A lifetime estimation system for estimating a lifetime of a heating source is provided in an apparatus for heating a target object using the heating source and performing a feedback control of a target object temperature using a temperature controller based on a temperature measurement value of the target object measured by a temperature measuring device. The temperature controller controls a power supplied to the heating source and performs a temperature control using a state space model to perform the feedback control of the temperature of the target object. The lifetime estimation system includes a temperature monitor unit that monitors the temperature measurement value of the target object, a hunting amount detection unit that detects a hunting amount in a stable region of the monitored temperature of the target object, and a lifetime estimation unit that estimates a lifetime of the heating source from the detected hunting amount.

A lifetime estimation system for estimating a lifetime of a heating source is provided in an apparatus for heating a target object using the heating source and performing a feedback control of a target object temperature using a temperature controller based on a temperature measurement value of the target object measured by a temperature measuring device. The temperature controller controls a power supplied to the heating source and performs a temperature control using a state space model to perform the feedback control of the temperature of the target object. The lifetime estimation system includes a temperature monitor unit that monitors the temperature measurement value of the target object, a hunting amount detection unit that detects a hunting amount in a stable region of the monitored temperature of the target object, and a lifetime estimation unit that estimates a lifetime of the heating source from the detected hunting amount.

A signal communication system comprising a number of signal nodes arranged to interact physically with their environment and to convert between physical properties and corresponding signals, a number of client nodes arranged to receive or send the signals to interact with the signal nodes, and a distribution system arranged to switch the signals between the signal nodes and the client nodes. The signal nodes are communicatively coupled to the distribution system via injection transport channels to send and receive injection transport representations of signal representations of the signals; the client nodes are communicatively coupled to the distribution system via distribution transport channels to send and receive distribution transport representations of signal representations of the signals; and the signal nodes are communicatively coupled to the client nodes to transport the signal representations using the injection transport channels, distribution system and distribution transport channels. The distribution system is arranged to switch signal representations between an injection transport channel and one or more distribution transport channels on the basis of a signal injection label and one or more associated signal distribution labels. Thereby is enabled end-to-end encryption between signal nodes and client nodes. A catalog system for facilitating initiation of communication in the signal communication system is also disclosed.

The present application is directed to a method of measuring the concentration of radicals in a gas stream which includes the steps of flowing a radical gas stream emitted from at least one radical gas generator to at least one processing chamber, providing at least one sampling reaction module having at least one sampling tube therein, establishing a reference temperature of the sampling tube with at least one thermal control module, diverting a portion of the radical gas steam from the radical gas generator into the sampling tube, reacting at least one reagent with at least one radical gas within a defined volume of the radical gas stream thereby forming at least one chemical species within at least one compound stream, the compound stream flowing within the sampling tube, measuring a change of temperature of the sampling tube due to interaction of the chemical species within the compound stream and the sampling tube with sensor module, and calculating a concentration of the chemical species within the compound stream flowing within the sampling tube based on the measured temperature change of the sampling tube.

The present application is directed to a method of measuring the concentration of radicals in a gas stream which includes the steps of flowing a radical gas stream emitted from at least one radical gas generator to at least one processing chamber, providing at least one sampling reaction module having at least one sampling tube therein, establishing a reference temperature of the sampling tube with at least one thermal control module, diverting a portion of the radical gas steam from the radical gas generator into the sampling tube, reacting at least one reagent with at least one radical gas within a defined volume of the radical gas stream thereby forming at least one chemical species within at least one compound stream, the compound stream flowing within the sampling tube, measuring a change of temperature of the sampling tube due to interaction of the chemical species within the compound stream and the sampling tube with sensor module, and calculating a concentration of the chemical species within the compound stream flowing within the sampling tube based on the measured temperature change of the sampling tube.

Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the molecular-level detection of target analytes are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other-known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.

Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the molecular-level detection of target analytes are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other-known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.

Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the detection of chemical compounds in the vapor phase at trace levels are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.

Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the detection of chemical compounds in the vapor phase at trace levels are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.

An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to an integrated system for heat distribution among a plurality of users. In some embodiments, the system includes a separate automatic control of heat distribution to each user and/or separate billing to each user. For example, a system may supply hot fluid to a plurality of apartments in a building and/or in multiple buildings. Optionally, each apartment has separate remote controlled valves controlling flow of heated fluid to the apartment and/or a sensor sensing how much heat enters and leaves the apartment in the hot fluid. In some embodiments, a processor controls the valve and/or receives data from sensors. The processor optionally controls devices that generate and/or store and/or dissipate heat. Optionally the processor predicts energy availability, costs and needs controls valves and/or devices to provide for predicted and/or unexpected needs while reduce cost of the energy.