Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring sobriety using a hand-held breath testing device that, on receipt of a user's breath, generates a breath test signal comprising substance content data and user identification data, and wirelessly transmits the breath test signal to a breath test signal receiving station. The breath test signal includes substance content data and user identification data. The substance content data includes at least one of: a blood alcohol level and a narcotics presence. The user identification data includes compressed image data. The signal receiving station is monitored by a supervisor who is able to intervene should the substance level be greater than a predetermined threshold, or should the user identification data no match with a reference user identification data.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of gases is described. The gas detection apparatus includes, a housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a duct of a particle detection system, and at least one gas detector sensitive to a target species arranged in fluid communication with the housing to detect the presence of the target species in at least part of the air sample flowing in a duct. In one form the gas detection apparatus forms part of a system for detecting a condition in an environment that includes, a particle detector; a duct system in fluid communication with the environment and the particle detector and an aspirator to draw an air sample flow from the environment to the particle detector.

Abstract: Provided is a steam characteristics automatic measuring device capable of automatically, ideally also continuously measuring the characteristics of steam taken from a production well, without being affected by interfering components, such as hydrogen sulfide gas and carbon dioxide gas contained in large quantities in steam taken from under the ground, which enables the operator to continuously understand the characteristics of steam and support a smooth operation of a geothermal power plant. The device has a silica monitor for measuring a concentration of silica included in a condensate obtained by cooling steam taken from under the ground; an electrical conductivity meter for automatically measuring the electrical conductivity thereof; a pH meter for automatically measuring the pH value thereof; and a data processing transmitter for automatically transmitting data measured by each of the monitor and meters.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring sobriety using a hand-held breath testing device that, on receipt of a user's breath, generates a breath test signal comprising substance content data and user identification data, and wirelessly transmits the breath test signal to a breath test signal receiving station. The breath test signal includes substance content data and user identification data. The substance content data includes a blood alcohol level and the user identification data includes compressed image data. The signal receiving station is monitored by a supervisor who is able to intervene should the blood alcohol level be greater than a predetermined threshold, or should the user identification data no match with a reference user identification data.

Abstract: Electrochemical impedance may be used for accurate and real-time tracking and control of fluid delivery from fluid-filled chambers, such as from drug delivery devices. At least two measurement electrodes may be placed within the chamber in contact with the fluid to be sensed. Application of a small alternating current using these electrodes through the fluid/drug may allow measurement of electrochemical impedance. Volumetric changes of the compressible chamber due to movement of at least one surface within the compressible chamber (such as an actuating bellows or flexible diaphragm), may induce changes in the measured electrochemical impedance. Measuring these changes may allow for tracking of ejected liquid volumes from the compressible chamber. By taking the time-derivative of this signal, the rate of volume change can be tracked and therefore the rate of ejected fluid (flow rate) can be deduced.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting at least one electrical component to a portion of an aftertreatment module, the arrangement including; at least one standoff member coupled between the electrical component and the portion of the aftertreatment module, and an enclosure substantially surrounding at least three sides of the electrical component.

Abstract: Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced gas sensor. A sensor is integrated into switchgear housings. These sensors integrated into high voltage switchgear products, deployed by electric utility end users in replacement and expansion cycles, function to detect and mitigate atmospheric pollution caused by leaking SF6. As its associated gas insulated tank is charged with 10 to 350 lbs. of SF6, each gas sensor monitors its local cache of gas, accurately sensing and computing fractional percentage losses (emissions) and gains (maintenance replacement) in SF6 mass, storing data in onboard data logs, and communicating data when triggered by detection events or in response to remote requests over a hierarchical communications network, a process that continues without labor until a fractional leak is automatically detected and reported creating the opportunity for early leak mitigation.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1, 2, 3) detects the quantity of particulates S contained in exhaust gas EG discharged from an internal combustion engine ENG and flowing through an exhaust pipe EP. The system (1, 2, 3) includes a detection section (10) attached to the exhaust pipe EP; and a drive processing circuit (201) electrically connected to the detection section (10), driving the detection section (10), and detecting and processing a signal Is from the detection section 10. The drive processing circuit (201) includes drive start delay means (S2, S3, S11, S12, S13, S22, S23) for delaying start of the drive of the detection section (10) until a start condition determined by the drive processing circuit (201) is satisfied after startup of the internal combustion engine ENG.

Abstract: A gas is detected using a MEMS gas sensor. The electrical power to a heater in the gas sensor is changed between a low level, a high level suitable for detection of detection target gas, and a 0 level, and, therefore, poisonous gas is evaporated or oxidized at the low level, and the detection target gas is detected at the high level.

