Abstract: A system for cooling a heat source includes a fluid heat exchanger, a pump, a thermoelectric device and a heat rejector. The thermoelectric device includes a cooling portion and a heating portion. The heat rejector is configured to be in thermal contact with at least a portion of the heating portion of the thermoelectric device. The pump is coupled with the fluid heat exchanger and configured to pass a fluid therethrough. The thermoelectric device is configured along with the heat exchanger in the cooling system.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling a heat source are presented. The system includes a fluid heat exchanger, a pump, a thermoelectric device having a cooling portion and a heating portion, and a heat rejector configured to be in thermal contact with at least a portion of the heating portion of the thermoelectric device. The pump is coupled with the fluid heat exchanger and configured to pass a fluid therethrough. The thermoelectric device is configured along with the heat exchanger in a cooling system to enhance the cooling efficiency of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of circulating a heat-absorbing material within a heat exchanger. The apparatus comprises a manifold layer coupled to an interface layer. The manifold layer comprises an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The interface layer comprises a plurality of channels that extend from the inlet manifold, toward a heat-exchanging plane, and turn away from the heat-exchanging plane, terminating at the outlet manifold. The plurality of channels are stacked in a plane non-parallel to the heat-exchanging plane. Each of the channels is adjacent to another, thus allowing heat radiated from a heat-generating device to be conducted to a cooling material circulating within the channels, away from the heat-generating device. Preferably, each of the channels has a U-shape or an elongated U-shape.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump and method of manufacturing thereof. The pump having a porous structure adapted to pump fluid therethrough, the porous structure comprising a first side and a second side, the porous structure having a plurality of fluid channels therethrough, the first side having a first continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material deposited thereon and the second side having a second continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material deposited thereon, the first second layers coupled to a power source, wherein the power source supplies a voltage differential between the first layer and the second layer to drive fluid through the porous structure at a desired flow rate. The continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material is preferably a thin film electrode, although a multi-layered electrode, screen mesh electrode and beaded electrode are alternatively contemplated.

Abstract: A spring loaded mounting assembly secures a heat exchanger coupled to a heat source. The mounting assembly includes at least one support bracket positioned at one or more fixed locations with respect to the heat source, and a clip coupled to the support bracket and configured to maintain the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source. The mounting assembly also includes at least one bracket for securing a pump and heat rejector thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and the pump are independently moveable with respect to one another. The heat rejector is preferably positioned above and alternatively positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger. The clip applies a downward force to the heat exchanger and consistently urges the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source irrespective of movements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus for circulating a cooling material within a heat exchanger is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manifold layer and an interface layer. The interface layer comprises one or more narrowing trenches. The manifold layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each positioned on either side of a narrowing trench. In operation, a cooling material is transmitted to an apertures, through a channel defined by the narrowing trench and a bottom surface of the manifold layer, and out an aperture, thereby cooling a heat-generating source coupled to a bottom surface of the interface layer. The method comprises forming a narrowing trench in an interface layer, which exhibits anisotropic etching, by etching the interface layer to form a trench having sloping sidewalls. The method further comprises coupling the interface layer to a manifold layer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of manufacturing thereof comprises an interface layer for cooling a heat source. The interface layer is coupled to the heat source and is configured to pass fluid therethrough. The heat exchanger further comprises a manifold layer that is coupled to the interface layer. The manifold layer includes at least one first port that is coupled to a first set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the first set. The manifold layer includes at least one second port coupled to a second set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the second set. The first set of holes and second set of holes are arranged to provide a minimized fluid path distance between the first and second ports to adequately cool the heat source. Preferably, each hole in the first set is positioned a closest optimal distance to an adjacent hole the second set.

