Abstract: Several methods of calibrating a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy apparatus configured to measure a concentration of an analyte in a sample gas are disclosed. Each of the methods allows for calibration and recalibration using a relatively safe gas regardless of whether the sample gas for which the concentration of the analyte can be determined is a hazardous gas. In one embodiment of the invention, calibration that is sample-gas specific is accomplished by determining a first slope coefficient and calibration function for the sample gas, after which a scaling factor can be determined based on the first slope coefficient and a second slope coefficient for the same or a different sample gas and used in a subsequent calibration (or recalibration) to scale the calibration function. In other embodiments of the invention, calibration that is not sample-gas specific is accomplished to allow for the determination of the analyte concentration in variable gas compositions and constant gas compositions.

Abstract: Several methods of calibrating a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy apparatus configured to measure a concentration of an analyte in a sample gas are disclosed. Each of the methods allows for calibration and recalibration using a relatively safe gas regardless of whether the sample gas for which the concentration of the analyte can be determined is a hazardous gas. In one embodiment of the invention, calibration that is sample-gas specific is accomplished by determining a first slope coefficient and calibration function for the sample gas, after which a scaling factor can be determined based on the first slope coefficient and a second slope coefficient for the same or a different sample gas and used in a subsequent calibration (or recalibration) to scale the calibration function. In other embodiments of the invention, calibration that is not sample-gas specific is accomplished to allow for the determination of the analyte concentration in variable gas compositions and constant gas compositions.

Abstract: Several methods of calibrating a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy apparatus configured to measure a concentration of an analyte in a sample gas are disclosed. Each of the methods allows for calibration and recalibration using a relatively safe gas regardless of whether the sample gas for which the concentration of the analyte can be determined is a hazardous gas. In one embodiment of the invention, calibration that is sample-gas specific is, accomplished by determining a first slope coefficient and calibration function for the sample gas, after which a scaling factor can be determined based on the first slope coefficient and a second slope coefficient for the same or a different sample gas and used in a subsequent calibration (or recalibration) to scale the calibration function. In other embodiments of the invention, calibration that is not sample-gas specific is accomplished to allow for the determination of the analyte concentration in variable gas compositions and constant gas compositions.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the spectroscopy method, the method comprises the steps of modulating the wavelength of a monochromatic radiation at a modulation amplitude and a modulation frequency; determining a first variable representative of an absorbance of an analyte in a sample; and demodulating by phase-sensitive detection the first variable at a harmonic of the modulation frequency to produce a harmonic spectrum of the analyte. In one embodiment of the spectroscopy apparatus, the apparatus comprises a laser diode integrated with a first photodetector configured to detect an intensity of a backward emission from the laser diode and act as a reference detector; a second photodetector configured to detect an intensity of laser radiation exiting a sample; and electronic circuitry coupled to the laser diode and the photodetectors, configured to acquire and process spectra of the sample.

Abstract: Several methods of calibrating a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy apparatus configured to measure a concentration of an analyte in a sample gas are disclosed. Each of the methods allows for calibration and recalibration using a relatively safe gas regardless of whether the sample gas for which the concentration of the analyte can be determined is a hazardous gas. In one embodiment of the invention, calibration that is sample-gas specific is accomplished by determining a first slope coefficient and calibration function for the sample gas, after which a scaling factor can be determined based on the first slope coefficient and a second slope coefficient for the same or a different sample gas and used in a subsequent calibration (or recalibration) to scale the calibration function. In other embodiments of the invention, calibration that is not sample-gas specific is accomplished to allow for the determination of the analyte concentration in variable gas compositions and constant gas compositions.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the spectroscopy method, the method comprises the steps of modulating the wavelength of a monochromatic radiation at a modulation amplitude and a modulation frequency; determining a first variable representative of an absorbance of an analyte in a sample; and demodulating by phase-sensitive detection the first variable at a harmonic of the modulation frequency to produce a harmonic spectrum of the analyte. In one embodiment of the spectroscopy apparatus, the apparatus comprises a laser diode integrated with a first photodetector configured to detect an intensity of a backward emission from the laser diode and act as a reference detector; a second photodetector configured to detect an intensity of laser radiation exiting a sample; and electronic circuitry coupled to the laser diode and the photodetectors, configured to acquire and process spectra of the sample.

