Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure includes: one or more sensor nodes coupled to the structure, each sensor node including: a power supply adapted to scavenge energy directed at the power supply; a sensor operably coupled to the power supply for sensing one or more operating conditions of the structure in the environment; and a communications interface operably coupled to the power supply and the sensor for communicating the sensed operating conditions of the structure; a communication network operably coupled to the sensor nodes; one or more controllers operably coupled to the communication network for monitoring the sensor nodes; and an energy radiator positioned proximate the structure adapted to radiate energy at the power supplies of the sensor nodes.

Abstract: An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system comprises, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system, wherein a state of the sensing system is available at the second energy transceiver system.

Abstract: A stand-off sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of electron state definers for generating resonant tunneling current in response to the electric field, wherein the electron state definers include at least one variable characteristic such that a change in the variable characteristic affects the tunneling current, and a monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current exiting an electron state definer based on a change in the variable characteristic of the tunneling device.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for electric field sensing is provided. The sensor assembly may include an array of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based resonant tunneling devices. A resonant tunneling device may be configured to generate a resonant tunneling signal in response to the electric field. The resonant tunneling device may include at least one electron state definer responsive to changes in at least one respective controllable characteristic of the electron state definer. The changes in the controllable characteristic are configured to affect the tunneling signal. An excitation device may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device to effect at least one of the changes in the controllable characteristic affecting the tunneling signal. A controller may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device and the excitation device to control the changes of the controllable characteristic in accordance with an automated control strategy configured to reduce an effect of noise on a measurement of the electric field.

Abstract: A strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling.

Abstract: A strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly is provided and includes a flow conduit configured to impart a disturbance to a flow, multiple sensors disposed at respective sensing locations along the flow conduit. Each sensor is responsive to the disturbance of the flow and generates a corresponding response signal. The flow sensor assembly further includes a processor operably connected to each sensor, the processor being configured to compute a cross-correlation function between the response signals generated by said sensors, and determine a flow rate and a direction for the flow through the conduit based on the computed cross-correlation function. Additional flow sensor assembly arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery cell that comprises a sensing platform with sensing elements configured to provide information about in-situ characteristics and parameters of the battery cell. Embodiments of the battery cell can have the sensing platform integrated into the structure of the battery cell, as a separate structure incorporated in the battery cell, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the battery cell comprises a sensing platform having sensing elements proximate a localized measurement region, where the sensing platform comprises a substrate with material layers disposed thereon. The material layers comprise at least one sensing layer that forms the sensing elements so that the sensing elements are responsive to properties of the battery cell.

Abstract: A system for measuring a plurality of operating parameters of an object in a harsh environment is provided. The system includes a first energy transceiver system configured to transceive energy signals. The system also includes a transcieved modulant coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The system further includes a second energy transceiver system at least partially disposed on the object and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system. The second energy transceiver system still further includes a sensing system. The system also includes a processor coupled to the first energy transceiver system. The processor is configured to determine of the plurality of the operating parameters of the object in the harsh environment based upon the transceived modulant.

Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for a structure.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) current sensor for sensing a magnetic field produced by an electrical current flowing in a conductor includes a first fixed element and a moving element. The moving element is spaced away from the first fixed element and is movable relative to the fixed element responsive to a magnetic field produced by an electrical current flowing in a conductor for providing a mechanical indication of a strength of the magnetic field. The sensor also includes a tunneling current generator for generating a tunneling current between the first fixed element and the moving element and a tunneling current monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current responsive to the mechanical indication to provide an indication of a value of the electrical current in the conductor.

Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for a structure.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) current and magnetic field sensor for sensing a magnetic field produced by a conductor includes a magneto-MEMS component for sensing the magnetic field and an interference-MEMS component for sensing an interference, wherein the magneto-MEMS component and the interference MEMS component are used to provide an indication of the current in the conductor.

Abstract: An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system includes, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of communication with the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system capable of communication with the second energy transceiver system. An implantable device system array is also disclosed. A method of monitoring a physical parameter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system comprises, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of being interrogated by the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system, wherein a state of the sensing system is available at the second energy transceiver system.

Abstract: A strain sensor comprises a transmitting element; a receiving element wirelessly coupled to the transmitting element; and a modulating element located on a rotating component, wherein the modulating element modulates the wireless coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element, wherein the modulation of the wireless coupling is indicative of strain on the rotating component. A method of detecting strain in a rotating component of a rotary machine comprises wirelessly coupling a transmitting element and a receiving element; modulating the coupling with a modulating element located on the rotating component; and calculating the strain in the rotating component based on the modulation of the coupling.

Abstract: A piezoelectric planar composite apparatus to provide health monitoring of a structure and associated methods are provided. The piezoelectric planar composite apparatus includes a piezoelectric electric material layer, multiple electrodes positioned in electrical contact with the piezoelectric material layer, and multiple sets of electrode interconnect conductors each positioned in electrical contact with a different subset of the electrodes and positioned to form multiple complementary electrode patterns. Each of the complementary electrode patterns is positioned to form an electric field having an electric field axis oriented along a different physical axis from that of an electric field formed by at least one other of the complementary electrode patterns. The interconnect conductors can be distributed over several electrode interconnect conductor carrying layers to enhance formation of the different complementary electrode patterns.