Abstract: A system is provided for detecting a liquid sample, and includes: a flow cell assembly formed with a sample receiving space therein, and inlet and outlet channels extending to the sample receiving space for guiding the liquid sample into and away from the sample receiving space; a sensor device including a sample detecting unit that is disposed in the sample receiving space, and that is operable to detect the liquid sample and to generate a detection signal accordingly, and a signal conducting unit that is connected electrically to the sensor device for conducting the detection signal therefrom; and a liquid introducing unit and a liquid discharging unit coupled to the inlet and outlet channels and cooperating therewith to form an introducing path and a discharging path for introducing the liquid sample into and for discharging the liquid sample from the sample receiving space, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely detecting very small distances between a measurement probe and a surface, and more particularly to a proximity sensor using a constant liquid flow and sensing a liquid mass flow rate within a bridge to detect very small distances. Within the apparatus the use of a flow restrictor and/or snubber made of porous material and/or a liquid mass flow rate controller enables detection of very small distances in the nanometer to sub-nanometer range. A further embodiment wherein a measurement channel of a proximity sensor is connected to multiple measurement branches.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit is provided. The inertial measurement unit comprises two rotational axes, wherein a first of the two rotational axes is aligned nominally along a thrust axis and a second of the two rotational axes is aligned substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by a local gravity vector and a thrust vector, and one or more sensors which rotate about the second rotational axis.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in testing a liquid as part of a microfluidic testing system, includes a testing chamber configured to receive the liquid to be tested. A liquid inlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow ingress of the liquid into the testing chamber. A gas outlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow egress of gas out of the testing chamber. The gas outlet has an elevation that is higher than an elevation of the liquid inlet such that, as the testing chamber is rotated, the gas is expelled out of the testing chamber through the gas outlet, thereby reducing or preventing a presence of gas bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing the health of an individual by collecting a breath sample from the individual and measuring the amount of each of a plurality of analytes in the sample. The amount of each analytes is measured by fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell sample electrode is contacted with the sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the analytes on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell. Each of the plurality of analytes is generally indicative of an aspect of the individual's health. Suitable analytes include, for example, inorganic compounds as well as compositions that exhibit negative reduction reactions at least for a portion of the time response curve.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a gas/liquid interface of a fluid in a tank having a probe and a controller. The probe has silicon diodes arranged linearly on a substrate. The controller applies power to each of the silicon diodes to make a determination of whether a fluid in which the silicon diode is immersed is a liquid or a gas based on a rate of transfer of heat from the silicon diode to the fluid. A method for determining the phase of a fluid in which a sensor is immersed includes the steps of immersing the sensor in a fluid and increasing power applied to the sensor. The value of a thermal transient of the sensor is then measured and the phase of the fluid is determined based on the measured value of the thermal transient.

Abstract: A tank level detection apparatus for indirect measurement of a liquid level in a tank is disclosed. The apparatus includes a second liquid at least partially stored in a reservoir and a one-way valve, which communicates between the reservoir and the tank. A sensor is used to determine a physical characteristic of second liquid from which the level of the liquid in the tank can be determined.

Abstract: A method for detecting particle agglomeration in CMP slurries. In accordance with an implementation of the invention, a CMP slurry is tested for abrasive particle agglomeration by applying an ultra high shearing force to the slurry and analyzing its rheological behavior. Through the comparison of slurry rheological behavior, implementations of the invention make it possible to detect particle agglomeration in a slurry and to distinguish between fresh and aged slurries.

Abstract: Method for determining dispersancy performance for a plurality of fluid samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more base oils of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricating oil additives and a predetermined amount of an oil-insoluble material. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an on-line rotational/oscillatory rheometrical device inserted in the barrel of an extruder (1), composed of a main body (2), a cleaning ring (5) and a lower support (6), kept at a constant temperature, and a set of plates, upper (3) and lower (4) with an adjustable separation, with the upper plate being animated with a rotating or oscillating movement, via a coupling to a rotation/measuring head of a commercial controlled-stress rheometer. The rotation of the ensemble allows a sample of material to be collected from the interior of the extruder and its subsequent rheological characterisation in the device.

