second environment (referred to as RENV2). Specifically, the first environment is when the container is full or nearly full, and the second environment is when the container is empty or nearly empty.

[0084] As shown, It can be seen that RENV1 is a function of two main variables: (1) the permeability of the material forming the independent part of the EMSSD, and (2) the permittivity of the local environment. Such in situ measurements are taken for each independent part, for the first environment and for the second environment.

[0085] When the EMSSD is composed of multiple independent parts (e.g., part ID#2 302, part ID#3 303, part ID#99 399, etc.), a highly accurate assessment of the contents can be made. The depiction in FIG. 4B includes empirical measurement scenarios 460: StateFull scenario 461, StateNearEmpty scenario 462, and StateHalf scenario 463. In this example, Environment 1 corresponds to a set of conditions when the container is full, while Environment 2 corresponds to a set of conditions when the container is empty. Thus, in a completely full container situation, each independent part of the EMSD resonates with a response corresponding to RENV1. For comparison, in a nearly empty container situation, each independent part of the EMSD resonates with a response corresponding to RENV2, except for the "bottom" part (part ID#99). However, the "bottom" part (part ID#99) resonates with a response corresponding to RENV1 due to the content remaining near the bottom part#99.

[0086] If (1) the EMSSD has four independent sections stacked vertically across the container (e.g., extending from the top to the bottom of the container to detect the amount of contents in the container), (2) the top two sections resonate with a response corresponding to RENV1, and (3) the bottom two sections resonate with a response corresponding to RENV2, then the container is considered to be at half capacity.

[0087] Some embodiments may include tuning different carbon-containing inks to resonate at different center frequencies that are widely separated in the frequency domain. Doing so would allow the ping frequencies used to stimulate particular independent portions to also be widely separated. Multiple independent portions of an EMSD can be stimulated sequentially using a "chirp" technique, where successive pings at different frequencies are separated over a time slice such that the response signature from a given independent portion of the EMSD is of much higher amplitude than any harmonic responses from other portions of the EMSD. One possible signature capture technique is shown and described in connection with FIG. 5A.

[0088] 5A illustrates a signature acquisition technique 5A00 used for electromagnetic state sensing, according to one embodiment. Optionally, one or more variations of the signature acquisition technique 5A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The signature acquisition technique 5A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0089] FIG. 5A illustrates a technique for capturing and analyzing a returned signal signature after an independent portion of an EMSSD formed from a carbon-containing tuned resonant material is stimulated by a chirp signal. Specifically, the diagram shows measurements 550 obtained from an EMSSD on a nearby vessel. As a result of stimulating the EMSSD with a chirp signal sequence, the EMSSD responds (e.g., via resonant light emission). Return responses (e.g., return signal 5121, return signal 5122) are captured from each EMSSD. More specifically, when a first EMSSD 5041 on the vessel is stimulated by a pin (e.g., a pin from the chirp sequence of chirp signal 5101), return signal 5121 is received and processed. Similarly, when a second EMSSD 5042 on the vessel is stimulated by a pin (e.g., a pin from the chirp sequence of chirp signal 5102), return signal 5122 is received and processed.

[0090] As shown, a particular container may include multiple EMSSDs, each with its own identification and status portion and a separate RFID. As an example, the container may be in the form of a dispenser (e.g., an inhaler) for dispensing medication (e.g., for asthma treatment), and the dispenser may have its own RFID, separate from any EMSSDs. The RFID may have been applied to the dispenser at the time of its manufacture, for example, for product identification or inventory control purposes. The EMSSDs may be applied, perhaps with an adhesive label, by a dispenser or pharmacy when filling a prescription, such as to track quantity and dosing information for a particular patient. For various reasons, the identification portions of the EMSSDs may be configured to operate at different frequencies. For example, the identification portion of a first EMSSD may operate at 125 kHz, and the identification portion of a second EMSSD may operate at 13.6 MHz.

[0091] The aforementioned chirp / ping signals can be transmitted by transceiver 514, and return signals can be received by the same (or a different) transceiver 514. As shown, the chirp signals can occur in a repeating sequence of chirps (e.g., chirp signal 5101, chirp signal 5102). For example, the chirp signal sequence can be managed by pin control unit 516, which repeats a pattern including a 1 GHz ping, a 2 GHz ping, a 3 GHz ping, etc. The entire chirp sequence can be repeated continuously. In some cases, there is a short period between each ping, and the return signal from the resonant material (return signal 5121, return signal 5122) can be analyzed (e.g., in signature analysis module 554) immediately after the end of the ping. In other cases, the signal corresponding to the ping stimulus and the return response signal are present simultaneously. The transceiver 514, ping control unit 516, and signature analysis module 554 can all reside on the user device and software application (e.g., mobile or fixed device), or may be distributed across multiple devices that communicate with the user device, such as the user device and a server. Digital signal processing techniques can be used to distinguish the return response signal from the ping signal. For example, in situations where the return response contains energy across many different frequencies (e.g., overtones, sidelobes, etc.), a notch filter can be used to filter the frequencies of the stimulus.

[0092] When a single vessel hosts two or more EMSSDs, each individual EMSSD can be tuned to emit a different resonant response under different environmental conditions. For example, some EMSSDs can be tuned to respond to changes in the vessel's contents, while other EMSSDs can be tuned to respond to the presence of particulates or gases in the environment.

[0093] To detect the presence of a gas, the EMSSD is configured to include a sensing material (e.g., a redox mediator) that is sensitive to an analyte, such that exposure of the EMSSD to the analyte changes the capacitance of one or more of the EMSSD's components. Thus, the response in the presence of the analyte differs from the response in the absence of the analyte. More specifically, the permittivity and / or permeability of the sensing material changes upon exposure to the analyte, which in turn changes the capacitance of one or more components (e.g., capacitive elements) of the EMSSD, indicating the presence of the analyte.

[0094] Further details regarding the general approach to sensing analytes are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 239,423, entitled "RESONANT GAS SENSOR," filed January 3, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0095] 5B illustrates a signature analysis technique 5B00 used for electromagnetic state sensing, according to one embodiment. Optionally, one or more variations of the signature analysis technique 5B00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The signature analysis technique 5B00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0096] 5B illustrates an embodiment relating to a sensing device that can emit not only identification information but also product status information. In many situations, including the situation illustrated and described in FIG. 5B, the product status information is determined based on measurements compared to predetermined calibration points.

[0097] As shown, the system flow begins at step 570. A ping signal at a selected ping frequency is transmitted by the ping control unit 516. The ping signal generation mechanism and the ping signal transmission mechanism can use any known technology. Specifically, by way of example, a transmitter module can generate a selected frequency (e.g., 3 GHz) and radiate that signal using an antenna or multiple antennas. The design and location of the tuned antenna can correspond to the geometry and / or material and / or location of any tuned antenna such that the ping strength is sufficient to energize and / or induce resonance in nearby EMSSDs. In some embodiments, multiple tuned antennas are positioned on or within a structural member proximate to a corresponding EMSSD. In that way, when an EMSSD is stimulated by a ping, it resonates back with a signature. That signature can be received (step 574) and stored in a dataset including the received signature 576. The ping transmission sequence and subsequent signature reception can be repeated in a loop.

[0098] For example, as shown, the pin frequency is changed (step 572) over the course of an iterative pass (i.e., see the "yes" branch of decision 580). Once step 574 is performed and the received signature 576 is processed, a first signature 5781, a second signature 5782, an Nth signature 578N, etc. are stored. The number of iterations can be controlled by decision 580. If the "no" branch of decision 580 is taken (e.g., there are no additional pins to transmit), the received signature can be provided to a digital signal processing module within signature analysis module 554 (step 582). The digital signal processing module classifies the signature against a set of calibration points 586 (step 584). The calibration points can correspond to particular pin frequencies and / or the calibration points can correspond to particular signatures measured in an in situ environment. For example, the first calibration point 588_1 may characterize a first return signature that is classified as indicative of a "full" state of the medication in the dispenser, the second calibration point 5882 may characterize a second return signature that is classified as indicative of a "half-full" state of the medication in the dispenser, and so on for the Nth calibration point.

[0099] The classified signal is transmitted to an upstream network device at step 590. In some embodiments, the classified signal is then relayed by a network hub that transmits the classified signal to an upstream repository that hosts a machine learning database. Such a machine learning database can be trained to correlate a given set of sensed measurements with a particular product condition.

[0100] 6 illustrates a virtual assistant 600 used as the hub 106 of the replenishment system. Optionally, one or more variations of the virtual assistant 600 or any aspect thereof may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. The virtual assistant 600 or any aspect thereof may be implemented in any environment.

[0101] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the hub 106 can be any device that implements network communications. In some cases, the hub includes the capability for natural language communication with a human user. In the illustrated example, the hub 106 is implemented by a virtual assistant. The virtual assistant can be any device, such as those exemplified by devices such as the "Amazon ECHOR®," "GOOGLE HOME®," and "NEST HUB™." As used herein, a virtual assistant is any device that (1) is network-connected and (2) is capable of natural language communication with a human user using a voice input transducer (e.g., a microphone) and a voice output transducer (e.g., a speaker).

[0102] When used within an environment such as that shown in FIG. 1, a virtual assistant can facilitate replenishment based on an EMSD reading combined with the results of a natural language conversation. In one scenario, the EMSD value indicates that a perishable product has reached its expiration date. The digital assistant might speak an audible dialogue such as, "The kale is going bad. Would you like to order more now?" In such a scenario, the user can respond with an audible "Yes," which may cause the virtual assistant to transmit one or more upstream messages 125 (e.g., which may include the user's credentials), which may include a replenishment order 620. An operational element (e.g., a server) upstream from the digital assistant then transmits a downstream message 126, which may include a replenishment status 622.

