A nanofiber actuator comprises a composite structure and a vanadium dioxide layer. The composite structure comprises a carbon nanotube wire and an aluminum oxide layer. The aluminum oxide layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotube wire, and the aluminum oxide layer and the carbon nanotube wire are located coaxially with each other. The vanadium dioxide layer is coated on a surface of the composite structure, and the vanadium dioxide layer and the composite structure are located non-coaxially with each other.

Provided herewith is a closed loop circuit including a transistor operable as a microscopic switch device to amplify electron pressures. The transistor has a collector connected to a positive voltage source. An optocoupler is provided, connected in parallel to the positive voltage source, and triggered in response to a triggering unipolar pulse from a network. An output of the optocoupler is connected to a base of the transistor. A capacitor is provided, connected between the emitter of the transistor and a ground, and having an anode and a cathode for receiving a capacitive dielectric medium therebetween, such that, electrons flow through dielectric medium to the transistor from a ground state in order to break down the dielectric material. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric material includes water which is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen.

Provided herewith is a closed loop circuit including a transistor operable as a microscopic switch device to amplify electron pressures. The transistor has a collector connected to a positive voltage source. An optocoupler is provided, connected in parallel to the positive voltage source, and triggered in response to a triggering unipolar pulse from a network. An output of the optocoupler is connected to a base of the transistor. A capacitor is provided, connected between the emitter of the transistor and a ground, and having an anode and a cathode for receiving a capacitive dielectric medium therebetween, such that, electrons flow through dielectric medium to the transistor from a ground state in order to break down the dielectric material. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric material includes water which is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen.

A printer is described comprising a movable functional element, a chargeable energy-storing device and a charger to charge the chargeable energy-storing device using energy discharged from the movable functional element.

A printer is described comprising a movable functional element, a chargeable energy-storing device and a charger to charge the chargeable energy-storing device using energy discharged from the movable functional element.

A method of controlling a current path range using an electric field is disclosed, and the method of controlling a current path range includes applying an electric field to an active layer including a spontaneous polarization material through an application electrode disposed adjacent to the active layer to form a polarization region of the active layer, and forming a variable low resistance region corresponding to a boundary of the polarization region, wherein the variable low resistance region is a region of the active layer having a lower electrical resistance than another region of the active layer adjacent to the variable low resistance region and allows an electrical path to be formed.

A method of controlling a current path range using an electric field is disclosed, and the method of controlling a current path range includes applying an electric field to an active layer including a spontaneous polarization material through an application electrode disposed adjacent to the active layer to form a polarization region of the active layer, and forming a variable low resistance region corresponding to a boundary of the polarization region, wherein the variable low resistance region is a region of the active layer having a lower electrical resistance than another region of the active layer adjacent to the variable low resistance region and allows an electrical path to be formed.

A method of operating a vibrational energy harvesting system includes providing an energy harvester and an energy storage module. The energy storage module is coupled to the energy harvester to transfer energy to the energy storage module. The method also includes determining whether the energy transferred exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method further includes limiting the energy transferred to the energy storage module by a passive device when the energy transferred exceeds the predetermined threshold.

The present disclosure aims to provide a power wiring network apparatus capable of constructing a highly portable power wiring network, without the need to maintain infrastructure. A power wiring network apparatus includes a wiring member, including first connectors and a conductive portion electrically connecting the first connectors to enable power supply, and circuit elements each including a second connector mechanically and electrically attachable to any first connector. The circuit elements include energy harvesting elements capable of outputting, from the second connector, power generated by energy harvesting and load elements capable of consuming power inputted from the second connector. At least some energy harvesting elements and load elements are capable of power line data communication via a power line including the first connectors and conductive portion.

The present disclosure aims to provide a power wiring network apparatus capable of constructing a highly portable power wiring network, without the need to maintain infrastructure. A power wiring network apparatus includes a wiring member, including first connectors and a conductive portion electrically connecting the first connectors to enable power supply, and circuit elements each including a second connector mechanically and electrically attachable to any first connector. The circuit elements include energy harvesting elements capable of outputting, from the second connector, power generated by energy harvesting and load elements capable of consuming power inputted from the second connector. At least some energy harvesting elements and load elements are capable of power line data communication via a power line including the first connectors and conductive portion.