Abstract: The present invention includes an article of manufacture or device, or related system, comprising a heterogeneous surface for selective analyte sensing or separation. Such an article can comprise a surface member and a plurality of spaced components extending therefrom and coupled thereto, such a surface member and spaced components providing a surface heterogeneity selected from different electrostatic interactions, different non-electrostatic interactions and a combination of such interactions, such that the interactions are at least partially sufficient for selective analyte interaction and/or separation. Each such component extension can be of a nanometer dimension about the Debye length of a medium comprising an analyte particle exposed to such a surface. An analyte particle, optionally of a mixture of particles, can be dimensioned from about 30 nm to 20 ?m.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gas sensor element includes (a) printing a wiring pattern of a conductive paste on a green sheet for an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte; (b) laminating a plurality of green sheets including the green sheet having been subjected to step (a) and integrating the plurality of green sheets; (c) cutting out a plurality of element bodies from the laminated body; (d) baking the element body cut out by step (c); (e) heating the element body having been subjected to step (d), in a reducing atmosphere; (f) driving the element body having been subjected to step (e), in an inspection-purpose gas atmosphere for a predetermined time period; and (g) inspecting electrical characteristics of the element body having been subjected to step (f). The element body having passed the inspection of step (g) is assembled as a sensor element in a gas sensor.

Abstract: A mounting system for samples and instruments for use with a measuring device such as a surface forces apparatus has a housing and a sample mount assembly positioned within the housing. The sample mount assembly has a pivot arm having a first edge and a flexing section. A spring has a first end coupled to the pivot arm. A first sample holder is coupled to the second end of the spring. A second sample holder is positioned in proximity to the first sample holder.

Abstract: In a mass flow controller verifying system, there are provided a verifying gas line arranged in parallel to influent flow gas lines and joined into a post-confluent flow gas line, a reference volume calculating portion adapted to calculate a reference volume determined for a specified piping of a gas piping system, a verifying parameter calculating portion adapted to calculate a verifying parameter based on time series data of a measurement pressure measured by a pressure measurement unit during a control of a flow rate by a mass flow controller to be verified, and a comparing portion adapted to compare a reference parameter set based on the reference volume and the verifying parameter, whereby the verifying system can be introduced into an existing gas piping system used in a semiconductor manufacturing process and so forth at a low cost and is capable of verifying a mass flow controller quickly and accurately.

Abstract: There is provided a pipette device capable of adjusting a collection amount in a short time. A pipette device 1 adjusting a volume of a cylinder portion “a” by the axial-direction movement of a plunger 3 caused by the rotation of a push rod 5 includes a speed increasing mechanism 35 provided between a pipette main body 2 and the push rod 5 and increasing a speed of input rotation to transmit the input rotation with the increased speed to the push rod 5.

Abstract: A mounting system for samples and instruments for use with a measuring device such as a surface forces apparatus has a housing and a sample mount assembly positioned within the housing. The sample mount assembly has a pivot arm having a first edge and a flexing section. A spring has a first end coupled to the pivot arm. A first sample holder is coupled to the second end of the spring. A second sample holder is positioned in proximity to the first sample holder.

Abstract: An automated sample collection workstation is provided. The workstation includes a processor, a peristaltic pump, a valve actuator, and an algorithm. The peristaltic pump and the valve actuator are in electrical communication with the processor. The valve actuator can move a plurality of valves, when disposed therein, among an off position, a flush position, and a sample position. The algorithm is resident on the processor and is configured to: move all of the valves to the off position and place the pump in an off state when no sampling or flushing is required, move all of the valves to the flush position and place the pump in an on state for a predetermined flush time period when flushing is required, and move a respective one of the valves to the sample position, move any of the valves upstream of the respective valve to the flush position, and place the pump to the on state for a predetermined sample time period when a sample is required.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid flow through a downhole device, comprises a) providing an acoustic tube wave in fluid in the device; b) measuring the acoustic tube wave after it has passed through the fluid in the device; and c) assessing the permeability of the device by measuring the attenuation of the acoustic signal. Changes in velocity of the acoustic signal may also be measured. The device may be a permeable downhole device such as a sand screen the measurements in step b) are made using a plurality of sensors deployed in the hole. The method may further including the step of cross-correlating a signal received at a first receiver with signals received at additional sensors so as to obtain an effective response as if the signal had been emitted from a source at the position of said first receiver.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for sensing conditions associated with a package handling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a test package configured for being handled by the package handling system with non-test packages handled by the package handling system. The test package has a housing defining a test package interior and has at least one sensor positioned within the interior for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system. The sensor produces an output signal corresponding to the conditions that it senses. The test package further includes a support positioned within the test package interior and connecting the sensor to the housing so that the sensor is directed generally toward an outside of the test package for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system.

Abstract: A fitting for inserting a pig into a pipeline. The fitting comprises a cast body having a first end for connecting to a first end of a pipeline and a second end for connecting to a second end of the pipeline. The cast body further comprises a third end arranged at a predetermined angle to the first and second end of the cast body. A retractable guide within the cast body can be at least partially inserted into a run portion of the cast body for delivery or retrieval of the pig.

