hi Viz,
Thanks for the update on the "tranemometers", I could not get them to work reliably in simulation.
I think 'naz' tried the lamp filament but again it was unpredictable.
Your heated 'element' looks interesting, I would like to see the final project results, as you say the 2W dissipation is a burden on the supply.
I did some trials using 1N914 diodes in a bridge configuration, one pair exposed to the 'airflow' and the others shielded, it gave promising results.
Eric