Abstract: A method to simulate distillation of a petroleum stream by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography including the step of separating said petroleum stream with a two-dimensional gas chromatograph to determine polarity as a function of temperature, and integrating vertically the two-dimensional gas chromatograph at a given temperature to determine signal intensity as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A solid-state field-effect transistor sensor for detecting chemical and biological species and for detecting changes in radiation is disclosed. The device includes a porous or structured channel section to improve device sensitivity. The device is operated in a fully depleted mode such that a sensed biological, chemical or radiation change causes an exponential change in channel conductance.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring or assessing the homeostatic relationship between gases in the body, environment or water. The measured or assessed level of gases in the body, environment or air uses the interrelationships of the various components in order to establish guidelines for treating individuals, the environment or water.

Abstract: An NO sensing system includes an inlet for receiving an original sample, a humidifier, fluidly communicating with the inlet, and a first sensor. The original sample is fluidly transmitted through the humidifier and exits the humidifier as a humidified sample having a humidity above a predetermined level. The first sensor generates a potential difference in response to presence of NO in the humidified sample. The potential difference is indicative of a level of NO within the original sample.

Abstract: A humidity measurement device comprises a capacitance measurement unit (101) and a microcontroller (102). The capacitance measurement unit (101) is used to output a frequency signal of a humidity-sensitive capacitor (C1) by the humidity-sensitive capacitor (C1) and a frequency signal of a reference capacitor (C2) by the reference capacitor (C2) respectively. The microcontroller (102) is used to obtain a frequency value of the humidity-sensitive capacitor (C1) and a frequency value of the reference capacitor (C2) based on the frequency signal of the humidity-sensitive capacitor (C1) and the frequency signal of the reference capacitor (C2), and obtain a current ambient humidity value by using a linear function relationship of a frequency difference between the humidity-sensitive capacitor (C1) and the reference capacitor (C2) and a humidity value. A humidity measurement method includes using the said humidity measurement device to measure a current ambient humidity value.

Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.

Abstract: A method of measuring characteristics of a critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument is applied to a dilution mechanism including dilution units in series. Diluent gas of one dilution unit and diluent gas of the other dilution unit are kept flowing in a derivation flow passage for deriving redundant gas of the corresponding one dilution unit in a manner that the total flow rate thereof is equal to a prescribed constant flow rate and that the flow rate of the diluent gas from the corresponding dilution unit is equal to the flow rate in use. The flow rate characteristics of the critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument are measured based on at least an upstream side pressure of the critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument provided in the derivation flow passage at this time.

Abstract: A device to measure the influence of friction force on wear characteristics of a material surface comprises a case with a cover. A moveable element (MFE) of a friction pair is fixed on a shaft installed in the case or is made flat. A holder of another, pressed, element of the friction pair (NMFE) and a clamp which applies a regulated load on the NMFE holder are attached to the cover. The NMFE is fixed to a NMFE holder installed using separate piezo sensors for pressing force and friction force in a sensor holder, which is installed using two pairs of lateral piezo actuators and their preload devices in an actuator holder, which is installed using two pairs of horizontal piezo actuators and their preload devices in the holder, which is installed in the cover of the device with membranes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the subject invention is directed to a jack incorporating one or more strain gauges. The one or more strain gauges can be positioned on, within, or integral to the jack. When a load or force is applied by the jack, one or more materials within the jack are deformed or displaced as a result of the applied load. The one or more strain gauges are used to measure the deformation or displacement and thus measure the strain. The measured strain can be used to determine the magnitude of the load applied by the jack. In an embodiment, a plurality of strain gauges are used and the resulting strain measurements can be combined to determine the applied load.

Abstract: A medical ventilator capable of early detecting and recognizing types of pneumonia, a gas recognition chip, and a method for recognizing gas thereof are disclosed. The gas recognition chip of the medical ventilator comprises a sensor array, a sensor interface circuit, a stochastic neural network chip, a memory and a microcontroller. The sensor array receives a plurality of multiple types of gases to produce odor signals corresponding to each type of gas. The sensor interface circuit analyzes the odor signals to produce gas pattern signals corresponding to each type of gas. The stochastic neural network chip amplifies the differences between the gas pattern signals and performs dimensional reduction on the gas pattern signals to aid the analysis. The memory stores training data. The microcontroller performs a mixed gas recognizing algorithm to early detect and recognize the type of the pneumonia according to the gas training data.