Abstract: A gas-sensitive field-effect transistor may be formed from a substrate with a gas-sensitive layer and a transistor processed separately and then assembled. The substrate may be patterned to form spacers by which the height of an air gap between the transistor and the sensitive layer may be adjustable to a relatively precise degree. Formation of the spacers can be achieved by patterning the substrate using material-removal techniques. The height of the spacers may be adjusted in the layer thickness of the gas-sensitive layer and for the transistor fabricated using a CMOS process. Suitable techniques for producing recesses between the spacers include, for example, polishing, cutting, sandblasting, lithographic dry etching, or wet-chemical etching. Suitable materials for the substrate may include, for example, glass, ceramic, aluminum oxide, silicon, or a dimensionally stable polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent color system that recognizes the ambient color and adapts its color accordingly according to the chameleon effect. The inventive system is obtained by combining an electrochromic color system with a semi-transparent array of photodetectors, for example combinations of individual pixels that are sensitive for the different colors (red, green blue), said array being superimposed on the electrochromic color system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring the oxygen concentration in an aircraft tank. The device includes an absorption measuring section equipped with a laser or laser diode (6), a photodiode (7), a temperature sensor (8) and a reflector (5) for carrying out laser spectroscopy on a gas volume to be measured inside the tank. The conducting components of the device are positioned outside the tank and its reflector (5) is positioned in the tank in the gas volume to be measured, the components and reflector being optically coupled by a window (3) that is situated in the tank wall (2). The absorption measuring section is mainly located in the chamber containing the gas to be measured.

Abstract: A connection between a piezoelectric stack/actuator and a mobile object in a damping mechanism. The connection is embodied in such a way that a cross-section of the object expands via electrical control of the piezoelectric stack or the width of through-openings in the object varies, enabling the width of a passage for the liquid contained in the damping housing to be determined. The invention is advantageous in that a plurality of embodiments can be achieved as a result of the fundamentally simple inventive device, but basically in that a significantly improved reaction time and variability of the damping properties are ensured as a result of an especially simple device.

Abstract: The jacket surface of the piezoelectric actor body (1) is surrounded by an injector housing (9), maintaining an intermediate space and is cooled by direct contact with an inert fluid which does not conduct electricity (6), forming a fluid space in the injector housing (9) which is filled with fluid except for an air reservoir (7). The volume of the air reservoir (7) is at least large enough to allow the thermal expansion of the heat coupling fluid (6) which occurs at the highest operating temperature of the actor body (1).

Abstract: A power output stage for capacitive loads includes: an energy storage inductance, having one end connected to a reference potential and an opposite end connected on the input side to a power supply connection and on the output side to a secondary energy storage capacitance; a primary energy storage capacitance is connected upstream of the energy storage inductance on the input side, and connected on the input side via a primary switching element with a reference potential, and a secondary switching element connected in series with the secondary energy storage capacitance (4), characterized in that the input of the power output stage is clocked by an additional switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent color system that recognizes the ambient color and adapts its color accordingly according to the chameleon effect. The inventive system is obtained by combining an electrochromic color system with a semi-transparent array of photodetectors, for example combinations of individual pixels that are sensitive for the different colors (red, green blue), said array being superimposed on the electrochromic color system.

Abstract: A biosensor is for detecting an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) via antigen/antibody coupling. The biosensor includes a silicon substrate and at least one interdigital electrode pair structure applied to the silicon substrate with a gap between the electrode pairs of a maximum of 1.0 ?m. A counter electrode is further applied to the silicon substrate. The biosensor also includes a reference electrode. Additionally, coatings are included on the biosensor. A first coat is made from protein coating at least the interdigital electrode structure; a selective second coat is made from protein applied over the first coat, the second coat containing a selected captor antibody; and a third coat is applied over the first coat, which contains the allergen which can couple to the captor antibody.

