Abstract: A strain gauge sensor system is disclosed for monitoring changes in stain of a battery surface, said change in strain indicative of internal changes in the battery. The sensor system comprises a wire grid based sensor, the sensor electrically connected though for example a Wheatstone bridge to an RFID tag. In the presence of an RFID reader, the sensor system is activated, a signal representative of the resistance of the wire grid (and thus grid strain) transmitted to the reader, and the resistance value compared to resistance values for the healthy state of the battery.

Abstract: A label-free RF MEMS-based biosensor is described for detecting biomarkers in a given environment. The biosensor is capable of sensing the presence of biomarkers by exploiting both its mechanical and electrical characteristics. In addition, the method employed for detecting mechanical deflections due to antigen-antibody binding uses a simple electrical circuitry which allows the sensor to be used at any location and time. Such a sensor, when placed in a matrix like structure allows for the detection of multiple biomarkers simultaneously.

Abstract: A biodegradable, bio-compatible material is described for use in wireless biosensors for point-of-care applications. The biosensor made from this biomaterial is capable of sensing environmental effects and as well as presence of bio-logical entities in the environment of concern simultaneously. Such a sensor can be used for evaluating point-of-care environmental preparedness for a specific patient through continuous monitoring of patient health performance due to environmental exposure. A two-tier network architecture is established for real-time monitoring (static case) that also provides warning of accumulated exposure. Wavelet analysis can be used to identify anomalies in the sensed data to initiate a warning.

Abstract: A label-free RF MEMS-based biosensor is described for detecting biomarkers in a given environment. The biosensor is capable of sensing the presence of biomarkers by exploiting both its mechanical and electrical characteristics. In addition, the method employed for detecting mechanical deflections due to antigen-antibody binding uses a simple electrical circuitry which allows the sensor to be used at any location and time. Such a sensor, when placed in a matrix like structure allows for the detection of multiple biomarkers simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to implement prognostics and health management (PHM) in individual electronic products (such as parts, components, boards, assemblies, devices, systems, and systems of systems). The PHM algorithm is performed during product screening tests, diagnostic processes, or after the manufacturer process. Certain performance, signal values and parameters, environmental and operational loads, or their correlations are recorded, extracted, and stored in electronic memory for that particular product. The stored data represents a the healthy baseline reference of that particular product at the initial point of its life. In one embodiment, where the healthy baseline is stored in the product, it can be updated according to different usage conditions. In one embodiment with the data is stored within the product, the PHM analysis can be performed in the field under conditions of use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel wireless barcode MEMS canary which can be embedded in electronic systems and periodically monitored to measure degradation over a period of time. The material used to print the bars of the barcode is selected such that it is capable of changing one or more of its properties in response to a change in ambient conditions. Means are provided for reading out said change in properties such that when an interrogator is brought into proximity to the sensor, the change in properties can be detected. By establishing the relationship between the healthy state of the barcode and its degradation to that of the electronic system and the components, the residual life of the system can be established and preventive measures taken before failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel prognostic and health management method for natural aging systems. This prognostic and health management method can detect anomalies in a system in advance, and can determine whether the detected anomalies are due to natural aging or other aging processes. In this prognostic method, a moving window method for improving the performance of the conventional data-driven prognostic methods is described. This prognostic and health management method combines with the detections by the data-driven prognostic method based on the conventional training and moving window methods to determine whether the detected anomalies are due to natural aging or other aging processes and in so doing can reduce the number of false alarms; reduce cost of a system by decreasing the unnecessary maintenance, downtime, and inventory; can extend the life of systems; and can assist in the design and qualification of future systems to improve their reliability.

Abstract: Through the methods of this invention, prognostics tools are provided to more efficiently and more accurately predict when a component product may fail. In a first embodiment a method is described whereby a number of environmental factors are monitored, the provided sensors obtaining raw data, variations in said raw data measured, the parameters of interest extracted and binned according to predetermined criteria, with the raw data thereafter discarded. In a second embodiment of the invention, the same sensor readings are recorded along with the performance characteristics for the component/product and compared to estimated performance for the product. The performance drift is then observed, whereby in monitoring said drift, trends may be determined and time or cycles to failure predicted.