Abstract: The present application discloses optical microscopy systems and related method that use modulation techniques and contrast agents to enable the systems to detect nonlinear photoacoustic signals with high spectrum sensitivity and frequency selectivity for imaging. A laser beam is amplitude modulated for pure sinusoidal modulation using either the loss modulation technique or the single light amplitude modulation technique. The sample used in the invention is an endogenous contrast agent by itself or is treated by at least one exogenous contrast agent to produce or enhance photoacoustic effect induced by multi-photon absorption. The modulated laser beam is focused via a focusing device onto a sample which absorbs multiple photons simultaneously and generates ultrasonic (acoustic) waves via nonlinear photoacoustic effect. The ultrasonic waves are received and transformed into electrical signals and the frequency signals within the electrical signals are detected and recorded to create images.

Abstract: A MEMS anti-phase vibratory gyroscope includes two measurement masses with a top cap and a bottom cap each coupled with a respective measurement mass. The measurement masses are oppositely coupled with each other in the vertical direction. Each measurement mass includes an outer frame, an inner frame located within the outer frame, and a mass located within the inner frame. The two measurement masses are coupled with each other through the outer frame. The inner frame is coupled with the outer frame by a plurality of first elastic beams. The mass is coupled with the inner frame by a plurality of second elastic beams. A comb coupling structure is provided along opposite sides of the outer frame and the inner frame. The two masses vibrate toward the opposite direction, and the comb coupling structure measures the angular velocity of rotation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilization are presented. An exemplary embodiment includes a sterilizing cabinet assembly. The sterilizing cabinet includes a cabinet having an access port, a door connected to the cabinet, the door moveable between an open position permitting passage through the access port to an interior of the cabinet and a closed position precluding passage through the access port. The sterilizing cabinet assembly also includes at least one of the cabinet and the door having a vent port. The sterilizing cabinet has a primary filter overlying the vent port and forming a sealed interface with an adjacent portion of the one of the cabinet and the door and a secondary filter overlying at least a portion of the primary filter.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: An air purifier is presented with a sensor controlling a motorized fan, wherein the sensor continuously and automatically adjusts the sensitivity setting of the sensor as the quality of air being purified changes. The average air quality readings of the air passing through an air purifier are monitored over a designated time period and, as the quality fluctuates, the sensitivity of the sensor is automatically adjusted. If the air quality is poor (i.e. a high particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a less sensitive setting (i.e. allowing higher fan speeds so that more air can be moved through the filter) and, if the air quality is good (i.e. a low particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a more sensitive setting (i.e. setting a lower maximum fan speed because not as much air needs to move through the filter).

Abstract: In a gyro sensor, a TDC detects a magnitude of vibration of a vibrator. A drive circuit (excluding the TDC) determines a duty ratio of a PWM drive signal in accordance with the magnitude of vibration so that the magnitude of vibration becomes a predetermined magnitude and outputs the PWM drive signal having the determined duty ratio. The drive circuit (excluding the TDC) includes a control circuit and a DCO. The control circuit measures time corresponding to the control value by using a gate delay time, generates the PWM drive signal having a pulse width corresponding to the control value and outputs the PWM drive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a presence of at least one analyte in a gas sample. The apparatus comprises a pump for drawing a gas sample from an ambient air, a passage having first and second ends, a chamber connected to the first end and containing a concentrating element for collecting at least one analyte from the gas sample, a chromatographic separator connected to a second end of the passage, and a gas source for streaming a carrier gas via the chamber to transfer the at least one analyte toward at least one chemical detector, via the chromatographic separator, in a first direction. The pump draws the gas sample via the chamber in a second direction and the first and second directions are substantially opposing to one another.

Abstract: A protector with a sensor is installed on a sliding door for detecting an object by touch between two core wires in a hollow part. In a terminal part of the protector with the sensor, the core wires drawn out are connected with leads joined with a control unit. A primary seal is formed by means of injection molding for covering wire connection parts and another end side of an insert while also covering a skin of a wire harness which ties and coats the two leads. A secondary seal is formed by means of the injection molding for coating a part formed with the primary seal and for forming an external shape of a product.

