Abstract: An air valve includes a seat unit having an air passageway and formed with a vent hole in fluid communication with the air passageway, a valve unit operable to block and unblock the air passageway, and a pressure-regulating member disposed on the seat unit. The pressure-regulating member has an engaging portion retained in the vent hole and defining at least one air channel in the air passageway, and a blocking portion blocking the vent hole and movable to unblock the vent hole when the air pressure in the air passageway meets a predetermined condition for permitting air to flow from the air passageway to the external environment via the at least one air channel.

Abstract: A strain sensor is provided including a substrate, and a sensing layer, including cobalt, provided on the substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the sensing layer, and a tunnel layer including aluminum oxide is provided on the sensing layer. In addition, a pinned layer, also including cobalt, is provided on the tunnel layer. An exchange biasing layer is provided on the pinned layer, and a second electrode is coupled to the exchange biasing layer. The strain sensor is configured such that, over a range of values of strain applied to the sensor, a resistance of the sensor is a linear function of the strain. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain sensor is provided including a substrate, and a sensing layer, including cobalt, provided on the substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the sensing layer, and a tunnel layer including aluminum oxide is provided on the sensing layer. In addition, a pinned layer, also including cobalt, is provided on the tunnel layer. An exchange biasing layer is provided on the pinned layer, and a second electrode is coupled to the exchange biasing layer. The strain sensor is configured such that, over a range of values of strain applied to the sensor, a resistance of the sensor is a linear function of the strain. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method of making cellulose yarn solution made up of solvents such as N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and recovered caprolactam involves cutting a wood pulp sheet into small pieces, which are subsequently added into a kneading machine having therein water solution containing 63-67% of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and recovered caprolactam. The kneading machine is subjected to a three-stage heat treatment to produce the cellulose yarn solution at low cost and best qualities.