Abstract: A long-life conductivity sensor system and method that is embeddable or immersible in a medium. The conductivity sensor system includes at least a housing with an enclosing wall that defines an interior volume and that has at least one aperture through the wall; a pair of electrodes protruding through the aperture into a medium surrounding the sensor housing; and conductivity sensing electronics contained within the sensor housing interior volume and connected to the pair of electrodes. The conductivity sensing electronics include a galvanostat connected to the electrodes for inducing discrete constant current pulses between the electrodes creating a transient voltage signal between the electrodes; and a high-speed voltmeter/A-D Converter connected to the electrodes for measuring the transient voltage signal between the electrodes, the transient voltage signal being a function of the conductivity of the medium surrounding the sensor housing.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

Abstract: A long-life conductivity sensor system and method that is embeddable or immersible in a medium. The conductivity sensor system includes at least a housing with an enclosing wall that defines an interior volume and that has at least one aperture through the wall; a pair of electrodes protruding through the aperture into a medium surrounding the sensor housing; and conductivity sensing electronics contained within the sensor housing interior volume and connected to the pair of electrodes. The conductivity sensing electronics include a galvanostat connected to the electrodes for inducing discrete constant current pulses between the electrodes creating a transient voltage signal between the electrodes; and a high-speed voltmeter/A-D Converter connected to the electrodes for measuring the transient voltage signal between the electrodes, the transient voltage signal being a function of the conductivity of the medium surrounding the sensor housing.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for noninvasive fragmentation of body concretions. The apparatus has an integral unit including an ultrasonic locating transducer a relative position determining device, a shockwave generating device and a positioning structure. The method for locating a body concretion includes the steps of locating the body concretion with ultrasonics, the position of the shockwave generating device relative to the concretion, accurately positioning the shockwave generating device at the location of the concretion and then shattering the concretion by generating a shockwave. The shockwave generating device includes a reflector with first and second foci, a location verifying ultrasonic transducer which is positioned so that an axis of the verifying transducer is coincident with a straight line passing through the first and second foci and a spark gap at the first focus which generates the shockwave.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for noninvasive fragmentation of body concretions. The apparatus has an integral unit including an ultrasonic locating transducer and positioning structure. The concretion is localized with ultrasonics and then shattered upon generation of a shockwave, using a relfector with first and second foci. A spark gap at the first focus generates the shockwave which propagates to the second focus coincident with the concretion. The ultrasonic tranducer is positioned so that an axis of the transducer is coincident with a straight line passing through the first and second foci.