University researchers have developed methods and articles of manufacture pertaining to extremely hydrophobic or superhydrophobic or superomniphobic surface coatings that are wear-resistant. The coatings are self-cleaning, transparent, insulating and anticorrosive under harsh chemical and thermal conditions. (more...)

A novel method of enhancing cross-plane thermoelectric properties, resulting in increased efficiency and a higher figure of merit (ZT).  (more...)

The construction industry has a vested interest in developing sustainable infrastructure. Besides the significant environmental concerns themselves, legislation related to environmental protection and penalties could have a substantial negative impact on growth of the sector. To this end, there is a pressing need for infrastructure that: (1) lasts longer with minimal maintenance, and (2) performs more efficiently in terms of energy use.  Thermal cracking in concrete represents a most prevalent source of structural compromise, occurring where excessive temperature differences prevail between the concrete and its surroundings, or within the structure itself. Thus, technologies that can simultaneously address the infrastructural serviceability and energy efficiency index will drive progress towards sustainable construction.  (more...)

Measuring the flow rate and direction of gas flow in natural gas pipelines is of interest to both the management of gas delivery systems and the determination of consumer usage and payment. To improve on methods for measuring gas-flow rate and direction, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed microfabricated, ultrasonic gas-flow sensors. These innovative sensors are inexpensive, small and have modest power requirements -- making them suitable for wireless implementation. Moreover, these sensors can be mounted so that they don't intrude within the inner surface of a pipe, and therefore don't impede the conventional use of pipe cleaning (pigs) that fill the diameter of pipes.  (more...)

Conventional utility grids are moving towards smart grids that can better coordinate the supply and demand of electricity. Most expectations for emerging smart grids include real-time pricing that provide electricity users with pricing incentives that help match real-time electricity supply and demand. This dynamic pricing is expected to have more impact if electricity users have automatic systems to manage their electricity demand. Residential HVAC is a prime candidate for this automatic electricity management because (1) HVAC accounts for over 30% of electricity usage in U.S. homes, and (2) HVAC usage is more flexible than other residential electricity uses. To address this smart grid opportunity, researchers at UC Berkeley have applied their expertise in smart grids, user behavior and operations research to develop a smart thermostat that can optimize a grid's dynamic pricing with a user's HVAC comfort and price-sensitivity parameters. In comparison to other smart thermostats, this novel smart thermostat employs algorithms that are model-based and forward-looking in that they take into account user price-sensitivity and comfort parameters as well as forecasts of weather conditions and electricity pricing. These design advantages have been verified by theoretical and numerical simulations. (more...)

A III-nitride light emitting diode (LED), in which light can be extracted from two surfaces of the LED before entering a shaped optical element and subsequently being extracted to air. (more...)

An all-in-one process to produce biofuels and commodity chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. (more...)

There is growing interests in managing electricity utilization and efficiency in commercial and residential buildings. However, most electricity monitoring solutions are prohibitively expensive to manufacture and/or install -- especially because they require professional installation (i.e., a "truck roll"). To address this problem, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed AC voltage sensors that are inexpensive to manufacture, and equally important, don't require trained personnel to install -- thereby making the installation inexpensive and easy. The Berkeley voltage sensors don't require electrically conductive connections, and accordingly, they can simply be adhesively attached to individual circuit breakers in a conventional multi-breaker box or to an isolated circuit breaker. The sensors can measure waveform or amplitude of the AC voltage, and via that analysis can determine what applications are energized at given times on a particular circuit. This solution can be used for plug loads (e.g., lamps, computers, space heaters, etc.) as well as non-plug loads (e.g., HVAC, pool heaters, etc.). This sensor technology could be marketed individually or as a group that is assembled together with AC current sensors (see earlier invention disclosures). Moreover, small radio chips could be attached to the sensors for transmission of data for various applications such as demand response, identification of electrical loads, and remote indication of tripped breakers. (more...)

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A novel process for the development of a rod-coil block copolymer containing a carbon-60 derivative that exclusively forms a nanofibrilar structure. (more...)

