Abstract: Aquatic animals that emit electrical signals are used to detect changes in the operating conditions of an aqueous medium (e.g., the presence of a pollutant). In one embodiment, the aquatic test animals are fishes of a species known as Apteronotus albifrons, whose electrical signals have frequency variations on the order of 0.1% under constant operating conditions; the temperature of the aqueous medium is stabilized to within 0.1.degree. C.; each aquatic test animal is placed in a perforated refuge within a holding tank in which the aqueous medium flows in a vertical direction; and three or more aquatic test animals are used, wherein phases of nychthemeral activity of the aquatic test animals are artificially offset to achieve overlapping of the nychthemeral activity of the aquatic test animals. All of these combine to yield a highly sensitive and reliable system for real-time biological monitoring of physico-chemical parameters of an aqueous medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method for monitoring compliance with a disulfiram prescription regime. A self testing device 10 includes a gas sensor 12, a display 13, an indicating light 14, and a start button 15. An air inlet 16 is joined on the body 11 and a breath tube 12 can be located therein. A clock 20 in association with a random day generator 21 and the display 13, and light 14 determine the daily close rate and the measured sample is compared with expected sensor output by determining whether or not the user has complied with the regime.

Abstract: An ion chromatographic apparatus and method for on-column preconcentration of trace ionic contaminants for quantitative trace analysis by ion chromatography. The method includes the multi-cycle, sequential steps of loading and purging of sample solution into and out of a sample injection loop to cumulatively preconcentrate a separator column with a cumulative amount of sample. Each purging step includes directing pressurized liquid, at a substantially constant rate and for a predetermined period of time to the sample injection loop, to drive up to about 98% of the known volume of the sample solution from the sample injection loop. In turn, this flushed volume of sample solution passes through an ion exchange resin column for concentration of the trace ionic contaminants in the resin.

Abstract: A method of checking an integrity of an electric power connection between a contact pad of an integrated circuit and a corresponding contact pin in an electronic power device, wherein the electronic power device includes at least one final power stage powered from the respective discrete contact pad connected by means of the electric power connection to the respective contact pin. The method of checking is accomplished by providing a resistive connection between two contact pads of the electronic power device bringing the at least one final power stage, powered from the first contact pad, to a conduction state, measuring the potential difference between the two contact pins connected to the two contact pads, and comparing the potential difference with a predetermined nominal potential difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test pattern group and a method for measuring an insulation film thickness utilizing the same, and to the test pattern group comprising at least 3 (three) test patterns having a construction of a capacitor and a method for more precisely measuring the insulation film thickness utilizing the test pattern group, in a method for electrically measuring a capacitance of the insulation film applied to a semiconductor device and converting the measured capacitance to a thickness of the insulating film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring in-place soil density and moisture content. A cylindrical cell is disclosed which may be used to measure the density and the dielectric constant of a soil sample placed within the cylindrical cell. Also disclosed is a multiple rod probe which is designed to contact spikes driven into the ground to measure the in-place dielectric constant of soil. The multiple rod probe includes adjustable studs which ensure complete contact with the spikes. Both measurements are performed using time domain reflectometry. The present invention develops equations for determining the density of the soil in-place from the measured dielectric constant of the soil in-place and the measured density and dielectric constant of the soil in the cylindrical cell.

Abstract: A rotor is magnetically suspended in liquid by a non-active magnetic bearing with opposed permanent magnets, a step shaped signal at constant voltage is generated from a signal generator, and supplied to an electromagnet of an active magnetic bearing, the response of the rotor at the time is detected by a position sensor, and viscosity equivalent to an damping coefficient is calculated by a CPU.

Abstract: An ESD sensor includes a plurality of layers of dielectric material positioned on a substrate, each having a different thickness, a first contact positioned adjacent each of the plurality of layers and a plurality of second contacts, one each positioned on each layer of the plurality of layers of dielectric material. Each different thickness of each individual layer of dielectric material is formed to provide a specific voltage at which an electrical short will occur between the first and second contacts when an ESD appears thereacross, so that the sensor provides an indication of a range of voltages.

Abstract: A dissolution tester has a plurality of test vessels for receiving dissolution samples and a plurality of stirring elements for stirring the dissolution samples, the stirring elements being disposed in a vertically adjustable housing. A discharging device is provided having discharging tubes for discharging predetermined volume fractions of the dissolution samples to the test vessels. The discharging tubes are disposed at a predetermined working position in the test vessels in accordance with the filling level of the dissolution sample and the stirring element used. The discharging tubes are disposed on a frame and the frame is disposed on the housing in vertically adjustable manner. A stepping motor moves the frame and thus the discharging tubes to the particular working position in program-controlled fashion in accordance with the input data on the filling level and the stirring element. A computing device stores the measurement data and predetermined parameters.

