A device for generating compressed fluids includes a first process chamber for a first reaction material; a second process chamber for a second reaction material; a third process chamber for a fluid intended for compression; a unit for determining the nebulization and the consequent inlet of the first reaction material into process chamber; a unit intended for determining the emission of radio waves with variable frequencies in the direction of the process chamber, where the radio waves emitted by the unit interact with the first and second reaction material contained in third process chamber, for producing a high-energy plasma warms and thereby compresses the fluid contained in second process chamber.

A device for generating compressed fluids includes a first process chamber for a first reaction material; a second process chamber for a second reaction material; a third process chamber for a fluid intended for compression; a unit for determining the nebulization and the consequent inlet of the first reaction material into process chamber; a unit intended for determining the emission of radio waves with variable frequencies in the direction of the process chamber, where the radio waves emitted by the unit interact with the first and second reaction material contained in third process chamber, for producing a high-energy plasma warms and thereby compresses the fluid contained in second process chamber.

A bending actuator and methods for making and using the same. A beam of anisotropic polymer material, such as nylon, characterized by a greater degree of molecular orientation along a longitudinal axis than transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a heating element in thermal contact with at least one of a pair of opposing faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The heating element in certain embodiments provides for photothermal activation of the bending actuator.

Device for applying in a pavement for collecting mechanical energy from a vehicle passing over said pavement for actuating an electromechanical converter for generating electrical energy, said device comprising: an electromechanical converter; a mechanical or mechanical-hydraulic system comprising a crank-linear slide or crank-piston; a base structure for supporting and fixing the device to the pavement; a cover displaceable in vertical axis translation caused by the vehicle passing over, wherein the cover is arranged to actuate the crank-linear slide or crank-piston; a rack-pinion, or a hydraulic cylinder and respective hydraulic circuit having actuator, arranged for converting linear displacement of the linear slide or the piston, respectively, into rotation of a shaft of the electromechanical converter; wherein said cover has a non-horizontal surface profile having a first elevation at a first end and a second elevation at a second end, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.

A system for efficiently capturing the kinetic and/or potential energy of a moving vehicle includes an arc roller configured to move along an arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle, and a torsional spring configured to wind in response to the movement of the speed bump and, thereby, to store energy associated with the impact. The torsional spring may be configured to wind continually in response to the movement of another speed bump and, thereby, to store additional energy associated with the impact of the vehicle with the other speed bump. The system may include alternators or generators producing electricity from energy released from unwinding of the torsional spring. Electricity is further stored and utilized for onboard computing, traffic analytics, safety feature operating functions and communications.

A body force per unit mass acting on mobile charge carriers within a first electrically conducting material is configured to induce at least one region of accumulation of charge within at least a portion of the first material. The magnitude of the associated change in the voltage between two given points within the first material is a function of the relevant electrical properties of the material. A second electrically conducting material can be electrically coupled to the first material via a first electrical contact. The relevant electrical properties of the second material can be configured to be different to the relevant electrical properties of the first material. The voltage difference between the two points in the first material can be different to the voltage difference between two equivalent points in the second material. The difference in the voltage difference can be employed to increase the voltage of mobile charge carriers within a portion of an open or closed electrical circuit relative to another portion of said circuit. A voltage conversion apparatus and method can be used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, for example.

Disclosed are systems and methods for pumping liquids in a fluid circuit. In one embodiment, a pumping system can include a gas accumulator operationally coupled to an electro-osmotic (EO) pump. The gas accumulator can include a chamber configured to collect a gas produced from the operation of the EO pump. In some embodiments, the gas accumulator can include a gas accumulator inlet configured to be coupled to a fluid outlet of the fluid circuit. In certain embodiments, the gas accumulator can include a pump receptacle configured to couple to the EO pump by, for example, a thermal fitting. In one embodiment, a pumping system can include a second gas accumulator configured to operationally couple to a fluid inlet of the fluid circuit. In some embodiments, the EO pump and gas accumulator can be included in a cooling system of, for example, a printed circuit board.

Provided is an electric power generating system which exhibits favorable energy recovery efficiency compared to the prior art and, further, can generate not only cold heat but also warm heat. In an electric power generating system where working fluid is circulated in a system of a pressure resistant closed circuit while changing a state of the working fluid, power is generated by converting external heat energy given to the working fluid into kinetic energy, and electric power is generated by driving an electric power generator by the power, a pressure resistant closed circuit is formed of a main circuit and a sub circuit, the main circuit includes an evaporation chamber, an adiabatic expansion chamber, a power generating part, a warming-use heat exchange mechanism, and a liquefied working fluid return means, and the sub circuit includes a heating medium divided flow path, a liquefied auxiliary fluid supply path, a cooling equipment, a second-fluid-to-be-warmed supply path, a warming equipment, and a return flow compression means.

Provided is an electric power generating system which exhibits favorable energy recovery efficiency compared to the prior art and, further, can generate not only cold heat but also warm heat. In an electric power generating system where working fluid is circulated in a system of a pressure resistant closed circuit while changing a state of the working fluid, power is generated by converting external heat energy given to the working fluid into kinetic energy, and electric power is generated by driving an electric power generator by the power, a pressure resistant closed circuit is formed of a main circuit and a sub circuit, the main circuit includes an evaporation chamber, an adiabatic expansion chamber, a power generating part, a warming-use heat exchange mechanism, and a liquefied working fluid return means, and the sub circuit includes a heating medium divided flow path, a liquefied auxiliary fluid supply path, a cooling equipment, a second-fluid-to-be-warmed supply path, a warming equipment, and a return flow compression means.

An electrical power generator includes a first part having an elongated shape, a first end and a second end. The first part is arranged for attachment to a base in correspondence with the first end and configured to be located in a fluid and configured such that, when said fluid moves, the first part generates vortices in said fluid so that a lift force is generated on the first part, which produces an oscillating movement of the first part. In addition, the generator includes a subsystem configured for converting the oscillating movement of the first part into electrical energy. The subsystem is at least partially housed within the first part.