Abstract: The application describes a method for calibrating metal oxide gas sensors using impedance spectroscopy, comprising the steps of: determining the impedance spectrum of the metal oxide gas sensor in a gas mixture in the absence of an analyte in order to determine a base line, and determining the impedance spectrum of the metal oxide gas sensor in the gas mixture in the presence of the analyte in at least a known concentration. The use of this method and an apparatus which can be used to carry out this method are also described.

Abstract: A container may be provided, in particular a beverage container, comprising an inner container wall and an outer container wall, an intermediate space lying between the container walls, wherein the intermediate space is filled with a mixture that contains phase-change material and graphite powder, wherein the graphite powder is introduced into the phase-change material in such a way that the mixture has a pulpy consistency at a temperature at which the phase-change material is liquid. A method may be provided for producing a container that includes the following steps: A) providing an inner container wall and an outer container wall; B) applying a mixture of graphite powder and phase-change material to the inside of the outer container wall and/or the outside of the inner container wall; C) joining the outer container wall and the inner container wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for cooling and dehumidifying air in a room. The system includes a processing unit structured and arranged to process a coolant to achieve a cooling that exceeds cold due to evaporation, wherein the coolant cools and dehumidifies air coming into contact with the coolant. The system also comprises a distribution unit arranged to expose the coolant to the air and a collecting unit structured to feed the coolant that has come into contact with the air into the processing unit.

Abstract: A device and corresponding method for detecting thermal comfort includes an infrared sensor to generate a thermographic image by detecting the temperature at a plurality of points to detect the surface temperature of at least one person; an image evaluation unit to receive the data of the infrared sensor to correlate the measured surface temperatures with a segmented physiological model of the person. The image evaluation unit determines a position in space and/or a gesture and/or anthropometric and/or morphological data of the at least one person, and a correlation unit receiving the data of the image evaluation unit to generate, on the basis of the position in space and/or the gesture and/or the anthropometric and/or morphological data of the at least one person, at least one variable representing thermal comfort.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-insulating container with a surrounding wall (5, 6) that encloses a space for holding foodstuffs or beverages, whereby latent heat storage material (4) is accommodated inside the surrounding wall. A lightweight supporting structure (7) is placed between an inner (5) and an outer (6) casing, which form the surrounding wall, and the supporting structure is filled with the latent heat storage material (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a component for sound absorption and air conditioning (2), which is characterized in that a sound-absorbing planar structure (1) is coated with photocatalytically active material that can be irradiated by UV light sources (3), wherein the air can be guided along the planar structure (1) and/or through the planar structure (1). The component thereby has a front side facing towards a room (5) and a rear side facing away from a room, the rear side being coated with photocatalytically active material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photoacoustic detector including an acoustically open measuring area which is not completely surrounded by a housing. The detector includes an arrangement for introducing excitation light into the measuring area, such that the excitation light can be absorbed by absorbent materials which are located in the measuring area and which are used to produce acoustic energy. The invention also relates to a detector which includes at least one acoustic sensor and an arrangement is provided in order to concentrate the acoustic energy, in order to reach a local maximum of the acoustic pressure on at least one position. The at least one sensor is arranged in the vicinity of the at least one position, whereon the local maximum of the produced acoustic pressure is present or can be produced. The invention also relates to an associated method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling and dehumidifying air of a room, comprising a processing unit (7) that is embodied to process the coolant such that it is suitable for dehumidifying and/or cooling the air upon contact therewith, wherein cooling exceeding the cold due to evaporation can be achieved, a distribution unit (3), which is suitable for causing the coolant to flow past the air with direct contact, a collecting unit (5), which is suitable for feeding coolant that has flowed past the air back to the processing unit (7). The invention further relates to an associated method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting the formation of mold fungus, and to the uses of said method for optimizing buildings and construction products, or food products or the like. The inventive method is characterized in that biological germination conditions or growth conditions for at least one mold fungus, which are determined experimentally or by a computer, are compared with the hygrothermic conditions on an object to be examined, said hygrothermic conditions also being determined experimentally or by a computer. Based on the data obtained, it is determined whether the germination conditions or the growth conditions are obtained on said object.