Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to an air vehicle and a power source. Embodiments can operate at reasonable power levels for hovering and withstanding expected wind gusts. Embodiments can have a diameter less than 15 cm. Embodiments can have one or more smooth (continuous curvature) surface and can be operated using electromagnetic and electrohydrodynamic principles. The wingless design of specific embodiments can allow operation with no rotating or moving components. Additional embodiments can allow active response to the surrounding flow conditions. The issue of low lift to drag ratio and degradation of airfoil efficiency due to the inability of laminar boundary layers attachment can also be significantly reduced, or eliminated. The electromagnetic force can be generated by applying a pulsed (alternating/rf) voltage between a set of grounded and powered electrodes separated by a polymer insulator, dielectric, or other material with insulating properties.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to communicate signals with a circuit external to the IC, and a first mixed signal interface block coupled to a first pad in the plurality of pads, where the first mixed signal interface block is adapted to receive a first trigger signal from the circuit external to the IC and to provide a second trigger signal. The IC further includes a second mixed signal interface block coupled to a second pad in the plurality of pads, where the second mixed signal interface block is adapted to receive and track a first input signal from the circuit external to the IC in a first mode of operation of the IC.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to communicate signals with a circuit external to the IC, and a first mixed signal interface block coupled to a first pad in the plurality of pads, where the first mixed signal interface block is adapted to receive a first trigger signal from the circuit external to the IC and to provide a second trigger signal. The IC further includes a second mixed signal interface block coupled to a second pad in the plurality of pads, where the second mixed signal interface block is adapted to receive and track a first input signal from the circuit external to the IC in a first mode of operation of the IC.

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: 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: Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to methods and apparatus for inducing fluid flow in a wind tunnel using one or more plasma actuators. In an embodiment, a wind tunnel is provided having a flow passage. A pair of electrodes is positioned on at least one surface of the flow passage, and a voltage potential is applied across the pair of electrodes producing a plasma discharge in the flow passage. In an embodiment, the pair of electrodes is positioned on the at least one surface of the flow passage such that when the plasma discharge is produced an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force is generated that induces flow of a fluid in the flow passage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to methods and apparatus for inducing mixing in a fluid using one or more plasma actuators. In an embodiment, a pair of electrodes is positioned near a fluid and a voltage potential is applied across the pair of electrodes such that a plasma discharge is produced in the fluid. In an embodiment, the plasma discharge creates turbulence in the fluid thereby mixing the fluid. In an embodiment, flow structures, such as vortices are generated in the fluid. In an embodiment, the fluid is mixed in three dimensions. In an embodiment, a plurality of fluids are mixed. In an embodiment, solids are dispersed in at least one fluid. In an embodiment, heat or other properties are dispersed within at least one fluid. In an embodiment, at least one of the pair of electrodes has a serpentine shape.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a Wingless Hovering Micro Air Vehicle and its Power Source Unit. Embodiments can operate at reasonable power levels for hovering and withstanding expected wind gusts. Embodiments can have a diameter less than 15 cm. Embodiments can have one or more smooth (continuous curvature) surface and can be operated using electromagnetic and electrohydrodynamic principles. The wingless design of specific embodiments can allow operation with no rotating or moving components. Additional embodiments can allow active response to the surrounding flow conditions. The issue of low lift to drag ratio and degradation of airfoil efficiency due to the inability of laminar boundary layers attachment can also be significantly reduced, or eliminated. The electromagnetic force can be generated by applying a pulsed (alternating/rf) voltage between a set of grounded and powered electrodes separated by a polymer insulator, dielectric, or other material with insulating properties.

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: Efficient micro-pumping of gas/liquids is provided. In one embodiment a pipeline of insulative material can be asymmetrically coated with electrodes. The asymmetric coating can affect the flow passage to create straight and swirl pumping effects. The electrodes can include electrode pairs arranged at intervals along the pipeline, each electrode pair being capable of inducing an electrohydrodynamic body force. The electrode pairs can be formed at the same surface, such as along the inner perimeter of the pipeline, and can be powered by steady, pulsed direct, or alternating current. Alternatively, the electrode pairs can be separated by the insulative material of the pipeline, and can be powered with direct or alternating current operating at radio frequency.

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: 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 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.

Abstract: A plasma actuator incorporates a power source, a first electrode in contact with a first dielectric layer, a second electrode in contact with a second dielectric layer, and a ground electrode. The power source drives the first electrode with a first ac voltage pattern with respect to the ground electrode to produce a first plasma discharge, and a first electric field pattern in the flow region, and drives the second electrode with a second ac voltage pattern with respect to the ground electrode to produce a second plasma discharge in the flow region and a second electric field pattern in the flow region. The first and second electrodes are offset along the direction of flow and the first voltage pattern and the second voltage pattern have a phase difference such that the first and second electric fields drive flow in different portions of the flow region at different times.

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: 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: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for selective electrokinetic separation. In an embodiment, a local gate electric field is applied to a voltage-gated nanochannel filled with an aqueous solution. Additionally, a surface charge may be present on the walls of the nanochannel. This local gate electric field shows a selective quenching feature of ionic density and behaves as a potential shield against selective charge from entering the nanochannel while facilitating transport of the opposite charge. Embodiments of the subject method can also be used to enhance osmotic diffusion of selective electrolytes through biological cells. Specific embodiments can be useful as a biosensor since most biological cells contain an aqueous solution. A surface charge and local gate electric field can be applied to a biological cell to selectively separate molecules, such as proteins or ions.

Abstract: Efficient micro-pumping of gas/liquids is provided. In one embodiment a pipeline of insulative material can be asymmetrically coated with electrodes. The asymmetric coating can affect the flow passage to create straight and swirl pumping effects. The electrodes can include electrode pairs arranged at intervals along the pipeline, each electrode pair being capable of inducing an electrohydrodynamic body force. The electrode pairs can be formed at the same surface, such as along the inner perimeter of the pipeline, and can be powered by steady, pulsed direct, or alternating current. Alternatively, the electrode pairs can be separated by the insulative material of the pipeline, and can be powered with direct or alternating current operating at radio frequency.

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.