Abstract: An improved sensor system is provided that monitors and controls a dendritic fluid system. A dendritic fluid system can include artificial components and/or natural components that carry fluid from a source to a destination through a series of paths. The sensor system can include magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, encapsulated sensor systems, pressure regulators, and valve controllers to monitor and control the dendritic fluid system. For example, magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, and/or pressure regulators can be used to measure the flow of fluid within a dendritic fluid subsystem and/or to detect potential leaks. The encapsulated sensor systems and/or valve controllers can be used to detect fluid levels in a contained system and control valves to adjust the fluid levels in the contained system to a desired level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for real-time continuous measurement of airborne microorganisms including a body unit, a vaporization unit, a liquefaction unit, a coating unit, and a measurement unit. The body unit has an inlet through which airborne microorganisms are introduced and an outlet through which airborne microorganisms are discharged. The vaporization unit vaporizes a lysis solution and supplies the vaporized lysis solution to the inside of the body unit. The liquefaction unit cools the vaporized lysis solution to condense the vaporized lysis solution on the surfaces of the airborne microorganisms. The coating unit applies a light-emitting agent onto the airborne microorganisms lysed by the lysis solution. The measurement unit detects the intensity of light generated by reacting the airborne microorganisms and the light-emitting agent and measures the concentration of the airborne microorganisms.

Abstract: A geosynthetic sensor that incorporates an arrangement of a first layer of lengths of electrically conductive geosynthetic and a second layer of lengths of electrically conductive geosynthetic where each said length undergoes a change in electrical resistance or capacitance when subject to changes in any one or more of: pressure; strain; water content; or temperature.

Abstract: This application relates to a hard-shell inclusion strain gauge for 3D stress in surrounding rockmass of underground engineering. The hard-shell inclusion strain gauge comprises an elastic cylinder and at least three sets of strain rosettes, wherein the elastic cylinder is installed in a borehole of underground engineering, and at least three sets of strain rosettes are equidistant along the circumference on the inner wall of the elastic cylinder. It can accurately measure strain values and variables of each strain rosette through data collection and transmission module, and calculate 3D stress in surrounding rock of underground engineering. It can obtain dynamic long-term monitoring of 3D stress evolution in complex environments of underground engineering, truly reflecting the real-time state, the spatial distribution, and the evolution of 3D stress in rockmass, and provide in-situ basic data for engineering disaster warning and control.

Abstract: A gap compensated stress sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a stress sensor configured to generate a stress signal representing stress applied to a target based upon measurement of generated magnetic fluxes passing through the target. The system can also include a drive circuit configured to provide a current for generation of the magnetic fluxes, and to measure signals characterizing a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can analyze these signals to determine a gap-dependent reference signal that is relatively insensitive to electrical runout. The controller can further adjust the stress signal based upon the gap-dependent reference signal to determine an improved stress signal that has reduced sensitivity to gap changes.

Abstract: An instrumentation system for a net barrier comprising at least one tension sensor node attached to one or more threads of said net barrier is described. Also described is a sensor node, and use of this sensor node.

Abstract: Sensors that include carbon nanotubes, and articles that include the sensors. The sensors may include a buckypaper. The sensors may be flexible. Methods of making sensors, which may include printing an electrode on a substrate. The printing of an electrode may be achieved with an inkjet printer.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for detection of undesirable forces on one or more surgical robotic arms. In one aspect, there is provided a system including a robotic arm, including: two linkages, a joint, a torque sensor, and an instrument device manipulator (IDM). The system may further include a processor configured to measure a first torque value at the joint based on an output of the torque sensor and determine a second torque value at the joint based on a position of the robotic arm. The second torque value may be indicative of a gravitational component of the torque between the two linkages. The processor may be further configured to determine a force at the IDM based a difference between the first and second torque values and determine whether the robotic arm has collided with an object or misaligned based on the force at the IDM.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a support member with a curved surface, a sensor body disposed on the support member, and a buffer member with which the sensor body is coated, the buffer member being configured to, in response to contacting an object, transfer a force applied from the object to the sensor body. The sensor body includes an insulating layer, multiple first resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction is directed to a first direction of each and that are juxtaposed on one side of the insulating layer, multiple second resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction of each is directed to a second direction intersecting with the first direction and that are juxtaposed on another side of the insulating layer, and a pair of electrodes provided at both end portions of each of the first resistive portions and the second resistive portions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-zone pressure sensitive mat comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein: the first electrode connects to an input port of a central processing unit and the second electrode connects to the digital ground return port of the central processing unit; the central processing unit comprises at least one MCU, the MCU comprises a first ADC unit and a second ADC unit, wherein electrical signal form the input port is split into original DC signal and its AC signal, wherein the DC signal is fed into the first ADC unit from the input port, the AC signal is bypassed through a capacitor from the input port, filtered through a LPF, amplified through an amplifying circuit and fed into the second ADC unit; wherein a preset threshold voltage level and a preset interval of time are stored in the MCU; the MCU detects the presence, the absence and the movement of human on bed by measuring voltage value from output port of the first ADC unit and amplitude of the AC signal fro

