Abstract: Poly fluorine-containing siloxane coatings having improved hydrophobic and oleophobic properties and solutions for creating such coatings are provided. In some embodiments, the coating includes a polymer having a plurality of Si—O—Si linkages; and at least two fluorine-containing moieties, each attached to at least one of the Si—O—Si linkages. Each fluorine-containing moiety independently includes a linking portion attached to a silicon of one of the Si—O—Si linkages, wherein the linking portion is of a formula selected from the group consisting of: —[CH2]a— where a is an integer from 1 to 10 and —[CH2]bCONH[CH2]c— where b and c are independently an integer from 0 to 10. Each fluorine-containing moiety also independently includes a fluorinated portion attached to the linking portion, wherein the fluorinated portion is selected from a fluorinated-alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms and a perfluoro-ether containing organic group.

Abstract: Poly fluorine-containing siloxane coatings having improved hydrophobic and oleophobic properties and solutions for creating such coatings are provided. In some embodiments, the coating includes a polymer having a plurality of Si—O—Si linkages; and at least two fluorine-containing moieties, each attached to at least one of the Si—O—Si linkages. Each fluorine-containing moiety independently includes a linking portion attached to a silicon of one of the Si—O—Si linkages, wherein the linking portion is of a formula selected from the group consisting of: —[CH2]a— where a is an integer from 1 to 10 and —[CH2]bCONH[CH2]c— where b and c are independently an integer from 0 to 10. Each fluorine-containing moiety also independently includes a fluorinated portion attached to the linking portion, wherein the fluorinated portion is selected from a fluorinated-alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms and a perfluoro-ether containing organic group.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ammonia sensor element comprising an ammonia selective sensor electrode, a reference electrode, a solid electrolyte in ionic communication with the ammonia selective sensor electrode and the reference electrode, and a protective layer disposed on the ammonia selective sensor electrode, comprising a porous portion comprising an ammonia-inert material. A method of making an ammonia gas sensor element comprises disposing an ammonia selective sensor electrode on and in ionic communication with a solid electrolyte, disposing a reference electrode on and in ionic communication with the solid electrolyte, and disposing a protective layer comprising a porous portion comprising an ammonia-inert material on the ammonia selective sensor electrode.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.

Abstract: In a planar oxygen sensor having a pump cell, a reference cell, a sensor chamber and a heating device, a ground plane electrode is provided and includes a sensing portion having a first sense lead and a second sense lead and a measuring portion having a first measuring lead and a second measuring lead, wherein the first measuring lead and the second measuring lead have increased surface area relative to said sensing portion such that the resistance between the first measuring lead and the second measuring lead is reduced and wherein the first measuring lead is disposed so as to be communicated with the first sense lead and the second measuring lead is disposed so as to be communicated with the second sense lead.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lapping carrier is provided that includes the steps of defining at least one opening extending through a workpiece that is sized to receive a wafer, and cryogenically tempering the workpiece to produce a lapping carrier. By cryogenically tempering the workpiece, the conversion of the crystalline structure of the workpiece to a martensite crystalline structure is enhanced, thereby improving the hardness of the lapping carrier. A lapping carrier is also provided that has a crystalline structure, of which at least 70% is a martensite crystalline structure. An apparatus for lapping a wafer is further provided that includes a hardened lapping carrier and at least one lapping plate proximate the lapping carrier for lapping wafer(s) disposed within the at least one opening defined by the lapping carrier.

