Abstract: Provided are sensors for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample fluid. In certain embodiments, the sensors include conductive particles and exhibit improved uniformity of distribution of one or more sensing chemistry components, increased effective working electrode surface area, and/or reduced entry of interfering components into a sample chamber of the sensor. Methods of using and manufacturing the sensors are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit assembly for operating a probe (10) for determining the oxygen concentration in a gas mixture, in particular a Lambda probe for determining the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, comprising two electrodes (11, 15) which act as an outer and an inner pump electrode and form a pump cell, two electrodes which act as a Nernst electrode (15) and a reference electrode (19) and form a Nernst cell, and a pump current controller (210), which controls a pump current that is applied to the pump cell such that a predeterminable Nernst voltage (UN) that can be tapped at the Nernst cell is controlled to a predeterminable value, characterized in that the predeterminable value of the Nernst voltage can be varied.

Abstract: Underground storage caverns are used for the bulk storage of hydrocarbon liquids, such as crude oil and gases. The caverns are typically formed in salt formations by dissolving the salt and removing it with a flow of water. The cavern is accessed through a bore hole which has casing and internal tubing with an annulus between the casing and tubing. Some cavern bore holes may have casing, but no tubing. The cavern typically has hydrocarbon liquid above brine with an inert gas above the hydrocarbon liquid. In order to use the cavern, and periodically check it for physical integrity, it is necessary to test the cavern to determine if there is leakage from the cavern or the bore hole. The interface of the hydrocarbon liquid and overriding gas is moved downward by injecting gas into the annulus.

Abstract: A method for detecting fluid leakage from a pressure-decrease valve in a hydraulic brake system having an ABS device including: a shutoff valve for shutting off supply of a working fluid from a fluid-pressure supply source to a brake device provided for a wheel; the pressure-decrease valve for discharging the working fluid from the brake device; a reservoir for storing the working fluid discharged from the pressure-decrease valve; and a return pump for returning the working fluid stored in the reservoir to a portion between the shutoff valve and the fluid-pressure supply source, the method including the steps of: activating the return pump in a state in which the hydraulic brake system is not in ABS operation, and detecting the fluid leakage from the pressure-decrease valve based on a variation in a pressure of the working fluid in the fluid-pressure supply source caused when the return pump is activated.

Abstract: A measuring head for a nano-indentation instrument, said nano-indentation instrument comprising a positioning system arranged to position a sample relative to the measuring head, the measuring head comprising: a measuring subsystem attached to a frame adapted to be connected to the nano-indentation instrument, the measuring subsystem comprising a first actuator and an indenter adapted to indent a surface of said sample under application of a force applied by the first actuator on the indenter, the measuring subsystem further comprising a force sensing system adapted to detect said force applied by the first actuator; a reference subsystem attached to said frame, the reference subsystem comprising a second actuator, a reference structure in operative connection with the second actuator, and a separation detector adapted to determine a predetermined separation of the reference structure and said surface of said sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers of the fibers, a fiber band, or. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Abstract: This invention provides a zero gas refiner for CO2 concentration measurement device that can continuously refine a zero gas that is preferable for CO2 concentration measurement. This invention adopts the zero gas refiner comprising a water adsorbent and a CO2 adsorbent that desorb an adsorbed component and restore an adsorption ability by being heated to a predetermined restoration temperature, a refiner body that adsorbs water and CO2 in an introduced sample gas or air in this order by the use of the water adsorbent and the CO2 adsorbent housed inside of the refiner body so as to refine a zero gas and that leads out the zero gas, and a heating mechanism that applies heat to the refiner body at a time when the adsorption ability of the water adsorbent or the CO2 adsorbent drops to an amount that is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A water vapor sensor comprises a substrate and a film of carbon nanotubes impregnated with surfactant on the substrate. The substrate is of material which is inert relative to the film. Two or more electrical conductors are in contact with in spaced apart zones of the film, whereby the impedance of the film may be measured. The sensor is housed in housing which protects the sensor but also allows exposure of the film to water vapor.

Abstract: A method and system of measuring the size distribution of particles within dilute colloids, for example, through variation of the minimum detected size of aerosolized colloid particles. The method of determining the size distribution of particles in a fluid, involves forming a stream of aerosol droplets of the fluid, the droplets containing particles and dissolved material, evaporating the droplets to generate particles, and measuring the concentration of particles by varying a detection threshold. A system or apparatus for determining the size distribution of particles in a fluid, includes a droplet former for forming a stream of aerosol droplets of the fluid, the droplets containing particles and dissolved material, and a condensation particle detector for evaporating the droplets to generate particles and for measuring the concentration of particles, the condensation particle detector having a variable detection threshold.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge for determining the level or volume of liquid within a tank includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the tank, a gauge assembly connected to one side of the mounting head, and an elongate sensing probe assembly extending into the tank. The gauge assembly includes a rotatable gauge plate with a scale located thereon and a rotatable indicator that moves across the scale in response to a change in liquid level. The gauge plate is weighted for rotation toward a gravitational force vector for orientation with an upper surface of the liquid in the tank independent of tank tilt. The sensing probe includes a float rod with an integral coil spring hinge to facilitate installation of the gauge within the tank. A counterweight is adjustable along the float rod to fine-tune float weight or buoyancy for a particular gauge configuration and liquid type.

