Abstract: A method is disclosed. In one example, the method includes bonding a first panel of a first material to a base panel in a first gas atmosphere, wherein multiple hermetically sealed first cavities encapsulating gas of the first gas atmosphere are formed between the first panel and the base panel. The method further includes bonding a second panel of a second material to at least one of the base panel and the first panel, wherein multiple second cavities are formed between the second panel and the at least one of the base panel and the first panel.

Abstract: Weld seam testing chain for testing a weld seam by means of ultrasound on two plastic tubes welded together at the ends, comprising standard chain links, wherein the standard chain links are hooked together to form the weld seam testing chain, and the chain can be lengthened or shortened individually, a sensor receptacle for accommodating the ultrasonic sensor, and an adjusting unit for the fine adjustment of the weld seam testing chain length, wherein the standard chain links have a hook on one side and a hook receptacle on the opposite side, thereby enabling the individual chain links to be hooked together.

Abstract: A gas sensor (100,200) includes at least one sensor device including a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (110) or a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device (210), and a layer of metal organic framework (MOF) material (120,220) disposed on each of the at least one sensor device. The at least one sensor device is structured to sense a change in mass of the MOF material.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.

Abstract: A method for real time crush testing of proppants including loading proppant into an apparatus comprising: a body with a chamber to accept a piston and proppant; a pressure piston; a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the chamber; and a displacement sensor; compressing the proppant with the pressure; calculating the amount of proppant material in the proppant pack; increasing pressure on the proppant pack until the sample is crushed; calculating proppant strength from at least the displacement sensor data. An apparatus includes a body with a chamber to accept a piston and proppant; a pressure piston; a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the chamber; and a displacement sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bondline inspection using mechanical wave measurement and gas excitation. A cost-effective optical interferometry technique is used to measure mechanical waves generated by gas excitation, which measurements may be used to verify the strength of a bondline of a composite bonded structure. A gas gun which produces a high-pressure short-pulsewidth gas pulse at the front free surface of the composite material. A velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) is synchronized with the controlled gas pulsation and used to measure the surface velocities. The respective shock wave-induced displacements of the back and front free surfaces are then calculated. The measured free surface displacements are compared with calibrated thresholds to determine whether a weak bond has been detected or not. Optionally, a ring magnet is aligned exactly under the gas gun nozzle to enable VISAR beam centering.

Abstract: Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic sensors, ultrasonic sensing devices and display devices. The ultrasonic sensor includes an array of thin film transistors in which first electrodes are disposed, a piezoelectric material, and second electrodes. In order to generate ultrasonic waves and perform sensing, the second electrode is disposed in a patterned structure in which the second electrode is divided into multiple second electrodes, and a high voltage in the form of pulse is applied to the second electrode. Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a high voltage is not applied to the array of thin film transistors; therefore, it is possible to reduce or overcome degradation of circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability and lifetime of the circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors, while performing sensing.

Abstract: A method of evaluating quality of a wind turbine blade which has a hollow structure where an interior space of the wind turbine blade is surrounded by an outer skin which includes a laminated body includes: setting a scanning line on at least a part of an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the outer skin; and moving an ultrasound probe along the scanning line; generating a cross-sectional image corresponding to the scanning line, on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe or a reflection echo to detect an indication whose echo level is greater than a first threshold; obtaining an inclination of the indication with respect to a reference line as a first parameter; and evaluating the lifetime or the breakage risk of the wind turbine blade on the basis of the first parameter.

Abstract: A device including at least one sensing bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator including a sensing surface; a fluid channel, wherein the sensing surface of the at least one sensing BAW resonator is disposed adjacent to or within the fluid channel; at least one resistive heater; and at least one temperature detector, wherein the at least one temperature detector is configured to monitor the temperature adjacent to the at least one BAW resonator and affect a current to be passed through the at least one resistive heater.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system for characterizing a multiphase fluid includes a first set of acoustic probes disposed at a first angular position about a central axis of the fluid analysis system and oriented to direct first sound waves along a first direction that is parallel to the central axis, a second set of acoustic probes disposed at a second angular position about the central axis that is opposite to the first angular position and oriented to direct second sound waves along the first direction, a third set of acoustic probes spanning the central axis and oriented to direct third sound waves along a second direction that is perpendicular to the central axis, and an analysis unit. The analysis unit is configured to determine a location of a fluid interface within the multiphase fluid based on first, second, and third parameters respectively associated with the first, second, and third sounds waves.

