Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a fixing belt having a surface to which a lubricant is applied and contacting the first surface through the lubricant, a heat conductor contacting the second surface, and a pressing roller capable of pressing and rotating the fixing belt, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the heater, a first thermometer configured to measure temperature of the heat conductor, and a controller configured to determine a first amount of electric power to be supplied to the heater based on the temperature of the heat conductor, and control the power supply to supply the determined first amount of electric power to the heater, before controlling the pressing roller to start rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vapor-permeable flexible sensing platform unit comprising: a first porous membrane, wherein said membrane is substantially flexible and hydrophobic; and a volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensor disposed on said membrane, the VOCs sensor comprising an electrode array and a conducting polymer porous film being in electric contact with said electrode array, wherein the VOCs sensor is insensitive to lateral strain. Further provided are a method of preparation of said platform unit and a lift-off, float-on (LOFO) method for the preparation of protonically doped polyaniline (PANI) thin films.

Abstract: A torque tool includes multiple bits, a handle, a pointer and a scale ring. Each of the bits includes a colored area. In use, the handle is connected to a selected one of the bits. The handle is operable to set multiple maximum values of torque transferable to the bit from the handle corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The pointer is formed on the handle. The scale ring includes multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The scale ring is rotated around the handle as the handle is operated to set the maximum values of torque, thereby aligning the pointer with one of the colored areas of the scale ring corresponding to the colored area of a selected one of the bits.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and devices that assist in forming biosensors. Specifically, features that align solutions containing molecules to be immobilized on biosensors. A retaining structure may be disposed at least partially around a target surface of a substrate. A resonating structure may be disposed on the target surface. A droplet of functionalized material may be disposed on the resonating structure and the target surface, which may be auto-aligned and retained by the retaining structure on the target surface to consistently cover the resonating structure.

Abstract: LC techniques are disclosed. The LC technique includes providing a liquid chromatography system having a coated metallic fluid-contacting element, and transporting a fluid to contact the coated metallic fluid contacting element. Conditions for the transporting of the fluid are selected from the group consisting of the temperature of the fluid being greater than 150 degree Celsius, pressure urging the fluid being greater than 60 MPa, the fluid having a protein-containing analyte incompatible with one of titanium and polyether ether ketone, the fluid having a chelating agent incompatible with the one or both of the titanium or the polyether ether ketone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 4-method for preparing original data of an odor image includes a measurement result acquiring step of acquiring each measurement result measured with respect to the odor substance included in the sample in each of a plurality of sensor elements of an odor sensor, and a data processing step of generating the original data for representing the odor of the sample in the image by processing each of the acquired measurement results. Each of the sensor elements has different detection properties with respect to the odor substance. In a case where each of the original data items is represented in a small image, the odor of the sample is represented in an odor image in a predetermined display mode in which small images are assembled, and each of the small images is varied in accordance with the magnitude of the value of each original data item.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly that includes a main case, which may be permanently situated in-line with a monitored piping system, and an interchangeable measuring element installed within the main case. The measuring element may include solid state ultrasonic components to measure fluid flow through the measuring element. Installation and/or replacement of the measuring element is enabled without removal of the main case and without additional calibration. One measuring element may be swapped out with another measuring element (e.g., a replacement or upgrade) without disconnecting from pipe sections to which the main case is attached. The measuring element cover includes an underside cavity and a bleed hole located at a high point of the underside cavity. The underside cavity releases entrapped air from the measuring channel through the bleed hole, after starting a fluid supply through the meter assembly.

Abstract: A method for determining a calibrated measurement value for a concentration of the target gas comprises obtaining a measurement signal based on the concentration of the target gas. The method further comprises determining the calibrated measurement value based on the measurement signal and based on a calibration model. The calibration model is based on calibration data of a plurality of test sensor units having the same type as the sensor unit.

Abstract: A product [11] includes a foldable clamshell-type housing [10] folded to a closed position to contain a pre-formed sensor pad [17] that was formed in situ therein when the housing [10] was in an open position, prior to closing. The housing [10] has an enclosed volume [12] bounded by relatively thin and flexible walls [23, 34], and outwardly extending tabs [18] which facilitate opening. This structure enables the user to easily open the housing [10] to remove the sensor pad [17], a cured silicone composition, by pushing inward on an outer surface of the outer wall [34] of a base section [15] of the housing [10]. This product [11] reduces the amount of manipulation needed to place the sensor pad [17] in a desired position, for example, during installation of a rain sensor system for a vehicle windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing a first and second sodium ion selective electrode (ISE). The ion selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, having first and second reference electrodes, respectively, with a salt bridge therebetween, where the first ISE receives hard water and the second ISE receives soft water. A least one drain receives outflow from effluent fluid from the first and second sodium ISE sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a passive outdoor air sampler device with various screen types and materials for efficient collection of air particles. Screens are used as a collection surface for aerosolized particles. The air sampler is suitable for long-term use in different outdoor settings with no power requirements.

