Abstract: A fiber optic based sensing system and method includes a. functionalized optical fiber based sensor including an engineered sensing layer, a light source structured to generate light and couple the light into an input of the functionalized optical fiber based sensor, and an interrogator including a photodetector coupled to the functionalized optical fiber based sensor to receive transmitted or reflected tight, a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuit coupled to an output of the photodetector, a controller coupled to an output of the TIA circuit, and a transmitter (e.g., a wired or wireless transmitter) coupled to the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods using single conductor guided surface electromagnetic (EM) waves to interrogate distant wireless active or passive sensor devices or media surrounding the conductor. The guided waves may be launched on the conductor over a wide frequency range (e.g., MHz to several GHz) using an RF launcher that is connected to an interrogator. Such guided surface EM waves can travel significantly longer distances as compared to the free space propagation of waves because they travel by waveguiding along the conductor surface. Using these waves, power and/or data can be delivered to sensors located on or near the conductor surface, and data can be received from the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and quantifying the concentration of rare earth elements in a fluid contacting a sensor, the method having the steps of: providing the sensor to an environment such that the sensor is in contact with the fluid, wherein the sensor features a fiber extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the sensor further features a coating on the second end of the fiber, and wherein the coating is a metal-organic framework material including, but not limited to zinc adeninate, 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, 4,4-biphenyldicarboxylate, and combinations thereof; interrogating the sensor with light; collecting a luminescent signal; and detecting the rare earth elements in the fluid contacting the sensor using the luminescent signal.

Abstract: A method of tinting or coloring glass. The following layers are deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; a primer layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, these layers may be deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, the invention is a coated article that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an absorbing layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The absorbing layer can be Inconel, titanium nitride, cobalt chrome (stellite), or nickel chrome material, and has a thickness in the range of 50 ? to 150 ?.

Abstract: An architectural transparency includes a substrate; a first dielectric layer over at least a portion of the substrate, a first metallic layer over the first dielectric layer, a first primer layer over the first metallic layer, a second dielectric layer over the first primer layer, a second metallic layer over the second dielectric layer, a second primer layer over the second metallic layer, a third dielectric layer over the second primer layer, a third metallic layer over the third dielectric layer, a third primer layer over the third dielectric layer, and a fourth dielectric layer over the third primer layer. At least one of the metallic layers is a subcritical metallic layer.

Abstract: A cable installation apparatus includes a drive assembly and a cable assembly, wherein the apparatus dispenses the cable onto and/or into and along the inner surface of a tubular structure while being moved. The apparatus also includes a securing assembly for holding and dispensing a securing material component while the apparatus is being moved along the length of the tubular structure, wherein the securing material component secures the cable to the inner surface of the tubular structure after being dispensed from the apparatus. A cleaning assembly may also be included for cleaning portions of the inner surface of the tubular structure while the apparatus is being moved along the length of the tubular structure and before the cable is dispensed onto and/or into the portions of the inner surface of the tubular structure.

Abstract: An architectural transparency includes a substrate; a first dielectric layer over at least a portion of the substrate, a first metallic layer over the first dielectric layer, a first primer layer over the first metallic layer, a second dielectric layer over the first primer layer, a second metallic layer over the second dielectric layer, a second primer layer over the second metallic layer, a third dielectric layer over the second primer layer, a third metallic layer over the third dielectric layer, a third primer layer over the third dielectric layer, and a fourth dielectric layer over the third primer layer. At least one of the metallic layers is a subcritical metallic layer.

Abstract: A method of tinting or coloring glass. The following layers are deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; a primer layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, these layers may be deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, the invention is a coated article that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an absorbing layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The absorbing layer can be Inconel, titanium nitride, cobalt chrome (stellite), or nickel chrome material, and has a thickness in the range of 50 ? to 150 ?.

Abstract: A method of tinting or coloring glass. The following layers are deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; a primer layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, these layers may be deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, the invention is a coated article that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an absorbing layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The absorbing layer can be Inconel, titanium nitride, cobalt chrome (stellite), or nickel chrome material, and has a thickness in the range of 50 ? to 150 ?.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a sensor configuration system comprising at least one device configured to sense a first parameter; at least one device configured to sense a second parameter, and at least one interrogator device. The at least one device configured to sense the second parameter interfaces with the at least one device configured to sense the first parameter, and the at least one interrogator device interfaces both the at least one device configured to sense the first parameter and the at least one device configured to sense the second parameter where the at least one interrogator device spatially interrogates both the at least one device configured to sense the first parameter and the at least one device configured to sense the second parameter.

Abstract: Materials, methods of making, and methods of sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion using a hierarchical sensor network A hierarchical sensor network for sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion, including an interrogation system; and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system. The network includes an interrogation system and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system.

Abstract: A method to detect the presence and or concentration of an analyte in the environment of a spoof plasmon sensor having the steps of: providing a spoof plasmon sensor into an environment; interrogating said spoof plasmon sensor with an electromagnetic signal; collecting a modified electromagnetic signal from the spoof plasmon sensor; and analyzing the modified electromagnetic signal to detect an analyte in the environment of the sensor. A spoof plasmon sensor for detecting an analyte having a substrate with a superior surface; and a conductive material disposed on said superior surface, said conductive material defining a waveguide having a dual tapering shape, wherein said waveguide defines spoof plasmon cavities which are exposed substrate, where said substrate is configured to change in permittivity when contacted by an analyte.

Abstract: A method includes producing an amorphous precursor to a nanocomposite, the amorphous precursor comprising a material that is substantially without crystals not exceeding 20% volume fraction; performing devitrification of the amorphous precursor, wherein the devitrification comprises a process of crystallization; forming, based on the devitrification, the nanocomposite with nano-crystals that contains an induced magnetic anisotropy; tuning, based on one or more of composition, temperature, configuration, and magnitude of stress applied during annealing and modification, the magnetic anisotropy of the nanocomposite; and adjusting, based on the tuned magnetic anisotropy, a magnetic permeability of the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A gas sensor (100,200) includes at least one sensor device including a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (110) or a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device (210), and a layer of metal organic framework (MOF) material (120,220) disposed on each of the at least one sensor device. The at least one sensor device is structured to sense a change in mass of the MOF material.

Abstract: A system for determining pH of a fluid and a method to determine the pH of a fluid contacting a sensor, the method having the steps of: providing the sensor to an environment such that the sensor is in contact with the fluid, wherein the sensor features a fiber extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the fiber further features a medial portion positioned between the first and second ends, wherein the sensor further features a pH sensitive coating on the medial portion of the fiber, and wherein the pH sensitive material features a metal oxide including but not limited to SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, A2O3, and combinations thereof; interrogating the sensor with an optical signal; collecting a modified optical signal after the sensor has been interrogated; and determining the pH of the fluid contacting the pH sensor using the modified optical signal.

Abstract: A method of tinting or coloring glass. The following layers are deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; a primer layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, these layers may be deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, the invention is a coated article that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an absorbing layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The absorbing layer can be Inconel, titanium nitride, cobalt chrome (stellite), or nickel chrome material, and has a thickness in the range of 50 ? to 150 ?.

Abstract: A method of making an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes generating a laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrafast pulses, and focusing the laser beam into a core of an optical fiber to form a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of optical fiber. Also, an optical fiber sensor device for distributed sensing includes an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis, a core, and a nanograting structure within the core, wherein the nanograting structure includes a plurality of spaced nanograting elements each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Also, a distributed sensing method and system and an energy production system that employs such an optical fiber sensor device.

Abstract: Materials, methods of making, and methods of sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion using a hierarchical sensor network A hierarchical sensor network for sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion, including an interrogation system; and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system. The network includes an interrogation system and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the pH of an aqueous solution by utilizing the optical properties of a pH sensing material comprised of plurality of optically active nanoparticles dispersed in matrix material. The optically active nanoparticles have an electronic conductivity greater than about 10?1 S/cm and generally have an average nanoparticle diameter of less that about 500 nanometers, and the matrix material is a material which experiences a change in surface charge density over a pH range from 2.0 to 12.0 of at least 1%. The method comprises contacting the pH sensing material and the aqueous solution, illuminating the pH sensing material, and monitoring an optical signal generated through comparison of incident light and exiting light to determine the optical transmission, absorption, reflection, and/or scattering of the pH sensitive material. The optical signal of the pH sensitive material varies in response to the pH of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of monitoring operation of a reactor system includes causing a chemical reaction to occur within an assembly of the reactor system, and measuring a chemical composition of one or more reactants of the chemical reaction with spatial resolution at a plurality of points along a path within the assembly using a sensor system structured to implement distributed sensing. The sensor system includes an optical fiber sensing member provided at least partially within the assembly, wherein the optical fiber sensing member comprises a functionalized optical fiber based sensor device structured to exhibit a change in one or more optical properties in response to changes in the chemical composition of the one or more reactants.