Abstract: Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection are provided. An example method includes determining a first moving average for a first period of time based upon first temperature data and determining a second moving average for the first period of time based upon second temperature data. The method includes determining a first air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data and the first moving average and a comparison between the second temperature data and the second moving average. The method includes determining a second air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and calibrated air thresholds. The method includes determining a third air presence parameter based upon a comparison between a first temperature data entry and each second temperature data entry. An air bubble within a fluid flow system is detected based upon the parameters.

Abstract: Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection are provided. An example method includes determining a first moving average for a first period of time based upon first temperature data and determining a second moving average for the first period of time based upon second temperature data. The method includes determining a first air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data and the first moving average and a comparison between the second temperature data and the second moving average. The method includes determining a second air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and calibrated air thresholds. The method includes determining a third air presence parameter based upon a comparison between a first temperature data entry and each second temperature data entry. An air bubble within a fluid flow system is detected based upon the parameters.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed sensing a flow of fluid using a thermopile-based flow sensing device. An example apparatus includes a flow sensing device comprising a heating structure having a centerline. The flow sensing device may further comprise a thermopile. At least a portion of the thermopile may be disposed over the heating structure. The thermopile may comprise a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction disposed upstream of the centerline of the heating structure. The thermopile may further comprise a second thermocouple having a second thermocouple junction disposed downstream of the centerline of the heating structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with an example flow sensing device are provided. In some examples, the flow sensing device may include a flow cap component and a sensor component. In some examples, the flow cap component may include a heating element disposed in a first layer of the flow cap component. In some examples, the sensor component may include at least one thermal sensing element disposed in a second layer of the sensor component. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer are noncoplanar. In some examples, the flow cap component may be bonded to a first surface of the sensor component to form a flow channel. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer may be noncoplanar and separated by the flow channel.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed sensing a flow of fluid using a thermopile-based flow sensing device. An example apparatus includes a flow sensing device comprising a heating structure having a centerline. The flow sensing device may further comprise a thermopile. At least a portion of the thermopile may be disposed over the heating structure. The thermopile may comprise a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction disposed upstream of the centerline of the heating structure. The thermopile may further comprise a second thermocouple having a second thermocouple junction disposed downstream of the centerline of the heating structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with flow sensing devices are provided. An example flow sensing device includes a flow cap component and a sensor component. The flow cap component or sensor component may include a heating element. The flow cap component can at least partially define a flow channel configured for a media to flow therethrough. The heater element may be orthogonal or perpendicular to the flow channel. The sensor component may include at least one thermal sensing element disposed upstream of the heater element and at least one thermal sensing element disposed downstream of the heater element. The sensor component may include two or more thermal sensing elements disposed in either the upstream direction or downstream direction of the heater element. Thermal sensing elements may be spaced different distances from the heater element to increase the accuracy and precision of flow rate measurement at low flow rates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with an example flow sensing device are provided. In some examples, the flow sensing device may include a flow cap component and a sensor component. In some examples, the flow cap component may include a heating element disposed in a first layer of the flow cap component. In some examples, the sensor component may include at least one thermal sensing element disposed in a second layer of the sensor component. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer are noncoplanar. In some examples, the flow cap component may be bonded to a first surface of the sensor component to form a flow channel. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer may be noncoplanar and separated by the flow channel.

