A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.

The present disclosure is drawn to inertial pumps. An inertial pump can include a microfluidic channel, a fluid actuator located in the microfluidic channel, and a check valve located in the microfluidic channel. The check valve can include a moveable valve element, a narrowed channel segment located upstream of the moveable valve element, and a blocking element formed in the microfluidic channel downstream of the moveable valve element. The narrowed channel segment can have a width less than a width of the moveable valve element so that the moveable valve element can block fluid flow through the check valve when the moveable valve element is positioned in the narrowed channel segment. The blocking element can be configured such that the blocking element constrains the moveable valve element within the check valve while also allowing fluid flow when the moveable valve element is positioned against the blocking element.

The present disclosure is drawn to inertial pumps. An inertial pump can include a microfluidic channel, a fluid actuator located in the microfluidic channel, and a check valve located in the microfluidic channel. The check valve can include a moveable valve element, a narrowed channel segment located upstream of the moveable valve element, and a blocking element formed in the microfluidic channel downstream of the moveable valve element. The narrowed channel segment can have a width less than a width of the moveable valve element so that the moveable valve element can block fluid flow through the check valve when the moveable valve element is positioned in the narrowed channel segment. The blocking element can be configured such that the blocking element constrains the moveable valve element within the check valve while also allowing fluid flow when the moveable valve element is positioned against the blocking element.

Pumping systems that have pumping system units utilizing venturi pumps. Such pumping systems can be used in speakers, to propel drones, and other applications. Actuation of the venturi pumps can be by piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators, electrostatic actuators, and other similar actuators.

Pumping systems that have pumping system units utilizing venturi pumps. Such pumping systems can be used in speakers, to propel drones, and other applications. Actuation of the venturi pumps can be by piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators, electrostatic actuators, and other similar actuators.

A fluidic device may include a vertical fluid dispensing volume having a side outlet, a fluid channel connected to the vertical fluid dispensing volume below the side outlet and a fluid actuator asymmetrically located between ends of the fluid channel to form an inertial pump to vertically pump fluid within the channel to the side outlet.

A particle detecting device is provided. The particle detecting device includes a base and a detecting element. The base includes a detecting channel, a beam channel and a light trapping region. A light trapping structure corresponding to the beam channel is disposed in the light trapping region. The detecting element includes a microprocessor, a particle sensor and a laser transmitter. The particle sensor is disposed at an orthogonal position where the detecting channel intersects the beam channel. When the particle sensor and the laser transmitter are enabled, the laser transmitter transmits the projecting light source to the beam channel, and the particle sensor detects the size and the concentration of the suspended particles contained in the gas in the detecting channel. The projecting light source is projected on the light trapping structure so that a stray light being directly reflected back to the beam channel is reduced.

A gas lift pump apparatus for treating ballast water includes a column through which a liquid medium, such as seawater, may be pumped by gas lift. The apparatus includes a delivery device for delivering a flow of a gas into the liquid medium, and a resonance chamber that generates ultrasonic energy therein by the flow of the gas therethrough. The apparatus is operable to launch the ultrasonic energy into the liquid medium in the column.

A gas lift pump apparatus for treating ballast water includes a column through which a liquid medium, such as seawater, may be pumped by gas lift. The apparatus includes a delivery device for delivering a flow of a gas into the liquid medium, and a resonance chamber that generates ultrasonic energy therein by the flow of the gas therethrough. The apparatus is operable to launch the ultrasonic energy into the liquid medium in the column.

Systems and method of electrical power generation. The system and method controls the timescale of electron dynamics and makes use of avalanche ionization, electrodynamic flows, magnetic fields, polarization, radiation emissions, shock wave front, impulse pressure, and heat transfer, created by plasma generated by exposing a fluid to an ultrashort wavelength laser pulse from a femtosecond laser, a nanosecond laser combined with a femtosecond laser, or a typical laser enhanced by a discharge barrier, and the fluid guided by a shock reflecting tube, electro-laser wave guide, plasma discharge gap or check valves that create vortexes to resist backflow, through a capacitor. The fluid and plasma being accumulated and recombined in a storage chamber in a compressed state, or recycled for cyclical power generation.