Abstract: A microstructure and a method for manufacturing the same includes: disposing a liquid film on a surface of a substrate, wherein a solid-liquid interface is formed where the liquid film is in contact with the substrate; and irradiating the substrate with a laser of a predetermined waveband to etch the substrate at the solid-liquid interface, wherein the position where the laser is irradiated on the solid-liquid interface moves at least along a direction parallel to the surface of the substrate, and the absorption rate of the liquid film for the laser is greater than the absorption rate of the substrate for the laser.

Abstract: A diaphragm seal for transmitting the pressure of a process medium includes a main body having a surface and a separating membrane secured to the surface, thereby forming between the separating membrane and the surface a pressure chamber which communicates, via an opening in the surface, with a hydraulic path. The separating membrane can be exposed to the process medium on a first side, and the separating membrane has a central middle region. The diaphragm seal further includes a temperature transducer for determining a temperature measurement variable of the process medium, which is secured in the middle region on a second side of the separating membrane, and the main body is joined to the separating membrane such that a transmitting fluid, which fills the pressure chamber and the hydraulic path, does not come into contact with the temperature transducer.

Abstract: A stabilizing ability, so-called stability, according to a change in body motion of a wearer is to be appropriately evaluated to achieve effective training, coaching, and fitting of athletic equipment.

Abstract: This application relates to a tire monitoring system. In one aspect, the system includes a sensor module installed in a tire provided in a vehicle to obtain tire data and a communication module. The communication module may include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive the tire data, and an output unit configured to output one of a caution signal and a warning signal. The communication module may also include a controller configured to determine whether a state of the tire is abnormal based on the tire data and control the output unit to output one of the caution signal and the warning signal based on the determination result.

Abstract: A bending apparatus for a sample is disclosed. The bending apparatus includes a translation mechanism that translates a vertical displacement/force into a horizontal displacement/force for bending. Components of the bending apparatus are fabricated from a strong, radiolucent material. In these ways, the bending apparatus is compatible with micro-CT imaging, and as such, may be used to bend a sample during imaging. In a particular application, the bending apparatus may be used to measure biomechanical properties of a bone, such as bone strength, bone material properties, fracture toughness, and fracture propagation.

Abstract: A discontinuous deformation measurement method based on infrared and visible light cameras may include: preparing a conductive film and a random speckle pattern on a surface of the conductive film; obtaining a visible image and an infrared image under a loading stage; applying a crack boundary detection to the visible image to obtain an initial coordinate of a micro-crack, determining an range of the micro-crack based on a temperature-rising region from the infrared image and the initial coordinate; setting a position corresponding to the range of the micro-crack in the visible image as a new region of interest; obtaining full-field principal tensile strains by a DIC method, and locating an accurate boundary of the micro-crack based on gradient distribution of the full-field principal tensile strains; analyzing displacement and strain fields around the micro-crack using the DIC method.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring one or more objects that have been restrainedly secured to a vehicle by one or more restraint members. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured for monitoring one or more of a compressive or tensile stress or strain in one of the one or more restraint members, and a controller for periodically interrogating each of the plurality of sensors to ascertain a value of stress or strain detected by the respective sensor. When a change in the value of stress or strain is indicative of loosened or overtightened restraint members, a mitigation event is triggered.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to force reading device. The products are multi-sensor, meaning they operate using two or more independent sensors, and communicate weight distribution and force data to the user in real time. The weight-lifter/user is notified by a visual aid via mobile app display and/or LCD screen and verbal feedback. Through real-time data feedback, the user is able to correct their form/balance as needed, in efforts to center their body weight and/or more evenly distribute their limbs. This in turn allows for the collection of data on how one may perform exercises and job tasks, and also offers a real-time solution for preventing injury and increasing exercise/job task functionality.

Abstract: A piezoelectric strain sensor unit for a rolling bearing includes a piezoelectric strain sensor, and a sensor holder provided with a main body having a front face intended to be into contact with a component of the rolling bearing and a rear face, and with at least two flexible arms mounted on the main body and supporting opposite ends of the piezoelectric strain sensor, the piezoelectric strain sensor being axially located on the side of the rear face of the main body while remaining spaced apart from the rear face. The sensor holder is provided with a central pin which protrudes axially with regard to the front face of the main body and which is axially moveable with regard the main body, the central pin axially abutting onto the piezoelectric strain sensor.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a binder includes disposing the binder on a first plate, bringing a second plate, which faces the first plate, into contact with one surface of the binder, applying a stress to the binder through the second plate, measuring a strain of the binder due to the applied stress, and calculating a curing rate of the binder based on the strain of the binder.

