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 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 of at least one exhaust gas component present in the dilute mixture gas component. The at least one dilute mixture gas component is a particular exhaust gas component measured by the first analyzer which is also present in ambient air in substantial quantity. Flow rate of the dilute mixture, the concentration 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 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 of a ball about to be caught, for example, 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.

Abstract: An optical method for obtaining hematocrit values of blood uses the light transmittance properties of blood as a means of acquiring information about the blood sample. An algorithm is used to calculate the hematocrit value based on the absorbance spectra obtained at wavelengths of approximately 500 nm and 800 nm. These absorbance wavelengths are selected for their insensitivity to the oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin. Additionally, the algorithm has demonstrated insensitivity to plasma and other blood constituent scattering effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions useful in Cycling Probe Technology (CPT) using electron transfer to detect target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly has an explosion proof termination head body having a cap end, a conduit side and a process end, a conduit connection on the conduit side, a cap threaded onto the cap end; and a terminal block attached to the termination head body with a probe extending from the terminal block through a close tolerance opening in the process end. A terminal block is spring fastened to the termination head body to permit the probe limited axial movement within the close tolerance opening. The process end has a threaded opening in the termination head body, a fitting threaded into the threaded opening in the termination head body; and the close tolerance opening passes through the fitting.

Abstract: A highly sensitive silicon micro-machined sensor package is provided for use in a micro-g environment that can also resist high shock in excess of 5000 g. The sensor is provided to measure acceleration in cooperation with associated electronics which are required to have electrical contact with sensor elements. The sensor is sealed in a high vacuum environment, and is arranged and designed to be free of temperature induced stress to the sensor. The sensor die package assembly comprises a silicon micro-machined sensor die, a ceramic package, two contact springs, a shorting clip, solder preform, a metal lid and a getter foil for ensuring a good vacuum for an extended period. The sensor die comprises a moving mass with eight supporting flexures on both sides of the proof mass. The proof mass's movement is protected on both sides by a top and a bottom cap. Acceleration applied to the package and the die causes the proof mass to move vertically in relation with the adjacent caps.

Abstract: A high performance method and apparatus for testing a closed loop transducer is disclosed. A test bitstream signal is combined with a .SIGMA..DELTA. feedback bitstream of the transducer to produce a combined bitstream which is converted to a physical feedback to the sensor of the transducer. The .SIGMA..DELTA. bitstream output of the transducer is recorded for later analysis so as to test characteristics of the transducer. The test bitstream signal is preferably an oversampled, pulse density modulated signal. A testing arrangement is provided which is based upon the storage of short-length test patterns which are repetitively accessed to form a continuous test pattern. The test bitstream provided by the method of the invention produces very low noise and low distortion test signals where a repetitive test pattern is equivalent in length to one period of the test signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, .lambda., of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, .lambda., of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: A meandering winding magnetometer (MWM) includes a meandering primary winding and at least one sensing winding or coil on a membrane to be pressed against a test surface. The membrane may be supported on a flexible carrier which is translatable into a probe. Abutments in the probe press the carrier against the test surface but allow the carrier and membrane to conform to the test surface. One MWM circuit includes meandering primary and secondary windings. The return leads from the secondary winding return to connector pads in close alignment with the test array, while leads from the primary winding are spaced at least one wavelength from the array. In another MWM circuit, individual sensing loops are positioned within the meandering primary winding. The MWM circuit may be provided on an adhesive tape which may be cut to length.

