摘要:
A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers.
摘要:
A method of controlling a Casimir-effect device includes applying a voltage to a field-effect gate of the Casimir-effect device. The Casimir-effect device includes a conducting material and a semiconductor. The conducting material and semiconductor are separated by a gap to form the field-effect gate over at least a portion of the semiconductor facing the gap. The method further includes altering, in response to the applied voltage, a density of free charge carriers in the portion of the semiconductor facing the gap to control a nanoscale Casimir force between the conducting material and the portion of the semiconductor facing the gap.
摘要:
A dryer including a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber and an exhaust vent configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The intake, the drying chamber, and the exhaust vent define an air flow path from the intake through the drying chamber and out the exhaust vent. The dryer includes a heat exchanger and a heat pump having a condenser. The heat exchanger and the heat pump are each configured to absorb thermal energy from the exhaust air and transfer the thermal energy to the intake air. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is heated directly or indirectly by the heat exchanger prior to the intake air being further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser prior to the intake air entering the drying chamber.
摘要:
A method of manufacturing a turbine blade includes providing a core element having a base portion, a tip portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion has a non-uniform cross-section and is a high-strength fiber material. The method also includes surrounding the core element with a shell, the volume between the core element and the shell forming a void.
摘要:
Various heaters and arrays of heaters that utilize nanostructures or carbon structures, such as nanotubes, nanotube meshes, or graphene sheets, are disclosed. In various arrangements, at least a pair of contacts are electrically coupled with a given nanostructure or carbon structure to pass a current for heating.
摘要:
A method of manufacturing a turbine blade includes providing a core element having a base portion, a tip portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion has a non-uniform cross-section and is a high-strength fiber material. The method also includes surrounding the core element with a shell, the volume between the core element and the shell forming a void.
摘要:
A dryer including a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber and an exhaust vent configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The intake, the drying chamber, and the exhaust vent define an air flow path from the intake through the drying chamber and out the exhaust vent. The dryer includes a heat exchanger and a heat pump having a condenser. The heat exchanger and the heat pump are each configured to absorb thermal energy from the exhaust air and transfer the thermal energy to the intake air. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is heated directly or indirectly by the heat exchanger prior to the intake air being further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser prior to the intake air entering the drying chamber.
摘要:
A system for facilitating cloud formation and cloud precipitation includes a controller and a beam emitter that is responsive to the controller. The beam emitter is configured to emit a beam to form charged particles within an atmospheric zone containing water vapor. The charged particles enhance the formation of cloud condensation nuclei such that water vapor condenses on the cloud condensation nuclei forming cloud droplets. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect a cloud status and output a signal corresponding to the cloud status to the controller.
摘要:
Methods and articles are provided for reducing the amount of water consumed by a plant over a period of time, sequestering CO2, and producing electricity, where each method includes providing the plant with a composition including at least about 0.1 (wt./wt. or vol./vol.) % CO2 and/or at least about 0.1 wt./wt. % of a composition that generates CO2. An apparatus is also disclosed for providing the plant with a composition including CO2 and/or a composition that generates CO2.
摘要:
An embodiment of a system for treating sleep apnea includes a collar, a pump, and a motor. The collar has a vacuum surface and has a sealing surface that is configured to form a seal with a region of a neck of a subject having an airway. The pump is secured to the collar, and is configured to maintain the airway open by drawing a vacuum between the vacuum surface of the collar and a region of a throat of the subject. And the motor is secured to the collar and is configured to drive the pump. As compared to existing systems (e.g., a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system) for treating sleep apnea, the above-described system may be more portable, more comfortable, may be less likely to require adjustment while a subject using the system is asleep, and, therefore, may be less likely to awaken the subject.