Many nations are facing challenges of rapidly expanding energy needs. However, large amount of energy consumption is lost as a by-product of power, refrigeration or heat pump cycles as required by the second law of thermodynamics. Most of the lost energy appears as low grade waste heat which is hard to reuse or recover because of its low temperature. Pyroelectric energy converters are a novel direct-energy conversion technology that transforms waste heat directly into electricity. It makes use of the pyroelectric effect to create a flow of charge to or from the surface of a material as a result of a temperature change. These devices could achieve large heat transfer rates and fast temporal temperature oscillations and thus very large power output. Fast temperature oscillations are achieved by nanoscale radiative heat transfer where a small separation between the heat source and pyroelectric element enhances heat transfer by several orders of magnitude. (more...)

A fuel cell membrane that can sustain high and stable conductivity at temperatures above 150°C without requiring additional humidification systems or hydrating water.  (more...)

A class of proton conducting membranes utilized as a major component of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. (more...)

A variety of techniques to improve the performance of LEDs and laser diodes by embedding photonic crystals or voids into the optoelectronic devices. (more...)

An ammonothermal growth method for high-quality group III-nitride bulk crystals at commercially practical growth rates. (more...)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels are widely considered to have deleterious effects on the environment -- including global climate change. Abating these emissions by capturing and storing CO2 (CCS) is considered a promising method of reducing atmospheric CO2 before non-fossil fuel energy resources can materially replace fossil fuel resources.    Coal fired power plants are the most promising candidates for CCS because of their widespread use and the high fraction of CO2 in their effluent. Aqueous amine scrubbers are used to absorb CO2 from bulk nitrogen in the waste gas stream of coal power plants. As an acid gas, CO2 interacts with basic amines and is removed from the effluent. However the use of aqueous amines has serious drawbacks -- including prohibitively high regeneration costs, solution boil-off, and corrosive properties. The cost of capture and CO2 regeneration from the solvent constitutes about two-thirds of the total CCS costs. Accordingly, technologies that can lower the costs of CO2 removal from flue gas have the potential to materially lower overall CCS costs and lead to greater implementation of CCS.   To address this challenge, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a CCS solution based on alkylamine functionalized metal-organic frameworks. This solution almost entirely eliminates solvent loss and corrosivity problems. Moreover, the lower heat capacity of this solid material-based solution, should reduce the energy input required to regenerate the material -- thereby substantially lowering regeneration costs. (more...)

A light emitting diode (LED) that combines a high-efficiency LED chip with shaped phosphor layers to increase the total luminous efficacy of the device.(UC Case 2007-272 and 2007-273) (more...)

A novel method for selective dry etching of n-face (Al, In, Ga)N heterostructures that is reproducible and scalable, making it viable for mass production, and that exhibits an extremely high etch selectivity. (more...)

Highly-efficient cleaved facet edge-emitting laser diodes grown on semipolar gallium nitride substrates. (more...)

Despite the many advantages and demonstrated uses of fuel cells, they are expensive because they require platinum and other precious metals as catalysts. The best way to eliminate platinum while maintaining the many benefits is through the use of a high performance hydroxide exchange membrane, the Nafion® equivalent for a alkaline fuel cell. UCR’s Prof. Yushan has developed an alkaline membrane that will one day replace Nafion® and enable non-precious metal fuel cell catalysts that are composed of elements such as cobalt, nickel, iron and silver. These metals cost between $2 and $12 per ounce as compared to platinum that currently trades in the range of $1,200/ounce and peaked at over $2,000/ounce last summer. The Office of Technology Commercialization has licensed Prof. Yan’s technology to Full Cycle Energy, an alternative energy company. This innovation will hopefully lead to a massive drop in the cost of goods needed to produce fuel cells. This price reduction will allow fuel cells to have a lower price point per watt than internal combustion engines and batteries.  (more...)

