Abstract: A pallet and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The pallet comprises a pallet body, a skid to reinforce the pallet body and means to interlock the pallet body and the skid. The pallet body and the skid are moulded from a mouldable composition comprising between about 40 to 60 wt % of a fibre mixture and between about 15 to 45 wt % of an adhesive. The method for manufacturing the pallet begins by preparing the mouldable composition. A mould cavity is loaded with the mouldable composition up to about 90% of the capacity of the mould cavity before applying a packing pressure of between about 435 to 870 psi to the mouldable composition. A predetermined clearance of between about 0.1 to 0.5 mm is maintained between a first mould part defining the mould cavity and a second mould part. A moulded product is removed from the mould cavity when the mouldable composition is substantially cured.

Abstract: A method of actuating, comprising: filling at least a portion of a tube (21) with a liquid (19) containing electrolytes, the tube (21) having an inner surface that is electrically chargeable when in contact with the liquid (19); positioning an object (28) in fluid communication with the liquid in the tube; and applying an electrical field (46) along a lengthwise axis across the tube at said portion for producing a pressure in the liquid. The pressure in the liquid exerts a force on the object so as to actuate the object (28, 30). An actuator (20) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling multi-fluid flow in a micro channel is disclosed. The apparatus has a first inlet for a first fluid; a second inlet for a second fluid; a first outlet; and a second outlet. The micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet. The micro channel is for receiving the first fluid and the second fluid under pressure-driven flow; there being an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid when in the micro channel. The apparatus also includes a pair of electrodes for having a first electric field applied thereto for a controlling the fluid flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel.