Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosure, a gold (Au)-embedded triple-layer SnO2 nanocomposite comprises three layers of SnO2—Au—SnO2?x (0<x<2), wherein the Au is buried between the SnO2 and SnO2-x (0<x<2) layers. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the AU-embedded SnO2 nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method of analyzing dissolved gas in an oil-filled transformer includes determining a centroid of a polygon that represents a plurality of dissolved gas concentrations. A fault region in which the centroid of the polygon is located is determined, where the plurality of fault regions are defined in a composite fault region map that is a composite of a Duval Pentagons 1 and 2. The method classifies a fault experienced by the transformer based on the determined fault region within the composite fault region map. The classification is done by a machine learning classification technique. Further embodiments classify faults based on dissolved gas levels without determining a centroid of a polygon representing the dissolved gas levels. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing, switch circuitry having an omega-shaped switch element, and a mass member movable within the housing from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. Movement of the mass member to the second position causes the mass member to move the switch element to change a state of a circuit condition of the switch circuitry, and the change of the state of the switch circuitry indicates receipt of the acceleration event.

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: An apparatus for applying force to a workpiece, the apparatus having a frame with spaced first and second side members and a top frame assembly. An anchor is spaced downwardly from the top frame assembly. There is a force generator connected to the frame assembly. The force generator is operative to apply a force to a workpiece connected between and to the force generator and anchor.

Abstract: Provided are aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors, capable of detecting various analytes, including toxins, at comparatively low concentrations. Also provided are methods of fabricating and using such aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following: an image forming portion; a first metal side plate and a second metal side plate provided opposite each other with respect to the image forming portion; an antenna for communicating with external equipment; a housing including a top cover that is provided above the first metal side plate and the second metal side plate in a vertical direction, and a side cover that is provided on an outer side opposite to an inner side where the image forming portion is provided with respect to the first metal side plate, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a support member provided on the first metal side plate, the support member including a housing support portion that supports at least one of the top cover and the side cover, and an antenna support portion that supports the antenna.

Abstract: A system and method to inspect and monitor stress, strain, leakage, corrosion and disjointing of rigid metallic and non-metallic connector fittings used to join sections of non-metallic flexible reinforced thermoplastic pipe (RTP), as well as inspecting and monitoring the structural health of RTP in the area of connections with casement shields concentrically mounted on and adhered to the outer surface of the RTP at or adjacent to connection with a rigid connector fitting, monitoring sensors installed in the casement shields, a management system for receiving, processing and transmitting information gathered from the sensors via SCADA or other computerized means for monitoring and regulating strain impact, determining stress level and direction, potential leaks and temperature spikes at connector fitting areas, and a mechanism for acoustical detection or simulation, with a computer system for receiving, processing and transmitting information gathered from acoustical micro packs on the casement shields.

Abstract: A rolling soil probe which may be pulled by a tractor or a truck or mounted on a trailer. The rolling soil probe includes a rotatable square wheel having four sides, each of which has a soil probe extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An environmental sensor device with a sensor enclosure is configured for use in a gas environment. An enclosure support, at least one sensor on a face of the enclosure; and at least one debris sloughing structure is used. The debris sloughing structure is composed of a channel with a set of inner and outer ridges disposed in the enclosure around a periphery of the at least one sensor, wherein a top portion of the debris sloughing structure above the at least one sensor and lateral portions of the debris sloughing structure on lateral sides of the at least one sensor. A shape and arrangement of the debris sloughing structure carries condensate or contaminants forming on non-sensor areas of the enclosure away from the sensor and to a bottom portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: Minimal-cost, high-accuracy, and portable devices used to detect the presence of insect larvae and adult insects 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: The present disclosure relates to a measuring assembly comprising: a metallic measuring tube open on both sides for carrying a medium, wherein the measuring tube has an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, and at least two apertures, wherein the two apertures extend from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface; a dielectric cladding layer, which rests on the inner circumferential surface of the measuring tube; a first microwave antenna, which is arranged in the measuring tube and with which contact can be made through the first aperture; a second microwave antenna which is arranged in the measuring tube and with which contact can be made through the second aperture; wherein the dielectric cladding layer forms a dielectric waveguide, via which microwaves can, at least to some extent, reach from the first microwave antenna to the second microwave antenna.

