Abstract: A method of counting and analyzing an alloy by image analysis. The method includes a) preparing a sample of the alloy; b) determining inclusion detection thresholds by observation, with magnification, of at least one field of the sample; c) detecting inclusions of the sample as a function of the threshold defined in b), and counting the inclusions; d) acquiring images of each of the inclusions detected in c) and determining a size of each of the inclusions; e) determining the chemical composition of each of the detected inclusions by chemically analyzing each of them; and f) making a map of the sample from the images acquired in d), the map showing spatial distribution of the inclusions, in which each of the detected inclusions is represented by a graphics element, a size of the graphics element being proportional to the size of the inclusion, and a color of the graphics element being correlated to the chemical composition of the inclusion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an NDT/NDI calibration process that automatically detects erroneous TOF readings by providing a predetermined time acceptance window. During the calibration process, TOF readings acquired by a UT device are validated to determine whether the TOF reading for the thin test block falls within the range of the predetermined time acceptance window. If the TOF reading for the thin block (T2) falls out of the predetermined time acceptance window, the operator is alerted of an error and to repeat the TOF test for the thin block.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for selecting a plunger-cylinder tip of a pipette and a device for carrying out the method. In the method, the dose size is entered into the control electronics of the pipetting device; the dose size is stored in the control electronics; the amount of doses is entered; and on the basis of the dose size and the amount of doses, the control electronics indicates suitable available interchangeable components on the display.

Abstract: A method for analyzing properties of fluids contained in a geological formation including the steps of lowering a tool containing a chromatograph down to a location within the geological formation; setting the tool into position; extracting a sample of formation fluid from the location within the geological formation under controlled conditions and directing it into the chromatograph; and analyzing the composition of the formation fluid sample located downhole. The formation fluid sample is delivered to the chromatograph with or without admixture with a solvent. A sampling tool for use in the method forms another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A fluid sampling and analysis module for a downhole fluid characterization apparatus configured for operation downhole, within a borehole. The fluid sampling and analysis module comprises a primary flowline for fluids withdrawn from a formation to flow through the fluid sampling and analysis module, a bypass flowline in fluid communication with the primary flowline and a single valve, interconnecting the primary flowline and the bypass flowline, operable to a first position for formation fluids to flow in the primary flowline and to a second position for formation fluids to flow, via the bypass flowline, in the primary flowline.

Abstract: In a method for determining the degree of hardening or drying of one or more printed ink and/or coating film(s) on a substrate, for instance, paper, cardboard, plastic film or composite materials, a faster and more efficient measuring method can be found that furthermore supplies secure and easily interpreted results. The method is to be used in the mass production printing processes comprising intaglio printing, flexographic printing, screen printing or offset printing. The degree of hardening or drying is determined indirectly by way of the change in the mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate that result from the hardening or drying process. The detection of acoustic waves by means of a piezoelectric sensor is used as the measuring method.

Abstract: A volatilizable substance can be sampled from a surface using a hand-held sampler employing a probe that comprises a supply tube in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply and an outlet proximate to a target surface, a recovery tube having an inlet proximate to the target surface and being in fluid communication with a collector or analyzer and a skirt of varied depth. The probe is brought into contact with the surface, preferably in at least three points, gas flows out through the supply tube onto the surface, the volatilizable substance is volatilized, uptaken in to the gas and a fraction of the gas flows back through the recovery tube to the collector or analyzer, the remainder flowing under the skirt to prevent ingress of contaminants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for verifying the calibration status of an optical tracking system (1), wherein: a calibration apparatus (20, 40), which comprises a tracking marker configuration (27, 28; 41, 42), is moved to within the detection range of the tracking system (1); the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) of the calibration apparatus (20, 40) are detected by the tracking system; the arrangement of the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) is changed and/or moved into a state such that the tracking system (1) experiences a detection problem; the arrangement of the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) which causes the detection problem is gauged and/or a range of arrangements for the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) which causes the detection problem is gauged; and the tracking system (1) is determined to have a calibration error when the gauged arrangement and/or range of arrangements does not have a predetermined value or is not within a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for calibrating a pipette or a dispensing system comprising a plate (2), said plate (2) comprising at least one channel (3) with a loading port (4) for receiving a test volume of a fluid at one end of the at least one channel and an opening (5) at the other end of the at least one channel, wherein the at least one channel (3) is constructed as a capillary.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the powder dispersibility including dispersing a powder allowed to stand inside a closed container by mechanical vibration applied quantitatively to the powder; collecting the dispersed powder on a quartz crystal element or a piezo element; and measuring the mass of the collected powder using a quartz crystal microbalance or a piezo element mass meter to thereby measure the airborne powder concentration in air inside the closed container; a method for evaluating airborne powder concentration at work place using the method for evaluating the powder dispersibility; and a method for designing a powder containment facility using the method for evaluating airborne powder concentration.

Abstract: A scanning probe system and method for using the same are disclosed. The system includes a probe that interacts with a specimen. The probe is caused to vibrate at a first frequency of the probe. A probe deflection signal indicative of an oscillation amplitude of the probe is generated and used to set the z-position probe position to maintain a property of the probe deflection signal at the first frequency at a predetermined value. A probe signal, having a DC and an AC component is applied between the specimen and the probe. The amplitude of a frequency component of the deflection signal at a mixing frequency of the first frequency and the second frequency is measured and used to generate an image or adjust the DC component.

