When we last spoke to the people at Microstaq Inc., maker of the silicon Ventillum microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) expansion Hydraulic control valve IC, they were busy addressing the requirements of the HVAC field for more efficient fluid control leading to significant energy savings for HVAC OEMs (see “MEMS And Nano Push For Higher System Integration Levels”). They’ve since expanded their presence to retrofitting and refrigeration applications and are preparing for a strategic relationship with a major hot-water heater home appliance manufacturer. Their newest product based on the Ventillum chip, the SuperHeat controller (Fig. 1), combines the microfluidic chip with a MEMS pressure sensor and with processing and control circuitry from Freescale Semiconductor for accurate flow control for the growing air-conditioning and refrigeration markets. It’s designed to improve HVAC and refrigeration system energy efficiency and reliability, while also enabling predictive system maintenance.

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