Abstract: A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes receiving at a control system a signal including scattered light and time of flight information associated with a plurality of nodes of a detection system, parsing the time of flight information into zones of the detection system, identifying one or more features within the scattered light signal, and analyzing the one or more features within the scattered light signal to determine a presence of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.

Abstract: A support for a climbing plant, the support comprising: a tubular structure defining a volume for containing therein a substrate, the tubular structure having a plurality of root-passage holes for passage therethrough of roots of the climbing plant to engage the substrate, wherein the tubular structure comprises a single sheet of plastic material having a first long edge, a second long edge, and two short edges; the sheet having the plurality of root-passage holes provided therethrough; the sheet having an integral plurality of tabs extending from the first long edge and spaced apart from each other at intervals along the first long edge; the sheet having a corresponding plurality of tab-engagement holes provided adjacent the second long edge and spaced apart from each other at intervals along the second long edge, wherein the plurality of tabs and the corresponding plurality of tab-engagement holes are in engagement with each other such that the sheet is assembled into the tubular structure.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a composite free layer that includes a first sub-layer comprising at least one of a Co-based alloy, a Fe-based alloy, or a Heusler alloy; a second sub-layer comprising at least one of a Co-based alloy, a Fe-based alloy, or a Heusler alloy; and an intermediate sub-layer between the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer. The composite free layer exhibits a magnetic easy axis oriented out of a plane of the composite free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a composite free layer that includes a first sub-layer comprising at least one of a Co-based alloy, a Fe-based alloy, or a Heusler alloy; a second sub-layer comprising at least one of a Co-based alloy, a Fe-based alloy, or a Heusler alloy; and an intermediate sub-layer between the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer. The composite free layer exhibits a magnetic easy axis oriented out of a plane of the composite free layer.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprising an optical lens operable to focus incoming light; a focal reducer arranged to receive focused incoming light from the optical lens and concentrate the focused incoming light onto an image sensor; a processer in data communication with the image sensor to process the concentrated light to form an image; wherein the processor comprises a noise reduction module operable to remove noise from the image, is disclosed.