Abstract: Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment. A method of using the dielectric film can include attaching the dielectric film to a surface of a machine, applying a voltage across electrodes of the dielectric film, and moving the machine based on an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force produced by the dielectric film.

Abstract: A technique includes clocking a processor; and in response to the processor providing a signal indicating that the processor is transitioning between a first power state that is associated with a first power consumption and a second power state that is associated with a second power consumption different than the first power consumption, changing a frequency of the clocking.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing high thrust density plasma, and/or high control authority plasma. In specific embodiments, such high thrust density, and/or high control authority, plasma can be at or near atmospheric pressure. Embodiments pertain to a method and apparatus that use electron confinement via one or more magnetic fields, and/or one or more electric fields, in a manner to improve the ionization due to surface plasma actuators. Specific embodiments can improve ionization by several orders of magnitude. This improved ionization can result in a high electric field inside the sheath for the same applied voltage and can result in very high thrust.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention are drawn to power supply units and systems for supplying power to loads. Specific embodiments relate to systems incorporating the loads. The power supply units and systems can include a feedback mechanism for monitoring the system and maintaining a parameter of interest at or near a desired value (e.g., for maintaining the frequency of operation at or near resonance). The feedback mechanism is configured such that, if the at least one parameter indicates that the frequency of operation is away from a resonant frequency of the power amplifier, the feedback mechanism adjusts the frequency of operation closer to the resonant frequency of the power amplifier. The at least one load can have a variable impedance, though embodiments are not limited thereto.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for self-sterilizing a surface or other portion of the apparatus and/or sterilizing other objects. Embodiments can utilize self-generated and/or remotely controlled plasma fields for the purpose of self-sterilization and/or sterilization of another object. Embodiments of the invention can have broad applications in procedures and equipment requiring the sterility of devices used for medical procedures, decontamination procedures, drug delivery, sterility of consumer products, and sterility of food preparation equipment and tools.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surface that is configured to be exposed to a fluid stream and a cavity wall that forms at least a portion of a cavity. A first channel opening is formed in the surface, and a second channel opening is formed in the cavity wall. A channel extends from the first channel opening in the cavity wall to the second channel opening in the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are configured for managing industrial assets. In an example embodiment, information about industrial assets or their use conditions, such as gathered from sensors embedded at or near industrial machines or assets themselves, can be aggregated, analyzed, and processed in software residing locally or remotely from the assets. In an example embodiment, applications can be provided to optimize an industrial asset for operation in a business context. In an example embodiment, a cloud-based asset management platform can include development tools to facilitate development, by end-users, of applications for interfacing with and optimizing industrial assets, and for managing relationships between various industrial assets.

Abstract: Solid state flow control devices, solid state heating sources, and plasma actuators are provided. A plasma actuator can include at least one powered electrode separated from at least one grounded electrode by a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be a ferroelectric material or a silica aerogel. Solid state flow control devices and solid state heating sources can include at least one such plasma actuator.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates in general to system and method of content management and content life cycle management on a digital publishing platform. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods and systems for publishing, collaborating, distributing, managing, and subscribing digital contents and rights using a content-centric approach. Some such embodiments include receiving an electronic data item including at least one content item and based on a type of the electronic data item, identifying in a configuration-setting repository, a normalized data type for which the electronic data item is to be stored in. The electronic data item may then be transformed to the identified normalized form. Such embodiments may further extract content items from the electronic data item and performing a semantic analysis on each extracted content item to generate metadata descriptive of each respective content item. The extracted content items and metadata may then be stored.

Abstract: A method includes assigning a plurality of pads of an integrated circuit (IC) to a direct memory access (DMA) channel of the IC; and storing DMA requests associated with the pads in a queue such that at a given time, the queue stores data indicative of DMA requests that are associated with more than one pad.

Abstract: Electrodynamic control of fluid leakage loss is provided. Embodiments utilize electrohydrodynamic (EHD) principles to control and/or reduce leakage flow in turbomachinery. Electrodes can be used to provide a flow actuation mechanism inside the clearance gap for generating discharge. The electrodes can be positioned to have geometric asymmetry. Embodiments provide the electrodes on a turbine blade. The blade can have a DC power that can function as a square pulsed DC wave with the duty cycle equal to the blade passing frequency and the stator can be grounded. In an embodiment, the stator can have the actuator of the electrode-insulator assembly attached to the inside. In one embodiment, the actuators can be arranged just on the stator or casing. The phase and power supply to individual electrodes can be adapted as needed. In one embodiment, the phase can be lagged for accurate control of leakage flow.

Abstract: A device is provided having a flow passage with at least one surface and at least one electrode pair positioned thereon for effecting fluid flow through the flow passage. When at least one electrode of an electrode pair of the at least one electrode pair is powered, a sheath region is generated in the flow passage, wherein the sheath region has a high electric field relative to the remainder of the flow passage. In an embodiment, one electrode of the electrode pair is separated from the other electrode of the electrode pair by a horizontal, vertical, depth, and/or total distance of about 1 microns.

Abstract: In a propulsion system, an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force is used to control the flow of a propellant through a micro channel, expansion slot, plenum chamber, or other flow region and thereby increase the specific impulse created by a propulsion system. In an embodiment, a plurality of electrodes are arranged and powered to create a plasma discharge, which can impart an EHD body force to a fluid. Various configurations of electrodes can be used to control the flow of the fluid into, out of, or through the flow region. In an embodiment, the use of EHD body forces can reduce, or substantially eliminate, shear forces on the surface of a plenum chamber, micro channel, or expansion slot of the propulsion system, resulting in a smooth flow of the propellant and increased thrust.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a surface comprising a plurality of orifices and a flow control plasma actuator positioned proximate an orifice to induce cooling air attachment to the surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the plasma actuator includes a power source, a first electrode in contact with a first dielectric layer and connected to the power source, a second electrode in contact with a second dielectric layer and connected to the power source, and a ground electrode. The power source drives the first electrode with a first ac voltage pattern and drives the second electrode with a second ac voltage pattern. The first voltage pattern and the second voltage pattern have a phase difference. In further embodiments, a dc voltage can be used to drive one or more of the electrodes, where the dc voltage can be pulsed in specific embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surface that is configured to be exposed to a fluid stream and a cavity wall that forms at least a portion of a cavity. A first channel opening is formed in the surface, and a second channel opening is formed in the cavity wall. A channel extends from the first channel opening in the cavity wall to the second channel opening in the surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment.

Abstract: A method includes assigning a plurality of pads of an integrated circuit (IC) to a direct memory access (DMA) channel of the IC; and storing DMA requests associated with the pads in a queue such that at a given time, the queue stores data indicative of DMA requests that are associated with more than one pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or self-sterilizing at least a portion of the surface of a stethoscope is provided. Methods and devices are provided by which a device or apparatus can generate a sterilizing plasma such that a stethoscope, or portion of a stethoscope, can be placed within or near the device or apparatus so that the plasma disinfects and/or sterilizes and/or decontaminates at least a portion of the stethoscope. A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a self-disinfecting and/or self-sterilizing and/or self-decontaminating stethoscope and stethoscope disinfecting and/or sterilization apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing, respectively, all or at least a portion of a stethoscope.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for purifying water. In some embodiments, the apparatuses include a chamber into which liquid to be purified can be delivered, and an ozone generator that generates ozone for mixture with the liquid in the 5 chamber, the ozone generator comprising a surface discharge device that creates ozone from air. In further embodiments, the liquid is atomized into a fine mist and mixed with the ozone to increase the rate of purification.