Abstract: This invention relates to a matric potential sensor (100). Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention may relate to a sensor containing micro-lattice matrix portions (104) arranged to take up water. The matric potential sensor (100) comprises sensing electronics (120) arranged to measure a change in a signal injected into a matrix via one or more sensing elements(102), wherein the matrix comprises at least one portion of a substantially open-cell hydrophilic micro-lattice matrix (104) arranged to absorb moisture from a medium into which, in use, it is inserted.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for generation and ejection into air of discrete agglomerations of a particulate material with a proportion of liquid from a liquid having the particulate material therein. The apparatus defines an ejection location (128) and an electrical potential is applied to the ejection location to form an electric field at the location, and liquid (122) with the particulate material is supplied to the ejection location. An oscillating voltage (A) is applied to the ejection location, the magnitude of the voltage being below that required to cause ejection of particles from the ejection location, and an ejection voltage (B) is superimposed on the oscillating voltage additively with the oscillating voltage in order to cause the sum of the voltages at the ejection location to exceed the threshold required for ejection, when required.