Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to collect a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a liquid by light irradiation, and also trap them. A collecting device for bacteria collects a plurality of bacteria dispersed in a sample liquid. The collecting device is provided with a laser beam source that emits laser beam and a honeycomb polymer film constituted so as to be able to hold the liquid. Walls prescribing pores for trapping the plurality of bacteria dispersed in the liquid are formed on the honeycomb polymer film, and also a thin film that includes a material for converting light from the laser beam source to heat is formed on the honeycomb polymer film. The thin film heats the liquid of the sample through the conversion of the laser beam from the laser beam source to heat, thereby causing a convection in the liquid.

Abstract: A spool body is provided that is adapted for use in a vibrating densitometer. The spool body comprises a core and a plurality of spines that emanate distally from the core. At least one channel is defined by the plurality of spines, wherein a cantilever mode of the spool body lies outside a predetermined natural frequency range of a vibrating tube portion of the vibrating densitometer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material testing system that includes an output shaft configured to be moved by operation of a motor, the output shaft coupleable to a test specimen such that movement of the output shaft imparts a mechanical force on the test specimen. The material testing system includes a haptic feedback system configured to provide an operator of the material testing system haptic feedback related to a position or state of the output shaft relative to the test specimen during setup. Methods of testing using haptic feedback are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reference chamber for a fluid sensor comprises a housing, a deflectable structure, which is arranged movably within the housing, a control device configured to drive the deflectable structure at a first point in time such that the deflectable structure assumes a defined position, and to drive the deflectable structure at a second point in time such that the deflectable structure moves out of the defined position and a movement of the deflectable structure in the housing is obtained. The reference chamber comprises an evaluation device configured to determine a movement characteristic of the movement of the deflectable structure on the basis of the moving into the defined position or on the basis of the moving out of the defined position and to determine an atmospheric property in the housing on the basis of the movement characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ultrasonic evaluation of a portion of a pipe includes a frame assembly and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed in the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame which is structured to cooperatively engage an outer surface of the pipe. The frame has a curved surface which is curved about an axis which, when the frame is engaged with the pipe, generally coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the pipe. The curved surface is generally defined by a radius which is generally equal to an outer radius of the pipe. The plurality of ultrasonic sensors are disposed in the frame assembly a fixed distance from the curved surface.

Abstract: A system can identify a type of contamination for drilling fluid based on measured fluid properties of the drilling fluid and fluid properties of a reference drilling fluid. A system can measure a first plurality of fluid properties for a drilling fluid sample contaminated from a wellbore drilling operation. A system can select a predicted model in relation to one or more types of contamination by comparing the first plurality of fluid properties and a second plurality of fluid properties measured from a reference fluid sample. A system can analyze the first plurality of fluid properties and a third plurality of fluid properties generated from the predicted model to determine a first type of contamination in the drilling fluid sample.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a pressure sensor to generate a first signal in response to a pressure variation. A variable offset capacitor is coupled in parallel with the pressure sensor. A first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is coupled to the variable offset capacitor and to convert the first signal to a digital signal. The pressure sensor is a capacitive pressure sensor. The variable offset capacitor is a digitally controlled variable capacitor and the ADC is a low-resolution and low-power ADC.

Abstract: A method for detecting a liquid surface of a liquid sample with a pipetting tip, the method includes receiving an indication of a capacitance of the pipetting tip, and determining, based on a rate of change of the indication of the capacitance rising above a first preselected threshold, that the pipetting tip has come into contact with the liquid surface. The method also includes determining, based on the rate of change of the indication of the capacitance falling below a second preselected threshold, that the pipetting tip has lost contact with the liquid surface.

Abstract: A kit-of-parts for assembling an apparatus for verifying Explosive Trace Detector responses includes an alignment tool and a dispenser. The alignment tool has a body with a top cavity open on a top side and configured to receive the dispenser housing or a sampling medium head of a sampling medium. The sampling medium head has a sample collection area. The body has a bottom cavity to receive a hammer arm. The body has one or more sampling media cavities disposed between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, each configured to receive another sampling medium having a respective sample collection area. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are in communication with each other via a common slot. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are configured to receive different sampling media and to align the dispenser housing with the sample collection area of each of the different sampling media.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for evaluating the leak safety of threaded connections in well tubulars. A method, for example, includes assessing leak risk according to a Leak Criterion with Thread Shear. The Leak Criterion with Thread Shear is a function of the conditions relative to a pin-box interface radius and includes two constants: a Thread Modulus (alpha) and a Makeup Leak Resistance (beta). The leak risk is evaluated at the pin-box interface and is a function of differential pressure, effective stress, and shear stress. Lab tests conducted under known conditions are described for calculating the constants, alpha and beta, which are independent of extrinsic states or conditions.