Abstract: A hermetic sample holder for use in performing microanalysis of a sample under a controlled atmosphere environment. The sample holder comprises a sample holder body with a sample cavity to receive the sample and a cover movably mounted to the holder body between an open position to allow access to the cavity and a closed position to seal the cavity. The cover is secured in and released from the closed position at least in part by a pressure differential between the cavity and the ambient atmosphere. The cover may be biased toward the open position. The cover may be pivotally mounted about an axis that is perpendicular to a sealing surface of the cover and/or movable in a direction along the pivot axis. A valve may be provided to allow direct evacuation of the cavity to create a pressure differential. An adjustable clamp may be located in the cavity to secure the sample.

Abstract: A method of determining reservoir permeability and geometry of a subterranean formation having a reservoir fluid including oil that has not been previously water-flooded includes isolating the subterranean formation to be tested; providing an injection fluid at a substantially constant rate from a wellhead to the formation being tested, wherein the injection fluid is miscible with the oil at the tested formation; sealing, at the top, the tested formation from further fluid injection; measuring pressure data in the tested formation including pressure injection data and pressure falloff data; and determining the reservoir permeability and geometry of the tested formation based on an analysis of the measured pressure injection data and the measured pressure falloff data using a well pressure model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods relate to a photoacoustic sensor includes an excitation source, a modulator, a quantum dot filter, an interferometer, a gas chamber, and a microphone. The excitation source generates a monochromatic light. The modulator intensity modulates the monochromatic light at a first modulation frequency. The quantum dot filter down converts the modulated monochromatic light into a broadband spectrum of infrared light. The interferometer further intensity modulates the broadband spectrum such that the at least one wavelength component of the broadband spectrum is further intensity modulated at a second modulation frequency. The gas chamber stores a sample gas and receives the plurality of modulated wavelength components. The microphone detects pressure changes within the gas chamber to produce an acoustic signal, which can be used to analyze properties of the sample gas.

Abstract: Provided is a testing apparatus capable of testing locomotive performance of a robot while harmonizing motions of the apparatus with that of the robot. According to the locomotive performance testing apparatus (1), a motor working plan is made on the basis of a robot motion plan, and a motor (12) is driven according to the motor working plan. As a result, an alteration pattern of a driving velocity of an endless belt (11) can be controlled according to an alteration pattern of a moving velocity of a robot (2) whose locomotive performance is being tested on the endless belt (11). Moreover, a motion tempo of the endless belt (11) and a motion tempo of the robot (2) are so harmonized that the former tempo may approach the latter tempo, and the locomotive performance of the robot (2) can be stably tested in that state.

Abstract: The system includes at least one sampler including a body having a hollow interior accessed through holes in the body and optionally a slide which can selectively cover and expose the holes in the body. A stand is provided made of a base and a floor. The base includes at least one recess therein. The recess is configured to support the sampler therein so that the sampler can be held by the stand while sampling an airspace at a particular location. The floor can be separated at least partially from the base in a removably attachable fashion to provide selective access to a hollow inside. A sampler can be placed within this hollow inside space and resealed so that the stand doubles as a shipping container for the sampler after collection of an air sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic device comprising at least one micro-aliquotter for dispensing fixed or variable volumes. The micro-aliquotter includes an rigid, dimensionally stable foundational layer having a fluid port therein that is in fluid communication with a channel within the microfluidic device, and an elastic film positioned on the foundational layer where the film covers the fluid port. The elastic film is sealed to the foundational layer so fluids entering through the fluid port can be captured between the elastic film and the foundational layer. The elastic film being expandable from a rest position on the foundational layer to a dispensing, or aliquotting, position in which an aliquot volume of a fluid is contained between the film and the foundational layer.

Abstract: A calibration assembly for a friction stir welding machine having a rotatable pin tool with upper and lower shoulders. The calibration assembly includes: a force measuring component for placement between the upper and lower shoulders of the pin tool; an upper bearing for placement between the upper shoulder of the pin tool and the force measuring component for permitting relative rotation therebetween; and a lower bearing for placement between the lower shoulder of the pin tool and the force measuring component for permitting relative rotation therebetween. The upper and lower bearings permit the pin tool to be rotated relative to the force measuring component during a calibration procedure. This permits the force measuring component to measure the forces directly applied by the pin tool while the upper and lower shoulders are either stationary or rotated relative to the force measuring component.

Abstract: Method for monitoring conditions within a plurality of machines that receive fluid from a common source includes providing a supply line extending from the common source to an inlet at each of the machines. A return line is also provided that extends from an outlet at each of the machines to the common source to return fluid from each of the machines to the common source. A particulate filter is provided at the outlet of each of the machines so that each of the particulate filters will capture the particulates that were added to the fluid in the particular one of the machines with which that filter is associated. The particulate filters are periodically examined to determine the buildup of particulates that were generated within that particular machine. The particulate build up indicates whether or not a machine is in need of repair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe having an elongated main body with a proximal end for attachment to a wall of a duct or volume and a distal end that is disposed on the interior of the duct, such that the main body forms a measurement space through which the fluid is drawn for analysis.