Electronics

SmarTap has been developing a new technology for the next generation of thermostatic electronic faucets. This technology enables the user to monitor and control the water consumption in his property in real time. Shower systems based on this technology offer a unique shower experience combined with safety features and water and energy monitoring and saving capabilities. The systems supply water at the desired temperature and flow without wasting it: the shower will discharge water only at the desired temperature and flow.

The technology presented within the invention disclosure builds on the inventors’ prior art creating a novel way to extract heavy metals from aqueous solutions (i.e. water) for at least two purposes: • cleaning substrates (e.g. semiconductor wafer chips) and • water treatment purposes. The technology uses the concept of electrochemical properties and sonolysis to achieve success at removing contaminants from either an electronic substrate or from water. This is done by applying a bias to a microelectrode while irradiating with ultrasound radiation.

Background: Currently several approaches are available for the preparation of ordered structures at different length scales most notably the nanoscale. Despite a wide variety of efforts in nanostructuring materials the fabrication of hierarchically ordered structures at multiple length scales has remained an experimental challenge. Hierarchically ordered structures can be observed in some natural systems such as diatoms and materials of this nature are important for the study of structure-property relations as well as applications in various technologies.

This technology provides a carbon nanotube composite matrix which improves thermal conductivity and heat dissipation compared to existing commercially available material. Carbon nanotubes can be organized in a random or specific alignment to fit the needs of the application. Because the melting point of carbon nanotubes (> 2000F) far exceeds traditional metals the composite provides a material that can withstand higher temperatures is able to conduct heat at an accelerated rate.

Background: The International Energy Agency and the European Union estimates that more than 10% of the electricity used in homes and offices are wasted by devices that are simply plugged into outlets. If the trend continues with this so called “Vampire-energy” use the wasted energy will rise to 49 terawatt hours by 2014.

Betavoltaic batteries last up to twelve years without needing recharging. Historically the trade-off for this is a decrease in voltage output. This made these batteries good for remote electronics requiring low voltage and trickle re-charging systems. The low voltage output limited the devices in which they can be used. Technology Description:Researchers at the University of Missouri have overcome this low voltage problem and developed a high power betavoltaic battery source. This novel source has the potential to significantly extend the time between replacing batteries.

This invention is an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method to fabricate layered thermally stable micro-patterned structures in fuel cells. This process enables precise control over the thickness and two dimensional geometry of a porous metal catalyst and current collectors. The technique also reduces manufacturing costs because it uses minimal materials for the thin film process. The geometry of the resulting structures improves fuel cell performance by reducing losses (ionic and electronic conduction) and operating temperature.

Dr. Connick and his students at the University of Cincinnati have developed a solid state anion sensor for the rapid on-site detection of water contaminants. This portable solid state anion sensor illuminates in the presence of anions detecting a little as 0.1 ppb. The sensor’s innovative material possesses exceptional chemical selectivity to incredibly difficult to detect anions such as perchlorate.

Problem: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems generally exhibit extremely low power conversion efficiencies on the order of 1% or less mostly due to thermal emission of undesirable mid-wavelength infrared photons. The design of photonic crystals which have the potential to strongly suppress these losses is complex and generally present a non-convex design optimization problem. Technology: Solving the above problems requires efficient objective function evaluation as well as efficient global optimization algorithms.

Innovators at NASA\'s Johnson Space Center (JSC) have developed a method for efficiently controlling parasitic power in fuel cell systems. \"Parasitic power\"" refers to power required for internal system maintenance rather than for the system\\\'s primary purpose of net power output. Originally designed for spacecraft this novel method employs a single self-regulating control signal that does away with overly complex control strategies and external power controllers such as electronic power control units sensors and thermostatic controllers.