Abstract: A nanosensor may include a substrate that has a hole formed therein, a first insulating layer that is disposed on the substrate and has a nanopore formed therein, first and second electrodes that are disposed on the first insulating layer and are spaced apart from each other, first and second electrode pads that are disposed on the first and second electrodes, respectively, and a protective layer disposed on the first and second electrode pads. A method of manufacturing a nanosensor may include forming a first insulating layer, graphene, and a metal layer on a substrate, patterning the metal layer and the graphene, forming a protective layer on a portion of the graphene and the metal layer, exposing a portion of the graphene by removing a portion of the protective layer, forming a hole in the substrate, and forming a nanopore in the first insulating layer and the graphene to be connected to the hole.

Abstract: Disclosed are pre-wetting apparatus designs and methods. In some embodiments, a pre-wetting apparatus includes a degasser, a process chamber, and a controller. The process chamber includes a wafer holder configured to hold a wafer substrate, a vacuum port configured to allow formation of a subatmospheric pressure in the process chamber, and a fluid inlet coupled to the degasser and configured to deliver a degassed pre-wetting fluid onto the wafer substrate at a velocity of at least about 7 meters per second whereby particles on the wafer substrate are dislodged and at a flow rate whereby dislodged particles are removed from the wafer substrate. The controller includes program instructions for forming a wetting layer on the wafer substrate in the process chamber by contacting the wafer substrate with the degassed pre-wetting fluid admitted through the fluid inlet at a flow rate of at least about 0.4 liters per minute.

Abstract: Corrosion of steel in a concrete structure such as a column in sea water occurs primarily above the water line and is inhibited using cathodic protection by attaching to the column an impervious sealed sleeve in which is provided a sacrificial anode in sheet form in contact with a layer of water transport medium so that water from the location of the bottom of the water transport medium within the water is carried into the area of the sacrificial anode to enhance ionic current.

Abstract: An analyte sensor for the continuous or semi-continuous monitoring of physiological parameters and a method for making the analyte sensor are disclosed. In one aspect, the analyte sensor includes an electrode, a sensing layer in contact with a surface of the electrode, and a protective membrane. The sensing layer is a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer including poly(alkylene oxide) and poly(vinyl pyridine), and an analyte sensing component is immobilized within the crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer. The protective membrane is a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer including alkylene oxide, vinyl pyridine and styrene units. The method involves the formation of a sensing layer on a surface of an electrode, followed by the formation of a protective membrane on a surface of the sensing layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing cathodic protection to a fluid-containing vessel include measuring two distinct voltages at a junction box exterior to the fluid-containing vessel. The first voltage is measured across a shunt in the junction box such that a current magnitude through the shunt can be determined using Ohm's Law that is representative of a current output of one or more sacrificial anodes disposed within the fluid-containing vessel. The second voltage is measured by depressing a pushbutton of a momentary switch to open the switch and interrupt current flow through the shunt. The second voltage is representative of a voltage difference between the one or more sacrificial anodes and the a wall of the fluid-containing vessel.

Abstract: A cartridge manipulates samples in liquid droplets with an electrode array when a working film is placed on the array. The cartridge has a body with lower surface and wells to hold samples, each with a bottom opening to release liquid. A piercable bottom structure seals the bottom openings. A working film below the body has a hydrophobic upper surface. A peripheral spacer connects the working film to the body and forms a gap is between the body and surface. A top piercing system located in at least one of the wells has a piston and a piercing element, the piston being movable in the well and the piercing element piercing the piercable bottom structure for releasing a sample from a well into the gap.

Abstract: Various embodiments for methods, systems, and meters that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample and determining whether at least one output transient signal of the biosensor is erroneous by monitoring the biosensor and flagging an error if the signal outputs of the biosensor do not meet certain criteria.

Abstract: A reinforced electrolyte membrane having an electrolyte membrane containing a fluoropolymer having ion exchange groups, reinforced by a woven fabric made of a reinforcing thread and a sacrificial thread, where the sacrificial thread remains in the electrolyte membrane, a void is formed between the sacrificial thread and the electrolyte membrane, and 2000 ?m2<A<6000 ?m2 and 0.3?B/A<1.0 are satisfied, where A is the total of a cross-sectional area of the sacrificial thread and a cross-sectional area of the void, and B is the cross-sectional area of the sacrificial thread.

Abstract: In order to compensate for variation in output of sensor elements 10, there is provided a compensating resistor 220 that has a resistance value reflected by correction information. The resistor 220 is connected in parallel with a VS cell 245 through paired electrode leads 236 and 237 and paired electrode pads 232 and 233. The paired electrode leads 236 and 237 are placed at a position electrically isolated from solid electrolyte substrates 120 and 140.

