Abstract: A capacitive vapor sensor, sensor system, and method for determining a vapor concentration is provided. The capacitive sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are configured to provide a bias voltage. The sensor further includes a cantilevered sensor electrode interdigitated between the first and second electrodes and having an adsorptive polymer attached to a surface of the cantilevered sensor electrode. The adsorptive polymer is configured to expand in response to adsorbing a vapor and cause a deflection of the cantilevered sensor electrode, the deflection causing a change in a differential capacitance of the first and second electrodes. A sensor indicates current at the cantilevered sensor electrode, and an electronic processor determines the change in the differential capacitance to determine a characteristic or concentration of the vapor.

Abstract: A gas chromatography system can include a circulatory loop, a gas inlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a gas outlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a micro column positioned in line with the circulatory loop, and an in-line population sensor positioned in line with the circulatory loop. The in-line population sensor can be configured to detect changes in gas population. The gas inlet and gas outlet can be associated with a gas inlet valve and gas outlet valve, and configured to admit or withdraw gas from the circulatory loop, respectively. A gas sample can be circulated through the circulatory loop for at least one cycle, and a component of the gas sample can be detected using the in-line population sensor.

Abstract: A tension driven actuator (100) comprises a support structure (102) formed of a peripheral bounded wall (118) at least partially defining a fluid chamber (112), and a first elastic diaphragm (116) attached, under tension, to the support structure (102) and enclosing the fluid chamber (112) with the support structure (102). A pressurized fluid (110) is disposed in the fluid chamber (112), and a tension modifier structure (108) is attached to the first elastic diaphragm (116), and is under tension with the first elastic diaphragm (1 16). In response to application of an electrical field to the tension modifier structure (108), the tension modifier structure (108) transitions from a diaphragm tension position to a diaphragm relaxed position, such that the tension modifier structure (108) deforms and contracts in size, thereby reducing tension of the first elastic diaphragm (116) such that fluid pressure causes deflection of a portion of the first elastic diaphragm (116).

Abstract: An energy harvesting system including a channel, a first coil having a clockwise rotation around the channel, a second coil having a counter clockwise rotation around the channel, and magnetic train. The magnetic train is configured to move through the channel, the magnetic train including a plurality of oppositely-alternating magnets.

Abstract: A zero-power digital chemical analyzer can include a chemically-selective percolation switch. The chemically selected percolation switch can include a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by a gap. A binding agent can be located at binding sites in the gap. The binding agent can be selective for binding to a target chemical compound. The binding sites can be distributed in the gap so that target chemical molecules binding to the binding sites can form an electrically conductive pathway via a natural percolation phenomenon between the electrodes when the ambient concentration of the target chemical compound reaches a threshold concentration.

Abstract: A zero-power digital chemical analyzer can include a chemically-selective percolation switch. The chemically selected percolation switch can include a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by a gap. A binding agent can be located at binding sites in the gap. The binding agent can be selective for binding to a target chemical compound. The binding sites can be distributed in the gap so that target chemical molecules binding to the binding sites can form an electrically conductive pathway via a natural percolation phenomenon between the electrodes when the ambient concentration of the target chemical compound reaches a threshold concentration.

Abstract: A capacitive vapor sensor, sensor system, and method for determining a vapor concentration is provided. The capacitive sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are configured to provide a bias voltage. The sensor further includes a cantilevered sensor electrode interdigitated between the first and second electrodes and having an adsorptive polymer attached to a surface of the cantilevered sensor electrode. The adsorptive polymer is configured to expand in response to adsorbing a vapor and cause a deflection of the cantilevered sensor electrode, the deflection causing a change in a differential capacitance of the first and second electrodes. A sensor indicates current at the cantilevered sensor electrode, and an electronic processor determines the change in the differential capacitance to determine a characteristic or concentration of the vapor.

Abstract: A zero-power digital chemical analyzer can include a chemically-selective percolation switch. The chemically selected percolation switch can include a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by a gap. A binding agent can be located at binding sites in the gap. The binding agent can be selective for binding to a target chemical compound. The binding sites can be distributed in the gap so that target chemical molecules binding to the binding sites can form an electrically conductive pathway via a natural percolation phenomenon between the electrodes when the ambient concentration of the target chemical compound reaches a threshold concentration.