[0103] In some cases, for example, when used in an environment such as that shown in FIG. 1, the virtual assistant can facilitate processing of signals emitted by the EMSSD. In particular, the virtual assistant can communicate with Type 1 mobile device 131 and / or Type 2 mobile device 132 and / or interrogation device 133. Such communication can be performed using the virtual assistant's NFC unit 602 (FIG. 6), the virtual assistant's Bluetooth® Low Energy unit (BLE) 604, or the virtual assistant's Wi-Fi unit 606. Furthermore, any of a variety of protocols can be implemented, such that any operations necessary for product identification, product state sensing, and / or rule application can be performed by the mobile device, the interrogation device, the virtual assistant, and / or any other network-connected device, in any combination.

[0104] The following diagrams are related to techniques for creating and executing rules and serve to illustrate the logical flow of operations: As noted above, the processing corresponding to the application of any rule or portion thereof and / or the processing corresponding to the execution of any individual operation may be performed by any operation element.

[0105] 7A illustrates a rule codification technique used in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices, according to one embodiment. Optionally, one or more variations of rule codification technique 7A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. Rule codification technique 7A00, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0106] As can be readily appreciated based on the foregoing, there are many products that may be located in a given setting (e.g., a home, an automobile, a boat, etc.), and therefore the EMSSD may be applicable to many different types of products having many different types of states, and many different states of a particular state type; therefore, identification of one or more states of a particular product may be facilitated by a specific process based on the product identification. For example, if a product can be identified as a particular brand of 64 ounce detergent bottle as a result of a pin on an identification portion of the EMSSD, the specific configuration of the remainder of the EMSSD may be known by a database lookup. For example, data returned from a lookup in the database may indicate that the EMSSD configuration for that product and that particular container (i.e., a 64 ounce detergent bottle) includes eight different resonant portions responsive to eight different stimulus frequencies.

[0107] Furthermore, the data returned from the lookup in the database may indicate that the EMSSD configuration for that product and that particular container (i.e., a 64 oz. detergent bottle) includes 32 different calibration points. Thus, once the product is identified, much information about the EMSSD configuration can be known. Furthermore, once the product is identified, further steps to be performed for the product state are identified. A flow such as that shown in FIG. 7A implements rule coding techniques such that any rule can be sent to any device for execution.

[0108] As shown, the flow begins with an event 701, which may originate from an app on a user device such as a smartphone. The user device responds to the event by emitting a ping frequency (step 702). The specific frequency of the ping may initially be known from a ping frequency table 720, which may be implemented as a data structure accessible to the user device. As a result of the output ping or pings, at least one identification signal 703 is emitted from an identification portion of the RFID or EMSD. The identification signal 703 is received (step 704), and the identification signal is converted to a binary representation using any known signal processing technique (step 706). This binary representation is used to look up one or more rules from one or more rule sets 121 (step 708). The one or more rules may be stored using any storage device in any location and may be retrieved using any known method for device-to-device communication. In many cases, one or more rules include information about (1) the corresponding EMSSD type, (2) the location of the calibration point, (3) threshold values, and (4) additional pin instructions.

[0109] Each rule can be codified by looking up data corresponding to the rule's operand (step 710) and by looking up the action to apply to the rule's operand (step 712). Specifically, as an example, a rule can state "Retry if error > T," and step 710 can look up "T" to determine a numerical value, such as 50%, and step 712 can look up details related to the "retry" action, which can include, for example, the amount of time to wait before retrying. In some cases, the numerical values ​​of the operands are specified for the particular platform on which the rule is executed.

[0110] Once the rule has been processed through steps 710 and 712, the flow emits a platform-independent rule representation 715, which is then transmitted to the device (eg, a hub or a smartphone) for execution.

[0111] FIG. 7B illustrates a rule execution technique 7B00 for use in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices. Optionally, one or more variations of rule execution technique 7B00 or any aspect thereof may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. Rule execution technique 7B00 or any aspect thereof may be implemented in any environment.

[0112] As shown, rule execution technique 7B00 begins when a device (e.g., a hub or smartphone) receives a platform-independent rule expression (step 752). Each platform-independent rule expression is decoded (step 754) to identify a corresponding entry point on the device. Each platform-independent rule expression is also decoded to identify operands (step 756). A format table 757 can be used to convert a particular platform-independent operand expression to a platform-specific operand representation. Then, for each entry point, the operands are formatted to correspond to the platform's computer hardware and software architecture (step 758), and the platform-independent rule is executed on the device (step 760). In some cases, the operands are not decoded to a numeric representation, but rather, the operands are further decoded to an entry point or subroutine. As an example, the operand "sweep" shown in format table 757 can refer to a subroutine that covers a range in frequency sweep operations.

[0113] 8 illustrates an exemplary protocol 800 for use in a replenishment system based on electromagnetic condition sensing devices, according to one embodiment. Optionally, one or more variations of protocol 800, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. Protocol 800, or any aspect thereof, may be implemented in any environment.

[0114] The illustrated protocol is The system includes four devices: (1) a proximal EMSD 801, (2) a user device 802, (3) a network hub 803, and (4) an upstream processing unit 804. As shown, the protocol is initiated by the user device. Specifically, the user device 802 emits a first ping (radiation 806). Energy from the first ping causes the proximal EMSD 801 to emit a signal (radiation 807), which includes a portion that is interpreted as an identification signal (radiation 808). The identification signal is decoded into a product ID (operation 810), and the identification signal is transmitted to the network hub (message 812).

[0115] Network hub 803 performs a first local process to process all or a portion of emission 807 (operation 814), and then transmits all or a portion of emission 807 to upstream processing unit 804 (payload message 816). Upstream processing unit 804 (i.e., an upstream computing device that may include, for example, an interrogation device with an RFID reader) accesses EMSSD rules from rule set 121 and performs a first upstream process 818. The EMSSD rules are encoded as platform-independent rules and transmitted to the network hub (message 820), which then relays all or a portion of the platform-independent rules to the user device (message 822).

[0116] At this point in the protocol, the user device has enough information about the characteristics of the proximal EMSD (e.g., resulting from processing the message by identifying pins 2 through N signal characteristics 824) so ​​that it can interrogate the state portion of the EMSD by pinging any one or more resonant portions of the proximal EMSD. Although only pin 2 (radiation 826) is shown in this protocol, there will often be many resonant portions of the proximal EMSD, and some or all of these portions will be interrogated (e.g., sequentially) by the user device.

[0117] In response to the second pin, the resonating portion of the proximal EMSD resonates (radiates 828) in a manner that emits a status signal (radiates 830). The status signal is processed at the user device by applying one or more rules (operation 832). In this embodiment, all or a portion of the status signal and / or any derivatives from the processing of the status signal are sent to a network hub (message 834), which performs second local processing (operation 836). The second local processing includes forming a payload of a message that is sent to an upstream processing unit (message 838). The upstream processing unit, in turn, performs second upstream processing 842.

[0118] At this point in the protocol, at least the upstream processing unit has information regarding the specific state of a particular unit of a particular product. In this manner, the upstream processing unit can utilize additional rules related to order fulfillment. For example, an order fulfillment rule may have the semantics "ask the user if another unit of this product should be ordered now." Such additional rules are relayed to the network hub for further processing (message 844). In some cases, as shown, the network hub relays all or part of the additional rules to the user device (message 846).

[0119] Such additional rules at the user device may include formulating and presenting a confirmation question within the user device's user interface. In some cases, there are several additional rules applied at the user device (operation 847). The user response, e.g., "Yes, order now," may be sent to the network hub (message 848) and to an upstream processing unit (message 850) for further processing and / or to relay the response or a portion thereof. The upstream processing unit can then complete steps (operation 852) to fulfill the order fulfillment request confirmed by the user.

[0120] As a result of product status identification using EMSSD, the user was notified of the need for hidden replenishment. The user's replenishment request was confirmed and the replenishment was initiated. In some cases, the execution rules allowed the execution to begin without explicit user confirmation.

[0121] Additional Practical Application Examples FIG. 9 illustrates system 900 as an arrangement of interconnected computing modules that work cooperatively to implement certain of the embodiments disclosed herein. This and other embodiments present particular arrangements of elements that, individually or in combination, help form an improved engineering process that addresses how to inexpensively deploy condition sensors. The division of system 900 is merely exemplary, and other divisions are possible. Optionally, system 900 may be implemented in the context of the architecture and functionality of the embodiments described herein. However, it should be understood that system 900, or any operations therein, may be performed in any desired environment.

[0122] System 900 includes at least one processor and at least one memory, which is operable to store program instructions corresponding to the operations of the system. As shown, operations can be performed in whole or in part using program instructions accessible by modules. The modules are connected via communication paths 905, and any operation can be connected to any other operation via communication paths 905. The modules of the system can individually or in combination perform the method operations within system 900. Any operations performed within system 900 can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified in the claims.

[0123] The illustrated embodiment implements a portion of a computer system designated as system 900, which includes one or more computer processors (module 910) that execute a set of program code instructions and a module that accesses a memory that holds the program code instructions, and performs the following steps: responding to a request from a user device to download an app, the responding step including receiving the request from the user device and providing access to the app in response to the request, the app being configured to cause the user device to perform a sequence of steps (module 920); transmitting a first electromagnetic radiation signal from the user device (module 930); detecting the first electromagnetic radiation signal from an electromagnetic state sensing device (EMSSD) attached to the product package (module 940). The method includes receiving a first electromagnetic radiation return signal, the first electromagnetic radiation return signal being converted by an electromagnetic condition sensing device in response to the first electromagnetic radiation ping to generate an electromagnetic radiation signal encoding at least first information including a product identification code (module 940); applying a rule selected at least in part based on the product identification code (module 950); transmitting a second electromagnetic radiation ping in response to the application of the rule, the second electromagnetic radiation ping being adjusted accordingly based on the rule (module 960); receiving from the electromagnetic condition sensing device a second electromagnetic radiation return signal encoding second information related to contents within the product package (module 970); and transmitting at least a portion of the second information from the user device to an upstream computing device (module 980). The user device may be, for example, a smartphone and may optionally include a stationary RFID reader.

[0124] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic condition sensing device is a printed electromagnetic condition sensing device, which may include a first carbon-containing ink and, optionally, a second carbon-containing ink. For example, the printed electromagnetic condition sensing device may emit a first variation of a second electromagnetic radiation signal (e.g., a first return signal) when the contents within the product packaging are in a first state, and may emit a second variation of the second electromagnetic radiation signal (e.g., a second return signal) when the contents within the product packaging are in a second state. In some embodiments, the printed electromagnetic condition sensing device may be printed longitudinally on the product packaging.

[0125] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation return signal has energy distributed across multiple frequencies and is emitted by a user device, the user device being a mobile device. The electromagnetic radiation return signal can be emitted by an electromagnetic radiation device of a mobile device or by an electromagnetic radiation device of a stationary device. Specifically, as an example, the electromagnetic radiation device can be a near field communications device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the application is further configured to place a replenishment order in response to the second information regarding the contents in the product package. In some embodiments, the application is further configured to send a notification message in response to the second information regarding the contents in the product package. The notification message may include at least one of a quantity indication, an expiration date, a refill date, a refill count or number of refills, a lot number, a chemical composition, and / or a concentration indication.

[0127] In some embodiments, the application is further configured to maintain a log of at least a portion of the second information regarding the contents within the product package. The log can be maintained by a network access point, where the network access point can receive the voice-activated command. The log can include entries corresponding to at least a portion of the second information.

[0128] In some embodiments, the application is further configured to receive an electromagnetic radiation relay signal from a second electromagnetic condition sensing device (EMSD) attached to the product packaging, the electromagnetic radiation relay signal being converted by the second electromagnetic condition sensing device.

[0129] Variations of the foregoing may include more or fewer of the illustrated modules. Particular variations may perform more or fewer (or different) steps and / or may use more, fewer, or different data elements in the same manner.

[0130] Additionally, some embodiments include variations in the operations that are performed, and some embodiments include variations in the aspects of the data elements that are used in the operations.

[0131] 10A-10Y show structured carbon, various carbon nanoparticles, various carbon-containing aggregates, and various three-dimensional carbon-containing structures grown on other materials according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0132] Some embodiments of the EMSSD use carbon nanoparticles and aggregates in specific configurations. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates are characterized by a high "uniformity" (i.e., a high mass fraction of the desired carbon allotrope), a high degree of "order" (i.e., a low defect concentration), and / or a high degree of "purity" (i.e., a low elemental impurity concentration), in contrast to the low uniformity, low order, and low purity particles achievable with conventional systems and methods. This results in a high degree of tunability of the resonant portion of the EMSSD.

[0133] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles produced using the methods described herein comprise multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) or linked MWSFs and have high uniformity (e.g., a graphene to MWSF ratio of 20% to 80%), a high degree of order (e.g., a Raman signature with an ID / IG ratio of 0.95 to 1.05), and a high degree of purity (e.g., a carbon to other elements (other than hydrogen) ratio of greater than 99.9%). In some embodiments, the nanoparticles produced using the methods described herein comprise MWSFs or linked MWSFs, and the MWSFs do not contain a core of impurity elements other than carbon. In some cases, the particles produced using the methods described herein are aggregates containing the above nanoparticles having large diameters (e.g., diameters greater than 10 μm).

[0134] Although conventional methods have been used to produce particles containing multilayered spherical fullerenes with a high degree of order, they result in carbon products with various drawbacks. For example, high-temperature synthesis techniques result in particles with a mixture of many carbon allotropes, resulting in low uniformity (e.g., less than 20% fullerenes relative to other carbon allotropes) and / or small particle sizes (e.g., less than 1 μm, or even less than 100 nm). Methods that use catalysts result in products that contain catalytic elements and therefore have low purity (e.g., less than 95% carbon relative to other elements). These undesirable properties also often result in undesirable electrical properties of the resulting carbon particles (e.g., conductivity less than 1000 S / m).

[0135] In some aspects, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, which indicates a high degree of structural order and uniformity. In some embodiments, the uniform, ordered, and / or pure carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced using improved relatively high-speed, low-cost thermal reactors and methods, as described below. Further advantages and / or improvements will also become apparent from the disclosure that follows.

[0136] In this disclosure, the term "graphene" refers to an allotrope of carbon in the form of a two-dimensional atomic-scale hexagonal crystal lattice with one atom forming each vertex. The carbon atoms in graphene are sp2 bonded. Furthermore, graphene exhibits a lattice polarization at approximately 1580 cm (using a 532 nm excitation laser). -1 G mode and about 1350cm -1 The Raman spectrum has two main peaks of the D mode at 1000 nm.

[0137] In this disclosure, the term "fullerene" refers to a molecule of carbon that is a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, tube, or other shape. Spherical fullerenes are also called buckminsterfullerenes or buckyballs. Cylindrical fullerenes are also called carbon nanotubes. The structure of fullerenes resembles stacked graphite, consisting of stacked graphene sheets joined by hexagonal rings. Fullerenes may also contain pentagonal (or sometimes heptagonal) rings.

[0138] In this disclosure, the term "multilayer fullerene" refers to a fullerene having multiple concentric layers. For example, multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) contain multiple rolled layers (concentric tubes) of graphene. Multi-walled spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) contain multiple concentric spheres of fullerene.

[0139] In this disclosure, the term "nanoparticle" refers to a particle having a size between 1 nm and 989 nm. Nanoparticles can have one or more structural characteristics (e.g., crystal structure, defect concentration, etc.) and one or more types of atoms. Nanoparticles can be of any shape, including, but not limited to, spherical, spheroidal, dumbbell-shaped, cylindrical, elongated cylindrical, rectangular prism-shaped, disk-shaped, wire-shaped, irregular, dense (i.e., having few voids), porous (i.e., having many voids), etc.

[0140] In this disclosure, the term "aggregate" refers to multiple nanoparticles that are linked together by van der Waals forces, covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds, or other physical or chemical interactions. The size of the aggregates can vary considerably but is generally greater than about 500 nm.

[0141] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles comprise two or more linked multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) as described herein and a layer of graphene coating the linked MWSFs. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles comprise two or more linked multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) as described herein and a layer of graphene coating the linked MWSFs, wherein the MWSFs do not contain a core consisting of impurity elements other than carbon. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles comprise two or more linked multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) as described herein and a layer of graphene coating the linked MWSFs, wherein the MWSFs do not contain a void (i.e., a space greater than about 0.5 nm or greater than about 1 nm that does not contain carbon atoms) in the center. In some embodiments, the linked MWSFs are formed from concentric, well-ordered spheres of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms, in contrast to the irregular, non-uniform spheres of amorphous carbon particles.

[0142] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles containing linked MWSFs have an average diameter ranging from 5 nm to 500 nm, or from 5 nm to 250 nm, or from 5 nm to 100 nm, or from 5 nm to 50 nm, or from 10 nm to 500 nm, or from 10 nm to 250 nm, or from 10 nm to 100 nm, or from 10 nm to 50 nm, or from 40 nm to 500 nm, or from 40 nm to 250 nm, or from 40 nm to 100 nm, or from 50 nm to 500 nm, or from 50 nm to 250 nm, or from 50 nm to 100 nm.

[0143] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles described herein form aggregates, where many nanoparticles clump together to form larger units. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregates comprise a plurality of carbon nanoparticles. The diameters of the carbon aggregates range from 10 to 500 μm, 50 to 500 μm, 100 to 500 μm, 250 to 500 μm, 10 to 250 μm, 10 to 100 μm, or 10 to 50 μm. In some embodiments, the aggregates are formed from a plurality of carbon nanoparticles, as defined above. In some embodiments, the aggregates comprise linked MWSFs. In some embodiments, the aggregates comprise linked MWSFs having a high uniformity metric (e.g., a graphene-to-MWSF ratio of 20% to 80%), a high degree of order (e.g., a Raman signature with an ID / IG ratio of 0.95 to 1.05), and a high degree of purity (e.g., greater than 99.9% carbon).

[0144] One advantage of producing carbon nanoparticle aggregates is that aggregates, especially those with diameters greater than 10 μm in the above range, are easier to collect than those with diameters less than 500 nm. This ease of collection reduces the cost of the manufacturing equipment used to produce carbon nanoparticles and increases the yield of carbon nanoparticles. Furthermore, particles greater than 10 μm in size pose fewer safety concerns, such as potential health and safety risks from inhalation of smaller nanoparticles, compared to the risks of handling smaller nanoparticles. This lower health and safety risk further reduces production costs.

