Abstract: The invention relates to non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials comprising transition metals, such as iron alloy magnets with non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM). The invention also relates to reversibly linear non-dissipative transition metals magnets. The materials are capable of simultaneously large actuation in longitudinal and transverse directions, without simultaneous heat loss. The invention relates as well to methods of making non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials comprising transition metals, such as iron alloy magnets with non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM). The invention also relates to reversibly linear non-dissipative transition metals magnets. The materials are capable of simultaneously large actuation in longitudinal and transverse directions, without simultaneous heat loss. The invention relates as well to methods of making non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials.

Abstract: A metrology probe capable of measurements of a broad range of physical properties of individual samples of nano- or sub-nanometer dimensions is provided. The probe comprises a probe body, a substrate connected to the probe body, and a tip proximate the substrate. The probe further comprises a coarse piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input. The coarse piezo is configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a first electrical signal is provided to the electrical input. The probe further comprises a low-pass filter in electrical communication with the electrical input of the coarse piezo. The probe further comprises a fine piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a second electrical signal is provided to the electrical input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: A metrology probe capable of measurements of a broad range of physical properties of individual samples of nano- or sub-nanometer dimensions is provided. The probe comprises a probe body, a substrate connected to the probe body, and a tip proximate the substrate. The probe further comprises a coarse piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input. The coarse piezo is configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a first electrical signal is provided to the electrical input. The probe further comprises a low-pass filter in electrical communication with the electrical input of the coarse piezo. The probe further comprises a fine piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a second electrical signal is provided to the electrical input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: The invention includes a conductor with a first side and a second side. The conductor may be sized to have a cross-section diameter substantially similar to a Fermi wavelength of electrons in the conductor, the cross-section diameter being taken substantially perpendicular to a primary direction in which current could flow through the conductor. The conductor size may be selected so that when a magnetic field less than a threshold value is applied to the conductor, the first side of the conductor has a first magnetic state and the second side of the conductor has a second magnetic state. However, when a magnetic field of sufficient strength is applied to the magnetic conductor the first side and the second side will be caused to have the same magnetic state.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method, suitable for “lab-on-a-chip” applications, by which a bubble is inflated in fluid flowing through a microfluidic channel at a predetermined location along the channel and the bubble is maintained at that location to stop flow through the channel in the manner of a valve. The microfluidic channel is formed on a semiconductor chip and a pair of electrodes is formed one on each side of the channel, whereby a bubble is electrochemically inflated between the electrodes and held in fixed position by the channel wall when a voltage is applied across the fluid incident to connecting the electrodes to a voltage source. When the voltage is removed, deflation of the bubble valve rapidly occurs to restore flow. The present invention provides flow control in a microfluidic system regardless of channel cross-sectional geometry and with no moving parts and low power consumption. Moreover, the present invention may be practiced using existing fabrication techniques.