Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: A fluid pump (100) having a homopolar motor (110). The homopolar motor includes a rotatable disk (115) defining at least one impeller (120). The impeller can include an orifice within the rotatable disk. The rotatable disk can be at least partially disposed within a cavity (145) defined in the substrate (105), such as a ceramic substrate, a liquid crystal polymer substrate, or a semiconductor substrate. A closed loop control circuit (335) can be included to control the rotational speed of the rotatable disk. For example, the control circuit can control a voltage source or a current source that applies voltage across the rotatable disk. The control circuit also can control a strength of a magnet (310) that applies a magnetic field (305) substantially aligned with an axis or rotation (155) of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: Embedded check-valve assembly (100, 600) for integration in a micro-fluidic system. The assembly can include a check-valve chamber (104, 604), an inlet port (106, 606) and an outlet port (108, 608) formed from at least one layer of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film to form a substrate (102, 602). A plug (114, 614) is disposed within the check-valve chamber.

Abstract: A fluid displacement device (100) having a homopolar motor (110). The homopolar motor includes a rotatable disk (115) with at least one fluid displacement structure (120) disposed thereon. The fluid displacement structure can be a blade. The rotatable disk can be disposed within a cavity (145) defined in a substrate (105), such as a ceramic substrate, a liquid crystal polymer substrate, or a semiconductor substrate. A closed loop control circuit (235) can be included to control the rotational speed of the rotatable disk. For example, the control circuit can control a voltage source or a current source that applies voltage across the rotatable disk. The control circuit also can control a strength of a magnet (210) that applies a magnetic field (205) substantially aligned with an axis or rotation (155) of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow. A fluid (560) can be communicated to a first fluid flow port (105) disposed adjacent to a first surface (196) of a rotatable disk (115) of a homopolar motor. The fluid can flow through at least one orifice (130) in the rotatable disk to a second fluid flow port (110). The rotation of the disk can be selectively controlled to vary a fluid flow rate. Further, the disk can be rotated to align a selected one of the orifices with at least one of the first and second fluid flow ports. In another arrangement, the shape of the orifice can have a radial width that increases in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A microfluidic control valve (100) comprising a dielectric structure (105) defining at least one cavity (260) therein. An electroactive material (305), such as an electroactive polymer, is disposed in a portion of the cavity. The electroactive material is operable between a first state in which a dimension of the electroactive material has a first value and a second state in which the dimension has a second value. Two conductors (240, 250) can be included for applying a voltage potential across the electroactive material to change the electroactive material between the first state and the second state. A first fluidic port (310) can be located proximate to the electroactive material such that a fluid flows through the first fluidic port when the electroactive material is in the first state, and the electroactive material at least partially blocks the first fluidic port when the electroactive material is in the second state.

Abstract: Embedded check-valve manufacturing assembly (100, 600) for integration in a micro-fluidic system. The assembly can include a check-valve chamber (104, 604), an inlet port (106, 606) and an outlet port (108, 608) formed from at least one layer of an low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tape to form a substrate (102, 602). A fired LTCC plug (114, 614) is disposed within the check-valve chamber.

Abstract: Embedded check-valve manufacturing assembly (100, 600) for subsequent firing and integration in a micro-fluidic system. The assembly can include a check-valve chamber (104, 604), an inlet port (106, 606) and an outlet port (108, 608) formed from at least one layer of an unfired low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tape to form a substrate (102, 602). A plug (114, 614) is disposed within the check-valve chamber that is capable of withstanding the LTCC firing process without damage or distortion.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic device may include a substrate having at least one substrate fluid passageway therein, and at least one substrate electrical conductor carried by the substrate. Moreover, an external interface may be spaced from the substrate and include at least one interface electrical conductor. The electro-fluidic device may also include at least one electro-fluidic interconnect extending between the substrate and the external interface. More particularly, the at least one electro-fluidic interconnect may include an interconnect body having at least one interconnect fluid passageway extending therethrough and connected to the at least one substrate fluid passageway, and at least one interconnect electrical conductor carried by the interconnect body. The at least one interconnect electrical conductor may connect the at least one substrate electrical conductor and the at least one interface electrical connector.