[0145] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles have a graphene to MWSF ratio of 10% to 90%, or 10% to 80%, or 10% to 60%, or 10% to 40%, or 10% to 20%, or 20% to 40%, or 20% to 90%, or 40% to 90%, or 60% to 90%, or 80% to 90%. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregates have a graphene to MWSF ratio of 10% to 90%, or 10% to 80%, or 10% to 60%, or 10% to 40%, or 10% to 20%, or 20% to 40%, or 20% to 40%, or 40% to 90%, or 40% to 90%, or 60% to 90%, or 80% to 90%. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles have a graphene to linked MWSF ratio of 10% to 90%, 10% to 80%, 10% to 60%, 10% to 40%, 10% to 20%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 90%, 40% to 90%, 60% to 90%, or 80% to 90%. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregates have a graphene to linked MWSF ratio of 10% to 90%, 10% to 80%, 10% to 60%, 10% to 40%, 10% to 20%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 90%, 40% to 90%, 60% to 90%, or 80% to 90%.

[0146] In some embodiments, Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize carbon allotropes to identify their molecular structure. For example, Raman spectroscopy can be used to characterize graphene and determine information such as order / disorder, edge and grain boundaries, thickness, number of layers, doping, strain, and thermal conductivity. MWSFs were characterized using Raman spectroscopy to identify the degree of order in the MWSFs.

[0147] In some embodiments, Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize the structure of MWSFs or linked MWSFs. The main peaks in the Raman spectrum are the G and D modes. The G mode is due to the vibration of carbon atoms in the sp2 hybridized carbon network, and the D mode is associated with the breathing of hexagonal carbon rings with defects. In some cases, defects may be present but not detectable in the Raman spectrum. For example, if the proposed crystal structure is perpendicular to the basal plane, the D peak will increase. On the other hand, if the crystal structure has a perfectly flat surface parallel to the basal plane, the D peak will be zero.

[0148] When using 532 nm incident light, the Raman G mode is typically at 1582 cm for planar graphite. -1 , but can be shifted downwards for MWSF or concatenated MWSF (e.g., 1565 cm -1 or shifted downward to 1580 cm -1 The D mode is located in the Raman spectrum of the MWSF or concatenated MWSFs at approximately 1350 cm -1 The ratio of the D-mode peak intensity to the G-mode peak intensity (i.e., ID / IG) is related to the order of the MWSF, with a lower ID / IG indicating a higher order. An ID / IG ratio near or below 1 indicates a relatively high degree of order, while an ID / IG ratio greater than 1.1 indicates a low degree of order.

[0149] In some embodiments, carbon nanoparticles or carbon aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF as described herein have a wavelength of about 1350 cm when using 532 nm incident light. -1 The first Raman peak at about 1580 cm -1In some embodiments, the ratio of the intensity of the first Raman peak to the intensity of the second Raman peak (i.e., ID / IG) for the nanoparticles or aggregates described herein is in the range of 0.95 to 1.05, 0.9 to 1.1, 0.8 to 1.2, 0.9 to 1.2, 0.8 to 1.1, 0.5 to 1.5, less than 1.5, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1, less than 0.95, less than 0.9, or less than 0.8.

[0150] In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate containing MWSF or concatenated MWSF, as defined above, is highly pure. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate containing MWSF or concatenated MWSF has a carbon to metal ratio of greater than 99.99%, greater than 99.95%, or greater than 99.9%, or greater than 99.8%, or greater than 99.5%, or greater than 99%. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate has a carbon to other elements ratio of greater than 99.99%, greater than 99.95%, greater than 99.9%, greater than 99.5%, greater than 99%, greater than 90%, greater than 80%, greater than 70%, or greater than 60%. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate has a ratio of carbon to other elements (excluding hydrogen) greater than 99.99%, greater than 99.95%, greater than 99.9%, greater than 99.8%, greater than 99.5%, greater than 99%, greater than 90%, greater than 80%, greater than 70%, or greater than 60%.

[0151] In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate containing MWSF or concatenated MWSF, as defined above, has a high specific surface area. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate has a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area of ​​10 to 200 m 2 / g, 10-100m 2 / g, 10-50m 2 / g, 50-200m 2 / g, 50-100m 2 / g, or 10 to 1000m 2 / g.

[0152] In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate containing MWSF or concatenated MWSF, as defined above, has a high electrical conductivity. In some embodiments, the carbon aggregate containing MWSF or concatenated MWSF is compressed into pellets, as described above, and the pellets have a conductivity of greater than 500 S / m, or greater than 1000 S / m / m, or greater than 2000 S / m / m, or greater than 3000 S / m / m, or greater than 4000 S / m / m, or greater than 5000 S / m / m, or greater than 10000 S / m / m, or greater than 20000 S / m / m, or greater than 30000 S / m / m, or greater than 40000 S / m / m, or greater than 50 ... , greater than 60,000 S / m / m, greater than 70,000 S / m / m, or 500 S / m to 100,000 S / m, 500 S / m to 1000 S / m, 500 S / m to 10,000 S / m, 500 S / m to 20,000 S / m, 500 S / m to 100,000 S / m, 1000 S / m to 10,000 S / m, 1000 S / m to 20,000 S / m, 10,000 to 100,000 S / m, 10,000 S / m to 80,000 S / m, or 500 S / m to 10,000 S / m. In some cases, the density of the pellet is about 1 g / cm. 3 , about 1.2g / cm 3 , about 1.5g / cm 3 , about 2g / cm 3 , about 2.2g / cm 3 , about 2.5g / cm 3 , or about 3 g / cm 3 Additionally, tests have been conducted in which compressed pellets of carbon aggregate material are formed at compressions of 2000 psi and 12000 psi and annealing temperatures of 800°C and 1000°C. Higher compression and / or higher annealing temperatures generally result in pellets with higher electrical conductivities, including in the range of 12410.0 S / m to 13173.3 S / m.

[0153] High-purity carbon allotropes produced using a heat treatment system In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced using a thermal reactor and method, such as any suitable thermal reactor and / or method. Further details regarding thermal reactors and / or methods can be found in U.S. Patent No. 9,862,602, "CRACKING OF A PROCESS GAS," issued January 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, precursors (including, for example, methane, ethane, propane, butane, and natural gas) can be used with a thermal reactor to produce the carbon nanoparticles and carbon aggregates described herein.

[0154] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced using a thermal reactor with a gas flow rate of 1 slm to 10 slm, 0.1 slm to 20 slm, 1 slm to 5 slm, 5 slm to 10 slm, greater than 1 slm, or greater than 5 slm. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced using a thermal reactor with a gas resonance time of 0.1 seconds to 30 seconds, or 0.1 seconds to 10 seconds, or 1 second to 10 seconds, or 1 second to 5 seconds, or 5 seconds to 10 seconds, or greater than 0.1 seconds, or greater than 1 second, or greater than 5 seconds, or less than 30 seconds.

[0155] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced using a thermal reactor with a production rate of 10 g / hr to 200 g / hr, 30 g / hr to 200 g / hr, 30 g / hr to 100 g / hr, 30 g / hr to 60 g / hr, 10 g / hr to 100 g / hr, 10 g / hr to 100 g / hr, 10 g / hr or greater, 30 g / hr or greater, or 100 g / hr or greater.

[0156] In some embodiments, a thermal reactor or other decomposition device, method, or method can be used to refine, pyrolize, dissociate, or crack a raw process gas into its components to produce the carbon nanoparticles and carbon aggregates described herein, as well as other solid and / or gaseous products (e.g., hydrogen gas and / or lower hydrocarbon gases). Raw process gases generally include, for example, hydrogen gas (H), carbon dioxide (CO), C1-C10 hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and / or other hydrocarbon gases such as natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, saturated / unsaturated hydrocarbon gases, ethene, propene, and mixtures thereof. The carbon nanoparticles and carbon aggregates can include, for example, multi-layered spherical fullerenes (MWSFs), linked MWSFs, carbon nanospheres, graphene, graphite, highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, single-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, other solid carbon products, and / or the carbon nanoparticles and carbon aggregates described herein.

[0157] Some embodiments for producing carbon nanoparticles and carbon aggregates described herein include, for example, pyrolysis methods using longitudinally elongated heating elements optionally enclosed within an elongated casing, housing, or body of a pyrolysis device. The body generally comprises one or more tubes or other suitable enclosures made, for example, of stainless steel, titanium, graphite, quartz, or the like. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis device body is generally cylindrical with a central elongated longitudinal axis oriented vertically, and a feedstock process gas inlet located at or near the top of the body. The feedstock process gas flows longitudinally through the body or a portion thereof. In a vertical orientation, both gas flow and gravity assist in removing solid products from the pyrolysis device body.

[0158] The heating elements generally include, for example, heat lamps, one or more resistive wires or filaments (or stranded wires), metal filaments, metal strips or rods, and / or other suitable thermal radical generators or elements capable of being heated to a specific temperature sufficient to thermally decompose the molecules of the feed process gas (i.e., molecular cracking temperature). The heating elements are generally located, positioned, or arranged to extend centrally within the body of the pyrolysis apparatus along its central longitudinal axis. For example, if only one heating element is present, it will be located on or concentric with the central longitudinal axis; if multiple heating elements are present, they will be generally symmetrically or concentrically spaced or offset in parallel positions adjacent to and around the central longitudinal axis.

