Abstract: A technique for determining a set of surface profiles in a multilayer stack during a fabrication process may be determined using a model of this fabrication process, a geometry of the multilayer stack (such as a pre-defined geometry of the multilayer stack) and a surface profile in the multilayer stack (such as a measured surface profile of the top surface or a bottom surface of the multilayer stack). For example, the model of the fabrication process may be based on a generalized Eikonal equation. In conjunction with deposition rates and/or physical properties of the layers in the multilayer stack, deposition or growth of the multilayer stack may be simulated. Based on the determined set of surface profiles, an acceptance condition of the multilayer stack (such as a multilayer stack in a photo-mask for use in extreme ultra-violet photolithography) may be determined and/or a remedial action may be recommended.

Abstract: In some aspects, a closed boundary is computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. Based on the boundary, a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified. The boundary encloses a first subset of the locations and a second, different subset of the locations reside outside the boundary.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided herewith for analyzing octane content in a fuel sample that include the step or steps of receiving an octane measurement of a fuel sample from a octane analyzer, rounding the octane measurement to a nearest recognized octane rating, comparing the rounded octane measurement with a listed octane rating for the fuel sample, and communicating results of the comparison to a user of the octane analyzer. The octane analyzer may be incorporated into a fuel pump or a vehicle. The results of the comparison may also be used to adjust the vehicle operating parameters to account for the actual octane rating of the fuel dispensed into the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating at least one parameter includes: a deformable member configured to deform in response to the at least one parameter; a housing surrounding at least a portion of an external surface of the deformable member to define an isolated region around the portion and an isolated surface of the deformable member; and at least one optical fiber sensor disposed on the isolated surface and held in an operable relationship with the isolated surface, the at least one optical fiber sensor configured to generate a signal in response to a deformation of the deformable member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.

Abstract: A method of calibration of a mathematical model for the compensation of errors due to dynamic deformation of a measuring machine equipped with a mobile unit able to move a stylus probe in un measuring volume, wherein the model provides, in response to at least one input quantity correlated with a control signal of said drive means, a plurality of output quantities comprising at least one component of the measurement error introduced by the deformation and at least one quantity detected by a laser sensor and correlated with the deformation. In the calibration step, the mobile unit is subjected to a movement cycle constituted by small-amplitude oscillations of variable frequency, following the law of sinusoidal motion, keeping the tip of the probe blocked; during the movement cycle, the input and output quantities are sampled and supplied to an algorithm for model identification.

Abstract: A system for measuring the superposition of a plurality of sound waves propagating within a conduit containing a fluid having a plurality of transducers positioned substantially parallel to the flow direction along the wall of the conduit. The system includes means for modeling the superposition of a plurality of sound waves as they propagate within the conduit.

Abstract: A method for reducing vehicle bias when testing a tire for use with a market segment of vehicles by creating a vehicle model that is scalable by vehicle weight. A market segment of vehicles is defined, at least one of a vehicle model parameter is defined, data is collected for the at least one vehicle model parameter from at least one vehicle in the market segment, the at least one vehicle model parameter is characterized through regression analysis as a function of total weight of a scalable vehicle model, the scalable vehicle model parameter is applied to a multibody vehicle dynamics simulation, at least one maneuver is applied to the scalable vehicle model, and the tire load histories generated by the multibody vehicle dynamics simulation are provided to a tire test machine to obtain tire wear data representative of the vehicles in the market segment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for enhancing data accuracy of a noncontact infrared thermometer. One method includes determining dry atmospheric constituency and water vapor absorption coefficients across the infrared thermometers spectral bandpass and implementing the coefficients in processing with site-based atmospheric temperature and water vapor density profile and pressure measurements to provide corrected target temperature data compensating for contamination in said raw data due to said intervening atmosphere. The method is particularly well adapted for use in correcting data from less expensive but also less accurate wideband infrared thermometers.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method to determine a center of gravity of a three dimensional object comprises positioning the object on a test platform in a first orientation, determining a position of the center of gravity along a first axis and a second axis when the object is in the first orientation, rotating the object with respect to a third axis which is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, determining a position of the center of gravity along at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation, and using a change in the position of the center of gravity along the at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation to determine a position of the center of gravity along the third axis. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a portion that moves along a guided path and a displacement gauge that outputs readings based on the portion's position on the guided path. The apparatus additionally includes an intermediate limit switch that is activated in response to the portion being moved to an intermediate position on the guided path. The apparatus also includes a processing device configured to calibrate the apparatus based on a first reading corresponding to a first position on the guided path and a second reading corresponding to a second position on the guided path. The processing device verifies the calibration based on a third reading corresponding to the intermediate position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a faulty sensor are provided. One system includes multiple sensors, each generating a first set of parameters based on detected measurands. The system also includes a fusion module for generating a second set of parameters by fusing the first sets of parameters, and a sensor fault module including multiple fault templates defining sensor faults, an estimation module for generating a third set of parameters based on the first and second sets of parameters, and an evaluation module. The evaluation module is configured to compare the third set of parameters and the fault templates, and determine a sensor fault based on the comparison. A method includes receiving a first set of parameters based on measurands from multiple sensors and a second set of parameters based on a measurand from a sensor, and determining a sensor fault based on the first and second set of parameters.

