A photonic device has a substrate with one or more optical resonators having a first resonant frequency response relative to temperature and a different second resonant frequency response relative to temperature. A first waveguide optically couples a first light beam having a first frequency to a first optical resonator and a second waveguide optically couples a second light beam having a second frequency to a second optical resonator. An optical shifter may shift an optical characteristic of the second light beam. A detector converts output light from the photonic device into an electric signal having a characteristic indicative of a physical condition, such as temperature, of the photonic device. In some cases, output light from the one or more optical resonators is combined and a temperature of the photonic device is determined from a beat frequency in the combined light. One or more multimode optical resonators may be used.

A photonic device has a substrate with one or more optical resonators having a first resonant frequency response relative to temperature and a different second resonant frequency response relative to temperature. A first waveguide optically couples a first light beam having a first frequency to a first optical resonator and a second waveguide optically couples a second light beam having a second frequency to a second optical resonator. An optical shifter may shift an optical characteristic of the second light beam. A detector converts output light from the photonic device into an electric signal having a characteristic indicative of a physical condition, such as temperature, of the photonic device. In some cases, output light from the one or more optical resonators is combined and a temperature of the photonic device is determined from a beat frequency in the combined light. One or more multimode optical resonators may be used.

A system for passive microwave remote sensing using at least one microwave radiometer includes a fixed body portion and a mobile body portion. The mobile body portion is configured for rotatably coupling with the fixed body portion for rotation about a rotation axis. The mobile body portion is configured for supporting the microwave radiometer therein such that the microwave radiometer rotates about the rotation axis when the mobile body portion is rotated about the rotation axis such that a polarization axis of the radiometer is aligned with an earth axis. The fixed body portion includes a motor mechanism for effecting rotation of the mobile body portion. In an embodiment, the mobile body portion includes a plurality of body section, each body section being configured for supporting a microwave radiometer therein. In another embodiment, each one of the plurality of body sections is configured to be interchangeably coupled with each other.

A method of monitoring the pressure of a tire of an aircraft is disclosed including taking two or more pressure readings from the tire at different times; calculating an estimated deflation rate based on the pressure readings; and calculating a time for the tire to deflate to a reference pressure level based on the estimated deflation rate. Two or more temperature readings are each associated with one of the pressure readings, and the estimated deflation rate is calculated by normalising each pressure reading based on its associated temperature reading and a common reference temperature to obtain a temperature-normalised pressure reading, and calculating the estimated deflation rate based on the temperature-normalised pressure readings. The estimated deflation rate is compared with a threshold, and a warning provided if the estimated deflation rate exceeds the threshold.

A method of monitoring the pressure of a tire of an aircraft is disclosed including taking two or more pressure readings from the tire at different times; calculating an estimated deflation rate based on the pressure readings; and calculating a time for the tire to deflate to a reference pressure level based on the estimated deflation rate. Two or more temperature readings are each associated with one of the pressure readings, and the estimated deflation rate is calculated by normalising each pressure reading based on its associated temperature reading and a common reference temperature to obtain a temperature-normalised pressure reading, and calculating the estimated deflation rate based on the temperature-normalised pressure readings. The estimated deflation rate is compared with a threshold, and a warning provided if the estimated deflation rate exceeds the threshold.

The invention relates to a watercraft having a hull (10), an introduction installation (20) for an object (70) to be anchored in the water, said introduction installation (20) being disposed on said hull (10), and at least one compressor (30) having at least one compressed-air line (40) which leads into the water and is coupled to at least one compressed-air distribution installation (45) which has a horizontal extent and for generating a bubble curtain (50) below the hull (10) has a multiplicity of mutually spaced apart outflow openings (46), characterized in that the hull (10) has at least two sub-hulls (11, 12) which are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart and connected to one another, and a void (15) which is at least partially surrounded by the bubble curtain (50) is situated between the sub-hulls (11, 12).

A pressure sensor 1 according to the first aspect of the invention includes: a substrate 50; and a functional element 40 which is laid on the substrate 50 and is composed of functional titanium oxide including crystal grains of at least one of β-phase trititanium pentoxide (β-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and λ-phase trititanium pentoxide (λ-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and having the property that at least a portion of crystal grains of at least one of β-phase trititanium pentoxide (β-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and λ-phase trititanium pentoxide (λ-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) change into crystal grains of titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) when the functional titanium oxide is heated to 350° C. or higher. The substrate 50 includes a substrate thin-film section 51 having a thin film form in which the thickness in the stacking direction of the substrate 50 and the functional element 40 is smaller than that in the other directions.

A pressure sensor 1 according to the first aspect of the invention includes: a substrate 50; and a functional element 40 which is laid on the substrate 50 and is composed of functional titanium oxide including crystal grains of at least one of β-phase trititanium pentoxide (β-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and λ-phase trititanium pentoxide (λ-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and having the property that at least a portion of crystal grains of at least one of β-phase trititanium pentoxide (β-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) and λ-phase trititanium pentoxide (λ-Ti.sub.3O.sub.5) change into crystal grains of titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) when the functional titanium oxide is heated to 350° C. or higher. The substrate 50 includes a substrate thin-film section 51 having a thin film form in which the thickness in the stacking direction of the substrate 50 and the functional element 40 is smaller than that in the other directions.

A detector of microwave radiation includes a signal input and a detector output. An absorber element of ohmic conductivity is coupled to said signal input through a first length of superconductor. A variable impedance element, the impedance of which is configured to change as a function of temperature, is coupled to the detector output through a second length of superconductor. The detector also includes a heating input and a heating element coupled to the heating input through a third length of superconductor. The absorber element, the variable impedance element, and the heating element are coupled to each other through superconductor sections of lengths shorter than any of said first, second, and third lengths of superconductor.

A table for heating or cooling a workpiece includes a plate member having a mounting surface for mounting the workpiece and a temperature control unit heating or cooling the plate member. A paint layer is formed on the mounting surface of the plate member, in which when the plate member is not heated or cooled by the temperature control unit and accordingly has a first temperature, the paint layer exhibits a first color, and when the temperature of the plate member is changed by the temperature control unit and the temperature of the mounting surface accordingly becomes a second temperature different from the first temperature, the color of the paint layer is changed to a second color different from the first color.