A thermoelectric material element includes: a thermoelectric material portion composed of a thermoelectric material that includes a first crystal phase and a second crystal phase during an operation, the second crystal phase being different from the first crystal phase; a first electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric material portion; and a second electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric material portion and disposed to be separated from the first electrode. During the operation, the thermoelectric material portion includes a first temperature region having a first temperature, and a second temperature region having a second temperature lower than the first temperature of the first temperature region. A ratio of the first crystal phase to the second crystal phase in the first temperature region is larger than a ratio of the first crystal phase to the second crystal phase in the second temperature region.

A sensor device includes a housing, a substrate positioned within the housing, at least one radiative antenna element positioned upon a first surface of the substrate, and a processing section positioned in a stacked arrangement with the substrate, opposite a second surface of the substrate. The substrate includes at least one interruption configured to allow light entering the housing to pass through the substrate from the first surface through the second surface. The antenna elements(s) is positioned upon the substrate so as to avoid the interruption(s). The processing section includes light-responsive circuitry and is configured such that the circuitry is positioned so as to receive light entering the housing through the at least one aperture. The substrate may be generally circular, substantially rigid, have a substantially certain radius between about three-fourths inch and about four inches, and have a substantially certain thickness between about 0.05 inches and about one-half inch.

Methods for evaluating performance a diode laser are provided. In embodiments, methods include receiving a laser beam profile of a diode laser, determining first, second and third laser beam widths at first, second and third laser intensities, respectively, for the laser beam profile, computing a first ratio between the second and third laser beam widths, computing a second ratio between the first and second laser beam widths, evaluating laser performance based on the first and second ratios, and outputting a determination regarding the suitability of the laser for use in a flow cytometry setting. Devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided, and include first and second stages configured to receive a diode laser and beam profiler, respectively. Aspects of the invention further include flow cytometers incorporating a diode laser that has been evaluated by the subject method.

Methods for evaluating performance a diode laser are provided. In embodiments, methods include receiving a laser beam profile of a diode laser, determining first, second and third laser beam widths at first, second and third laser intensities, respectively, for the laser beam profile, computing a first ratio between the second and third laser beam widths, computing a second ratio between the first and second laser beam widths, evaluating laser performance based on the first and second ratios, and outputting a determination regarding the suitability of the laser for use in a flow cytometry setting. Devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided, and include first and second stages configured to receive a diode laser and beam profiler, respectively. Aspects of the invention further include flow cytometers incorporating a diode laser that has been evaluated by the subject method.

A method includes sensing data indicative of a plurality of wavelengths of light utilizing one or more sensors forming a part of a sensor ring, storing the data on a memory device forming a part of the sensor ring, transmitting the data to a computing device external to the ring and receiving a photic environmental model from the computing device the photic environmental model based, at least in part, on the data.

A sensor device has a metal sensor housing with a housing base coupled to a frame base of a metal optical frame. A device mounting plate is orthogonal to the frame base. A securing device secures an optical communication device to the device mounting plate. A barrel mounting channel has first and second sidewalls, each extending obliquely to the frame base and defining a linear translation pathway along the frame base for a metal lens barrel. A fastener secures the metal lens barrel to the first and second sidewalls. A glass lens is in contact with three protrusions extending outward from an inner annular surface of the lens barrel. The optical communication device is configured to be in optical communication with the lens and is secured in a particular position in a translation plane mutually defined by the device mounting plate and the optical communication device.

A monitoring device for agricultural use comprising a housing adapted to accommodate at least a solar radiation sensor positioned in the top portion of the housing, the housing comprising an aperture at the top end adapted to allow the solar radiation sensor to be exposed through the aperture. The housing is attached to a hanger located at the same level or below the top end of the housing and adapted to hang the housing on a hanging element such as a cable. The housing may further comprises a leveling component for leveling the solar radiation sensor or the entire monitoring device. The monitoring device optionally comprises a shading sleeve compatible with passing the hanging element through the monitoring device.

A heat utilizing device is provided in which the thermal resistance of the wiring layer is increased while an increase in electric resistance of the wiring layer is limited. Heat utilizing device has thermistor whose electric resistance changes depending on temperature; and wiring layer that is connected to thermistor. A mean free path of phonons in wiring layer is smaller than a mean free path of phonons in an infinite medium that consists of a material of wiring layer.

An apparatus for suspending a sensor element is provided. The apparatus can include a housing including a cavity, an inner surface, and a first end cap integrally formed within a first end of the housing. The housing can include a sensor element therein. The first end cap can include a first plurality of suspension elements integrally formed within the first end cap and arranged to project from a surface of the first end cap toward the cavity. The inner surface of the housing and/or the first plurality of suspension elements can suspend the sensor element within the cavity as the sensor element translates within the cavity. Related systems and methods of manufacture are also described.

A data output device is provided. The data output device includes a converter circuit configured to generate a conversion signal based on an output signal; a boosting circuit configured to generate a boosting signal based on the output signal; and an output circuit configured to generate the output signal based on an input signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the conversion signal and the boosting signal.