Abstract: Described herein is a system and method that can accurately determine the presence of defects in the wheelset of a railcar during active use of the railcar.

Abstract: Described herein is a load sensor for a railcar that includes one or more strain gauges and one or more temperature sensors. The load sensor has a size and configuration that allows the load sensor to be embedded in a bearing adapter under the polymer steering pad of the railcar.

Abstract: Described herein is an electrically and thermally conductive thermoplastic polyurethane. The conductive thermoplastic polyurethane is formed in an injection-molded process from vapor grown carbon nanofibers and a modified form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The polymer pad encompassing the injection-molded insert may be used to replace an existing railcar adapter pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an in situ, non destructive analysis of organic or inorganic material are disclosed. In one respect, a particle induced x-ray emission system, having a footprint of less than one square meter, includes a sample holder supporting a sample, a source holder supporting one or more radioactive source and a detector. A radioactive transmission from the one or more radioactive source to the sample results in a fluorescent emission of the sample and collected by the detector. In one respect, fluorescent emission may be used to determine elements found in the sample. Additionally, the amounts of each of the determined elements found in the sample may also be determined.