Abstract: A method, circuit and apparatus for detecting capacitance on a droplet actuator, inter alia, for determining the presence, partial presence or absence of a droplet at an electrode on a droplet actuator by: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising: (i) a substrate comprising electrodes arranged on the substrate for conducting droplet operations on a surface of the substrate; (ii) a capacitance detection circuit for detecting capacitance at the droplet operations surface at one or more of the electrodes; (b) detecting capacitance at the droplet operations surface at one or more of the electrodes; and (c) determining from the capacitance the presence, partial presence or absence of a droplet at the droplet operations surface at the electrode.

Abstract: An inductive sensor includes a primary winding, two secondary windings and a moveable target, the primary winding being centered about a central axis and carrying a high-frequency alternating current which can induce a voltage in secondary windings, the secondary windings also being centered about the central axis and made up of a number k of substantially identical loops, which are successively crossed and arranged opposite the primary winding. In this case, the target is made up of a part having p=1 angular sector with an angular opening. The opening of the angular sector of the target is less than that of a loop of secondary winding with a deviation calculated such as to eliminate the fourth harmonic of the linearity deviation Fourier decomposition, between the measured angular value and real angular value for the position of the target over the measurement course.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a gripping of a hand-held device with one hand, using a capacitive sensor device, uses at least one transmitting electrode, at least one compensating electrode and at least one receiving electrode. An electrical signal is tapped at the receiving electrode and the sensor device can be operated in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a first alternating electrical signal is applied to the transmitting electrode and a second alternating electrical signal is applied to the compensating electrode. In the second operating mode, the second alternating signal is only applied to the compensating electrode. Furthermore, a sensor device can be provided which is configured to perform the method as described above.

Abstract: An electrical power supply device includes a DC voltage source with terminals, a controller, and an insulation-defect detecting device for detecting an insulation defect of the voltage source. The device has input terminals connected to source terminals, and circuits connected between respective input terminals and an intermediate point. The insulation-defect current-detection circuit connects between ground and the intermediate point. Both circuits have current-limiter circuits that open and close a connection between respective inputs and the intermediate point. Both current-limiter circuits are rated for traversal by a current of less than a standardized safety threshold when the first current-limiter circuit is closed and one of the terminals of the DC voltage source is shorted to ground. The control circuit is configured to simultaneously keep one current-limiter circuits open and the other closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates an aligning voltage applying device and a method for applying an aligning voltage. The aligning voltage applying device includes a base, probe pins, and a pressing plate module. The pressing plate module includes a pressing plate and a driving unit. The aligning voltage applying device and the method for applying the aligning voltage of the present invention can make the probe pins contact pads effectively without damage to the probe pins and an LCD substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder has a high resolution track including a plurality of North/South pole pairs defining a plurality of pole junctions, and a reference track including a North/South pole pair defining a North/South pole junction aligned with a first pole junction of the high resolution track, and a South/North pole junction aligned with a second pole junction of the high resolution track. Only a single pole junction of the high resolution track is positioned between the first and second pole junctions of the high resolution track.

Abstract: The method of detecting leukemia involves placing a suspension of red blood cells in a reservoir having a capillary tube partially immersed in the reservoir. An alternating current is applied to electrodes (one in the reservoir, the other in the capillary tube) at different frequencies. The electrical resistance is measured at the interface between the electrode and the suspension in the capillary tube. At the same time, CCD (charge coupled device) cameras take images, both top views and side views. The electrical resistance will show a peak at a characteristic resonant frequency, which is different for cancerous blood cells than for normal blood cells. The CCD images will show a pattern of maximum repulsion from the electrode at the resonant frequency in the top view, and minimum height of blood cells on the side of the electrode at the resonant frequency in the side view.

Abstract: Arrangement in an automated test system to connect to a plurality of functional modules of different forms including a common chassis defining a plurality of identical connectors and a backplane associated with the chassis and providing electrical connections for functional modules when engaged with the connectors. A set of adapters is provided including a first adapter having a coupling at an attachment end and a module receiving end configured to mate with one or more functional modules each having a first form, and a second adapter having a coupling at an attachment end and a module receiving end configured to mate with one or more functional modules each having a second form different than the first form. The couplings of the adapters are the same such that the adapters are freely insertable via their attachment ends into engagement with any of the connectors.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting one or more materials includes a substrate, a passivation layer formed on the substrate, a self-resonant structure and a high surface area material disposed on the passivation layer. The self-resonant structure includes a planar spiral inductor and a plurality of planar interdigitated capacitor electrodes disposed within the passivation layer. The planar spiral inductor includes an electrically conductive trace formed on the substrate in a planar spiral pattern having at least two turns and an inter-winding space between parallel segments of the electrically conductive trace. The plurality of planar interdigitated capacitor electrodes are electrically connected to the electrically conductive trace of the planar spiral inductor and formed on the substrate within the inter-winding space of at least one outermost turn of the planar spiral inductor. The high surface area material includes a conformal polymer coating to increase a sensitivity to the one or more materials.

