Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a thermal ground plane with a variable thickness vapor core. For example, a thermal ground plan may include a first casing and a second casing where the second casing and the first casing configured to enclose a working fluid. The thermal ground plane may also include an evaporator region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; a condenser region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; and a wicking layer disposed between the first casing and the second casing a vapor core defined at least partially by a gap between the first casing and the second casing. The thickness of the gap can vary across the first casing and the second casing.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a thermal ground plane comprising a first and second casing with folding and non-folding regions. The thermal ground plane may also include a vapor structure and a mesh. The mesh may be disposed on an interior surface of the second casing and the mesh include a plurality of arteries extending substantially parallel with a length of the thermal ground plane. The folding region of the first casing may have an out-of-plane wavy structure. The valleys and peaks of the out-of-plane wavy structure, for example, may extend across a width of the first active region substantially parallel with a width of the thermal ground plane.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for flexible thermal ground planes. A flexible thermal ground plane may include a support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include an evaporator region or multiple evaporator regions configured to couple with the support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include a condenser region or multiple condenser regions configured to couple with the support member. The evaporator and condenser region may include a microwicking structure. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanowicking structure coupled with the micro-wicking structure, where the nanowicking structure includes nanorods. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanomesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure. Some embodiments may include a micromesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure.

Abstract: A thermal ground plane with hybrid structures that include nanowires is disclosed. The thermal ground plane includes a first casing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface includes plurality of microstructures with a plurality of nanowires; a second casing, wherein the first casing and the second casing are sealed to an interior space that includes a working fluid; and a wicking layer disposed within the interior space.

Abstract: An IGBT heat dissipation structure includes a layer of IGBT chips, a bonding layer, a cold spray layer, a thermal spray layer, and a heat dissipation layer. The thermal spray layer is disposed on top of the heat dissipation layer. The cold spray layer is disposed on top of the thermal spray layer. The bonding layer is disposed on top of the cold spray layer, and the layer of IGBT chips is disposed on top of the bonding layer.

Abstract: A heat dissipation structure for a semiconductor integrated circuit die having a plurality of connection areas may include a thermal mount comprising a plurality of pillars each having an aspect ratio preferable greater than 2:1 and each positioned to connect to one of the connection areas on a peripheral portion of the semiconductor integrated circuit die with one of a plurality of interface layers. A thermal conductivity of materials for the connection areas, the thermal mount, the pillars, each of which is preferably copper, and the interface layers, which are preferably copper nanoparticle layers, has a thermal conductivity greater than 100 Watts per meter degree Kelvin (W/m·K). Flexure of the pillars accommodates mechanical strain arising from temperature changes and differences in coefficients of thermal expansion for materials of the semiconductor integrated circuit die and the thermal mount.

Abstract: A unitary multilumen cranial bolt for use in multimodal monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters in brain tissue incorporates a plurality of lumens, each lumen directing a catheter borne sensor through a bore hole in the cranium and into brain tissue of a patient. The lumens are configured to cause the catheters to splay outward as they enter the cranial cavity and reach their intended depth of penetration. Each lumen is associated with a guide. The guides are adapted for use with introducers that enable fragile and/or flexible sensors to be introduced into brain tissue. Each catheter borne sensor can be positioned and repositioned within brain tissue independently of all other sensors.

Abstract: An edema monitor uses patient-specific measurements of tissue conductivity and tissue perfusion and an empirically developed perfusion coefficient of thermal conductivity to obtain tissue intravascular water and tissue extravacular water components of tissue total water. Edema is an excess of tissue extravacular water. A value for edema is obtained by deducting from the obtained value for tissue extravacular water a normal value for tissue extravacular water.

Abstract: A unitary multilumen cranial bolt for use in multimodal monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters in brain tissue incorporates a plurality of lumens, each lumen directing a catheter borne sensor through a bore hole in the cranium and into brain tissue of a patient. The lumens are configured to cause the catheters to splay outward as they enter the cranial cavity and reach their intended depth of penetration. Each lumen is associated with a guide. The guides are adapted for use with introducers that enable fragile and/or flexible sensors to be introduced into brain tissue. Each catheter borne sensor can be positioned and repositioned within brain tissue independently of all other sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous glycol-free heat transfer fluid comprising sebacic acid, benzotriazole, morpholine, and at least one of sodium nitrite and sodium molybdate dihydrate, wherein a sum of concentrations of sodium molybdate dihydrate, sebacic acid, benzotriazole, morpholine, sodium nitrite is equal to or less than 1% (w/w). Preferably, the sum of concentrations of sodium molybdate dihydrate, sodium nitrite, sebacic acid, benzotriazole and morpholine is less than 0.65% (w/w). Preferably, the respective concentration is: 0-0.134% (w/w) sodium molybdate dihydrate; 0-0.028% (w/w) sebacic acid; 0-0.028% (w/w) benzotriazole; 0.08-0.812% (w/w) morpholine and 0-0.134% (w/w) sodium nitrite.

