We present an analytical study, validated by numerical simulations, of electroosmotic flow in a Hele-Shaw cell with non-uniform surface charge patterning. Applying the lubrication approximation and assuming thin electric double layer, we obtain a pai
r of uncoupled Poisson equations which relate the pressure and the stream function, respectively, to gradients in the zeta potential distribution parallel and perpendicular to the applied electric field. We solve the governing equations for the fundamental case of a disk with uniform zeta potential and show that the flow-field in the outer region takes the form of a pure dipole. We illustrate the ability to generate complex flow-fields around smooth convex regions by superposition of such disks with uniform zeta potential and a uniform pressure driven flow. This method may be useful for future on-chip devices, allowing flow control without the need for mechanical components.
We discuss the cosmological constant problem, at the minisuperspace level, within the framework of the so-called normalized general relativity (NGR). We prove that the Universe cannot be closed, and reassure that the accompanying cosmological constan
t $Lambda$ generically vanishes, at least classically. The theory does allow, however, for a special class of $Lambda ot=0$ solutions which are associated with static closed Einstein universe and with Eddington-Lema^{i}tre universe.
We prove the existence of general relativistic perfect fluid black hole solutions, and demonstrate the phenomenon for the $P=wrho$ class of equations of state. While admitting a local time-like Killing vector on the event horizon itself, the various
black hole configurations are necessarily time dependent (thereby avoiding a well known no-go theorem) away from the horizon. Consistently, Hawkings imaginary time periodicity is globally manifest on the entire spacetime manifold.
We point out that modern brane theories suffer from a severe vacuum energy problem. To be specific, the Casimir energy associated with the matter fields confined to the brane, is stemming from the one and the same localization mechanism which forms t
he brane itself, and is thus generically unavoidable. Possible practical solutions are discussed, including in particular spontaneously broken supersymmetry, and quantum mechanically induced brane tension.
A gravitational extension of Diracs Extensible model of the electron is presented. The Dirac bubble, treated as a 3-dim electrically charged brane, is dynamically embedded within a 4-dim $Z_{2}$-symmetric Reissner-Nordstrom bulk. Crucial to our analy
sis is the gravitational extension of Diracs brane variation prescription; its major effect is to induce a novel geometrically originated contribution to the energy-momentum tensor on the brane. In turn, the effective potential which governs the evolution of the bubble exhibits a global minimum, such that the size of the bubble stays finite (Planck scale) even at the limit where the mass approaches zero. This way, without fine-tuning, one avoids the problem so-called classical radius of the electron.
