Abstract: A method for representing slag in a molten metal stream is disclosed, comprising the steps of obtaining and storing digital images of the molten metal stream, identifying areas of similarity on the basis of texture and intensity, defining a subset of those areas, comparing at least one selected property of the subset against a defined parameter and generating an output signal on the basis of the comparison, wherein the output signal is indicative of the presence or absence of slag. Also disclosed is a system for carrying out the above method and visually displaying the resulting output signals to facilitate operator analysis of the results. The system allows use of inexpensive optical equipment in place of an expensive infrared detection apparatus.

Abstract: A dielectrometer with a sensor face that carries an excitation electrode driven with a varying voltage. At least two sensing electrodes and a guard electrode are also carried by the sensor face. The sensing electrodes are adapted for single or multiple penetration depth measurements into a test material. The guard electrode surrounds the sensing electrodes and is at about the same voltage as the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of particles comprising binding ligands and electron transfer moieties (ETMs). Upon binding of a target analyte, a particle and a reporter composition are associated and transported to an electrode surface. The ETMs are then detected, allowing the presence or absence of the target analyte to be determined.

Abstract: A thinned array of ultrasound transducers includes plural transmitters configured so that each transmitter insonates one segment of a volume at a time and an array of receivers electronically aimed at and dynamically focused upon subsegments of the insonated segment. The spacing between receivers is greater than one-half the transmitted wavelength. Echoes are received in a pattern that is aligned with the insonates segment so that receiver grating lobes nearest the echoes coincide with first transmitter nulls, minimizing the deleterious effects of grating lobes.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: A thermistor having multiple metal layers about at least a portion of a semiconductor body. The thermistor includes a first thick film electrode layer, a reactive metal layer, a barrier metal layer and, optionally, a layer to facilitate attachment to an electrical contact. Also, a method of making the thermistor is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: A dielectrometer with a sensor face that carries an excitation electrode driven with a varying voltage. At least two sensing electrodes and a guard electrode are also carried by the sensor face. The sensing electrodes are adapted for single or multiple penetration depth measurements into a test material. The guard electrode surrounds the sensing electrodes and is at about the same voltage as the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: An apparatus that measures electrical impedance. The apparatus includes a signal generator controlled by a master microcontroller, a plurality of data acquisition channels, each channel containing a microcontroller, a host computer that processes and stores measured values, and a communication line between the host computer and the master microcontroller.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, particularly an object being shot or launched, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball being shot from a gun or an arrow being shot from a bow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line.

Abstract: The combination of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensing element arrays with shaped field, distributed drive windings provides a deep measurement capability for magnetic and/or conducting materials. Sensor designs are disclosed that use either sinusoidal or first order Bessel function shaped quasistatic field drive designs with a method to provide two magnetic field penetration depths within the same sensor footprint and at the same temporal excitation frequency. An easy to model drive construct supports substantial calibration requirement reduction and rapid generation of sensor response databases called measurement grids used for rapid estimation of multiple properties. Use of one deep penetration drive with an array of GMR sensing elements provides both high-resolution imaging and sensitivity deep into complex structures.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target analyte comprising binding a target analyte to a binding ligand comprising at least a first electron donor moiety and a second electron acceptor moiety; and detecting the electron transfer between the donor and acceptor, wherein there is a change in the amount of electron transfer between the donor and acceptor as a result of altering the structured state of the donor and acceptor caused by a conformational change in the binding ligand upon binding of the target ligand.

Abstract: A sensor that characterizes welds in materials. The sensor includes a meandering drive winding with at least three extended portions and at least one sensing element placed between an adjacent pair of extended portions. A time varying electric current is passed through the extended portions to form a magnetic field. The sensor is placed in proximity to the test material and translated over the weld region. An electrical property of the weld region is measured for each sensing element location. The weld quality is determined using a feature of the electrical property measurement and location.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of detecting wide spread fatigue damage (WFD) on aircraft using the absolute conductivity of the metal. A meandering winding magnetometer (MWM) having a plurality of parallel spaced linear conductor elements are placed in proximity to the aircraft. An electromagnetic field is imposed on the aircraft and the resulting response is sensed. The response is transformed to determine the conductivity of the aircraft structure. The mapping of the conductivity of the aircraft structure produces an indication where microcracks are located in the structure. These early indications of the density, spatial distribution and spatial orientation, as well as the size, of the microcracks give the user an indication of WFD.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing, optimization, calibration, and display of measured dielectrometry signals. A property estimator is coupled by way of instrumentation to an electrode structure and translates sensed electromagnetic responses into estimates of one or more preselected properties or dimensions of the material, such as dielectric permittivity and ohmic conductivity, layer thickness, or other physical properties that affect dielectric properties, or presence of other lossy dielectric or metallic objects. A dielectrometry sensor is disclosed which can be connected in various ways to have different effective penetration depths of electric fields but with all configurations having the same air-gap, fluid gap, or shim lift-off height, thereby greatly improving the performance of the property estimators by decreasing the number of unknowns.

Abstract: A sensor and detection system is included. The sensor includes at least one transmitter which has associated optical elements for emitting at least one light beam toward the object to be detected. At least one receiver is positioned adjacent the transmitter for receiving light reflected from an edge of the object. The receiver generates a signal responsive to the reflected light. The associated optical elements of the transmitter include a converging lens for emitting a focused light beam in one plane, and a cylindrical lens for emitting a diverging light beam in another plane, such that a portion of the reflected light is diverging and is received by the receiver over a wide angle of coverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring vehicle exhaust emission includes sampling vehicle exhaust and a dilute mixture of vehicle exhaust and ambient air. A first analyzer measures concentrations of gas components of undiluted vehicle exhaust. A second analyzer measures concentration or temperature of at least one exhaust gas component present in the dilute mixture gas component. Flow rate of the dilute mixture, the concentration and/or temperature of the at least one dilute mixture gas component and undiluted gas concentration are analyzed by a microprocessor to produce mass emissions of the vehicle exhaust gas components.

Abstract: A strap or fastener for removably securing an oximeter probe to the appendage of a patient. The strap is made of an elastic material that wraps around the outside of the oximeter probe and is secured to the oximeter probe by attachment mechanisms such as Velcro that can be readjusted after initial application without producing excessive stress on the spring hinge of the oximeter probe.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example, a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor measures the speed, for example, of a ball about to be caught and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.