A temperature control device (2) comprises a number of active thermal sites (6) disposed at respective locations on a substrate (10), each comprising a heating element (13) for applying a variable amount of heat to a corresponding site of a medium and a thermal insulation layer (16) disposed between the heating element and the substrate. At least one passive thermal region (8) is disposed between the active thermal sites (6) on the substrate (10), each passive thermal region (8) comprising a thermal conduction layer (18) for conducting heat from a corresponding portion of the medium to the substrate (10). The thermal conduction layer (18) has a lower thermal resistance in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the substrate (10) than the thermal insulation layer (16). This enables precise control over both heating and cooling of individual sites in a flowing fluid, for example.

A semiconductor switch control device includes a first FET and a second FET arranged adjacent to each other, in which source terminals are connected in series. A drain terminal of the first FET is connected to a high voltage battery, and a drain terminal of the second FET is connected to a high voltage load. A controller determines a temperature state of a minus-side main relay including the second FET based on a forward voltage of a body diode of the first FET.

A semiconductor switch control device includes a first FET and a second FET arranged adjacent to each other, in which source terminals are connected in series. A drain terminal of the first FET is connected to a high voltage battery, and a drain terminal of the second FET is connected to a high voltage load. A controller determines a temperature state of a minus-side main relay including the second FET based on a forward voltage of a body diode of the first FET.

This application addresses an integrated smart system to control the variables involved in the process for melting mineral concentrates. Specifically, it addresses an integrated smart system that allows the whole melting process operation to be controlled, measuring the mineralogical quality and quantity of the concentrate that is injected into the melting furnace, as well as variables such as the temperature, the level of the liquid phases and the percentage of copper within the furnace. In this manner, by reading said variables, it acts autonomously on manipulated variables, considering uncertainties, allowing a stable temperature to be maintained in the reactor, allowing products to be obtained at the required quality and controlling the liquid phases therein, among other controlled variables, to achieve efficient melting.

Embodiments of the invention may provide an improved method for pre-heating an electronic device such as an information handling system, when internal temperatures are below safe operating ranges. To do so, the system selectively heats the entire device or select zones of the electronic device for a predetermined amount of time when the system is restarted after a period of time sufficient to bring the system to ambient temperatures. The predetermined amount of time is determined based on measured ambient temperatures. Using a table that corresponds the ambient temperatures to a time that a component needs to heat up to a nominal temperature in a zone, the predetermined time can be calculated.

Embodiments of the invention may provide an improved method for pre-heating an electronic device such as an information handling system, when internal temperatures are below safe operating ranges. To do so, the system selectively heats the entire device or select zones of the electronic device for a predetermined amount of time when the system is restarted after a period of time sufficient to bring the system to ambient temperatures. The predetermined amount of time is determined based on measured ambient temperatures. Using a table that corresponds the ambient temperatures to a time that a component needs to heat up to a nominal temperature in a zone, the predetermined time can be calculated.

An electronic cigarette and a control method thereof are provided. The electronic cigarette includes a power supply device, a control device, a tobacco heating device and an e-liquid atomizing device. The power supply device is configured to provide electric power to the control device, the tobacco heating device and the e-liquid atomizing device. The tobacco heating device and the e-liquid atomizing device have a common smoke outlet. The control device is electrically connected to each of the tobacco heating device and the e-liquid atomizing device. The control device is configured to control the tobacco in the tobacco heating device to be heated when receiving an instruction for heating the tobacco and control the e-liquid in the e-liquid atomizing device to be atomized when a condition for atomizing the e-liquid is satisfied.

An aerosol generating device includes: a cartridge including a liquid storage and an atomizer; and a main body including a battery, a puff sensor, and a controller configured to perform pulse width modulation (PWM) control for supplying power from the battery to the atomizer, wherein the controller performs the PWM control at a first duty ratio during a puff period and performs the PWM control at a second duty ratio lower than the first duty ratio during a non-puff period between puff periods.

An aerosol generating device includes: a cartridge including a liquid storage and an atomizer; and a main body including a battery, a puff sensor, and a controller configured to perform pulse width modulation (PWM) control for supplying power from the battery to the atomizer, wherein the controller performs the PWM control at a first duty ratio during a puff period and performs the PWM control at a second duty ratio lower than the first duty ratio during a non-puff period between puff periods.

To provide a skin simulation device, an electronic apparatus evaluation method, and an electronic apparatus evaluation system that make it possible to reproduce the characteristics of a skin temperature of a human body. The skin simulation device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a sheet-shaped simulated skin member that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, and a subcutaneous unit that includes a subcutaneous temperature detector and a subcutaneous temperature adjusting mechanism. The subcutaneous temperature detector is capable of detecting a temperature of the inner surface. The subcutaneous temperature adjusting mechanism is capable of adjusting the temperature of the inner surface. This makes it possible to adjust the temperature of the inner surface of the simulated skin member (a subcutaneous temperature), and to reproduce the characteristics of a skin temperature of a human body.