Abstract: A microfluidic sensor comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate; a cavity formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the cavity comprising a reservoir portion and a channel portion extending from the reservoir portion; a capacitive element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the capacitive element being at least partially disposed in the channel portion of the cavity; and a dielectric sensing liquid provided in the reservoir portion. Upon application of a force to the first substrate adjacent the reservoir portion, the reservoir portion is configured to deform and displace the sensing liquid along the channel portion, so as to change the capacitance of the capacitive element within the channel portion.

Abstract: A triboelectric generator has a first generator element and a second generator element. The first and second generator elements are arranged so that relative movement between them generates a potential difference between them due to a triboelectrification effect. The first generator element comprises a first triboelectric material having a first electron affinity. The second generator element comprises a second triboelectric material having a second electron affinity, different to the first electron affinity. The first generator rl element comprises a template structure having an array of channels extending in the template structure, the channels being substantially filled with the first material to define a templated array of nanowires of the first material. The nanowires can be formed of a polymeric material such as Nylon (11), or another polar polymer material.

Abstract: A method for limiting temperature variation of an electrical component includes detecting a switch from passive to active states and, in response, varying a potential difference between capacitor electrodes from a first value to a second value, the electrodes being mechanically and electrically insulated from each other by a layer of electrocaloric dielectric, and in response to detecting a switch from active to passive states, varying the potential difference between the electrodes from the second to the first value.

Abstract: A method for limiting temperature variation of an electrical component includes detecting a switch from passive to active states and, in response, varying a potential difference between capacitor electrodes from a first value to a second value, the electrodes being mechanically and electrically insulated from each other by a layer of electrocaloric dielectric, and in response to detecting a switch from active to passive states, varying the potential difference between the electrodes from the second to the first value.