Abstract: A compound heat-dissipating device includes a conductive base and a heat-dissipating body. The conductive base has a first bottom surface, a first top surface, and a plurality of combining portions protruded from the first top surface. Each combining portion has a bottom end connected with the first bottom surface and a top end extended from the bottom end integrally. The top end has a cross-sectional area bigger than that of the bottom end. The heat-dissipating body has a second bottom surface and a second top surface. The second bottom surface has a pair of concave portions corresponding to a contour of the conductive base, and a plurality of combining grooves formed in the concave portion. The shape of the combining grooves is corresponding to that of the combining portions, and the combining portions are correspondingly combined with the combining grooves.

Abstract: A parallel passage fluid contactor structure for chemical reaction processes has one or more segments, where each segment has a plurality of substantially parallel fluid flow passages oriented in an axial direction; cell walls between each adjacent fluid flow passages and each cell wall has at least two opposite cell wall surfaces. The structure also includes at least one active compound in the cell walls and multiple axially continuous conductive filaments either embedded within the cell walls or situated between the cell wall surfaces. The conductive filaments are at least one of thermally and electrically conductive, are oriented in axially, and are in direct contact with the active compound, and are operable to transfer thermal energy between the active material and the conductive filaments. Heating of the conductive filaments may be used to transfer heat to the active material in the cell walls. Methods of manufacturing the structure are discussed.

Abstract: A unitary multilumen cranial bolt for use in multimodal monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters in brain tissue incorporates a plurality of lumens, each lumen directing a catheter borne sensor through a bore hole in the cranium and into brain tissue of a patient. The lumens are configured to cause the catheters to splay outward as they enter the cranial cavity and reach their intended depth of penetration. Each lumen is associated with a guide. The guides are adapted for use with introducers that enable fragile and/or flexible sensors to be introduced into brain tissue. Each catheter borne sensor can be positioned and repositioned within brain tissue independently of all other sensors.

Abstract: The system assesses the endothelial function of a subject. Particularly, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject are compared to reference perfusion data and the comparison yields the assessment of endothelial function. The reference may be data indicative of peripheral tissue perfusion in a healthy person. Also, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject when perfusion is in an unperturbed state (the reference) can be compared to perfusion measurements taken promptly after a challenge to normal or unperturbed tissue perfusion of the subject.

Abstract: A method of temperature swing adsorption allows separation of a first fluid component from a fluid mixture comprising at least the first fluid component in an adsorptive separation system having a parallel passage adsorbent contactor with parallel flow passages having cell walls which include an adsorbent material and axial thermally conductive filaments in direct contact with the adsorbent material. The method provides for transferring heat from the heat of adsorption in a countercurrent direction along at least a portion of the filaments during adsorption and transferring heat in either axial direction along the filaments to provide at least a portion of the heat of desorption during a desorption step. A carbon dioxide TSA separation process to separate carbon dioxide from flue gas also includes steps transferring heat from adsorption or for desorption along axial thermally conductive filaments.

Abstract: An edema monitor uses patient-specific measurements of tissue conductivity and tissue perfusion and an empirically developed perfusion coefficient of thermal conductivity to obtain tissue intravascular water and tissue extravascular water components of tissue total water. Edema is an excess of tissue extravascular water. A value for edema is obtained by deducting from the obtained value for tissue extravascular water a normal value for tissue extravascular water.

Abstract: An insulating shipping system may include a container and an insert assembly which may include an insert configured to be inserted into the container. The insert may have a first blank that may include a center panel, two bottom panels emanating from opposite side edges, wherein each bottom panel has at least one slot, at least one top panel emanating from a top edge of each of the bottom panels, wherein each top panel has at least one tab or flange, and at least one foldable line of weakness disposed between each top panel and bottom panel, wherein the at least one slot is sized to receive the at least one tab or flange. The insert further may include a second blank have a center panel, wherein the center panel is configured to couple to the center panel of the first blank to form at least one walled cavity.

Abstract: The system assesses the endothelial function of a subject. Particularly, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject are compared to reference perfusion data and the comparison yields the assessment of endothelial function. The reference may be data indicative of peripheral tissue perfusion in a healthy person. Also, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject when perfusion is in an unperturbed state (the reference) can be compared to perfusion measurements taken promptly after a challenge to normal or unperturbed tissue perfusion of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining blood flow in tissue are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are used to establish a baseline for both thermal properties of the tissue and non-physiologic conditions. Periodic changes in either or both constituents of the baseline are determined and, when the changes correspond to a need for a new baseline, a new baseline is established.

Abstract: A gas fired catalytic heater is provided that foregoes the need for an electrical heating element to provide the activation energy for the hydrocarbon catalyst pad. An alcohol self-igniting catalyst pad is used to provide the activation energy to the hydrocarbon catalyst pad thereby removing dependence of the heater on an outside electrical energy source to initiate start-up of the heater. The catalyst pad includes a flexible wash coat; a noble metal dispersed on the wash coat; an anti-sintering element saturating the wash coat; and a catalyst promoter saturating the wash coat.