Abstract: A pump for a microfluidic device is disclosed. The pump comprises an actuator and a resilient isolator which is a planar, layered structure. The resilient isolator may comprise a support layer and optionally other layers for strengthening against tensile stress imposed by bending. Alternatively or in addition, the resilient isolator may comprise a plurality of annular regions, layers of the resilient isolator being configured such that at least one of the plurality of annular regions is less resistant than another one of the plurality of annular regions to bending. The actuator may comprise a piezoelectric disc including a surface which comprises electrode regions for electrical connection with respective conductive regions of a conductive layer of the resilient isolator, and an alignment feature for rotational alignment of the piezoelectric disc to ensure the electrical connection between the electrode regions and the respective conductive regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade for a gas turbine system. The rotor blade includes a platform having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. A shank portion extends radially inwardly from the radially inner surface of the platform. The shank portion and the platform collectively define a shank pocket. An airfoil extends radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the platform. The shank portion, the platform, and the airfoil collectively define a cooling passage extending from a cooling passage inlet defined by the shank portion or the platform and directly coupled to the shank pocket through the platform to a cooling passage outlet defined by the airfoil.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade for a gas turbine system. The rotor blade includes a platform having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. A shank portion extends radially inwardly from the radially inner surface of the platform. The shank portion and the platform collectively define a shank pocket. An airfoil extends radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the platform. The shank portion, the platform, and the airfoil collectively define a cooling passage extending from a cooling passage inlet defined by the shank portion or the platform and directly coupled to the shank pocket through the platform to a cooling passage outlet defined by the airfoil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling heated components in a turbine are provided. According to one embodiment, a system for cooling a turbine is provided that may include at least one liquid source which may include a coolant liquid. The system may also include at least one liquid nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid source or sources and operable to deliver the coolant liquid in an atomized form adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine. Upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the heated turbine component or components, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas.

Abstract: A novel gemstone cut comprising a crown, a girdle, and a pavilion, wherein the gemstone includes precious gemstones (such as diamonds) and semi-precious gemstones. The crown includes an octagonal table, which is surrounded by eight triangular star facets. Eight table bezels are disposed in-between the star facets and eight mid-bezels are disposed in-between the table bezels. Furthermore, the gemstone's pavilion has eight concentrically arranged culet pavilion facets, a girdle pavilion facet and a bottom small break facet that are disposed in-between the culet pavilion facets. The gemstone's girdle has eight left top half facets and eight right top half facets (located in-between the girdle bezels of the crown), and eight left bottom half facets and eight right bottom half facets (disposed in-between the girdle pavilion facets and bottom small break facets).

Abstract: A novel gemstone cut comprising a crown, a girdle, and a pavilion is described, wherein the gemstone includes precious gemstones (such as diamonds) and semi-precious gemstones. The crown includes an octagonal table, which is surrounded by eight triangular star facets. Eight table bezels are disposed in-between the star facets and eight mid-bezels are disposed in-between the table bezels. Furthermore, the gemstone's pavilion has eight concentrically arranged culet pavilion facets, a girdle pavilion facet and a bottom small break facet that are disposed in-between the culet pavilion facets. The gemstone's girdle has eight left top half facets and eight right top half facets (located in-between the girdle bezels of the crown), and eight left bottom half facets and eight right bottom half facets (disposed in-between the girdle pavilion facets and bottom small break facets).