Abstract: A system includes an active micro-electric mechanical system (MEMS) cooling system and a drive system. The MEMS cooling system includes cooling element(s) that direct fluid toward a surface of heat-generating structure(s) when driven to vibrate by a driving signal having a frequency and an input voltage. The drive system is coupled to the active MEMS cooling system and provides the driving signal. The drive system includes a power source and a feedback controller providing a feedback signal corresponding to a proximity to a resonant state of the at least one cooling element. The drive system adjusts at least one of the frequency and the input voltage based on the feedback signal such that the frequency corresponds to the resonant state of the cooling element(s). The input voltage does not exceed a maximum safe operating voltage for the cooling element(s).

Abstract: A computing device includes a housing having a plurality of apertures therein, an active cooling system, and at least one of a plurality of membranes or a plurality of valves. The membranes and/or valves are coupled with the apertures. Each of the membranes is watertight and gas breathable. The valves are configured to prevent entry of water through the apertures. The active cooling system is in the housing. When activated, the active cooling system drives a gas through a membrane but does not drive water through the membrane.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of cooling cells and a switching and control module is described. The cooling cells including cooling elements configured to be actuated to induce vibrational motion to drive a fluid toward a heat-generating structure. The switching and control module is coupled to the cooling elements and provides drive signals to the cooling elements based on at least one drive signal input. Each of the drive signals has a frequency corresponding to a cooling element. The frequency of the drive signal corresponds to a resonant state of the cooling element.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes fluid transfer cells that vibrationally move a fluid and a thermally conductive cover that conducts heat from the cells while avoiding transfer of mechanical energy between the cells. A fluid transfer module includes outer and inner walls, a support member, and a membrane. The outer wall has an outer opening. The inner wall has an inner opening. The support member is disposed laterally on the inner wall such that a flow chamber is defined between the outer and inner walls. The membrane is supported by the support member along the outer wall. A fluid transfer module includes an inlet port and an actuator. The actuator undergoes vibrational motion and has first and second vibrational modes. The first vibrational mode causes fluid to enter the inlet port. The second vibrational mode expels fluid from the inlet port, which reduces clogging of the inlet port.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of cooling cells and a switching and control module is described. The cooling cells including cooling elements configured to be actuated to induce vibrational motion to drive a fluid toward a heat-generating structure. The switching and control module is coupled to the cooling elements and provides drive signals to the cooling elements based on at least one drive signal input. Each of the drive signals has a frequency corresponding to a cooling element. The frequency of the drive signal corresponds to a resonant state of the cooling element.

Abstract: A cooling system including a heat spreader, an active cooling element, and a base is described. The heat spreader is in thermal communication with a heat-generating structure mounted on a substrate. The heat spreader over hangs the heat-generating structure. The active cooling element is in thermal communication with the heat spreader. The base supports the heat spreader and transfers a load from the heat spreader to the substrate such that a bending of the heat spreader does not exceed ten degrees.

Abstract: A system including a cooling element and an egress passageway is described. The cooling element is configured to provide a stream of hot air having been heated by a heat from a heat-generating structure. The hot air passes through the egress passageway toward an egress. The egress passageway includes at least one inlet through which cool air is drawn to be mixed with the hot air.

Abstract: A cooling system including a heat spreader, an active cooling element, and a base is described. The heat spreader is in thermal communication with a heat-generating structure mounted on a substrate. The heat spreader over hangs the heat-generating structure. The active cooling element is in thermal communication with the heat spreader. The base supports the heat spreader and transfers a load from the heat spreader to the substrate such that a bending of the heat spreader does not exceed ten degrees.

Abstract: A system including a module and an egress passageway is described. The module includes a cooling cells, a heat spreader, and a cover including vents therein. The cooling cells are between the heat spreader and the cover. Each of the cooling cells includes a cooling element configured to draw air in through the plurality of vents and drive air out of an aperture between the heat spreader and the cover at a first flow rate. A stream of hot air having been heated by a heat from a heat-generating structure thermally coupled to the heat spreader is thus provided. The hot air passes through the egress passageway toward an egress. The egress passageway includes at least one inlet through which cool air is drawn at a second flow rate to be mixed with the hot air. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A cooling system including a heat spreader, an active cooling element, and a base is described. The heat spreader is in thermal communication with a heat-generating structure mounted on a substrate. The heat spreader over hangs the heat-generating structure. The active cooling element is in thermal communication with the heat spreader. The base supports the heat spreader and transfers a load from the heat spreader to the substrate such that a bending of the heat spreader does not exceed ten degrees.