Abstract: A method for determining relative location of an acoustic event along a channel such as a wellbore includes obtaining two acoustic signals at are obtained at two different and known depths in the wellbore, dividing the acoustic signals into windows, and determining the relative loudnesses of pairs of the windows. The power of the acoustic signals may be used as a proxy for the loudness of the acoustic event, and this determination can be made in the time or frequency domains. The relative depth of the acoustic event can then be determined relative to the two known depths from the relative loudnesses. The acoustic event may be, for example, casing vent flow, gas migration, a leak along a pipeline, or sounds observed in an observation well from a nearby well in which fracking is being performed.

Abstract: An improved Pirani sensor uses a measuring element disposed within a fluid between a base plate and a cover. The measuring element is held by suspension members that are connected to the base plate. A heating element is thermally conductively connected to the suspension members. Using the sensor the characteristic of the fluid is determined by evaluating the heat transfer from the thermal element through the fluid into the cover when heating power is applied to measuring element. Parasitic conductive heat loss from the measuring element into the suspension members is compensated by applying power to the heating element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising: —deforming the eggshell, —scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained, —processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained, —during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV, —comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and —characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data.

Abstract: A method for checking a value document of a specified value-document type has a window which has a foil region. The measurement values for an ultrasound transmission of the value document are established in a spatially resolved manner, and it is checked while employing the measurement values whether for a specified number of locations in a specified checking region the ultrasound transmission according to a specified criterion is greater than a specified minimum ultrasound transmission that is characteristic of a specified portion, lying outside the checking region, of at least one value document of the specified value-document type.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces an ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A parallel running vehicle detecting apparatus is provided, which includes a first distance sensor for detecting distance of an object in a first detection area on a rear lateral side of a vehicle, a second distance sensor for detecting distance of an object in a second detection area, a parallel running vehicle detector for detecting a parallel running vehicle based on detections of the first and second distance sensors, and a storage for storing a detection distance history of the second distance sensor. The parallel running vehicle detector is provided with multiple determination conditions for determining whether the object detected by the first distance sensor is the parallel running vehicle, and changes the parallel running vehicle determination condition based on the detection distance history stored in the storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal flow sensor comprising: a support, at least one element intended to be vibrated relative to the support, suspension means for said vibrating element relative to the vibrating element, means for heating the vibrating element, means for electrostatic excitation of the vibrating element so as to vibrate it at its resonance frequency, piezoelectric gauges for detecting the resonance frequency variation of the vibrating element, the gauges forming means for heating the vibrating element by Joule effect and the suspension means comprising two beams formed by nanowires so as to reduce the heat losses from the vibrating element toward the support.

Abstract: A leak detection structure for attachment to a fire hydrant includes an enclosure, the enclosure defining a cavity internal to the enclosure and a leak detection subassembly located in the cavity, the leak detection subassembly including at least one leak detection sensor and at least one circuit.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for estimating a parameter of interest of a downhole fluid. Methods may include using at least two solid acoustic transmission media, including a first media and a second media having different acoustic impedances and each having a corresponding face immersed in the downhole fluid. Methods may include using a reflection of an acoustic pulse from a solid-liquid interface at the corresponding face of the first media and the second media to estimate the parameter of interest. The sound speed and the acoustic impedance of the first media and the sound speed and the acoustic impedance of the second media may each be different than a sound speed and an acoustic impedance of the fluid and each other. The parameter of interest may be estimated independently of a time of flight in the downhole fluid of any acoustic pulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting and analyzing deposits in liquid-bearing systems. More particularly, the device relates to being able to detect and analyze deposits in a liquid-bearing systems such as industrial plants that use and store fluids. The method relates to being able to determine a distribution of the run time of a detected ultrasonic reflection signal and analyzing the distribution to determine if deposits are deposited onto a reflecting area.

Abstract: A sensor unit (2) comprising a pressure sensor (9) is worn by a person. A fall of the person causes a height change as well an orientation change of the pressure sensor. To enlarge the detectability of the fall the air pressure is positioned such that in a pre-fall condition the contribution of an error to the sensor's measurement is maximal. This error is caused by gravity acting on the membrane of the sensor.