Abstract: An ozone sensor has an ozone-sensitive layer containing an ozone-sensitive material which is encapsulated in a polymer or in a polymer mixture or is coated by at least one polymer or polymer mixture. Advantages result from a longer service life of the ozone-sensitive materials which, because of their high hygroscopic properties, would not be stable without encapsulation or coating. Furthermore, a polymer matrix can be selectively used as a filter or in order to eliminate interfering influences.

Abstract: The jacket surface of the piezoelectric actor body (1) is surrounded by an injector housing (9), maintaining an intermediate space and is cooled by direct contact with an inert fluid which does not conduct electricity (6), forming a fluid space in the injector housing (9) which is filled with fluid except for an air reservoir (7). The volume of the air reservoir (7) is at least large enough to allow the thermal expansion of the heat coupling fluid (6) which occurs at the highest operating temperature of the actor body (1).

Abstract: An injection valve for injecting fuel comprises a valve housing (1) inside of which a drive unit (15) controls the movement of a valve needle (5) that is pretensioned by a spring (11). The injection valve also comprises a main chamber (27), which is provided inside the valve housing, is filled with fuel and accommodates the valve needle (5), and comprises a hydraulic bearing for the drive unit (15). The hydraulic bearing has a hydraulic chamber (29) that is connected to the main chamber (27), whereby fuel serves as the operating substance of the hydraulic bearing.

Abstract: A power output stage for capacitive loads includes:

Abstract: A volumetric flow of an analyte, including exhaled air, is fed to a gas sensor unit by used of gas flow device, which can include various sensors for the determination of nitrogen oxides. An oxidation catalyst is used when using an NO2 sensor, which converts nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide and the gas sensor unit measures the content of nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen monoxide content is calculated from the nitrogen dioxide content. In order to eliminate cross-sensitivity moisture and ethanol are also measured. The device can be applied to the determination of nitrogen monoxide content of exhaled air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas sensor (S) that comprises at least one gas-sensitive region (2) that is applied to a substrate (1), said substrate (1) being provided with at least one diffusion-open section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ozone sensor having an ozone-sensitive layer containing an ozone-sensitive material which is encapsulated in a polymer or in a polymer mixture or is coated by at least one polymer or polymer mixture. Advantages result from a longer service life of the ozone-sensitive materials which, because of their high hygroscopic properties, would not be stable without encapsulation or coating. Furthermore, a polymer matrix can be selectively used as a filter or in order to eliminate interfering influences.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection valve which has a piezo actuator that is functionally connected to a nozzle needle by a hydraulic transmission device. The hydraulic transmission device is connected to a pressure reservoir by a sealing gap so that the pressure differences between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic transmission device are compensated in the long term.

Abstract: A metering device and method for delivering fluid that employs a compensating element. The metering device has a housing defining a fluid chamber that contains a pressurized fluid. The-housing further encloses an actuating drive, a valve needle and a compensating element. The housing terminates at a housing opening for delivery of fluid to the outside of the housing. Fluid is delivered from the housing by moving the actuating drive which in turn displaces the valve needle in an opening direction. Upon displacement of the valve needle, the valve needle moves axially in the opening direction with little, if any, lift loss due to the compensating element. The compensating element further acts to compensate for shifting or movement of metering components due to external factors, such as varying thermal loads, aging effects, and settling effects.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor employs a hydrogen-sensitive semiconductor layer that is applied to a carrier substrate. The hydrogen-sensitive semiconductor layer includes a first and second semiconductor layers that consist of strontium titanate so as to compensate for temperature fluctuations in the hydrogen-sensitive semiconductor layer. The first and second semiconductor layers include a respective and different electrical conductivity.

Abstract: An alcohol sensor having gas-sensitive layers made of polymers or inorganic oxides wherein a signal is read out by means of work function change which is produced in the form of a field-effect transistor.

Abstract: Ozone-splitting catalytic converters can be monitored through the use of conductivity sensors for detecting ozone. Since such sensors rapidly attain operational readiness have low source sensitivities to other gases, and an adequate service life, they can be used in practical applications. Different methods of operation are capable of optimizing the ratio between ozone sensitivity and transverse axis sensitivity of the sensors.