Abstract: A semi-volatile particulate matter detection device is disclosed for detecting semi-volatile particulate matter in a gas flow. The device has a first filter stage for receiving the gas flow, the first filter stage being configured to capture particulate matter and to be heated to a temperature of at least 150° C. to volatilise semi-volatile particulate matter to produce semi-volatile vapour for passing through the first filter stage with the gas flow. The device also has a conveyance section downstream of the first filter stage to convey the gas flow and the semi-volatile vapour. A second filter stage is configured to receive the flow from the conveyance section. The temperature of the conveyance section and/or of the second filter stage is controllable so as to cause condensation of at least some of the semi-volatile vapour and collect it on the second filter stage. A detector is provided for detecting at least one characteristic of the condensed semi-volatile vapour on the second filter stage.

Abstract: A rotation sensor system includes a rotatable target object configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotation direction; a first millimeter-wave (mm-wave) metamaterial track coupled to the rotatable target object, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track is arranged around the rotational axis, and where the first mm-wave metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures having at least one first characteristic that changes around a perimeter of the first mm-wave metamaterial track; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first mm-wave metamaterial track, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track converts the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal; and at least one processor configured to determine a rotational parameter of the rotatable target object based on the received first electro-magne

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first metamaterial track mechanically coupled to a rotational shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the first metamaterial track is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the first metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first continuous wave towards the first metamaterial track, wherein the first metamaterial track is configured to convert the first continuous wave into a first receive signal based on a rotational parameter of the rotational shaft; and at least one quadrature continuous-wave receiver configured to receive the first receive signal, acquire a first measurement of a first property of the first receive signal, and determine a measurement value for the rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the first measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting objects comprises an optical interferometer that is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a light source, and emit electromagnetic radiation to a detector. The optical interferometer is coupled to an environment and further configured to respond to objects in the environment intruding into an interaction volume of the optical interferometer by varying an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted to the detector based on a property of the objects in the interaction volume. A signal processor is configured to generate an output signal based on the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted to the detector.

Abstract: A rotation sensor system includes a rotatable target object configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotation direction; a first millimeter-wave (mm-wave) metamaterial track coupled to the rotatable target object, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track is arranged around the rotational axis, and where the first mm-wave metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures having at least one first characteristic that changes around a perimeter of the first mm-wave metamaterial track; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first mm-wave metamaterial track, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track converts the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal; and at least one processor configured to determine a rotational parameter of the rotatable target object based on the received first electro-magne

Abstract: A rotation sensor system includes a rotatable target object configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotation direction; a first millimeter-wave (mm-wave) metamaterial track coupled to the rotatable target object, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track is arranged around the rotational axis, and where the first mm-wave metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures having at least one first characteristic that changes around a perimeter of the first mm-wave metamaterial track; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first mm-wave metamaterial track, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track converts the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal; and at least one processor configured to determine a rotational parameter of the rotatable target object based on the received first electro-magne

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first flexible substrate configured to undergo a deformation in response to a force applied to the first flexible substrate or an environmental condition to which the first flexible substrate is exposed; a first metamaterial layer mechanically coupled to the first flexible substrate, wherein the first metamaterial layer comprises a first array of conductive elements that are mutually coupled by a first strain-dependent coupling that changes based on the deformation of the first flexible substrate; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electromagnetic transmit wave towards the first metamaterial layer, wherein the first metamaterial layer is configured to convert the first electromagnetic transmit wave into a first electromagnetic receive wave based on the first strain-dependent coupling; and at least one receiver configured to receive the first electromagnetic receive wave and acquire a first measurement of a first property of the first electromagnetic receive wave

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first metamaterial track mechanically coupled to a rotational shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the first metamaterial track is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the first metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first continuous wave towards the first metamaterial track, wherein the first metamaterial track is configured to convert the first continuous wave into a first receive signal based on a rotational parameter of the rotational shaft; and at least one quadrature continuous-wave receiver configured to receive the first receive signal, acquire a first measurement of a first property of the first receive signal, and determine a measurement value for the rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the first measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting objects comprises an optical interferometer that is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a light source, and emit electromagnetic radiation to a detector. The optical interferometer is coupled to an environment and further configured to respond to objects in the environment intruding into an interaction volume of the optical interferometer by varying an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted to the detector based on a property of the objects in the interaction volume. A signal processor is configured to generate an output signal based on the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted to the detector.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first metamaterial track mechanically coupled to a rotational shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the first metamaterial track is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the first metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first continuous wave towards the first metamaterial track, wherein the first metamaterial track is configured to convert the first continuous wave into a first receive signal based on a rotational parameter of the rotational shaft; and at least one quadrature continuous-wave receiver configured to receive the first receive signal, acquire a first measurement of a first property of the first receive signal, and determine a measurement value for the rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the first measurement.