Abstract: A sensor with an attenuated drift characteristic, including a layer structure in which a sensing layer has a layer of diffusional barrier material on at least one of its faces. The sensor may for example be constituted as a hydrogen gas sensor including a palladium/yttrium layer structure formed on a micro-hotplate base, with a chromium barrier layer between the yttrium layer and the micro-hotplate, and with a tantalum barrier layer between the yttrium layer and an overlying palladium protective layer. The gas sensor is useful for detection of a target gas in environments susceptible to generation or incursion of such gas, and achieves substantial (e.g., >90%) reduction of signal drift from the gas sensor in extended operation, relative to a corresponding gas sensor lacking the diffusional barrier structure of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor for the detection of liquid ingredients with a carrier element (10), a sensor element (1) on the carrier element (10) and a sensor array, which is disposed on the surface of the sensor element and contains one or more electrodes (2), which are in electrical contact (4) with the corresponding deflection surfaces (3), which are also on the surface of the sensor element (1), but otherwise not electrically connected to the carrier element (10).

Abstract: A method for pressure testing an engine to detect possible oil seal leaks. The engine is charged with a predetermined pressure while air pressure is also applied to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve intake port to offset leakage inherent in the EGR valve. Thereafter, a pressure drop in the engine pressure is used to determine whether an oil seal leak may be present. Applying pressurized air to the EGR valve intake port compensates for EGR valve leakage and prevents the EGR valve leakage from masking possible oil seal leaks, thereby making the system more sensitive to such potential oil seal leaks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a test for determining if an engine has oil seal leaks. The engine is charged with a predetermined pressure of air and monitored by a leak tester. A digital valve is set to provide a certain leak rate based upon signals received from a digital valve controller. Thereafter, based upon signals received from a PC and a main control unit, a variety of trials are completed. The results and programs are stored in the PC. Results of the trials allow an optimized testing program to be selected that would be best suited for use on a manufacturing assembly line.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring compositional parameters of solid, liquid, and gas components of a mixture flowing in a pipe is presented. The apparatus combines three different compositional measurements (e.g., the speed of light (microwave), the speed of sound (sonar), and mass loading of vibrating tubes or absorption of radiation) simultaneously to provide a real time, multi parameter, compositional measurement of gas-entrained mixtures.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the temperature and moisture of a gas has an aspirated flow passage with a configuration that causes the gas to have turbulent flow and, therefore, to mix. A dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer positioned in the flow passage downstream of the configuration that causes mixing measures the temperature and moisture of the gas. A wick and a water reservoir for keeping the wet bulb thermometer wet are cleaned and refilled by a flow of water through the gas passage. The gas passage is heated to prevent condensation of any moisture in the gas.

Abstract: A multi-purpose modular pyrolysis and thermal processing system (MPMPTPS) for pyrolyzing and/or vaporizing liquids and solids to create an evolved vapor suitable for introduction into a gas-chromatography and/or vapor detection system, thereby allowing detection, classification and/or identification characteristics of threat agents. The MPMPTPS system is capable of pyrolyzing and/or vaporizing liquid (in solution, suspension or colloidal form) and solid (in aerosol or powder form) form of biological and chemical threat agents in a manner that the evolved vapor may be introduced into Gas-Chromatography systems and/or vapor detection systems, without the use of any reagents and/or bottled gases.

Abstract: A method for examining a surface of a sample is described using an atomic force scanning microscope (AFM) comprising a cantilever with a longitudinal extension along which a measuring tip is disposed, which is selectively arranged relative to the sample surface by a means for driving and whose spatial position is detected using a sensor unit. Vibration excitation is conducted at excitation amplitudes which produce inside the cantilever torsional amplitudes with maximum values which form a largely (substantively) constant plateau value despite increasing excitation amplitudes and the resonance spectra, in a range of maximum values of the torsional amplitudes, a widening of the resonance spectrum which is determinable by a plateau width. The resonance spectra, preferably the plateau value, the plateau width and/or the gradient of the respective resonance spectra are used for examining the sample.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a sample tank for collecting and quieting a volume fraction of the fluid to be measured. The sample tank is in communication, at least at times, with a fluid containment via a filling line (L1) and a supply line (L2) connected, at least at times, with the filling line. The apparatus further includes a fluid measuring device having a vibration-type measurement pickup. A measuring tube of the measurement pickup is caused to vibrate during operation. The measuring tube is connected, at least at times, with the sample tank via a connecting line (L3), which is connected to an inlet end of the measurement pickup. The apparatus of the invention is especially suited for measuring liquids which are charged with gas and/or which tend to outgas.

Abstract: A sensor has a die (with a working portion), a cap coupled with the die to at least partially cover the working portion, and a conductive pathway extending through the cap to the working portion. The pathway provides an electrical interface to the working portion.