Provided are devices and methods that combine material anisotropy with nonlinear structural design to produce structures that precisely and sequentially actuate in response to multiple stimuli, such as water or non-polar solvents. These devices and methods can include bistable anisotropic elements that convert to monostable element upon exposure to a particular stimulus, and anisotropic distortions can be harnessed to change the geometric properties of the element to cross phase boundaries and trigger shape changes at precise times. One can incorporate complex logic into these devices and methods.

The present invention relates to a solid state hydrogen compressor, including at least one membrane fixed between two porous electrodes, together forming a membrane electrode assembly, a pair of cell plates or bipolar plates, between which the membrane electrode assembly is clamped, wherein the membrane has a larger area than the porous electrodes and protrudes outside an area of the porous electrodes; and the cell plates have a larger area than the membrane and protrude outside an area of the membrane two insulating gaskets each surrounding one of the porous electrodes covering the part of the membrane that protrudes outside the region of the electrodes and protruding outside the area of the membrane, further including a reinforcement layer, arranged between the insulating gaskets, outside the area of the electrodes.

The present invention relates to a solid state hydrogen compressor, including at least one membrane fixed between two porous electrodes, together forming a membrane electrode assembly, a pair of cell plates or bipolar plates, between which the membrane electrode assembly is clamped, wherein the membrane has a larger area than the porous electrodes and protrudes outside an area of the porous electrodes; and the cell plates have a larger area than the membrane and protrude outside an area of the membrane two insulating gaskets each surrounding one of the porous electrodes covering the part of the membrane that protrudes outside the region of the electrodes and protruding outside the area of the membrane, further including a reinforcement layer, arranged between the insulating gaskets, outside the area of the electrodes.

A tunable photonic device and method of fabricating the same are provided. The tunable photonic device including a substrate and an actuator having a first end supported by the substrate and a second end in spaced relation to the substrate. A photonic structure is operatively connected to the actuator and a stimulus generator configured to selectively generate a stimulus to act on the actuator. The stimulus acting on the actuator causes deformation of the actuator and moves the photonic structure between first and second positions.

A device and method for treating a wound of a patient with negative pressure is provided. The device comprises a heat-assisted pump system. The pump system can be powered in part by heat derived from the patient. The pump system may be configured to be highly planar, light weight, and portable. The pump system may comprise a Stirling engine or a thermal acoustic engine.

Systems and methods for eradicating biofilms by killing bacteria within a biofilm, degrading the matrix and removing biofilm debris are disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for administering a suspension of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and iron oxide nanoparticles to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the bio film matrix, actuating the iron oxide nanoparticles for assembly into biohybrid robots suitable for removal of biofilm debris, and moving the biohybrid robots to remove the bio film debris from accessible or enclosed surfaces. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include embedding iron oxide nanoparticles in a hydrogel to form a soft robotic structure, administering the soft robotic structure to a biofilm-covered location, and magnetizing the soft robot structure to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix, degrade the biofilm matrix, and remove biofilm debris from enclosed surfaces.

A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols. Other plate embodiments are configured to interact with waves or wavelike particles, such as electrons, photons, phonons or acoustic waves.

A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols. Other plate embodiments are configured to interact with waves or wavelike particles, such as electrons, photons, phonons or acoustic waves.

A photon-activated substance is disclosed, which includes a phase change material and a photon activated substance. The photon activated substance can be at least one of (2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO), azobenzene (AZOB), 4-Nitro-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, Lumogen orange 240, and guaiazulene (GAZ).

Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of wellhead fluid from the wellhead or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of wellhead fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.