[0159] Pyrolysis to produce the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein is generally accomplished by passing a feed process gas over, against, or near heating elements within a longitudinally elongated reaction zone created by heat from heating elements and contained within the body of the pyrolysis device to or at a particular molecular decomposition temperature. The reaction zone is considered to be the area surrounding the heating elements and close enough to the heating elements to receive sufficient heat to thermally decompose the molecules.

[0160] Thus, the reaction zone is generally axially aligned or concentric with the central longitudinal axis of the body. In some embodiments, pyrolysis is carried out under a specific pressure. In some embodiments, the raw process gas is circulated around or over the exterior surface of the reaction zone or heating chamber vessel to cool the vessel or chamber and preheat the raw process gas before flowing it into the reaction zone. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates and / or hydrogen gas described herein are produced without the use of a catalyst. In other words, the process does not involve a catalyst.

[0161] Some embodiments of the pyrolysis apparatus and methods for producing carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein provide stand-alone systems that can be rapidly scaled up or down to different production levels as desired. For example, some embodiments are scalable to provide stand-alone hydrogen and / or carbon nanoparticle production stations, hydrocarbon sources, or fuel cell stations. Some embodiments can be scaled up to provide higher capacity systems, such as for refineries.

[0162] In some embodiments, a thermal cracking apparatus for cracking a raw process gas to produce the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein includes a body, a raw process gas inlet, and an elongated heating element. The body has an interior volume with a longitudinal axis. The interior volume has a reaction zone concentric with the longitudinal axis. The raw process gas flows into the interior volume through the raw process gas inlet during a pyrolysis operation. The elongated heating element is disposed within the interior volume along the longitudinal axis and is surrounded by the reaction zone. During the pyrolysis operation, the elongated heating element is heated by electrical power to a molecular decomposition temperature to create the reaction zone, and the raw gas is heated by heat from the elongated heating element, which pyrolyzes the molecules of the raw process gas in the reaction zone into their component molecules.

[0163] In some embodiments, a method for cracking a raw process gas to produce the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein includes: (1) providing a pyrolysis apparatus having an interior volume having a longitudinal axis and an elongated heating element disposed within the interior volume along the longitudinal axis; (2) heating the elongated heating element with electrical power to a molecular decomposition temperature to create a longitudinally elongated reaction zone within the interior volume; (3) flowing the raw process gas longitudinally through the elongated reaction zone into the interior volume (e.g., the raw process gas is heated by heat from the elongated heating element); and (4) pyrolyzing the molecules of the raw process gas into their components (e.g., hydrogen gas and one or more solid products) within the longitudinally elongated reaction zone as the raw process gas flows through the longitudinally elongated reaction zone. In some embodiments, the raw process gas for producing the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein includes a hydrocarbon gas. The cracking results include hydrogen (e.g., H) and the various morphologies of carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates comprise two or more MWSFs and graphene layers coating the MWSFs, and / or linked MWSFs and graphene layers coating the linked MWSFs.

[0164] In some embodiments, the raw process gas is preheated (e.g., to 100° C. to 500° C.) by flowing the raw process gas through a gas preheating region between the heating chamber and the shell of the pyrolysis apparatus prior to flowing the raw process gas into the interior volume. In some embodiments, the gas with the nanoparticles therein flows into the interior volume through a longitudinally elongated reaction zone, mixes with the raw process gas, and a coating of solid product (e.g., a layer of graphene) forms around the nanoparticles.

[0165] Post-treatment of high purity structured carbon In some embodiments, carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing multilayered spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) or linked MWSFs described herein are produced and collected without post-processing. In other embodiments, carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing multilayered spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) or linked MWSFs described herein are produced and collected, and some post-processing is performed. Some examples of post-processing included in electromagnetic state sensing devices include mechanical processing such as ball milling, grinding, friction milling, microfluidization, and other techniques for reducing particle size without damaging the MWSFs. Further examples of post-processing include exfoliation processes such as shear mixing, chemical etching, oxidation (e.g., Hummers process), thermal annealing, doping by adding elements during annealing (e.g., sulfur, nitrogen), steam, filtering, and repolishing, among others. Some examples of post-processing include sintering processes such as spark plasma sintering (SPS), direct current sintering, microwave sintering, and ultraviolet (UV) sintering, which can be performed at high pressure and temperature in an inert gas. In some embodiments, multiple post-processing methods can be used together or sequentially. In some embodiments, the post-treatment produces functionalized carbon nanoparticles or aggregates containing multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) or linked MWSFs.

[0166] In some embodiments, the materials are mixed in different combinations. In some aspects, different carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF described herein are mixed together before post-treatment. For example, different carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF with different properties (e.g., different sizes, different compositions, different purities, different processing steps, etc.) can be mixed together. In some embodiments, carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF described herein can be mixed with graphene to change the ratio of linked MWSF to graphene in the mixture. In some embodiments, different carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF described herein can be mixed together after post-treatment. For example, different carbon nanoparticles and aggregates containing MWSF or linked MWSF with different properties and / or different post-treatment methods (e.g., different sizes, different compositions, different functionality, different surface properties, different surface areas) can be mixed together.

[0167] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced and collected, and then processed by mechanical grinding, crushing, and / or exfoliation. In some embodiments, the processing (e.g., by mechanical grinding, crushing, exfoliation, etc.) reduces the average size of the particles. In some aspects, the processing (e.g., by mechanical grinding, crushing, exfoliation, etc.) increases the average surface area of ​​the particles. In some embodiments, the processing by mechanical grinding, crushing, and / or exfoliation shears off some of the fragments of the carbon layer, producing sheets of graphite mixed with the carbon nanoparticles.

[0168] In some embodiments, mechanical grinding or milling is performed using a ball mill, planetary mill, rod mill, shear mixer, high-shear granulator, mill, or other type of mechanical process used to break down solid materials into smaller pieces by grinding, crushing, or cutting. In some embodiments, mechanical grinding, milling, and / or exfoliating are performed wet or dry. In some embodiments, mechanical grinding is performed by grinding for a period of time, then idling for a period of time, and repeating several cycles of grinding and idling. In some embodiments, the grinding period is 1 to 20 minutes, 1 to 10 minutes, 3 to 8 minutes, about 3 minutes, or about 8 minutes. In some embodiments, the idling period is 1 to 10 minutes, about 5 minutes, or about 6 minutes. In some embodiments, the number of grinding and idling cycles is from 1 minute to 100 minutes, or from 5 minutes to 100 minutes, or from 10 minutes to 100 minutes, or from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, or from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. In some embodiments, the total grinding and idling time is from 10 minutes to 1200 minutes, from 10 minutes to 600 minutes, from 10 minutes to 240 minutes, from 10 minutes to 120 minutes, from 10 minutes to 90 minutes, from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, about 90 minutes, or about 120 minutes.

[0169] In some embodiments, the grinding step in a cycle is performed by rotating the mill in one direction (e.g., clockwise) for the first cycle and then rotating the mill in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise) for the next cycle. In some embodiments, the mechanical grinding or milling is performed using a ball mill, and the grinding step is performed using a rotational speed of 100 to 1000 rpm, 100 to 500 rpm, or about 400 rpm. In some embodiments, the mechanical grinding or milling is performed using a ball mill using grinding media with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, or 0.1 mm to 10 mm, or 1 mm to 10 mm, or about 0.1 mm, or about 1 mm, or about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the mechanical grinding or milling is performed using a ball mill using grinding media composed of metals such as steel, oxides such as zirconium oxide (zirconia), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide, silica, alumina, magnesium oxide, or other hard materials such as silicon carbide or tungsten carbide.

[0170] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced and collected, then processed using elevated temperatures, such as thermal annealing or sintering. In some embodiments, processing using elevated temperatures is performed in an inert environment, such as nitrogen or argon. In some embodiments, processing using elevated temperatures is performed at atmospheric pressure, under vacuum, or at low pressure. In some embodiments, processing using elevated temperatures is performed at temperatures between 500°C and 2500°C, between 500°C and 1500°C, between 800°C and 1500°C, between 800°C and 1200°C, between 800°C and 1000°C, between 800°C and 1000°C, between 2000°C and 2400°C, about 800°C, about 1000°C, about 1500°C, about 2000°C, or about 2400°C.

[0171] In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are produced and collected, and then in a post-processing step, additional elements or compounds are added to the carbon nanoparticles, thereby incorporating the unique properties of the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates into other mixtures of materials.

[0172] In some embodiments, either before or after post-processing, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are added to solids, liquids, or slurries of other elements or compounds to form additional mixtures of materials that incorporate the unique properties of the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are mixed with other solid particles, polymers, or other materials.

[0173] In some embodiments, either before or after post-processing, the carbon nanoparticles and aggregates described herein are used in a variety of applications other than those related to electromagnetic state sensing devices, including, but not limited to, transportation applications (e.g., automobile and truck tires, couplings, mounts, elastomeric O-rings, hoses, sealants, grommets, etc.) and industrial applications (e.g., rubber additives, functionalizing additives for polymeric materials, additives for epoxies, etc.).

