Abstract: A method and device incorporating the use of Zinc Oxide to generate electrical power directly from heat, with minimal or no complex and inefficient mechanical interventions, by making advantageous use of the abundance and low cost of ZnO and its pyroelectric and thermoelectric properties. ZnO is used as a cheap, under-used material for the purpose of converting thermal energy (heat) directly into usable electricity with none or almost none of the mechanical conversion systems generally in use.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a light detector, a gas-tight support structure enclosing the light detector, a window positioned in said support structure, and a light source mounted to the support structure. A sample area is positioned in the support structure to receive a gas to be tested. The light source is aligned with the window, sample area, and the light detector to pass light from the light source through the gas in the sample area to the light detector. The sensor can be provided in a breadth sampling apparatus that has deflects gas to a bypass route so that only a portion of gas reaches the sensor.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a light detector, a gas-tight support structure enclosing the light detector, a window positioned in said support structure, and a light source mounted to the support structure. A sample area is positioned in the support structure to receive a gas to be tested. The light source is aligned with the window, sample area, and the light detector to pass light from the light source through the gas in the sample area to the light detector. The sensor can be provided in a breadth sampling apparatus that has deflects gas to a bypass route so that only a portion of gas reaches the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a power device using a piezoelectric device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; at least one power device formed on one surface of the substrate; and at least one piezoelectric device disposed on the substrate as spaced from the power device and configured to measure a thermal stress generated on the substrate to sense a temperature caused by heat generation of the power device.

Abstract: A piezoelectric and/or electret sensing device includes a piezoelectric and/or electret transducer for producing a measurement current in response to mechanical stimulus, and a control and evaluation circuit connected to the transducer. The control and evaluation circuit includes a transimpedance amplifier having a first and a second input, the transducer being operatively connected between the first input and a reference node, and an electrical waveform generator for generating an electrical waveform, the electrical waveform generator being operatively connected between the second input and the reference node.

Abstract: A power transfer system includes a power transmission device and a power reception device which are capacitively coupled to allow electrical conduction therethrough in the manner of alternating current. The power transmission device includes an active electrode, a passive electrode, a step-up transformer, and a high-frequency voltage generating circuit. The power reception device includes an active electrode, a passive electrode, and a load circuit. A divider for voltage division based on load capacitances (C1 and C2) is provided between the active electrode and the passive electrode. The active electrode and the passive electrode have respective equivalent capacitances to ground (Ca and Cp) relative to the ground potential. A ground leakage current Ig is minimized by adjusting the values of the respective capacitances in an equivalent circuit so as to satisfy the relationship: C2/C1=Cp/Ca.

Abstract: A system is provided for measurement with one or more sensors including at least one signal conductor and at least one pearl, wherein the pearl a device configured to change an impedance mismatch with an external environmental effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the calibration of a thermometer in situ, wherein the apparatus has a temperature sensor (S) for determining a temperature (T); wherein a reference element (K) is provided for calibrating the temperature sensor (S); wherein the reference element (K) at least partially comprises a ferroelectric material (D), which experiences a phase transformation at least one predetermined temperature (TPh) in a temperature range relevant for calibrating the temperature sensor (S).

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes first and second lower electrodes, a ferroelectric layer having polarization, a semiconductor layer; and first to third upper electrodes. The second upper electrode is interposed between the first upper electrode and the third upper electrode in a plan view. The semiconductor layer includes a first channel disposed between the first upper electrode and the second upper electrode, and a second channel disposed between the second upper electrode and the third upper electrode. The ferroelectric layer includes a first ferroelectric part disposed below the first channel and a second ferroelectric part disposed below the second channel. A polarization direction of the first ferroelectric part is opposite to a polarization direction of the second first ferroelectric part. The temperature is calculated based on the output voltage from the second upper electrode and the voltage applied to the first upper electrode.

Abstract: Improved treatment apparatus (120, 152) is provided for the treatment (e.g., molding, heating and/or curing) of objects such as parts or part precursors (148, 170) including wireless detection of a temperature parameter related to the objects during treatment thereof. The objects include associated microwire-type sensors (150, 174) which have characteristic re-magnetization responses under the influence of applied, alternating magnetic fields. The apparatus (120, 152) have treatment chambers (122, 153) sized to hold the objects to be treated, with one or more antennas (132, 124, 166) proximal to such objects and operable to generate interrogating alternating magnetic fields and to detect the responses of the sensors (150, 174). The detected temperature parameter information is used by an apparatus controller (146) to maintain desired ambient conditions within the treatment chamber (122, 153).

