A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively. Switching the first and/or the second snap-action part from its geometric low-temperature configuration to its geometric high-temperature configuration brings the switching mechanism from its first switching position to its second switching position.

Thermal fuses and related methods of operation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermal fuse may include an insulating component and two electrodes operatively connected to the insulating component. Based on a difference in the thermal coefficients of expansion, the insulating component may expand axially relative to the electrodes with increasing temperature. As the insulating component expands the two electrodes may be moved axially apart to transition between an open and closed configuration. In some embodiments, the thermal fuse may transition between the open and closed configuration depending on whether or not an operating temperature of the thermal fuse is above or below a threshold temperature.

Thermal fuses and related methods of operation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermal fuse may include an insulating component and two electrodes operatively connected to the insulating component. Based on a difference in the thermal coefficients of expansion, the insulating component may expand axially relative to the electrodes with increasing temperature. As the insulating component expands the two electrodes may be moved axially apart to transition between an open and closed configuration. In some embodiments, the thermal fuse may transition between the open and closed configuration depending on whether or not an operating temperature of the thermal fuse is above or below a threshold temperature.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A breaker 1 has a fixed piece 2 having a fixed contact 20, a movable piece 4 having a movable contact 41 and pressing the movable contact 41 against the fixed contact 20 to contact therewith, a thermally-actuated element 5 deforming with a change in the temperature so as to shift the movable piece 4 from a conduction state in which the movable contact 41 contacts with the fixed contact 20 to a turn-off state in which the movable contact 41 is separated from the fixed contact 20, a PCT thermistor 6 providing an electrical conduction between the movable piece 4 and the fixed piece 2 when the movable piece 4 is in the above-said turn-off state, and a resin case 10 accommodating the fixed piece 2, the movable piece 4, the thermally-actuated element 5, and the PCT thermistor 6. The fixed piece 2 has a contacting portion 27 contacting with the PCT thermistor 6, and the case 10 has a bottom surface 76 and a concave portion 77 which is recessed from the bottom surface 76 toward the PCT thermistor 6 across the fixed piece 2. In a planar view when the fixed piece 2 is viewed from the PCT thermistor 6, the contacting portion 27 is disposed within the concave portion 77.

A temperature-dependent switch includes a housing with a top face and an outer face that runs transversely to the top face. The switch includes a first outer contact area that is arranged on the top face. The switch includes a second outer contact area that is arranged at the housing. The switch includes a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is arranged in the housing and configured to establish or open an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second outer contact area depending on a temperature of the switching mechanism. The housing is disposed in a metal mounting cap that includes a wall. An upper rim of the wall protrudes beyond the top face of the housing. An inner side of the wall bears at least partially against the outer face of the housing.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

Selector switch provided with: a structure based on at least one phase change material placed between a first conducting element and a second conducting element, the phase change material being capable of changing state, means of heating the phase change material provided with at least one first heating electrode and at least one other heating electrode, the structure based on a phase change material being configured to form a confined active zone of the phase change material at a distance from the conducting elements.