The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.

A valve for use in connection with microfluidic devices includes a safety feature such that flow is controlled even in the case of a loss of power, thus having applications in critical applications such as the precise delivery of drugs overtime. The valve may be used in connection with multiple tubes delivering drugs, and may be used with a pump, such as an electrochemical pump, to provide the force to move the fluids containing drugs for delivery. In certain applications, more than one medicine may be delivered and metered independently using a single pump with multiple reservoirs and valves.

A three-way (3-way) Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based micro-valve device and method of fabrication for the implementation of a three-way MEMS-based micro-valve are disclosed. The micro-valve device has a wide range of applications, including medical, industrial control, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and products, as well as any application(s) requiring the use of three-way micro-valves for the control of fluids. The discloses three-way micro-valve device and method of fabrication that can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications and fluid types, and can also use a number of different actuation methods, including actuation methods that have very small actuation pressures and energy densities even at higher fluidic pressures. This is enabled by a novel pressure-balancing scheme, wherein the fluid pressure balances the actuator mechanism so that only a small amount of actuation pressure (or force) is needed to switch the state of the actuator and device from open to closed, or closed to open.

The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.

A valve for switching of media, such as liquids or gases, is opened, closed or put into an intermediate state by at least one actuator produced from a shape memory alloy. The at least one actuator, as a function of whether electricity is applied to it, acts on at least one valve ball or a valve plunger accommodated in a core element, so that the through-flow of a medium through a fluid part below the core element, with a media-tight membrane interposed between, is opened, interrupted or partially opened in regulated or controlled manner. The core element is produced from a mechanically rigid and thermally well-conductive material, has electrical conductor tracks for electrical connection of the actuator to a supply of electricity on the top side, as well as multiple threaded through-holes for underside connection with the fluid part and the membrane and/or for top-side connection with the actuator.

A nanofluidic peristaltic pump includes an elongated tubular member having a first end, an opposed second end, and an elastic wall defining a flow channel extending between the first and second ends; and a series of shape memory alloy actuator wires extending across and at least partially around the outer surface of the elastic wall at spaced positions along the length of the tubular member, wherein the actuator wires are configured to reversibly and directly compress the wall, and thereby constrict regions of the flow channel, upon an electrothermally induced phase transition of the shape memory alloy. With the flow channel at the first end of the tubular member in fluid communication with a fluid source, an electric current is delivered to the actuator wires to sequentially activate and deactivate them and cause fluid to flow through the flow channel from the first end toward the second end.

A valve for use in connection with microfluidic devices includes a safety feature such that flow is controlled even in the case of a loss of power, thus having applications in critical applications such as the precise delivery of drugs over time. The valve may be used in connection with multiple tubes delivering drugs, and may be used with a pump, such as an electrochemical pump, to provide the force to move the fluids containing drugs for delivery. In certain applications, more than one medicine may be delivered and metered independently using a single pump with multiple reservoirs and valves.

A shaped memory alloy (SMA) valve assembly includes a plurality of SMA valves and a main printed circuit board carrying electronic components and conductors for operating the SMA valves. Each SMA valve includes a pressure chamber having a port. Each pressure chamber contains a valve element biased to a rest position in sealing abutment on a valve seat of the port, a SMA actuator, and an actuator printed circuit board for mounting and electrically connecting the SMA actuator. Each actuator printed circuit board portion is connected to the main printed circuit board portion by a bridge printed circuit board portion, and each pressure chamber has an opening to allow a respective bridge printed circuit board portion to extend therethrough. The opening is provided with a pocket filled with cured sealing glue to embed the bridge printed circuit board portion extending therethrough and to seal the opening of the pressure chamber.

A fluid flow control device includes a resilient substrate translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position, and an actuator attached to the resilient substrate. The actuator is configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy. A fluid flow control system includes a rotor shield and the fluid flow control device attached to the rotor shield.

A three-way (3-way) Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based micro-valve device and method of fabrication for the implementation of a three-way MEMS-based micro-valve are disclosed. The micro-valve device has a wide range of applications, including medical, industrial control, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and products, as well as any application(s) requiring the use of three-way micro-valves for the control of fluids. The discloses three-way micro-valve device and method of fabrication that can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications and fluid types, and can also use a number of different actuation methods, including actuation methods that have very small actuation pressures and energy densities even at higher fluidic pressures. This is enabled by a novel pressure-balancing scheme, wherein the fluid pressure balances the actuator mechanism so that only a small amount of actuation pressure (or force) is needed to switch the state of the actuator and device from open to closed, or closed to open.