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Increased efficiency and reduction in energy consumption for heat and power generation in residential and commercial appliances can have substantial impact. There is an untapped potential to obtain power from a modified gas burner by making use of the magneto hydrodynamics generator that uses the normal flame ionization in equipment or appliances to self-generate electricity that can be used to help offset or reduce the amount of electric power required for operation. Thus, electric power and heat can be obtained. In the past the use of magneto-hydrodynamic generators (MHD) to produce electricity has been limited to utility-scale applications. It would be desirable to use the MHD principle to generate electric power from commercial and residential appliances that are traditionally used to generate heat only. Significant research has been undertaken, at University of California Merced, to develop the first stage of a new generation of appliances that reduce power consumption by self generating electricity based on the magneto hydrodynamics principle, and to provide an invaluable source of information about the performance of ionized-flame burners and MHD generators for residential and commercial applications. (more...)

Researchers have proposed the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electrodes in electrochemical capacitors and supercapacitors primarily due to their large surface area, abundance of reaction sites, and the possibility of large-charge storage capacity and capacitance. While possessing superior power densities due to fast charge/discharge capabilities, CNT based capacitors have lower energy densities compared to batteries, making them less competitive for most energy-storage applications. The invention provides an approach that overcomes this disadvantage. (more...)

Alginates have been used for decades for the encapsulation of biological molecules, cells and chemicals. The traditional encapsulation process involved dissolving or dispersing the active agent in a sodium alginate solution, forcing the solution through an orifice to form a droplet which was then cross-linked by contact with a calcium chloride solution. This process was not easily scaled-up and was limited to particles larger than 500 μm. Spray-drying would be a commercially viable process to form a calcium alginate matrix particle in the size range of 10 – 20 μm; however, one would have to find a way of cross-linking the sodium alginate solution during atomization. Researchers at the University of California Davis have developed a method that accomplishes this by spray-drying an aqueous formulation that contains sodium alginate, a calcium salt that is only soluble at reduced pH and an organic acid that has been neutralized to a pH just above the pKa with a volatile base. Under these conditions, the calcium salt is insoluble and calcium ions are not available for cross-linking. The solution in this fluid state is pumped through the nozzle of the spray dryer, where it is effectively atomized. Upon atomization, the volatile base is vaporized, which reduces the pH (hydrogen ions are released into solution) and in turn releases calcium ions from the calcium salt that cross-link the alginate. The incorporation of an additional polymer to the formulation allows for the control of hydration properties of the particles to control the release of the encapsulated compounds. This same process can be used for encapsulation using soy protein. (more...)

Researchers in UCI’s Department of Chemical Engineering/Material Science have developed a process to separate americium (Am) from trivalent lanthanides, both present in spent nuclear fuel. This separation is necessary for future nuclear fuel cycles. (more...)

The invention is the design of a power unit for freight-bearing locomotives using a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell and a Gas Turbine engine and is intended to be used as the single power-providing unit onboard locomotives intended for freight service. The dual power sources form a single unit with synergistic energy efficiency and emissions reductions benefits. The unit is designed to operate on the currently-standard diesel fuel used in the locomotive industry. (more...)

A major challenge for the electric power industry is that power distribution cables can fail after years of service resulting in power outages, property damage, severe injuries and costly cable replacement. Furthermore, it has been estimated that simply replacing critical underground power distribution cables in the U.S. would cost many tens of billions of dollars. Consequently, electrical utilities need economical ways to evaluate cables while they are in service (i.e. transmitting electricity). To address this challenge, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a non-invasive way to probe in-service power cables in order to detect impairments due to damage such as breakage or excessive corrosion of conductors. (more...)

Experiments proclaiming to provide nuclear fusion in tabletop systems generated significant criticism from the physics community, as typically large reactors employing magnetic and inertial confinement are necessary to produce fusion reliably. Some examples, such as cold fusion and bubble fusion, yield irreproducible results and have encountered deep skepticism. (more...)

Engineers from UC San Diego have developed a patent-pending technology that provides cross-coupled rectifiers that use near zero-threshold transistors in a switching topology that avoids reverse conduction problems. Importantly, preferred embodiment rectifiers of the invention only provide a slightly increased on-resistance in each branch, while providing both very high operating efficiency and very low tum-on voltage. An embodiment of the invention is a voltage rectifier for the conversion of RF energy into DC voltage with a tum-on threshold voltages approaching OV. Whereas traditional CMOS and Schottky diode rectifiers require several hundred millivolts to activate, the present circuit can operate upon near-zero incident energy, enabling a variety of useful applications, including:• Wireless biomedical implants.• Increased range of RFID devices.• Wireless sensors with very low threshold activation.• Reduced complexity of RFID devices while maintaining current performance.• Energy harvesting by converting ambient RF radiation into useable DC power. (more...)