[0174] Figures 10A and 10B show transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of as-synthesized carbon nanoparticles. The carbon nanoparticles in Figure 10A (first magnification) and Figure 10B (second magnification) comprise linked multilayer spherical fullerenes 1002 (MWSFs) with a graphene layer 1004 coating the linked MWSFs. The ratio of MWSFs to graphene allotropes in this example is approximately 80% due to the relatively short resonance time. The MWSFs in Figure 10A are approximately 5 nm to 10 nm in diameter, and diameters can be 5 nm to 500 nm using the conditions described above. In some embodiments, the average diameter across multiple MWSFs ranges from 5 nm to 500 nm, 5 nm to 250 nm, 5 nm to 100 nm, 5 nm to 50 nm, 5 nm to 50 nm, 10 nm to 500 nm, 10 nm to 250 nm, 10 nm to 100 nm, 10 nm to 50 nm, 10 nm to 50 nm, 40 nm to 500 nm, 40 nm to 250 nm, 40 nm to 100 nm, 50 nm to 500 nm, 50 nm to 250 nm, or 50 nm to 100 nm. Because no catalyst is used in this process, there are no central seeds containing contaminants. The aggregate particles produced in this example had particle sizes of about 10 μm to 100 μm, or about 10 μm to 500 μm.

[0175] Figure 10C shows the Raman spectrum of the as-synthesized aggregates taken with incident light at 532 nm in this example. The ID / IG ratio of the aggregates produced in this example is approximately 0.99-1.03, indicating that the aggregates are composed of highly ordered carbon allotropes.

[0176] Figures 10D and 10E show exemplary TEM images of carbon nanoparticles after size reduction by ball milling. Ball milling was performed in a cycle involving a 3-minute counterclockwise grinding step, followed by a 6-minute idle step, followed by a 3-minute clockwise grinding step, followed by a 6-minute idle step. The grinding step was performed using a rotation speed of 400 rpm. The grinding media was zirconia, and the particle sizes ranged from 0.1 mm to 10 mm. The total size reduction process time was 60 to 120 minutes. After size reduction, the aggregate particles produced in this example had particle sizes of approximately 1 μm to 5 μm. The reduced carbon nanoparticles are connected by MWSFs and a layer of graphene coating the connected MWSFs.

[0177] Figure 10F shows the Raman spectrum from these size-reduced aggregates taken with incident light at 532 nm. The ID / IG ratio of the size-reduced aggregate particles in this example is approximately 1.04. Furthermore, the size-reduced particles had a Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) specific surface area of ​​approximately 40 m / g to 50 m / g.

[0178] The purity of the aggregates produced in this sample was measured using mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The carbon to other elements (excluding hydrogen) ratio measured in 16 different batches ranged from 99.86% to 99.98%, with an average of 99.94% carbon.

[0179] In this example, carbon nanoparticles were produced using a thermal hot wire processing system. The precursor material was methane, flowed at 1 slm to 5 slm. With these flow rates and tool geometry, the resonance time of the gas in the reaction chamber was approximately 20-30 seconds, and the carbon particle production rate was approximately 20 g / hr.

[0180] Further details regarding such processing systems can be found in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 9,862,602, entitled "CRACKING OF A PROCESS GAS."

[0181] Figures 10G, 10H, and 10I show TEM images of the as-synthesized carbon nanoparticles of this example. The carbon nanoparticles comprise connected multilayer spherical fullerenes (MWSFs) with a graphene layer coating of the connected MWSFs. In this example, the ratio of multilayer fullerenes to graphene allotropes is approximately 30% due to the relatively long resonance time, which allows thicker or more graphene layers to coat the MWSFs. Because no catalyst is used in this process, there are no central seeds containing contaminants. The as-synthesized aggregate particles produced in this example had particle sizes ranging from approximately 10 μm to 500 μm. Figure 10J shows the Raman spectrum from the aggregates of this example. The Raman signature of the as-synthesized particles in this example indicates thicker graphene layers coating the MWSFs in the as-synthesized material. Furthermore, the as-synthesized particles have a Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) specific surface area of ​​approximately 90 m. 2 / g~100m 2 / g

[0182] Figures 10K and 10L show TEM images of the carbon nanoparticles of this example. Specifically, the images show the carbon nanoparticles after size reduction by ball milling. The size reduction treatment conditions were the same as those described in connection with Figures 10G to 10J. After size reduction, the aggregate particles produced in this example had particle sizes of approximately 1 μm to 5 μm. The TEM images show that the linked MWSFs embedded in the graphene coating are observable after size reduction. Figure 10M shows a Raman spectrum taken with incident light at 532 nm from the aggregates of this example after size reduction. The ID / IG ratio of the size-reduced aggregate particles in this example was approximately 1, indicating that the linked MWSFs embedded in the as-synthesized graphene coating were detectable and well-ordered in Raman after size reduction. The size-reduced particles had a Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) specific surface area of ​​approximately 90 m. 2 / g~100m 2 / g.

[0183] Figure 10N is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a carbon aggregate showing graphite and graphene allotropes at first magnification. Figure 10O is an SEM image of a carbon aggregate showing graphite and graphene allotropes at second magnification. Layered graphene is clearly visible within the distortions (wrinkles) of the carbon. The 3D structure of the carbon allotropes is also visible.

[0184] The particle size distribution of the carbon particles of Figures 10N and 10O is shown in Figure 10P. The mass-based cumulative particle size distribution 1006 is plotted on the left Y-axis of the graph (Q 3 (x) [%]). The histogram of the mass particle size distribution 1008 corresponds to the right axis of the graph (dQ 3 (x) [%]). The median particle size is approximately 33 μm. The 10th percentile particle size is approximately 9 μm, and the 90th percentile particle size is approximately 103 μm. The mass density of the particles is approximately 10 g / L.

[0185] The particle size distribution of the carbon particles captured from the multi-stage reactor is shown in Figure 10Q. The mass-based cumulative particle size distribution 1014 is plotted on the left y-axis of the graph (Q 3 (x) [%]). The histogram of the mass particle size distribution 1016 corresponds to the right axis of the graph (dQ 3 The median particle size of the captured particles is approximately 11 μm. The 10th percentile particle size is approximately 3.5 μm, and the 90th percentile particle size is approximately 21 μm. The graph in FIG. 10Q also shows the number-based cumulative particle size distribution 1018 (Q), which corresponds to the left y-axis of the graph. 0 The median particle size by number is approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 0.2 μm. The mass density of the collected particles is approximately 22 g / L.

[0186] Returning to the discussion of FIG. 10P, the graph also shows a second set of exemplary results. Specifically, in this example, particles were reduced in size by mechanical grinding, and the reduced-size particles were then processed using a cyclone separator. The mass-based cumulative particle size distribution 1010 of the size-reduced carbon particles captured in this example is shown in the graph (Q 3 The histogram of the mass-based particle size distribution 1012 corresponds to the left y-axis of the graph (dQ 3 (x) [%]) corresponds to the right axis. The median particle size of the reduced carbon particles captured in this example is approximately 6 μm. The 10th percentile particle size is between 1 μm and 2 μm, and the 90th percentile particle size is between 10 μm and 20 μm.

[0187] Further details regarding the manufacture and use of cyclone separators can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 725,928, filed Oct. 5, 2017, entitled "MICROWAVE REACTOR SYSTEM WITH GAS-SOLIDS SEPARATION," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0188] High-purity carbon allotropes produced using a microwave reactor system In some cases, carbon particles and aggregates containing graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon can be produced using a microwave plasma reactor system using precursor materials containing methane, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethanol, or condensed hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane). In some other examples, the carbon-containing precursor is optionally mixed with a feed gas (e.g., argon). The particles produced in this example contained graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon and did not contain seed particles. The particles in this example had a carbon to other elements (other than hydrogen) ratio of about 99.5% or greater.

[0189] In one particular example, hydrocarbons were the input material to a microwave plasma reactor, and the separated reactor output included hydrogen gas and carbon particles, including graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon. The carbon particles were separated from the hydrogen gas in a multi-stage gas-solid separation system. The solids loading of the separated reactor output ranged from 0.001 g / L to 2.5 g / L.

[0190] Figures 10S and 10T are TEM images of as-synthesized carbon nanoparticles. The images show examples of graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon allotropes. Layers of graphene and other carbon materials are clearly visible in the images.

[0191] The particle size distribution of carbon particles is shown in FIG. 10U. The mass of the mass-based cumulative particle size distribution 1020 is plotted on the left Y-axis of the graph (Q 3 (x) [%]). The histogram of the mass particle size distribution 1022 corresponds to the right axis of the graph (dQ 3 In this example, the median particle size captured by the cyclone separator was about 14 μm. The 10th percentile particle size was about 5 μm, and the 90th percentile particle size was about 28 μm. The graph in FIG. 10U also shows the particle size distribution on the left Y axis (Q 0 10 shows the cumulative particle size distribution 1024 corresponding to the particle size distribution (x) [%]. The median particle size (x) in this example was about 0.1 μm to about 0.2 μm.

[0192] Figures 10V, 10W, 10X, and 10Y are images showing three-dimensional carbon-containing structures grown on other three-dimensional structures. Figure 10V is a 100x magnification of a three-dimensional carbon structure grown on a carbon fiber, and Figure 10W is a 200x magnification of a three-dimensional carbon structure grown on a carbon fiber. Figure 10X is a 1601x magnification of a three-dimensional carbon structure grown on a carbon fiber. Three-dimensional carbon growth on the fiber surface is shown. Figure 10Y is a 10000x magnification of a three-dimensional carbon structure grown on a carbon fiber. The images depict growth on the basal and edge planes.

