Abstract: An inductive position sensor is disclosed. The inductive position sensor can include a substrate having inductive sensing coils. The inductive sensing coils can be disposed on or at least partially embedded in the substrate. One or more processors can be configured to process an output signal and determine a distance based at least in part on the processed output signal electrically connected to the one or more inductive sensing coils. The processors can control and manage an input signal and an output signal. The one or more processors can be configured to determine a position of a target. The target can comprise an electrically conductive moving target configured for tracking an object for measuring a position of the target. The substrate can be a flexible substrate that is non-planar and conforms to a surface profile of the target.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flowmeter with a measuring tube, a measuring device and a controller. The measuring tube has a longitudinal measuring tube axis. The measuring device has a magnetic field generator, an antenna and a longitudinal measuring axis. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field extending along the longitudinal measuring axis. The controller is designed to perform nuclear magnetic measurements on a medium in the measuring tube via the antenna. Thereby the mounting and dismounting of the measuring tube is simplified. The measuring device has a receiver for the measuring tube, and the receiver and the measuring tube can be brought together and separated. The measuring device and the measuring tube are connected to one another. The measuring longitudinal axis and the measuring tube longitudinal axis coincide and the controller can perform nuclear magnetic measurements on a medium in the measuring tube via the antenna.

Abstract: A thermal sensor comprising: a supply voltage input configured to receive a supply voltage; a differential circuit, the differential circuit comprising a first element configured to provide a first sensing signal, and a first reference element configured to provide a first reference signal; and a controller configured to: obtain a measured supply voltage value, the measured supply voltage value corresponding to a measurement of the supply voltage received by the supply voltage input; obtain a differential measurement between the first sensing signal and the first reference signal; and determine a sensor output value based on the measured supply voltage value and the differential measurement. A method for operating a thermal sensor is also described.

Abstract: In an automated liquid processing system, a first centrifuge performs a centrifuging cycle on a plurality of first inserts, a pairing robot to places first tubes, including pairs of first tubes, from the first inserts on a pairing platform, an excising station excises labels on the first tubes, captures an image of the excised first tubes, and determines, using an image analysis process, a height of a portion of the liquid within the first tubes. A first liquid handling station combines a portion of the liquid within first tubes, including pairs of first tubes, into a second tube. A second centrifuge performs a second centrifuging cycle, and a second liquid handling station aspirates liquid from the second tube and dispenses the liquid into an output container.

Abstract: A system, method, and process for direct, precise measurement of extension/strain of a metallic round or flat tensile specimen or measurement of crack growth rates on a metallic CT specimen under control forces of extreme temperature, pressure and adverse environment are applied to a pre-crack metallic specimen within an autoclave.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a concrete test device and method based on a load-corrosion coupling action, relating to the technical field of corrosion experimental devices for concrete sewage pipelines. The device simulates a real environment of a sewage pipeline based on the load-corrosion coupling action, applies mechanical load and chemical corrosion effects to a concrete specimen simultaneously, and accelerates a corrosion effect on the concrete specimen by exposing the concrete specimen. According to the device, researches on mechanical properties of a concrete material under the load-corrosion coupling action are realized, and an assessment sample basis is provided for researches on aging characteristics of the concrete sewage pipelines. The present invention further discloses a concrete test method based on the aforementioned test device.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for measuring potassium in a sample, including: chelating an interferant, using an amount of sodium gluconate, in the sample; mitigating an ammonium interference, using an amount of alkali hydroxide, in the sample; and measuring, using a tetraphenylborate indicator, the amount of potassium in the sample by measuring a change in intensity of the absorbance of the chelated sample. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system, a computing device, a computer readable storage medium, and a method to detect a personal care composition. In embodiments, an image capture device may capture values for infrared (IR) radiation from an interaction between light and an ingredient of the personal care composition. In embodiments, a processor may detect the presence of the personal care composition based on the valued for the IR radiation captured by the image capture device. Embodiments further relate to a personal care composition including one or more ingredients to be used as a marker for the personal care composition, selected for an ability to exhibit diffuse reflection or absorbance of IR radiation.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for optical detection of defects on a photosensitive object by fluorescence imaging in the infrared and near-infrared wavelengths of light. The method of fluorescence imaging enables fast and efficient defect detection on the object for quality control. Furthermore, the imaging process does not alter, discolor, or degrade electrical performance of the photosensitive object.

