Abstract: An intentional fluid manipulation apparatus (IFMA) assembly that includes an upstream intentional momentum shedding apparatus (IMSA) configured to impart a first induced velocity to a local free stream flow during a nominal operation requirement. The upstream IMSA creates a streamtube. The IFMA includes a downstream IMSA, with some or all of the downstream IMSA being located in a downstream portion of the streamtube. The downstream IMSA imparts a second induced velocity to the local free stream flow within the streamtube. The second induced velocity at the location of the downstream IMSA has a component in a direction opposite to the direction of the first induced velocity at the location of the downstream IMSA.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for selectively transmitting objects of interest from a first reservoir to a second reservoir are disclosed. The apparatuses include electromagnetic focusing apparatuses configured to interact with objects of interest to induce a change in a property of the objects of interest so as to increase or decrease the probability that the objects of interest pass through a throat diffusively coupling the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

Abstract: An intentional fluid manipulation apparatus (IFMA) assembly with a first thrust apparatus that imparts a first induced velocity to a local free stream flow during a nominal operation requirement. The first thrust apparatus creates a streamtube. A second thrust apparatus is located in a downstream portion of the streamtube. The second thrust apparatus imparts a second induced velocity to the local free stream flow. The second induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus has a component in a direction opposite to the direction of the first induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus.

Abstract: An intentional fluid manipulation apparatus (IFMA) assembly with a first thrust apparatus that imparts a first induced velocity to a local free stream flow during a nominal operation requirement. The first thrust apparatus creates a streamtube. A second thrust apparatus is located in a downstream portion of the streamtube. The second thrust apparatus imparts a second induced velocity to the local free stream flow. The second induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus has a component in a direction opposite to the direction of the first induced velocity at the location of the second thrust apparatus.

Abstract: An intentional fluid manipulation apparatus (IFMA) assembly that includes an upstream intentional momentum shedding apparatus (IMSA) configured to impart a first induced velocity to a local free stream flow during a nominal operation requirement. The upstream IMSA creates a streamtube. The IFMA includes a downstream IMSA, with some or all of the downstream IMSA being located in a downstream portion of the streamtube. The downstream IMSA imparts a second induced velocity to the local free stream flow within the streamtube. The second induced velocity at the location of the downstream IMSA has a component in a direction opposite to the direction of the first induced velocity at the location of the downstream IMSA.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus with a Body Force Generating Apparatus (BFGA) facilitates diffusion of objects of interest from a first reservoir to a second reservoir. The BFGA applies a body force per unit mass on objects of interest, such as air molecules, water molecules, dust particles, ions, electrons, and other types of elementary particles or constituent parts within a medium. The force field generated by the BFGA gives rise to a spatially varying potential field having a spatial or temporal gradient that is sufficiently strong at at least one location in space or instant in time such that objects of interest experience a departure from normal statistical behavior within that field. This can be employed to increase the pressure of objects of interest in a second reservoir relative to a first reservoir. A pressure modification apparatus and method can convert thermal energy into useful energy, such as mechanical work or electricity.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for interacting with objects of interest. A filtering apparatus can comprise a channel system, through which objects of interest are able to diffuse. The channel system can comprise a channel of suitably configured non-uniform cross-sectional area along the length of the channel. In some embodiments, the channel system can be provided by a suitably configured porous bulk material. In some embodiments, channel system can comprise an interior chamber comprising filtered objects, where the filtered objects are contained on a first side by a first filtering surface, such as a semi-permeable membrane, and on a second side by second filtering surface, where the cross-sectional areas of a representative channel of the first and second filtering surfaces are not identical. The filtered objects can also be configured to interact with an externally applied body force, such as an electric field acting on charged filtered objects.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for transferring or exchanging thermal energy between two thermal reservoirs, for converting energy from thermal energy into another form of energy, or for converting energy from another form of energy into thermal energy. A body force per unit mass generating apparatus can be employed to modify a specific heat capacity of a working material. A work exchange apparatus, such as a compressor expander, can be employed to do work on the working material, or allow the working material to do work on the work exchange apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for transferring or exchanging thermal energy between two thermal reservoirs, for converting energy from thermal energy into another form of energy, or for converting energy from another form of energy into thermal energy. A body force per unit mass generating apparatus can be employed to modify a specific heat capacity of a working material. A work exchange apparatus, such as a compressor expander, can be employed to do work on the working material, or allow the working material to do work on the work exchange apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for interacting with objects of interest. A filtering apparatus can comprise a channel system, through which objects of interest are able to diffuse. The channel system can comprise a channel of suitably configured non-uniform cross-sectional area along the length of the channel. In some embodiments, the channel system can be provided by a suitably configured porous bulk material. In some embodiments, channel system can comprise an interior chamber comprising filtered objects, where the filtered objects are contained on a first side by a first filtering surface, such as a semi-permeable membrane, and on a second side by second filtering surface, where the cross-sectional areas of a representative channel of the first and second filtering surfaces are not identical. The filtered objects can also be configured to interact with an externally applied body force, such as an electric field acting on charged filtered objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a VTOL aircraft, and a method of operating the same. The VTOL aircraft employs a propulsion system comprising at least one propulsion unit, which can be rotated to generate lift during VTOL operations and thrust during cruise. A folding wing is employed to provide lift during cruise, and to meet external size constraints during storage and VTOL operations.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for interacting with the quantum vacuum. Example embodiments of the invention comprise a first reservoir which is configured to maintain a difference in the thermodynamic properties of the vacuum between the first reservoir and a second reservoir. The thermodynamic properties can refer to the pressure or the density of virtual particles within a specified reservoir. Example embodiments of the invention comprise a compression or expansion apparatus configured to generate and maintain a desired difference in the thermodynamic properties of the vacuum between a first reservoir and a second reservoir. Example embodiments employ the difference in the thermodynamic properties of the quantum vacuum within the first reservoir and baseline thermodynamic properties in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A body force per unit mass acting on mobile charge carriers within a first electrically conducting material is configured to induce at least one region of accumulation of charge within at least a portion of the first material. The magnitude of the associated change in the voltage between two given points within the first material is a function of the relevant electrical properties of the material. A second electrically conducting material can be electrically coupled to the first material via a first electrical contact. The relevant electrical properties of the second material can be configured to be different to the relevant electrical properties of the first material. The voltage difference between the two points in the first material can be different to the voltage difference between two equivalent points in the second material.

