Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing, an isolator positioned at a first end of the housing, and a first cavity formed between the first end of the housing and the isolator. The pressure sensor further includes a second cavity formed in the housing and a channel with a first end fluidly connected to the first cavity and a second end fluidly coupled to the second cavity. A pressure sensor chip is positioned in the second cavity and includes a first diaphragm positioned at a top side of the pressure sensor chip laterally outwards from the second end of the channel to prevent a fluid from jetting onto the first diaphragm.

Abstract: Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing a transient glitch in ultrasound applications are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a transducer to (A) output a signal during a transmit phase and (B) receive a reflected signal corresponding to the signal during a receive phase; a receiver switch coupled to the transducer at a first node, the receiver switch to (A) open during the transmit phase and (B) close during the receive phase; and a clamp coupled to the transducer at the first node, the clamp to provide a high impedance during the transmit phase and the receive phase and provide a low impedance during a transient phase.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for sampling at least one analyte from a sampling fluid. The apparatus includes: a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling instrument. A connector is attached to the SPME sampling instrument and is coupleable to an aerial drone. The apparatus includes a protective cover that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the SPME sampling instrument. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are movable in relation to each other between a protecting configuration and a sampling configuration. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are (i) biased in the protecting configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is less than the density of the sampling fluid; and (ii) biased in the sampling configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is equal to or greater than the density of the sampling fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when a sand separator should be purged to remove solids from the sand separator. The system can include an acoustic sensor which detects the frequency of audible sound coming from the inner chamber of the vessel and generate a signature signal representative of the frequency of audible sound. There is a processor connected to the acoustic sensor and configured to compare the signature signal with a set frequency range of audible sound which in turn generates a signal indicating when the signature frequency and the set frequency are in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: A sensor using ultrasound to detect presence and nature of analyte includes an ultrasonic element and a receptor thereon. The ultrasonic element includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing and spaced apart from the first electrode, an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a vibrating film between the insulating layer and the first electrode. The vibrating film carries the first electrode. A cavity is formed between the vibrating film and the insulating layer. The receptor is on a side of the first electrode away from the second electrode. The receptor can combine with a target substance in a test analyte. When the first electrode and the second electrode are applied with different voltages, certain ultrasound frequencies are generated as the vibrating film vibrates, and the presence and weight of different target substances are indicated by the changes in resonance.

Abstract: An actuator control system, mechanical testing system, and method for adaptive control of an actuator of a mechanical testing device is provided. The method includes applying a mechanical load to the specimen with the actuator, resulting in receiving a load sensor signal from a load sensor and a displacement sensor signal from a displacement sensor, deriving lumped dynamics of the mechanical testing device by analyzing a phase and magnitude relationship between a current command of a motor of the mechanical testing device and a resultant deflection of the specimen, and controlling the actuator based on the derived lumped dynamics of the mechanical testing device such that the controlling results in a stable motion.

Abstract: A measuring system for reducing the effort necessary to measure tree strength that includes support posts, a winding device configured to wind a cable supported by the support posts, a winding device configured to wind the cable, a hoisting device coupled to the cable and configured to move in air when the cable is wound by the winding device, and a measuring device hung from the hoisting device and configured to measure the strength of a tree.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a mounting, a plurality of detectors provided to detect a condition of at least on parameter indicative of presence of one or more materials in a gutter channel and data processing capabilities. A sequence of signals are transmitted and received when the apparatus is in a detection mode, and the data processing analyses the received signals to provide an indication if a material is detected as being present in the channel and, if detected, a type of the material. On the basis of this analysis and identification of material, decision can be made as to whether any remedial action is required to clear the material and/or decide upon an ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

Abstract: A method and system of nanoscale photoacoustic tomography (nPAT) for non-invasive three-dimensional mapping and characterization of fine cellular structures (such as but not limited to organelles, vesicles, and macromolecules) of biological samples is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a casing in which a fluid passage is disposed and which has an outer surface including a detection target surface (bottom surface) that is to contact a detection part of a sensor so that at least one of a temperature and a vibration of the fluidic device is detected; and a plug detachably disposed on the casing and configured to cover the detection target surface (bottom surface).

