Abstract: A method for monitoring Earth's subsurface for indication of ground failure includes processing signals detected by seismic sensors disposed proximate the area, by migrating a response of the sensors to each of a plurality of sub volumes. The migrated responses are summed over a first selected time interval. Events having amplitude exceeding an average amplitude over a second selected time interval longer than the first time interval are detected and their amplitudes are summed from within each of a plurality of substantially vertical column of the plurality of sub volumes. A two dimensional smooth surface is calculated based on the summed amplitudes, and a difference between the summed amplitudes and a value of the smoothed surface for each vertical column is calculated. A statistical measure of the difference values is calculated. Statistical measures that exceed a selected threshold are identified as advance indication of ground failure.

Abstract: A parameter selection method for causing a computer to execute processing steps including: (a) acquiring a plurality of parameters in measurement data of a plurality of sensors regarding a process in a substrate processing apparatus and result data of the process corresponding to the measurement data; (b) classifying the acquired parameters into a plurality of groups by a specific clustering method; (c) selecting parameters having a large effect on the result data based on a threshold value for each of the plurality of groups; (d) repeating the step of (c) in a tournament format between the groups for the parameters selected for each of the groups; and (e) selecting parameters highly correlated with the result data by correlation analysis between the parameters selected in the step of (d).

Abstract: A traction battery controller of an electrified vehicle controls the traction battery based in part on a value of a current-independent parameter, decomposed from a current-dependent parameter of a model of the traction battery, that is estimated based on voltage and current measurements of the traction battery. The controller may detect, based in part on the estimated value of the current-independent parameter, a power capability of the traction battery and control a vehicle component according to the power capability of the traction battery.

Abstract: A power supply system and an IV curve scanning method for a power supply system. The power supply system includes at least a first inverter and a second inverter. The first inverter starts, at an IV curve scanning start time of the first inverter, to perform IV curve scanning on a string connected to the first inverter, and the second inverter starts, at an IV curve scanning start time of the second inverter, to perform IV curve scanning on a string connected to the second inverter. Their IV curve scanning start time is different. In addition, a time interval between the IV curve scanning their start time is less than a preset IV curve scanning period. In the embodiments, fluctuation of an output power of the power supply system during IV curve scanning can be reduced, thereby improving system stability of the power supply system.

Abstract: A bead appearance inspection device includes an input unit configured to enter input data related to a welding bead of a workpiece produced by welding, a first determination unit configured to perform a first inspection determination related to a shape of the welding bead based on a comparison between the input data and a master data, k second determination units, where k is an integer of 1 or more, that are equipped with k types of artificial intelligence and that are configured to perform a second inspection determination related to a welding defect of the welding bead based on processings of the k types of artificial intelligence targeting the input data, and a comprehensive determination unit configured to output a result of an appearance inspection of the welding bead to an output device based on determination results of the first determination unit and the k second determination units.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to integrate pMUT arrays with an ASIC using solid liquid interdiffusion (SLID). In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT device and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using a conductive bonding pillar, which conductive bonding pillar comprises one or more intermetallic compounds. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT device and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using a conductive bonding pillar, wherein the bonding is performed at a temperature less than the melting point of the conductive bonding pillar after the bonding.

Abstract: A method for determining the association of a sensor device with a battery unit. A first circuit includes a first battery unit. A second circuit includes a second battery unit. An electric current limiting device connects the circuits to one another. A first sensor device detects a voltage or a current associated with one of the first and second battery units while a second sensor device detects a voltage or a current associated with the other one of the first and second battery units. The method includes activating an electrical energy consumer or an electrical energy producer of the first circuit, and upon detection of a voltage change or a current change by one of the first and second sensor devices, determining that the one of the first and second sensor devices which detects a voltage change or a current change is associated with the first battery unit.

Abstract: A method for determination of battery parameters comprises the following steps: the determination of multiple roundtrip battery for a number of different pairs of charging and efficiencies discharging battery C-rates/P-rates, solving a nonlinear optimisation problem to obtain one-way efficiencies, and finding a charging and discharging characteristics for selected charging and discharging C-rates/P-rates. The obtained characteristic curves can reveal the actual current/power that is charged/discharged into/from the battery when the battery is charged/discharged with selected current/power from/to an external source/sink. The characteristic charging/discharging curves used can be for determination of battery charge capacity, battery energy capacity, state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-energy (SOE), state-of-health (SOH), and other battery parameters.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the atmospheric turbulence, includes acquiring images of a celestial object by means of a camera coupled to a small telescope; analyzing the acquired images to determine angle of arrival fluctuations of wavefronts from positions of spots formed by the celestial object in the acquired images; determining variances of the angle of arrival fluctuations; and estimating the Fried parameter from the variances of the angle of arrival fluctuations, by setting an outer scale parameter of the atmospheric turbulence to a fixed median value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting DNA samples from uncooperative suspects are provided. A modified bathroom fixture, including a toilet with an empty reservoir tank and a missing handle on the water fill valve, retains excreted material in the toilet bowl, allowing for easy collection of DNA samples. In an alternate embodiment, the toilet's reservoir tank is full, and the water fill valve is in the on position, but the waste flush is diverted to a holding tank. This enables DNA technicians to collect samples from the excreted material for forensic analysis. The invention eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming stakeouts, provides a quick and reliable method for DNA sample collection, reduces the risk of contamination, and allows for immediate sample collection, advancing forensic DNA analysis.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for a fastener assembly, the sensor unit comprising a mounting arranged to rigidly attach the sensor unit to, or adjacent to, a fastener assembly; and a sensor, that is an optical flow sensor or an inductive sensor, configured to sense movement of the fastener assembly. The sensor unit may comprise a processor arranged to process the output of the sensor to detect loosening of the fastener assembly and to output a signal representing the status of the fastener assembly. The sensor unit may comprise a wireless communication unit arranged to communicate the signal.

Abstract: An abnormality detection method detects abnormality of an assembled battery including energy storage devices by an abnormality detection device. Each energy storage device contains, as a positive active material, lithium iron phosphate and lithium transition metal oxide that allows insertion and extraction reaction of a lithium ion in a potential range higher than that of the lithium iron phosphate. A ratio of an amount of charge based on a total amount of the lithium transition metal oxide to an amount of charge based on a total amount of the positive active material in a charge-discharge range, in which the energy storage device is used, is 5% or more. The abnormality detection device acquires voltage of each of the energy storage devices near a charge end point in the charge-discharge range where the energy storage device is used and detects abnormality in the assembled battery using the acquired voltage of the energy storage devices.

Abstract: A battery diagnosis apparatus includes a voltage sensor to generate a voltage signal indicating a battery voltage of a battery, a current sensor to generate a current signal indicating a battery current of the battery and a control circuit. The control circuit determines a capacity curve indicating a relationship between the battery voltage and a charge capacity in a set voltage range based on the voltage signal and the current signal collected at each unit time for a constant current charging period. The control circuit determines a differential curve indicating a relationship between the battery voltage and a differential capacity in the set voltage range based on the capacity curve. The control circuit determines an approximate straight line of the differential curve using a linear approximation algorithm, and determines whether lithium deposition is present in the battery based on the approximate straight line.

Abstract: A method for calculating the change in percent voids between a reference location and a second location in a medium. The method includes obtaining a reference reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the reference location, and a second reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the second location. The obtained reflection coefficients are used to calculate a percent change in reflection coefficient. A reflection conversion factor correlating the change in the reflection coefficient to a change in percent voids in the medium is calculated and is used to calculate a change in percent voids between the reference and second locations based on the calculated percent change in reflection coefficients.

Abstract: SOH estimation unit (4613) estimates a state of health (SOH) of battery (E1, 41) based on measurement data of battery (E1, 41). Deterioration regression curve generation unit (4614) generates a deterioration regression curve of battery (E1, 41) by performing curve regression on a plurality of the SOHs specified in time series for battery (E1, 41). Rapid deterioration determination unit (4615) determines whether or not rapid deterioration has occurred in battery (E1, 41) based on a difference or a ratio between a deterioration coefficient of a deterioration regression curve of battery (E1, 41) generated based on the plurality of SOHs in a first data section and a deterioration coefficient of a deterioration regression curve of battery (E1, 41) generated based on the plurality of SOHs in a second data section.

Abstract: A random transient power test signal generator based on three-dimensional memristive discrete map, which utilizes a three-dimensional parallel bi-memristor Logistic map module to generate two pseudo-random sequences, and based on the two pseudo-random sequences, uses two waveform output modules to generate a transient voltage signal and a transient current signal respectively, thus the random transient power testing signal is obtained.

Abstract: A method for estimating a formation gas concentration while drilling includes making first gas concentration measurements in drilling fluid as the drilling fluid exits a wellbore or second gas concentration measurements in drilling fluid before the drilling fluid is pumped into the wellbore while drilling the wellbore. The first gas concentration measurements or the second gas concentration measurements may be evaluated with a model to estimate the formation gas concentration.

Abstract: A radar-based, fill-level measurement device for measuring a fill-level of a filling material in a container, the high-frequency unit of which can be checked with regard to its functionality, is designed redundantly and thus comprises two, activatable, high-frequency sources for generating the high-frequency signal and two, activatable receivers for sampling the received signal such that a time-prolonged evaluation signal is generated. As a result, a correspondingly designed diagnosis unit can switch between the active high-frequency source and/or between the active receiver, wherein before and after the switching, a defined property of the evaluation signal, such as a signal amplitude, is ascertained. If the defined property of the evaluation signal changes at least by a defined value as a result of the switching, the high-frequency unit is classified as not functional.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to at least one method for ascertaining at least one attribute of pressure vessel wall. A method comprises: while a pressure vessel, which comprises a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, is operating: ascertaining a current wavelength shift of a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor disposed at a first outer surface location on the pressure vessel; and ascertaining a current thickness of the wall at the first outer surface location by: computing a vector based on a time series of the current wavelength shift, or a derivative of the time series, or a derivative of the current wavelength shift; providing the vector to a predetermined regression model; and using the regression model, ascertaining the current thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A photovoltaic string location update method and apparatus includes: obtaining, based on a physical map, a physical location of a first photovoltaic string corresponding to a first logical location in the physical map, the physical map indicating a correspondence between a logical location of a photovoltaic string and a physical location of the photovoltaic string, and the photovoltaic string includes the first photovoltaic string; and when the physical location of the first photovoltaic string in the physical map is different from a first actual physical location of the first photovoltaic string, updating the physical location of the photovoltaic string in the physical map to the first actual physical location, to obtain an updated physical map. The first actual physical location of the photovoltaic string is inconsistent with the physical location in the physical map, to prepare for subsequent operation and maintenance accurately performed on the photovoltaic string.