Abstract: A mesh element for an atomiser assembly is provided, including: a first layer defining at least one channel including a minimum cross-sectional area; and a second layer overlying the first layer and defining at least one nozzle including a maximum cross-sectional area, the second layer including an inner surface facing the first layer and an outer surface facing away from the first layer, the at least one nozzle overlying the at least one channel, and the maximum cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle being smaller than the minimum cross-sectional area of the at least one channel, and the outer surface of the second layer defining an annular portion extending around the at least one nozzle, the annular portion having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, and a thickness of the second layer at each annular portion being larger than a thickness of the second layer between adjacent annular portions.

Abstract: A mesh for an atomizer assembly is provided, including a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of nozzles extending between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface being at least partially coated with a hydrophilic coating or the second surface being at least partially coated with a hydrophobic coating, the plurality of nozzles defining an inner surface, and the inner surface being at least partially coated with the hydrophilic coating. An atomizer assembly for an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizer assembly, are also provided.

Abstract: A micromechanical timepiece, and a method for making the same, having a plurality of mutually secured functional sub-assemblies stacked in a direction (Z) to form a multistage assembly, wherein each functional sub-assembly comprises a single semiconductor material and is secured to another sub-assembly via bridges made of the semiconductor material, and in that at least one sub-assembly comprises at least two portions, the portions being movable relative to each other and relative to another sub-assembly to which at least one of the portions is secured via at least one deformable link integrally formed between the portions.

Abstract: A micromechanical timepiece, and a method for making the same, having a plurality of mutually secured functional sub-assemblies stacked in a direction (Z) to form a multistage assembly, wherein each functional sub-assembly comprises a single semiconductor material and is secured to another sub-assembly via bridges made of the semiconductor material, and in that at least one sub-assembly comprises at least two portions, the portions being movable relative to each other and relative to another sub-assembly to which at least one of the portions is secured via at least one deformable link integrally formed between the portions.

Abstract: An atomiser assembly is provided, including: an oscillation chamber having a cavity containing a liquid to be atomized, a liquid inlet configured to provide a supply of the liquid to be atomized to the cavity, an elastically deformable element, and a mesh element comprising a plurality of nozzles; and an actuator configured to oscillate the elastically deformable element, the oscillation chamber and the liquid being contained in the cavity of the oscillation chamber form an oscillation system, in which oscillation of the elastically deformable element by the actuator varies pressure inside the cavity, and the actuator being further configured to oscillate the elastically deformable element at a resonant frequency of the oscillation system to eject liquid contained in the cavity from the cavity through the plurality of nozzles of the mesh element. An aerosol-generating system, an aerosol-generating device, and a method of operating an atomiser assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A mesh for an atomizer assembly is provided, including a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of nozzles extending between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface being at least partially coated with a hydrophilic coating or the second surface being at least partially coated with a hydrophobic coating, the plurality of nozzles defining an inner surface, and the inner surface being at least partially coated with the hydrophilic coating. An atomizer assembly for an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizer assembly, are also provided.

Abstract: A mesh element for an atomiser assembly is provided, including: a first layer defining at least one channel including a minimum cross-sectional area; and a second layer overlying the first layer and defining at least one nozzle including a maximum cross-sectional area, the second layer including an inner surface facing the first layer and an outer surface facing away from the first layer, the at least one nozzle overlying the at least one channel, and the maximum cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle being smaller than the minimum cross-sectional area of the at least one channel, and the outer surface of the second layer defining an annular portion extending around the at least one nozzle, the annular portion having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, and a thickness of the second layer at each annular portion being larger than a thickness of the second layer between adjacent annular portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micromechanical timepiece (1) having a plurality of mutually secured functional sub-assemblies (1a, 1b) stacked in a direction (Z) to form a multistage assembly, characterised in that each functional sub-assembly (1a, 1b) consists of a single semiconductor material and is secured to another sub-assembly (1a, 1b) via bridges (5) made of said semiconductor material, and in that at least one sub-assembly (1a, 1b) comprises at least two portions (2, 3), said portions being movable relative to each other and relative to another sub-assembly (1a, 1b) to which at least one of said portions (2, 3) is secured via at least one deformable link integrally formed between said portions (2, 3). The invention also relates to a method for making such a timepiece.

Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor with a fixed potential used in a probe for measuring the content of an oxidation reduction substance dissolved in a liquid, in particular the chlorine content. The sensor (1) includes an insulating substrate (2), a set of electrodes consisting of a working electrode (3), an auxiliary electrode (4) and a reference electrode, at least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4) being configured on the insulating substrate (2). At least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4) is covered with an insulating layer (8), the insulating layer (8) including at least one opening exposing at least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4).

Abstract: A blazed grating is disclosed as well as mode hop-free tunable lasers and a process for fabricating gratings of this type. The grating lies in a general plane and includes a plurality of elongate beams carrying mutually parallel respective reflection surfaces spaced apart from one another with a predefined pitch, each of these reflection surfaces having a normal direction inclined at a grating angle ? to the normal direction of the general plane. The grating includes a plurality of resilient suspension arms connected to the beams and intended to be fastened to a grating support. A first pair of comb electrodes is provided for applying a mechanical force to this assembly, being placed on a first side of the grating, along an axis transverse to the beams, and designed so as to allow the pitch of the grating to be modified in response to the application of the mechanical force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance spring intended to equip a balance of a mechanical timepiece, formed by a spiral bar resulting from machining a fused quartz plate, which has a positive thermal coefficient of rigidity, the bar constituting a core at least locally covered by at least one outer layer having a different structure to modify the thermal coefficient of rigidity.

Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor with a fixed potential used in a probe for measuring the content of an oxidation reduction substance dissolved in a liquid, in particular the chlorine content. The sensor (1) includes an insulating substrate (2), a set of electrodes consisting of a working electrode (3), an auxiliary electrode (4) and a reference electrode, at least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4) being configured on the insulating substrate (2). At least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4) is covered with an insulating layer (8), the insulating layer (8) including at least one opening exposing at least one of the working electrode (3) and auxiliary electrode (4).

Abstract: An electrode system for an electrochemical cell is provided, including a substrate, a measuring electrode connected to the substrate and formed from a number of electrically conducting and mutually connected microdisks, and a generating electrode formed from an electrically conducting sheet and having a diameter that is greater than that of the microdisks. In one implementation, the microdisks are provided in cavities in the substrate.

Abstract: A mode hop-free tunable laser including a gain medium, a microfabricated blazed grating, defining an external cavity of a given length, the blazed grating lying in a general plane and including a plurality of elongate beams carrying mutually parallel respective reflection surfaces spaced apart from one another with a predefined pitch, and actuating elements designed so as to allow displacements of the assembly with respect to a grating support within a plane substantially parallel to the grating general plane, and including actuation elements designed so as to apply a stretching and a displacement of the assembly in a direction transverse to said reflection surfaces, the blazed grating being arranged relative to an incident light beam provided by the gain medium so that the incident light beam impinges on the reflection surfaces with a substantially normal incident angle.

Abstract: A blazed grating is disclosed as well as mode hop-free tunable lasers and a process for fabricating gratings of this type. The grating lies in a general plane and includes a plurality of elongate beams carrying mutually parallel respective reflection surfaces spaced apart from one another with a predefined pitch, each of these reflection surfaces having a normal direction inclined at a grating angle ? to the normal direction of the general plane. The grating includes a plurality of resilient suspension arms connected to the beams and intended to be fastened to a grating support. A first pair of comb electrodes is provided for applying a mechanical force to this assembly, being placed on a first side of the grating, along an axis transverse to the beams, and designed so as to allow the pitch of the grating to be modified in response to the application of the mechanical force.

Abstract: A mode hop-free tunable laser including a gain medium, a microfabricated blazed grating, defining an external cavity of a given length, the blazed grating lying in a general plane and including a plurality of elongate beams carrying mutually parallel respective reflection surfaces spaced apart from one another with a predefined pitch, and actuating elements designed so as to allow displacements of the assembly with respect to a grating support within a plane substantially parallel to the grating general plane, and including actuation elements designed so as to apply a stretching and a displacement of the assembly in a direction transverse to said reflection surfaces, the blazed grating being arranged relative to an incident light beam provided by the gain medium so that the incident light beam impinges on the reflection surfaces with a substantially normal incident angle.

Abstract: An electrode system for an electrochemical cell is provided, including a substrate, a measuring electrode connected to the substrate and formed from a number of electrically conducting and mutually connected microdisks, and a generating electrode formed from an electrically conducting sheet and having a diameter that is greater than that of the microdisks. In one implementation, the microdisks are provided in cavities in the substrate.