A portable water collection, filtration and power generation system is provided. The system is comprised of a holding tank, a filtration system, a reverse osmosis system an electrical power generator a mobile transport unit that holds the holding tank, filtration system, reverse osmosis system, and the electrical power generator. The holding tank is configured to receive water from a water source. The filtration system is fluidly coupled to the holding tank and includes an input configured to receive water from the holding tank, a filter disposed in fluid communication with the input, and an output to configured to discharge filtered water from the filtration system. The reverse osmosis system is fluidly coupled to the filtration system. The reverse osmosis system includes an input configured to receive filtered water from the filtration system and an output to configured to discharge reverse osmosis water. At least one electrical power generator is electrically coupled either the filtration system or the reverse osmosis system.

A heat/acoustic wave conversion component includes a partition wall that defines a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face, and has a cell hydraulic diameter HD of 0.4 mm or less, an end face open frontal area of 60% or more and 93% or less, and heat capacity per unit length in the extending direction that tends to decrease with distance from the first end face. A first end portion on the first end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of a total length of the heat/acoustic wave conversion component has 1.1 times or more the heat capacity of that of a second end portion on the second end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of the total length.

A heat/acoustic wave conversion component includes a partition wall that defines a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face, and has a cell hydraulic diameter HD of 0.4 mm or less, an end face open frontal area of 60% or more and 93% or less, and heat capacity per unit length in the extending direction that tends to decrease with distance from the first end face. A first end portion on the first end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of a total length of the heat/acoustic wave conversion component has 1.1 times or more the heat capacity of that of a second end portion on the second end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of the total length.

An undulatory structure and methods for the fabrication and use thereof. The undulatory structure includes a buckled sheet and one or more work input elements for deforming the buckled sheet in an undulating manner wherein each point in a series of points on a sinuously-shaped profile of the buckled sheet travels at least partially along a figure eight-shaped path. The undulatory structure can be adapted for use as a solid-state transducer wherein the buckled sheet provides mechanical advantage without appreciable opposition from elastic restoring forces, thereby achieving improved force, displacement and efficiency characteristics.

An undulatory structure and methods for the fabrication and use thereof. The undulatory structure includes a buckled sheet and one or more work input elements for deforming the buckled sheet in an undulating manner wherein each point in a series of points on a sinuously-shaped profile of the buckled sheet travels at least partially along a figure eight-shaped path. The undulatory structure can be adapted for use as a solid-state transducer wherein the buckled sheet provides mechanical advantage without appreciable opposition from elastic restoring forces, thereby achieving improved force, displacement and efficiency characteristics.

Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.

Printed active origami combines printed electronics with nanomaterial coated polymer based actuators to create active printed structures. The fabrication processes include the step of applying carbon nanomaterial coatings to polymeric films. Products produced by the processes include actuating materials, such as solid state actuators that can be used as active element(s) in a printable active origami robot.

Printed active origami combines printed electronics with nanomaterial coated polymer based actuators to create active printed structures. The fabrication processes include the step of applying carbon nanomaterial coatings to polymeric films. Products produced by the processes include actuating materials, such as solid state actuators that can be used as active element(s) in a printable active origami robot.

A transient liquid pressure power generation system can include a liquid source and a transient pressure drive device fluidly coupled to the liquid source. The transient pressure drive device can include a drive component, and a valve to cause a high pressure transient wave in the liquid traveling toward the liquid source to operate the drive component. The system can also include a liquid velocity continuation component downstream of the transient pressure drive device and a bypass conduit. Additionally, the system can include a heat source to receive liquid from the transient pressure drive device and heat liquid returning to the liquid source. The liquid velocity continuation component can operate to maintain continuous liquid flow from the liquid source to the heat source from the transient pressure drive device or the bypass conduit to cause immediate maximum liquid flow velocity from the transient pressure drive device upon opening the valve.

A transient liquid pressure power generation system can include a liquid source and a transient pressure drive device fluidly coupled to the liquid source. The transient pressure drive device can include a drive component, and a valve to cause a high pressure transient wave in the liquid traveling toward the liquid source to operate the drive component. The system can also include a liquid velocity continuation component downstream of the transient pressure drive device and a bypass conduit. Additionally, the system can include a heat source to receive liquid from the transient pressure drive device and heat liquid returning to the liquid source. The liquid velocity continuation component can operate to maintain continuous liquid flow from the liquid source to the heat source from the transient pressure drive device or the bypass conduit to cause immediate maximum liquid flow velocity from the transient pressure drive device upon opening the valve.