Abstract: A system (1100) for fatigue testing wind turbine blades (1102) through forced or resonant excitation of the base (1104) of a blade (1102). The system (1100) includes a test stand (1112) and a restoring spring assembly (1120) mounted on the test stand (1112). The restoring spring assembly (1120) includes a primary spring element (1124) that extends outward from the test stand (1112) to a blade mounting plate (1130) configured to receive a base (1104) of blade (1102). During fatigue testing, a supported base (1104) of a blade (1102) may be pivotally mounted to the test stand (1112) via the restoring spring assembly (1120). The system (1100) may include an excitation input assembly (1140) that is interconnected with the blade mounting plate (1130) to selectively apply flapwise, edgewise, and/or pitch excitation forces.

Abstract: Methods, storage mediums, and systems for correlating pulses generated from multiple interrogation regions in a flow cytometer to particular particles flowing through the flow cytometer are provided. Embodiments of the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations for calibrating a flow cytometer using a calibration particle having a unique signature to determine a time-of-flight for particles flowing through the flow cytometer. Based on the calculated time-of-flight and relative positions of interrogation regions corresponding to collectors of the flow cytometer, the methods, storage mediums, and systems may further include configurations for associating other signal pulses to particles of one or more different particle sets.

Abstract: Systems and methods that process a plurality of surgical instruments for cleaning and/or packaging. A device identifies a robot-ready insert having a predetermined configuration for accepting at least one type of surgical instrument. The surgical instruments are identified and oriented according to type using an automated apparatus. Specialized tools are also provided for automatically opening and closing surgical instruments, flipping instruments and assisting in the processing and maintenance of surgical instruments. The automated apparatus then places each of the surgical instrument types in one or more predetermined areas of the insert, configured to accept a predetermined set of surgical instrument types.

Abstract: Certain aspects and examples are directed to sorbent devices and methods of using them. In certain embodiments, a sorbent device comprising a body comprising a sampling inlet, a base and a longitudinal diffusion path between the inlet and the base is provided. In some embodiments, the sorbent device can include at least two sorbent materials fluidically coupled to the longitudinal diffusion path, in which the sorbent materials are arranged from a material with a weakest sorbent strength to a material with a strongest sorbent strength with the weakest sorbent strength material adjacent to the sampling inlet.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically calibrating all pressure sensors in a hydrogen storage system for a fuel cell vehicle. A pressure regulator in the hydrogen storage system, which has much greater accuracy at low pressures, is used to calibrate the high-range pressure sensors used in the hydrogen storage system. This calibration can only be done when the pressure regulator is in a fully open position. In such a condition, the pressure sensors can be calibrated to the regulation pressure value of the regulator, thus greatly improving the accuracy of the readings of the high-range sensors at the low end of their range. The calibration can be performed during fuel cell operation under certain circumstances, performed during a programmed shutdown sequence, or performed in a service procedure.

Abstract: A motor operated valve diagnostic data acquisition system including: a motor operated valve assembly; a transmitter, the transmitter being permanently connected in a housing of a motor operated valve assembly; a receiver, the transmitter transmitting signals to the receiver via motor operated valve cables, the cables being existing motor operated valve cables; and electronic circuitry connected to the receiver, the electronic circuitry processing the signals received by the receiver.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid into or out of a fluid vessel, such as a tank, and is particularly useful in transferring fluids with particulates or high viscosity in a substantially aseptic, hygienic, or sterile manner. The device has a body with an elongate passage extending through the body. The body has a proximal end and a distal end. A longitudinally displaceable shaft is disposed in and extends along the passage in the body. A plug sealing the passage is at a first location. A diaphragm sealing the passage is at a second location intermediate the plug and the distal end of the passage. The shaft extends through and is secured to the diaphragm. A fluid transfer opening is located in the passage between the diaphragm and the plug. Longitudinal displacement of the shaft causes the fluid transfer opening to be in fluid communication with a fluid vessel, the diaphragm stretching to accommodate the displacement of the shaft while maintaining an aseptic seal of the passage.

Abstract: A material measure for use in evaluating the performance of a measuring instrument for measuring surface texture includes: a measurement area having a plurality of grooves in a predetermined direction. With the configuration, each of the grooves has a simple cross-sectional shape at a cross-section along the predetermined direction; and a length of the cross-sectional shape in the predetermined direction is different for the predetermined number of adjacent grooves in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A rotary transducer has a detector device with a measurement sensor, used to generate a measurement signal representative of angular position and/or velocity of an object. The detector device has a rotary bearing and a material measure that can be rotated relative to the measurement sensor and is arranged in the measurement field of the latter. A monitoring device, connected to the measurement sensor, which can provide a state signal representative of the state of wear of the rotary transducer, is integrated in the rotary transducer. In order to be able to timely warn of mechanical failure of the rotary transducer, the monitoring device is provided with a register that can permanently store as value representative of the state of wear of the rotary bearing and is formed from the information relating to the angular position and/or velocity contained in the measurement signal.

Abstract: A device for measuring pressure or temperature in a heating or a cooling system and where the device is a measuring needle complete (1) comprising a measuring needle housing (6) with one cavity (20) and a spring-loaded non return valve (8), where the non return valve, in a measuring position, has an open communication with the probe (10) via the measuring needle housing and a hose nipple, via a hose, to a measuring instrument. This open communication is closed immediately as soon as the measuring is completed and the measuring needle (1) is removed from the measuring nipple. After measuring, due to this immediate closing, leakage of the enclosed fluid that exists in the complete measuring needle (1) and the measuring hose (5) is prevented.