Abstract: Provided a terahertz-wave detection element in which the occurrence of warping and a crack is suppressed. The detection element includes: an electro-optic crystal layer of a thickness 1-10 ?m in which a refractive index at an incident position of the terahertz wave changes in accordance with incident intensity; a substrate supporting the electro-optic crystal layer; a resin layer of a thickness 0.1-1 ?m that joins them; and a total reflection layer formed on a surface of the electro-optic crystal, consisting of a first dielectric multilayer film and having a thickness not less than 1 ?m. The detection element detects a spatial-characteristics distribution generated in probe light in superposition with the terahertz wave, thereby to detect the spatial intensity distribution of the incident terahertz wave. A ratio of a thickness of the resin layer to that of the total reflection layer is set not more than ?.

Abstract: Monitoring and reporting of the temperature and/or other conditions of perishable and/or temperature sensitive products during transportation and storage is described. A system for wireless temperature monitoring can be carried out at a box level, but can provide information at a finer granularity than box-level. For temperature monitoring, the box (or other container) can be configured with a plurality of temperature sensors provided in an arrangement about the box and connected to a transmitter for communicating the temperature at each location to a monitoring system with a processor and database. A temperature profile and spatial model can be constructed by the processor and stored at the database to generate profiles for defined volumes within the container.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system 10 comprises an optical waveguide 102, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element 106a, and an interrogator 12. The SMA element 106a is deformable as a function of temperature and at least partially surrounds the optical waveguide 102. The interrogator 12 is configured to detect distributed temperature along the optical waveguide 102 using spectroscopy and to detect strain in the optical waveguide 102 induced by deformation of the SMA element 106a to identify local hot spots along the optical waveguide 102.

Abstract: In a portable electronic device components (2) consuming electrical power during operation may generate heat. A temperature sensor (1) for sensing an ambient temperature (TS) of the portable electronic device may as a consequence not supply the correct temperature value. It is suggested to provide a compensator (4) for determining a compensated ambient temperature (TA) dependent on at least the sensed ambient temperature (TS) and information (Pi) related to the electrical power consumed by at least one of the components (2).

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a temperature and a pressure of a fluid medium includes at least one housing, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the fluid medium and at least one pressure sensor element for detecting the pressure of the fluid medium. An activation and/or evaluation circuit is situated in the housing. The activation and/or evaluation circuit is situated on a circuit carrier. The activation and/or evaluation circuit is connected to the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor element. The temperature sensor has at least one connecting line including a connecting section for connecting to the activation and/or evaluation circuit. The circuit carrier has one recess. The connecting section is angled toward the connecting lines. The connecting section protrudes through the recess for connecting to the activation and/or evaluation circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature measuring device for measurement of the external temperature of the ambient air in a vehicle, wherein the temperature measuring device is disposed in a flow path of an air flow and the air flow can be generated from ambient air of the vehicle both through speed-dependent wind resistance of the vehicle and/or wind and also through a compressor unit disposed in the flow path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-calibrating calorimeter using electrical substitution comprising means for measuring a plurality of physical values of different types and of different levels. The calorimeter according to the invention comprises a single acquisition card comprising, for each value to be measured, an independent acquisition system comprising processing circuits specific to the value measured.

Abstract: A flexible display device including a flexible display panel which displays an image, a strain gauge disposed in the flexible display panel, where the strain gauge senses a strain in the flexible display panel and generates a detection signal based on the sensed strain, a strain controller which receives the detection signal and outputs a strain compensation voltage based on the detection signal, and a strain compensation layer disposed on a surface of the flexible display panel and which receives the strain compensation voltage, where a thickness of the strain compensation layer may be controlled based on the strain compensation voltage such that a neutral plane of the flexible display device is maintained in a predetermined reference area in the flexible display panel.

Abstract: A pressing force sensor that includes a sensor element configured with a piezoelectric film, a lead terminal for connection to an external circuit, a wiring conductor which connects pressing force detection electrodes and the lead terminal, and a flexible printed circuit board which withstands solder reflow temperatures. The flexible printed circuit board has the pressing force detection electrodes formed on a first principal surface thereof, and is folded via a folding line while the first principal surface faces inward. The sensor element is deflected by a pressing force applied to a second principal surface which faces outward and is in a first area of the flexible printed circuit board which is on one side with respect to the folding line, and a signal corresponding to the pressing force is thus taken out from the pressing force detection electrodes.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for an electromotive chainless bicycle is provided. The bicycle comprises a power transfer shaft between the crank device and a passive gear of a hub of a rear wheel, a motor for providing auxiliary power, and a torque measuring device for measuring output torque of the motor. The torque measuring device is installed on the power transfer shaft which is a rearmost section of power transfer of the bicycle so as to measure and control the output torque of the motor. The power transfer shaft is divided into two parts; a front part is a power output unit, which can output a torque from the crank; and a rear part is a transfer unit for transfer torque to a rear wheel for driving the rear wheel; and the torque measuring device is arranged between the power output unit and the transfer unit.

Abstract: A device for detecting a mechanical state of a machine element rotates about an axis, such as a shaft is formed with an actuator disposed on the machine element so as to be axially movable, an arrangement for converting a torsion of the machine element into an axial displacement of the actuator and a sensor disposed so as to be stationary relative to the machine element for detecting the axial displacement of the actuator. A mark is assigned to the actuator for detection by the sensor in order to detect the axial displacement of the actuator. A speed (n) of the machine element can be determined from the number of marks that are detected per unit of time.