Abstract: A gas concentration measurement system and an airway adapter thereof are provided. The gas concentration measurement system includes the airway adapter and a gas concentration detection device including a main body. The main body includes an accommodating passageway, a check unit, a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The airway adapter includes an inlet section, a detection section, an identification part and an outlet section. The detection section includes a light entering detection window and a light exiting detection window that are integrally formed. The identification part has an identification chip disposed therein. When the airway adapter is mated with the accommodating passageway of the gas concentration detection device along an axis of the airway adapter, the identification chip of the identification part is read to check whether or not the airway adapter is matched with the gas concentration detection device.

Abstract: The technology of the invention relates to an ultrasonic characterization method for a flowstream to detect impurities that can include placing a first transducer and a second transducer aligned confocally to a flowstream, transmitting, from the first transducer, ultrasonic waveform signals into the flowstream, receiving, by the second transducer, the ultrasonic waveform signals, removing waveform signal reflections using a pitch-catch configuration of the first transducer and the second transducer, detecting waveform signals indicating impurities in the flowstream using induced nucleation of the impurities, detecting waveform signals indicating bubbles in the flowstream using nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the bubbles, and differentiating between the waveform signals of the impurities and the waveform signals of the bubbles using cavitation properties of the impurities and the bubbles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a wireless self-powered gas sensor based on electromagnetic oscillations triggered by external forces and its fabrication method. The sensor includes a gas test chamber, a first friction layer, a second friction layer, an interdigital electrode, a gas-sensitive material, an air inlet, an air outlet and leads. The gas sensor of the disclosure is an integrated detection system of “environmental energy collection—wireless energy transmission—active spontaneous detection” that can be driven simultaneously only by external mechanical movement, and can work independently without external power supply. The first friction layer and the second friction layer are arranged outside the gas test chamber. The frictional motion will not interfere with the flow field of the test chamber and the gas molecule absorption and desorption, which ensures the stability of gas detection to the greatest extent.

Abstract: A system for testing a vapor product with a mouthpiece that has a non-circular cross section includes an adaptor coupled to a neck portion of a filter pad holder. The adaptor includes a nose to receive the neck portion and an adaptor body coupled to the nose. An opening is defined by the adaptor body and the nose, the opening extending through the adaptor body and the nose and configured to receive the neck portion. A sealing member is configured to be received by the adaptor and the filter pad holder. The sealing member includes a sealing member nose configured to be received by the neck portion, and a sealing member body coupled to the sealing member nose and configured to be received by the opening. The sealing member body defines an orifice, the orifice extending through the sealing member body.

Abstract: A system for determining gas characteristics at high altitudes in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following features: (a) a high-altitude balloon having one or more of the following features: (a) a balloon, (b) a balloonsat operably coupled to the balloon, (c) an air path chamber wherein gas at a high altitude can occupy the air path chamber, (d) a first speaker located on a substrate within the air path chamber, wherein the first speaker takes an electrical signal input and creates a first sound wave, and (e) a second speaker located on the substrate facing opposite of the first speaker located outside of the air path chamber, wherein the second speaker takes the electrical signal and creates a second sound wave.

Abstract: A flow machine having a flow passage and an air flow measurement system comprising a plurality of acoustic sensors. The acoustic sensors comprise at least one acoustic transmitter configured to transmit an acoustic waveform through the airflow passing through the flow passage to an acoustic receiver. At least one of the acoustic sensors is rotatable relative to one or more other acoustic sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. A housing for an electronic display has a first pathway which extends between an ingestion area and an exhaustion area. An air quality monitoring device is located along said pathway and has one or more sensors that measure the concentration of various gases. The air quality monitoring device has a housing with a second pathway which connects an entrance aperture to exit aperture. The entrance aperture being configured to permit a portion of the ambient air in the first pathway to enter the second pathway.

Abstract: A detection system for an aircraft that includes at least one chemical sensor or an array of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing an airborne material. The chemical sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes in the presence of the airborne material. The system further includes a processor coupled to the chemical sensor. The processor monitors electrical characteristic of the chemical sensor and generates a detection signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic.