Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluation of films, such as low-k thin films with nano-scale pores, are provided. The evaluation may include characterization of the pore structure, the characterization results in determining pore sizes, hence obtaining pore size data. Moreover, the characterization may result in a non-destructive evaluation of mechanical properties, in particular the Young's Modulus, or the effect of interfering physical & chemical factors such as Pore Killers. Further, in line monitoring or studying of pore structure porosity and pore size distribution (PSD) of low-k films and evaluation of the mechanical properties of porous low-k films simultaneously using the same set of experimental data is provided.

Abstract: A reactive test strip having a pre-exposure color is used to measure and indicate the concentration of copper ions in brake fluid in terms of a readily visible color change. The strip is immersed in the fluid within a brake fluid container and any resulting color change is compared to a color chart and a known test standard representative of the maximum metal concentration determined empirically to correspond to a boiling point considered safe for normal operation. If the color change indicates a higher copper concentration than the known test standard, then the fluid is considered inadequate for safe operation and thus recommended for replacement without any further tests. Similar copper or metal strips can also be used in a similar test to determine iron or zinc concentration within the brake fluid so as to also determine suitability of the brake fluid for ensuring safe operation.

Abstract: A permeable protective coating for a single-ship hydrogen sensor. A hydrogen-permeable coating is applied to a semiconductor wafer containing hydrogen sensor dies, prior to dicing of the wafer. The permeable coating is preferably an organic spin-on polymer, and the hydrogen sensors preferably include hydrogen-sensing elements composed of a palladium nickel alloy.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a fuel system of an automotive vehicle has a diaphragm pump that is repeatedly stroked to pressurize vapor containment space of the fuel system during a leak detection test. A restriction is disposed between the pump and the space being pressurized to cause a real time pressure trace of pressure between the pump and the restriction to comprise a succession of pulses having peaks and valleys. Data from the first pump burst of the trace is used to adjust the number of times the pump is stroked during subsequent bursts to maintain substantially constant mass airflow into the space during each burst, thereby compensating for change in pump efficiency.

Abstract: To measure characteristics of a non-Newtonian fluid, preferably blood, a non-magnetic container is provided for receiving the fluid. A magnetic body is contained in the container, and a winding is provided around the container. An AC current supplying device is connected to the winding for supplying input AC current of different amplitudes thereto to generate magnetic fields of different strengths in the container to cause the magnetic body to oscillate at different shear rates in the fluid. A measuring device is provided for measuring amplitude and/or phase of the oscillations of the magnetic body and a shear rate determining device is provided for determining the shear rates by measuring differences between the amplitude and/or phase of the oscillations of the magnetic body and the amplitude and phase of the input AC currents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volatility of a fuel sample. A fuel sample is collected in a container and heated for a time period using a heater device. Periodically during the heating, the capacitance of the fuel sample and the temperature of the heater device are determined. After a time period passes, the volatility of the fuel sample is determined using the capacitance decrease and the temperature increase. Specifically, a voltage across the heater device is used, along with the current through the heater device to determine the resistance of the heater device, which gives the temperature of the heater device and the sample. The capacitance and temperature are compared to values derived from experimentation for fuels of varying DI. The first measurement of capacitance with a known sample volume can be used to determine the MTBE or ethanol content in gasoline fuels.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed, where the polymer sample, solvent, liquid chromatograph column and/or mobile phase eluant is heated to temperatures of at least 75 degrees Celsius during the sample injection or elution process. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: A gas concentration measuring apparatus is provided which measures the concentration of a given gas using a gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a sensor element producing a gas concentration signal indicative of the concentration of the gas, a heater heating the sensor element, and an insulator disposed between the sensor element and the heater. The apparatus includes a heater control circuit which may provisionally supply electrical power to the heater by applying a Pulse-Width-Modulated signal. The heater control circuit performs a switching operation to supply power to the heater cyclically. The apparatus corrects an error contained in the gas concentration signal arising from a leakage current flowing into the sensor element through the insulator during the switching operation of the heater control circuit.

Abstract: A formation fluid sampling probe uses two hydraulic lines to recover formation fluids from two zones in a borehole. One of the zones is a guard zone and the other is a probe zone. The guard zone and the probe zone are isolated from each other by mechanical means, with the guard zone surrounding the probe zone and shielding it from the direct access to the borehole fluids. Operation of the tool involves withdrawal of fluid from both zones. Borehole fluids are preferentially drawn into the guard zone so that the probe zone recovers the formation fluid substantially free of borehole fluids. Separation of the guard zone from the probe zone may be accomplished by means of an elastomeric guard ring, by inflatable packers or by tubing. The device can be adapted for use either on a wireline or in an early evaluation system on a drillstring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detecting the presence of an analyte, wherein said analyte is a microorganism marker gas. The device comprises a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port for the influx of the microorganism marker gas; a fluid concentrator in flow communication with the sample chamber, wherein the fluid concentrator has an absorbent material capable of absorbing the microorganism marker gas and thereafter releasing a concentrated microorganism marker gas; and an array of sensors in fluid communication with the concentrated microorganism marker gas. The sensor array detects and identifies the marker gas upon its release from fluid concentrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting, at the surface, the occurrence of torsional vibration in a bottomhole assembly mounted on the drill string of a rotary drilling system. The method includes the steps of: ascertaining natural frequencies of torsional vibration of the bottomhole assembly prior to drilling, and noting at least one reference frequency for an integer wavelength mode of torsional vibration of the bottomhole assembly. During subsequent drilling, the drill string mean square torque at the surface is monitored for a bandwidth around the reference frequency. It is found that peaks in the mean square torque, close to the reference frequency, are indicative of the occurrence of torsional vibration in the bottomhole assembly.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring rheological properties of a concrete mix tested when contained, the system comprising, a surface in contact with part of a mass of said concrete mix; a shearing unit for effecting shear deformation in said mass, along the direction of a shearing plane crossing through said concrete mass; and at least one sensor which senses a measure of the force which is transferred to said surface by said concrete mass as a result of said shear deformation under at least two measurement environments defining at least two different stress states, where said two measurement environments are created by said shearing unit effecting a shear deformation and where said two different measurement environments are characterized by having substantially different forces perpendicular to the shear plane of said shear deformation.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: A directional drilling control system allows dynamic orientation of downhole drilling equipment in unstable or corrupt natural magnetic fields without the use of gyroscopic measurement devices. The system is especially suited for sidetracking wells. The system includes a permanent or retrievable whipstock having referencing magnets embedded along the centerline of its face, and a measurement while drilling (MWD) instrument assembly. The instrument assembly contains at least one sensor which can accurately determine orientation of the mud motor relative to the reference magnets. The relative positioning of the mud motor is transmitted to the surface by way of a steering tool or MWD telemetry system. The direction of the mud motor or tool face is adjusted by turning the drill pipe at the surface. As drilling progresses, shifts in the orientation of the mud motor due to reactive torque at the drill bit will be indicated in real time so that adjustments may be made at the surface as required.

Abstract: To study the properties of a multiphase fluid under pressure flowing along a duct, such as the petroleum stream produced by an oil well, a fraction of the fluid is taken from a substantially vertical first length of the duct within which the fluid is agitated and flows upwards, and this fraction is transferred into a separator receptacle with the top of said receptacle being connected to a second length of the duct located downstream from the first length and at a slightly lower pressure relative thereto. Thereafter, the volume ratio of the liquid phases can be determined, e.g. by pouring them into the separator receptacle and measuring the levels thereof, or by causing the liquid emulsion to flow through an appropriate sensor device and where the emulsion density can be determined by weighing the separator receptacle before and after such a liquid phase/emulsion pouring step.

Abstract: On-line rheological measurements are made on a process flowing material, such as a polymer melt, utilizing a rheometer of the type in which an inlet pump delivers a relatively large volumetric flow of diverted process material from a process main stream to an inlet site located in very close proximity to the entrance of a capillary passage, and a metering pump draws a smaller portion of the volumetric flow of the diverted material from the inlet site through the capillary passage for return to the process main stream. The viscosity of the diverted material is measured as a function of the rate of flow of the material through the capillary passage and the pressure drop between spaced apart locations along the capillary passage.

Abstract: A gas detector system comprises a controller and one or more remote gas sensors. The controller may be a standard personal computer running software for detecting the operational status of the gas sensors and signaling an alarm if the gas sensors indicate an alarm condition. The gas sensors may be connected to the controller by way of a universal serial bus. This architecture provides a gas detection system which can be very flexible and full-featured and yet inexpensive. The gas detectors may include detachable portable units which may be removed from their permanent locations to pinpoint the source of a gas leak or to provide routine monitoring of gas levels. The remote units may include data logging functions so that measurements of gas levels at various locations and times can be stored in the portable units for later transmission back to the controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the quality of a formation fluid sample by taking the sample at a time when the formation fluid composition contains the most favorable portion of hydrocarbons. This task is accomplished by determining in real-time, the composition of the fluid flowing into a downhole tool from the formation. This method determines the optical density of the fluid as the fluid flows through the tool. An optical spectrum is generated from the density measurement. The optical spectrum is compared to a composite spectrum generated from a database of known fluid samples. As a result of the comparisons, there is a determination of the derivations between corresponding features of the two spectra. Adjustments are made to the components of the composite spectrum until the deviations between the two spectra are at an acceptable minimum. Determinations of the fluid composition are made from the composition of the composite spectrum at the minimum deviation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the analysis of sample liquids, comprising: a) test elements comprising an edge profile; b) a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for at least two test elements comprising a guide element, a spacer between the guide element and the first test element to be withdrawn, and a transport device for test elements; and c) a measuring instrument that is independent of a power supply network and can be held with one hand, the instrument comprising a guide groove for test elements, an opposing guide groove for the guide element of the storage container, and a holding device for test elements.

Abstract: An improved multi-element apparatus for detecting the presence of at least one chemical, biological or physical component in a monitored area comprising an array or single set of the following elements: a capacitive transducer having at least one cantilever spring element secured thereto, the cantilever element having an area thereof coated with a chemical having an affinity for the component to be detected; a pick-up plate positioned adjacent to the cantilever element at a distance such that a capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate changes as the distance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate varies, the change in capacitance being a measurable variation; a detection means for measuring the measurable variation in the capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate that forms a measurement channel signal; and at least one feedback cantilever spring element positioned apart from the coated cantilever element, the cantilever element substantially unaffe