Abstract: A pulsable infrared radiation (IR) source which can be used in nondispersive infrared gas analyzers. The pulsable IR source includes a narrow strip of thin metallic foil vertically mounted to the opposite sides of pins of a small transistor type (TO-5) header at the base of a large diameter deep reflector. Infrared radiation from both sides of the heated foil is directly reflected to form a highly efficient source. The foil can be oxidized or otherwise coated under controlled conditions to maximize its emissivity at operating temperatures up to approximately 1200 degrees K. The package is resistance welded with a cap and hermetically sealed window of a suitable material and filter as required to transmit the desired infrared spectrum. An appropriate inert backfill gas prevents further oxidation and enhances the pulsing capability.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a housing having a cavity formed therein, a temperature responsive bimetallic disc located in the housing, a stationary contact member which is electrically interconnected to a first terminal external to the housing, and a movable contact member which is electrically interconnected to a second terminal external to the housing. The movable contact member movable between a switch-closed position and a switch-open position. An actuating member is located in the housing and is responsive to flexing movement of the disc for moving the movable contact member from the switch-closed position to the switch-open position. A reset assembly is provided for resetting the disc, and includes a reset element which is movable between a first position in which it is spaced from the actuating member and a second position in which it is axially moved to engage the actuating member for moving the disc back to its pre-flexed position.

Abstract: A microwave motion sensor for detecting multiple levels of motion of a target is disclosed. The motion sensor includes a transceiver for broadcasting a signal into a predetermined area and receiving a reflected signal with a receiver for producing first and second directional signals. A signal conditioning circuit is provided for amplifying the first and second directional signals and digitizing the directional signals. The signal conditioning circuit includes a micro motion amplifier for separately amplifying one of the directional signals and producing a micro motion signal. A processor is provided for receiving the first and second directional signals transmitted by the signal conditioning circuit, and for receiving the micro motion signal. The processor includes a circuit for analyzing the directional signals, and a circuit for comparing the micro motion signal to a threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of motion and methods for its manufacture are disclosed in which a sensor structure includes a support structure, and a mass suspended from such support structure by a spring connecting arrangement and electrical devices for measuring displacement of the mass which results from a force applied to the support structure. An apparatus is provided where the mechanical spring constant of the connecting arrangement of the sensor structure is provided to be a high value representative of a strong, stiff spring which resists breaking due to high forces applied to it, and where an electric spring constant is provided to yield a small effective sensor spring constant K.sub.eff =K.sub.m -K.sub.e. Methods are also provided to manufacturing the apparatus by specifying the mechanical spring constant and providing an electric spring constant which will yield a desired effective spring constant which produces a desired characteristic of the sensor structure.

Abstract: A micromachined structure for handling fluids with an applied high voltage, i.e. for electrophoresis, includes a glass or other highly insulative substrate on which are formed very small diameter capillary channels of e.g. silicon nitride. Due to the absence of a silicon substrate, this structure is highly electrically insulative. The silicon nitride channels are formed by a micro-machining and etch process, so that they are initially defined in an etched sacrificial silicon wafer by conformal coating of etched features in the silicon wafer with a silicon nitride layer, which is then patterned to define the desired channels. The silicon wafer is bonded to the glass substrate and the bulk of the silicon wafer is sacrificially etched away, leaving the desired silicon nitride channels with supporting silicon mesas. The remaining silicon nitride "shell" is bonded to the glass substrate and substantially duplicates the etched features in the original silicon wafer.

Abstract: A meandering winding magnetometer (MWM) includes a meandering primary winding and at least one sensing winding or coil on a membrane to be pressed against a test surface. The membrane may be supported on a flexible carrier which is translatable into a probe. Abutments in the probe press the carrier against the test surface but allow the carrier and membrane to conform to the test surface. One MWM circuit includes meandering primary and secondary windings. The return leads from the secondary winding return to connector pads in close alignment with the test array, while leads from the primary winding are spaced at least one wavelength from the array. In another MWM circuit, individual sensing loops are positioned within the meandering primary winding. The MWM circuit may be provided on an adhesive tape which may be cut to length.

Abstract: An automatic calibration technique for a gas analyzer includes applying electrical energy to a source that is different from the level used to detect gas concentration in order to produce a different level of radiation from that used to detect gas concentration. The reduced level is applied with a non-absorbing gas in the gas sample chamber. The detector output at the reduced level is resolved to a calibration factor. The instrument can be linearized by repeating the calibration procedure at multiple different levels of reduced source radiation. In one embodiment, a source assembly is provided that includes a plurality of infrared emitters to which is applied modulated electrical energy in a timed sequence in order to produce output levels for three component gas concentrations. A filter between each one of the sources and a detector pass radiation at an absorption line of one of the component gases.