Abstract: A microfluidic pumping system configured to prevent backflow from an outlet of the system toward an inlet of the system. The microfluidic pumping system comprising a gear housing that has an inlet and an outlet and that houses a drive gear, an idler gear and a drive shaft. The system further includes a front end plate that is coupled to a first surface of the gear housing and a rear end plate that is coupled to a second, different surface of the gear housing. Also coupled to the gear housing is a first and second Halbach magnet arrays that is disposed between the front end plate and the rear end plate. The first and second Halbach magnet arrays include one or more solenoids and the first Halbach magnet array is disposed proximate to the drive gear and the second Halbach magnet array is disposed proximate to the idler gear.

Abstract: Underwater robotic systems are disclosed. In some instances, a robotic system may include a body, a flexible fin, and a rotatable mass associated with the body such that angular acceleration of the rotatable mass causes a reaction torque that rotates the body to deform the flexible fin to create thrust in water.

Abstract: A microfluidic pumping system configured to prevent backflow from an outlet of the system toward an inlet of the system. The microfluidic pumping system comprising a gear housing that has an inlet and an outlet and that houses a drive gear, an idler gear and a drive shaft. The system further includes a front end plate that is coupled to a first surface of the gear housing and a rear end plate that is coupled to a second, different surface of the gear housing. Also coupled to the gear housing is a first and second Halbach magnet arrays that is disposed between the front end plate and the rear end plate. The first and second Halbach magnet arrays include one or more solenoids and the first Halbach magnet array is disposed proximate to the drive gear and the second Halbach magnet array is disposed proximate to the idler gear.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed towards a solid state pumping system that utilizes an electric field applied across a channel formed within the solid state pump to move electro-rheological (ER) fluid from an inlet fluidly coupled to a first end of the channel to an outlet fluidly coupled to a second end of the channel. The solid state pumping system may include first, second and third plate with the second plate disposed between the first and third plate. The second plate may include a channel having first and second circuits coupled to opposing sides of the channel. In an embodiment, in response to a voltage applied thereto, the first and second circuits can provide an electric field voltage across the channel such that in response to the electric field voltage the ER fluid moves from the first end to the second end of the channel.

Abstract: Underwater robotic systems are disclosed. In some instances, a robotic system may include a body, a flexible fin, and a rotatable mass associated with the body such that angular acceleration of the rotatable mass causes a reaction torque that rotates the body to deform the flexible fin to create thrust in water.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed towards a solid state pumping system that utilizes an electric field applied across a channel formed within the solid state pump to move electro-rheological (ER) fluid from an inlet fluidly coupled to a first end of the channel to an outlet fluidly coupled to a second end of the channel. The solid state pumping system may include first, second and third plate with the second plate disposed between the first and third plate. The second plate may include a channel having first and second circuits coupled to opposing sides of the channel. In an embodiment, in response to a voltage applied thereto, the first and second circuits can provide an electric field voltage across the channel such that in response to the electric field voltage the ER fluid moves from the first end to the second end of the channel.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, lightweight, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to efficiently move through substrates.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to move through substrates.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, lightweight, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to efficiently move through substrates.