Abstract: Sniffing leak detector including a handheld device with a sniffer tip probe including a sample gas inlet, a reference gas inlet, a gas analyzer, and a switching valve adapted to alternatingly connect the sample gas inlet to the gas analyzer and the reference gas inlet to the gas analyzer in a gas conducting manner, such that either the gas drawn through the sample gas inlet or the gas drawn through the reference gas inlet is analyzed by the gas analyzer, characterized in that the reference gas inlet is arranged in a remote distance from the sniffer tip probe and a reference gas conduit connecting the reference gas inlet and the switching valve includes a buffer chamber adapted to homogeneously mix gas drawn into the buffer chamber through the reference gas inlet with the remaining gas in the buffer chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a basin that is configured to hold water. A heating source can be configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range. A water-permeable substrate can extend across an upper surface of the basin, the water-permeable substrate simulating a subfloor (or other material upon which a covering material is positioned). Samples can be placed on the water-permeable substrate for a select duration to determine effects of moisture exposure from underneath, e.g., the subfloor.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas in an environment includes a first gas sensor, a first contaminant sensor separate and spaced from the first gas sensor, and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first gas sensor to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first gas sensor. The electronic circuitry is further in electrical connection with the first contaminant sensor to measure a response of the first contaminant sensor over time. The measured response of the first contaminant sensor varies with an amount of one or more contaminants to which the system has been exposed in the environment over time.

Abstract: A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

Abstract: An aerosol detection system for detecting airborne organic matter, the detection system including a corridor extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends; an access gate connected to the first end of the corridor and configured to control access of an individual to the corridor; a person detection system located in the corridor and configured to determine the presence of the individual inside the corridor; and a testing set configured to generate an air puff, which directs an exhaled breath of the individual for determining a presence of the airborne organic matter. The corridor has a width wc that allows movement of a single individual past the testing set.

Abstract: The invention relates to an explosion-protected housing for means for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation (2, 2a, 2b). The housing comprises a housing body (1) that is configured to receive such transmission and/or reception means (2, 2a, 2b) and a window element (5) having a first side (7) that faces the housing interior and an opposite second side (6) that faces away from the housing interior, wherein the window element (5) transmits electromagnetic radiation. The housing body (1) has a flanging (11) on the second side (6) of the window element (5), said flanging pressing the window element (5) in the direction of a seat (13) that is formed in the interior of the housing such that the housing is formed as a pressure-resistant housing and/or as a dust-tight housing.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a housing having a hole allowing substances to pass from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing, and a printed circuit board having a humidity sensor and at least one electronic component. The sensor device also includes a tube comprising a waterproof material, wherein a first end of the tube surrounds the humidity sensor, wherein a first seal is formed by between the first end of the tube and the printed circuit board, wherein a second end of the tube is located proximate the hole. The sensor device also includes a waterproof, breathable material layer disposed between the second end of the tube and the hole, wherein a second seal is formed between the material layer and the housing, wherein a third seal is formed between the material layer and the second end of the tube. The hole and the material layer allow water vapor to pass from the exterior to the humidity sensor.

Abstract: A distributed sensor network for soft growing robots is provided. Sensor bands are distributed at discrete intervals along the length of the flexible tube, and the sensor bands each are wrapped circumferentially around the diameter of the flexible tube. Each sensor band has one or more sensors and one or more semi-rigid islands containing a self-contained microcontroller, and one or more communication lines to an aggregator microcontroller located at the base of the soft growing robot communicatively connecting signals from the sensor bands. A casing laminates the distributed sensor network. In one example the encasing has cavities or a tooth geometry to allow bending. The casing is flexible to not hinder the growth of the soft growing robot, yet protecting the distributed sensor network.

Abstract: A gas monitoring system includes at least one sensor device that detects gas and outputs a detection result; and a gateway that receives the detection result. The at least one sensor device includes a sensor module having a gas sensor that detects gas; an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter that processes the detection result outputted from the gas sensor; a communication module that communicates with the sensor module and transmits information processed by the A/D converter exteriorly of the at least one sensor device; a power source that is an electric power source of the sensor module; and a power source that is an electric power source of the communication module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for periodic water leak detection are disclosed. A method includes obtaining, using a water meter, water meter data representing the occurrence of water usage events at a property; determining, based on the water meter data, a periodicity of water usage events; determining that the periodicity of water usage events satisfies water leak criteria; and based on determining that the periodicity of water usage events satisfies water leak criteria, determining that a water leak exists at the property. Determining the periodicity of water usage events can include determining an average time between a start of sequential water usage events; and determining that the periodicity of water usage events satisfies water leak criteria can include determining that the average time between the start of sequential water usage events is less than a threshold time between the start of sequential water usage events.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device and a method for determining rheological properties of a viscous, polymeric mass, wherein the measuring device comprises a rheometer with a container containing the mass and a rotation element that is positionable inside the container, wherein the measuring device provides a relative between the rotation element and the container about an rotation axis that defines an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis and a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, wherein the measuring device comprises one or more normal force sensors for detecting at least a component of the normal force that is exerted onto the container or the rotation element in the axial direction and a radial force sensor for detecting a radial force exerted onto the container in the radial direction.

