According to embodiments of the present invention, a sensor for determining a flow parameter of a fluid is provided. The sensor includes a polymer membrane, an elongate microstructure extending from the polymer membrane, and a hydrogel coupled to at least a portion of the elongate microstructure, wherein the hydrogel and the elongate microstructure are arranged to cooperate to cause a displacement of the polymer membrane in response to a fluid flowing and interacting with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is configured to provide a measurement indicative of a flow parameter of the fluid based on the displacement of the polymer membrane. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a sensor and a method of controlling a sensor are also provided.

An electronic device for detecting an air flow includes at least one sensor having a pair of platelets, each platelet having an RTD and having one end fixed, the other end being free and overlapping the free end of the other platelet. A platelet is flexible so as to form a switch for an electrical circuit. An air flow with a speed higher than a predetermined speed makes the sensor go from a first state, corresponding to a closed switch, in which the free ends of the platelets are in contact, to a second state, corresponding to an open switch, in which said contact is broken. A detection module allows, for each sensor, a resistance of the electrical circuit to be measured, the resistance corresponding to the RTDs being connected in parallel when the switch is closed or to one of the RTDs when the switch is open.

An inhalation device for inhaling a vaporized substance that includes metering capabilities to inform a user when a particular amount of substance has been consumed. The inhalation device can include an inlet, an outlet, a channel positioned between the inlet and outlet. The device can further include an atomizer positioned between the inlet and the outlet and configured to vaporize an unvaporized substance into a vaporized substance, where the vaporized substance flows downstream from the atomizer to the outlet via the channel. The inhalation device can further include an airflow sensor positioned upstream of the flow of the vaporized substance, where the airflow sensor is configured to acquire information on the flow of air from the inlet.

An inhalation device for inhaling a vaporized substance that includes metering capabilities to inform a user when a particular amount of substance has been consumed. The inhalation device can include an inlet, an outlet, a channel positioned between the inlet and outlet. The device can further include an atomizer positioned between the inlet and the outlet and configured to vaporize an unvaporized substance into a vaporized substance, where the vaporized substance flows downstream from the atomizer to the outlet via the channel. The inhalation device can further include an airflow sensor positioned upstream of the flow of the vaporized substance, where the airflow sensor is configured to acquire information on the flow of air from the inlet.

An electronic device for detecting an air flow includes at least one sensor having a pair of platelets, each platelet having an RTD and having one end fixed, the other end being free and overlapping the free end of the other platelet. A platelet is flexible so as to form a switch for an electrical circuit. An air flow with a speed higher than a predetermined speed makes the sensor go from a first state, corresponding to a closed switch, in which the free ends of the platelets are in contact, to a second state, corresponding to an open switch, in which said contact is broken. A detection module allows, for each sensor, a resistance of the electrical circuit to be measured, the resistance corresponding to the RTDs being connected in parallel when the switch is closed or to one of the RTDs when the switch is open.

A flow angle probe is provided having (a) a probe flap for contacting a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) a probe body mechanically coupled to the probe flap; (c) a force sensor disposed within the probe body and operationally coupled to the probe flap; and optionally (d) a probe shaft coupled to the probe body. A deflection of the probe flap caused by contact with the moving fluid produces a corresponding force sensor signal output which is minimized by rotation of the probe flap. The angle between this point of minimum deflection and a reference position is taken to be the flow angle of the moving fluid in the vicinity of the probe flap. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, and in flow assurance.