Abstract: An article includes a permeable material having a surface; and a hydrophobic coating on the surface forming a hydrophobic surface, the hydrophobic coating being free of fluorine, and the hydrophobic surface having a water-contact angle of 95 degrees or greater. The article may be a vent. A method of making the hydrophobic article includes applying a hydrophobic material onto a permeable material; and curing the hydrophobic material to form a hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic coating may include siloxane.

Abstract: A filter material has a layer of porous material and a plurality of structures disposed on a surface of the layer, where each of the structures has a re-entrant geometry. The plurality of structures may be a plurality of ordered structures. A filter material may include a layer of porous material and a plurality of re-entrant structures disposed on a surface of the layer, each of the re-entrant structures including a stem and a cap, where the caps of adjacent structures are attached to each other to form a plurality of pores, where each pore is disposed between adjacent re-entrant structures.

Abstract: A filter material has a layer of porous material and a plurality of structures disposed on a surface of the layer, where each of the structures has a re-entrant geometry. The plurality of structures may be a plurality of ordered structures. A filter material may include a layer of porous material and a plurality of re-entrant structures disposed on a surface of the layer, each of the re-entrant structures including a stem and a cap, where the caps of adjacent structures are attached to each other to form a plurality of pores, where each pore is disposed between adjacent re-entrant structures.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems for detecting air bubbles in fluids. In an embodiment, a fluid system aeration detector is included having an optical air bubble sensor. The optical air bubble sensor can include a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller. The sensor controller can be in signal communication with the light detector and can be configured to detect air bubbles based on the signals received from the light detector. The sensor controller can further be configured to estimate an amount of aeration of a fluid based on the detected air bubbles. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Tapes, expanded tapes, and methods of making the same. The tapes and expanded tapes include long-strand PTFE fibrils, short-strand PTFE fibrils, and an oriented network. The oriented network includes nodes. The nodes include active particles and short-strand PTFE fibrils distributed among the active particles.

Abstract: Tapes, expanded tapes, and methods of making the same. The tapes and expanded tapes include long-strand PTFE fibrils, short-strand PTFE fibrils, and an oriented network. The oriented network includes nodes. The nodes include short-strand PTFE fibrils.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to water in fuel sensing systems that can be mounted on-vehicle. In an embodiment, a water in fuel sensing system is included having a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller, wherein the sensor controller is in signal communication with the light detector and the sensor controller is configured to evaluate signals received from the light detector, identify water droplets based on the signals received from the light detector, record information regarding the classified water droplets, and generate an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An article includes a permeable material having a surface; and a hydrophobic coating on the surface forming a hydrophobic surface, the hydrophobic coating being free of fluorine, and the hydrophobic surface having a water-contact angle of 95 degrees or greater. The article may be a vent. A method of making the hydrophobic article includes applying a hydrophobic material onto a permeable material; and curing the hydrophobic material to form a hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic coating may include siloxane.

Abstract: A filter media comprises a layer of porous material having a patterned outer surface comprising a plurality of structures. Each structure in the plurality has at least a predetermined height based on an expected contaminant and spacing between each structure in a pair of structures in the plurality is at most a predetermined spacing based on the expected contaminant.

Abstract: A vent assembly having a housing (106) defining a cavity (202), a first end (102) and a second end (104), where the second end includes a coupling structure (108). The first end defines a window (110) in fluid communication with the cavity, wherein the window has a window perimeter. The vent assembly includes a vent media (206) spanning the cavity of the housing, where the vent media is breathable and forms a watertight seal to the housing at a perimeter of the vent media. The first end includes a screen structure (300) within the window perimeter of the window that can include repeating structures defining open areas.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to end caps and pleat guides for filter assemblies. In an embodiment, a filter assembly component is included having an end cap that can include a pleat guide channel disposed about a circumference of the end cap. The pleat guide channel can include a repeating pattern that can include a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys distributed about the circumference of the end cap. The pleat guide channel can be configured to receive and mechanically support a pleated filter media within the pleat guide channel. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Separation elements including microfluidic channels may use a hydrodynamic separator or flow routing element to separate particles in fluids. Particle sensors may be used to count particles in each microfluidic channel. A unique orifice pattern may be used to facilitate use of a shared particle sensor for multiple microfluidic channels. Separation elements may be used in various systems, such as engine fuel systems, bulk fuel systems, hydraulic particle filters, and hydraulic deaeration enhancers.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems for detecting air bubbles in fluids. In an embodiment, a fluid system aeration detector is included having an optical air bubble sensor. The optical air bubble sensor can include a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller. The sensor controller can be in signal communication with the light detector and can be configured to detect air bubbles based on the signals received from the light detector. The sensor controller can further be configured to estimate an amount of aeration of a fluid based on the detected air bubbles. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A filter material has a layer of porous material and a plurality of structures disposed on a surface of the layer, where each of the structures has a re-entrant geometry. The plurality of structures may be a plurality of ordered structures. A filter material may include a layer of porous material and a plurality of re-entrant structures disposed on a surface of the layer, each of the re-entrant structures including a stem and a cap, where the caps of adjacent structures are attached to each other to form a plurality of pores, where each pore is disposed between adjacent re-entrant structures.

Abstract: An autonomous light management system for a window includes an electrochromic film stack comprising an electrochromic layer on a first transparent electrode, an ion storage layer on a second transparent electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the ion storage and electrochromic layers. The electrochromic film stack exhibits a transmissive state or an absorptive state depending on charging or discharging of the electrochromic layer. The light management system further comprises an array of power units disposed on a front surface of the electrochromic film stack, where each power unit comprises at least one solar microcell. Collectively, the solar microcells cover an area no greater than about 6% of a total area of the front surface. The array of power units is configured to control the charging and discharging of the electrochromic layer, thereby manipulating light transmission through the electrochromic film stack.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to water in fuel sensing systems that can be mounted on-vehicle. In an embodiment, a water in fuel sensing system is included having a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller, wherein the sensor controller is in signal communication with the light detector and the sensor controller is configured to evaluate signals received from the light detector, identify water droplets based on the signals received from the light detector, record information regarding the classified water droplets, and generate an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An autonomous light management system for a window includes an electrochromic film stack comprising an electrochromic layer on a first transparent electrode, an ion storage layer on a second transparent electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the ion storage and electrochromic layers. The electrochromic film stack exhibits a transmissive state or an absorptive state depending on charging or discharging of the electrochromic layer. The light management system further comprises an array of power units disposed on a front surface of the electrochromic film stack, where each power unit comprises at least one solar microcell. Collectively, the solar microcells cover an area no greater than about 6% of a total area of the front surface. The array of power units is configured to control the charging and discharging of the electrochromic layer, thereby manipulating light transmission through the electrochromic film stack.