Abstract: A method to determine a mass of particles collected on a collection membrane having a first surface and a second surface. The particles to be analysed are deposited on the first surface. In a first step, the particles of the first surface are scanned with a Raman spectrometer and a preliminary Raman signal is collected. In a second step, at least one additional physical property of the particles is determined. In a third step, a correction factor is calculated based on the additional physical property. In a fourth step, a final Raman signal is calculated based on the correction factor and the preliminary Raman signal. In a fifth step the actual mass of the particles is determined based on the final Raman signal.

Abstract: A system for facilitating detection of defects in materials is configurable to: (i) access a set of input images comprising a plurality of cross-sectional images providing a representation of a component; and (ii) process the set of input images using an off-nominal anomaly detection model by, for each particular cross-sectional image of the plurality of cross-sectional images: (a) generate a set of patch embedding vectors comprising a patch embedding vector for each image patch of the particular cross-sectional image; (b) generate a set of difference metrics based on the set of patch embedding vectors and a probabilistic representation of a nominal component; and (c) determine a set of anomaly scores for the particular cross-sectional image based on the set of difference metrics.

Abstract: A method of detecting a material, and corresponding system, include irradiating a target during an irradiation period with source x-rays; detecting imaging x-rays and x-ray fluorescence received from the target resulting from the irradiating during the irradiation period; and providing an indication of the material being potentially present in the target, the indication based on both analyzing an x-ray image generated from the detected imaging x-rays and on analyzing the detected x-ray fluorescence for characteristic x-ray fluorescence that can be emitted from the material.

Abstract: An expandable tree pot includes a pot body and a pot lip arrangement. The pot lip arrangement is in the form of an accordion-style telescoping structure designed to be expanded from a collapsed position to a fully extended position to increase the height of the pot body from a minimum height to a maximum height to permit a user to continue to use the expandable tree pot upon a tree contained therein growing beyond the minimum height of the pot body.

Abstract: A plant holder that is configured to hold multiple plant pots and that is rotatable so that the pots may be positioned on either side of the planter or positioned in a flat work-table like manner

Abstract: A multifunctional gardening device designed to support includes a vegetable support member with a sidewall featuring at least one aperture, which may receive a vertical support member, thereby securing the vegetable support member in place. Extending from the sidewall is a base member characterized by a curved shape, forming the bottom surface of the vegetable support member. The vegetable support member also incorporates a distal end portion of the base member, projecting away from the sidewall, which defines a curved profile. Additionally, the base member is equipped with at least one second aperture on its bottom surface, purposed for facilitating fluid drainage.

Abstract: A thorn extractor apparatus has a frame, a roller, a screen that surrounds the roller, and a collection bin for receiving the thorny seeds. The frame includes a first and second side member, frame couplers, and a plurality of horizontal beams. The roller and screen work together to pick up and convey the thorny seeds to the collection bin to be discarded. The thorn extractor apparatus may feature a plurality of rollers coupled to a plurality of screens. The thorn extractor apparatus may also feature a vacuum, a kickstand, added weights, and a hitch mechanism configured to be pulled by a vehicle. Two or more frames may be coupled together in sequence to multiply the number of rollers clearing the ground of thorny seeds. The thorn extractor apparatus, in some examples, may feature an automatic drive system or be couplable to a vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to controlled hydroponic plant growing systems.

Abstract: An aeroponics apparatus may include a grow bed tray having a base and at least two side-walls, the grow bed tray being able to hold a plant support at a position spaced from the base of the grow bed tray, and a nebulizer for nebulizing nutrient solution, the nebulizer located at the base of the grow bed tray and comprising an ultrasonic transducer and a holder for holding the ultrasonic transducer. Also disclosed is a method for crop production using the aeroponics apparatus by either flowing nutrient solution into the base of the grow bed tray to contact at least the roots of the crops or providing nutrient solution at the base of the grow bed tray and nebulizing the nutrient solution so that the nebulized nutrient solution contacts at least the roots of the crops.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of selecting an animal or plant, and producing progeny from the animal or plant, using segmented phased genotypes.