Abstract: A planar separation column device for use in gas or liquid phase sample analysis. The planar separation column device includes complementary microstructures formed in a planar foldable substrate. The complementary microstructures may be superimposed in a controlled manner by folding the foldable substrate. The resulting integrated assembly may be bonded and subsequently operated in an associated sample analysis system. The planar separation column device includes etched features useful for integrated sample analysis, such as for integration of analyte inlet, detection, and fluid communication devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a property determining apparatus for automatically determining in real time, properties of a slurry material such as of a sludge under treatment. The apparatus, being provided with a sampling cylinder 2, a quantitative sampling piston pair comprised of a rear piston 3 and a front piston 4, an air cylinder 5, a measurement tank 8, and a measuring means 10, is connected to a transfer pipe P and the like for a slurry material via a connecting opening 2w of the sampling cylinder 2.

Abstract: A calibration standard (204) provides interconnection between measurement ports (212, 214, 216) of a network analyzer (202) having at least three measurement ports. Once the measurement ports (212, 214, 216) of the network analyzer (202) are interconnected, a non-zero signal transfer is generated between each of the measurement ports and at least one other measurement port as part of the calibration process. Interconnecting all of the measurement ports (212, 214, 216) together and generating non-zero signal transfers characterizes the relative relationship between the ports during the calibration process. The calibration standard (204) can also provide a desired level of mode conversion.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring the characteristic physical parameters of a porous medium, such as an aquifer that is initially recharged at a recharge rate and subsequently discharged at a discharge rate by a pumped fluid utilizing a single well into which a tracer is injected during recharge, and at which the tracer is subsequently detected during discharge. A measurement of the elapsed time, together with a formula based on a convective physical model relating the characteristic parameters to the time measurements is provided.

Abstract: A search gas detector for leak detection instruments includes a gas inlet, a vacuum pump, and an apparatus by which the presence of a search gas is recorded. The vacuum pump is able to pump all reactive gases and the search gas recording apparatus is able to detect enrichments of the search gas. More preferably, the gas inlet is effective for permitting only the search gas to pass therethrough, the detector having a pair of chambers, the first to which the gas inlet and search gas apparatus are connected, and the second to which the vacuum pump is connected. The two chambers are interconnected by a constrictive line with the first chamber having a relatively large volume in relation to the second chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the degree of contamination of a soil volume by a contaminant which has a volatile constituent. The steps of the method include the injection of a non-contaminated gas into this soil volume for a period of time sufficient for a measurement of the volatile constituent to be reduced, and the subsequent measuring of the rate of increase of the concentration of the volatile constituent in this soil volume.

Abstract: An improved water flow test for determining the integrity and/or pore size distribution of a porous filter is disclosed. The improvement involves the ability to determine and take into account the changes in filter structure due to filter compaction or creep resulting from compressive forces when pressure is applied to the surfaces of the filter. By proper characterization of the filter under test, the initial system volume and the volume change associated with pressurizing the filter can be accurately determined at all points in time during a test cycle. As a result, composite flowrate changes (i.e. the flow due to filter compaction/creep plus the flow due to liquid intrusion) can be evaluated to distinguish between various flow components to accurately determine the pore size of the filter being tested or a filter defect.

Abstract: An apparatus and test method for determining the cleanliness (based on corrosivity) of a specific area on an electronic circuit assembly, such as the area between holes or pads on a single side of an assembly. The apparatus includes: (1) an extraction cell for providing an extraction fluid to an electronic circuit assembly ("ECA") area to be measured; (2) an extraction fluid for extracting residue from the ECA area to be measured; (3) a test cell with two or more electrodes and a voltage source for providing a voltage to the electrodes; and (4) a timer for measuring the time between the application of the voltage and an electrical short between the electrodes.

Abstract: A rigid cylinder is provided with small perforations to permit the entry of hydrocarbon containing liquids, gases or vapors, and the interior of the cylinder is lined with a sensor material which expands in the presence of hydrocarbons. The interior chamber enclosed by the sensor material is completely filled with an incompressible liquid, and one end of the chamber is sealed by a conventional pressure sensor so that the presence of hydrocarbons causes the sensor material to exert a pressure upon the incompressible liquid to create an output signal in the pressure sensor. A double-chambered device, with only one chamber being perforated and thereby exposed to the hydrocarbons, can be used to compensate the pressure sensor signal for ambient pressure or temperature changes.

Abstract: A battery monitoring routine is executed at a short period such as one minute as an initial value when a key switch is turned on to drive an electric vehicle (so that the battery is discharged). On the other hand, when the key switch is turned off to stop or park the electric vehicle so that the battery is released open from discharge, the battery monitoring routine is executed at a short period such as one minute to measure the battery data finely within a specified time such as 30 minutes, but at a long period such as one hour to measure the battery data coarsely after the specified time such as 30 minutes to save monitoring power. The battery deterioration can be monitored by measuring the restoration status of the battery after released open from discharge, for recharging or replacement of the battery.

Abstract: A ferrofluid sensor assembly includes a permanent magnet which is supported in a hermetically-sealed housing by ferrofluid rings at each end of the magnet. However, the housing is large enough that the ferrofluid rings do not seal the end of the magnet against the walls of the housing. The housing is filled with a non-magnetic liquid that is immiscible with the ferrofluid. The nonmagnetic liquid wets the walls of the housing such that the ferrofluid rides on the thin film of the nonmagnetic liquid. The non-magnetic fluid is selected to have low viscosity, so that the magnet has a fast response time.