Abstract: A torque measurement system includes an outer rotational shaft and an inner rotational shaft both configured to rotate about a rotational axis. A rotation of the inner rotational shaft causes a rotation of the outer rotational shaft via a coupling structure. At least one torque applied to the inner rotational shaft is translated into a first torque-dependent angular shift between the shafts. A first metamaterial track is coupled to the outer rotational shaft and configured to co-rotate with the outer rotational shaft. A second metamaterial track is coupled to the inner rotational shaft and configured to co-rotate with the inner rotational shaft. The tracks are configured to convert an electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal based on the first torque-dependent angular shift and a receiver is configured to receive the electro-magnetic receive signal and measure the at least one torque based on the electro-magnetic receive signal.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first metamaterial track mechanically coupled to a rotational shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the first metamaterial track is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the first metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first continuous wave towards the first metamaterial track, wherein the first metamaterial track is configured to convert the first continuous wave into a first receive signal based on a rotational parameter of the rotational shaft; and at least one quadrature continuous-wave receiver configured to receive the first receive signal, acquire a first measurement of a first property of the first receive signal, and determine a measurement value for the rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the first measurement.

Abstract: A torque measurement system includes an outer rotational shaft and an inner rotational shaft both configured to rotate about a rotational axis. A rotation of the inner rotational shaft causes a rotation of the outer rotational shaft via a coupling structure. At least one torque applied to the inner rotational shaft is translated into a first torque-dependent angular shift between the shafts. A first metamaterial track is coupled to the outer rotational shaft and configured to co-rotate with the outer rotational shaft. A second metamaterial track is coupled to the inner rotational shaft and configured to co-rotate with the inner rotational shaft. The tracks are configured to convert an electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal based on the first torque-dependent angular shift and a receiver is configured to receive the electro-magnetic receive signal and measure the at least one torque based on the electro-magnetic receive signal.

Abstract: A rotation sensor system includes a rotatable target object configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotation direction; a first millimeter-wave (mm-wave) metamaterial track coupled to the rotatable target object, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track is arranged around the rotational axis, and where the first mm-wave metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures having at least one first characteristic that changes around a perimeter of the first mm-wave metamaterial track; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first mm-wave metamaterial track, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track converts the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal; and at least one processor configured to determine a rotational parameter of the rotatable target object based on the received first electro-magne

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor system for sensing particulate matter in a fluid includes a substrate and a cover disposed on the substrate. The cover defines at least a portion of a flow path through the microfluidic system. The sensor system includes a particulate matter sensor disposed in an interior space between the cover and the substrate. The particulate matter sensor includes an integrated sensor device electrically connected to the substrate. The flow path is defined through the particulate matter sensor. The sensor system includes a fluid circulation device disposed in the interior space between the cover and the substrate and configured to cause fluid to flow along the flow path through the microfluidic system.

Abstract: A semi-volatile particulate matter detection device is disclosed for detecting semi-volatile particulate matter in a gas flow. The device has a first filter stage for receiving the gas flow, the first filter stage being configured to capture particulate matter and to be heated to a temperature of at least 150° C. to volatilise semi-volatile particulate matter to produce semi-volatile vapour for passing through the first filter stage with the gas flow. The device also has a conveyance section downstream of the first filter stage to convey the gas flow and the semi-volatile vapour. A second filter stage is configured to receive the flow from the conveyance section. The temperature of the conveyance section and/or of the second filter stage is controllable so as to cause condensation of at least some of the semi-volatile vapour and collect it on the second filter stage. A detector is provided for detecting at least one characteristic of the condensed semi-volatile vapour on the second filter stage.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor including a light source, a photodetector, and a particle filter. The light source and the photodetector are arranged in the same plane as the particle filter. Integrated particulate matter sensors are operable to detect particulate matter by measuring an optical characteristic of a filter.

Abstract: A pressure reduction system and methods therefore that include features for reducing the pressure of a high pressure aerosol to ambient pressure without significantly changing the characteristics of the aerosol are provided. In this manner, the non-volatile particulate matter concentration in a sample stream obtained from the aerosol stream at ambient pressure is representative of the non-volatile particulate matter concentration that was present in the aerosol stream at high pressure prior to the pressure reduction.

Abstract: A pressure reduction system and methods therefore that include features for reducing the pressure of a high pressure aerosol to ambient pressure without significantly changing the characteristics of the aerosol are provided. In this manner, the non-volatile particulate matter concentration in a sample stream obtained from the aerosol stream at ambient pressure is representative of the non-volatile particulate matter concentration that was present in the aerosol stream at high pressure prior to the pressure reduction.

Abstract: Integrated particulate matter sensors are operable to detect particulate matter by measuring an optical characteristic of a filter.