Thermophysical property measurement method and apparatus are provided that make it possible to simply and conveniently obtain a highly precise absolute thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity. Embodiments of the present invention provides a thermophysical property measurement method, including a first step of applying a DC voltage or a DC current at both ends of a metal to which a temperature gradient is applied to measure a first temperature at a center of the metal; a second step of applying DC voltages or DC currents of different polarities at both ends of the metal to measure a second temperature at the center of the metal; a third step of calculating a Thomson coefficient of the metal using the first and second temperatures measured in the first and second steps; and a fourth step of calculating at least one of absolute thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity of the metal using the Thomson coefficient calculated in the third step, the third step including: calculating an average value of a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; calculating an average value of a sum of the first temperature and the second temperature; and dividing a product of a magnitude of a current that flows through the metal, electrical resistance of the metal, and the average value of the difference by the average value of the sum and the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

Thermophysical property measurement method and apparatus are provided that make it possible to simply and conveniently obtain a highly precise absolute thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity. Embodiments of the present invention provides a thermophysical property measurement method, including a first step of applying a DC voltage or a DC current at both ends of a metal to which a temperature gradient is applied to measure a first temperature at a center of the metal; a second step of applying DC voltages or DC currents of different polarities at both ends of the metal to measure a second temperature at the center of the metal; a third step of calculating a Thomson coefficient of the metal using the first and second temperatures measured in the first and second steps; and a fourth step of calculating at least one of absolute thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity of the metal using the Thomson coefficient calculated in the third step, the third step including: calculating an average value of a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; calculating an average value of a sum of the first temperature and the second temperature; and dividing a product of a magnitude of a current that flows through the metal, electrical resistance of the metal, and the average value of the difference by the average value of the sum and the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

A heater with reduced electromagnetic wave emissions, comprising two heating elements separated by an insulating layer and receiving opposite-phase alternating current in a way that cancels out electromagnetic wave emissions.

A system and method for interactively evaluating energy-related investments affecting building envelope with the aid of a digital computer are provided. Obtained is a total amount of fuel purchased for a building over a set period from which an existing amount of the fuel consumed for space heating is derived. Characteristics including thermal performance and furnace and delivery efficiencies of the building for both existing and proposed equipment are obtained, including remotely controlling a heating source inside the building. The thermal performance and furnace and delivery efficiencies characteristics of the existing and proposed equipment are expressed as interrelated ratios. An amount of fuel to be consumed for space heating is evaluated as a function of the existing amount of the fuel consumed for space heating and the ratios of the existing and proposed equipment.

A coaxial power sensor assembly configured to provide a broadband matched termination utilizing coplanar waveguide topology while simultaneously providing a source of heat energy for a surface mount chip thermistor element to measure applied input power. The coaxial thermal power sensor is comprised of a thin film resistive device on a dielectric substrate and a surface mount chip thermistor element placed in close planar proximity to the resistive device in order to maximize the heat flux via a closely coupled thermal path to the thermistor and alter the bias current through the resistance to be measured. The power sensor is intended to function from DC to 70 GHz, but the same should not be construed as a limitation.

A coaxial power sensor assembly configured to provide a broadband matched termination utilizing coplanar waveguide topology while simultaneously providing a source of heat energy for a surface mount chip thermistor element to measure applied input power. The coaxial thermal power sensor is comprised of a thin film resistive device on a dielectric substrate and a surface mount chip thermistor element placed in close planar proximity to the resistive device in order to maximize the heat flux via a closely coupled thermal path to the thermistor and alter the bias current through the resistance to be measured. The power sensor is intended to function from DC to 70 GHz, but the same should not be construed as a limitation.

A detector of microwave radiation comprises 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. There is also 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 detector of microwave radiation comprises 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. There is also 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.

The overall thermal performance of a building UA.sup.Total can be empirically estimated through a short-duration controlled test. Preferably, the controlled test is performed at night during the winter. A heating source is turned off after the indoor temperature has stabilized. After an extended period, such as 12 hours, the heating source is briefly turned back on, such as for an hour, then turned off. The indoor temperature is allowed to stabilize. The energy consumed within the building during the test period is assumed to equal internal heat gains. Overall thermal performance is estimated by balancing the heat gained with the heat lost during the test period.

The overall thermal performance of a building UA.sup.Total can be empirically estimated through a short-duration controlled test. Preferably, the controlled test is performed at night during the winter. A heating source is turned off after the indoor temperature has stabilized. After an extended period, such as 12 hours, the heating source is briefly turned back on, such as for an hour, then turned off. The indoor temperature is allowed to stabilize. The energy consumed within the building during the test period is assumed to equal internal heat gains. Overall thermal performance is estimated by balancing the heat gained with the heat lost during the test period.