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes first and second lower electrodes, a ferroelectric layer having polarization, a semiconductor layer; and first to third upper electrodes. The second upper electrode is interposed between the first upper electrode and the third upper electrode in a plan view. The semiconductor layer includes a first channel disposed between the first upper electrode and the second upper electrode, and a second channel disposed between the second upper electrode and the third upper electrode. The ferroelectric layer includes a first ferroelectric part disposed below the first channel and a second ferroelectric part disposed below the second channel. A polarization direction of the first ferroelectric part is opposite to a polarization direction of the second first ferroelectric part. The temperature is calculated based on the output voltage from the second upper electrode and the voltage applied to the first upper electrode.

Abstract: A device and method of remote temperature sensing, the device having a temperature sensor placeable on a rotating item utilizing the temperature sensor being a plurality of rectangular shaped amorphous magnetic alloy strips connected magnetically, wherein at least one of the strips has a predetermined ferromagnetic Curie temperature and another strip has a magnetic permeability exceeding 2,000.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a plurality of rectangular shaped amorphous magnetic alloy strips connected magnetically, wherein at least one of the strips has a predetermined ferromagnetic Curie temperature, and another strip has a magnetic permeability well exceeding 2,000. The temperature sensor may be used in a related remote temperature sensing method wherein the sensor is interrogated by a magnetic field and the temperature sensor's response signal is detected electromagnetically.

Abstract: An object is to build a protective structure which can protect a ferroelectric material from a surrounding environment when the ferroelectric material is used as a heat detecting element of a heat detector, thereby enhancing the reliability of the heat detector. A heat detector includes a heat detecting unit 11 that senses heat in a monitoring area, and a casing 81 that holds the heat detecting unit 11, and the heat detecting unit is held by the casing 11 via a laminating portion 60 which serves to protect the heat detecting unit 11.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing infrared radiation. The apparatus includes a sensor element that is positioned in a magnetic field during operation to ensure a ? shaped relationship between specific heat and temperature adjacent the Curie temperature of the ferroelectric material comprising the sensor element. The apparatus is operated by inducing a magnetic field on the ferroelectric material to reduce surface charge on the element during its operation.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a reference sample arranged to be subject to at least one variable physical parameter such that a variation in the value of the at least one variable physical parameter causes a change in the magnetisation of the reference sample, means for measuring the magnetisation of the reference sample, and means for determining in dependence upon the measured magnetisation whether there has been a variation in the value of the at least one variable physical parameter, wherein the reference sample comprises a Heusler alloy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a temperature of a ferroelectric sensor are provided. The ferroelectric sensor has operational characteristics defined by a polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes applying a symmetrical periodic voltage waveform to the ferroelectric sensor so as to induce the ferroelectric sensor to traverse the polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. The method further includes monitoring voltages across the ferroelectric sensor and polarization states of the ferroelectric sensor over a first time interval to determine a first zero field polarization state and a first coercive field voltage. The method further includes determining a first temperature value indicative of the temperature of the ferroelectric sensor based on the first coercive field voltage.

Abstract: In a temperature-recording method for recording a temperature by means of an electrical circuit of a data storage medium, which electrical circuit is suppliable with energy by means of a signal feedable to the data storage medium, provision is made for a physical variable dependent on the temperature to be recorded by means of the circuit supplied with energy, the physical variable being influenced by a temperature-recording material (1, 7), preferably a piezoelectric or ferroelectric material, co-operating with the circuit, which material comprises alignable electric or magnetic elementary dipoles (3), and for which temperature-recording material (1, 7) a Curie temperature is known, exceeding of which causes the alignment of the elementary dipoles to be lost, and the temperature-recording material (1, 7) being selected in such a way that its known Curie temperature corresponds to a pre-determined limit temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a temperature of a ferroelectric sensor are provided. The ferroelectric sensor has operational characteristics defined by a polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes applying a symmetrical periodic voltage waveform to the ferroelectric sensor so as to induce the ferroelectric sensor to traverse the polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. The method further includes monitoring voltages across the ferroelectric sensor and polarization states of the ferroelectric sensor over a first time interval to determine a first zero field polarization state and a first coercive field voltage. The method further includes determining a first temperature value indicative of the temperature of the ferroelectric sensor based on the first coercive field voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature sensitive ring oscillator (TSRO) in an integrated circuit. A temperature measuring device, such as a thermal resistor, is proximate the TSRO, which shares a substantially similar temperature. A memory is employable for storing data that is a function of the output of the TSRO and the temperature measuring device.