Abstract: A system including a cooling element and an egress passageway is described. The cooling element is configured to provide a stream of hot air having been heated by a heat from a heat-generating structure. The hot air passes through the egress passageway toward an egress. The egress passageway includes at least one inlet through which cool air is drawn to be mixed with the hot air.

Abstract: A system includes an active micro-electric mechanical system (MEMS) cooling system and a drive system. The MEMS cooling system includes cooling element(s) that direct fluid toward a surface of heat-generating structure(s) when driven to vibrate by a driving signal having a frequency and an input voltage. The drive system is coupled to the active MEMS cooling system and provides the driving signal. The drive system includes a power source and a feedback controller providing a feedback signal corresponding to a proximity to a resonant state of the at least one cooling element. The drive system adjusts at least one of the frequency and the input voltage based on the feedback signal such that the frequency corresponds to the resonant state of the cooling element(s). The input voltage does not exceed a maximum safe operating voltage for the cooling element(s).

Abstract: A cooling system including a heat spreader and a cooling element is described. The heat spreader is thermally coupled with a heat-generating structure. The cooling element is in fluid communication heat spreader. The heat-generating structure is offset from the cooling element. The cooling element undergoes vibrational motion when actuated to drive a fluid toward the heat spreader while not directing the fluid directly at the heat-generating structure.

Abstract: A system including a tile and a hood is described. The tile includes a plurality of cooling cells. Each of the cooling cells includes a support structure and a cooling element. The cooling element is supported by the support structure and is configured to undergo vibrational motion when actuated to drive a fluid toward a heat-generating structure. The hood is coupled to the tile and directs the fluid around the plurality of cooling cells.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of cooling cells and a switching and control module is described. The cooling cells including cooling elements configured to be actuated to induce vibrational motion to drive a fluid toward a heat-generating structure. The switching and control module is coupled to the cooling elements and provides drive signals to the cooling elements based on at least one drive signal input. Each of the drive signals has a frequency corresponding to a cooling element. The frequency of the drive signal corresponds to a resonant state of the cooling element.

Abstract: A system and method for television alignment includes: automatically detecting that a television is mounted, wherein the television includes a gyroscope. An orientation of the television is sensed, wherein the gyroscope is operable to perform the sensing. A representation of the orientation is displayed on the television. An acceptable alignment is determined for the television. The acceptable alignment for the television is displayed. There is an indication when the orientation matches the acceptable alignment.

Abstract: A television apparatus is described which performs automated dynamic content playback in response to environmental feedback from a plurality of real time connective and configurable remote external modules. Remote modules may be hosted on a smart device, such as cell phone, smart phone, netbook, notebook, and so forth into which a sensor application is loaded which is configured to communicate with the television. The television detects and can selectively enable external modules, the sensor information from which is analyzed in response to a user profile from which control decisions are made in selecting content to be played back. The image and video media being output by the television, and preferably also its output modes, are changed in response to the information from the external modules.

Abstract: A system and method for television alignment includes: automatically detecting that a television is mounted, wherein the television includes a gyroscope. An orientation of the television is sensed, wherein the gyroscope is operable to perform the sensing. A representation of the orientation is displayed on the television. An acceptable alignment is determined for the television. The acceptable alignment for the television is displayed. There is an indication when the orientation matches the acceptable alignment.

Abstract: A disposable microsensor is designed, fabricated and tested for standard BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measurements. A transparent Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) substrate is used for sensor fabrication. Standard lithographic procedures in addition to techniques like screen printing and electroplating are used to fabricate the sensor. A microbial strain of Trichosporon Cutaneum is immobilized over one pair of sensor electrodes while the other is used as a reference. Depending on the respiratory activities of the microbial strain in different samples, the BOD values of the samples can be measured in terms of difference between the output signals. The sensor layer is attached to an injection-molded passive microfluidic channel on the top. Advantages of the BOD microsensor include, but are not limited to, fast BOD measurement, disposability because of its low cost, chemically inert polymer substrate, flow-through sample injection scheme and integration of on-chip optics.

Abstract: A disposable microsensor is designed, fabricated and tested for standard BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measurements. A transparent Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) substrate is used for sensor fabrication. Standard lithographic procedures in addition to techniques like screen printing and electroplating are used to fabricate the sensor. A microbial strain of Trichosporon Cutaneum is immobilized over one pair of sensor electrodes while the other is used as a reference. Depending on the respiratory activities of the microbial strain in different samples, the BOD values of the samples can be measured in terms of difference between the output signals. The sensor layer is attached to an injection-molded passive microfluidic channel on the top. Advantages of the BOD microsensor include, but are not limited to, fast BOD measurement, disposability because of its low cost, chemically inert polymer substrate, flow-through sample injection scheme and integration of on-chip optics.