Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakage from a pipe uses multiple channels/inputs, wherein a low frequency range input measures seismic noises, and a high frequency range input measures cavitation noises. A leakage indication is issued if both the low frequency and high frequency noises are simultaneously detected. A Sophisticated algorithm for processing sensors data in a four dimensional space includes location and time, includes a method for detecting an intruder's path in a location and time space. A method for detecting unauthorized access to oil, gas or other pipes, by monitoring the protective cathodic voltage and detecting changes in the voltage which are indicative of a technical failure or a deliberate attack on the pipe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a MEMS sensor package are provided. In one embodiment, a MEMS sensor package comprises a MEMS sensor; a sensor body permeable to gas leakage at a first leak rate; a backfill gas that pressurizes the sensor body to a backfill pressure; wherein the backfill pressure provides a dampening of the MEMS sensor; and wherein the backfill pressure is set such than any increase in pressure within the sensor body due to gas leakage will not cause a deviation in a Q value of the MEMS sensor beyond a predefined range for at least a specified design service life for the MEMS sensor package.

Abstract: The viscosity or relative viscosity of samples can be measured in parallel by dispensing or aspirating the samples at a set condition and then measuring a property of the sample such as mass dispensed or aspirated.

Abstract: An oscillating rheometer adapted for use in measuring rheological properties of blood or the propensity of blood to clot, the rheometer including at lease two surfaces between which a blood sample is introduced, said surfaces being provided as: A first surface, providing a sample receiving member defining a surface for receipt of a blood sample; A second surface, providing a sample contact surface in movable relationship to said first surface. Wherein in use, said first and second surfaces move towards each other so as to sandwich said blood sample between the first and second surfaces, with the blood sample being subjected to a controlled environment provided by way of one or more of the surfaces in contact with the blood to allow for measurement of the rheological properties of the blood or the propensity of the blood to clot.

Abstract: An IC system including sample preparation. The system includes a liquid sample injection loop, an ion concentrator, an ion separator, and only a single pump for pumping fluid through the system.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for particle focusing, for particles within a fluid sample. An example apparatus, which may be a microfluidic device, comprises a substrate, a channel receiving the fluid sample, and at least one surface acoustic wave (SAW) generator. The SAW generator may comprise electrodes supported by the substrate. In some examples, the channel has a particle focusing region located near a region of the substrate surface in which a SAW is generated. Particles are concentrated within one or more particle focus regions of the sample flow (the particle focus regions being appreciably narrower than the channel dimensions) by the effects of the SAW. As an example, a pair of SAW generators can be used to generate a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) that is used for particle focusing.

Abstract: The method can be used in the field of gas hydrate geology for determining the pore water content in equilibrium with gas hydrate in different dispersed media, including rock, sedimentary deposits and soil systems. A dispersed-medium specimen which has been pre-dried and weighed is placed between, and in direct contact with, two plates of ice, ice-containing soil or ice-containing dispersed medium; then, the specimen is put, together with the plates, into an altitude chamber at a specified negative or positive Celsius temperature. A hydrate-forming gas is injected into the altitude chamber to a pressure exceeding the pressure of the “ice/gas/hydrate” three-phase equilibrium, and the specimen is held in the altitude chamber until equilibrium saturation of the specimen with moisture is achieved.

Abstract: A sensor including a sensor element including a plurality of electrode terminals, terminal metal fittings, a terminal surrounding member, and lead wires connected to respective terminal metal fittings. The terminal surrounding member is divided into a front side surrounding member and a rear side surrounding member in the front-rear direction, and a rear end face of the front side surrounding member abuts a front end face of the rear side surrounding member. At least one of the terminal metal fittings includes a protruding piece portion protruding in a lateral direction and held between the rear end face of the front side surrounding member and the front end face of the rear side surrounding member.

