Electrochemical cell array for the treatment of a sample via electro-(end-)osmotic flow, comprising (i) an electrode chamber, comprising a cathodic compartment (CC) and an anodic compartment (AC), (ii) a cathode (C), being arranged in the cathodic compartment (CC), (iii) an anode (A), being arranged in the anodic compartment (AC), (iv) an intermediate cathodic compartment (C1) (v) an intermediate anodic compartment (A1) (iv) a first selective membrane (M1) being arranged between said cathodic compartment (CC) and said first intermediate cathodic compartment (C1) (v) a second selective membrane (M2) being arranged between said anodic compartment (AC) and said first intermediate anodic compartment (A1) (vi) a treatment compartment (T) for the sample being arranged between said intermediate cathodic compartment (C1) and said intermediate anodic compartment (A1), further comprising a first separator membrane (S1) between said treatment compartment (T) and said intermediate cathodic compartment (C1) and a second separator membrane (S2) arranged between said treatment compartment (T) and said intermediate anodic compartment (A1).

An osmotic power generator comprising an active membrane supported in a housing, at least a first chamber portion disposed on a first side of the active membrane for receiving a first electrolyte liquid and a second chamber portion disposed on a second side of the active membrane for receiving a second electrolyte liquid, a generator circuit comprising at least a first electrode electrically coupled to said first chamber, and at least a second electrode electrically coupled to said second chamber, the first and second electrodes configured to be connected together through a generator load receiving electrical power generated by a difference in potential and an ionic current between the first and second electrodes. The active membrane includes at least one pore allowing ions to pass between the first and second sides of the membrane under osmosis due to an osmotic gradient between the first and second electrolyte liquids to generate said difference in potential and ionic current between the first and second electrodes.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.

A porous membrane for use in an electroosmotic pump for pumping a fluid by electroosmotic transport, the porous membrane comprising: first and second opposite surfaces and a net fluid flow direction extending in the porous membrane between said opposite surfaces, wherein when a given amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the first to the second opposite surface more electroosmotic transport of the fluid will occur than when the same amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the second to the first, opposite surface.

Disclosed are devices for the controlled handling and delivery of solutions, as well as methods of making and using thereof. The devices can comprise a nanoporous membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface; a fluid source positioned in fluid contact with the bottom surface of the nanoporous membrane; and an electrode patterned on one or more of the surfaces of the nanoporous. membrane (e.g., on the top surface of the nanoporous membrane, on the bottom surface of the nanoporous membrane, or on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the nanoporous membrane). The electrode or electrodes are patterned so as to define a fluid delivery region in fluid contact with the top surface of the nanoporous membrane.

Capacitive electrokinetic densification, decontamination and dewatering of suspensions and soils can be performed while controlling and/or preventing chemical and pH changes in the densified material and extracted water. High electrical capacitance electrodes or Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) electrodes are used which can operate without redox reactions occurring on their surfaces until their developed voltage reaches the standard electrode potential of the electrode. Water-retaining, flexible covers for the EDLC electrodes have drainage and filtering capabilities and are made of a fabric which allows the passage of ions, water and electricity therethrough and facilitate continuous electrical contact between the EDLC electrode and the surrounding suspension.

This invention relates to a hearing aid comprising at least one electroacoustic transducer; a signal processing circuitry, configured to receive from the at least an electroacoustic transducer an electrical input signal and/or to provide said at least an electroacoustic transducer with an electrical output signal; and power supply means configured to provide power to the electroacoustic transducer and to said signal processing circuitry; wherein the hearing aid further comprises at least one electroosmotic porous membrane configured to transport liquid and/or vapor outside of the hearing aid, or away from a component thereof.

A device and method for mud solidification based on electro-osmosis well points cooperating with well-points dewatering. The method includes the following steps: 1) preparation; 2) construction of well point pipe positioning frame beams; 3) assembly of a mobile trestle platform; 4) well point pipe arrangement; 5) well point/electro-osmosis dewatering; 6) filtrate treatment; 7) well point pipe dismantling; and 8) excavation and transportation of solidified drilling slag for utilization. According to the disclosure, well point pipes are adopted and used as an anode and a cathode of an electro-osmosis well, and on-site quick solidification of pile foundation mud is implemented through the electro-osmosis combined with light well-points dewatering; by the adoption of the well point pipe positioning frame beams, the problems that drilling slag in a sedimentation tank has a large water content and it is difficult to arrange and fix the well point pipes are well solved.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.