Abstract: Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection are provided. An example method includes determining a first moving average for a first period of time based upon first temperature data and determining a second moving average for the first period of time based upon second temperature data. The method includes determining a first air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data and the first moving average and a comparison between the second temperature data and the second moving average. The method includes determining a second air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and calibrated air thresholds. The method includes determining a third air presence parameter based upon a comparison between a first temperature data entry and each second temperature data entry. An air bubble within a fluid flow system is detected based upon the parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a compact gas sensor (CGS) including a housing with a central stepped cavity with one or more first lead contact(s) forming a portion of a base plane in a bottom of the cavity and one or more second lead contact(s) forming a portion of a stepped plane higher than the base plane, the cavity sized to receive a chemically based stack of material made up of a bottom diffusion electrode layer, a middle electrolyte gel layer, and a top diffusion electrode layer. The bottom diffusion electrode layer is in electrical contact with the first lead contact(s). The top diffusion electrode layer electrically couples to the second lead contact(s) via an overlaying micro electromechanical system (MEMS) element layer with conductive coating. In an illustrative example, the CGS may provide gas sensing in small spaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with an example flow sensing device are provided. In some examples, the flow sensing device may include a flow cap component and a sensor component. In some examples, the flow cap component may include a heating element disposed in a first layer of the flow cap component. In some examples, the sensor component may include at least one thermal sensing element disposed in a second layer of the sensor component. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer are noncoplanar. In some examples, the flow cap component may be bonded to a first surface of the sensor component to form a flow channel. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer may be noncoplanar and separated by the flow channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with an example flow sensing device are provided. In some examples, the flow sensing device may include a flow cap component and a sensor component. In some examples, the flow cap component may include a heating element disposed in a first layer of the flow cap component. In some examples, the sensor component may include at least one thermal sensing element disposed in a second layer of the sensor component. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer are noncoplanar. In some examples, the flow cap component may be bonded to a first surface of the sensor component to form a flow channel. In some examples, the first layer and the second layer may be noncoplanar and separated by the flow channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based gas sensor including an electrolyte contacting one or more top electrode(s) arranged on the bottom surface of a top semiconductor substrate (TSS), and one or more bottom electrode(s) arranged on the top of a bottom semiconductor substrate (BSS), the TSS and BSS joined with an adhesive seal around the electrolyte, the sensor including one or more capillaries providing gaseous communication to the electrolyte from an external ambient environment. The electrodes may be electrically accessed by one or more vias to externally accessible bond pads. In some examples, an electrical connection may be made from an additional bond pad on top of the TSS to the electrolyte. Various embodiments may reduce the size of various gas sensors to advantageously allow their inclusion into portable electronic devices.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed sensing a flow of fluid using a thermopile-based flow sensing device. An example apparatus includes a flow sensing device comprising a heating structure having a centerline. The flow sensing device may further comprise a thermopile. At least a portion of the thermopile may be disposed over the heating structure. The thermopile may comprise a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction disposed upstream of the centerline of the heating structure. The thermopile may further comprise a second thermocouple having a second thermocouple junction disposed downstream of the centerline of the heating structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated fabrication methods related to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based electrochemical sensor include an electrolyte contacting two or more electrode(s) arranged on a substrate, and a high surface area electrode disposed on top of at least a sensing electrode of the sensor. Various embodiments of the high surface area electrode may increase a current or potential produced by the MEMS-based electrochemical sensor in response to one or more targeted chemical species or gases, and allow fabrication and operation of smaller electrochemical sensors. The electrodes may be electrically coupled to control and measurement circuitry. In some examples, the control and measurement circuitry may be formed on the same substrate.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed sensing a flow of fluid using a thermopile-based flow sensing device. An example apparatus includes a flow sensing device comprising a heating structure having a centerline. The flow sensing device may further comprise a thermopile. At least a portion of the thermopile may be disposed over the heating structure. The thermopile may comprise a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction disposed upstream of the centerline of the heating structure. The thermopile may further comprise a second thermocouple having a second thermocouple junction disposed downstream of the centerline of the heating structure.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor for sensing a thermal property of a fluid and may comprise an upstream resistive element having a first resistance that changes with temperature; a downstream resistive element having a second resistance that changes with temperature, wherein the downstream resistive element is situated downstream of the upstream resistive element in the flow direction of the fluid; and at least one tail resistor configured to determine one or more thermal properties of the fluid, wherein the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element are operatively connected in a bridge circuit, wherein the at least one tail resistor is stable with temperature, and wherein the at least one tail resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the upstream resistive element or the downstream resistive element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based gas sensor including an electrolyte contacting one or more top electrode(s) arranged on the bottom surface of a top semiconductor substrate (TSS), and one or more bottom electrode(s) arranged on the top of a bottom semiconductor substrate (BSS), the TSS and BSS joined with an adhesive seal around the electrolyte, the sensor including one or more capillaries providing gaseous communication to the electrolyte from an external ambient environment. The electrodes may be electrically accessed by one or more vias to externally accessible bond pads. In some examples, an electrical connection may be made from an additional bond pad on top of the TSS to the electrolyte. Various embodiments may reduce the size of various gas sensors to advantageously allow their inclusion into portable electronic devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a compact gas sensor (CGS) including a housing with a central stepped cavity with one or more first lead contact(s) forming a portion of a base plane in a bottom of the cavity and one or more second lead contact(s) forming a portion of a stepped plane higher than the base plane, the cavity sized to receive a chemically based stack of material made up of a bottom diffusion electrode layer, a middle electrolyte gel layer, and a top diffusion electrode layer. The bottom diffusion electrode layer is in electrical contact with the first lead contact(s). The top diffusion electrode layer electrically couples to the second lead contact(s) via an overlaying micro electromechanical system (MEMS) element layer with conductive coating. In an illustrative example, the CGS may provide gas sensing in small spaces.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor for sensing a thermal property of a fluid and may comprise an upstream resistive element having a first resistance that changes with temperature; a downstream resistive element having a second resistance that changes with temperature, wherein the downstream resistive element is situated downstream of the upstream resistive element in the flow direction of the fluid; and at least one tail resistor configured to determine one or more thermal properties of the fluid, wherein the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element are operatively connected in a bridge circuit, wherein the at least one tail resistor is stable with temperature, and wherein the at least one tail resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the upstream resistive element or the downstream resistive element.

Abstract: An example approach and structure for providing a chemical sensor, having an electrode that may receive a fluid that is passed on towards a dielectric between the electrode and one or more other electrodes. A capacitance between the electrodes may be changed by the dielectric which is affected by a parameter of the fluid. Measuring a change of the capacitance may indicate a magnitude of the parameter. The electrode receiving the fluid may have one or more layers of metal particles that by design of the particles and their arrangement can result in determined pore sizes and routes through the electrode for a controllable porosity of the electrode.