Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an emitter package for a photoacoustic sensor, the emitter package comprising a MEMS infrared radiation source for emitting pulsed infrared radiation in a first wavelength range. The MEMS infrared radiation source may be arranged on a substrate. The emitter package may further comprise a rigid wall structure being arranged on the substrate and laterally surrounding a periphery of the MEMS infrared radiation source. The emitter package may further comprise a lid structure being attached to the rigid wall structure, the lid structure comprising a filter structure for filtering the infrared radiation emitted from the MEMS infrared radiation source and for providing a filtered infrared radiation in a reduced second wavelength range.

Abstract: A fluid sensor includes a housing structure forming a cavity for an IR emitter for emitting an IR radiation in the cavity, wherein the IR radiation has a center wavelength for providing an interaction of the IR radiation with the target fluid resulting in a temperature change in the cavity or in the housing structure, which effects a mechanical pulse in the housing structure, and an inertial detection sensor mechanically coupled to the housing structure for sensing the mechanical pulse in the housing structure.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement setup having an infrared radiator that is suitable for radiating broadband light with periodically modulated energy/intensity. The infrared radiator is configured to change an excitation spectra of a radiated broadband light, and a gas volume is heated by the radiated broadband light to generate an acoustic wave within the gas volume. The photoacoustic measurement setup also includes an acoustic sensor, which is suitable for measuring the acoustic wave generated in the gas volume.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmitting and receiving device that can determine whether a contact state between a probe and a bolt is normal without relying on the skill of an operator is provided. The ultrasound transmitting and receiving device includes a probe control unit, an auxiliary storage device, and a contact state determination unit. The probe control unit causes a probe to transmit ultrasound to a bolt, and causes the probe to receive an echo of the transmitted ultrasound. The auxiliary storage device stores one or more pieces of comparison data to be compared with echo data indicating the echo received by the probe. The contact state determination unit compares the echo data with the comparison data, and determines a contact state between the probe and the bolt based on a comparison result.

Abstract: An automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting apparatus and method is disclosed. Namely, a liquid handling apparatus includes a pump supplying a nozzle (i.e., a pipette tip) via a conduit, one or more pressure sensors, and an electronic controller, and wherein the pipette tip is submerged in a liquid. Further, a method of automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting includes the steps of actuating the pump to move a designated volume of liquid and then allowing the system to settle to a steady state after completion of pump actuation.

Abstract: An assembly (1) for measuring a relative humidity level inside a watch (2), the watch (2) provided with a movement (10) and a device (4) for determining the humidity level present in the enclosure (9) of a case (3) of this watch (2). The determination device (4) includes a receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c) for receiving at least one acoustic signal from a timepiece component (11) of said movement (10), and a control unit (7) connected to said receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c). The control unit (7) is configured to run a model for evaluating a water vapour content of a gaseous fluid contained inside the enclosure (9) based on the at least one acoustic signal received by the receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c).

Abstract: A low-cost sensor and apparatus comprising same, and a system for measuring force, comprising an end-effector having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the end-effector; a first sensor located at the first end of the end-effector; and a second sensor located at the second end of the end-effector.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for line volume calibration, and measurement of fluid samples delivered to an interrogation point. In various embodiments, a known fluid volume comprising a sample line fluid and a secondary fluid is delivered to a fluid boundary sensor. The fluid boundary sensor assists in determining the position of the boundaries between the various fluids, and the positions of these boundaries are used to determine the sample line fluid volume.

Abstract: An ultrasonic bonding apparatus includes an ultrasonic bonding machine having an ultrasonic tool for applying an ultrasonic wave to a bonding target member mounted on a fixed object fixed to a jig, while pressing a bonding member against the bonding target member; and a bonding inspection apparatus for inspecting a bonding quality of the bonding target member and the bonding member. The bonding inspection apparatus includes: a bonded-state measuring device for detecting a vibration in the jig or a housing of the ultrasonic bonding machine equipped with the jig, to thereby output a detection signal; and a bonded-state determination device for determining, in a bonding process for the bonding target member and the bonding member, a bonded state between the bonding target member and the bonding member on the basis of the detection signal outputted by the bonded-state measuring device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic device for real-time and nondestructive assessment of extracellular matrix stiffness, and the method of making and using the novel ultrasonic device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device and method to estimate the elasticity of soft elastic solids from surface wave measurements. The method is non-destructive, reliable and repeatable. The final device is low-cost and portable. It is based in audio-frequency shear wave propagation in elastic soft solids. Within this frequency range, shear wavelength is centimeter sized. Thus, the experimental data is usually collected in the near-field of the source. Therefore, an inversion algorithm taking into account near-field effects was developed for use with the device. Example applications are shown in beef samples, tissue mimicking materials and in vivo skeletal muscle of healthy volunteers.

Abstract: A photoacoustic sensor (100) is capable of detecting a predefined target gas in an area (Um). A process is capable of detecting the target gas with the use of such a sensor (100). A sample chamber (3) holds a gas sample (Gp) to be tested. Electromagnetic waves (eW) from a radiation source (1) pass through the sample chamber (3) and the detection chamber (4). The waves elicit in the detection chamber (4) an acoustic effect, which is measured by an acoustic sensor (7). The acoustic effect is correlated with the concentration of the target gas in the sample chamber (3). The detection chamber (4) is fluid-tightly sealed, is free from target gas and is filled with a replacement gas (Eg). The transmission of the replacement gas (Eg) has a spectral response similar to that of the transmission of the target gas in a predefined target gas wavelength range.

Abstract: A liquid-level sensor provides a downwardly pendent float supported above the reservoir fill height using high clearance downwardly extending fingers and a spring that resist encrustation of the float support mechanism. The spring may be a flat helix to reduce the height of the sensing mechanism when so positioned. A sensor sealed within a sensor head electrically senses the float height through a sealed compartment to be contamination resistant.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a multi-wafer stack of a plurality of layers and a measurement chamber. The plurality of layers includes a first layer comprising a sensor element that has a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) membrane; and a second layer comprising an emitter element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The measurement chamber is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The measurement chamber is configured to receive a measurement gas and further receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter element as the electromagnetic radiation travels along a radiation path from a first end of the measurement chamber to a second end of the measurement chamber that is opposite to the first end.

Abstract: Multifocal photoacoustic imaging systems and methods that implement an ergodic relay to encode photoacoustic signals detected from a plurality of illuminated optical foci regions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing multiple properties of a cement composition for use at downhole conditions using ultrasonic analysis tools are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: transmitting at least a first p-wave and a second p-wave having different frequencies through a cement composition; determining velocities of the first and second p-waves through the sample; transmitting at least a third p-wave having a third frequency through the cement composition while allowing the cement composition to at least partially hydrate, wherein the third frequency is higher than the second frequency; determining at least a velocity of the third p-wave through the cement composition; based at least in part on the velocities of the p-waves, determining at least the compressibility, Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus, and shear modulus of the cement composition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. In one example, the method includes bonding a first panel of a first material to a base panel in a first gas atmosphere, wherein multiple hermetically sealed first cavities encapsulating gas of the first gas atmosphere are formed between the first panel and the base panel. The method further includes bonding a second panel of a second material to at least one of the base panel and the first panel, wherein multiple second cavities are formed between the second panel and the at least one of the base panel and the first panel.

Abstract: Weld seam testing chain for testing a weld seam by means of ultrasound on two plastic tubes welded together at the ends, comprising standard chain links, wherein the standard chain links are hooked together to form the weld seam testing chain, and the chain can be lengthened or shortened individually, a sensor receptacle for accommodating the ultrasonic sensor, and an adjusting unit for the fine adjustment of the weld seam testing chain length, wherein the standard chain links have a hook on one side and a hook receptacle on the opposite side, thereby enabling the individual chain links to be hooked together.

Abstract: A gas sensor (100,200) includes at least one sensor device including a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (110) or a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device (210), and a layer of metal organic framework (MOF) material (120,220) disposed on each of the at least one sensor device. The at least one sensor device is structured to sense a change in mass of the MOF material.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.