Abstract: A sensor element can comprise a co-fired heater section, a sensing section, and a third insulating layer disposed between the electrode portion and the temperature sensor. The heater section can comprise a heater, a shield, and a temperature sensor, with a first insulating layer disposed between the heater and the shield, and a second insulating layer disposed between the shield and the temperature sensor. The sensing section can comprise an electrode portion and a sensing portion, wherein the sensing portion is disposed on a side of the electrode portion opposite the heater section.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: a pump cell comprising an inner pump electrode, an outer pump electrode, a pump cell electrolyte layer interposed between the inner pump electrode and the outer pump electrode and a cell isolation layer disposed on the inner pump electrode on a side opposite the pump cell electrolyte, wherein the outer electrode is in fluid communication with a reducing gas. A reference cell is in operable communication with the pump cell, the reference cell comprising an outer reference electrode and an inner reference electrode, and a reference cell electrolyte interposed between the outer reference electrode and the inner reference electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact absorber for an exhaust sensor. The impact absorber comprises a collar of deformable material disposed around a housing of the exhaust sensor. The collar extends radially outward from the housing. The collar may be formed from a material selected to degrade at exhaust temperature, or the collar may be formed from a material that provides radiation shielding to a portion of the sensor after installation. The collar may be disposed around a sealing gasket. A wall may be disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the collar, the wall being spaced apart from a plurality of facets formed on the housing to form a recess for receiving a socket wrench tool.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lapping carrier is provided that includes the steps of defining at least one opening extending through a workpiece that is sized to receive a wafer, and cryogenically tempering the workpiece to produce a lapping carrier. By cryogenically tempering the workpiece, the conversion of the crystalline structure of the workpiece to a martensite crystalline structure is enhanced, thereby improving the hardness of the lapping carrier. A lapping carrier is also provided that has a crystalline structure, of which at least 70% is a martensite crystalline structure. An apparatus for lapping a wafer is further provided that includes a hardened lapping carrier and at least one lapping plate proximate the lapping carrier for lapping wafer(s) disposed within the at least one opening defined by the lapping carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact absorber for an exhaust sensor. The impact absorber comprises a collar of deformable material disposed around a housing of the exhaust sensor. The collar extends radially outward from the housing. The collar may be formed from a material selected to degrade at exhaust temperature, or the collar may be formed from a material that provides radiation shielding to a portion of the sensor after installation. The collar may be disposed around a sealing gasket. A wall may be disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the collar, the wall being spaced apart from a plurality of facets formed on the housing to form a recess for receiving a socket wrench tool.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: a pump cell comprising an inner pump electrode, an outer pump electrode, a pump cell electrolyte layer interposed between the inner pump electrode and the outer pump electrode and a cell isolation layer disposed on the inner pump electrode on a side opposite the pump cell electrolyte, wherein the outer electrode is in fluid communication with a reducing gas. A reference cell is in operable communication with the pump cell, the reference cell comprising an outer reference electrode and an inner reference electrode, and a reference cell electrolyte interposed between the outer reference electrode and the inner reference electrode.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a first electrode and a second electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte is shaped into a cylinder having an axial open end portion, an axial middle portion, and an axial closed end portion. The axial closed end portion has a uniform wall thickness equal to or less than about 1.5 millimeters. A radial transition in an interior region of the electrolyte between the middle and the closed end portions forms a shoulder. Processes for sensing exhaust gas generally includes disposing the gas sensor in an exhaust stream, contacting the closed end portion of the sensor with exhaust gas, and creating an electromotive force. The sensor activates quickly due to the close proximity to a rod heater and the low thermal mass resulting from the small inner diameter and thin wall section of the closed end portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and process for measuring hydrogen gas concentrations includes a pump cell and a measuring cell. The pump cell includes a first conducting electrolyte layer having a top and a bottom surface, and an electrode disposed on the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top electrode is in communication with an unknown concentration of hydrogen gas. The measuring cell includes a second conducting electrolyte layer having a top and a bottom surface, and an electrode disposed on the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom electrode is in communication with a reference gas source. A diffusion-limiting barrier is disposed between the pump cell bottom electrode and the measuring cell top electrode, wherein hydrogen diffusion through the diffusion-limiting barrier is controlled by a Knudsen diffusion mechanism at hydrogen concentrations greater than about 40%.

Abstract: In a planar oxygen sensor having a pump cell, a reference cell, a sensor chamber and a heating device, a ground plane electrode is provided and includes a sensing portion having a first sense lead and a second sense lead and a measuring portion having a first measuring lead and a second measuring lead, wherein the first measuring lead and the second measuring lead have increased surface area relative to said sensing portion such that the resistance between the first measuring lead and the second measuring lead is reduced and wherein the first measuring lead is disposed so as to be communicated with the first sense lead and the second measuring lead is disposed so as to be communicated with the second sense lead.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a planar exhaust gas sensor for sensing the partial pressure of a gas in an exhaust. The sensing element has a modified, non-rectangular overall geometry. A terminal end of the element, onto which external sensor circuits can be attached, has a larger width than a sensor end of the element, in which is located the sensing cell. The reduced size of the sensor end of the element relative allows for more rapid attainment of operating temperature and lower energy consumption.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and process for measuring hydrogen gas concentrations includes a pump cell and a measuring cell. The pump cell includes a first conducting electrolyte layer having a top and a bottom surface, and an electrode disposed on the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top electrode is in communication with an unknown concentration of hydrogen gas. The measuring cell includes a second conducting electrolyte layer having a top and a bottom surface, and an electrode disposed on the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom electrode is in communication with a reference gas source. A diffusion-limiting barrier is disposed between the pump cell bottom electrode and the measuring cell top electrode, wherein hydrogen diffusion through the diffusion-limiting barrier is controlled by a Knudsen diffusion mechanism at hydrogen concentrations greater than about 40%.