Abstract: A decorative, wearable system includes at least one decorative element mechanically and moveably suspended in a liquid by mechanical fixation elements. The liquid shares a substantially similar refraction index as at least one of mechanical fixation elements.

Abstract: A system manages the reactions of fluids to their changes in their environment in order to convert these reactions into energy thereby harvesting the same while protecting the device against destruction or malfunction when the environmental conditions exceed predefined thresholds.

Abstract: A decorative, wearable system includes at least one decorative element mechanically and moveably suspended in a liquid by mechanical fixation elements and actuated by invisible mechanism(s). The liquid shares a substantially similar refraction index as at least one of mechanical fixation elements and/or actuation mechanisms.

Abstract: A decorative, wearable system includes at least one decorative element mechanically and moveably suspended in a liquid by mechanical fixation elements. The liquid shares a substantially similar refraction index as at least one of mechanical fixation elements.

Abstract: An indication device is provided. The indication device includes an elongated fluid chamber containing at least one electrically conductive liquid driven by a pump for conductive liquids and an immiscible, relatively non-conductive fluid. At least one segment of at least one fluid is used as an indicator. This segment is driven by the pump along adjacent indices of an indicator visible to an observer using a meniscus location sensor and a feedback controller so as to e.g indicate a quantity to the observer.

Abstract: A system and method/apparatus is provided which enables the intuitive manipulation of small amounts of fluids in a closed environment such as a display, an analysis system, a chemical reactor, with complete user safety ensured. With this invention, the user can move a droplet of fluid seemingly using the tip of his finger, while not really touching the fluid. Usage for this invention may be found in fluidic displays, medical analysis equipment, chemical analysis equipment, educational material, and similar applications.

Abstract: A temperature compensated bellows is provided for storage and displacement of a first fluid used as an indicator in a capillary tube. The bellows is made of a housing made of flexible, watertight material. The housing is made up of an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer accordion formed portion. The accordion formed portion has a length/and is sealingly connected along a periphery between the upper and lower portions. At least one entry/exit port formed on at least one of the portions thereof. At least one of the upper and lower portions extends from a periphery of the accordion formed portion substantially within the housing so as to reduce the storage volume. Preferably, within this area defined by the portion which extends within the housing, a temperature compensation device is disposed. This device is made up of a miniature bellows and reservoir in which a second fluid is placed having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the first fluid.

Abstract: An indication device is provided which has an electrically conductive fluid driven by an MHD pump. The fluid has an indicator surface driven adjacent indices of an indicator so as to indicate a quantity. A position of the indicator surface is sensed and controlled to ensure accurate indication of the quantity. Optionally, the quantity indicated is time.

Abstract: A dual bellows system and method that includes a main bellows which interacts with a thermally compensating bellows, whereby interaction of the main bellows with the thermally compensating bellows results in a transfer of force and/or displacement that is insensitive to temperature changes.

Abstract: A cadence system consists of a mainspring powering a pump pumping a liquid through a regulation valve, providing a constant energy discharge of said mainspring, the system optionally being immersed in the liquid.

Abstract: A construct having an aesthetic form is adapted to please a wearer and to be worn by the wearer. The construct provides a structure having a wearer connection element such as a ring, a chain, a wristband, a pin, a clasp, a clip, and a body piercing element. The functional elements including a fluid reservoir in which at least two fluids are disposed, and a motion generation system are integrated on the structure, The motion generation system is functionally affixed to the structure so as to agitate the at least two fluids, causing a visual animation effect. The construct, in particular jewelry, may have incorporated therein one or more channels and/or reservoirs containing one or more fluids wherein the fluids as well as the forms and surface treatments of channels/reservoirs are selected possess physical properties so as to promote a defined interaction with the one or more fluids.

Abstract: A capillary system for a fluid indicator includes a fluid restrictor, and a capillary tube. The fluid restrictor has a small aperture formed therethrough. The capillary tube is adapted to receive a fluid. The fluid restrictor is sealingly affixed into at least one end of the capillary tube so that the small aperture communicates between the inside of the capillary tube and the outside of the capillary tube. The capillary tube is optionally treated so that an inner surface is oilophobic and hydrophobic. The system better controls the interface or meniscus 14 between the fluids contained in the capillary tube, preventing mixing.

Abstract: A miniature, self-powered, user-powered lighting device, employing mechanical energy storage and incorporating miniature lighting elements which are illuminated on-demand for a limited duration for backlighting or illumination purposes without the need for a battery or other electro-chemical storage device. The device comprising a manual spring loading mechanism, a spiral spring, a manual trigger mechanism, a transmission for increasing the rotational speed, a miniature generator, and at least one light source.

Abstract: A miniature, self-powered, user-powered lighting device, employing mechanical energy storage and incorporating miniature lighting elements which are illuminated on-demand for a limited duration for backlighting or illumination purposes without the need for a battery or other electro-chemical storage device. The device comprising a manual spring loading mechanism, a spiral spring, a manual trigger mechanism, a transmission for increasing the rotational speed, a miniature generator, and at least one light source.

Abstract: A device for fluid display comprising a fluid, wherein the fluid is displaced by an electrowetting process. The device is filled with at least 2 immiscible fluids, whereas one fluid is located within the electrical field generated by a reference electrode and a control electrode and partially within the electrical field generated by the same reference electrode and at least one second control electrode so that the electric activation of the second control electrode generates a deformation or movement of the fluid in the direction of the second control electrode. Also provided is a method of switching the control electrodes of the device above-mentioned device in a sequence so that a portion of the fluid is displaced within the device.

Abstract: An analysis and/or treatment device (100) for at least one smoking article (60). comprising a closable receptacle (4) for receiving the at least one smoking article (60) therein; a reservoir (62) for a fluid treatment material (8, 9); a hollow injection needle. (2) interiorly insertable into the smoking article (60) received in the receptacle (4) and operably connected to the reservoir (62); means (3) for moving the treatment material (9) from the reservoir (62) through the needle (2) into the interior of the smoking article (60); and at least one sensor means (15) provided in the receptacle (4) for detecting at least one parameter characterizing a property of the smoking article (60) and/or characterizing the treatment conditions in the receptacle (4).

Abstract: A construct (10) is provided having an aesthetic form adapted to please a wearer and to be worn by the wearer. The construct provides a structure on which functional elements are integrated. The functional elements include several elements. A first element is a fluid reservoir. A second element is at least two fluids (12, 14) disposed in the fluid reservoir. A third element is a motion generator (22) having a state in equilibrium with respect to an attraction force and a further attraction or repulsion force when the construct is at rest, the motion generator causing an animation effect when the construct is moved relative to an attraction or repulsion force.

Abstract: A miniature, self-powered, user-powered lighting device, employing mechanical energy storage and incorporating miniature lighting elements which are illuminated on-demand for a limited duration for backlighting or illumination purposes without the need for a battery or other electro-chemical storage device. The device comprising a manual spring loading mechanism, a spiral spring, a manual trigger mechanism, a transmission for increasing the rotational speed, a miniature generator, and at least one light source.

Abstract: A dual bellows system and method that includes a main bellows which interacts with a thermally compensating bellows, whereby interaction of the main bellows with the thermally compensating bellows results in a transfer of force and/or displacement that is insensitive to temperature changes.

Abstract: A drive system for energizing a device that includes a bellows actuated drive. The bellows actuated drive provides linear forward and backward movement by fluid expansion and contraction of a fluid within a reservoir according to a temperature differential while the reservoir is in fluid contact with the bellows. In one variant, two bellows are configured in a V shaped conformation. Various devices are driven using the drive system of the current invention and include a timepiece, a medical device, an implantable medical device, a cardiac rhythm management device, a hearing aid, a medical micro-injector, a sensor, and a biometric transmitter.