Abstract: A system for and process of is provided for calculating SCR conversion efficiency by applying a reference control signal by which a urea dosing module is controlled to an NOx conversion value respectively in absorption and release modes of NH3 according to a loading amount of the NH3 determined from the SCR efficiency map. The system and process may include a process of determining the NOx conversion value according to a loading amount of NH3, a process of detecting the reference control signal of the dosing module injecting the urea solution, and a process of calculating the SCR conversion efficiency based on the determined NOx conversion value and reference control signal of the dosing module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of an ozone-oxygen conversion means, especially for monitoring of the installation site of a heat exchanger and/or a temperature sensor (DOR sensor) of an ozone-oxygen conversion means, especially for vehicles, the ozone-oxygen conversion means having at least one catalytically coated heat exchanger through or around which air flows and through which a heat exchange medium flows, with at least one temperature sensor (DOR sensor) located on or in the heat exchanger for detecting the heat exchanger temperature, especially for detecting the surface temperature of the heat exchanger, for a defined time interval the temperature characteristics (tka, tprem) at the heat exchanger outlet and on the DOR sensor being determined and thus set into a relation to one another and/or to given comparison quantities and/or values such that evaluation of the operation of the ozone-oxygen conversion means and/or of the installation site of the catalytically coated he

Abstract: In a method for achieving plausibility of a pressure difference value by means of a particle filter, a pressure difference value is allocated to each charging pressure of the internal combustion engine. As a result, the identification of a faulty pressure difference value occurs when the detected pressure difference value is outside a limit range of the detected charging pressure value.

Abstract: A fleet management system for monitoring the tread depth of a plurality of tyres in use in a fleet of vehicles, includes an electronic database of information relevant to the depth of tread for each of a plurality of tyres in use in a fleet of vehicles, an apparatus (100) for testing vehicle tyres, the apparatus (100) including eddy current sensors (120) arranged for detecting the relative position of a metallic reference point within a tyre, and an electronic controller for automatically updating said electronic database in response to test data received from said apparatus (100).

Abstract: There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction, and a second current tank adapted to produce a second current in a second direction. There is also disclosed a method of testing a sample, comprising exposing the sample to a first current in a first current tank, and exposing the sample to a second current in a second current tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a test apparatus capable of testing an adhesive bond in multiple loading modes, such as in tension and in shear. The test apparatus includes a test frame, a force generator, and a force transfer arm. The test frame is configured so that the force generator may be attached to the test frame in a plurality of locations, where each location allows for a different loading mode to be tested. The test apparatus also may be used within an environmental chamber for testing the adhesive bond at extreme environmental conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a parameter of a borehole disposed in an earth formation, the system includes: an injection unit configured to inject at least one radio frequency identification device (RFID) into a fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole; and a collection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid, the collection unit comprising a detector that detects at least one of the at least one RFID and data contents thereof; wherein the detector provides output for estimating the parameter. A method for estimating a parameter of a borehole is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing drilling fluids laden with LCM (Lost Circulation Material) and other solid materials are disclosed. A test cell for analyzing a fluid is provided with a first conical inner portion and an axial positioning device positioned along an axis of the test cell. A first conical plug is coupled to the axial positioning device and is movable in and out of the first conical inner portion along the axis of the test cell. A fluid inlet is positioned at a first location on the test cell and a fluid outlet at a second location.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the pressure difference across an ESP comprises:—connecting the ESP (7) to a production tubing (6)—providing the production tubing (6) with a side pocket (9) which comprises an opening (13)—inserting a pressure sensor assembly (10) into the side packet (9) such that the opening (13) is located between a pair of annular seals (14, 15)—monitoring the pressure difference across the ESP (7) by inducing the sensor assembly to measure a pressure difference between an upper section of the side pocket which is in communication with the interior of the tubing and a middle section (16) of the interior of the side packet (9) which is located between the annular seals (14, 15).

