Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. The device includes a substrate platform and an electrode plate having a plurality of serpentine arms, the electrode plate attached to the substrate platform via the plurality of serpentine arms, the electrode plate provided on a plane in a resting position. The device includes a sharp member disposed substantially perpendicularly on the electrode plate. In various implementations, the electrode plate and the substrate platform are co-planar. In various implementations, the electrode plate is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane away from the resting position. The device also includes a counter-electrode. The method of operating the device includes supplying, via a power source, a direct current (DC) across the electrode and the counter-electrode to generate an electrostatic field across the electrode and the counter-electrode of the device.

Abstract: An integrated package comprising a lab-on-chip (LOC) is disclosed. The LOC includes at least one integrated device having a membrane portion having a membrane opening; the membrane portion having a first side and a second side, the first side opposite the second side, a MEMS portion disposed on the first side of the membrane portion, the MEMS portion having a sharp member disposed on an actuator stage within a MEMS cavity, and a fluidic portion disposed on the second side of the membrane portion, the fluidic portion having a fluidic cavity for flowing a fluid medium within the fluidic portion; and a fluidic cap forming a surface of the fluidic portion of the LOC, the fluidic cap having a fluidic inlet and a fluidic outlet. The method of operating the LOC includes power to the at least one integrated device to capture one or more particles for interrogation.

Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing a particle in a fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a membrane for separating a fluid from a compartment, one or more electrodes disposed proximate to the membrane, a counter-electrode, wherein the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode are configured to generate a non-linear electric field across the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode, and a power source for providing an alternating current (AC) across the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode, thereby generating an oscillating non-linear electric field for immobilizing a particle suspended in the fluid that flows between the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode. The membrane can have an opening to allow for mechanical manipulation of the particle that is immobilized with a sharp member configured to enter across the membrane from the compartment.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a primary flow path arranged to contain a first heat exchanging medium. A secondary flow path arranged to contain a secondary heat exchanging medium, wherein the primary flow path surrounds the secondary flow path for exchanging heat between the two paths.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a primary flow path arranged to contain a first heat exchanging medium. A secondary flow path arranged to contain a secondary heat exchanging medium, wherein the primary flow path surrounds the secondary flow path for exchanging heat between the two paths.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a primary flow path arranged to contain a first heat exchanging medium. A secondary flow path arranged to contain a secondary heat exchanging medium, wherein the primary flow path surrounds the secondary flow path for exchanging heat between the two paths.

Abstract: A novel pump design for energy and volatile substances exhibits a high level of reliability and durability with minimal amount of wear on parts constituting the novel pump design. In one embodiment of the invention, a volatile substance is transformed from a solid state or a liquid state to a gaseous (i.e. vaporized) state using a thermal transfer method at a vaporizer, and transformed back to the solid state or the liquid state at a condenser after traveling through an energy conduit (e.g. a continuous cavity). Physical properties of matter such as pressure differences, diffusion, forward, and reverse thermal transfer methods are utilized for operation of a pump according to an embodiment of the invention. A heating mechanism which maintains the interior of the energy conduit above a threshold temperature of the volatile substance can be utilized for a greater pump efficiency.

Abstract: A pump is provided which pumps energy via molecular carriers; the side effect of this method of energy transmittance is the concomitant movement of material. The method of energy and material movement follows three steps. In step one, energy is absorbed by the molecular carrier, transforming the carrier from a liquid or solid state into a gaseous state. The second step is the conveyance of the energized molecular carriers through an energy conduit, through which the molecular carriers may pass without losing energy, despite a potentially very long distance. The third step involves deposition of the energy at the final destination via a transfer which extracts the energy from the material, concomitantly transforming the material from a gaseous state to a liquid or solid state.