A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT). The MUT includes: a substrate; a membrane suspending from the substrate; a bottom electrode disposed on the membrane; a piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode and an asymmetric top electrode is disposed on the piezoelectric layer. The areal density distribution of the asymmetric electrode along an axis has a plurality of local maxima, wherein locations of the plurality of local maxima coincide with locations where a plurality of anti-nodal points at a vibrational resonance frequency is located.

Systems and method for operating and monitoring refrigerators are described. Temperature cycles within the compartment are characterized using statistical, frequency and pattern analysis techniques to derive a steady-state characteristic of temperature within the compartment. A thermal sensor inside the conditioned area is monitored and temperature data sets can be analyzed to determine performance in comparison to a baseline, and energy consumption. Analysis of continuous temperature readings taken from individual or groups of freezers identifies patterns of variations in temperature cycles from which feedback on efficiency can be inferred. Electrical load can be determined by measuring or estimating current usage and identifying periods of time when compressors are active in the refrigerator.

Systems and method for operating and monitoring refrigerators are described. Temperature cycles within the compartment are characterized using statistical, frequency and pattern analysis techniques to derive a steady-state characteristic of temperature within the compartment. A thermal sensor inside the conditioned area is monitored and temperature data sets can be analyzed to determine performance in comparison to a baseline, and energy consumption. Analysis of continuous temperature readings taken from individual or groups of freezers identifies patterns of variations in temperature cycles from which feedback on efficiency can be inferred. Electrical load can be determined by measuring or estimating current usage and identifying periods of time when compressors are active in the refrigerator.

Exemplary apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining data regarding a plurality of samples. For example, using at least one arrangement, it is possible to receive interferometric information that is based on radiations provided from a reference and the samples that are provided in respective chambers. Alternatively and/or in addition, based on the interferometric information, it is possible to discriminate between agents to identify a particular agent that affects a particular function within at least one of the samples.

Exemplary apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining data regarding a plurality of samples. For example, using at least one arrangement, it is possible to receive interferometric information that is based on radiations provided from a reference and the samples that are provided in respective chambers. Alternatively and/or in addition, based on the interferometric information, it is possible to discriminate between agents to identify a particular agent that affects a particular function within at least one of the samples.

A system includes an apparatus for performing an inspection on an inspection surface with an inspection robot, the apparatus comprising: a controller configured to: interpret inspection data comprising sensed information from a location on an inspection surface; determine a feature of interest is present at the location of the inspection surface in response to the inspection data, and in response to determining the feature of interest is present at the location of the inspection surface, capture image information from the location on the inspection surface, and correlate the captured image information with the inspection data corresponding to the location of the inspection surface.

A system includes an apparatus for performing an inspection on an inspection surface with an inspection robot, the apparatus comprising: a controller configured to: interpret inspection data comprising sensed information from a location on an inspection surface; determine a feature of interest is present at the location of the inspection surface in response to the inspection data, and in response to determining the feature of interest is present at the location of the inspection surface, capture image information from the location on the inspection surface, and correlate the captured image information with the inspection data corresponding to the location of the inspection surface.

There is provided an ultrasonic bridge for ultrasonic-based wireless communication. For example, there is provided an ultrasonic bridge that includes a microphone configured to transduce an ultrasound into an analog voltage. The ultrasonic bridge further includes hardware configured to convert the analog voltage to digital information. The ultrasonic further includes a transceiver configured to send the digital information wirelessly to a remote device via one of an RF link and a light-based link.

There is provided a photoacoustic measurement apparatus capable of appropriately detecting a single failure state even in the single failure state so that it is possible to prevent an operation in the single failure state from continuing. There are included: a laser light source having a flash lamp and a laser medium; an excitation light source power supply having a capacitor for supplying a charge voltage to the flash lamp, a charging circuit for charging the capacitor, a first voltage dividing circuit and a second voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage charged in the capacitor, and a failure detection circuit that detects a failure by comparing voltages obtained by voltage division of the first voltage dividing circuit and the second voltage dividing circuit; and an ultrasound probe that detects photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject by emission of light emitted from the laser light source to the subject.

There is provided a photoacoustic measurement apparatus capable of appropriately detecting a single failure state even in the single failure state so that it is possible to prevent an operation in the single failure state from continuing. There are included: a laser light source having a flash lamp and a laser medium; an excitation light source power supply having a capacitor for supplying a charge voltage to the flash lamp, a charging circuit for charging the capacitor, a first voltage dividing circuit and a second voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage charged in the capacitor, and a failure detection circuit that detects a failure by comparing voltages obtained by voltage division of the first voltage dividing circuit and the second voltage dividing circuit; and an ultrasound probe that detects photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject by emission of light emitted from the laser light source to the subject.