Abstract: A heater pattern is arranged on at least one substrate among substrates configuring a package, and a temperature in the package is controlled by controlling a quantity of electricity carried to the heater pattern corresponding to the ambient temperature of a sensor chip in the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring mass flow of a fluid medium (3) through a pipeline (2), or through a measuring tube. The apparatus includes two temperature sensors (11, 12) and a control/evaluation unit (10). The two temperature sensors (11, 12) are arranged in a region of a housing (5) facing the medium (3) and in thermal contact with the medium (3) flowing through the pipeline (2), or through the measuring tube. A first of the temperature sensors (11) is heatably embodied. A second of the temperature sensors (12) provides information concerning the present temperature of the medium (3). The control/evaluation unit (10), on the basis of primary measured variables, such as temperature difference (?T=T2?T1) between the two temperature sensors (11, 12) and/or heating power (P) fed to the first temperature sensor (11), ascertains the mass flow of the medium (3) through the pipeline (2).

Abstract: A thermal fluid flow sensor having a diaphragm structure body configured by an insulating film formed by stacking a film having compressive stress and a film having tensile stress on the top and bottom of a temperature-measuring resistive element and a heater resistive element which are processed by microprocessing is provided. The insulating film at a lower layer of the heater resistive element, a temperature-measuring resistive element for heater resistive element, upstream temperature-measuring resistive elements, and downstream temperature-measuring resistive elements, has films having compressive stress (a first insulating film, a third insulating film, and a fifth insulating film) and films having tensile stress (a second insulating film and a fourth insulating film) being alternately arranged, and two layers or more of the films having tensile stress are arranged.

Abstract: A level control system for controlling a liquid level in a vessel containing a two-phase fluid includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters related to the vessel. The parameters include liquid level in the vessel, vapor flow rate leaving the vessel, pressure in the vessel, temperature of the vessel, and feed-liquid flow rate entering the vessel indicative of a state of the vessel. A predictive controller is configured to receive output signals from the plurality of sensors and predict a volume of liquid over a predetermined time period in the vessel based on output signals from the plurality of sensors and a variation in pressure, thermal load, or combinations thereof in the vessel. The controller is configured to generate a liquid level set point of the vessel based on the predicted volume of liquid in the vessel; and further control a liquid level in the vessel based on the generated liquid level set point by manipulating one or more control elements coupled to the vessel.

Abstract: A liquid characterization and level sensor with a coaxial probe attached to a closed loop servo circuitry combined with a DSP and novel algorithms to scan, lock and track signals to ascertain the level and purity of fluid in a container.

Abstract: A level indicator having a support, a thick-film resistor network arranged on the support, a bow that carries a contact structure that produces, depending on the position of the bow, an electrical signal in the thick-film resistor network, a lever arm that is retained in the bow and has a float on its other end. The float having has a seat for the lever arm. The lever arm has a pivoting range in a first plane. The float has a second plane that is perpendicular and that extends perpendicular to the first plane and through the center of mass of the float. The float is mounted on the lever arm to be positionally immobile. The seat for the lever arm is arranged in a region of the float which is arranged on the side of the second plane that faces away from the seat of the bow and that is delimited by the second plane and the outer periphery of the float.

Abstract: Different loads are applied to the skeletal muscle of at least one of an upper arm, an upper limb girdle, and a lower limb of the test subject to cause isometric muscle contraction under each load and measure the muscle activity of the skeletal muscle. Then, an upper limit of the muscle activity in a region where a magnitude of the load and an intensity of the muscle activity have a linear relationship is determined as the limit in an appropriate muscle activity range that suits the test subject. Subsequently, the muscle activity of the skeletal muscle of a test subject operating an instrument is measured, and the test subject's force for operating the instrument is evaluated based on a frequency distribution where the frequency of the muscle activity of the skeletal muscle being exercised to operate the instrument is distributed with respect to the obtained limit.

