Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a plurality of conductors, at least some of which are arranged so that they interact electrically and/or magnetically with one another. A media surrounds at least a portion of each of the conductors, and circuitry is configured for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one of the conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one of the other conductors to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal that is unique to the device. The media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the interactive regions having an electrical and/or magnetic response characteristic which is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic.

Abstract: A unit verification method to be performed on a unit under test (UUT) comprises connecting a verification device to the UUT. The verification device applies a set of challenge signals to the UUT and then measures the responses of the UUT to the challenge signals. The responses of the UUT are based on the challenge signals and the physical properties of the UUT. A registration key is generated based on the measured responses and is stored. The registration key is unique to the UUT.

Abstract: A unit verification method to be performed on a unit under test (UUT) comprises connecting a verification device to the UUT. The verification device applies a set of challenge signals to the UUT and then measures the responses of the UUT to the challenge signals. The responses of the UUT are based on the challenge signals and the physical properties of the UUT. A registration key is generated based on the measured responses and is stored. The registration key is unique to the UUT.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a plurality of conductors, at least some of which are arranged so that they interact electrically and/or magnetically with one another. A media surrounds at least a portion of each of the conductors, and circuitry is configured for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one of the conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one of the other conductors to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal that is unique to the device. The media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the interactive regions having an electrical and/or magnetic response characteristic which is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) comprises a plurality of conductors, at least some of which are arranged so that they interact electrically and/or magnetically with one another. A media surrounds at least of portion of each of the conductors and further defines at least one cavity, where the cavity is structured to provide the device with an environmentally dependent characteristic. Circuitry applies an electrical challenge signal to at least one of the conductors and receives an electrical output from at least one of the other conductors to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal that is unique to the device.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a plurality of optical fibres, at least some of which are arranged such that they are optically coupled. A media surround at least a portion of the optical fibres and at least one light source is configured to transmit light through one or more of the optical fibres. There is provided at least one light sensor configured to receive the transmitted light from one or more of the optical fibres and provide an output. Circuitry applies a challenge signal to at least one of the fibres using at least one light source and receives the output from the at least one light sensor, using the output to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal. The fibres are arranged such that the identifying response is unique to the device.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a plurality of conductors, at least some of which are arranged so that they interact electrically and/or magnetically with one another. A media surrounds at least a portion of each of the conductors and a plurality of temperature compensation particles are arranged throughout the media, where the temperature compensation particles have a temperature coefficient selected such that they compensate for temperature-related effects in the PUF device by making the permittivity and/or permeability of the media substantially temperature independent. Circuitry applies an electrical challenge signal to at least one or the conductors and receives an electrical output from at least one of the other conductors to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal that is unique to the device.

Abstract: There is provided A method for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid, comprising the steps of: a) positioning a plurality of electrodes within a fluid; b) applying an electrical signal to each electrode within a first subset of electrodes, wherein the electrical signal applied to each electrode has a different carrier frequency and/or phase; c) measuring the electrical potential at each electrode within a second subset of electrodes; and d) processing the measured data to provide an acoustic map of the acoustic field at the required acoustic frequencies. There is also provided a system for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid using the method of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of electrodes, a signal generator adapted to perform step (b), a device adapted to perform step (c), and a processor adapted to perform step (d).

Abstract: Method for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid, comprising the steps of: a) positioning a plurality of electrodes within a fluid; b) applying an electrical signal to each electrode within a first subset of electrodes, wherein the electrical signal applied to each electrode has a different carrier frequency and/or phase; c) measuring the electrical potential at each electrode within a second subset of electrodes, wherein the electrical potential is measured using a potential divider or a Wheatstone bridge; and d) processing the measured data to provide an acoustic map of the acoustic field at the required acoustic frequencies. There is also provided a system for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid using this method.