Abstract: A method, computer program and system to identify peaks generated by different physical ions in a solution including substances by analyzing mass and intensity coordinates of all peaks in a set of mass spectra measured with errors for a certain concentration c of the solution is here disclosed. The peaks in different mass spectra are associated to a same ion if they are sufficiently ‘close’ according to specific discrimination criteria that go beyond the proximity of mass values.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for improving the resolution of compounds eluted from a separation device are disclosed, particularly suited for use in the fields of gas or liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A method for determining the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a generally plane rough surface of a specimen made of a given material includes acquiring a refractive index of the material, the spectrum of total reflectance measured on the specimen, and the geometry of the profile of the surface. The geometry is determined by: detecting the height and approximating the surface of the specimen as a distribution of plane triangular microfaces. For each direction of incidence of the light on the surface of the specimen and for each direction of observation there is determined the angular orientation of the microfaces contributing to reflecting in a specular way the light incident in the direction of observation. The Fresnel factor defining the specular reflectance of each microface is determined. The total BRDF is determined as the sum of a Lambertian component and of a specular component.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is an algorithmic method for testing performance characteristics of humidity and temperature probes, i.e., accuracy, stability, and repeatability of humidity and temperature sensor probes over a user selected dynamic range, which is programmable by an end user. Further, the testing is accomplished and completed by using a specially designed humidity and temperature test chamber that is traceable to NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology). Ongoing, and final, testing results are made visible for study by the end user via a computer display, and there is printout availability. Further, testing in the chamber utilizes a method for probe attachment to the chamber and control thereof.

Abstract: A fluid visualization and characterization system includes a measuring section with a housing defining a fluid flow path for fluid flow. The measuring section includes one or more transducers to emit ultrasonic signals into the fluid flow, and at least one receiver to receive reflections of the ultrasonic signal from reflectors in the fluid flow. The system includes a memory for storing data and a processor operatively connected to the memory. The processor comprises several modules. A velocity estimating module is configured to apply one or more velocity estimation algorithms to received reflections of the ultrasonic signal, or data indicative thereof, to determine a velocity profile of the fluid flow. A deconvolution module is configured to apply a deconvolution algorithm at least to the determined velocity profile to determine a true velocity profile of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A method of configuring an eddy current detector to measure a thickness of a coating on a substrate includes measuring an impedance of the coated substrate, and establishing an impedance plane plot using a computer. The method may also include determining a rotation angle. The rotation angle may be an angle of rotation of the impedance plane plot that will make the inductive reactance component of the impedance substantially insensitive to substrate electrical conductivity within a coating thickness range. The method may further include establishing a calibration curve that is substantially insensitive to substrate electrical conductivity using the rotation angle. The calibration curve may be a curve that relates the inductive reactance component of the impedance to coating thickness.

Abstract: A prestored database showing a correspondence of ? (depth)/?HcJ (coercivity increment) and a prestored database showing a correspondence of Dy introduction amount/?HcJ are used to obtain distribution of an introduction amount in a magnet from shape information of the magnet and information of a Dy introduction face and compute distribution of ?HcJ in the magnet from the distribution of a Dy introduction amount. Regarding a magnet having a coercivity that is distributed non-uniformly, a J/H curve is computed using the computed distribution of ?HcJ, and a demagnetizing factor at a predetermined temperature (100° C.) is computed using a temperature coefficient.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring the condition of an air filter of an HVAC system to provide an indication of when the air filter should be changed. An HVAC controller may be configured to include a filter change notification, wherein the HVAC controller may monitor the current condition of the air filter, and may display a filter change notification on the display when the current condition of the air filter passes a filter change threshold value. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to perform, sometimes at the request of a user, one or more calibration tests on the air filter to help the user identify an appropriate filter change threshold value. Alternatively, or in addition, the HVAC controller may, through a user interface, allow a user to enter and/or change a filter change threshold value, as desired.