Abstract: Described examples include devices and methods for measuring relative humidity of an environment using inductance. The devices can include a resonant circuit, including a capacitor and an inductor. The inductor includes a moisture-absorbing core with at least a portion thereof exposed to an environment, with at least one magnetic property of the core being variable in response to changing levels of moisture in the environment. An excitation circuit provides an AC excitation signal to the resonant circuit. A sense circuit determines an inductance of the inductor according to a sense signal from the resonant circuit. The sense circuit is coupled to generate an output signal that indicates a humidity level of the environment according to the sense signal.

Abstract: A trace analyte collection swab having a collection surface at least partially coated with a microscopically tacky substance to enhance pick-up efficiency is described. In embodiments, the truce analyte collection swab comprises a substrate including a surface having a trace analyte collection area and a coating disposed on the surface of the substrate in the trace analyte collection area. The coating is configured to be microscopically adhesive to collect particles of the trace analyte from a surface when the trace analyte collection area is placed against the surface. In one embodiment, the coating comprises Polyisobutylene.

Abstract: A probe for an additive manufacturing system includes a probe body having a first air port therethrough between an inlet and an outlet, and a location sensing probe extending from the probe body. The location sensing probe includes a probe end and a probe bar, the probe bar coupled between the probe body and the probe end, and a channel surrounding the probe bar, the channel having an inner tube having an inlet proximate the probe body and an outlet proximate the probe end. A method of determining a position of an item being printed in an additive manufacturing system, includes probing the position with a location sensing probe having a resolution finer than a print resolution of the print head.

Abstract: A load detector for detecting a load of a subject on a bed (BD) having a caster (CT) includes: a plate portion (1) which is one-fold and which is to be supported above an installation surface (F), on which the load detector is installed, separately from the installation surface; and a slope portion (SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4) which is provided around the plate portion and which is inclined relative to a surface of the plate portion so as to extend between the surface of the plate portion and the installation surface. The plate portion includes: a peripheral part (13); a placing part (11) on which the caster is to be placed, and which is provided inside relative to the peripheral part separately from the peripheral part; and a linking part (12) which links the placing part and the peripheral part.

Abstract: A method to test a size of a hole includes causing a test probe to vibrate and contact multiple portions of an edge of the hole for a testing cycle when the test probe is inserted into the hole, measuring displacement of the test probe, by a sensor coupled to the test probe, as the test probe makes contact with the multiple portions of the edge of the hole, estimating a measurement of the size of the hole based on the displacement of the test probe and reference to calibrated measurements of reference holes, and outputting a notification indicative of an estimation of the measurement.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and delivering samples, such as in association with an interplanetary vehicle is provided. The system includes a gas delivery assembly having a storage tank with a compressed gas. A sampler device is provided having a hollow interior, the hollow interior having a curved and angled surface, an open end and an exit end. A plurality of nozzles are fluidly coupled between the hollow interior and the storage tank, at least one of the plurality of nozzles arranged to direct the compressed gas towards the exit end. A sample capture assembly is further provided having a container fluidly coupled to the exit end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a fusion joint is provided. The apparatus includes a processor, an ultrasound (“US”) probe in communication with the processor, and a database comprising classification rules. The processor is configured to generate an initial set of US scanning positions about the fusion joint based on information of at least one of the US probe and the fusion joint; measure, via the US probe, a US pulse-echo spectrum from at least two of the initial US scanning positions; compare each measured US pulse-echo spectrum with one or more known US pulse-echo spectrums; classify each measured US pulse-echo spectrum according to the classification rules; and evaluate an aggregate of measured US pulse-echo spectrums to determine if the fusion joint is defective.

Abstract: A device includes a main body and at least one actuating and sensing module. A length of the main body is 5˜40 mm. A width of the main body is 5˜27 mm. A height of the main body is 2˜10 mm. The actuating and sensing module is disposed in the main body. The actuating and sensing module includes a carrier, at least one sensor, at least one actuating device, a driving and transmitting controller and a battery. The sensor, the actuating device, the driving and transmitting controller and the battery are disposed on the carrier. The actuating device is disposed on one side of the sensor. The actuating device includes at least one guiding channel. The actuating device is enabled to transport fluid to flow toward the sensor through the guiding channel so as to make the fluid measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A humidity nonsensitive material based on reduced-graphene oxide (r-GO) and methods of making the same are provided. In an embodiment, the material has a resistance/humidity variation of about ?15% to 15% based on different sintering time or temperature. In an aspect, the resistance variation to humidity can be close to zero or ?0.5% to 0.5%, showing a humidity non sensitivity property. In an embodiment, a humidity nonsensitive material based on the r-GO and carbon nanotube (CNT) composites is provided, wherein the ratio of CNT to r-GO is adjusted. The ratio can be adjusted based on the combined contribution of carbon nanotube (positive resistance variation) and reduced-graphene oxide (negative resistance variation) behaviors.

Abstract: A subsea high integrity pipeline protection system including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first barrier valve connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a second barrier valve connected between the first barrier valve and the fluid outlet, and a bypass circuit which allows fluid to circumvent the barrier valves when closed, wherein the bypass circuit includes first and second bypass valves connected in series, and a third bypass valve connected in parallel to the second bypass valve.