Abstract: A hanging device as may be utilized to mount plants is provided. The hanging device is coupled to a standardized care tag slot as found on most store-bought plastic containers. Through the use of the hanging device, it is not necessary to purchase additional plant containers for placement in additionally purchased hanging devices to display plants in a selected environment. The hanging device further allows for the placement of communications to customers as they concern the plant and/or container. Methods for mounting a container utilizing the disclosed hanging device are also provided.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of manufacturing thereof comprises an interface layer for cooling a heat source. The interface layer is coupled to the heat source and is configured to pass fluid therethrough. The heat exchanger further comprises a manifold layer that is coupled to the interface layer. The manifold layer includes at least one first port that is coupled to a first set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the first set. The manifold layer includes at least one second port coupled to a second set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the second set. The first set of holes and second set of holes are arranged to provide a minimized fluid path distance between the first and second ports to adequately cool the heat source. Preferably, each hole in the first set is positioned a closest optimal distance to an adjacent hole the second set.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump used in a closed loop cooling system. The pump includes a fluid chamber, a pumping element, an inlet electrode, an outlet electrode, and means for providing electrical voltage to the inlet electrode and the outlet electrode to produce an electrical field therebetween. The pumping element is configured to pump fluid therethrough, and the pumping element is positioned to segment the fluid chamber into an inlet chamber including a fluid inlet port and an outlet chamber including a fluid outlet port. The size of the inlet chamber is proportional to a predetermined residence time of the inlet chamber. The inlet electrode is positioned within the inlet chamber and a predetermined distance from a first surface of the pumping element. The outlet electrode is positioned within the outlet chamber and a predetermined distance from a second surface of the pumping element.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of manufacturing thereof comprises an interface layer for cooling a heat source. The interface layer is coupled to the heat source and is configured to pass fluid therethrough. The heat exchanger further comprises a manifold layer that is coupled to the interface layer. The manifold layer includes at least one first port that is coupled to a first set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the first set. The manifold layer includes at least one second port coupled to a second set of individualized holes which channel fluid through the second set. The first set of holes and second set of holes are arranged to provide a minimized fluid path distance between the first and second ports to adequately cool the heat source. Preferably, each hole in the first set is positioned a closest optimal distance to an adjacent hole the second set.

Abstract: A spring loaded mounting assembly and method of manufacturing thereof for securing a heat exchanger coupled to a heat source, the mounting assembly comprising: at least one support bracket positioned at one or more fixed locations with respect to the heat source; and a clip coupled to the support bracket and configured to maintain the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source. The mounting assembly further comprises at least one bracket for securing a pump and heat rejector thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and the pump are independently moveable with respect to one another. The heat rejector is preferably positioned above and alternatively positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger. The clip applies a downward force to the heat exchanger and consistently urges the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source irrespective of movements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus for circulating a cooling material within a heat exchanger is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manifold layer and an interface layer. The interface layer comprises one or more narrowing trenches. The manifold layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each positioned on either side of a narrowing trench. In operation, a cooling material is transmitted to an apertures, through a channel defined by the narrowing trench and a bottom surface of the manifold layer, and out an aperture, thereby cooling a heat-generating source coupled to a bottom surface of the interface layer. The method comprises forming a narrowing trench in an interface layer, which exhibits anisotropic etching, by etching the interface layer to form a trench having sloping sidewalls. The method further comprises coupling the interface layer to a manifold layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of circulating a heat-absorbing material within a heat exchanger is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manifold layer coupled to an interface layer. The manifold layer comprises an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The interface layer comprises a plurality of channels that extend from the inlet manifold, toward a heat-exchanging plane, and turn away from the heat-exchanging plane, terminating at the outlet manifold. The plurality of channels are stacked in a plane non-parallel to the heat-exchanging plane. Each of the channels is adjacent to another, thus allowing heat radiated from a heat-generating device to be conducted to a cooling material circulating within the channels, away from the heat-generating device. Preferably, each of the channels has a U-shape or an elongated U-shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a hat source configured along a lane. The heat exchanger comprises an interface layer that perform thermal exchanger with the heat source and configured to pass fluid from a first side to a second side. The manifold layer comprises a first layer in contact with the heat source and has an appropriate thermal conductivity to pass heat to the interface layer. The manifold layer further comprises a second layer couple to the first layer and in contact with the second side of the interface layer. The first layer comprises a recess area having a heat conducting region in contact with the heat exchanging layer. The first layer includes at least one inlet and/or outlet port. The second layer includes at least one inlet and/or outlet port. At least one inlet and/or outlet port is positioned substantially parallel or perpendicular with respect to the plane.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump and method of manufacturing thereof. The pump having a porous structure adapted to pump fluid therethrough, the porous structure comprising a first side and a second side, the porous structure having a plurality of fluid channels therethrough, the first side having a first continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material deposited thereon and the second side having a second continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material deposited thereon, the first second layers coupled to a power source, wherein the power source supplies a voltage differential between the first layer and the second layer to drive fluid through the porous structure at a desired flow rate. The continuous layer of electrically conductive porous material is preferably a thin film electrode, although a multi-layered electrode, screen mesh electrode and beaded electrode are alternatively contemplated.