Abstract: A stent including a wire tube and at least one pressure sensor in electrical contact with the wire tube. The pressure sensor includes a diaphragm in communication with a reservoir of liquid, a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir of liquid, and at least one pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the channel, wherein deflection of the diaphragm causes fluid to move from the reservoir into the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for harvesting energy by transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. Particularly, the energy can be harvested by converting mechanical energy produced during operations or movements of a body (e.g., a vehicle, a person, a machine, etc.) that generate alternating or periodic force, which can be received by the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: A zero-power digital chemical analyzer can include a chemically-selective percolation switch. The chemically selected percolation switch can include a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by a gap. A binding agent can be located at binding sites in the gap. The binding agent can be selective for binding to a target chemical compound. The binding sites can be distributed in the gap so that target chemical molecules binding to the binding sites can form an electrically conductive pathway via a natural percolation phenomenon between the electrodes when the ambient concentration of the target chemical compound reaches a threshold concentration.

Abstract: A gas chromatography system can include a circulatory loop, a gas inlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a gas outlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a micro column positioned in line with the circulatory loop, and an in-line population sensor positioned in line with the circulatory loop. The in-line population sensor can be configured to detect changes in gas population. The gas inlet and gas outlet can be associated with a gas inlet valve and gas outlet valve, and configured to admit or withdraw gas from the circulatory loop, respectively. A gas sample can be circulated through the circulatory loop for at least one cycle, and a component of the gas sample can be detected using the in-line population sensor.

Abstract: A biological barrier model is disclosed. In some embodiments the barrier may be configured to model the blood brain barrier. The model may include a membrane having one or more cell cultures disposed thereon. The cells cultures may be grown in the presence of shear stress induced by flow through the device in some embodiments. The size of the barrier, as well as the distance to electrodes and other sensors, may be in the microscale range. Further, in some embodiments the model may comprise an array of parallel channels and membranes.

Abstract: A stent including a wire tube and at least one pressure sensor in electrical contact with the wire tube. The pressure sensor includes a diaphragm in communication with a reservoir of liquid, a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir of liquid, and at least one pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the channel, wherein deflection of the diaphragm causes fluid to move from the reservoir into the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for harvesting energy by transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. Particularly, the energy can be harvested by converting mechanical energy produced during operations or movements of a body (e.g., a vehicle, a person, a machine, etc.) that generate alternating or periodic force, which can be received by the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for harvesting mechanical energy from micro-energy sources and converting that energy into electrical energy. Such mechanical energy sources may be from common motions or processes such as the movement of cars or people. A device for the harvesting of such excess energy may utilize a circulation channel in which magnets may induce currents in coils as the magnets follow a continuous path.

Abstract: An increased frequency power generator that includes a pair of transducers located on opposite sides of a suspended inertial mass. Magnetic attraction is used to couple the mass to each of the two transducers in alternating fashion in response to vibration and other movement externally imparted on the generator. Each transducer includes a suspended magnetic element that couples and decouples to the inertial mass as it reciprocates in the housing due to the applied external moving force. As the inertial mass decouples from one transducer on its way to magnetically connecting to the other transducer, the decoupled suspended magnetic element oscillates at a frequency greater than the imparting force, thereby generating electrical power.

Abstract: A biological barrier model is disclosed. In some embodiments the barrier may be configured to model the blood brain barrier. The model may include a membrane having one or more cell cultures disposed thereon. The cells cultures may be grown in the presence of shear stress induced by flow through the device in some embodiments. The size of the barrier, as well as the distance to electrodes and other sensors, may be in the microscale range. Further, in some embodiments the model may comprise an array of parallel channels and membranes.

Abstract: A thin-film device and a method of fabricating the thin-film device are provided herein. The thin-film device comprises a bond layer, a film layer that has bulk material properties, and a substrate that has a heat-sensitive component disposed thereon. The method of fabricating the thin-film device comprises the step of providing an active material that has bulk material properties. The active material is bonded to the substrate through the bond layer. After bonding the active material to the substrate, the active material that is bonded to the substrate is thinned to produce the film layer of the thin-film device. The substrate is provided with the heat-sensitive component disposed thereon prior to bonding the active material to the substrate.

Abstract: An increased frequency power generator that includes a pair of transducers located on opposite sides of a suspended inertial mass. Magnetic attraction is used to couple the mass to each of the two transducers in alternating fashion in response to vibration and other movement externally imparted on the generator. Each transducer includes a suspended magnetic element that couples and decouples to the inertial mass as it reciprocates in the housing due to the applied external moving force. As the inertial mass decouples from one transducer on its way to magnetically connecting to the other transducer, the decoupled suspended magnetic element oscillates at a frequency greater than the imparting force, thereby generating electrical power.