Abstract: By manipulating the fluid flow in the proximity of an object such as a fuselage, a wing, or the hull of ship, the wave drag associated with this object can be substantially reduced. This can be accomplished by locally changing both the fluid flow velocity and the pressure of the fluid flow.

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: A force generating apparatus is configured to induce a force on at least a portion of objects of interest within a first channel system between a first point and a second point, where the average force comprises a non-zero component directed from the first point towards the second point. The magnitude of the associated change in the thermodynamic properties of the objects of interest between two given points within the first channel system is a function of the relevant properties of the channel system, such as the shear stress coefficient or the resistivity of the channel system to bulk flow of objects of interest. A second channel system can comprise a first point and a second point, and the second point of the second channel system can be diffusively coupled to the second point in the first channel system. The relevant properties of the second channel system can be configured to be different to the relevant properties of the first channel system.

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 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: Apparatus and methods for selectively transmitting objects of interest from a first reservoir to a second reservoir are disclosed. The apparatus includes electromagnetic focusing apparatus configured to interact with objects of interest to induce a change in a property of the objects of interest so as to increase the probability that the objects of interest through a throat diffusively coupling the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

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

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 heat exchange system includes a first reservoir having a first and second point and a first thermal material contained in the first reservoir. A first thermal contact is thermally coupled with the second point. Application of a force to the first thermal material can result in a temperature difference between the first and second points.

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: 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.