Abstract: Provided is a fluid pump assembly. The pump has a pair of housings magnetically coupled to each other. The first housing contains a drive motor and a magnetic assembly. The second housing contains a magnetic assembly and a blade for imparting movement to a fluid. As the first magnetic assembly is rotated by the drive motor, the magnetic connection to the assembly in the second housing causes the second magnet to rotate, driving the blade.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposite first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces, a solid-state light source arranged to emit light into the edge surface of the light guide, and a plurality of integrated optical elements associated with the first major surface to redirect the light emitted by the solid-state light source. The lighting assembly may further include an air circulation device and a heat transfer system configured to transfer heat generated by the solid-state lighting source to a flow of air generated by the air circulation device. The solid-state light source may include light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, and/or organic light emitting diodes configured to produce multiple colors. Also provided is a habitat including the lighting assembly, and related methods.

Abstract: A lighting unit for illuminating a habitat is provided. The lighting unit includes a housing and a light emitter. The operating parameters of the lighting unit may be adjusted to mimic different natural conditions.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposite first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces, a solid-state light source arranged to emit light into the edge surface of the light guide, and a plurality of integrated optical elements associated with the first major surface to redirect the light emitted by the solid-state light source. The lighting assembly may further include an air circulation device and a heat transfer system configured to transfer heat generated by the solid-state lighting source to a flow of air generated by the air circulation device. The solid-state light source may include light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, and/or organic light emitting diodes configured to produce multiple colors. Also provided is a habitat including the lighting assembly, and related methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid pump assemblies in general, and in exemplary embodiments to fluid pump assemblies that are magnetically supported in position, and to related kits and methods useful to circulate water in aquariums. The fluid pump assembly comprises an outer mount, an inner mount, and a pump. The outer mount includes at least one outer permanent magnet; the inner mount includes at least one inner permanent magnet; and the pump includes at least one soft magnetic material. The outer permanent magnet, the inner permanent magnet, and the soft magnetic material collectively form a magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A foot spa tub includes a tub basin, a first magnetic drive member rotatably coupled to a drive motor, and a first casing supporting the magnetic drive member. The first casing is disposed against an exterior surface of a sidewall of the basin. A second magnetic drive member is rotatably coupled to a blade. The first and second magnetic drive members are magnetically coupled to each other so that the blade is drivingly coupled to the drive motor. A nozzle houses the second magnetic drive member and the blade. The nozzle is detachably securable to an interior surface of the sidewall by a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic drive members. A method of circulating liquid in a foot tub spa is also provided.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided for conveying a fluid pumping medium through a compressible hose. The pump is designed particularly for use in an aquarium, terrarium, or vivarium for metering fluids accurately and reliably by eliminating permanent tubing deformation and random stopping positions of rollers.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling an aquatic habitat. The system for includes a server, a bridge, and a habitat component. The server includes a database containing information associated with a habitat component. The server also includes a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component. The bridge has a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component. The habitat component has a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.

Abstract: A lighting unit for illuminating a habitat is provided. The lighting unit includes a housing and a light emitter. The operating parameters of the lighting unit may be adjusted to mimic different natural conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid pump assembly. The pump has a pair of housings magnetically coupled to each other. The first housing contains a drive motor and a magnetic assembly. The second housing contains a magnetic assembly and a blade for imparting movement to a fluid. As the first magnetic assembly is rotated by the drive motor, the magnetic connection to the assembly in the second housing causes the second magnet to rotate, driving the blade.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposite first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces, a solid-state light source arranged to emit light into the edge surface of the light guide, and a plurality of integrated optical elements associated with the first major surface to redirect the light emitted by the solid-state light source. The lighting assembly may further include an air circulation device and a heat transfer system configured to transfer heat generated by the solid-state lighting source to a flow of air generated by the air circulation device. The solid-state light source may include light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, and/or organic light emitting diodes configured to produce multiple colors. Also provided is a habitat including the lighting assembly, and related methods.

Abstract: A foot spa tub includes a tub basin, a first magnetic drive member rotatably coupled to a drive motor, and a first casing supporting the magnetic drive member. The first casing is disposed against an exterior surface of a sidewall of the basin. A second magnetic drive member is rotatably coupled to a blade. The first and second magnetic drive members are magnetically coupled to each other so that the blade is drivingly coupled to the drive motor. A nozzle houses the second magnetic drive member and the blade. The nozzle is detachably securable to an interior surface of the sidewall by a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic drive members. A method of circulating liquid in a foot tub spa is also provided.

Abstract: Generally, culturing systems and methods for making and using culturing systems. Specifically, photobioreactor systems and methods for making and using photobioreactor systems to culture photosynthetic organisms, such as algae.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for measuring at least one characteristic (12) related to presence of particles. The device (10) includes a light source unit (16) for emitting light into a region (18) containing particles (20), with the light source being configured to emit light from a plurality of locations in a manner so that the emitted light follows a desired intensity distribution (22), the desired intensity distribution (22) being desired for the measurement of the at least one characteristic (12). In preferred embodiments the intensity distribution is Lambertian.