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed for measuring a change in one or more of a circumference or a perimeter of at least a portion of an object having a surface. The measurement device includes a first part for attachment to the object, a second part having a first portion moveable relative to a first portion of the first part, a determining device for determining a displacement of the first portion of the second part relative to the first portion of the first part caused by the object changing, and a biasing device for biasing the first part and the second part towards engagement. The measured displacement is for use in determining the change in one or more of a circumference or a perimeter of the object.

Abstract: To provide a method for evaluating a corroded part, the method making it possible to specify only a waveform reflected by a corroded part and to evaluate the waveform. When a transmission unit (2) is moved on the surface of a metal pipe (60) and the distance between a corroded part (5) and the transmission unit (2) is changed, only a waveform portion A of ultrasonic waves reflected by the corroded part (5) moves toward the left or right along an X axis, and only the intensity of a noise waveform portion B included in a received wave changes upward or downward along a Y axis, which makes it possible to separate the waveform portion A and the noise waveform portion B of a longitudinal-wave surface wave reflected by the corroded part (5) and evaluate the waveform portion A in detail.

Abstract: A calorimeter for measuring a heat flux of a sample comprises a container, a first heat sink and a second heat sink whereby the sample is arranged in the container. The first heat sink and the second heat sink are arranged at a distance from each other on the container. The first heat sink comprises a first heat transducer element and the second heat sink comprises a second heat transducer element. Each of the first and second heat transducer elements comprise a heat receiving surface and a heat absorbing surface for generating an electromotive force equivalent to the heat flux to or from the respective heat sink to be sent to a detecting unit for obtaining an electrical potential representing the heat flux leaving or traversing the container.

Abstract: A vehicle-body carrying apparatus is configured to house and carry a vehicle body of an unmanned vehicle. The apparatus includes a housing, a data collecting device, a diagnostic device, and an informing device. The housing is capable of housing the vehicle body. The data collecting device is configured to collect data relating to structural soundness of the vehicle body housed in the housing. The diagnostic device is configured to diagnose the structural soundness of the vehicle body based on the collected data. The informing device is configured to inform a user of a diagnostic result obtained by the diagnostic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor includes a measurement device configured to measure an electric signal at an IR emitter of the photoacoustic sensor, wherein the IR emitter generates an electromagnetic spectrum based on the electric signal; and a calibration unit including processing circuitry, configured to compare the electric signal with a comparison value to generate a comparison result used as calibration information. When performing the in-situ calibration, the calibration unit is configured to adjust the electric signal based on the calibration information, or the calibration unit is configured to process an output signal of the photoacoustic sensor based on the calibration information to obtain an adjusted output signal of the photoacoustic sensor.

Abstract: A tire sensor container system is provided. A tire includes a carcass toroidally extending from a first bead area to a second bead area, and an innerliner formed on an inner surface of the carcass. The tire sensor container system includes a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, which in turn includes a rigid housing that is formed with an oval shape. A flexible container is mounted to the innerliner. The container includes a base and a wall extending radially outwardly from the base, and the wall terminates in a lip. The container wall is formed with an oval shape that cooperates with the shape of the tire pressure monitoring sensor housing. A cavity is defined by the base, the wall, and the lip, and cavity receives and secures the tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The system reduces sensor rotation and maintains consistent sensor orientation to improve sensor functionality and longevity.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly having a support tube defining an interior, a temperature sensor having a distal end and a proximal end located within the interior, and, a concentric ring surrounding at least a portion of the temperature sensor and the concentric ring is positioned between the temperature sensor and the support tube for holding the temperature sensor in the support tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining a characteristic of a measurement intermediate layer (220) in a multilayer structure (200) using an ultrasonic transducer (100), wherein the multilayer structure (200) includes a first layer (210), a measurement intermediate layer (220) and a third layer (230) in series abutment.