Abstract: Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic sensors, ultrasonic sensing devices and display devices. The ultrasonic sensor includes an array of thin film transistors in which first electrodes are disposed, a piezoelectric material, and second electrodes. In order to generate ultrasonic waves and perform sensing, the second electrode is disposed in a patterned structure in which the second electrode is divided into multiple second electrodes, and a high voltage in the form of pulse is applied to the second electrode. Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a high voltage is not applied to the array of thin film transistors; therefore, it is possible to reduce or overcome degradation of circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability and lifetime of the circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors, while performing sensing.

Abstract: A method of evaluating quality of a wind turbine blade which has a hollow structure where an interior space of the wind turbine blade is surrounded by an outer skin which includes a laminated body includes: setting a scanning line on at least a part of an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the outer skin; and moving an ultrasound probe along the scanning line; generating a cross-sectional image corresponding to the scanning line, on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe or a reflection echo to detect an indication whose echo level is greater than a first threshold; obtaining an inclination of the indication with respect to a reference line as a first parameter; and evaluating the lifetime or the breakage risk of the wind turbine blade on the basis of the first parameter.

Abstract: A device including at least one sensing bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator including a sensing surface; a fluid channel, wherein the sensing surface of the at least one sensing BAW resonator is disposed adjacent to or within the fluid channel; at least one resistive heater; and at least one temperature detector, wherein the at least one temperature detector is configured to monitor the temperature adjacent to the at least one BAW resonator and affect a current to be passed through the at least one resistive heater.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system for characterizing a multiphase fluid includes a first set of acoustic probes disposed at a first angular position about a central axis of the fluid analysis system and oriented to direct first sound waves along a first direction that is parallel to the central axis, a second set of acoustic probes disposed at a second angular position about the central axis that is opposite to the first angular position and oriented to direct second sound waves along the first direction, a third set of acoustic probes spanning the central axis and oriented to direct third sound waves along a second direction that is perpendicular to the central axis, and an analysis unit. The analysis unit is configured to determine a location of a fluid interface within the multiphase fluid based on first, second, and third parameters respectively associated with the first, second, and third sounds waves.

Abstract: A multi-axis vibration test system uses a mounting fixture formed from a solid block of Aluminum alloy, at least 20? per side, and machined to form bearing recesses that receive the pad bearings to overcome the problems of existing systems and deliver the required amplitude of linear displacement over the frequency test band in all three, and possibly six, axes simultaneously and uniformly over the mounting surface(s) for both commercial and the more stringent military standards.

Abstract: A method and an aircraft air contaminant analyzer for determining and classifying air contaminants, providing a sample flow path and bypass flow path bypassing the sample flow path, are disclosed, the analyzer comprising a contaminant collector comprising a medium desorbing captured contaminants, the collector providing a first sample flow path; a heater vaporizing captured contaminants; a bypass comprising a channel including a second sample flow path, the channel bypassing the collector; a sensor responding when air contaminant mass is added to or removed from the sensor, for classifying contaminant type; the sensor receiving contaminants desorbed from the medium; a frequency measurement device measuring the response generated by the sensor as the air contaminant is added to and removed from the sensor; a computer readable medium bearing a contaminant recognition program and calibration data; and, a processor executing the program, the program including a module classifying the contaminant by type.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting heavy metals in water is provided. The sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode having complementary interdigitated surfaces that are separated from each other by a first gap having a distance of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 10 ?m. The sensor also includes a power source connectable to the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor is configured to continuously monitor water for the presence of heavy metals. Methods of making and using the sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring hydrate formation in an interior of a tube may include deploying a first hydrate controller device at a first location on an exterior surface of the tube. The method may include deploying a second hydrate controller device at a second location on the exterior surface of the tube. The method may include transmitting, by the first hydrate controller device, first acoustic signals towards the interior of the tube. The first acoustic signals may include a first frequency value and a first amplitude value associated to a transmission power level. The method may include receiving, by the second hydrate controller device, the first acoustic signals. The method may include measuring, by the second hydrate controller device, a reception power level of the first acoustic signals.

Abstract: A monitoring system of the integrity of a pressurised pipe by at least one pressure pulses generator that is hydraulically connected to the fluid in the pipe. Each generator comprises: one first tank and a second tank that maintain the fluid respectively at a first and a second pressure values. The first value is smaller, and the second value is greater than the predefined pressure value of the fluid in the pipe. The first and second tanks generate respectively a negative pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the pipe to the first tank, and a positive pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the second tank to the pipe. A pressure transducer is designed to measure the pressure values of the fluid in the pipe and to convert the negative or positive pressure pulses generate by the generator into respective recorded acoustic signals. A measurement station is placed along the pipe to detect the acoustic signals.

Abstract: An automated analyzer includes a plurality of measurement units including a measurement section which measures a sample, a suction container connected to the plurality of measurement units through a first path, a vacuum exhaust system connected to the suction container through a second path, a discharge section connected to the suction container through a third path, a pressure adjustment mechanism disposed in the second path, and a control section which performs control such that the suction container is vacuum-exhausted by the vacuum exhaust system.