Abstract: A multi-axis vibration test system uses a mounting fixture formed from a solid block of Aluminum alloy, at least 20? per side, and machined to form bearing recesses that receive the pad bearings to overcome the problems of existing systems and deliver the required amplitude of linear displacement over the frequency test band in all three, and possibly six, axes simultaneously and uniformly over the mounting surface(s) for both commercial and the more stringent military standards.

Abstract: A method and an aircraft air contaminant analyzer for determining and classifying air contaminants, providing a sample flow path and bypass flow path bypassing the sample flow path, are disclosed, the analyzer comprising a contaminant collector comprising a medium desorbing captured contaminants, the collector providing a first sample flow path; a heater vaporizing captured contaminants; a bypass comprising a channel including a second sample flow path, the channel bypassing the collector; a sensor responding when air contaminant mass is added to or removed from the sensor, for classifying contaminant type; the sensor receiving contaminants desorbed from the medium; a frequency measurement device measuring the response generated by the sensor as the air contaminant is added to and removed from the sensor; a computer readable medium bearing a contaminant recognition program and calibration data; and, a processor executing the program, the program including a module classifying the contaminant by type.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting heavy metals in water is provided. The sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode having complementary interdigitated surfaces that are separated from each other by a first gap having a distance of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 10 ?m. The sensor also includes a power source connectable to the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor is configured to continuously monitor water for the presence of heavy metals. Methods of making and using the sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring hydrate formation in an interior of a tube may include deploying a first hydrate controller device at a first location on an exterior surface of the tube. The method may include deploying a second hydrate controller device at a second location on the exterior surface of the tube. The method may include transmitting, by the first hydrate controller device, first acoustic signals towards the interior of the tube. The first acoustic signals may include a first frequency value and a first amplitude value associated to a transmission power level. The method may include receiving, by the second hydrate controller device, the first acoustic signals. The method may include measuring, by the second hydrate controller device, a reception power level of the first acoustic signals.

Abstract: A monitoring system of the integrity of a pressurised pipe by at least one pressure pulses generator that is hydraulically connected to the fluid in the pipe. Each generator comprises: one first tank and a second tank that maintain the fluid respectively at a first and a second pressure values. The first value is smaller, and the second value is greater than the predefined pressure value of the fluid in the pipe. The first and second tanks generate respectively a negative pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the pipe to the first tank, and a positive pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the second tank to the pipe. A pressure transducer is designed to measure the pressure values of the fluid in the pipe and to convert the negative or positive pressure pulses generate by the generator into respective recorded acoustic signals. A measurement station is placed along the pipe to detect the acoustic signals.

Abstract: An automated analyzer includes a plurality of measurement units including a measurement section which measures a sample, a suction container connected to the plurality of measurement units through a first path, a vacuum exhaust system connected to the suction container through a second path, a discharge section connected to the suction container through a third path, a pressure adjustment mechanism disposed in the second path, and a control section which performs control such that the suction container is vacuum-exhausted by the vacuum exhaust system.

Abstract: A component concentration measurement device includes a light irradiation unit that performs intensity modulation where two lights of wavelengths different from each other are intensity-modulated by signals of a same frequency and a same phase, and a measurement object is irradiated, a detecting unit that detects a photoacoustic wave generated within the measurement object due to irradiation by the light irradiation unit, and converts the detected photoacoustic wave into a first electric signal, and a processing unit that obtains a concentration of a target component contained in the measurement object, on the basis of an amplitude and a phase of the first electric signal. Light absorption coefficients of the two lights, corresponding to a background component contained in the measurement object, are equal in change amount with regard to change in temperature, and have signs different from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for detecting a concentration of an analyte based on an oscillator having a selective frequency characteristic. The method may include generating a fringing field, generating various resonant frequencies by changing a resistance value of a resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillator, measuring a change in each of the various resonant frequencies generated by the RC oscillator based on a change in capacitance attributable to a change in an analyte within a region of the fringing field, and measuring a change characteristic of the analyte within the fringing field based on the change in each of the various resonant frequencies.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method, apparatus and system for detecting multi-mode electromagnetic acoustic and magnetic flux leakage and a sensor. The method comprises: S102, receiving an operation instruction for detecting an object to be detected, the operation instruction is used for controlling a detection sensor to enter into any one or more of working modes as follows: magnetic flux leakage detection, ultrasonic bulk wave detection, ultrasonic guided wave detection and surface wave detection; S104, controlling the detection sensor to output a corresponding detection signal according to the operation instruction; and S106, detecting the object to be detected on the basis of the detection signal. The technical solution achieves a purpose of using one sensor to realize various detection modes, such as magnetic flux leakage and electromagnetic acoustic modes, reduces complexity and cost of a detection system, and improves detection efficiency.