Tesla valve

A Tesla valve is a passive fluidic valve. Is based on the fact that the flow resistance in a flow direction is less than in the opposite, this allows to achieve a rectifying effect. This is achieved by structures which permit in one direction a more laminar flow, but cause in the opposite direction turbulence caused by turbulence and thus increase the flow resistance.

The valve was patented in 1916 by Nikola Tesla and is specifically in the areas of microsystem technology and microfluidics application, where it is used eg for rectification of flow from the pump.