Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for measuring the melting point of a material. The method and systems of the invention may reduce the time required to determine the melting point of one or more samples. Furthermore, the methods and systems of the invention result in an accurate and precise measurement of the melting temperature. Thus, the method and system of the invention are preferred over current methods for measuring the melting point.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for accurately measuring the temperature of a die of the integrated circuit. Pairs of diodes are driven with different currents in order to generate a series of thermal voltages. The ADC measures the series of thermal voltages against an external reference voltage. Based on these thermal voltage measurements, the ADC calculates the die temperature. The different currents used to generate the series of thermal voltages are selected at specific ratios to each other in order to promote the ability of the ability of the ADC to calculate the die temperature using standard components and logic of an ADC. These thermal voltages are generated and measured using integrated components of the die for which a temperature measurement is being provided, thus reducing several sources of inaccuracies in conventional die temperature measurement techniques. Addition embodiments are provided for detecting defective diodes based on comparisons of the thermal voltage outputs.

Abstract: A two-dimensional liquid chromatographic analyzer, in which a temperature control part changes a temperature in a single-step manner and switches the temperature at a high speed. Also, the temperature control part has a holder around a separation column so that the temperature of the separation column can be changed to a preset temperature. A first separation column thereof changes elution time(s) of the objective component(s) by temperature modulation and the mobile phase of the first separation column is an aqueous mobile phase having a constant composition.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely monitoring intoxication of a user, comprising: prompting the user to provide a breath sample at a time point; at a breath sample acquisition device, generating a breath sample signal upon reception of the breath sample from the user, and broadcasting a unique signature proximal in time to the time point; using a sensor of a mobile computing device, generating an authentication signal derived from detection of the unique signature; at a processing system in communication with the mobile computing device and the sample acquisition device, receiving the breath sample signal and the authentication signal; generating a verification assessment that validates provision of the breath sample by the user; determining a value of an intoxication metric for the user based upon the breath sample signal; and transforming the verification assessment and the value of the intoxication metric into an analysis of intoxication of the user.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for forecasting leaks in a pipeline network. An example method includes identifying a subsystem in the pipeline network that includes a first station. The method also includes accessing historical temporal sensor measurements of the stations. The method also includes generating a prediction model for the first station that predicts a pressure measurement at the first station based on the historical temporal sensor measurements at each station in the subsystem. The method also includes predicting a series of pressure measurements at the first station based on the historical temporal sensor measurements. The method also includes determining a series of deviations between the series of pressure measurements and historical pressure measurements of the first station and identifying a threshold value from the series of deviations, where a pressure measurement at the first station above or below the threshold value is indicative of a leak in the subsystem.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers are imbedded into sacrificial metal coupons which are located in the vicinity of underground or aboveground structures, such as a pipe or tank, which allow for the measurement of the effectiveness of impressed current cathodic protection systems and can be used to determine the corrosion rate of the structure that is being protected. When excited by a pulser-receiver excitation pulse, the ultrasonic transducers can be used to determine the thickness of the coupon and its rate of change over time. The sacrificial metal coupon ultrasonic transducer assembly can be located in the vicinity of underground piping, under or inside of a tank, underground or underwater, or inserted into structures where absolute material loss values or material loss rate of change is being monitored.

Abstract: A system for detection of a potentially irradiated object utilizing oxygen-17 (17O) quantities in a local atmosphere contacting the potentially irradiated object. The local atmosphere comprises nitrogen-14 (14N) and is typically air. The 17O quantity in the local atmosphere is determined through sampling using mass spectroscopy, nuclear resonance magnetic imaging, gas chromatography, or some other method. The 17O quantity in the local atmosphere is compared to a baseline quantity of 17O and deviations are treated as an indicator that a nuclear reaction converting 14N to 17O has occurred or is occurring. Typically the local atmosphere is isolated to some degree from an external atmosphere via some type of enclosure or container, and the external atmosphere provides the baseline quantity of 17O used for the comparison.

Abstract: A composite active waveguide temperature sensor (10) incorporates a first, sensor portion (16) formed of an environment-resistant material such as ceramic coupled through an ultrasonically-transparent bond (20) to a second, waveguide portion (18) formed of an ultrasonically-transmissive material such as a metallic filament wire. By doing so, the sensor portion (16) may be positioned within a harsh environment and subjected to a temperature to be measured, and the waveguide portion (18) may be used to propagate ultrasonic energy to and/or from the sensor portion (16) to a location distal from the harsh environment for measurement of the temperature. The ultrasonically-transparent bond (20) between these portions (16, 18) limits attenuation of and the introduction of reflections and other noise to an ultrasonic signal propagated across the bond (20).

Abstract: An integrated temperature sensor device has a temperature sensor providing an analog signal corresponding to an ambient temperature, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the sensor conditioning circuit and receiving the analog temperature signal, and a timer and control circuit which is operable to be configured to control the temperature sensor device to perform a sequence of temperature measurements and shut-down time periods, wherein multiple temperature measurements are taken during the measurement period, wherein the timer and control circuit is further operable to be programmed to set the number of temperature measurements and the length of the shut-down period.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a system carrier including at least a first planar support element and a second planar support element. The support elements are disposed in a mounting plane at a distance from one another. An integrated signal-processing component is disposed on the support elements. An encapsulation at least partially encloses the signal-processing component. At least two temperature sensors are integrated within the signal-processing component. Each of the temperature sensors is disposed in a vicinity of a respective one of the support elements.

