­While advancements in exoskeletons have grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade or so, the majority still provide powered or active assistance, few provide a passive solution. However, many people have difficulty rising from the ground, bed, a chair or other similar surfaces because of knee or leg muscle injuries, aging, obesity, or even simply...

Ice makers are commonly found in household refrigerators, food service industries, and restaurants and bars. The automatic ice makers within standard freezers typically use a timer-operated solenoid valve to fill the tray with the appropriate amount of water. Once the water has frozen the timer activates a heating element that melts a thin layer of...