Abstract: Methods and systems for calibration of RFID sensors used in manufacturing and monitoring systems are provided. The methods include measuring impedance of an RFID sensor antenna, relating the measurement of impedance to one or more parameters (such as physical, chemical and biological properties), computing one or more analytical fit coefficients, and storing the one or more analytical fit coefficients on a memory chip of the RFID sensor. Measuring impedance of the RFID sensor may comprise measuring complex impedance which involves measuring complex impedance spectrum, phase angle and magnitude of the impedance, at least one of frequency of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance, zero-reactance frequency, resonant frequency of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, and antiresonant frequency of the imaginary part of the complex impedance.

Abstract: A method for sensing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of an environment is provided. The method comprises using a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor component having a predetermined range of power initiation levels and having predetermined resonant circuit parameters comprising the steps of activating the RFID sensor component and determining whether a range of power levels, needed for activating the sensor component, is below the predetermined range of power initiation levels; sensing at least one of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the environment; quantifying the sensed characteristic of the environment using one or more selected resonant parameters, wherein the selection of parameters is based in part on the range of power levels needed to activate the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods for using ferrite alignment keys in wireless remote sensor assemblies. In one aspect, the invention provides wireless resonant sensor assemblies comprising a pick-up coil, a ferrite alignment key positioned in and extending from the pick-up coil, and wireless resonant sensor having a receiving element wherein the pick-up coil and the wireless resonant sensor align upon insertion of the ferrite alignment key into the receiving element. The ferrite alignment key may also be part of a resonant sensor such that insertion of a pick-up coil into a receiving element of the alignment key results in a configuration where the alignment key is positioned in and extended from the pick-up coil. Methods of measuring one or more parameters of a monitoring system are also provided. The insertion of the ferrite alignment key aligns the pick-up coil and wireless resonant sensor thereby increasing sensing of the wireless resonant sensor by the pick-up coil.

Abstract: A radio frequency based sensor is provided. The sensor comprises a radio frequency identification tag having a substrate, where the radio frequency identification tag generates an associated electromagnetic field. The sensor further includes an analyte recognition element in operative association with the substrate, where the analyte recognition element is capable of binding to a target analyte, and a signal amplification entity coupled to the analyte recognition element, where the signal amplification entity facilitates change in electromagnetic field in presence of the target analyte.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laundering process includes determining a concentration of a detergent within a wash fluid during at least one cycle of an article laundering process, and dynamically adjusting at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined concentration of the detergent. An apparatus for controlling a laundering process includes a fluid chamber to contain a wash fluid, a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to dynamically adjust at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined detergent concentration.

Abstract: A sensor is provided. The sensor comprises at least one sensing device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a gap defined as a distance between one or more facing inner surfaces of the first and second electrodes, wherein the gap distance at least in part determines a threshold of one or more sensed parameters, and an antenna in operative association with the sensing device.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a container is provided. The sensing device comprises a radio frequency based sensor; a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container, and a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibration of RFID sensors used in manufacturing and monitoring systems are provided. The methods include measuring impedance of an RFID sensor antenna, relating the measurement of impedance to one or more parameters (such as physical, chemical and biological properties), computing one or more analytical fit coefficients, and storing the one or more analytical fit coefficients on a memory chip of the RFID sensor. Measuring impedance of the RFID sensor may comprise measuring complex impedance which involves measuring complex impedance spectrum, phase angle and magnitude of the impedance, at least one of frequency of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance, zero-reactance frequency, resonant frequency of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, and antiresonant frequency of the imaginary part of the complex impedance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing information associated with RFID devices that, include a memory chip written with redundant data and read by an RFID reader and, are adapted for operation of RFID tags and chemical, biological, and physical RFID sensors that are exposed to gamma radiation, such as disposable devices used in bioprocessing.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate assembly for use in a detector system. The substrate assembly includes a substrate; a sample reception structure secured to the substrate; a test window extending through the substrate; and a fluid channel defined by a surface of the substrate and extending from the sample reception structure to the test window.

Abstract: A boiling water reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel having a feedwater inlet for the introduction of recycled steam condensate and/or makeup coolant into the vessel, and a steam outlet for the discharge of produced steam for appropriate work. A fuel core is located within a lower area of the pressure vessel. The fuel core is surrounded by a core shroud spaced inward from the wall of the pressure vessel to provide an annular downcomer forming a coolant flow path between the vessel wall and the core shroud. A probe system that includes a combination of conductivity/resistivity probes and/or one or more time-domain reflectometer (TDR) probes is at least partially located within the downcomer. The probe system measures the coolant level and flow velocity within the downcomer.