Abstract: A device measures a frictional force and a film thickness of a lubricating oil film in different surface velocity directions. The device includes an experiment bench. A translation stage is mounted to the experiment bench, and is linearly movable. A main shaft system is mounted to the experiment bench. A glass disc is mounted to the main shaft system and is rotatable. An arcuate guide rail is disposed on the translation stage. A rotary base is mounted to the arcuate guide rail and is movable along the arcuate guide rail. A loading system is mounted to the rotary base. A steel ball of the loading system and the glass disc are movable relative to each other. A rotary bearing in the rotary base is configured to convert a frictional force generated from the relative movement to a pressure allowed to be collected by a pressure sensor on the rotary base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for wastewater sampling in all climates. The wastewater sampling apparatus pulls a sample from a stream or other body of water based on flow or time maintaining a consistent, repeatable, and accurate sample size. The present invention includes an all-weather housing. An integrated touchscreen control provides the ability to specify the volumes of water and program times and/or flow intervals to collect samples. Controls also allow control of the temperature within the sample compartment, both from the unit directly or from an external device. The present invention includes arcuate sample chamber and pivoting sample tube for accurate wastewater volume samples. The present invention may pull samples with vertical lifts of up to 29 feet or more and provide consistent accurate sampling exceeding current EPA transport velocity.

Abstract: An operating fluid tank includes a capacitor. The capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Between the first electrode and the second electrode, a clearance is formed which is fluid-connected to an operating fluid tank interior. The fluid tank also includes an evaluator electrically connected to the capacitor for determining a capacity of the capacitor by means of measurement signals determined by the capacitor. The first electrode and the second electrode include an electrically conductive plastic material.

Abstract: A system and method for initial calibration of an air-quality sensor device. The method includes establishing at least a reference response to an environmental condition based on a response of at least one calibrated detector to the environmental condition; establishing at least a sensor response to the environmental condition based on the response of at least one uncalibrated detector to the environmental condition; developing, based on the established sensor response, at least a sensor response slope; determining, based on the established reference response, the established sensor response, and the developed sensor response slope, at least a corrected response; and returning the corrected response.

Abstract: Described is a measuring drive for a measuring instrument, in particular a rheometer. The measuring drive has: i) a motor, ii) a shaft, which is coupled to the motor in such a way that the shaft is drivable by the motor, and iii) an ultrasonic device, which is configured to provide ultrasound to the shaft in such a way that at least a part of the shaft is bearable substantially without contact by the ultrasound. Furthermore, the measuring instrument, a method, and a using are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for measuring rheological properties of a fluid including a vessel with a shape defined by the following proportionality: x?C ×y{circumflex over (?)}((1/n)) wherein the symbol ? refers to proportionality, and the variables x and y are coordinates on an x-y cartesian coordinate plane, where x is length and y is height; 2?n?4; and C is a constant with dimensions of length, and the vessel includes a hole at or near the y-coordinate minimum; a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor wherein the temperature sensor and pressure sensor are configured to transmit temperature and pressure information to a mobile display device, tablet, or computer, the mobile display device, tablet, or computer comprising memory and a processor and a software application configured to perform processing operations including accepting two input numerical values including density and viscosity measured by the vessel and outputting industry standard dial readings of a conventional rotational rheometer.

Abstract: A container box, having: a container controller for controlling the container box, one or more pressure transducers disposed within the container box, the one or more pressure transduces operatively connected to the container box, wherein the container box is configured for monitoring pressure within the container box with the pressure transducers, the container box configured to perform an airtightness test, including: pressurizing the container box until pressure in the container box is above a first threshold; monitoring pressure in the container box to determine when pressure in the container box is proximate the first threshold; monitoring a first duration during which pressure in the contain box drops from the first threshold to a second threshold; determining whether the first duration is within an acceptable range, and when the duration is outside the acceptable range, communicating an alert to a container box monitoring implement.

Abstract: A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications.