Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for dissociating and manipulating cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device includes an inlet, an outlet, and a microfluidic channel arranged on a substrate between the inlet and the outlet. The microfluidic device includes a first set of piezoelectric actuators arranged adjacent to the inlet channel and configured to dissociate particles of a fluidic sample in the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a second set of piezoelectric actuators arranged between the inlet channel and the outlet channel and configured to manipulate the particles of the fluidic sample as the particles move through the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a third set of piezoelectric actuators arranged above the outlet channel, adjacent to the outlet, and configured to eject a portion of the fluidic sample out of the microfluidic channel via the outlet.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for sensing tire, vehicle, and/or surface conditions using tire-mounted sensors. An example tire assembly includes a vehicle tire, a substrate adapted to deform in accordance with deformation of the vehicle tire, and a set of conductive liquid sensors coupled to the vehicle tire via the substrate, where an electrical resistance of the set of conductive liquid sensors changes in accordance with deformation of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for haptic feedback are provided. A microfluidic device includes an inlet port for supplying a fluid into the microfluidic device. A tube receives the fluid from the inlet port. The microfluidic device includes a piezoelectric actuator for realizing a displacement of a substrate to which the microfluidic device is attached, the displacement based on an electrical actuation applied to the piezoelectric actuator, and an amount of the fluid or a pressure in the tube. In some embodiments, the tube includes a carbon nanotube. In some embodiments, an amount of the fluid in the tube is controlled by an actuator (e.g., the piezoelectric actuator).

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

Abstract: A sensor assembly may include one or more sensors mountable on a wheel of a vehicle and one or more processors electrically coupled to the one or more sensors for determining a driving condition of the vehicle based on the first sensor signals and the second sensor signals. Methods for determining a driving condition of a vehicle based on sensor signals and a wheel assembly that includes a wheel and the sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the volume of an internal PC speaker. In the present invention, pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques are used to selectively reduce the signal power generated at the speaker. By substituting a high frequency signal having a symmetric duty cycle for portions of the digital audio signal, the average signal power is reduced. The frequency of the substitute signal is much higher than the speaker bandwidth, contributing negligible power to the output. The ratio of audio signal to high frequency signal determines the output signal level. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a three bit counter is used to separate the audio signal into intervals having eight states apiece. A signal providing -6 dB of attenuation is generated by substituting the toggling output from the least significant bit of the counter during four out of the eight states.