Abstract: A system and method employing optical disc drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system includes a robotic arm for transmitting a disc including at least one sensor spot through a variety of stations that include dipping the disc into a source of a compound, removing excess amounts of the source, optically scanning the disc, and discarding the disc. The optical drive may be a stand-alone reader in communication with an external computing device. The output of the optical scan may be transmitted from the optical scanner to the computing device via universal serial bus, Ethernet interface, or wireless connection.

Abstract: An authenticable optical disc and a system and method for authenticating the optical disc are provided. The optical disc comprising a reflective layer; an optically transparent substrate disposed between the reflective layer and a light incident surface of the optical disc; a data layer disposed between the substrate and the reflective layer, the data layer including a predetermined signature; and at least one measurable feature, wherein the at least one feature is compared to the predetermined signature for authenticating the optical disc. The method comprises the steps of preparing an optical disc with at least one optical feature; measuring intensity of transmitted light from the at least one optical feature; and comparing the measured intensity to a predetermined signature, wherein if the measured intensity and predetermined signature matches, access to the optical disc is granted.

Abstract: A system and method employing optical disc drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system including a disc drive for supporting and rotating an optical disc including at least one sensor spot; a light source for directing light onto the sensor spot; at least one optical pickup for detecting light transmitted from the sensor spot, the transmitted light being indicative of a concentration of a compound; and an analog-to-digital converter for quantifying an intensity of the transmitted light. The method comprising the steps of preparing the optical disc with a plurality of sensor spots, the sensor spots being responsive to a compound; exposing the optical disc to a fluid; measuring intensity of transmitted light from at least one of the plurality of sensor spots; and correlating the measured intensity of transmitted light to an amount of compound exposed to the optical disc.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method that comprises providing a reaction substrate having a plurality of substrate reservoirs adapted to receive a reactant system at least partially embodied in a liquid. A thermal unit maintains the reactant system at a first temperature. A head plate is disposed adjacent to the reaction substrate to form a sealed and pressurized headspace above the substrate reservoirs. The head plate is maintained at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. A second reactant may be introduced as a gas into the headspace above the plurality of substrate reservoirs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a viscoelastic property of a combinatorial library of materials including a plurality of full bridge devices operable for measuring a temperature-modulated elongation property of each of a plurality of combinatorial materials, wherein each of the plurality of full bridge devices comprises a plurality of strain gauges operable for measuring a temperature-modulated elongation property of each of the plurality of combinatorial materials, and wherein each of the plurality of combinatorial materials is disposed on a surface of the plurality of full bridge devices. The systems and methods also including an algorithm disposed within a computer, the algorithm operable for equating the temperature-modulated elongation property of the combinatorial materials with a thermal property of the combinatorial materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid evaluation of a plurality of materials or samples including a plurality of crystals operable for receiving an oscillating potential and oscillating, the plurality of crystals arranged in an array. The apparatus also including a plurality of oscillation devices operable for generating the oscillating potential, the plurality of oscillation devices arranged in an array. The apparatus further including means for measuring an output parameter each of the plurality of crystals. The plurality of crystals are remotely coupled to the plurality of oscillation devices such that the plurality of crystals are exposed to a first operating environment and the plurality of oscillation devices are exposed to a second operating environment. A method for enhancing the stability and the selectivity of each of a plurality of sensors of an array of sensors including modulating each of the plurality of sensors of the array of sensors with respect to a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a viscoelastic property of a combinatorial library of materials including a plurality of full bridge devices operable for measuring a temperature-modulated elongation property of each of a plurality of combinatorial materials, wherein each of the plurality of full bridge devices comprises a plurality of strain gauges operable for measuring a temperature-modulated elongation property of each of the plurality of combinatorial materials, and wherein each of the plurality of combinatorial materials is disposed on a surface of the plurality of full bridge devices. The systems and methods also including an algorithm disposed within a computer, the algorithm operable for equating the temperature-modulated elongation property of the combinatorial materials with a thermal property of the combinatorial materials.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and an X-ray transparent window. The anode includes an X-ray-producing target having a surface. The cathode has an electron-beam axis which intersects the target surface at a focal point and which is oriented at a first angle, with respect to the target surface, wherein the first angle is generally twenty degrees. The window includes a surface having a center point. A line between the focal and center points makes a second angle, with respect to the target surface, wherein the second angle is generally seven degrees. A method for producing X-rays employs these angles.

Abstract: An analyzer is employed for detecting a cloud in an optical disc having a transparent surface layer atop a substrate and data pits therebetween. A light beam is projected at an acute incidence angle atop the surface layer to define a light spot covering a plurality of the pits. Light scattered from the pits below the spot is detected obliquely to both the incident light beam and a specular reflection thereof. The light spot is scanned over the surface layer, and variation of detected light intensities over the disc is determined for detecting a cloud. In a preferred embodiment, the scattered light is detected from two different oblique directions to increase contrast of the cloud.