Abstract: An environmental physical sensor is provided that includes a power input terminal, a sensor output terminal, and a resonant switch. The resonant switch includes a mechanical element that is responsive to an environmental stimulus and is coupled to an electrical switch. The electrical switch is operable between an open position and a closed position and electrically connects the power input terminal to the sensor output terminal when in the closed position. The mechanical element is configured to intermittently actuate the electrical switch into the closed position responsive to the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of gaseous analytes in water includes a submersible housing enclosing a water proof sensing chamber having a first wall made of a material transparent to UV light and a second wall formed by a gas permeable membrane for admitting into the sensing chamber gas dissolved in water in which the housing is immersed during operation, a first and a second spaced sensing electrodes disposed within the sensing chamber, and a circuit connected to the sensing electrodes for measuring a current flowing through the sensing electrodes on account of ionization of a gas in the sensing chamber by UV light. A third electrode is positioned in the sensing chamber, and the circuit is operative to apply a voltage across the third electrode and the first sensing electrode, the voltage being of sufficient magnitude to reduce condensation within the sensing chamber by hydrolyzing any droplet of condensation in electrical contact with the first and third electrodes.

Abstract: A sacrificial metal coupon is provided with one or more ultrasonic transducers which, when excited by a pulser-receiver excitation pulse, determines the thickness of the coupon and its rate of change over time. The sacrificial metal coupon ultrasonic transducer assembly can be inserted into the liquid stream of a pipe, under or inside of a tank, underground or underwater, or inserted into structures where absolute material loss values or material loss rate of change is being monitored.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted coated fiber located in a capillary tube system for sampling and delivering materials to an analytical device and a method for sampling analytes is disclosed. A sorbent comprising polypyrrole/graphene oxide is coated on a fiber inserted within an interior space of the capillary tube to entrap an analyte within a sample. The vacuum-assisted coated fiber located in a capillary tube device also includes a vacuum device configured to vacuum the extraction vial. This may improve the extraction of the analytes vapors from the sample, matrix to the sorbent bed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus verify operation of acoustic emission sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an acoustic source acoustically coupled to a device, where the acoustic source is to generate an acoustic signal, and a processor to determine an operational condition of an acoustic emission sensor associated with the device based on measuring the generated acoustic signal at the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: A medical device for the measurement of brain temperature data through the Abreu brain thermal tunnel (ABTT) is described. Brain temperature measurement is the key and universal indicator of both disease and health equally, and is the only vital sign that cannot be artificially changed by emotional states. Currently, brain temperature is difficult to measure. However, the present disclosure describes a device that readily locates the Abreu brain thermal tunnel, and is configured to provide a non-contact temperature reading of the brain. Embodiments of the disclosed device enable an individual to measure their own temperature and enable medical professionals to measure the temperature of others.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring one or more acoustic parameters in a duct are described. The method includes arranging at least one pair of microphones in an array on a microphone support device, disposing the microphone support device including the array of microphones in the duct, generating an acoustic signal in the duct such that the acoustic signal propagates toward the array of microphones, and receiving by the array of microphones, the acoustic signal to provide a microphone output signal. The microphone support device is configured to fit within an inner diameter of the duct.

Abstract: A system is disclosed, including an interface to a DUT and a testing apparatus. The DUT includes a first plurality of temperature sensing circuits. The testing apparatus may store a plurality of control values. Each control value may depend on at least two calibration values of corresponding temperature sensing circuits of a second plurality of temperature sensing circuits. The testing apparatus may generate a plurality of calibration values for the DUT. Each calibration value corresponds to one of the first plurality of temperature sensing circuits. The testing apparatus may determine a plurality of test values for the DUT. The testing apparatus may calculate a probability value, and repeat generation of the plurality of calibration values upon determining that the probability value is less than a predetermined threshold value. The probability value corresponds to a likelihood that the plurality of calibration values is accurate.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for verifying a purported composition of material in a solid metal object based on heat transfer characteristics. Embodiments include determining, using a group of temperature sensors included in a heat sink, a heat transfer profile for the heat sink when connected to the solid metal object. One or more embodiments include comparing the heat transfer profile for the solid metal object to a baseline heat transfer profile determined based on dimensions of the solid metal object and the purported composition. One or more embodiments include determining, based on the comparing, a difference between the heat transfer profile and the baseline heat transfer profile. And one or more embodiments include indicating that the purported composition is verified in response to determining that the difference between the heat transfer profile and the baseline heat transfer profile is within a threshold.

Abstract: A temperature and humidity sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode provided on the substrate, a linear second electrode at least part of which is so provided as to extend along the first electrode, and a moisture sensitive film provided between the part of the second electrode extending along the first electrode and the first electrode. The second electrode has a section that is formed in a spiral shape when viewed from above so as to form an inductor. With this, a precise oscillation circuit can be configured so that a temperature-humidity sensor small in size and capable of being easily manufactured can be provided.