Abstract: The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels comprises a supporting structure for supporting grip and rotation means for gripping and rotating a wheel to be balanced, detection means for detecting the unbalance of the wheel during rotation, a processing unit which is operatively associated to the grip and rotation means and to the detection means, and interface means associated to the supporting structure and operatively associated to the processing unit. The interface means comprise a support associated to the supporting structure, a screen housed internally of a first housing on the support and a keyboard housed internally of a second housing on the support.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring forces which are produced by an unbalance of a rotary member 8, comprising support means 3 for supporting the rotary member 8 rotatably about its axis 1 and having at least one measurement sensor 4 placed at a vibratory location of the support means 3, wherein the at least one measurement sensor 4 is designed to measure vibratory accelerations of the location at which the measurement sensor 4 is placed.

Abstract: The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels comprises a base frame supporting a balancing shaft for balancing a vehicle wheel and illumination means for illuminating the wheel which comprise a plurality of light sources arranged substantially around the balancing shaft.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor comprises a substrate and two structures which move relative to the substrate on a design plane (x-y), with the two moving structures being coupled to form a coupled structure such that the coupled structure has a first oscillation mode with antiphase deflections of the moving structures in a first direction (x) on the design plane (x-y) as excitation mode. The coupled structure has a second oscillation mode as a detection mode which is excited by Coriolis accelerations when the first oscillation mode is excited and on rotation about a sensitive axis (z) of the rotation rate sensor. The sensitive axis is at right angles to the design plane (x-y), and the coupled structure is designed such that, subject to optimal preconditions, it does not have any oscillation mode which can be excited by linear accelerations of the rotation rate sensor in a direction parallel to the second axis.

Abstract: A mechanical quantity sensor includes a first structure having a fixed portion with an opening, a displaceable portion arranged in the opening and displaceable relative to the fixed portion, and a connection portion connecting the fixed portion and the displaceable portion, a second structure having a weight portion joined to the displaceable portion and a pedestal joined to the fixed portion, and arranged and stacked on the first structure, and a base having a driving electrode and a detection electrode arranged on a face facing the weight portion, connected to the pedestal, and arranged and stacked on the second structure. The second structure has a recessed portion arranged in an area on a face of the weight portion facing the second base, the area corresponding to an area where the driving electrode and the detection electrode are not arranged.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a sensor for detecting an acceleration acting on the sensor, having: a substrate, a mass unit, which acts as an inert mass in the event of the presence of an acceleration, a fixing structure, wherein the mass unit is articulated on the substrate in such a way that at least one pivot axis is defined, about which the mass unit can perform a rotation relative to the substrate as a result of an acceleration acting on the sensor, and the mass unit has an interial center of gravity, which is at a distance from the respective pivot axis, and at least one detection unit, with which a change in position between the mass unit and the substrate may be detected. The detection unit is arranged with respect to the mass unit in such a way that a deformation of the mass unit cannot be transferred to the detection unit.

Abstract: A mechanical-to-electrical sensing structure is provided with first and second movable blocks. A first hinge is coupled to the first and second movable blocks and configured to resist loads other than flexing of the first hinge. At least a first gage link is separated from the first hinge and aligned to provide that a moment tending to rotate one of the first or second blocks relative to the other about the first hinge applies a tensile or compressive force along a length of the first gage link. Electrochemistry is used to define the at least first gage.

Abstract: A parameter-free method to analyze sensor signals incorporates two or more of frequency demodulation, amplitude demodulation and phase demodulation of the raw signal data. The resulting signal is transformed to a frequency domain, and target fault characteristics from the demodulated signal are identified. The method is used to detect faults in bearings, gears and other mechanical components.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus may include a chamber partly filled with water from a first portion of the chamber to a water-line disposed apart from a second portion of the chamber, and at least one transducer disposed apart from the water-line. The at least one transducer may emit ultrasonic signals through a portion of a part being inspected towards the water-line. The water-line may reflect the ultrasonic signals emitted from the at least one transducer off the water-line, back through a portion of a part being inspected, and back to the at least one transducer. In such manner, one or more portions of a complex-shaped part may be inspected.