[0193] More specifically, Figures 10V-10Y show exemplary SEM images of 3D carbon material grown on a fiber using plasma energy from a microwave plasma reactor and thermal energy from a thermal reactor. Figure 10V shows an SEM image of intersecting fibers 1031 and 1032 with 3D carbon material 1030 grown on the fiber's surface. Figure 10W is a higher magnification image showing the 3D carbon growth 1030 on fiber 1032 (scale bar is 300 μm compared to 500 μm for Figure 10V). Figure 10X is a further enlargement (scale bar is 40 μm) showing the 3D carbon growth 1030 on the fiber surface 1035, where the 3D nature of the carbon growth 1030 is clearly visible. Figure 10Y shows a magnification of carbon alone (scale bar is 500 nm), showing the interconnections between the basal planes 1036 and end faces 1034 of numerous subparticles of the 3D carbon material grown on the fiber. 10V-10Y illustrate the ability to grow 3D carbon on 3D fiber structures according to some embodiments, such as 3D carbon growth grown on 3D carbon fibers.

[0194] In some embodiments, 3D carbon growth on fibers can be achieved by introducing multiple fibers into a microwave plasma reactor and etching the fibers using the plasma in the microwave reactor. The etching creates nucleation sites. Then, as hydrocarbon disassociation creates carbon particles and subparticles in the reactor, the growth of 3D carbon structures is initiated at these nucleation sites. Direct growth of 3D carbon structures on fibers provides a highly integrated 3D structure that is essentially three-dimensional and has pores through which the resin can penetrate. This 3D reinforcing matrix for the resin compound (comprising a 3D carbon structure integrated with high-aspect ratio reinforcing fibers) results in a smooth surface, enhancing material properties such as tensile strength and shear compared to conventional fibers, which typically have smooth surfaces that delaminate from the resin matrix.

[0195] Carbon Functionalization In some embodiments, carbon materials, such as the 3D carbon materials described herein, can be functionalized to promote adhesion and / or add elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, silicon, or curing agents. In some embodiments, the carbon materials can be functionalized in situ, i.e., in the same reactor in which the carbon material is produced. In some embodiments, the carbon materials can be functionalized in a post-processing step. For example, the surface of fullerenes or graphene can be functionalized with oxygen- or nitrogen-containing species that form bonds with the polymer of the resin matrix, thus improving adhesion and providing strong bonds to enhance the strength of the composite.

[0196] Embodiments include functionalization surface treatments for carbon (e.g., 3D carbon materials such as CNTs, CNOs, graphene, 3D graphene, etc.) utilizing plasma reactors (e.g., microwave plasma reactors) described herein. Various embodiments can include in situ surface treatments during production of the carbon material that can be combined with a binder or polymer in a composite. Various embodiments can include post-production surface treatments of the carbon material while it is still in the reactor.

[0197] In the foregoing specification, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the process flows described above are described with reference to a particular order of process operations. However, the order of many of the described process operations can be changed without affecting the scope or operation of the present disclosure. The specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense, and not in a restrictive sense.

[0198] [Appendix A-1] A container configured to store an item, comprising: a surface defining a volume of the container; and an electromagnetic condition sensing device including one or more resonating portions printed on the surface of the container, each resonating portion configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted from a user device and generate an electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation return signal, the electromagnetic radiation return signal indicating the condition of the item in a corresponding portion of the container proximate the printed resonating portion; and A container comprising: [Appendix A-2] the resonating portion is configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the item is in a first state, and is configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the item is in a second state; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-3] the resonant frequency of said assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is based, at least in part, on one or more physical properties of said items; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-4] the resonant frequency of the assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is based, at least in part, on the magnetic permeability of the container; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-5] the state of the item includes the presence of the item in the corresponding portion of the container; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-6] the resonating portion is configured to indicate the presence of the item in the corresponding portion of the container by generating a first electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin, and to indicate the absence of the item in the corresponding portion of the container by generating a second electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin. Containers as described in Appendix A-5. [Appendix A-7] the first electromagnetic radiation return signal has a first frequency and the second electromagnetic return signal has a second frequency different from the first frequency; Containers as described in Appendix A-6. [Appendix A-8] the condition of the item includes a deformation of the item in the corresponding portion of the container; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-9] the resonating portion is configured to indicate deformation of the item in the corresponding portion of the container by generating a first electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin, and to indicate an absence of deformation of the item in the corresponding portion of the container by generating a second electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin. Containers as described in Appendix A-8. [Appendix A-10] the first electromagnetic radiation return signal has a first frequency and the second electromagnetic radiation return signal has a second frequency different from the first frequency; Containers as described in Appendix A-9. [Appendix A-11] the item comprises a fluid, and the assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is printed on an area of ​​the surface of the container associated with a threshold fill level of the fluid in the container. Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-12] the electromagnetic radiation return signal indicating whether the amount of fluid in the container exceeds the threshold fill level; Containers as described in Appendix A-11. [Appendix A-13] the resonating portion is configured to generate the electromagnetic radiation return signal at a first resonant frequency based on an amount of fluid in the container exceeding the threshold fill level, and to generate the electromagnetic radiation return signal at a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency based on the amount of fluid in the container not exceeding the threshold fill level. Containers as described in Appendix A-11. [Appendix A-14] the user device is a smartphone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a near field communication (NFC) device; Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-15] further comprising an electrophoretic ink display configured to display the status of the item. Containers as described in Appendix A-1. [Appendix A-16] A container configured to store an item, comprising: a surface defining a volume of the container; and an electromagnetic condition sensing device including an assembly of three-dimensional carbon-containing structures (3D carbon-containing structures) printed on the surface of the container, the electromagnetic condition sensing device having a first resonating portion on a first surface area of ​​the container and configured to generate a first electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to an electromagnetic radiation pin emitted from a user device, the first electromagnetic radiation return signal indicating the presence of the item in a first portion of the container proximate the first surface area, and a second resonating portion on a second surface area of ​​the container and configured to generate a second electromagnetic radiation return signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin emitted from the user device, the second electromagnetic radiation return signal indicating the presence of the item in a second portion of the container proximate the second surface area; A container comprising: [Appendix A-17] the item is a fluid, and the first resonating portion and the second resonating portion are configured to indicate the amount of the fluid in the container in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin. Containers as described in Appendix A-16. [Appendix A-18] The first resonating portion is configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the fluid fill level of the container is above the first portion of the container, and is configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the fluid fill level of the container is below the first portion of the container. the second resonating portion is configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the fill level of the fluid in the container is above the second portion of the container, and is configured to resonate at the second frequency in response to the electromagnetic radiation pin when the fill level of the fluid in the container is below the second portion of the container. Containers as described in Appendix A-17. [Appendix A-19] the resonant frequency of said assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is based, at least in part, on one or more physical properties of said items; Containers as described in Appendix A-16. [Appendix A-20] the resonant frequency of the assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is based, at least in part, on the magnetic permeability of the container; Containers as described in Appendix A-16.

[0199] [Appendix B-1] It is a network hub A transceiver; one or more processors; a memory for storing machine-readable code; The machine-readable code, when executed by one or more processors, causes the network hub to: transmitting a command to the mobile device to emit one or more electromagnetic pins in the vicinity of the container; receiving, from a mobile device, information regarding a return signal associated with a carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the container and responsive to the one or more electromagnetic pins, the return signal having a frequency indicative of one or more characteristics of an item within the container; generating a notification to replenish the item based on one or more characteristics indicating that the level or quantity of the item in the container is below a threshold; receiving a request from a user associated with the network hub to replenish the item based at least in part on the notification; transmitting, via the Internet to an online delivery service, an order for delivery of another item to the user based at least in part on the request; configured to cause the device to perform operations including Network hub. [Appendix B-2] the request is received from the mobile device; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-3] the notification indicating one or more of the item's quantity, quality, expiration date, fill date, number of refills, lot number, chemical composition, or concentration; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-4] execution of the machine readable code causes the network hub to maintain a log storing one or more of the item's quantity, quality, expiration date, fill date, fill count, lot number, chemical composition, or concentration; A network hub as described in Appendix B-3. [Appendix B-5] the instructions indicate a frequency or range of frequencies of the one or more electromagnetic pins to be emitted in the vicinity of the vessel; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-6] the indicated frequency or frequency range is based at least in part on a resonant frequency of the carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the container; A network hub as described in Appendix B-5. [Appendix B-7] the one or more characteristics indicate a product identifier (ID) of the item; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-8] the one or more characteristics are indicative of a temperature of the item; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-9] the one or more characteristics being indicative of the presence or absence of an analyte in the container; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-10] the notification includes an audible alert. A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-11] the audible alert comprises a natural language provided to a user by a voice assistant associated with the network hub. A network hub as described in Appendix B-10. [Appendix B-12] The notification is provided to the user via email or text message; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-13] the request is an audible command received by a user by a voice assistant associated with the network hub. A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-14] the audible notification comprises natural language provided to the user by the voice assistant. A network hub as described in Appendix B-13. [Appendix B-15] the one or more electromagnetic pins are emitted within a pantry associated with the user, and the items include fresh food. A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-16] the one or more characteristics are indicative of an amount of fresh food, an expiration date of the fresh food, a concentration of a gas surrounding the fresh food, or a temperature of the fresh food; A network hub as described in Appendix B-15. [Appendix B-17] the one or more electromagnetic pins are emitted within a medicine cabinet associated with the user, and the items include medications; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-18] the one or more characteristics include an amount of the drug, an expiration date of the drug, a fill date of the drug, a fill count of the drug, a lot number of the drug, a chemical composition of the drug, or a concentration of the drug; A network hub as described in Appendix B-17. [Appendix B-19] the frequency of the return signal is based at least in part on a carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the vessel; A network hub as described in Appendix B-1. [Appendix B-20] 1. A method performed by one or more processors associated with a network hub, comprising: transmitting a command to the mobile device to emit one or more electromagnetic pins in the vicinity of the container; receiving from the mobile device information regarding a return signal associated with a carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the container and responsive to one or more electromagnetic pins; the return signal having a frequency indicative of one or more characteristics of the items in the container; generating a notification to replenish the item based on one or more characteristics indicating that the level or quantity of the item in the container is below a threshold; receiving a request from a user associated with the network hub to replenish the item based at least in part on the notification; transmitting, via the Internet to an online delivery service, an order for delivery of another item to the user based at least in part on the request; A method comprising: [Appendix B-21] the notification indicating one or more of the quantity, quality, expiration date, fill date, fill count, lot number, chemical composition, or concentration of the item; Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-22] maintaining a log storing one or more of the quantity, quality, expiration date, fill date, fill count, lot number, chemical composition, or concentration of the items; The method described in Appendix B-21. [Appendix B-23] the instructions indicate a frequency or range of frequencies of the one or more electromagnetic pins to be emitted in the vicinity of the vessel; Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-24] the indicated frequency or frequency range is based at least in part on a resonant frequency of the carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the container; The method described in Appendix B-23. [Appendix B-25] the one or more characteristics being indicative of the presence or absence of an analyte within the vessel; Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-26] the notification includes an audible alert. Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-27] the audible alert comprises a natural language provided to a user by a voice assistant associated with the network hub. Method described in Appendix B-26. [Appendix B-28] the request is an audible command received by a user by a voice assistant associated with the network hub. Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-29] the one or more electromagnetic pins are emitted within a pantry associated with the user, and the items include fresh food. Method described in Appendix B-20. [Appendix B-30] the one or more characteristics are indicative of an amount of fresh food, an expiration date of the fresh food, a concentration of a gas surrounding the fresh food, or a temperature of the fresh food; Method described in Appendix B-29.