Abstract: Provided is a highly sensitive sensor comprising a cracked transparent conductive thin film. The highly sensitive sensor relates to a sensor which is acquired by means of forming a fine crack in a transparent conductive thin film formed on a substrate and is for measuring external tension and pressure by means of measuring the change of electrical resistance due to changes, shorting or opening in a fine interconnection structure formed by the fine crack. Such highly sensitive transparent conductive crack sensor can be applied to high-precision measurement or an artificial skin, can also be utilized as a positioning detecting sensor by means of pixelating the sensor, and can be utilized in fields of precise measurements, biometric devices used on the human skin and the like, human motion measurement sensors, display panel sensors and the like.

Abstract: A load transducer includes a block body and a strain gauge attached to the block body. The block body includes a plurality of fixing portions fixed to a support member, a plurality of movable portions provided respectively between the plurality of fixing portions and receiving a load from an external member, and a plurality of beam portions extending respectively between the fixing portions and the movable portions, the block body being formed in a tubular shape. The movable portions include a plurality of movable-portion protrusions receiving the load from the external member, and the fixing portions include a plurality of movable-portion regulation protrusions provided between the plurality of movable-portion protrusions to regulate displacement of the movable portions.

Abstract: A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a receptor layer of a surface stress sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, in a surface stress sensor that detects a change in surface stress of a thin film, the change being caused by a receptor layer disposed on a surface of the thin film, causing at least a part of a surface region of the thin film to generate heat or supplying heat to the receptor layer from the outside of the surface stress sensor. This makes it possible to easily perform efficient cleaning of a surface stress sensor such as a sensor that performs detection using a piezoresistor while avoiding structural complications as much as possible.

Abstract: A strain gauge includes a flexible substrate, a resistor formed of material containing at least one from among chromium and nickel, on or above the substrate, and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the resistor. Each electrode includes a plurality of first patterns that are juxtaposed at predetermined intervals and that are electrically connected to each other. A plurality of second patterns of which longitudinal directions are toward a same direction as a longitudinal direction of each of the first patterns are disposed between opposing electrodes.

Abstract: A component is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The component includes a component body, a strain gauge provided on the component body, a signal processing unit electrically connected to the strain gauge, a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit, and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. The strain gauge includes a substrate and a resistor provided on the substrate. The resistor is formed by a metal layer having a thickness of 0.01 micrometers or greater and 1 micrometer or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to force sensors and force sensor substrates for use with surgical devices.

Abstract: A torque sensor includes a first structure, a second structure, a third structure provided between the first structure and the second structure, and at least two sensor units provided between the first structure and the second structure. A plurality of first contact portions having a structure integrated with the first structure is provided inside an outer peripheral portion of the first structure, first distal ends are arranged near the outer peripheral portion, and the first distal ends are in contact with a first attachment portion. A plurality of second contact portions having a structure integrated with the second structure is provided at a part of an inner peripheral portion of the second structure, second distal ends are arranged near the inner peripheral portion, and the second distal ends are in contact with a second attachment portion.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring resistance over an array. The array includes at least three electrodes. Nodes at each intersection between input electrodes and output electrodes have variable resistance. A driving voltage is applied to a selected input electrode and an output current is received at a selected output electrode. A selected node is at the intersection of the two selected electrodes and includes an electrical component with a resistive property. Remaining electrodes are connected with a ground for isolating the selected node from the effects of changes in impedance of the remaining nodes. The driving voltage is converted to an output current by resistance at the selected node. The output current is converted to an output voltage with a current-to-voltage converter circuit for measuring the resistance of the electrical component. The nodes may be measured as the selected node in sequential or non-sequential patterns.

Abstract: An improvement to a prosthetic device which provides a spring member between first and second structural members that are rotatably connected to one another, the spring member providing predictable resistance as it is compressed by the rotation of the first and second structural members with respect to each other. The known resistance of the spring is used as an input to a model controlling a motor control circuit to provide counter-torque as rotational torque is applied to compress the spring.