Abstract: Potentiostat circuitry for performing electrical tests on a biological material includes an integrated circuit having a processor; a power source configured to supply power to the integrated circuit; a reference electrode pad (RE) electrically connected to the integrated circuit and configured to electrically connect to a reference electrode of a sensor; a counter electrode pad (CE) electrically connected to the integrated circuit and configured to electrically connect to a counter electrode of the sensor; first to third working electrode pads electrically connected to the integrated circuit and configured to electrically connect to first to third working electrode of the sensor, respectively, and a communication module configured to exchange data and/or commands with a smart device. The electrode pads are configured to measure a characteristic of the biological material.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting aromatic compounds mixed with aliphatic compounds are provided. As exemplary system includes a lower substrate including a magnet and a magnetic film comprising a magnetic particle filler in a polymer matrix disposed over the lower substrate. An upper substrate is disposed over the magnetic film wherein the upper substrate includes an opening extending to the magnetic film.

Abstract: A system and methods for detecting aromatic compounds mixed with aliphatic compounds are provided. An exemplary system includes a lower substrate, a polymer film including a resistor mesh disposed on the polymer film, and an upper substrate disposed over the polymer film, wherein the upper substrate includes an opening exposing the resistor mesh.

Abstract: A fuel detection film includes a cyclic olefin copolymer that is insoluble in acyclic saturated hydrocarbons. The fuel detection film has a porous structure that defines a plurality of pores. The plurality of pores are configured to allow flow of a lubrication oil through the fuel detection film via the plurality of pores. A housing is configured to couple to a pipe flowing the lubrication oil. The housing defines a slot. The slot is configured to hold the fuel detection film. The fuel detection film, while held by the slot of the housing that is coupled to the pipe as the lubrication oil flows in the pipe, is configured to at least partially dissolve in a presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon in the lubrication oil flowing through the fuel detection film.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon contaminant detection system using a polymer film includes a sensor assembly, a syringe and a controller. The sensor assembly includes a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) film including electrically conductive materials. The sensor assembly can complete an electrical circuit. The COC film can dissolve in a presence of a hydrocarbon contaminant to cause the electrical circuit to break. The syringe can carry a lubrication oil sample to be tested using the sensor assembly. The syringe is operable to contact the lubrication oil sample with the COC film of the sensor assembly. The controller includes one or more processors, and a computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations including operating the syringe to flow the lubrication oil sample onto the COC film of the sensor assembly at a pre-determined flowrate.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon contaminant detection system using polymer film includes a sensor assembly, a syringe, a heater assembly and a controller. The sensor assembly includes a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) film including electrically conductive materials, and can complete an electrical circuit. The COC film can dissolve in a presence of a hydrocarbon contaminant, breaking the electrical circuit. The syringe can carry a lubrication oil sample to be tested using the sensor assembly. The syringe is operable to contact the lubrication oil sample with the COC film of the sensor assembly. The heater assembly can heat the lubrication oil sample before the lubrication oil sample is loaded to the syringe. The controller can perform operations including operating the syringe to flow the heated lubrication oil sample onto the COC film of the sensor assembly at a pre-determined flowrate.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting aromatic compounds mixed with aliphatic compounds are provided. An exemplary system includes a lower substrate including a test magnet, a polymer film including a film magnet, and an upper substrate disposed over the polymer film, wherein the upper substrate includes an opening extending to the polymer film.

Abstract: An underwater communication interface apparatus includes a first waterproof enclosure having an interior configured to house an electronic device with a touchscreen in such a way that the touchscreen of the electronic device is adjacent to a first side of the first waterproof enclosure. The first side of the first waterproof enclosure has a non-rigid transparent membrane and the non-rigid transparent membrane is configured to allow a user to interact with the touchscreen of the electronic device. The apparatus also includes a second waterproof enclosure that houses a control module. The control module is configured to be operatively coupled to the electronic device and an external auxiliary device. The apparatus further includes a pressure balancing module coupled to the first waterproof enclosure. The pressure balancing module is configured to balance pressure within the first waterproof enclosure relative to external ambient conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining hydrocarbon fuel concentrations. A thin Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) film of a COC layer with a conductive trace that completes an electrical circuit is sputtered. The thin COC film is positioned under tension so that the thin COC film is configured to dissolve upon contact with alkyl aromatic compounds present in hydrocarbon fuels. A sample of a hydrocarbon fuel is positioned on the thin COC film. A determination is made, in response to positioning the sample, that a dissolution of the thin COC film has broken the conductive trace and has rendered the electrical circuit open. A time duration is measured from an introduction of the sample during positioning to an opening of the electrical circuit. A concentration of the hydrocarbon fuel in the sample is determined based on the time duration.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining a concentration of hydrocarbon fuel in a fluid sample. A thin Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) film of a COC layer having a honeycomb mesh-pattern forming a conductive metal trace is sputtered. The thin COC film is configured to dissolve upon contact with alkyl aromatic compounds present in hydrocarbon fuels. A fluid sample of a hydrocarbon fuel is positioned in an open area on the thin COC film. A resistivity of the conductive metal trace is monitored. A determination is made in response to the monitoring that a change in resistivity of the conductive metal trace has occurred resulting from dissolution of the thin COC film. A time duration is measured from the positioning of the fluid sample to the resistivity change. A concentration of the hydrocarbon fuel in the fluid sample is determined based on the time duration.