Novel thermally and chemically stable proton-conductive membranes from porous inorganic films that possess stable water retention and ion conductivity at elevated temperatures (100º - 150º C). (more...)

This technology demonstrates the exceptional performance of open framework materials possessing accessible metal ions as highly selective carbon dioxide capture and storage networks. They also demonstrate much lower energy requirements to regenerate compared to amine solutions and have a larger uptake capacity than zeolites. Because of the flexibility in the metal ions that can be used, these materials can be tailored to work with any acid gas separation and purification as well as for carbon dioxide capture and storage. (more...)

Growing public awareness of energy issues indicates a latent demand for consumer as well as industrial scale products that monitor and manage energy use and efficiency across the grid from residential and industrial buildings, to power distribution and transmission lines. This latent demand could be addressed by the latest advances in micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) sensors technology, wireless radios, and energy scavenging. UC Berkeley researchers have addressed this market opportunity by leveraging the technology advancements to develop improved MEMS AC electricity sensors. These Berkeley sensors are self-powered and wirelessly networked. They can be used to establish ubiquitous networks of electricity sensors thereby enabling smart grids for energy monitoring as well as management application such as demand response. (more...)

Biochemical platform for fuels and chemicals production from cellulosic biomass (more...)

Researchers at the Power Electronics Laboratory at University of California, Irvine, received a U.S. patent for a device that uses one cycle control for controlling DC-to-AC switching converters. This is achieved by forcing the average of a controlled switched variable to be exactly equal to the control reference in each switching cycle. Potential subharmonic oscillations in a switching power amplifier, which occurs in the DC-to-AC application of this method is prevented by adding an offset voltage to the averaged controlled switched variable. This is fed back and compared to a control reference, which compares and is then used to switch the switching power amplifier. Switching errors are corrected by resetting the integrator that averages the controlled switched variable and a time interval at least an order or magnitude less than the switching time of the switches in the switching power amplifier. (more...)

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In the past decade, InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) have been the key technology in delivering solutions for both high efficiency and high linearity monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifiers in various wireless communication systems, such as GSM, DCS, PCS, CDMA and WLAN. Traditionally, these MMIC power amplifiers are designed for narrow band operation and cannot be used as a broadband solution covering multiple bands in wireless communication systems. For decades, the realization of broadband, high power MMIC power amplifiers has posed a significant challenge to microwave design and systems engineers owing to limitations imposed by the electrical and thermal properties of GaAs transistor technology. (more...)

SPI is one of the most popular bus interfaces between a microcontroller and a peripheral device. However, system designers often overlook a bottleneck, which uses SPI inefficiently when transferring between two slave devices. Our technique eliminates this bottleneck with very simple hardware, and this should be of interest to manufacturers of microcontrollers. Peripheral devices would not require any modifications and can be used just as before. (more...)

A chemical approach to the total conversion of plant carbohydrates to biofuels and value-added products. (more...)

  As the quest for clean, renewable energy intensifies, the proposition of extracting energy from ocean waves sounds increasingly more attractive. The wave energy resource is recognized to contain the highest energy density among renewables and is virtually inexhaustible. Moreover, unlike wind, the wave climate is more predictable and is generally less intermittent. The primary waves of interest are those generated by the blowing of the winds, which in turn are a product of differential heating of the earth. Therefore, the wave energy may be considered as a concentrated form of solar energy. The size (and associated energy) of the resulting waves are a function of wind speed, wind duration, and distance over which the wind blows, referred to as fetch. Original solar power levels of 100 W/m2 can be transformed into waves of power levels of over 1000 kW/m of wave crest length. Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new device that applies the principle of parametric excitation to ocean wave energy converters. The proposed mechanism operates fully autonomously when the buoy is heaving. The application leads to greater energy in the oscillatory motion, resulting in increased motion amplitude or, in situations where amplitude limit is reached, the possibility of using higher damping values in the power takeoff system to keep the oscillations bounded. In either case, when power take off is achieved with hydraulic damping, it would be possible to harness significantly more power from the device, compared to a unit simply excited by the waves.   (more...)

