Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for amplifying a plurality of targets in a single PCR run while distinguishing between clinically relevant amplification and amplification from other sources such as from background contamination. The methods and devices further enable discrimination between gram-positive, gram-negative and fungal infections as wells as identify antimicrobial resistance genes. When applying the methods and devices of the invention, the species or genus of an infection(s), and genus of a fungal co-infection(s) or category of bacterial (gram-positive or negative) co-infection(s) are identified. Species identification of co-infections can also be achieved. Further, when applying the methods and devices of the invention, organisms which are likely to be contaminating organisms from a blood draw are identified.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a chemical composition including a plurality of cholesteryl esters arranged to form a vesicle. In several embodiments, all of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have a same molecular length, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally smooth outer surface, while in other embodiments, a portion of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have different molecular lengths, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally irregular outer surface. In yet further embodiments, a shape of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of spherical, oval, disc-like, tubular and polyhedral shapes, and in yet other embodiments, a wall of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of a monolayer and a bilayer. In still further embodiments, the chemical composition further includes a polyethylene glycol coat of mixed polymer size.

Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the detector including a sensor assembly with a lens and a sensor element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal. A generally cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an outer surface of the container and defines a housing with a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The sensor assembly is coupled to the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall. The sensor assembly is positioned such that it receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal. The sensor assembly then generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: An illumination system for recognizing material includes a measurement stage, a light-providing part, a light-receiving part, and a processing part. The measurement stage is upwardly open and the measurement target is located on the measurement stage. The light-providing part includes a plurality of illumination sections providing incident lights to the measurement target, and provides multi-directional incident lights to the measurement target from multiple upper directions at which the measurement stage is open. The light-receiving part receives single-directional reflection lights reflected by the measurement target according to the multi-directional incident lights provided by the light-providing part.

Abstract: Conventional optical lens assembly typically require a capping window, which is expensive, to protect the optical sensor. Also, each conventional optical lens assembly is discretely assembled, and thus incurs additional costs. To address these and other disadvantages, it is proposed to assemble a plurality of imaging sensors, a plurality of spacers, and a plurality of lenses at a panel. The resulting lens assembly array can be individualized into separate lens assemblies.

Abstract: A tank and liquid level indicator has first housing that holds a liquid and a second elongated housing in fluid communication with the first elongated housing so that a liquid level in the second housing is approximately equal to the level in the first housing. A float in the second housing cooperates with the circuitry to operate one or more light switches. A light-transmissive cover is disposed over the light source.

Abstract: Conventional package for integration of MEMS and electronics suffer from profiles that are undesirably high to due to the thickness of the glass. Also in conventional package manufacturing, the MEMS and electronic devices are first individualized, and the individualized MEMS and electronics are combined into a package, and thus can be costly. To address these and other disadvantages, a panel level packaging is proposed. In this proposal, plural MEMS devices are integrated with plural semiconductor devices at a panel level, and the panel is then individualized into separate packages.

Abstract: A highly configurable controller is described that includes a number of different types of control mechanisms that emulate a wide variety of conventional control mechanisms using pressure and location sensitive sensors that generate high-density control information which may be mapped to the controls of a wide variety of devices and software.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for amplifying a plurality of targets in a single PCR run while distinguishing between clinically relevant amplification and amplification from other sources such as from background contamination. The methods and devices further enable discrimination between gram-positive, gram-negative and fungal infections as wells as identify antimicrobial resistance genes. When applying the methods and devices of the invention, the species or genus of an infection(s), and genus of a fungal co-infection(s) or category of bacterial (gram-positive or negative) co-infection(s) are identified. Species identification of co-infections can also be achieved. Further, when applying the methods and devices of the invention, organisms which are likely to be contaminating organisms from a blood draw are identified.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a chemical composition including a plurality of cholesteryl esters arranged to form a vesicle. In several embodiments, all of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have a same molecular length, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally smooth outer surface, while in other embodiments, a portion of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have different molecular lengths, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally irregular outer surface. In yet further embodiments, a shape of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of spherical, oval, disc-like, tubular and polyhedral shapes, and in yet other embodiments, a wall of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of a monolayer and a bilayer. In still further embodiments, the chemical composition further includes a polyethylene glycol coat of mixed polymer size.

Abstract: Sensor systems using piezoresistive materials are described that may be integrated with vehicle tires for use in a variety applications such as, for example, tire pressure monitoring, tread wear monitoring, anti-lock braking system control, suspension adjustment and/or control, wheel-drive system control, or road surface determination.

