Abstract: A method and system for receiving, at a sampling location recommendation module, conventional and complementary information regarding a liquid distribution system, wherein the complementary information includes at least one of a social media post or a consumer report; processing the complementary information and a database of the liquid distribution system in the sampling location recommendation module, using computational and artificial intelligence algorithms, to generate a list of locations for sampling the liquid distribution system; displaying the list of locations; receiving a geo-tagged test record indicative of a sampled contaminant concentration value of at least one location of the list of locations; processing the geo-tagged test record, at a contamination source mapping module, to estimate a location and risk of a contamination source in the liquid distribution system; and displaying the estimated location and risk of the contamination source by modifying a map of the liquid distribution system

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for a tip-enhanced Raman microscope includes a substrate; a two-dimensional Raman scatterer that is mounted on an upper surface of the substrate; and a well-defined topographic structure that is formed at the upper surface of the substrate. The topographic structure may include convex geometric shapes such as triangles and squares arranged in one or more periodic lattices. Calibration is via adjusting a focal length of a laser beam until a signal from a spectrometer repeatedly exhibits a stepped response when a focal point of the laser beam traverses an edge of a two-dimensional Raman scatterer, then adjusting the relative lateral positions of a scanning probe microscope probe tip and the focal point until the signal from the spectrometer and a signal from the scanning probe microscope repeatedly change within an acceptable time delay while the focal point and the probe tip traverse edges of the topographic structure.

Abstract: A method of positioning nanomaterials includes patterning guiding dielectric features from a single layer of guiding dielectric material, and producing an electric field by at least one electrode disposed on a substrate that is attenuated through the guiding dielectric features to create an attractive dielectrophoretic force that guides at least one nanostructure abutting the guiding dielectric features to be positioned on a deposition surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An inset slip form paving apparatus includes a frame having a front and a rear defining a paving direction. At least one left ground engaging support and at least one right ground engaging support support the frame from a ground surface. An inset mold assembly is located below the frame and between the left and right ground engaging supports. An adjustable support assembly supports the mold assembly from the frame so that the mold assembly is adjustable in position in the paving direction relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A target sample to be chemically analyzed is received at a microfluidic device which is part of an analysis card. The microfluidic device includes at least one input layer configured to receive the target sample, at least one intermediary layer, and at least one readout layer configured to present one or more color attributes at one or more readout regions in response to one or more colorimetric reactions to the target sample. An image of the readout layer of the microfluidic device is obtained. A calibration file that corresponds to the analysis card is obtained. The calibration file includes a calibrated model of at least one color attribute based on data from at least one known chemical attribute of at least one standard sample processed by a calibration card.

Abstract: A portable optical measurement system is provided for performing metal trace analysis on a liquid sample. The system includes a sample holder for holding an analysis substrate that includes the liquid sample during the metal trace analysis. The system further includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source for emitting ultraviolet light illuminating the liquid sample. The system also includes an optical sensor for detecting radiation emanating from the liquid sample and converting the detected radiation into an electrical signal. The system additionally includes a microcontroller for processing the electrical signal. The system further includes an external interface for transmitting the processed electrical signal to an external device.

Abstract: A method of positioning nanomaterials that includes forming a set of electrodes on a substrate, and covering the electrodes and substrate with a single layer of guiding dielectric material. The method may continue with patterning the guiding dielectric to provide dielectric guide features, wherein an exposed portion of the substrate between the dielectric guide features provides a deposition surface. A liquid medium containing at least one nanostructure is applied to the guiding dielectric features and the deposition surface. An electric field produced by the electrodes that is attenuated by the dielectric guide features creates an attractive force that guides the nanostructures to the deposition surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a wavelength detector that includes forming a first transparent material layer having a uniform thickness on a first mirror structure, and forming an active element layer including a plurality of nanomaterial sections and electrodes in an alternating sequence atop the first transparent material layer. A second transparent material layer is formed having a plurality of different thickness portions atop the active element layer, wherein each thickness portion correlates to at least one of the plurality of nanomaterials. A second mirror structure is formed on the second transparent material layer.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product for a microfluidic channel having a cover opposite its bottom and having electrodes with patterned two-dimensional conducting materials, such as graphene sheets integrated into the top of its bottom. Using the two-dimensional conducting materials, once a fluid sample is applied into the channel, highly localized modulated electric field distributions are generated inside the channel and the fluid sample. This generated field causes the inducing of dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces. These DEP forces are the same or greater than DEP forces that would result using metallic electrodes because of the sharp edges enabled by the two-dimension geometry of the two-dimensional conducting materials. Because of the induced forces, micro/nano-particles in the fluid sample are separated into particles that respond to a negative DEP force and particles that respond to a positive DEP.