In order to improve energy utilization and correspondingly lower energy use and cost, there is growing interest in improving the intelligence of the electricity grid, and in particular, improving the intelligence of the vast infrastructure of power distribution cables. To address this need, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed an innovative way to measure the applied operating voltage inside conventional AC high-voltage insulated power distribution cables. The novel approach measures voltage non-conductively using a sensor that is external to and in proximity with the cables. The voltage sensor can be self powered via energy scavenging, and it can be readily coupled to a wireless network for data transmission and collection. (more...)

In order to improve energy efficiency and correspondingly lower energy use and cost, there is growing interest in improving the intelligence of the electricity utilization across the grid from appliance cords, to the distribution cables, to transmission lines. This smart grid will require ubiquitous sensors that are inexpensive to make, simple to install, easy to maintain – however voltage sensors with these attributes haven't been developed. To address this challenge, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed MEMS-based measurement systems that can detect voltages using three approaches. One approach is optimized for appliance cords, another approach is optimized for distribution cables (with voltages from 4 kV rms to 35 kV rms), and the third approach is optimized for transmission lines. All the approaches use wireless technology to transmit measurements, and all the measurement systems are inexpensive, small and rugged. Furthermore, the systems for appliance cords and distribution cables can scavenge and store energy to power the sensors and transceivers. (more...)

Currently, the most common way to reconstruct the state of traffic uses inductive loop detectors embedded in the pavement to collect the speed of vehicles as they pass over the detectors. Since loop detector stations are not deployed all over the transportation network, it is usually assumed that the measurements collected by each detector stations are representative of a section of freeway around the detector (the length of the section depends on the proximity of nearby detector stations). Another current method of reconstructing the state of traffic is to use RFID devices already present in vehicles. In an urban setting, a substantial number of vehicles on the road will have these devices due to their use in collecting tolls for bridges or highways. A government agency can place readers at various points along a highway in order to collect travel time data between readers, which can then be used to reconstruct velocities between readers. These readers are generally expensive to deploy and the system relies on having many drivers with the appropriate devices in their vehicles. Researchers at the University of California have developed a system that collects positions and speeds of GPS equipped mobile devices traveling onboard vehicles. It uses a sampling strategy to assemble a data stream sufficient to reconstruct the state of traffic on the road segment of interest. It uses these measurements as input to construct the state of traffic everywhere (even where no measurements are available) (more...)

This UCB innovation has particular applications in biofuel production. It increases tolerance of microorganisms to toxic agents, such as solvents. Therefore, it is very valuable in increasing production of solvents from solvent-generating microorganisms. The method allows the engineering a microorganism of interest to express a heterologous heat-shock protein/chaperone, e.g., Group II chaperoning or a prefoldin such as γ-prefoldin, where the heterologous protein is from an extremophile, such as an archaean. While the research organism is E. coli, the methods can be applicable to other organisms, such as yeasts (more...)

In order to minimize the cost and maximize the availability of Silicon solar cells, the manufacturers of these cells use less pure forms of Silicon feedstock known as solar grade Silicon (SoG-Si). However, impurities in SoG-Si (such as iron and other metals) decrease the conversion efficiencies of solar cells. To address this problem, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method for reducing metal impurity point defects in SoG-Si feedstock and thereby improve its conversion efficiency in solar cells. This novel method minimizes the performance degrading impact of metals such as Fe, Cr, Ti and V. (more...)

Intensive research efforts in the field of clean energy technologies, such as fuel cells, are primarily focused on solving technical issues to commercialization. As these technology challenges are resolved, analytical tools will be needed to understand the economic viability and environmental impact of using these emerging energy technologies in different applications. To address the need for these analytical tools, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a software model for assessing the economics and emissions from different fuel and end-use energy solutions. This clean energy technology economics and emission model (CETEEM) integrates MATLAB, Simulink and Excel tools into an easy-to-use, powerful analysis solution. (more...)

