Abstract: A rotary, twin-plate compressor has two conical plates (100, 200) rotating relative to each other about respective rotation axes (102, 202) within a casing. There is line contact (90) between the two conical surfaces (120, 220) of the plates (100, 200). The rotation axes (102, 202) are offset at an offset angle relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of actuating, comprising: filling at least a portion of a tube (21) with a liquid (19) containing electrolytes, the tube (21) having an inner surface that is electrically chargeable when in contact with the liquid (19); positioning an object (28) in fluid communication with the liquid in the tube; and applying an electrical field (46) along a lengthwise axis across the tube at said portion for producing a pressure in the liquid. The pressure in the liquid exerts a force on the object so as to actuate the object (28, 30). An actuator (20) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling multi-fluid flow in a micro channel is disclosed. The apparatus has a first inlet for a first fluid; a second inlet for a second fluid; a first outlet; and a second outlet. The micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet. The micro channel is for receiving the first fluid and the second fluid under pressure-driven flow; there being an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid when in the micro channel. The apparatus also includes a pair of electrodes for having a first electric field applied thereto for a controlling the fluid flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel.

Abstract: A compressor (300) for successive suction and discharge of a compressible fluid, thereby increasing fluid pressure of the compressible fluid in a substantially closed chamber, the compressor (300) comprising: at least one piezoelectric element (22); a primary displacement member (46) coupled to the at least one piezoelectric element (22); a secondary displacement member (44) coupled to the piston (16); and a non-compressible fluid (45) disposed to fill a fixed predetermined volume between the primary displacement member (46) and the secondary displacement member (44); wherein electrical actuation of the piezoelectric element (22) is controllable to displace the primary displacement member (46) by a predetermined distance, being coupled via the noncompressible fluid (45) to displace the secondary displacement member (44) by an amplified distance based upon the fixed predetermined volume.