Abstract: Disclosed generators includes one or more transducers that use electroactive polymer films to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The generators may include one or more transmission mechanisms that transfer a portion of an unused biological energy source, an unused environmental energy source or combinations of both to the one or more transducers located in the generators. The energy received by the transducers may be converted to electrical energy by the transducers in conjunction with conditioning electronics located within the generator. A heel-strike generator is disclosed that is integrated into the heel of footwear and is used to convert mechanical energy generated during human bipedal motion to electrical energy.

Abstract: A modified noble metal catalyst based calorimetric sensor for sensing non-methane hydrocarbons in an automotive exhaust gas stream includes a first sensing element (105) with an output that provides a signal (111) indicative of a concentration of indicative of non-methane hydrocarbons, hydrogen (H.sub.2), and carbon monoxide (CO). A compensating sensing element (107) has an output that provides a compensating signal (113) indicative of a concentration of hydrogen (H.sub.2) and carbon monoxide (CO). A circuit for combining the signal and the compensating signal provides a combined signal indicative of a measure of non-methane hydrocarbons in the automotive exhaust gas stream.

Abstract: A transition metal oxide based calorimetric non-methane hydrocarbon sensor (100) is constructed by disposing a transition metal based catalyst (105), preferably chromium oxide (Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3), onto a carrier (101). A temperature measurement device (103) is positioned thermally coupled to the transition metal based catalyst (105). A preferred application includes sensing non-methane heavy hydrocarbons in an automotive exhaust gas stream (803) by exposing a transition metal oxide catalyst based sensor (805) to the exhaust gas stream (803) and providing a signal (811) indicative of a concentration of non-methane heavy hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (CO). Then, exposing a compensating sensor (807) to the same exhaust gas stream (803) and providing a compensating signal (813) indicative of a concentration of carbon monoxide (CO). By combining the signal (811) and the compensating signal (813), a measure of non-methane heavy hydrocarbons can be provided.

Abstract: A selective gas sensor (10) for detecting a particular compound, or group of compounds, such as non-methane hydrocarbons, within a high temperature gas stream (12) includes an oxygen generation system (14) positioned over an oxygen diffusion region (15). The oxygen generation system (14) and the oxygen diffusion region (15) provide oxygen through a medial temperature control zone (20) to a sensing element (16). The temperature and flux of hydrocarbon components within the high temperature gas stream (12) are regulated by components within the high temperature control zone (20) and by an external temperature control zone (22) in thermal contact with the sensing element (16).

Abstract: A sensor system accurately measures nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) in a gas mixture via the use of at least one electrochemical sensing cell and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The sensor system has a sensor with an electrochemical sensing cell for producing an electrical signal (current, voltage, etc.) indicative of an amount of the nitrogen oxide within the gas mixture. The sensing cell has an electrolyte interposed between an anode electrocatalyst and a cathode electrocatalyst. Significantly, a DPV mechanism is connected to the sensing cell for enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of the electrolyte associated with the sensing cell.

Abstract: A wide range oxygen sensor is provided which operates partially in the diffusion limited current mode to provide an output which is proportional to the oxygen partial pressure in a gas mixture which is sensed, such as the exhaust gas of an automotive internal combustion engine. The wide range oxygen sensor is constructed to have a planar structure with a single solid electrolyte layer that is shared by electrochemical storage, pumping and reference cells and which is deposited using known thermal deposition techniques. As a result, the wide range oxygen sensor of the present invention is characterized as being relatively low cost and readily producible under mass production conditions. Moreover, the wide range oxygen sensor is capable of rapidly and accurately sensing the exhaust gas oxygen partial pressure while the engine is operating in either the fuel-rich or fuel-lean condition to enable the evaluation of the air-to-fuel ratio of the precombustion fuel mixture.