Abstract: A skincare device including a spectral sensor configured to capture a spectral image of a subject at one or more wavelengths outside of the visible spectrum; and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to analyse the spectral image to determine a measure of cosmetic residue present on the subject; and control the skincare device to perform an action associated with the determined measure of cosmetic residue. Also provided is a method and computer programme for the device.

Abstract: A skincare device including a sensor configured to sense one or more characteristics of a user's skin; a light source configured to emit light onto the user's skin; and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to, on the basis of the sensed one or more characteristics, determine a skin state associated with the user's skin, and on the basis of the determined skin state, control one or more parameters of light emission by the light source. Also provided is a method and computer program for the device.

Abstract: A skincare device including a spectral sensor configured to sense, at a frequency band outside of the visible spectrum, one or more characteristics of a user's skin; and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to, on the basis of the sensed one or more characteristics, identify one or more metabolic constituents of the user's skin; determine one or more skin features associated with the identified one or more constituents; and control the skincare device to perform an action associated with the determined one or more skin features. Also provided is a method and computer programme for the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment for a hair care appliance that has an air inlet end for receiving an airflow from the appliance, an air outlet end for emitting the airflow from the attachment, a wall defining and extending about an airflow path for the airflow and a noise attenuation member surrounded by the wall. The noise attenuation member is configured to guide the airflow along at least part of the airflow path.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment for a hair care appliance including an air inlet end for receiving an airflow from the appliance, an air outlet end for emitting the airflow from the attachment, a wall defining and extending about an airflow path between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, a plate located in the airflow path and configured to guide the airflow towards the air outlet end. The plate extends substantially along a direction of airflow from the air inlet end towards the air outlet end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment for a hair care appliance including an air inlet end for receiving an airflow from the appliance, an air outlet end for emitting the airflow from the attachment, a wall defining and extending about an airflow path between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, a plate located in the airflow path and configured to guide the airflow towards the airflow outlet end. The plate is configured to divide the airflow path into two sections and the plate includes a plurality of through holes extending between the two sections of the airflow path.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising: a stator assembly; a rotor assembly; and a support body. The rotor assembly comprises a shaft to which is mounted a first bearing and a second bearing either side of a permanent magnet, and the support body comprises first and second bearing seats to which the bearings of the rotor assembly are mounted, wherein the first bearing is mounted to the first bearing seat by adhesive, and the second bearing is soft-mounted to the second bearing seat by an o-ring.

Abstract: There is provided an air treatment apparatus comprising a body, an air flow generator housed within the body that is arranged to generate an air flow, an evaporator assembly removably disposed within the body and that is arranged to introduce water vapour into the air flow, and a water supply system that is arranged to provide water to the evaporator assembly. The water supply system comprises a water tank assembly that is separable from the body, the water tank assembly comprising a water tank having a tank opening. The tank opening is configured to allow the evaporator assembly to fit through the tank opening and the evaporator assembly is configured to fit within an interior volume of the water tank.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is described having a pair of electrodes, a chamber located between the electrodes for receiving a section of hair, and a drive unit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat the hair dielectrically. The appliance also has a pair of arms having an open position and a closed position. The arms grip the hair when in the closed position, and at least one of the arms is moveable relative to each of the electrodes.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is described having a first electrode and a second electrode, and a drive unit for applying alternating voltages to the electrodes to heat dielectrically hair located between the electrodes. The drive unit applies a first alternating voltage to the first electrode and a second alternating voltage to the second electrode, and the second alternating voltage is phase shifted relative to the first alternating voltage.

Abstract: A haircare appliance includes a pressure sensor for generating a pressure signal indicative of air pressure within an airflow path, the pressure sensor being upstream of an airflow generator. A controller is configured to estimate, based at least partly on the pressure signal, a blockage factor corresponding to an amount by which the airflow path is blocked. When the estimated blockage factor exceeds a blockage warning threshold, a warning indicative of a partial blockage is output. When the estimated blockage factor exceeds a critical threshold, the critical threshold being higher than the blockage warning threshold, a power output of at least one component of the haircare appliance is turned off or reduced.

Abstract: A heating circuit has at least three series-connected resistance-heating elements, each resistance-heating element being connected between a pair of nodes, each pair of adjacent resistance-heating elements in the series being connected via one of the nodes, each node being connectable to a voltage. Optionally, the heating circuit may have one or more switching elements to allow selective connection of one or more voltages to the resistance heating elements.

Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger cabin and a vent assembly is a disclosed. The vent assembly includes a duct for carrying an airflow and having an outlet through which the airflow is discharged into the passenger cabin; a deflector located within the duct, the deflector having a convex surface across which the airflow passes; and a valve extending around at least part of the convex surface for restricting the direction of the airflow across the convex surface. The airflow is discharged through the outlet in a direction defined by the direction of the airflow across the convex surface; and the valve is rotatable to vary the direction of the airflow across the convex surface.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, and for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. A drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. The fluid reservoir extends about at least part of the drive unit.

Abstract: A method comprises obtaining a stack for an energy storage device, the stack comprising one or more layers: laser ablating the stack so as to form a cut through one or more of the layers, thereby producing one or more laser ablation products: and analysing, using a mass spectrometry-based analysis technique, the laser ablation products thereby to determine one or more characteristics of the stack. Also disclosed is an apparatus.

Abstract: An air amplifier for directing airflow from a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes an inlet for receiving airflow from a fan assembly, and an airflow cavity. The airflow cavity includes a first wall and a second wall that define an airflow passageway extending towards an exhaust outlet for emitting air. A divider body is provided within the passageway. The divider body divides the airflow passageway into a first exhaust passageway and a second exhaust passageway. The divider body tapers towards the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is described having a pair of electrodes, and a drive unit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat dielectrically hair located between the electrodes. The drive unit includes mutually coupled inductors having a coupling coefficient that varies in response to changes in a spacing of the electrodes.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is described having a plurality of projections and one or more channels, each channel being located between adjacent projections. Each of the projections includes an electrode and the appliance includes a drive unit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat dielectrically hair within the channels.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is described having a pair of electrodes, and a drive unit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat dielectrically hair located between the electrodes, wherein the frequency of the alternating voltage is constant.

Abstract: A power inverter is described that includes an input for connection to a DC voltage, a first switch, a second switch, and a controller for controlling the switches. Each of the switches is connected between the input and ground. The power inverter further includes a first network and a second network. The first network is connected at one end to the first switch and at another end to the second switch. The first network includes a capacitor, an inductor and a capacitor connected in series. The second network is connected at one end to an end of the first network and at another end to the other end of the first network. The second network includes a first sub-network, an output capacitor, and a second sub-network connected in series, where each of the sub-networks includes a capacitor and an inductor connected in series. A pair of outputs are then connected across the output capacitor.