Abstract: An optical sound detection system including: a laser source to generate a laser beam; an optical fiber; an optical sensor aligned to detect a detected portion of a diffraction pattern formed by the laser light emitted from the output coupling port of the optical fiber; and a signal processor to process the signal produced by the optical sensor. The optical fiber includes: a core that includes a photoelastically active material; an input coupling port optically coupled to the laser source to couple the laser beam into the core of the optical fiber; and an output coupling port from which the laser light is emitted after propagating through the core. The optical sensor is adapted to produce a signal corresponding to the detected portion of the diffraction pattern.

Abstract: Micro-opto-mechanical chemical sensors and methods for simultaneously detecting and discriminating between a variety of vapor-phase analytes. One embodiment of the sensor is a photonic microharp chemical sensor with an array of closely spaced microbridges, each differing slightly in length and coated with a different sorbent polymer. The microbridges can be excited photothermally, and the microbridges can be optically interrogated using microcavity interferometry. Other actuation methods include piezoelectric, piezoresistive, electrothermal, and magnetic. Other read-out techniques include using a lever arm and other interferometric techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure measuring device (1) for measuring and/or monitoring pressure of a measured medium (14). The pressure measuring device (1) includes a sensor housing (9) and a measurement transmitter (3), wherein assigned to the sensor housing (9) is a pressure measuring cell (4) with a pressure sensitive measuring element (5), wherein assigned to the pressure measuring cell (4) is a temperature sensor (10; 11; 12; 13), and wherein assigned to the measurement transmitter (3) is a control/evaluation unit (16).

Abstract: A semiconductor filter is provided to operate in conjunction with a differential pressure transducer. The filter receives a high and very low frequency static pressure attendant with a high frequency low dynamic pressure at one end, the filter operates to filter said high frequency dynamic pressure to provide only the static pressure at the other filter end. A differential transducer receives both dynamic and static pressure at one input port and receives said filtered static pressure at the other port where said transducer provides an output solely indicative of dynamic pressure. The filter in one embodiment has a series of etched channels directed from an input end to an output end. The channels are etched pores of extremely small diameter and operate to attenuate or filter the dynamic pressure.

Abstract: A micromechanical pressure sensor includes a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm accommodated in a shared semiconductor substrate. The two diaphragms facilitate independent pressure sensing of one or more media, by the fact that a respective pressure variable is sensed by way of the deflection of the respective diaphragm. A cap above the first diaphragm defines a hollow space that is connected to the hollow space below the second diaphragm.

Abstract: A micromechanical pressure sensing device includes a silicon support structure, which is configured to provide a plurality of silicon support beams. The device further includes one or more diaphragms attached to and supported by the support beams, and at least one piezoresistive sensing device, which is buried in at least one of the support beams. The piezoresistive sensing device is arranged to sense a strain induced in the silicon support structure, the strain being induced by a fluid in contact with the one or more diaphragms, to determine the pressure acting on the one or more diaphragms.

Abstract: A digital pressure sensor, which is mounted on a pressure controller of a pneumatic tube system, includes a casing including a control circuit, which has a pressure sensing unit, therein, a display, which has a plurality of displaying units for showing numerals or icons, on a front side connected to said control circuit, and a connection tube on a bottom thereof for communication with a connection tube of the pneumatic tube system that said pressure sensing unit of said control circuit senses a pressure in the tube via said connection tube; and a battery set received in said casing and electrically connected to said control circuit.

Abstract: The bands and corners of rectangular or other geometric shapes for binary code symbols are used to measure non-linear and non-uniform strain in a material with an anomaly such as a crack in the area of strain measurement. In particular, they can be used to evaluate differential strains in the regions of the bands and corners; and the external and internal boundaries can be used to measure differentials in strain between the external boundaries and internal boundaries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor as a built-in component of an object, especially an elastic object, the sensor comprising a polymer material containing electroconductive additives according to the invention and thereby acting as an expansion sensor (2), in that it measures the static and dynamic expansions of the object in relation to the acting forces and also monitors the changes of the polymer material generated by the static and dynamic expansions of the object over time. The invention also relates to a sensor arrangement (1) acting especially in combination with the following components: an expansion sensor (2), a fixed resistor (3), an analog/digital converter (4), a micro-controller comprising a memory (5), a radio interface (6), a controlled current/voltage source (7), an energy supply (8), a coupling coil (9), and a receiving unit (10).

