Abstract: A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material separated therefrom by an electric insulator. The electrical conductor is an unconnected open-circuit shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the first electrical conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. The material is positioned at a location lying within at least one of the electric and magnetic field responses so-generated. The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest.

Abstract: A method for detecting a substance in a liquid with high accuracy and high sensitivity includes recording frequency drifts of output frequencies of oscillator circuit outputs of m sensing oscillator circuits respectively including sensing SAW elements and frequency drifts of output frequencies of oscillator circuit outputs of n reference oscillator circuits respectively including reference SAW elements; determining at least one of the sensing oscillator circuits whose frequency drifts fall within a predetermined range and at least one of the reference oscillator circuits whose frequency drifts fall within the predetermined range to be acceptable; selecting at least one of the sensing oscillator circuits from among the acceptable sensing oscillator circuits and at least one of the reference oscillator circuits from among the acceptable reference oscillator circuits; and comparing an oscillator circuit output of the selected at least one of sensing oscillator circuits with an oscillator circuit output of the se

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for coordinated detecting condensation utilizing a wet bulb and dry bulb temperature differential are disclosed. According to exemplary embodiments, a condensation detector may include; a first temperature sensor which generates a first temperature signal corresponding to a temperature measured at the first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor which generates a second temperature signal corresponding to a temperature measured at the second temperature sensor, a connector having a first end connected to the first temperature sensor, and a detector which receives the first and the second temperature signals and determines the presence of condensation at a second end of the connector based on differences between the first and second temperature signals.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting fogging on a glass pane, the arrangement including a support plate, a sensor element in thermal communication with the glass pane, wherein the sensor element is arranged on the support plate and is sensitive to moisture and a contact element that thermally couples the sensor element with the glass pane. The contact element is fastened on the support plate so as to enclose the support plate to a large extent in a contact area where the contact element contacts the glass pane.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the temperature and moisture of a gas has an aspirated flow passage with a configuration that causes the gas to have turbulent flow and, therefore, to mix. A dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer positioned in the flow passage downstream of the configuration that causes mixing measures the temperature and moisture of the gas. A wick and a water reservoir for keeping the wet bulb thermometer wet are cleaned and refilled by a flow of water through the gas passage. The gas passage is heated to prevent condensation of any moisture in the gas.

Abstract: A method of operating an aluminum oxide moisture sensor to measure moisture in a sample gas, where the sensor comprises a pair of electrodes sandwiched about a dielectric, the method comprising: a) heating the sensor to a first temperature above the sample gas temperature and holding the sensor at said first temperature for a first predetermined period of time; b) cooling down the sensor to a second lower temperature over a second predetermined period of time; c) taking plural samples of sensor conductance over a third predetermined period of time at the lower temperature; and d) determining a rate of adsorption of the moisture and using the rate of adsorption as a measure of moisture in the sample gas.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: An integrated water sensing actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that it's dried-in strain is greatest along one axis thereof. A plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith. The plug is compressed along it's axis of greatest dried-in strain and is fitted in a water-permeable housing adjacent a piston. The powder material is inert with respect to the cellulosic material and initiates a chemical reaction when exposed to water such that a product of the chemical reaction is water. Immersion of the housing in water causes expansion of the plug and corresponding movement of the piston.

Abstract: An air sampler device and method for collecting airborne pathogens and psychrometric data for room or remote air samples wherein the sample volume is electronically controlled. Particulates in the air are caused to impact the surface of the growth/inhibitor media contained in the pathogen dish thereby depositing pathogenic microorganisms in the media. The growth/inhibitor media may be a solid, liquid, gel, or mixture thereof. After the pathogen dish is incubated, colony forming units are counted for determination of air quality parameters. A chip-based sensor measures psychrometric properties of the air sample.

Abstract: Moisture management indexes are determined for a textile sandwiched between two plates. Electrical conductors arranged in concentric opposing pairs are used to measure changes in electrical resistance of the fabric. A quantity of water (or other chosen liquid) is poured down a guide pipe and changes of resistance measured against time. From this data, specific indexes are determined, in a repeatable fashion, and used for determining moisture management characteristics of the fabric.

Abstract: An integrated water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that it's dried-in strain is greatest along one axis thereof. A plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith. The plug is compressed along it's axis of greatest dried-in strain and is fitted in a water-permeable housing adjacent a piston. The powder material is inert with respect to the cellulosic material and initiates a chemical reaction when exposed to water such that a product of the chemical reaction is water. Immersion of the housing in water causes expansion of the plug and corresponding movement of the piston.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.

Abstract: A water sensor includes a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when submerged in water. A drive piston is mounted in the housing for sliding engagement therein. A water-activated driver is coupled to the drive piston and is in communication with the inlet port(s). The water-activated driver is inert in air and reactive with water to exert pressure on the drive piston and so that the drive piston moves in the housing. A movable indicator is mounted relative to the housing and is positioned to be responsive to movement of the drive piston. The movable indicator moves from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the drive piston.