Abstract: A set of sensor data collected from one or more sensors associated with a bioprinted tissue is received. The set of sensor data is analyzed to determine whether a condition for controlled movement of the bioprinted tissue is met. A control signal is issued to a set of expansive elements to perform the controlled movement in response to determining that the condition for controlled movement of the bioprinted tissue is met.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a pharmaceutical cylindrical container made of glass or polymer is provided. The apparatus includes an inspection area, a handling device, and a friction wheel. The handling device has a first holder configured to hold a lateral surface of the pharmaceutical cylindrical container. The first holder includes a first support wheel and a second support wheel. The handling device moves such that the pharmaceutical cylindrical container is transferred from a first transfer position to the inspection area and from the inspection area to a second transfer position. The first holder and/or the friction wheel bring the pharmaceutical cylindrical container into contact with the friction wheel such that the pharmaceutical cylindrical container is rotated around a container longitudinal axis by rotating the first and second support wheels and/or by rotating the friction wheel.

Abstract: A method for testing a gas sensor and a gas sensor are disclosed. In an embodiment a method for testing at least one gas sensor includes exposing in a first measurement the gas sensor to a test gas under first gas conditions including a first pressure and exposing in a second measurement the gas sensor to the test gas under second gas conditions including a second pressure, the second gas conditions being different from the first gas conditions, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure, and/or wherein the gas sensor is exposed to an intermediate pressure different from the first pressure between the first measurement and the second measurement.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods allowing for automated sampling and/or analysis of controlled environments, for example, to determine the presence, quantity, size, concentration, viability, species or characteristics of particles within the environment. The described systems and methods may utilize robotics or automation or remove some or all of the collection or analysis steps that are traditionally performed by human operators. The methods and systems described herein are versatile and may be used with known particle sampling and analysis techniques and particle detection devices including, for example, optical particle counters, impingers and impactors.

Abstract: Minimal-cost, high-accuracy, and portable devices used to detect the presence of insects at all stages of life, including in the egg stage, in stored products by sensing gas phase markers such as volatile pheromones, semiochemicals, and kairomones. The methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein utilize a sensor array configured to simultaneously measure a plurality of target markers and filter background gases while remaining compact, highly accurate, and easy to operate.

Abstract: A laboratory sample vessel distribution system is presented. The system comprises a cabinet, sample vessel carriers for receiving sample vessels, and a cabinet drawer for receiving a sample vessel carrier. The drawer is locatable in different positions: closed, opened, and fully opened. An actuator moves the sample vessels and the sample vessel carriers between different locations. An actuator driver drives the actuator and applies a first mode of operation with a first speed and a second mode of operation with a second reduced speed compared to the first speed. A sensor device detects between opened and closed positions and provides position signals. A control device is connected to the actuator driver and the sensor device. The control device provides control signals to the actuator driver instructing the actuator driver to apply either the first mode, if in the closed position, or the second mode, if in the opened position.

Abstract: Chemical sensors, devices and systems including the same, and related methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a medical device is included having a graphene varactor including a graphene layer and a self-assembled monolayer disposed on an outer surface of the graphene layer through non-covalent interactions between the self-assembled monolayer and a ?-electron system of graphene. The self-assembled monolayer includes one or more pillarenes, substituted pillarenes, calixarenes, substituted calixarenes, peralkylated cyclodextrins, substituted peralkylated cyclodextrins, pyrenes, or substituted pyrenes, or derivatives of each. Other embodiments are also included.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a pharmaceutical cylindrical container made of glass or polymer includes a handling device that has a first holder that holds a lateral surface of the pharmaceutical cylindrical container and includes a first support wheel and a second support wheel. The handling device moves such that the pharmaceutical cylindrical container is transferred from a first transfer position to the inspection area and from the inspection area to a second transfer position. The handling device and/or a friction wheel rotate the pharmaceutical cylindrical container around a container longitudinal axis. A first plane is defined through the first rotational axis of the first support wheel and the container longitudinal axis, while a second plane is defined through the second rotational axis of the second support wheel and the container longitudinal axis. The first and second planes intersect at an angle in a range of 45° to less than 120°.

Abstract: An optical device comprises an optical filter having a substrate and a multilayer film having layers with different refractive indexes formed on at least one side of the substrate; and an infrared light emitting and receiving device having a first conductive-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive-type semiconductor layer. The multilayer film has alternatively stacked first second layers each having refractive indexes of 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less, and 3.2 or more and 4.2 or less, respectively, in a wavelength range of 2400 nm to 6000 nm. The optical filter includes a wavelength range having an average transmittance of 70% or more with a width of 50 nm or more in a wavelength range of 2400 nm to 6000 nm, and has a maximum transmittance of 5% or more in a wavelength range of 6000 nm to 8000 nm.