Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a pipe and a magnetic field generator such as an array of permanent magnets. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field through a filter section of the pipe. Multiple filter elements are positioned within the filter section of the pipe. The filter elements include a magnetic material and a biorecognition element to bind with a microorganism. The biorecognition element may be a bacteriophage that is genetically engineered to bind with the microorganism. The magnetic field forces the filter elements to positions within the filter section of the pipe. A fluid media may be flowed from an inlet of the pipe to an outlet of the pipe, through the filter section. The fluid media may be a liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a system for wireless soil humidity sensing includes one or more wireless sensors. Each sensor includes a capacitor and an inductor, the capacitor having a dielectric material with a high relative dielectric permittivity that changes in response to changes in environmental humidity. The dielectric material may be a ceramic material such as a core-shell composite including barium titanate (BaTiO3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). The capacitor may include two opposing sides, with a pair of electrodes positioned on one of the sides. An encapsulation layer such as epoxy may cover the side of the capacitor having the electrode. Sensors may be distributed throughout the soil in an area such as a farm field. The resonant frequency of one or more wireless sensors may be measured, and relative humidity of the soil may be determined based on the resonant frequency. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention in one aspect relates to a method for nondestructively detecting corrosion of an object such as metallic cables. The method includes applying an electronic signal to a device under test (DUT) including said object; measuring signal-transmission characteristics of said object; and determining the corrosion of the object based on the measured signal-transmission characteristics of said object.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a cooling system includes a heat source, multiple electrocaloric material layers coupled to the heat source, and a heat sink coupled to the electrocaloric material layers. An electric field applied to each electrocaloric material layer is independently controllable. The electric field applied to each electrocaloric material layer is operable to move heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink during an interval, and to restore initial conditions of the electrocaloric material layers during a subsequent interval. The heat sink, the electrocaloric material layers, and the heat source may be bonded together. The electrocaloric material layers and the heat source may be bonded together, and the heat sink may be removably coupled to the electrocaloric material layers. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a system may include a basin that includes an index plate positioned at a bottom of the basin. The basin is configured to receive a liquid analyte, such as a liquid food product or a nutrient broth. The index plate includes an array of multiple wells. Each well opens into an interior of the basin and is sized to receive a magnetostrictive sensor in a predetermined orientation. One or more sensor coils is positionable beneath each well. The basin may be filled with liquid analyte and magnetostrictive sensors may be positioned in the wells. The liquid analyte may be allowed to incubate at a controlled temperature. A controller may position a sensor coil beneath a well, apply a varying magnetic field to a magnetostrictive sensor in the well, and detect a frequency response of the magnetostrictive sensor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method for contaminant detection includes distributing multiple magnetostrictive sensors on a nonmagnetic index plate. The index plate includes multiple wells formed in a top surface that are each sized to receive a magnetostrictive sensor. The method further includes placing a magnetic backing plate below the index plate, inverting the index plate and the magnetic backing plate, and then placing the inverted index plate on a sample surface. The sample surface may be two-dimensional food such as fresh vegetable leaves. The method may further include placing the index plate and the magnetic backing plate on a nonmagnetic cover plate that is positioned above a sensor coil. The method further includes removing the magnetic backing plate, removing the index plate, and applying a varying magnetic field with the sensor coil to a magnetostrictive sensor positioned on the cover plate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a system may include a basin that includes an index plate positioned at a bottom of the basin. The basin is configured to receive a liquid analyte, such as a liquid food product or a nutrient broth. The index plate includes an array of multiple wells. Each well opens into an interior of the basin and is sized to receive a magnetostrictive sensor in a predetermined orientation. One or more sensor coils is positionable beneath each well. The basin may be filled with liquid analyte and magnetostrictive sensors may be positioned in the wells. The liquid analyte may be allowed to incubate at a controlled temperature. A controller may position a sensor coil beneath a well, apply a varying magnetic field to a magnetostrictive sensor in the well, and detect a frequency response of the magnetostrictive sensor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method for in-situ pathogen detection may comprise distributing one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors on a surface of a test object, wherein each of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors includes a biorecognition element configured to bind with a pathogen to cause a shift in a characteristic frequency of the associated measurement sensor; applying a varying magnetic field, using a test coil, to the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors distributed on the surface of the test object, wherein the test object is positioned outside of an inner volume defined by the test coil; detecting a frequency response of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors using the test coil, while applying the varying magnetic field; and determining whether the pathogen is present based on the detected frequency response of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of systems for characterizing resonance behavior of magnetostrictive resonators are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first channel including one or more driving coils and one or more magnetostrictive resonators, the first channel having a first impedance; a second channel having a second impedance, the second impedance differing from the first impedance by an impedance attributable to the one or more magnetostrictive resonators; a signal source configured to apply an input signal to both the first and second channels; and a signal receiver configured to generate a combined output signal in response to output signals measured from both the first and second channels.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of systems for characterizing resonance behavior of magnetostrictive resonators are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first channel including one or more driving coils and one or more magnetostrictive resonators, the first channel having a first impedance; a second channel having a second impedance, the second impedance differing from the first impedance by an impedance attributable to the one or more magnetostrictive resonators; a signal source configured to apply an input signal to both the first and second channels; and a signal receiver configured to generate a combined output signal in response to output signals measured from both the first and second channels.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method for in-situ pathogen detection may comprise distributing one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors on a surface of a test object, wherein each of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors includes a biorecognition element configured to bind with a pathogen to cause a shift in a characteristic frequency of the associated measurement sensor; applying a varying magnetic field, using a test coil, to the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors distributed on the surface of the test object, wherein the test object is positioned outside of an inner volume defined by the test coil; detecting a frequency response of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors using the test coil, while applying the varying magnetic field; and determining whether the pathogen is present based on the detected frequency response of the one or more magnetoelastic measurement sensors.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of systems for characterizing resonance behavior of magnetostrictive resonators are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first channel including one or more driving coils and one or more magnetostrictive resonators, the first channel having a first impedance; a second channel having a second impedance, the second impedance differing from the first impedance by an impedance attributable to the one or more magnetostrictive resonators; a signal source configured to apply an input signal to both the first and second channels; and a signal receiver configured to generate a combined output signal in response to output signals measured from both the first and second channels.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device (MLSD), system and method are provided having at least one magnetostrictive particle (MSP) to which is bound at least one binding element. The MSP may be dispersed in a sample containing a target ligand such that the target ligand binds thereto. A driver is also provided to emit a varying magnetic field such that the MSP produces a resonance response detectable by a measurement device configured to receive and detect changes in the resonance response that are due to alterations of the binding element. The MLSD and assays find use in identifying and quantitating ligands as well as chemicals and environmental conditions in a sample or patient.