Abstract: A system includes a device configured to facilitate an interaction between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow within a flow path of the device; an optical sensor configured to obtain one or more images representing the flow path; an image analysis module configured to: process the images to identify at least one droplet generated in a flow path of the device by the interaction between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow, and estimate a size of the at least one droplet; and a control system configured to: determine that the size of the at least one droplet satisfies a threshold condition, and responsive to determining that the size of the at least one droplet satisfies the threshold condition, generate a signal that causes an adjustment to a flow rate of at least one of the first fluid flow or the second fluid flow.

Abstract: A method includes flowing a first fluid through a first channel of a microfluidic apparatus and flowing a second fluid through a second channel of the microfluidic apparatus. The first fluid comprises biological material and a matrix material and is immiscible with the second fluid. The first and second fluids are combined at a junction to form droplets of the first fluid dispersed in the second fluid in a third channel. Multiple exposures of a droplet in the third channel are captured in a single image, comprising: illuminating a region of the third channel with multiple successive illumination pulses during a single frame of the imaging device; identifying the droplet and determining a velocity or a size of the droplet based on an analysis of the captured exposures; and controlling the flow of the first fluid or second fluid to obtain droplets of a target size or velocity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: A faceplate of a showerhead has a bottom side that faces a plasma generation region and a top side that faces a plenum into which a process gas is supplied during operation of a substrate processing system. The faceplate includes apertures formed through the bottom side and openings formed through the top side. Each of the apertures is formed to extend through a portion of an overall thickness of the faceplate to intersect with at least one of the openings to form a corresponding flow path for process gas through the faceplate. Each of the apertures has a cross-section that has a hollow cathode discharge suppression dimension in at least one direction. Each of the openings has a cross-section that has a smallest cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the hollow cathode discharge suppression dimension.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include a heat spreader in thermal communication with a temperature sensitive region of the electrical device. The heat spreader can include the one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets. The heat spreader can include thermal/electrical elevators connecting the one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets. The systems can include a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the heat spreader. Electric power can be directed to the heat spreader and/or thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling of the electrical device.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module assembly for thermally conditioning a component includes first and second heat spreaders that are spaced apart from one another and configured to respectively provide cold and hot sides. An insulator plate is arranged between the first and second heat spreaders. The insulator plate has a compression limiter. A thermoelectric device is arranged with—in the insulator plate and operatively engaged with the first and second heat spreaders. A fastening element secures the first and second heat spreaders to one another about the insulator plate in an assembled condition. The compression limiters are configured to maintain a predetermined spacing between the first and second heat spreaders in the assembled condition.

Abstract: A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

Abstract: A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air.

Abstract: A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include a heat spreader in thermal communication with a temperature sensitive region of the electrical device. The heat spreader can include the one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets. The heat spreader can include thermal/electrical elevators connecting the one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets. The systems can include a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the heat spreader. Electric power can be directed to the heat spreader and/or thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling of the electrical device.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module assembly for thermally conditioning a component includes first and second members that are spaced apart from one another and are configured to respectively provide cold and hot sides. An insulator plate is arranged between the first and second members. A thermoelectric device is arranged within the insulator plate and is operatively engaged with the first and second members. A fastening element secures the first and second members to one another about the insulator plate in an assembled condition. A thermal insulator is provided in one of the first and the second members and is configured to receive the fastening element.

Abstract: A cooling system for thermally conditioning a component includes a heat spreader configured to provide a cold side. An insulator plate is arranged adjacent to the heat spreader. A thermoelectric device is arranged within the insulator plate and operatively thermally exposed on a side of the insulator plate opposite the heat spreader. A cold plate assembly is arranged adjacent to the insulator plate and operatively engages the thermoelectric device.