Abstract: Several methods of calibrating a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy apparatus configured to measure a concentration of an analyte in a sample gas are disclosed. Each of the methods allows for calibration and recalibration using a relatively safe gas regardless of whether the sample gas for which the concentration of the analyte can be determined is a hazardous gas. In one embodiment of the invention, calibration that is sample-gas specific is accomplished by determining a first slope coefficient and calibration function for the sample gas, after which a scaling factor can be determined based on the first slope coefficient and a second slope coefficient for the same or a different sample gas and used in a subsequent calibration (or recalibration) to scale the calibration function. In other embodiments of the invention, calibration that is not sample-gas specific is accomplished to allow for the determination of the analyte concentration in variable gas compositions and constant gas compositions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for sensing. Other embodiments include a method for sensing molecules, for example, homonuclear diatomic molecules. The method may include transmitting light from a light source through a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies; introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device; and detecting molecules within the gas.

Abstract: The present invention involves an intelligent cooking method, especially a cooking method defined as oil stir-fry in Chinese cuisine. The present cooking method is comprised of the following steps: feeding heat transfer medium, feeding cooking materials, dispersing and/or turning-over cooking materials, separating cooking materials from oil, re-feeding cooking materials, stir-frying and/or turning-over cooking materials, etc. The method can perform intelligent cooking and can accurately control the duration and degree of heating to achieve the effect of stir-fry which is one of main cuisine techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for waggling or shaking a pot comprises the following steps: (1) moving a pot in a planar or curved surface, and (2) accelerating or decelerating the pot at an appropriate position and at appropriate moment, and thus making all of or part of the materials in the pot to move linearly, curvilinearly or circularly. The present invention also discloses a device for waggling or shaking a pot to perform the above method, comprising a pot, a motion mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a control system, in which the driving mechanism drives the motion mechanism and the pot to make a linear, curvilinear or circular movement in a planar or curved surface in variable speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic or semi-automatic method for turning over and/or stirring the cooking material of a cooking container in an automatic or semi-automatic cooking utensil. The method can comprise the following steps: (1) limiting the cooking material in a cooking container within a desired area in its main direction or all directions by a limiting means, and (2) turning over or stirring the cooking material limited in the desired area of the cooking container through the movement of the cooking container and/or by a turning-over/stirring means. The present invention also provides a turning-over/stirring device with a limiting means and an automatic or semi-automatic cooking utensil with such a turning-over/stirring device.

Abstract: A method for turning over cooking materials in a cooker, comprising: 1) making the cooker rotate around a rotation axis which is within the edge range of the cooker; and 2) generating an acceleration at an appropriate position or at an appropriate time to cause all or a part of the material inside the cooker to turn over. The present invention also discloses a turning-over device utilizing the above turning-over method, which comprises a cooker, a first motion mechanism and a driving mechanism which is an electric device, a magnetic device, an aerodynamic device, a hydraulic device, or a mechanical device. The first motion mechanism comprises a rotation shaft lying within the edge of the cooker, and the driving mechanism drives the cooker to rotate around the rotation shaft at variable speed.

Abstract: A call is established between a user at a mobile device and a contact logged into a communication service through a computer application. A user selects a contact through a page displayed on a mobile device. The contact may be an email address, a messaging username, or some other contact other than a phone number. A call registration record with the contact data is generated at a network server. The mobile device places a call to a VoIP system, the VoIP system receives the call, retrieves the call registration record and establishes an audio connection between the cell phone and the computer application through which the contact is logged into the communication service. The audio connection is a hybrid connection consisting of a mobile device voice connection between the caller's cell phone and a gateway system and a VoIP connection between a computer and the gateway system.

Abstract: Magnetic tunneling junction devices (MTJ) useful for sensing and memory applications and characterized by reduced resistance, magnetic noise, increased sensitivity, and increased magnetoresistance are disclosed herein. A method for fabrication of said MTJ is also disclosed wherein a series of materials are layered upon a substrate under controlled conditions, patterned and subjected to a period of annealing for simultaneously optimizing a plurality of performance parameters.

Abstract: Magnetic tunneling junction devices (MTJ) useful for sensing and memory applications and characterized by reduced resistance, magnetic noise, increased sensitivity, and increased magnetoresistance are disclosed herein. A method for fabrication of said MTJ is also disclosed wherein a series of materials are layered upon a substrate under controlled conditions, patterned and subjected to a period of annealing for simultaneously optimizing a plurality of performance parameters.

Abstract: Magnetic tunneling junction devices (MTJ) useful for sensing and memory applications and characterized by reduced resistance, magnetic noise, increased sensitivity, and increased magnetoresistance are disclosed herein. A method for fabrication of said MTJ is also disclosed wherein a series of materials are layered upon a substrate under controlled conditions, patterned and subjected to a period of annealing for simultaneously optimizing a plurality of performance parameters.