Abstract: There is provided A method for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid, comprising the steps of: a) positioning a plurality of electrodes within a fluid; b) applying an electrical signal to each electrode within a first subset of electrodes, wherein the electrical signal applied to each electrode has a different carrier frequency and/or phase; c) measuring the electrical potential at each electrode within a second subset of electrodes; and d) processing the measured data to provide an acoustic map of the acoustic field at the required acoustic frequencies. There is also provided a system for producing an electrical impedance tomographic image of an acoustic field within a fluid using the method of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of electrodes, a signal generator adapted to perform step (b), a device adapted to perform step (c), and a processor adapted to perform step (d).

Abstract: There is disclosed a module for an antenna system, the module comprising a dielectric support and a branched electrically conductive pathway formed on or in the support. The pathway comprises at least three arms each having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal ends being joined together or each connected to at least one other of the at least three arms, and the distal ends being separate from each other and configured as terminals. The modules may be configured as chip antennas. A plurality of antenna modules can connected together in order to create antenna systems with particular desired characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including an inlet to let water in the apparatus; an outlet to let water out of the apparatus; a capacitor; and a spacer to separate a first and a second electrode of the capacitor and to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The apparatus further including a power converter configured to convert a supply voltage of a power source to a charging voltage to charge the capacitor. The power converter is constructed and arranged to recover energy from the capacitor by converting the voltage on the capacitor to supply voltage of the power source.

Abstract: Systems, methods for manufacturing, and devices for producing an output current that simulates a current generated by an optical patient sensor are provided. An optical patient sensor includes a sensor light source having a first characteristic profile and a sensor photodetector having a second characteristic profile. The current source includes a light source having a characteristic profile similar to the first characteristic profile and indicative of interchangeability between the light source and the sensor light source, and a first photodetector configured to produce an output current in response to receiving light from the light source, the first photodetector having a characteristic profile similar to the second characteristic profile and indicative of interchangeability between the sensor photodetector and the first photodetector.

Abstract: A thermal storage device (1) for storing and maintaining a body (5), such as liquid, at a constant storage temperature different to a temperature external (1?) to such device, comprises: a container (4) for containing this body at the constant storage temperature; and a thermal source (3) for compensating heat transfer resulting from a thermal gradient between the external temperature and the constant storage temperature. The thermal source comprises a mass (31) for accumulating thermal energy and for transferring heat from or to the container to compensate said heat transfer resulting from the thermal gradient and maintain the body at the constant storage temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including an inlet to let water in the apparatus; an outlet to let water out of the apparatus; a capacitor; and a spacer to separate a first and a second electrode of the capacitor and to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The apparatus further including a power converter configured to convert a supply voltage of a power source to a charging voltage to charge the capacitor. The power converter is constructed and arranged to recover energy from the capacitor by converting the voltage on the capacitor to supply voltage of the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus having a housing comprising a water inlet to let water in the housing, a water outlet to let water out of the housing, a first electrode comprising a first current collector, a second electrode, a spacer to separate the first and second electrodes and allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes, and a metal connector connected to the first current collector, wherein multiple first current collectors are fed through the housing to connect to the metal connector outside the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a module for an antenna system, the module comprising a dielectric support and a branched electrically conductive pathway formed on or in the support. The pathway comprises at least three arms each having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal ends being joined together or each connected to at least one other of the at least three arms, and the distal ends being separate from each other and configured as terminals. The modules may be configured as chip antennas. A plurality of antenna modules can connected together in order to create antenna systems with particular desired characteristics.

Abstract: A system 100 is disclosed for monitoring the position of one or more RFID tags 201. The system has a detector 301 incorporating circuitry 304 for detecting changes in the range of an RFID tag 201 from the detector and for triggering an alarm 401 if a detected change in range of an RFID tag 201 exceeds a predetermined threshold or if the RFID radio tag cannot be detected by the detector 301. Range may be detected, for example, by measuring the time of a returned radio signal from a tag 201, by measuring the strength of a returned radio signal from a tag, or by detecting changes in a periodic interval at which energy is transmitted by a tag.