Abstract: Provided is a filtering apparatus configured to interact with objects of interest within a medium. The properties of the filtering apparatus can be configured to modify the trajectory of individual objects of interest which interact with the filtering apparatus within several orders of magnitude of the mean free path of objects of interest. Surfaces of a filtering apparatus can be constructed to preferentially redirect objects of interest in a desired direction, such as a direction substantially parallel to a surface, or substantially along the length of a channel connecting two reservoirs. This can modify the net diffusion of objects of interest relative to the surface, which can modify the bulk fluid flow velocity magnitude along the surface. This can be employed to reduce the viscous drag on a surface moving relative to a fluid, or to generate thrust, or to convert thermal energy of a fluid into useful work.

Abstract: A fluid interaction apparatus includes a wing having a first configuration with a first profile drag coefficient and a second configuration with a second profile drag coefficient that is less than the first profile drag coefficient. The fluid interaction apparatus further includes a body having a longitudinal axis, wherein the body is coupled to the wing. The fluid interaction apparatus further includes an actuator configured to change the wing from the first configuration when moving in a first direction relative to the body to the second configuration when moving in a second direction relative to the body, the second direction having a substantial component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A body force per unit mass acting on mobile charge carriers within a first electrically conducting material is configured to induce at least one region of accumulation of charge within at least a portion of the first material. The magnitude of the associated change in the voltage between two given points within the first material is a function of the relevant electrical properties of the material. A second electrically conducting material can be electrically coupled to the first material via a first electrical contact. The relevant electrical properties of the second material can be configured to be different to the relevant electrical properties of the first material. The voltage difference between the two points in the first material can be different to the voltage difference between two equivalent points in the second material.

Abstract: By subjecting a volume or a bulk of a working material to a body force per unit mass, such as gravity, inertial forces, electric forces, or magnetic forces, the perceived specific heat capacity of the volume of the working material can be increased or decreased as desired. The artificial modification of the perceived specific heat capacity of a material can be employed in a thermodynamic cycle to convert thermal energy directly into useful mechanical work, and vice versa.