Abstract: A membrane structure comprises a substrate having a main surface and a rear surface. A plurality of pillars are arranged on the main surface of the substrate and have a support area facing away from the main surface of the substrate. A thin-film structure is arranged above the main surface of the substrate and the pillars, wherein the thin-film structure comprises a plurality of raised portions that are spaced further from the substrate than at least one lower portion of the thin film structure. The raised portions each comprise at least one protruding portion, the protruding portions being hollow and having a bottom part and a sidewall and the protruding portions extending towards the substrate. The bottom part of each protruding portion is mechanically connected to the support area of one of the pillars, respectively. A back-volume is formed by the volume between the main surface of the substrate and the thin-film structure.

Abstract: A microstructure for use in a micro electro-mechanical device comprises a substrate having a top surface and a rear surface and a thin-film structure arranged at the top surface of the substrate. The thin-film structure comprises a raised portion spaced from the substrate, a lower portion of the thin-film structure, which is in mechanical contact with the substrate, at least one protruding portion, the protruding portion being hollow and having at least one sidewall and a bottom part and the protruding portion mechanically connecting the raised portion to the substrate via the bottom part, and at least one further sidewall of the thin-film structure at a distance to the at least one protruding portion, wherein the further sidewall mechanically connects the lower portion with the raised portion of the thin-film structure.

Abstract: Embodiments concern a high-precision, measurement device operative to measure the water content in media and/or water transport rate by media with high precision and with high dynamic range concerning the flow rate value. Based on a molecular transducer principle, captured water reacts with a reactant characterized by its ability to generate gas as a reaction product. By using an electro-chemical transducing element, an electric signal is generated in accordance with a stoichiometric volume of gas produced and water transferred, which is related to the flow rate of the circulating aqueous solution.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are included that are configured to model microvascular obstruction (MVO) in patients. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-scale model is configured to mimic myocardial microcirculation of coronary vessels. The model includes collaterals configured to provide alternative pathways possibly bypassing the MVO, and configured to model coronary artery compliance for spatially resolved fluid transport through the coronary vessels. The model is configured to simulate the MVO by increasing flow resistance in at least one of the modelled coronary vessels, or by blocking the at least one of the modelled coronary vessels completely. The model is also configured to mimic behavior of fluid transport in the coronary vessels during diagnostics or treatment, to design and optimize therapy protocols for the MVO.