Abstract: A torque command value and an acceleration detection value are accumulated when a driven portion is subjected to acceleration/deceleration driving, and, from a ratio between the two, inertia of a movable portion is calculated. By executing the acceleration/deceleration driving about a position where influence of gravity torque is zero, the influence of the gravity torque included in the torque command value before and after the center position is offset, whereby inertia can be estimated correctly even with a machine structure in which the influence of gravity differs depending on the position of the motor.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the study of complex fracture networks. A slot manifold is constructed with a system of branched thin channels, e.g. slots, which are joined at intersections. Fluid is flowed through the system of branched thin channels and through an intersection or intersections joining the channels in a manner which enables evaluation of fluid flow. A flow distribution device is used to allow or block flow of the fluid along specific branches of the system of branched thin channels to facilitate evaluation of fluid flow as a fluid moves through various angular changes and/or flow gap width changes from one channel to another.

Abstract: A pneumatic circuit of a tire testing apparatus includes: a piping configured to guiding air from an air supply source to a tire; a control part configured to output a target command pressure; a pressure proportional control valve part; and a constant-flow air discharge part. The pressure proportional control valve part supplies and discharges the air of a flow rate proportional to a differential pressure between the target command pressure and an internal pressure of the tire so that the internal pressure of the tire becomes the target command pressure, and has a dead band in which the air is not supplied and discharged within a predetermined range. The constant-flow air discharge part is formed between the tire and the pressure proportional control valve part, and is configured to discharge the air of an inside of the piping to an outside at a constant flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field of display technology, in particular, to a jig for dropping ball test. The jig for dropping ball test comprises a fixing device and a dropping ball device. The fixing device comprises a plurality of adjusting rods for fixing a sample to be tested, a test region corresponding to the shape of the sample to be tested is enclosed by the plurality of adjusting rods. The dropping ball device is used to drop a ball towards the sample to be tested. The fixing device of the jig can be adjusted in its size according to the size of a sample to be tested, so that the dropping ball test can be carried out for different samples, which is easy to operate and reduces manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring apparatus that may measure a vibration amount weighted by cartilage conduction characteristics of the human ear and thus allows for accurate evaluation of an electronic device having a vibrator. A measuring apparatus for evaluating an electronic device that delivers a sound through vibration transmission from a vibrator retained in a housing held against the human ear includes an ear simulator simulating the human ear and a vibration detector disposed on an artificial eardrum formed in the ear simulator.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an aquatic sample analysis system adapted for in situ use. The system includes an incubation chamber having an optically clear portion and forming an opening for receiving a fluidic sample and apparatus for sealing the opening. The system also includes a sensor for sensing at least one parameter associated with the sample inside the chamber, a control module in communication with the sensor, and a power source.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical device which is manufactured by a CMOS manufacturing process. The micro-electro-mechanical device includes a stationary unit, a movable unit, and a connecting member. The stationary unit includes a first capacitive sensing region and a fixed structure region. The movable unit includes a second capacitive sensing region and a proof mass, wherein the first capacitive sensing region and the second capacitive sensing region form a capacitor, and the proof mass region consists of a single material. The connecting member is for connecting the movable unit in a way to allow a relative movement of the movable unit with respect to the stationary unit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at apparatus for portable PM2.5 monitoring including a PM2.5 sampling device including a housing portion for collecting and separating air-borne particulate matter, an inlet port, connected to the housing portion, for receiving the air-borne particulate matter, a core portion, located within the housing portion, the core portion assisting in generating a cyclonic airflow pattern to produce a uniflow system for separating particulate matter below a predetermined size from particulate matter above a predetermined size within the air-borne particulate matter, and an outlet port for receiving the particulate matter below the predetermined size; a particle counter, connected to the outlet port, for receiving the particulate matter smaller than the predetermined size and for determining a mass of the particulate matter below the predetermined size; and a processor for determining a PM2.5 level based on the mass of the particulate matter below the predetermined size.

Abstract: A gas detecting method includes heating a gas detector, formed of a gas sensing layer and an adsorption layer, for an oxygen adsorption period t0 at an oxygen adsorption temperature T0; heating the gas detector for a target gas adsorption period t1 at a target gas adsorption temperature T1 at which a target gas is adsorbed to the adsorption layer, heating the gas detector for a target gas desorption period t2 at a target gas desorption temperature T2 at which the target gas adsorbed to the adsorption layer is desorbed to move to the gas sensing layer; and calculating a gas concentration of the target gas from a sensor resistance of the gas sensing layer. A gas detecting device includes the gas detector and a drive processing unit configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: Composite sampling of a fluid flowing through a conduit includes collecting, in a vessel coupled to the conduit through which the fluid is flowing, a first discrete sample of fluid from the conduit, the first discrete sample having a first selected volume, and collecting, in the vessel and at a first interval from the first sample, a second discrete sample of the fluid from the conduit, the second discrete sample having a second selected volume, thereby forming a composite sample in the vessel while the vessel is coupled to conduit. The composite sample includes the first discrete sample and the second discrete sample, and may include one or more additional discrete samples. An apparatus for collecting the composite sample includes a gas chromatograph, and is arranged such that the composite sample is provided to the gas chromatograph without removing the composite sample from the apparatus or transporting the composite sample.