Abstract: A component concentration measurement device includes a light irradiation unit that performs intensity modulation where two lights of wavelengths different from each other are intensity-modulated by signals of a same frequency and a same phase, and a measurement object is irradiated, a detecting unit that detects a photoacoustic wave generated within the measurement object due to irradiation by the light irradiation unit, and converts the detected photoacoustic wave into a first electric signal, and a processing unit that obtains a concentration of a target component contained in the measurement object, on the basis of an amplitude and a phase of the first electric signal. Light absorption coefficients of the two lights, corresponding to a background component contained in the measurement object, are equal in change amount with regard to change in temperature, and have signs different from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for detecting a concentration of an analyte based on an oscillator having a selective frequency characteristic. The method may include generating a fringing field, generating various resonant frequencies by changing a resistance value of a resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillator, measuring a change in each of the various resonant frequencies generated by the RC oscillator based on a change in capacitance attributable to a change in an analyte within a region of the fringing field, and measuring a change characteristic of the analyte within the fringing field based on the change in each of the various resonant frequencies.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method, apparatus and system for detecting multi-mode electromagnetic acoustic and magnetic flux leakage and a sensor. The method comprises: S102, receiving an operation instruction for detecting an object to be detected, the operation instruction is used for controlling a detection sensor to enter into any one or more of working modes as follows: magnetic flux leakage detection, ultrasonic bulk wave detection, ultrasonic guided wave detection and surface wave detection; S104, controlling the detection sensor to output a corresponding detection signal according to the operation instruction; and S106, detecting the object to be detected on the basis of the detection signal. The technical solution achieves a purpose of using one sensor to realize various detection modes, such as magnetic flux leakage and electromagnetic acoustic modes, reduces complexity and cost of a detection system, and improves detection efficiency.

Abstract: A device can be configured to cause the superscattering of acoustic waves and/or to enable incident angle-dependent scattering. The acoustic superscattering device can include a body that has an outer peripheral surface. One or more resonators can be defined in the body. The one or more resonators can open to the outer peripheral surface of the body. When there are a plurality of resonators, the resonators are not in communication with each other within the body. The acoustic superscattering device can be configured to cause the superscattering of a target acoustic wave impinging upon the body.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe including: a circuit substrate (23) having a recess in a first region on the lower surface side; a buffer layer (400) composed of an insulating material on a second region different from the first region of circuit substrate (23); and an element array layer (22) including a first piezoelectric element (100) for ultrasound transmission formed in the first region of the circuit substrate (23) without the buffer layer (400), and a second piezoelectric element (200) for ultrasound reception formed in the second region of the circuit substrate (23) on the buffer layer (400). The first piezoelectric element (100) vibrates in a flexural vibration mode on the circuit substrate (23), and the second piezoelectric element (200) vibrates in a thickness vibration mode on the circuit substrate (23).

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe coupling assembly (1) and an ultrasonic probe mechanism are disclosed. The ultrasonic probe coupling assembly (1) includes a probe sleeve (11) and a solid-state coupling member (12). The probe sleeve (11) is sleeved on an ultrasonic probe (2). The solid-state coupling member (12) is fixed in the probe sleeve (11). One side of the solid-state coupling member (12) is located in the probe sleeve (11) for fitting to the ultrasonic probe (2), and the other side is protruded from the probe sleeve (11) to be in contact with the skin. The ultrasonic probe mechanism includes the ultrasonic probe coupling assembly (1) and the ultrasonic probe (2).

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for detecting the health status of a bolt which fastens a rotor blade of a wind turbine. Values of the axial stress/strain of the bolt and motion and orientation data are acquired in different aerial orientations. Values of the prestress/strain and load-stress/strain are obtained using the values of the axial stress/strain and the motion and orientation data. Values of the prestress/strain and load-stress/strain are compared with the reference values. The health status of the bolt, rotor blade, and the wind turbine system is determined based on the comparison results. The method is noninvasive and doesn't affect the function and performance of the bolt and the turbine system.

Abstract: One embodiment of a fuel tank assembly includes a fuel sending unit having a float with a small thickness, which heretofore has been too thin to secure a stand-alone magnet thereon. The float may be manufactured in a complex shape or in a small size. In one embodiment the float may be manufactured of a material having magnetized particles interspersed throughout the float such that the float does not require a stand alone magnet secured thereon. The float may be manufactured of a material having a foaming agent added thereto so as to provide a finished product with air filled voids positioned throughout the float to increase the buoyancy of the finished float product.

Abstract: A system and method for authentication of objects, which includes directing a laser beam onto a surface of an object to induce a thermoelastic excitation in bulk material of the object without altering the surface of the object, wherein the laser beam is pulsed. A surface ultrasonic wave at the surface of the object caused by the thermoelastic excitation is detected using a detector. A detection signal is generated using the detected surface ultrasonic wave. Digital data is generated using the detection signal. Authenticity of the object is determined by comparing the digital data and reference data stored in a database.