Abstract: A passive microscopic flow sensor includes a three-dimensional microscopic optical structure formed on a cleaved tip of an optical fiber. The three-dimensional microscopic optical structure includes a post attached off-center to and extending longitudinally from the cleaved tip of the optical fiber. A rotor of the three-dimensional microscopic optical structure is received for rotation on the post. The rotor has more than one blade. Each blade has a reflective undersurface that reflects a light signal back through the optical fiber when center aligned with the optical fiber, the blades of the rotor shaped to rotate at a rate related to a flow rate.

Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a microelectromechanical sensor element. The method includes the following steps: outputting heating control signals for controlling a heating device in order to heat the sensor element, receiving measuring signals that represent a physical variable that is measured with the aid of the heated sensor element, ascertaining, based on the measured physical variable, whether the sensor element has contamination or is free of contamination, outputting result signals that represent a result indicating whether the sensor element has contamination or is free of contamination. Moreover, a device is described.

Abstract: A method includes determining that a portion of a force applied to a sensor system was applied to a non-inclusive region of the sensor system. An activation area of the non-inclusive region may be determined. A force distribution of the non-inclusive region may be determined. A corresponding force measurement of the non-inclusive region based on the activation area and the force distribution may be calculated.

Abstract: To provide a pressure sensor housing that is less likely to cause temperature distribution inside a pressure sensor when the pressure sensor is disposed inside a heater block, a pressure sensor housing includes a hollow cylindrical member extending along a predetermined axis core. A pressure sensor element that detects the pressure of a fluid is accommodated inside the cylindrical member. The entire circumference of a side surface thereof is surrounded by an air layer in the first posture in which an axis core of a space is aligned with the predetermined axis core with the hollow member disposed in the space. The side surface is in contact with a wall surface defining the space at a plurality of points at the same time in a second posture, which is at least one of postures in which the predetermined axis core is eccentric with the axis core of the space.

Abstract: An additive manufactured structure and methods for making and using same. The structure includes a plurality of layers stacked in a stacking direction. The structure further includes at least one reinforcement structure affixed to the layers and extending at least partially in the stacking direction. The reinforcement structure can hold the layers together to stiffen and strengthen the structure. Mechanical strength of the structure in the stacking direction can advantageously be improved. Shape and spatial distribution of the reinforcement structure can be customized and adapted to the geometry of the layers to enhance strengthening effect. The reinforcement structure can be tension free or have a compressive stress induced by a preload applied during manufacturing. The compressive stress can be adjusted dynamically via a sensor. The structure and methods provide, among other things, novelty for addressing the inherent weaknesses in parts created by large-scale extrusion deposition processes.

Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used with a driveline component. The torque sensor assembly includes a holder, a sleeve, and at least one strain sensor. The holder includes a side wall that has a holder outer surface and a holder inner surface. The holder outer surface is corresponding to and attached to an aperture of the driveline component. The sleeve is corresponding to and attached to the holder inner surface. The strain sensor is attached to a sleeve inner surface of the sleeve and used to sense a strain in the driveline component.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for converting a pressure into an electric signal. The device has a first deformation body in the form of a first membrane, via which the pressure can be introduced into the device, and a second deformation body in the form of a second membrane, by means of the deflection of which the applied pressure can be converted into an electric signal. The device has a force transmitting means for transmitting pressure and/or tensile forces from the first deformation body to the second deformation body.

Abstract: Described herein is a ruggedized microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) force sensor. The sensor employs piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensing elements for force sensing where the force is converted to strain and converted to electrical signal. In one aspect, both the piezoresistive and the piezoelectric sensing elements are formed on one substrate and later bonded to another substrate on which the integrated circuitry is formed. In another aspect, the piezoelectric sensing element is formed on one substrate and later bonded to another substrate on which both the piezoresistive sensing element and the integrated circuitry are formed.

Abstract: There is described a method for interrogating optical fiber comprising fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”), using an optical fiber interrogator. The method comprises (a) generating an initial light pulse from phase coherent light emitted from a light source, wherein the initial light pulse is generated by modulating the intensity of the light; (b) splitting the initial light pulse into a pair of light pulses; (c) causing one of the light pulses to be delayed relative to the other of the light pulses; (d) transmitting the light pulses along the optical fiber; (e) receiving reflections of the light pulses off the FBGs; and (f) determining whether an optical path length between the FBGs has changed from an interference pattern resulting from the reflections of the light pulses.

Abstract: Described herein is a ruggedized microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) force sensor including both piezoresistive and piezoelectric sensing elements and integrated with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) circuitry on the same chip. The sensor employs piezoresistive strain gauges for static force and piezoelectric strain gauges for dynamic changes in force. Both piezoresistive and piezoelectric sensing elements are electrically connected to integrated circuits provided on the same substrate as the sensing elements. The integrated circuits can be configured to amplify, digitize, calibrate, store, and/or communicate force values electrical terminals to external circuitry.