Abstract: A device comprising, a substrate having a droplet thereover, and an electrical source coupleable to the substrate. The electrical source is configured to apply a voltage between the substrate and the droplet using an electrode. The electrode has a first portion and a second portion non-symmetric to the first portion, the first and second portions defined by a plane located normal to a longitudinal axis and through a midpoint of a length of the electrode.

Abstract: A device comprising a substrate having a surface that comprises a conductive base layer. The device also comprises fluid-support-structures on the conductive base layer. Each of the fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. Each of the fluid-support-structures is coated with an electrical insulator. The device is configured to oscillate a fluid locatable between tops of the fluid-support-structures and the conductive base layer when a voltage is applied between the conductive base layer and the fluid.

Abstract: A device comprising, a substrate having a droplet thereover, and an electrical source coupleable to the substrate. The electrical source is configured to apply a voltage between the substrate and the droplet using an electrode. The electrode has a first portion and a second portion non-symmetric to the first portion, the first and second portions defined by a plane located normal to a longitudinal axis and through a midpoint of a length of the electrode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for cooling a heat source using a refrigerant flow in a heat exchanger. According to some embodiments, a flow property of the refrigerant as it flows through a heat exchanger is measured and based on the measurement a flow distribution rate for the flow of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is determined. A valve is operated for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger according to the determined flow distribution rate.

Abstract: A device comprising a substrate having a surface that comprises a conductive base layer. The device also comprises fluid-support-structures on the conductive base layer. Each of the fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. Each of the fluid-support-structures is coated with an electrical insulator. The device is configured to oscillate a fluid locatable between tops of the fluid-support-structures and the conductive base layer when a voltage is applied between the conductive base layer and the fluid.

Abstract: A method comprising, providing a droplet having a first chemical species and a second chemical species on a substrate, and applying a voltage across the droplet to physically repeatedly deform the droplet. In this embodiment, the applying causes the droplet to move with respect to an object located therein and at least partially mix the first chemical species and the second chemical species.

Abstract: A device comprising a substrate having a surface that comprises a conductive base layer. The device also comprises fluid-support-structures on the conductive base layer. Each of the fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. Each of the fluid-support-structures is coated with an electrical insulator. The device is configured to oscillate a fluid locatable between tops of the fluid-support-structures and the conductive base layer when a voltage is applied between the conductive base layer and the fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising forming a plurality of cells on a substrate, wherein each of the cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and is configured to hold a medium therein, and wherein each of the cells has walls that laterally enclose an area of a surface of the substrate and has a top opening. The method also comprises contacting the cells with a fluid and introducing a surfactant and a medium into the fluid to thereby form a foam layer contacting the walls of cells. Bubbles of the foam layer have fluid walls that include the surfactant, the bubbles are filled with the medium, and the bubbles remain substantially stationary on the top openings of the cells for a period on average of at least about 1 minute.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a plurality of closed cells disposed on a surface of a substrate. Each of the closed cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and are configured to hold a medium therein. The apparatus also comprises a foam that contacts the closed cells. The foam has fluid walls that include a surfactant, and bubbles of the foam layer are filled with the medium.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow resistance of a fluid disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises contacting a fluid with a plurality of cells on a substrate and adjusting amounts of a surfactant and a medium in the fluid to thereby form a foam layer contacting the walls of the cells. Each of the cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and is configured to hold the medium therein. Each of the cells has walls that laterally enclose an area of a surface of the substrate and has a top opening. Bubbles of the foam layer have fluid walls that include a surfactant, are filled with the medium, and remain substantially stationary on the top openings of the cells for a period on average of at least about 1 minute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: Device including channel having channel input and output. Channel has interior channel surface extending along channel path from channel input to output. In one implementation, channel includes plurality of channel sections in serial communication along channel path. Each of channel sections includes first internal circumference spaced apart along channel path from second internal circumference, in each of channel sections the first and second internal circumferences being substantially different. Each of channel sections includes sub-surface of interior channel surface. At least region of sub-surface of each channel section includes distribution of raised micro-scale features. As another implementation, at least first region of interior channel surface includes distribution of raised micro-scale features interrupted by plurality of raised barriers spaced apart along channel path on interior channel surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate having a surface with a volume-tunable-material on the surface and fluid-support-structures over the surface and partially embedded in the volume-tunable-material. Each of said fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less, and the fluid-support-structures are moveable in response to a volume transition of the volume-tunable-material.

Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of closed cells disposed in a predetermined feature pattern on at least a first surface of an electrode. Each of the closed cells has an inner surface. The battery also includes a plurality of cell electrodes. Each of the cell electrodes is disposed along a portion of the inner surface of a respective one of the closed cells in the plurality of closed cells.

Abstract: Device having first wick evaporator including first membrane and plurality of first thermally-conductive supports. First membrane has upper and lower surfaces. First membrane also has plurality of pores with upper pore ends at upper surface of first membrane and with lower pore ends at lower surface of first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has upper and lower support ends. Upper support ends of first thermally-conductive supports are in contact with first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has longitudinal axis extending between the upper and lower support ends, average cross-sectional area along axis, and membrane support cross-sectional area at upper support end, the membrane support cross-sectional area effectively being smaller than average cross-sectional area. First thermally-conductive supports are configured to conduct thermal energy from lower support ends of first thermally-conductive supports to first membrane.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode with at least one nanostructured surface is disclosed wherein the nanostructured surface is divided into cells and is disposed in a way such that an electrolyte fluid of the battery is prevented from contacting the portion of electrode associated with each cell. When a voltage is passed over the nanostructured surface associated with a particular cell, the electrolyte fluid is caused to penetrate the nanostructured surface of that cell and to contact the electrode, thus activating the portion of the battery associated with that cell. The current/voltage generated by the battery is controlled by selectively activating only a portion of the cells. Multiple cells can be active simultaneously to produce the desired voltage. The more cells that are active, the higher the current/voltage and the lower the overall life of the battery. The life of the battery can be extended by activating fewer cells simultaneously.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode with at least one nanostructured surface is disclosed wherein the nanostructured surface is divided into cells and is disposed in a way such that an electrolyte fluid of the battery is prevented from contacting the portion of electrode associated with each cell. When a voltage is passed over the nanostructured surface associated with a particular cell, the electrolyte fluid is caused to penetrate the nanostructured surface of that cell and to contact the electrode, thus activating the portion of the battery associated with that cell. The current/voltage generated by the battery is controlled by selectively activating only a portion of the cells. Multiple cells can be active simultaneously to produce the desired voltage. The more cells that are active, the higher the current/voltage and the lower the overall life of the battery. The life of the battery can be extended by activating fewer cells simultaneously.

Abstract: A battery having a nanostructured battery electrode is disclosed wherein it is possible to reverse the contact of the electrolyte with the battery electrode and, thus, to return a battery to a reserve state after it has been used to generate current. In order to achieve this reversibility, the nanostructures on the battery electrode comprise a plurality of closed cells and the pressure within the enclosed cells is varied. In a first embodiment, the pressure is varied by varying the temperature of a fluid within the cells by, for example, applying a voltage to electrodes disposed within said cells. In a second illustrative embodiment, once the battery has been fully discharged, the battery is recharged and then the electrolyte fluid is expelled from the cells in a way such that it is no longer in contact with the battery electrode.