Abstract: A system for collecting information through a plant includes a first remote detecting device attached to a first portion of the plant and configured to transmit a given signal directly through the plant; the plant, which constitutes a communication channel; a second remote detecting device attached to a second portion of the plant, which is different from the first portion, and configured to receive a signal indicative of the transmitted given signal; and a sink node that communicates with the second remote detecting device.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gate electrode; a dielectric layer covering one surface of the gate electrode; an indium (In) gallium (Ga) zinc (Zn) oxide (O) (IGZO) thin-film formed over the dielectric layer, and first and second metallic electrodes formed on a surface of the IGZO thin-film to act as source and drain, respectively. The IGZO thin-film has an In concentration of 11%+/?3%, Ga concentration of 11%+/?3%, Zn concentration of 7%+/?3%, and O concentration of 71%+/?3%, with a sum of the concentrations being 100%, and the gas interacts with the IGZO thin-film and changes a current through the IGZO thin-film.

Abstract: A biomarker detection sensor includes a substrate; a working electrode formed by laser-scribing directly into the substrate so that a material of the substrate is transformed into graphene; a metal nanostructure formed on a graphene surface of the working electrode, wherein the metal nanostructure is shaped as a tree with plural branches extending away from the graphene surface; an aptamer covering a first surface area of the metal nanostructure; a reference electrode; and a counter electrode.

Abstract: A system for collecting information through a plant includes a first remote detecting device attached to a first portion of the plant and configured to transmit a given signal directly through the plant; the plant, which constitutes a communication channel; a second remote detecting device attached to a second portion of the plant, which is different from the first portion, and configured to receive a signal indicative of the transmitted given signal; and a sink node that communicates with the second remote detecting device.

Abstract: An NO2 detection device includes a substrate; a drain formed on the substrate; a source formed on the substrate; a p-type polymer semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, between the drain and the source; and an n-type metal-organic framework layer located over the p-type polymer semiconductor layer. The n-type metal-organic framework layer has apertures having a size larger than a size of the NO2 molecules so that the NO2 molecules pass through the n-type metal-organic framework layer to arrive at the p-type polymer semiconductor layer to increase an electrical current.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gate electrode; a dielectric layer covering one surface of the gate electrode; an indium (In) gallium (Ga) zinc (Zn) oxide (O) (IGZO) thin-film formed over the dielectric layer, and first and second metallic electrodes formed on a surface of the IGZO thin-film to act as source and drain, respectively. The IGZO thin-film has an In concentration of 11%+/?3%, Ga concentration of 11%+/?3%, Zn concentration of 7%+/?3%, and 0 concentration of 71%+/?3%, with a sum of the concentrations being 100%, and the gas interacts with the IGZO thin-film and changes a current through the IGZO thin-film.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, one embodiment includes a memristor that is caused to be in a particular resistance state by a voltage applied across terminals of the memristor. A first logical input and a second logical input that are below a threshold voltage of the memristor are applied to a first terminal of the memristor. A first control input and a second control input are applied to a second terminal of the memristor. A logical output is determined based on a resistance state of the memristor.

Abstract: Circuitry and techniques are described herein for performing accurate and low power conversion of an analog value into a digital value. According to some aspects, this disclosure describes a successive approximation register (SAR) analog to digital converter (ADC). According to some aspects the SAR ADC comprises an active integrator between a sample and hold stage and a comparator stage. The active integrator operates differently dependent on whether the SAR ADC is operated in a sample phase or a conversion phase. According to other aspects, the SAR ADC utilizes a ring oscillator-based comparator to compare a sampled analog input value to a plurality of reference values to determine a digital value representing the analog value.

Abstract: A self-biased rectifier circuit includes first and second input terminals and first and second output terminals. The self-biased rectifier circuit also includes a rectifier having first, second, third, and fourth transistors, each having a source, gate, and drain. The sources of the first and second transistors and the gates of the third and fourth transistors are coupled to the first input terminal. The sources of the third and fourth transistors and the gates of the first and second transistors are coupled to the second input terminal. The drains of the first and third transistors are coupled to the second output terminal. The drains of the second and fourth transistors are coupled to the first output terminal. A feedback circuit includes a plurality of transistors configured as at least one rectifier.

Abstract: Circuitry and techniques are described herein for performing accurate and low power conversion of an analog value into a digital value. According to some aspects, this disclosure describes a successive approximation register (SAR) analog to digital converter (ADC). According to some aspects the SAR ADC comprises an active integrator between a sample and hold stage and a comparator stage. The active integrator operates differently dependent on whether the SAR ADC is operated in a sample phase or a conversion phase. According to other aspects, the SAR ADC utilizes a ring oscillator-based comparator to compare a sampled analog input value to a plurality of reference values to determine a digital value representing the analog value.