[0200] [Appendix C-1] A wireless device associated with a user, comprising: With transceiver; one or more processors; a memory for storing instructions; The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: emitting one or more electromagnetic pins in the vicinity of the container; receiving a return signal associated with a carbon-based resonator disposed on the container, the return signal being responsive to one or more electromagnetic pins and indicating whether a level or amount of items in the container is below a threshold; transmitting a request to a server via one or more wireless networks to replenish the items based on the return signal, the request indicating a level or amount of the items in the container being below a threshold. Wireless devices. [Appendix C-2] the request includes an order for delivery of one or more additional instances of the item to the user; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-3] the order is transmitted to an online delivery service associated with the server; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-2. [Appendix C-4] the request is based on an audible command spoken by the user; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-5] Execution of the instructions causes the wireless device to: transmitting, via one or more wireless networks, to an online delivery service an order for delivery of one or more additional instances of the item to the user; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-6] the request is received by the wireless device as an email or a text message; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-7] the return signal indicating one or more of the temperature of the container or the temperature of the item; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-8] Execution of the instructions causes the wireless device to: receiving from the server via the one or more wireless networks a frequency or frequency range for the one or more electromagnetic pins to be emitted in the vicinity of the container. 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-9] the indicated frequency or frequency range is based at least in part on a resonant frequency of the carbon-based resonating portion disposed on the container; A wireless device as described in Appendix C-8. [Appendix C-10] the carbon-based resonating portion comprises an assembly of a three-dimensional carbon-containing structure (3D carbon-containing structure); 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-11] The assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures is printed on the surface of the container. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-10. [Appendix C-12] The carbon-based resonating portion comprises: a first resonating portion configured to resonate within a first range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pins; a second resonating portion configured to resonate within a second range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pins, the first range of frequencies being different from the second range of frequencies; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-13] the return signal indicating one or more of a temperature or a product identification (ID) of the item; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-14] the return signal indicates one or more of the presence of an analyte in the container or an analyte associated with the item. 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-15] Execution of the instructions causes the wireless device to: generating an audible alert in response to the instruction. 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-16] the audible alert comprises natural language provided by a voice assistant. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-15. [Appendix C-17] the audible alert includes a question asking the user whether the user wishes to replenish the item; A wireless device as described in Appendix C-15. [Appendix C-18] Execution of the instructions causes the wireless device to: receiving a response to the question from the user; selectively sending the request to the server based on the response. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-17. [Appendix C-19] the answer is spoken by the user; A wireless device as described in Appendix C-18. [Appendix C-20] the container is stored in a pantry associated with the user; The items include fresh food. 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-21] the return signal is indicative of an expiration date of the fresh food item, a concentration of a gas surrounding the fresh food item, or a temperature of the fresh food item; A wireless device as described in Appendix C-20. [Appendix C-22] the container is stored in a medicine cabinet associated with a user, and the item comprises a medication; 1. A wireless device as described in Appendix C-1. [Appendix C-23] the return signal further includes an expiration date of the drug, a fill date of the drug, a fill count of the drug, a lot number of the drug, a chemical composition of the drug, or a concentration of the drug; Radio Devices with Appendix C-22. [Appendix C-24] 1. A method executed by one or more processors of a wireless device associated with a user, the method comprising: emitting one or more electromagnetic pins in the vicinity of the container; receiving a return signal associated with a carbon-based resonator disposed on the container, the return signal being responsive to one or more electromagnetic pins and indicating whether a level or amount of items in the container is below a threshold; and transmitting a request to a server via one or more wireless networks to replenish the items based on the return signal, the request indicating that the level or amount of the items in the container is below a threshold. method. [Appendix C-25] the request includes an order for delivery of one or more additional instances of the item to the user; Method described in Appendix C-24. [Appendix C-26] the order is transmitted to an online delivery service associated with the server; Method described in Appendix C-25. [Appendix C-27] the request is an audible command spoken by a user; Method described in Appendix C-24. [Appendix C-28] transmitting, via one or more wireless networks, to an online delivery service an order for delivery of one or more additional instances of the item to the user; Method described in Appendix C-24. [Appendix C-29] the request is received by the wireless device as an email or a text message; Method described in Appendix C-24. [Appendix C-30] the return signal indicating one or more of the temperature of the container or the temperature of the item; Method described in Appendix C-24.

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: receiving a request to download an application from a user device; providing access to the application in response to the request; The application Transmitting a first electromagnetic radiation pin; receiving a first electromagnetic radiation return signal from a first electromagnetic state sensing device (EMSSD) attached to the product package; the first electromagnetic radiation return signal is transduced by an electromagnetic condition sensing device in response to the first electromagnetic radiation pin; the converted first electromagnetic radiation return signal is configured to generate an electromagnetic radiation signal encoding at least first information including a product identification code; applying rules selected based at least in part on the product identification code; transmitting a second electromagnetic radiation pin that is adjusted based at least in part on the rule; receiving a second electromagnetic radiation return signal from the first electromagnetic condition sensing device, the second electromagnetic radiation return signal encoding second information regarding the contents within the product package; and transmitting at least a portion of the second information to an upstream computing device. method.

2. the first electromagnetic condition sensing device is a printed electromagnetic condition sensing device attached to the product packaging; The method of claim 1.

3. the printed electromagnetic condition sensing device comprising a first carbon-containing ink; The method of claim 2.

4. the printed electromagnetic condition sensing device further comprising a second carbon-containing ink having a different molecular structure than the first carbon-containing ink; The method of claim 3.

5. the printed electromagnetic state sensing device is configured to emit a first variation of a second electromagnetic radiation return signal when contents within the product package are in a first state, and is configured to emit a second variation of the second electromagnetic radiation return signal when contents within the product package are in a second state; The method of claim 2.

6. the first electromagnetic condition sensing device is a printed electromagnetic condition sensing device printed longitudinally on the product package; The method of claim 1.

7. the first electromagnetic radiation return signal has energy distributed across a plurality of frequencies and is received from the user device, the user device being a mobile device; The method of claim 1.

8. the first electromagnetic radiation return signal is received from an electromagnetic radiation device of the mobile device; The method of claim 7.

9. the first electromagnetic radiation return signal is received from a near field communications device of the mobile device; 9. The method of claim 8.

10. the application is further configured to place a replenishment order in response to the second information regarding contents within the product package. The method of claim 1.

11. the application is further configured to send a notification message in response to the second information regarding contents within the product package. The method of claim 1.

12. the notification message includes at least one of a quantity indication, an expiration date, a refill date, a refill count, a lot number, a chemical composition, and / or a concentration indication; The method of claim 11.

13. the application is further configured to maintain a log of at least a portion of the second information regarding contents within the product package. The method of claim 1.

14. the log is maintained by a network access point; 14. The method of claim 13.

15. the network access point receiving a voice-activated command; 15. The method of claim 14.

16. the log includes entries corresponding to portions of the second information.

14. The method of claim 13.

17. the application is further configured to receive an electromagnetic radiation signal from a second electromagnetic state sensing device (EMSSD) attached to the product package; the second electromagnetic condition sensing device is configured to convert the electromagnetic radiation signal; The method of claim 1.

18. The user device is a smartphone. The method of claim 1.

19. the user device comprises a stationary RFID reader; The method of claim 1.

20. the upstream computing device comprises an interrogation device having an RFID reader; The method of claim 1.

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