Abstract: A temperature information detecting device for an angle sensor is provided for detecting only temperature-dependent components based on middle-point potentials when a constant current is supplied to a bridge circuit for an angle sensor, for acquiring a temperature of the angle sensor from the temperature-dependent components, for employing compensating information corresponding to the acquired temperature without separately providing any additional temperature sensor, and for making temperature compensation of the output of the temperature sensor in automatically controlling the valve opening of a flow control valve.

Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor circuits having integrated capacitors that have a dielectric or a ferroelectric material between electrodes. The materials are subjected to heat treatment at high temperatures in an oxygen atmosphere for the purpose of crystallization. The dielectric or ferroelectric is heated separately from the semiconductor substrate, is comminuted into small particles and only afterward applied in this form to the semiconductor substrate. This makes it possible to integrate substances with arbitrarily high crystallization temperature without damaging the integrated semiconductor circuit, since the semiconductor substrate itself does not have to be heated. Diffusion barriers for oxygen are unnecessary. Previous limitations on the capacitor capacitance are obviated owing to the free choice of dielectric or ferroelectric made possible, and the packing density of the capacitors is increased.

Abstract: A thermal imaging detector including a layer of heat-sensitive material which includes a doped ferroelectric material exhibiting a pronounced rise in resistance with temperature in the vicinity of the ferroelectric/paraelectric transition, a multiplexing circuit, a thermally insulating thin-film microstructure, and a matrix segmentation at the level of the material of the heat-sensitive layer, so as to define heat-sensitive picture elements.

Abstract: A monitor for detection of temperature and/or steam conditions indicative of sterilization. The monitor comprises means for creating a remotely detectable response upon interrogation by an electromagnetic field and means for changing the response upon exposure to a predetermined set of temperature and steam conditions. The remotely detectable response is preferably produced through the interaction of an electromagnetic interrogation field with magnetic components of the monitor, wherein the characteristic harmonic response generated by the magnetic components is either inhibited or enabled by the change in configuration of one or more elements of the detector. Sterilization conditions are detected through one or more compounds known to have melting points which are above the temperature used in the sterilization process. Melting of the chemical compound produces the change in configuration of the element or elements of the monitor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for measuring a stimulus, e.g. a force, applied to a piezoelectric transducer. The method comprises sampling the output of the transducer in response to the stimulus at intervals during application of the stimulus, resetting the output of the transducer to a predetermined value immediately following each sampling step, and summing the values of the sampled transducer output for each sampling step to provide a value indicative of the total applied stimulus. The apparatus of the invention comprises a sensor for sensing the transducer output in response to the stimulus a sampling circuit for sampling the sensed output at intervals during application of the force, a switch for resetting the output of transducer to a predetermined value immediately following each sampling operation, and circuitry for summing the values of the sampled transducer output for each sampling step and generating from them an output value indicative of the total applied stimulus.

Abstract: A vessel for the storage and monitoring of nuclear fuel materials incorporates a device (12) within its interior for providing an externally detectable signal indicating whether any temperature rise has occurred. The device (12) comprises a magnet (32) attracted towards a boundary wall (11) of the vessel and maintained in that position by a temperature-sensitive element such as a thermal link (38). The magnet (32) is subjected to an oppositely directed force by a spring (30), which is effective to drive the magnet (32) away from the wall (11) in the event of a substantial temperature rise within the vessel thereby producing an externally detectable change in magnetic flux.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the local temperature variations of an object and the sites of the temperature variations comprises,at least one temperature-sensing element formed of a band-shaped magnetic material having a prescribed Curie temperature;a pulse generator for supplying a pulse signal to at least one end of the temperature-sensing element;a pulse time difference detector for detecting a difference between a point of time at which the pulse signal is received and a point of time at which the reflected pulse signal of the pulse signal from the site of the temperature-sensing element where its characteristic impedance has changed is received; anda temperature variation site detector for determining a site of temperature variation from the detected pulse time difference.