Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a base, and a plurality of deformable fins connected to a surface of the base. Some deformable fins have a free end configured to move away from the surface of the base as a function of a local temperature increase of the base. The deformable fins are distributed on the surface of the base to be exposed to a coolant flowing over the surface of the base, wherein a distribution of the deformable fins on the surface of the base is non-uniform.

Abstract: A micro-reactor for a reforming process has a cold side and a hot side opposite the cold side. Inlets are defined in the cold side, the inlets configured for receiving reagents. An outlet is defined in the cold side, the outlet configured for exiting reforming products. A reforming chamber is in the hot side, the reforming chamber having a catalyst, the reforming chamber configured for reforming the reagents into the reforming products, the reforming chamber including channels extending toward an end surface on the hot side of the reforming chamber, and a return plenum. A reagent path is from the inlets to the reforming chamber, the reagent path configured to feed the plurality of channels with reagents. A reforming product path is from the reforming chamber to the outlet, the reforming product path configured to receive products from the return plenum.

Abstract: The present description concerns a method of manufacturing a vapor chamber (300) comprising the following steps: (a) etching, in a first substrate (301), at least one first cavity (303) and at least one channel (313) extending from an upper surface (305) of said first substrate (301), a first end (315) of said channel (313) emerging into said at least one cavity (303); (b) bonding a lower surface of a plate (309) to the upper surface (305) of said first substrate (301), the plate (309) comprising at least one first region made of a ductile material (321) arranged in front of said first end (315) of said channel (313); (c) filling said channel (313) with a cooling fluid (319); and (d) closing said cavity (303) by applying a pressure on said region of ductile material of the plate (309) to obstruct said first end (315) of said channel (313).

Abstract: A reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.

Abstract: An electric power module for powering electric equipment includes: an enclosure having interconnected walls and defining an inner volume, a wall of the interconnected walls being in heat exchange relationship with an environment; a battery located within the inner volume; and a heat-conducting plate in heat exchange relationship with the battery. The heat-conducting plate has a bridge section movable between first and second positions, the bridge section being spaced apart from the wall in the first position to limit heat transfer from the battery to the environment, and the bridge section being in contact with the wall in the second position to transfer heat from the battery to the environment via the bridge section. An actuator is engaged with to the bridge section of the heat-conducting plate, the actuator being operable to move the bridge section of the heat-conducting plate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cooling circuit on at least one integrated circuit chip includes producing a cooling circuit on a first face of the chip. Producing the cooling circuit includes forming a definition pattern of the cooling circuit on the first face of the chip, the pattern having at least one layer of a sacrificial material; coating the pattern with at least one resin layer; and at least partially removing the sacrificial material from the pattern so as to open the cooling circuit.

Abstract: An inertial device comprises a frame. A cantilever beam has a first end connected to the frame and a second end cantilevered relative to the frame, the cantilevered beam forming a spring portion between the first end and the second end, the cantilever beam having a support surface defining a support area. The frame and the cantilever beam are made from a support wafer, the support wafer being made of silicon, a thickness of the support wafer at the support area ranging between 0 ?m and 800 ?m. A mass bonded to the support surface of the silicon wafer at the support area, the mass being made of tungsten, a thickness of the mass being of at least 20 ?m.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a base, and a plurality of deformable fins connected to a surface of the base. Some deformable fins have a free end configured to move away from the surface of the base as a function of a local temperature increase of the base. The deformable fins are distributed on the surface of the base to be exposed to a coolant flowing over the surface of the base, wherein a distribution of the deformable fins on the surface of the base is non-uniform.

Abstract: A reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.

Abstract: A manner to determine pressure (e.g. inside a vacuum package, such as a MEMS die), without prior calibration, is provided using a model and a set of one or more gauges (e.g. Pirani, thermistor, thermocouple gauges) with distinct geometries. In order to calculate pressure from the electrical measurements performed on the gauges, there are several intermediate steps and an analytical model describes each of these steps. Besides the electrical measurements, other inputs are required, such as material properties and certain dimensions, which may not be known accurately. Several different gauge geometries are proposed which can be combined in order to determine the vacuum (pressure) level without knowing the values of these inputs beforehand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling circuit on at least one integrated circuit chip (1), comprising producing a cooling circuit on a first face of the chip (1), characterised in that the production of the cooling circuit comprises: forming a definition pattern of the cooling circuit (4) on the first face of the chip (1), said pattern comprising at least one layer of a sacrificial material (42); coating (6) said pattern by at least one resin layer; at least partially removing the sacrificial material from said pattern so as to open the cooling circuit (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to rotary turbomachinery methods and integrated processes requiring high-energy efficiency. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to rim-rotor configurations enabling long-term survival under conditions of either high temperature or oxidation resistance or saturated fluid abrasion.

Abstract: A manner to determine pressure (e.g. inside a vacuum package, such as a MEMS die), without prior calibration, is provided using a model and a set of one or more gauges (e.g. Pirani, thermistor, thermocouple gauges) with distinct geometries. In order to calculate pressure from the electrical measurements performed on the gauges, there are several intermediate steps and an analytical model describes each of these steps. Besides the electrical measurements, other inputs are required, such as material properties and certain dimensions, which may not be known accurately. Several different gauge geometries are proposed which can be combined in order to determine the vacuum (pressure) level without knowing the values of these inputs beforehand.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high g-field combustion methods and integrated processes requiring high-energy efficiency and low NOx emissions to maximize fuel productivity and integrated process production output. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the combustor having a g-field greater than 100,000 g's in an isothermal configuration by achieving concurrent combustion and expansion with the high g-field combustor in a rim-rotor turbomachine.

Abstract: Thermally actuated valves, photovoltaic cells and arrays comprising same, and methods for producing same are disclosed. In some embodiments, thermally actuated valves are provided, comprising: a first material defining at least one opening; and a beam attached to the first material so as to at least partially cover the at least one opening, wherein the first material and the beam comprise different thermal expansion properties, such that, when a temperature is applied to at least one of the first material and the beam, the beam buckles so as to at least partially uncover the at least one opening. In some embodiments, photovoltaic cells and arrays comprising thermally actuated valves, and methods for producing thermally actuated valves are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip has been provided. The integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip of the present invention comprises a miniature electric power generation system fabricated using silicon microfabrication technology and lithographic patterning. The present invention converts heat to electricity by implementing a thermodynamic power cycle on a chip. The steam turbine power plant on-a-chip generally comprises a turbine, a pump, an electric generator, an evaporator, and a condenser. The turbine is formed by a rotatable, disk-shaped rotor having a plurality of rotor blades disposed thereon and a plurality of stator blades. The plurality of stator blades are interdigitated with the plurality of rotor blades to form the turbine. The generator is driven by the turbine and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip has been provided. The integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip of the present invention comprises a miniature electric power generation system fabricated using silicon microfabrication technology and lithographic patterning. The present invention converts heat to electricity by implementing a thermodynamic power cycle on a chip. The steam turbine power plant on-a-chip generally comprises a turbine, a pump, an electric generator, an evaporator, and a condenser. The turbine is formed by a rotatable, disk-shaped rotor having a plurality of rotor blades disposed thereon and a plurality of stator blades. The plurality of stator blades are interdigitated with the plurality of rotor blades to form the turbine. The generator is driven by the turbine and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.