A microfluidic valve may include a first portion of a liquid conduit to contain a fluid, a second portion of the liquid conduit to contain a liquid and a constriction between the first portion and the second portion and across which a capillary meniscus is to form between the fluid and liquid, the constriction comprising an edge along a ceiling of the constriction.

An active cooling system is described. The active cooling system includes at least one cooling element that has a vent therein and is in communication with a fluid. The cooling element(s) are actuated to vibrate to drive the fluid toward a heat-generating structure and to alternately open and close at least one virtual valve corresponding to the vent. The virtual valve is open for a low flow resistance and closed for a high flow resistance. The vent remains physically open for the virtual valve being closed.

A manufacturing method of miniature fluid actuator is disclosed and includes the following steps. A flow-channel main body manufactured by a CMOS process is provided, and an actuating unit is formed by a deposition process, a photolithography process and an etching process. Then, at least one flow channel is formed by etching, and a vibration layer and a central through hole are formed by a photolithography process and an etching process. After that, an orifice layer is provided to form at least one outflow opening by an etching process, and then a chamber is formed by rolling a dry film material on the orifice layer. Finally, the orifice layer and the flow-channel main body are flip-chip aligned and hot-pressed, and then the miniature fluid actuator is obtained by a flip-chip alignment process and a hot pressing process.

A device with a membrane comprising a support, a membrane made of a polymer material suspended on said support and at least one actuating module arranged opposite a face of the membrane and separate from said membrane, said actuating module comprising at least one actuator comprising at least one piezoelectric material and a beam connected to the support and separate from the membrane, the piezoelectric material being connected to the beam, such that, when a difference in electric potential is applied to the piezoelectric material, a bimetal effect appears between the piezoelectric material and the beam deforming the beam in the direction of the membrane, causing the deformation of the membrane, said device also comprising at least one electrostatic actuator configured for compressing at least one part of the membrane on the at least one part of the actuating module.

A valve module includes a semiconductor body, cavities in the semiconductor body separated from each other by a distance, a cantilever structure suspended over each cavity to enable at least partial closing of the cavity, and a piezoelectric actuator for each cantilever structure. The piezoelectric actuator is configured for use to cause a positive bending of the respective cantilever structure and so modulate a rate of air flow through the valve module.

A microstructured fluid flow control device includes a substrate with a piezo-actuated first membrane arranged on a first substrate side, and a fluid channel that extends through the substrate between the first substrate side and an opposite second substrate side. In addition, the microstructured fluid flow control device includes a microvalve that extends through the fluid channel and is configured to close the fluid channel in an unactuated state, and a second membrane arranged on the first substrate side and spaced apart from the membrane and arranged between the fluid channel and the first piezo-actuated membrane. The second membrane is joined to the microvalve and is mechanically biased towards the first membrane so that a biasing force is applied to the microvalve, wherein the biasing force is part of a restoring force that causes the microvalve to close the fluid channel in an unactuated state.

A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) exhaust valve-based impact attenuating fluid filled cell for use in cushioning impact and decelerating of a wearer's body portion (e.g. head, shoulder, torso, etc.) after an impact. In combination with the use of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location and other electronics supply signals to a microcontroller, the controlled opening/closing of said exhaust valve (resulting in the expelling of said fluids with an optional combination with cell refill means) when certain parameters exceed a threshold. Individuals who engage in activities that carry a risk of injury to the head from impact in the normal course of the activity could, in combination with regular exams, benefit from a system that produces and updates a kinematic 3D model of the individual's head, including brain matter, cerebrospinal fluid paths, arterial and venous blood flow pathways, as well as the skull, supporting connective tissues and other biological structures in the head suitable for interaction with exogenous stimuli prepared from hypothetical or actual recorded impact events.

A gas transportation device is provided and includes a first flow guiding unit and a second flow guiding unit, each of which includes an inlet and an outlet. While the first flow guiding unit and the second flow guiding unit are actuated, gas is inhaled through the respective inlets and discharged out through the respective outlets. A gas-collection chamber is disposed between the first flow guiding unit and the second flow guiding unit and includes a discharging opening. The gas is inhaled through the inlets of the first flow guiding unit and the second flow guiding unit, and transported to the gas-collection chamber through the outlets thereof. The gas in the gas-collection chamber is discharged out through the outlets of the first flow guiding unit and the second flow guiding unit, to achieve an adjustment of gas transportation amount.

A micro detecting device includes a controller and a mobile device. The controller has a first wireless communication module. The mobile vehicle includes a vehicle body; a processor, accommodated in the vehicle body; a second wireless communication module, accommodated in the vehicle body and electrically connected to the processor; a power actuator, disposed on the vehicle body and electrically connected to the processor for driving the vehicle body; a recording unit, disposed on the vehicle body and electrically connected to the processor and the second wireless communication module, and the recording unit is configured to generate a recorded signal; and a fluid detecting unit, disposed on the vehicle body and electrically connected to the processor and the second wireless communication module, and the fluid detecting unit is configured to generate a detection signal.

An air current changeable full front blowing type air conditioner is provided. The air current changeable full front blowing type air conditioner includes: a case configured to comprise a heat exchanger disposed inside the case; a main air blower configured to be disposed in rear of the heat exchanger inside the case and discharge a main air current from a full front of the case; and at least one auxiliary air blower configured to be positioned around the main air blower of the case and discharge an auxiliary air current for changing a direction of the main air current. The auxiliary air blower discharges the auxiliary air current in a direction where the auxiliary air current interferes with the main air current discharged from the full front of the case.