Abstract: A method for detecting a load type is described. The method includes placing an electronic device in a forward phase mode. The method also includes operating a load at a maximum allowable level. The method additionally includes capturing a voltage waveform. The method further includes capturing a current waveform. The method also includes obtaining a voltage zero-cross based on the voltage waveform. The method additionally includes obtaining a current zero-cross based on the current waveform. The method further includes determining the load type based on the voltage zero-cross and the current zero-cross.

Abstract: The service phase of the electrical connection to a customer endpoint device located within a power distribution system is determined by various techniques. At the feeder level, the system may be programmed to induce disturbances, thereby causing missed zero crossings at the customer endpoint devices. The pattern of these disturbances is a controlled one, designed specifically to avoid causing noticeable disruption even to sensitive devices, but to be unusual enough that it is statistically unlikely to be naturally occurring. The monitoring of the zero crossing information is used to determine the phase of the service line to the customer endpoint devices.

Abstract: Probe head assemblies, components of probe head assemblies, test systems including the probe head assemblies and/or components thereof, and methods of operating the same. The probe head assemblies are configured to convey a plurality of test signals to and/or from a device under test and include a space transformer, a contacting assembly, and a riser that spatially separates the space transformer from the contacting assembly and conveys the plurality of test signals between the space transformer and the contacting assembly. The contacting assembly may include a frame that defines an aperture and has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is within a threshold difference of that of the device under test, a flexible dielectric body that is attached to the frame, maintained in tension by the frame, and extends across the aperture, and a plurality of conductive probes. The plurality of conductive probes may include a dual-faceted probe tip.

Abstract: Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing electrical characteristics of a device, having one or more testing sites. The apparatus comprises a nonconductive plate having a through-hole. The through-hole is positioned such that it at least partially overlays one of the one or more testing sites when at least a portion of the bottom surface of the nonconductive plate is adjacent to the device to be tested. The apparatus also comprises an adhesive on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the nonconductive plate for attaching the bottom surface of the nonconductive plate to the device to be tested. The apparatus also comprises a probe positioning body protruding from the top surface of the nonconductive plate and having a through-hole. The probe positioning body is positioned such that the through-hole of the probe positioning body at least partially aligns with the through-hole of the nonconductive plate.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor system includes a magnetic field generation unit for generating a target magnetic field and a magnetic sensor for detecting the target magnetic field, and is selectable between an operating state and a non-operating state. The magnetic sensor has a magnetic detection element including a magnetic layer whose magnetization direction varies according to the direction of the target magnetic field in a reference position. When in the operating state, the direction of the target magnetic field in the reference position varies when viewed from the magnetic sensor. When in the non-operating state, the direction of the target magnetic field in the reference position does not vary when viewed from the magnetic sensor and the magnetization direction of the magnetic layer is pinned in a first direction. The magnetic layer has an induced magnetic anisotropy that is imparted in advance to the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle apparatus is provided with a handle main body formed by coupling a first cover and a second cover and a capacitance sensor accommodated in a hollow space in the handle main body. One of the first cover and the second cover is formed with an accommodation recess defined by partition walls. The capacitance sensor is accommodated in the accommodation recess and fixed by a potting agent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining the location of a touch on a touch sensor includes receiving input signals in response to a touch proximate to a location on the touch sensor. Each input signal may have a total capacitance that includes a first capacitance associated with the touch and a second capacitance that is parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance of one or more of the input signals may be adjusted to result in the second capacitance of each of the input signals being substantially equal. An average capacitance of the adjusted input signals may be calculated. The location of the touch on the touch sensor may then be determined based on a comparison of the total capacitance of each of the input signals and the average capacitance of the input signals.

Abstract: A semiconductor layer with a low density of trap states is provided. A transistor with stable electrical characteristics is provided. A transistor having high field-effect mobility is provided. A semiconductor device including the transistor is provided. A method for evaluating a semiconductor layer is provided. A method for evaluating a transistor is provided. A method for evaluating a semiconductor device is provided. Provided is, for example, a semiconductor layer with a low defect density which can be used for a channel formation region of a transistor, a transistor including a semiconductor layer with a low defect density in a channel formation region, or a semiconductor device including the transistor.

Abstract: A fault detection system for subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables is provided. The fault detection system includes a first ammeter for measuring a first phase current, a second ammeter for measuring a second phase current, and a third ammeter for measuring a third phase current. The fault detection system also includes a first calculation unit for calculating a negative sequence current from the first phase current, the second phase current, and the third phase current, and a first detection unit for detecting a change in the negative sequence current.

Abstract: A non-contact, hand-held voltage detector is used to determine if AC voltage is present in a tamper-resistant receptacle. The voltage detector includes a pair of pins to open both shutters of the tamper-resistant receptacle.