Abstract: A locomotive system is provided that includes a platform, plural wheel-axle sets operably coupled to the platform, a reservoir attached to the platform and configured to hold a fluid, and a resonant sensor probe assembly coupled to the reservoir. The sensor probe assembly includes a substrate formed from one or more dielectric materials and free-standing electrodes coupled with the substrate. The free-standing electrodes are configured to be placed into the fluid, to generate an electric field between the free-standing electrodes, and to measure an impedance response of the sensor to the fluid between the electrodes.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a communication unit including a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The communication unit is coupled to an on-board computing device including at least one processor coupled to a memory device. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the inspection apparatus, unprocessed image data, and fluid concentration data for at least one fluid. The processor geotags the data with the position of the inspection apparatus and transmits the data to a remote processing device. The geotagged image data is transferred using the first transmitter and the geotagged fluid concentration data is transmitted using the second transmitter.

Abstract: A locomotive sensor system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a locomotive. The sensor includes a sensing region circuit that is configured to generate stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from the sensor. The signals are representative of responses of the lubricant to the stimuli. The one or more processors are configured to analyze the responses and determine a characteristic of the lubricant that represents one or more of a total base number (TBN) or a total acid number (TAN) of the lubricant. The are configured to determine an unhealthy state of one or more of the engine or the lubricant based on the characteristic of the lubricant that is determined.

Abstract: A sensing system for monitoring an industrial fluid is presented. The sensing system includes a housing and a sensor probe disposed at least partially in the housing, where the sensor probe includes a substrate, a sensing region disposed on the substrate, a first coil disposed on the substrate and coupled to the sensing region, and a second coil disposed on the substrate and coupled to the first coil. A method for operating the sensing system is also presented.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and a resonant sensor that contacts oil within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor generates electrical stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. Each electrical stimulus has multiple different frequencies applied to the oil. The one or more processors receive electrical signals representing impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at the different times based on the impedance responses and calculate a degradation value for the engine based on the polar analyte concentration. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated degradation threshold, the one or more processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, or prohibit operation of the vehicle system until maintenance is performed.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a communication unit including a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The communication unit is coupled to an on-board computing device including at least one processor coupled to a memory device. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the inspection apparatus, unprocessed image data, and fluid concentration data for at least one fluid. The processor geotags the data with the position of the inspection apparatus and transmits the data to a remote processing device. The geotagged image data is transferred using the first transmitter and the geotagged fluid concentration data is transmitted using the second transmitter.

Abstract: A system includes a resonant sensor in contact with oil within a gearbox of a rotor system, such as a wind turbine, and one or more processors. The sensor includes electrodes and a sensing circuit that generates electrical stimuli having frequencies applied to the oil at different times during a life of the gearbox. The processors receive electrical signals from the resonant sensor representative of impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The processors analyze the impedance responses and determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at different times. The processors calculate a degradation value for the gearbox based on the concentration of the polar analyte. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated threshold, the processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the rotor system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance, or prohibit operation of the rotor system until maintenance is performed.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an impedance sensor element, an impedance sensor reader and a communications module. The communications module is configured to communicate with a remote computing device. The impedance sensor reader is coupled to the impedance sensor element. The impedance sensor reader includes a synthesizer and a detector. The synthesizer is configured to output an excitation signal having known values for a plurality of signal characteristics to the impedance sensor element and to generate the excitation signal based on a plurality of direct digital synthesizer (DDS) coefficients received from the remote computing device through the communications module. The detector is coupled to the impedance sensor element and configured to detect a response of the impedance sensor element to the excitation signal and determine an impedance of the impedance sensor element based at least in part on the response of the impedance sensor element to the excitation signal.

Abstract: A system includes a bacteria culture array that includes a plurality of chambers each configured to receive a portion of a sample that includes bacteria. Each individual chamber of the plurality of chambers includes a chamber opening configured to permit access of the portion of the sample to the individual chamber. The system also includes one or more sensors configured to collect data from the individual chamber. The sensors are configured to contact the sample. Additionally, the system includes a monitoring and analysis system that includes a processor configured to receive the data from the one or more sensors at a first time and a second time, compare the data received at the second time to the data received at the first time, and identify a portion of the plurality of chambers of the bacteria culture array based on the comparing.