Abstract: A growth chamber chip includes a base surrounding a growth chamber; a growth medium within the growth chamber; a sensor package within the growth chamber; a sensor feedthrough extending from the sensor package through a portion of the base to an outer surface of the base; and a transparent seal covering the growth chamber. In one or more embodiments, the base includes a nutrient channel connected in fluid communication with the growth medium and exposed to an outer surface of the base. One or more embodiments provide an array of growth chamber chips, with a movable arm that is movable across the array to individually scan each of the growth chamber chips.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical device that includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a gate electrode, forming source and drain electrodes on opposing sides of the gate electrode, wherein one end of the source and drain electrodes provides a coplanar surface with the gate dielectric, and positioning a 1D or 2D nanoscale material on the coplanar surface to provide the channel region of the electrical device.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical device that includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a gate electrode, forming source and drain electrodes on opposing sides of the gate electrode, wherein one end of the source and drain electrodes provides a coplanar surface with the gate dielectric, and positioning a 1D or 2D nanoscale material on the coplanar surface to provide the channel region of the electrical device.

Abstract: A system for automatically varying the mold width and thus the paving width of a molded concrete slab on the fly as the slab is being molded. An external stringline reference is used to control the height and direction of a first side of the paving machine. A slope sensor is used for automatic control of the height of the second side of the machine frame. A starting point signal generator provides a signal to initiate the automatic width transition. A controller controls width actuators for controlled variation of the mold width in response to the starting signal and a pre-programmed function of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus to perform tests on fluid flow and configured to operate at field conditions includes one or more vessels and one or more sets of fluid injecting devices corresponding to respective ones of the one or more vessels. Each set of fluid injecting devices includes one or more fluid injecting devices each configured to inject a respective fluid through its respective vessel. The apparatus further includes one or more measurement devices operatively coupled to respective ones of the one or more vessels and configured to measure data associated with fluid flow of the one or more fluids injected into its respective vessel. The measured data comprises one or more of pressure gradient data and flow rate data. The apparatus is in communication with at least one processor configured to calculate a model based on the measured data. In calculating the model, the at least one processor is configured to infer one or more parameters for the model from the measured data.

Abstract: A system is provided for varying the width of a molded concrete slab on the fly as the slab is being molded. Position and height of the paving machine relative to an external reference system are determined and controlled using at least two 3D stringless reference objects. An additional sensor provides a signal corresponding to a frame width and thus a concrete slab width, and an actuator controls the frame width actively as the paving machine advances.

Abstract: A method of forming a wavelength detector that includes forming a first transparent material layer having a uniform thickness on a first mirror structure, and forming an active element layer including a plurality of nanomaterial sections and electrodes in an alternating sequence atop the first transparent material layer. A second transparent material layer is formed having a plurality of different thickness portions atop the active element layer, wherein each thickness portion correlates to at least one of the plurality of nanomaterials. A second mirror structure is formed on the second transparent material layer.

Abstract: A portable optical measurement system is provided for performing metal trace analysis on a liquid sample. The system includes a sample holder for holding an analysis substrate that includes the liquid sample during the metal trace analysis. The system further includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source for emitting ultraviolet light illuminating the liquid sample. The system also includes an optical sensor for detecting radiation emanating from the liquid sample and converting the detected radiation into an electrical signal. The system additionally includes a microcontroller for processing the electrical signal. The system further includes an external interface for transmitting the processed electrical signal to an external device.

Abstract: A method of forming a wavelength detector that includes forming a first transparent material layer having a uniform thickness on a first mirror structure, and forming an active element layer including a plurality of nanomaterial sections and electrodes in an alternating sequence atop the first transparent material layer. A second transparent material layer is formed having a plurality of different thickness portions atop the active element layer, wherein each thickness portion correlates to at least one of the plurality of nanomaterials. A second mirror structure is formed on the second transparent material layer.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically varying the mold width and thus the paving width of a molded concrete slab on the fly as the slab is being molded. An external stringline reference is used to control the height and direction of a first side of the paving machine. A slope sensor is used for automatic control of the height of the second side of the machine frame. A starting point signal generator provides a signal to initiate the automatic width transition. A controller controls width actuators for controlled variation of the mold width in response to the starting signal and a pre-programmed function of the controller.

Abstract: A method of positioning nanomaterials that includes forming a set of electrodes on a substrate, and covering the electrodes and substrate with a single layer of guiding dielectric material. The method may continue with patterning the guiding dielectric to provide dielectric guide features, wherein an exposed portion of the substrate between the dielectric guide features provides a deposition surface. A liquid medium containing at least one nanostructure is applied to the guiding dielectric features and the deposition surface. An electric field produced by the electrodes that is attenuated by the dielectric guide features creates an attractive force that guides the nanostructures to the deposition surface.