Abstract: System and method for controlling an irrigation system using feedback from flow meters installed in an irrigation system are described. The systems and method allows for automatic detection of the number of flow meters and their relation to controls valves attached to an irrigation system and for precise and reliable fluid flow measurements. Typical water flows for the system are learned and then compared to current water flows to detect water leaks (i.e., high water flow), malfunctioning control valves and/or low water flow and subsequently trigger electronic alerts to the user when system malfunctions are detected.

Abstract: A circuit that can be used to add a flow meter to an existing set of wires that connects a controller to an electric valve. The circuit does not require the need to run additional wiring from the controller to the valve and flow meter. The circuit creates pulses of current with a rate that is proportional to the flow, which are then transmitted to a receiver and converted to a flow measurement output to the user by a controller.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium has a rhodium (Rh) or Rh-based alloy heat-sink layer. The Rh or Rh-based alloy does not roughen when annealed and thus does not require an intermediate layer between it and the MgO seed layer for the recording layer, so the MgO seed layer can be formed directly on and in contact with the Rh or Rh-based alloy heat-sink layer. The Rh or Rh-based alloy heat-sink layer is formed on a seed layer or multilayer that allows the Rh or Rh-based alloy to grow with the desired face-centered-cubic (fcc) crystalline structure.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium has a multilayered or laminated heat-sink structure. The laminated heat-sink structure includes a first heat-sink layer and a RuAl—X thermal barrier layer between the medium substrate and the first heat-sink layer. The laminated heat-sink structure may include a second heat-sink layer may between the substrate and the RuAl—X thermal barrier layer. In the RuAl—X thermal barrier layer, X is selected from C and one or more oxides of Si, Ti, W, Zr and Hf. The HAMR medium with the laminated heat-sink structure reduces the amount of required laser current as compared to a similar HAMR medium with a conventional single heat-sink layer of the same thickness, while also slightly improving magnetic properties and recording performance.

Abstract: A water vapor insensitive and corrosion resistant chemical or biochemical sensor device, including a transducer, coated with a protective coating of diamond or a diamond-like carbon, preferably by a pulsed laser deposition technique. The surface of the protective coating is coated with a chemoselective or bioselective absorption material or film.

Abstract: A water vapor insensitive and corrosion resistant chemical or biochemical nsor device, including a transducer, coated with a protective coating of diamond or a diamond-like carbon, preferably by a pulsed laser deposition technique. The surface of the protective coating is coated with a chemoselective or bioselective absorption material or film.