Abstract: A bi-directional flowmeter comprises a first fluidic oscillator device arranged to measure the flow of fluid in a first direction and a second fluidic oscillator device arranged to measure the flow of fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction and in which the two oscillators devices are connected together in series between an inlet port and an outlet port of the flowmeter between which the fluid to be measured can flow.

Abstract: A method for system- and/or process-monitoring in the case of an ultrasound flow measuring device having a plurality of measuring channels, wherein a medium flows though a pipeline or measuring tube in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipeline or measuring tube. Ultrasonic measuring signals are coupled into the pipeline or measuring tube and coupled out of the pipeline or measuring tube in such a way that they travel through the medium along different sound paths. Following passage through the pipeline or measuring tube, the ultrasonic measuring signals are detected in the individual measuring channels, wherein at least one actual quantity describing the ultrasonic measuring signal of each measuring channel is ascertained. The actual quantity is compared with a desired quantity captured under predetermined system- or process-conditions, and a report is output in the case of a difference between the ascertained, actual quantity and the captured, desired quantity.

Abstract: A method for operating a resonance measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flowmeter, an oscillation element is excited to oscillation and the oscillations of the oscillation element are detected by an oscillation sensor and are formed as at least one response signal of a respective eigenform. Orthogonal projection components of the response signal are created, at least a first value corresponding to an eigenfrequency of the resonance measuring system is determined with at least a part of the alternating components of the projection components, at least a second value corresponding to the eigenfrequency of the resonance measuring system is determined with at least a part of the constant components of the projection components and the first and the second value correspondents are used for exciting the resonance measuring system with at least one control in at least one control loop in the eigenform corresponding to the eigenfrequency.

Abstract: A method for operating a resonance-measuring system, in particular, a Coriolis mass flowmeter, having at least one oscillation element, at least one oscillation driver and at least one oscillation sensor, the oscillation element being excited to oscillation in at least one control using at least one control loop by at least one oscillation driver being excited by at least one excitation signal and the excited oscillations of the oscillation element being detected by the oscillation sensors as at least one response signal. At least one set variable of the closed loop is varied in a pre-determined manner and by evaluating at least one resulting excitation signal and/or at least one resulting response signal with the help of a mathematical model of the resonance-measuring system, at least one parameter of the excited eigenform is selectively identified.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for measurement of a torque acting on a shaft, wherein the shaft has a first shaft section and a second shaft section and these two shaft sections can rotate with respect to one another, having at least one magnetic encoder which is arranged on the first shaft section and having a stator which is arranged on the second shaft section, wherein the stator has two stator elements each having projecting fingers, and a flux concentrator is associated with each of the stator elements and directly or indirectly supplies to a magnetic field sensor element the magnetic field which is to be detected and is produced by the magnetic encoder, wherein the at least one flux concentrator includes a ring or ring sector, is arranged essentially in the radial outer area with respect to at least one stator element and is magnetically coupled thereto via an air gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocell, and method for manufacturing same, for holding small volumes of soft matter confined in a gap of order 1 micrometer or smaller and measurement systems using the same. The nanocell comprise: a first structure (3) with a substantially flat surface in one direction; a second structure (6) with a substantially flat surface in one direction; and at least one spacer (1, 2); wherein said substantially flat surface of each first and second structure face each other and are separated by the at least one spacer and the two surfaces and the spacer together define a volume (7) between them for holding said soft matter or fluid, and the distance defined by the spacer between said surfaces of the first and second structure is less than 1 micrometer; the volume between the surfaces of the first and second structures and the spacer is in the range between 1 femto liters and 1 micro liters.