Abstract: A self-destructive aquatic device for use in a water environment is formed with a body having a metallic portion and a covering preventing exposure of the metallic portion of the body from the water environment. A gap in the covering is used to expose the metallic portion of the body to the water environment. The covering has a cathodic property with respect to the metallic portion of the body, so that the gap and the covering establishing a cathodic-anodic ratio of areas exposed to the water environment to promote erosion of the metallic portion of the body in the water environment. This, in turn, results in controlled break-up of the aquatic device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional digital microfluidic system comprises a first plate with a first electrode, a second plate with a second electrode, and a microfluidic drop in between the first and the second electrode. The electrodes are able to be actuated in sequence such that the microfluidic drop is able to be transported. A bridge plate is able to be included.

Abstract: A thin film solar module including at least one first sub module including a plurality of first thin film solar cells connected with one another in series; and a second sub module connected with the first sub module in parallel, the second sub module including a plurality of second thin film solar cells connected with one another in series. The sub modules are formed on a shared substrate in a monolithic manner, wherein a first connecting cell including the first thin film solar cells and a second connecting cell including the second thin film solar cells are arranged adjacent to one another, spaced apart from each other through an insulation trench and electrically connected with one another through a shared contact. The invention further relates to a method for producing a thin film solar module.

Abstract: A method for operating a sensor for biomolecules or charged ions, the sensor comprising a first field effect transistor (FET) and a second FET, wherein the first FET and the second FET comprise a shared node includes placing an electrolyte containing the biomolecules or charged ions on a sensing surface of the sensor, the electrolyte comprising a gate of the second FET; applying an inversion voltage to a gate of the first FET; making a first electrical connection to an unshared node of the first FET; making a second electrical connection to unshared node of the second FET; determining a change in a drain current flowing between the unshared node of the first FET and the unshared node of the second FET; and determining an amount of biomolecules or charged ions contained in the electrolyte based on the determined change in the drain current.

Abstract: A system and methods for protecting a metal surface from corrosion are provided herein. The method includes injecting particles comprising a sacrificial anodic material into a fluid proximate to the metal surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) includes: a front substrate (e.g., glass substrate); a semiconductor absorber film; a back contact including a first conductive layer of or including an alloy of molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) and optionally a second conductive layer of or including either molybdenum (Mo) or Cu; and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). The first conductive layer of or including molybdenum and copper is located between at least the rear substrate and a semiconductor absorber film that is located between at least the back contact and the front substrate.

Abstract: An anode assembly and method for installing it in a cathodic protection system for an aboveground storage tank is disclosed. The anode assembly basically comprises an elongated electrically conductive anode, a fabric housing and sand backfill. The fabric housing is a hollow member in which the sand is located and through which the anode extends. The anode includes portions extending out of the housing for connection to the cathodic protection system. The anode assembly is arranged to be installed on a flat prepared surface below the bottom of the storage tank, whereupon the anode assembly's weight hold it flat on that surface without the need for staking or other means to hold the assembly flat. The ground with the anode assembly can then be backfilled to the level of the bottom of the storage tank.

Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.

Abstract: A water analysis sensor electrode for determining an analyte in water includes a sensor electrode housing which is configured to be closed. The sensor electrode housing comprises an inner wall and an ion-selective sensor electrode diaphragm arranged at a lower distal end of the sensor electrode housing. An electrolyte solution is in the sensor electrode housing. A measuring electrode is arranged in the sensor electrode housing. A gas bubble is enclosed by the sensor electrode housing. A rigid rod element having a round cross section is arranged in the sensor electrode housing so that a continuous open capillary channel extends over a length of the sensor electrode housing between the rigid rod element and the inner wall.

Abstract: An electrochemical detector includes a carbon based element located between a separator and a current collector of an adjacent electrode. Elements can take the form of a carbon fabric located between the separator and the collector, or a linear, or, circular carbon deposit on a surface of the separator adjacent to the respective current collector. Other conductive coatings including gold, platinum or transition metals, as well as carbon, can be deposited directly onto a porous substrate, such as a masked separator material.

Abstract: This dielectrophoretic micro cell chromatography device with concentric electrodes and spiral microfluidic channels, produced according to MEMS technology subject to this invention; is composed of 4 groups of effect electrodes, inlet electrodes, spiral zone and central span, having exterior upper electrode (1), interior sub electrode with 3D geometry (2), upper inlet electrode (3), sub inlet electrode (4), spiral zone (5), central span (6), constant reading point and Insulating wafer (7) as the main components.