The application of MEMS technology to implantable biomedical devices has great potential to decrease the size and costs of these implantable systems. However lithium batteries -- the common power source for these medical devices -- are not well-suited to MEMS-based systems as the batteries are relatively expensive and bulky. To achieve the full potential of MEMS-based implantable biomedical devices, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have developed a miniaturized microbial fuel cell. This micromachined power source generates electricity biocatalytically, and in a single manufacturing step it can be fabricated and integrated with MEMS-based biomedical devices. In comparison to lithium batteries as power source for MEMS-based implantable systems, this fuel cell is not only smaller and less expensive, it also has a longer life cycle. (more...)

Low Cost System for Electrical Power System Demand Response During Stage 1, 2 or 3 Power Emergencies (more...)

Drag Reduction Humps for Reduced Aerodynamic Drag and Decreased Fuel Consumption (more...)

The University of California has a number of inventions in the field of ceramics and ceramics composites that are available for commercial licensing. These technologies include: Porosity—A combustion synthesis method that produces low-porosity, high-density ceramics (1995-263), a synthesis method that produces high-density ceramics with extremely fine crystallite sizes (2005-510), a one-step synthesis and consolidation of nanoparticles in ceramics, etc. (1999-355), and methods for producing high-porosity oxide ceramics (1997-186); Ductility—A method for making high-strength nanocrystalline materials with improved ductility (2003-539), an inexpensive, easy-to-fabricate ceramics matrix composite (1995-109), an improved method for making metal matrix composites using spray atomization (1994-134), a practical method for microalloying magnesium in molybdenum silicide (2002-237), and strong, flaw-tolerant ceramics laminate composites (1991-243 and 1999-385); Hardness—A thermal barrier coating with increased hardness and wear resistance (2002-164), a direct, one-step synthesis of titanium carbonitride cermets (1992-018), bulk metallic glasses with nanoscale crystallites (2003-334), and diamond-containing ceramic composites (1986-070); Functionally-Gradient Materials (FGMs)—A method for making layered FGMs with superior interlayer bonding (2005-223) and a simple, inexpensive one-step synthesis of metalloceramic FGMs that display a smooth transition in their compositional profiles (1992-027); and General Synthesis & Fabrication Methods—A system for post-machining inspection of manufactured ceramic parts (Ceramic Candling Inspection System), a method for preparing nanocrystalline coatings (1996-370), an improved method of combustion synthesis (1992-020), and a method for fabricating complex-shaped ceramics with a more uniform phase distribution (1990-317). SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION: More information about this invention portfolio is available in a slideshow presentation that can be downloaded from http://patron.ucop.edu/ncd/docs/ceramics.pps (4.1 MB). This file includes an audio narration and web links to non-confidential descriptions, issued patents, related publications, and inventor profiles. (more...)

The physical properties of polymer membranes pose severe limits on performance when used in applications such as fuel cells and air separation modules. In the case of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) used in fuel cells such as Nafion®, temperatures must be kept below 80°C in order to keep polyfluorocarbon membranes sufficiently hydrated for proton conduction, but the performance of fuel cell electrodes will be improved if the operational temperatures is increased to above 100°C. In fuel cells that derive protons from liquid hydrocarbon such as direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), there is an additional problem of performance being further degraded by PEM permeability to methanol (“methanol crossover”). In the case of air separation modules, polymer membranes suffer from low O2/N2 selectivity (~6). Modestly higher selectivities can be achieved by adding silica particles to the polymer (up to ~9), but selectivities need to be at least 30 for membranes tightly-packed into compact modules to provide efficient oxygen enrichment. The highly selective materials that have been tried so far, such as carbon molecular sieves and zeolite membranes, are too fragile and expensive for practical use as substitutes for fluorocarbon polymer membranes in air separation modules. (more...)

Currently, most chemical reaction chambers rely upon systems that mix the chemicals either before or at the moment they enter the reaction chamber. For example, a combustion engine may use either direct or premixed fuel/oxidizer injection into the combustion chamber. These systems require mechanical pumping or physical agitation methods, which can limit a reaction chamber's size and performance. Much attention has recently been focused on developing nano and micro-scale devices that will use chemical combustion, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and electrostatics to produce power efficiently and portably. (more...)