Abstract: A system includes an impedance gas sensor configured to be in contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The impedance sensor includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured to have a sensing material and to generate electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive electrical signals from the sensor, where the electrical signals are representative of impedance responses of the sensing material to one or more hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are configured to analyze the impedance responses and determine an amount of at least one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A system includes an impedance gas sensor configured to be in contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The impedance sensor includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured to have a sensing material and to generate electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive electrical signals from the sensor, where the electrical signals are representative of impedance responses of the sensing material to one or more hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are configured to analyze the impedance responses and determine an amount of at least one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A system includes an image capture device within an existing aircraft shell having a turbine or a rotary wing, the image capture device including an optical assembly having a field of view directed towards at least one of the turbine, the rotary wing, and a surface of the aircraft shell, the image capture device configured to capture an image of radiant flux, and an image analysis unit in communication with the image capture device to analyze the captured radiant flux image to determine a particulate matter concentration in a debris suspension cloud. The system can also include a quantizer unit to quantize an electrical signal from the image capture device, the electrical signal proportional to an intensity of the radiant flux, and an integrator unit to obtain an about continuous value of the radiant flux intensity. A method to implement the system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: System includes a sensor operably coupled to a device body. The sensor includes a sensing region and at least one resonant inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) circuit. The sensing region is configured to be placed in operational contact with an industrial fluid. The at least one resonant LCR circuit is configured to generate an electrical stimulus that is applied to the industrial fluid via electrodes at the sensing region. The device body includes one or more processors configured to receive an electrical signal from the sensor that is representative of a resonant impedance spectral response of the sensing region in operational contact with the industrial fluid responsive to the electrical stimulus. The one or more processors are further configured to analyze the resonant impedance spectral response and determine both a water concentration in the industrial fluid and an aging level of the industrial fluid based on the resonant impedance spectral response.

Abstract: A scanning system for producing a path averaged concentration map of a leaking plume is provided. The system includes a tunable light source capable of tuning its wavelength over the absorption band of the specimen of interest, a lightweight mirror to scan the light, a lightweight collection optic, an array of detectors to measure reflected light, one or more processors configured to align the scanning with the detected signal and analyze the signal to produce a path averaged concentration map of the leaking plume, the one or more processors configured to use an analytical model of plume dynamics to compare the detected concentration map and calculate leak location and rate, and a flying platform that can fly in a control flight path.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor includes a sensing region circuit that is configured to generate stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from the sensor. The signals are representative of responses of the lubricant to the stimuli. The one or more processors are configured to analyze the responses and determine a characteristic of the lubricant that represents one or more of a total base number (TBN) or a total acid number (TAN) of the lubricant. The one or more processors are configured to determine an unhealthy state of one or more of the engine or the lubricant based on the characteristic of the lubricant that is determined.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a communication unit including a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The communication unit is coupled to an on-board computing device including at least one processor coupled to a memory device. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the inspection apparatus, unprocessed image data, and fluid concentration data for at least one fluid. The processor geotags the data with the position of the inspection apparatus and transmits the data to a remote processing device. The geotagged image data is transferred using the first transmitter and the geotagged fluid concentration data is transmitted using the second transmitter.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for sensing analytes with a high selectivity and low responses to interferences in an environment. In one embodiment, a sensor was developed which comprises a sensor electrode, a coupling element operationally coupled to a discrete segment of the sensor electrode, and an activation material in operational contact with the coupling element and configured to induce an irreversible sensor response for a selected sensing application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for environment sensing. The system includes a sensor having a sensing material and at least one pair of electrodes in contact with the sensing material, the sensing material configured to be in contact with an ambient environment. The system includes a controller circuit electrically coupled to the at least one pair of electrodes. The controller circuit is configured to generate a stimulation waveform for application to the sensing material of the sensor via the at least one pair of electrodes. The controller circuit is configured to receive an electrical signal from the at least one pair of electrodes representative of an impedance response of the sensing material, and analyze the impedance response of the sensing material at frequencies that provide a linear response of the sensing material to an analyte of interest and at least partially reject effects of interferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for environment sensing. The system includes a sensor node having a sensor. The sensor includes a sensing material configured to be in contact with an ambient environment. The system includes a remote system having a communication circuit and a controller circuit. The communication circuit is configured to be wirelessly communicatively coupled to the sensor node. The controller circuit electrically coupled to the communication circuit. The controller circuit configured to receive an impedance response of the sensing material and analyze the impedance response of the sensing material at frequencies that provide a linear response of the sensing material to an analyte of interest and at least partially reject effects of interferences.

Abstract: Methods and sensors for selective fluid sensing are provided. A sensor includes a resonant inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) circuit and a sensing material disposed over the LCR circuit. The sensing material includes a coordination compound of a ligand and a metal nanoparticle. The coordination compound has the formula: (X)n-M, where X includes an alkylamine group having the formula (R—NH2), an alkylphosphine having the formula (R3—P), an alkylphosphine oxide having the formula (R3P?O), an alkyldithiocarbamate having the formula (R2NCS2), an alkylxanthate having the formula (ROCS2), or any combination thereof, R includes an alkyl group, n is 1, 2, or 3, and M includes the metal nanoparticle of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, alloys thereof, highly conductive metal nanoparticles, or any combination thereof. The sensing material is configured to allow selective detection of at least six different analyte fluids from an analyzed fluid mixture.