Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a sensing device comprising a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and a housing. The spacer includes an environmental change receptor. The thickness of the environmental change receptor rapidly increases in response to a change to an environment variable.

Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a system for sensing a change in environment comprising a MMR sensor and a reader. The MMR sensor is configured to be disposed in the environment. The MMR sensor comprises a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and an environmental change receptor. The reader is configured to measure a frequency characteristic of the MMR sensor after the environmental variable changes and the change to the environmental variable is evaluated based on the frequency characteristic.

Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a system for sensing a change in environment comprising a MMR sensor and a reader. The MMR sensor is configured to be disposed in the environment. The MMR sensor comprises a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and an environmental change receptor. The reader is configured to measure a frequency characteristic of the MMR sensor after the environmental variable changes and the change to the environmental variable is evaluated based on the frequency characteristic.

A moisture sensing device having an elongated chute with an open top and a gate at the bottom. The gate is connected to an actuator for opening and closing the gate. A proximity sensor is mounted to the chute adjacent the gate to detect whether the gate is open or closed. Connected to and extending into the chute is a moisture sensor. The moisture sensor, proximity sensor, and actuator are all connected to a controller.

A method of and system for automatically adjusting airflow and sensors for use therewith are disclosed. A sensor assembly includes a first face on an opposite side of the sensor assembly relative to a second face. The assembly includes an electrical plug on the first face and an electrical outlet on the second face. The electrical outlet is of a same type that is complimentary to the electrical plug on the first face. The assembly includes a sensor for sensing a value of an environmental variable in a space and a sensor communication system for transmitting and receiving information. A sensor system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed in a building. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor for sensing a value of an environmental variable of the space within which the sensor is placed. The system determines gradient values for the sensed environmental variable.

A method of and system for automatically adjusting airflow and sensors for use therewith are disclosed. A sensor assembly includes a first face on an opposite side of the sensor assembly relative to a second face. The assembly includes an electrical plug on the first face and an electrical outlet on the second face. The electrical outlet is of a same type that is complimentary to the electrical plug on the first face. The assembly includes a sensor for sensing a value of an environmental variable in a space and a sensor communication system for transmitting and receiving information. A sensor system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed in a building. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor for sensing a value of an environmental variable of the space within which the sensor is placed. The system determines gradient values for the sensed environmental variable.

The present invention provides for a method and device for monitoring an ambient humidity sensor in a combustion engine, where the monitoring of the ambient humidity sensor is made by comparing the ambient humidity measured by said humidity sensor and an ambient humidity determined from an oxygen measurement of at least another sensor in the engine system, such as a NOX, or Lambda and/or an oxygen sensor. Said comparison is made using an offset of the oxygen signal reading of said at least another sensor, in a fuel cut condition where the drift or offset of said another sensor is related to the variation of the ambient humidity.

The present invention provides for a method and device for monitoring an ambient humidity sensor in a combustion engine, where the monitoring of the ambient humidity sensor is made by comparing the ambient humidity measured by said humidity sensor and an ambient humidity determined from an oxygen measurement of at least another sensor in the engine system, such as a NOX, or Lambda and/or an oxygen sensor. Said comparison is made using an offset of the oxygen signal reading of said at least another sensor, in a fuel cut condition where the drift or offset of said another sensor is related to the variation of the ambient humidity.

Herein, a polymer-based device capable of lifting many times its own mass was fabricated by drying a solution of the polycation poly (diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) on a surface coated with charged poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels. Due to strong polymer-polymer and polymer-surface interactions, when the pDADMAC solution dries on the microgel-modified surface, it bends. If the surface is flexible, it curls up into a scroll like structure, that can be opened up at high (ca. 80%) humidity. This process is fully reversible, i.e., if the humidity is decreased, the surface curls back up. This expansion/contraction behavior is capable of lifting relatively large masses, many times its own mass, and can potentially be used as an artificial muscle.

Herein, a polymer-based device capable of lifting many times its own mass was fabricated by drying a solution of the polycation poly (diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) on a surface coated with charged poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels. Due to strong polymer-polymer and polymer-surface interactions, when the pDADMAC solution dries on the microgel-modified surface, it bends. If the surface is flexible, it curls up into a scroll like structure, that can be opened up at high (ca. 80%) humidity. This process is fully reversible, i.e., if the humidity is decreased, the surface curls back up. This expansion/contraction behavior is capable of lifting relatively large masses, many times its own mass, and can potentially be used as an artificial muscle.