Abstract: A sensor is provided near an additive manufacturing (AM) part during fabrication to provide information about the condition of the additive material during fabrication. Sensor measurements are used for in situ monitoring and control of the AM system. By placing a sensor at this location, information at or near this location may be collected and then analyzed to determine if the AM process is proceeding acceptably, or if real-time modifications to the process should be made to improve the performance of the process. Conditions monitored by the sensor may include the melt pool dimensions, the temperature ahead of and at the melt pool, properties of the powder bed such as temperature and particle size distribution, local powder conditions, prior layer condition, and applied layer condition behind the laser. A control system uses these monitored conditions to adjust and control the ongoing AM fabrication process.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to implement the display of synchronized sensor data and captured video signal. A mobile computing device receives a set of data points from a multi-sensor device. The set of data points may be assigned a timestamp value, obtained from an internal clock within the mobile computing device. Sets of data points and their assigned timestamp values are aggregated into an aggregated sensor dataset that represents the sets of data points over a particular period of time. Concurrent to receiving the sensor data, video frames are received. The video frames with an assigned timestamp value are stored in a video frame dataset that represents video frames over a particular period of time. The aggregated sensor dataset and the video frame dataset are synchronized and combined into a single combined video dataset based upon the assigned timestamp values of the sets of data points and the video frames.

Abstract: An instrumented, swing path adjustable, angle-adjustable batting tee is disclosed that measures both a bat speed and a ball exit velocity as a hitter swings a bat and initiates contact with a ball positioned on the tee. A bat speed radar detector is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of the ball set on the tee so that the bat speed radar detector measures the bat speed upon the bat initiating contact with the ball. A ball exit velocity radar is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of a ball flight of the ball as it leaves the bat so that the ball exit velocity radar measures the ball exit velocity of the ball in-flight after contact between the bat and the ball. The ball flight is a path that the ball travels after contact between the bat and a baseball or softball.

Abstract: Conventional package for integration of MEMS and electronics suffer from profiles that are undesirably high to due to the thickness of the glass. Also in conventional package manufacturing, the MEMS and electronic devices are first individualized, and the individualized MEMS and electronics are combined into a package, and thus can be costly. To address these and other disadvantages, a panel level packaging is proposed. In this proposal, plural MEMS devices are integrated with plural semiconductor devices at a panel level, and the panel is then individualized into separate packages.

Abstract: A sensor array comprises resonant sensors and porous receptor materials arranged on the resonant sensors to absorb or adsorb one or more analytes. The average pore size of the porous receptor materials on the sensors increases systematically from one sensor to the next in the array. At least one detector is arranged to detect responses of the resonant sensors when the array is exposed to a sample potentially containing one or more of the analytes. In some embodiments, a processor is programmed to determine from the sensor responses the presence, amount or relative concentration of target molecules in the sample.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting analyte with correction for the effects of humidity. The device comprises a resonant sensor having an oscillating portion. A capacitor is positioned on the oscillating portion. The capacitor is formed by at least two electrodes and a sensing material positioned between the electrodes. A readout circuit is arranged to measure a response of the oscillating portion (e.g., frequency shift or change in resonance frequency, stiffness or strain) and a capacitance of the capacitor when substances are adsorbed or absorbed in the sensing material. This combination of measurements enables the device to distinguish between various types of adsorbed or absorbed molecules, especially distinguishing between an analyte of interest and water molecules that might interfere with the detection of the analyte.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing performance curve generation, damage monitoring, and improving non-destructive testing performance. Damage standards used for performance curve generation are monitored using a non-destructive testing (NDT) sensor during a damage evolution test performed with the standard. The evolution test may be intermittently paused to permit ground truth data to be collected in addition to the NDT sensor data. A damage evolution model may be used to estimate ground truth data during the intervening periods of the damage evolution test. The NDT sensor data and ground truth data are used to generate performance curves for the NDT system. Multiple sensors may be monitored at multiple locations on the damage standard and multiple damage evolution tests may be performed with multiple damage standards.

Abstract: This disclosure provides devices and methods for 3-D device packaging with backside interconnections. One or more device elements can be hermetically sealed from an ambient environment, such as by vacuum lamination and bonding. One or more via connections provide electrical interconnection from a device element to a back side of a device substrate, and provide electrical interconnection from the device substrate to external circuitry on the back side of the device. The external circuitry can include a printed circuit board or flex circuit. In some implementations, an electrically conductive pad is provided on the back side, which is electrically connected to at least one of the via connections. In some implementations, the one or more via connections are electrically connected to one or more electrical components or interconnections, such as a TFT or a routing line.

Abstract: Sensors incorporating piezoresistive materials are described. One class of sensors includes piezoresistive material that is held or otherwise supported adjacent conductive traces on a substrate. Another class of sensors includes conductive traces formed directly on the piezoresistive material.