Abstract: A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure, and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure.

Abstract: A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure, and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure.

Abstract: A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure, and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for generating power using water current. In one embodiment, a subsurface power generating system includes a first power generating node, with at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one universal gear coupled to the at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one modular generator; and at least one clutch for engaging and disengaging the at least one modular generator and the at least one universal gear.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for generating power using water current. In one embodiment, a subsurface power generating system includes a first power generating node, with at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one universal gear coupled to the at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one modular generator; and at least one clutch for engaging and disengaging the at least one modular generator and the at least one universal gear.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids are provided. The devices and methods operate without moving parts, and generate well-mixed fluids over a broad dynamic range of flow rates. Preferred embodiments include junction-type mixers, bundled mixers, and co-axial mixers. The devices and methods are optimized to produce rapid, accurate gradients to improve associated system throughput and reproducibility.

Abstract: A device for microfluidic control comprising a regulator that is moveable in a conduit where the regulator is a composite polymer formed from a composite mixture comprising a polymerizable precursor and a particulate filler.

Abstract: A device for microfluidic control comprising a regulator that is moveable in a conduit where the regulator is a composite polymer formed from a composite mixture comprising a polymerizable precursor and a particulate filler.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, stable electroosmotic flow systems and methods for designing the same are disclosed. The invention provides electroosmotic flow systems comprising electroosmotic flow elements, including bridge elements, that have matching flux ratios, i.e., when two or more elements of an electroosmotic flow system are in fluidic and electrical communication at a junction, the flux ratio for each of the elements is selected so that the difference in flux ratios system adjacent two elements is less than a target value. The invention also provides methods for designing such systems.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide for the storage of speech phrases. Speech phrases are processed by a speaker-independent speech recognition engine of a voice controlled device. This engine returns a speaker-independent representation of the phrase. The speaker-independent representation is stored. Embodiments of the invention include methods of converting text to speaker-independent representations of speech and speaker-independent representations of speech into text.

Abstract: An electrokinetic device is capable of operating for extended periods of time, e.g. days to a week, without producing significant gaseous byproducts and without significant evolution of the pump fluid. Features of the electrokinetic device include: the electrodes in the electrokinetic device are capacitive with a capacitance of at least 10?4 Farads/cm2; at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have an area greater than the effective area of the porous dielectric material; at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have a current flux less than 20 microamperes/cm2; and at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have a current flux that varies by less than a factor of two. The electrokinetic device can have one or several of these features in any combination.

Abstract: An electrokinetic pump achieves high and low flow rates without producing significant gaseous byproducts and without significant evolution of the pump fluid. A first feature of the pump is that the electrodes in the pump are capacitive with a capacitance of at least 10?4 Farads/cm2. A second feature of the pump is that it is configured to maximize the potential across the porous dielectric material. The pump can have either or both features.

Abstract: Electroosmotic flow controllers and methods of fluid flow control are described. The invention uses an electroosmotically generated flow component in conjunction with a pressure driven flow component to modulate fluid flow. The devices and methods of the invention may include salt bridges for making electrical connection between a power supply and a channel filled with a porous dielectric material and a fluid. Embodiments including flow controllers and flow splitters are described as is their use in a variety of fluid handling applications.

Abstract: A method for signal balancing across multiple random logic macros. The method inserts a programmable delay element into the design before the last buffer level on all signal paths. The random logic macro is then fully designed including cell placement and wiring. With programmable delay buffers in place, the random logic macros may be used within multiple designs, each having varying signal latency requirements.

Abstract: A non-Newtonian fluid is used in an electrokinetic device to produce electroosmotic flow therethrough. The nonlinear viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid allows the electrokinetic device to behave differently under different operating conditions, such as externally applied pressures and electric potentials. Electrokinetic devices can be used with a non-Newtonian fluid in a number of applications, including but not limited to electrokinetic pumps, flow controllers, diaphragm valves, and displacement systems.

Abstract: A method for balancing signals across an IC design having multiple voltage domains. The method uses a voltage tress to balance the signals at the top level above the voltage domains. Then using worst case and best case signal latencies determines the average latency in each voltage domain. Then balancing signals at the other levels of the design by incrementing the latencies in each domain until a target level based on the slowest average latency is reached.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids are provided. The devices and methods operate without moving parts, and generate well-mixed fluids over a broad dynamic range of flow rates. Preferred embodiments include junction-type mixers, bundled mixers, and co-axial mixers. The devices and methods are optimized to produce rapid, accurate gradients to improve associated system throughput and reproducibility.

Abstract: A computer designed nanoengineered membrane for separation of dissolved species. One embodiment provides an apparatus for treatment of a fluid that includes ions comprising a microengineered porous membrane, a system for producing an electrical charge across the membrane, and a series of nanopores extending through the membrane. The nanopores have a pore size such that when the fluid contacts the membrane, the nanopores will be in a condition of double layer overlap and allow passage only of ions opposite to the electrical charge across the membrane.

Abstract: A method of pumping fluid including the steps of providing an electrokinetic pump comprising a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2 and being connectable to a power source, a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes and a reservoir containing pump fluid; connecting the electrodes to a power source; and moving pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump. The invention also includes an electrokinetic pump system having a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2; a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes; a reservoir containing pump fluid; and a power source connected to the electrodes; the electrodes, dielectric material and power source being adapted to move the pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, the fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly; a fuel reservoir containing a liquid fuel; a conduit coupling the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell; and an electrokinetic fuel pump coupled to the conduit, the electrokinetic fuel pump having a plurality of electrodes; wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump moves fuel from the fuel reservoir through the conduit to the fuel cell; and wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump electrodes do not deleteriously affect the performance of the membrane-electrode assembly.