Abstract: A sensing system comprising a sensor for generating an analog electrical signal indicative of a sensed physical property and an A/D converter for converting the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal. A control circuit connected to the A/D converter is configured to receive the digital electrical signal and to perform a plurality of sensing system operations including determining a measurement value of the physical property as a function of said received digital electrical signal. A slew rate detection circuit connected to the sensor is configured to detect when the analog electrical signal indicates a slew rate that exceeds a threshold value, and to generate an interrupt electrical signal when the slew rate is detected as exceeding the threshold value. The control circuit determines a measurement value of the physical property in response to receiving the interrupt signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor having a diaphragm having a boss with a pattern. The diaphragm having a boss may be regarded as a bossed diaphragm. The bossed diaphragm may have higher sensitivity than a flat plate diaphragm having the same area as the bossed diaphragm. The bossed diaphragm may incorporate a simple cross pattern that can further improve the sensitivity and linearity of a pressure response of the diaphragm at low pressures. Reduction of sharp edges and corners of the boss and its legs around the periphery of the diaphragm may reduce high stress points and thus increase the burst pressure rating of the bossed diaphragm.

Abstract: Low pressure sensors and flow sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a pressure sensor can include a sensor die that includes a substrate and a cavity that is formed in a bottom side of the substrate and that defines an elastic element including a thin diaphragm area and a rigid island. A maximum thickness of the rigid island can be substantially smaller than a thickness of the substrate and can be greater than a thickness of the thin diaphragm area. Side walls of the rigid island can be substantially parallel to one another and can be substantially perpendicular to top and bottom surfaces of the wafer and substantially perpendicular to top and bottom surfaces of the die. The side walls of the at least one rigid island can be formed by wet etching the cavity into the die. The wafer can have an impurity diffused in one or more portions thereof prior to the wet etching such that the one or more portions are doped.

Abstract: Method and system is described for enhanced subsea leak detection by using autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that is equipment with measurement components and navigation components. The method and system may include a one or more wireless communication components for navigation. Also, the method and system may include one or more sensors to detect leakage from a pipeline.

Abstract: A testing device, includes a test gas container, which is provided with a test leak for producing a test gas flow at a predefined leakage rate. The test leak includes at least one capillary tube, which connects the interior of the test gas container to the outer surroundings of the test gas container in a gas-conducting manner. The test gas container is at least partially made of a flexible material.

Abstract: A railcar has an on-board system for weighing a load of the railcar. A center plate load cell is attached to the bottom of the railcar body and supports the first end of the railcar body on a truck assembly via the center bowl of the truck assembly. A pair of side bearing load cells are mounted to the bottom of the railcar body so as to flank the center plate load cell. A pair of side bearings are positioned on the top surface of the truck assembly bolster in alignment with the pair of side bearing load cells. Circuitry sums signals from the center plate load cell and the pair of side bearing load cells to provide a summed output corresponding to a weight of the railcar load. The summed output is conditioned and transmitted via a satellite and/or cable system to a remote receiving station.

Abstract: A leak test apparatus and method is provided which includes an embodiment including a transparent container adapted to selectively permit a device under test to be placed therein, selectively maintain a vacuum, and contain an immersion liquid. The test apparatus further includes a test fixture plate adapted to remain fixed while the container moves along a first axis so as to permit the container to raise or lower with respect to the test fixture plate so as to raise or lower a test fluid with respect to the test fixture plate. The apparatus further includes a support structure adapted to raise or lower the container such that the test fixture plate remains fixed with regard to the container, a vacuum manifold system selectively coupled to the container, and a control system adapted to control raising or lowering of the container and control of vacuum in the container.

Abstract: A test system and a corresponding method for testing the seal of a glove which is installed in a port of an isolator, including a test disc which can be connected in a hermetically sealed fashion to the port. The glove and test disc define a sealed glove volume which can be placed under excess pressure. The test disc has a pressure-measuring device with a microprocessor and a memory for recording and storing a pressure profile in the glove volume and a data interface. The glove and port have identification elements which are read by a reading device of the test disc and information concerning the pressure profile along with the identities of the glove and port are transmitted wirelessly to an evaluation unit which estimates and records a residual period of use of the glove. A plurality of gloves in ports can be tested simultaneously.

Abstract: Provided is a pinhole inspection apparatus for can bodies capable of effectively preventing entrance of ambient light to a photodetector side through a gap between a movable plate and a rotating turret that may be formed due to a surface condition or the like. The pinhole inspection apparatus of the present invention includes: a rotating turret having a penetrating through hole; a movable plate provided on a stationary frame opposite the rotating turret; a can body holding member supporting a can body; a photodetector detecting light leaking inside the can body; and a light source irradiating the can body with light. The pinhole inspection apparatus is characterized in that a detour path formed by a pair of shield parts spaced apart a predetermined distance and opposite from each other is provided as a shield mechanism in an entire outer peripheral region of the rotating turret.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for computing structural stress using higher order finite elements. The system may include a weld grouping engine configured to define a group of weld line nodes and a group of weld line elements corresponding to a weld line representing a welded joint, and a spatial search engine configured to detect a plurality of segments between the weld line nodes. The system may also include a structural stress calculation engine configured to retrieve nodal force data of the group of weld line nodes, calculate a sum of nodal forces and a sum of nodal moments for each segment based on the retrieved nodal force data, and calculate a structural stress for each segment based on the sum of nodal forces and the sum of nodal moments calculated for the segment.

Abstract: Methods and systems to achieve highly efficient rotational machine integrity determinations in which at least one sensor (106) senses indicia (105) such as time-varying rotational indicia from a rotational motive apparatus (103) and a processor (108) may provide many different functions including but not limited to operational function energy apportioning decisional processing, data compression, intelligent hierarchical data ranking, differential data processing, or the like perhaps to generate information (109) such as a rotational integrity abridgment transmissor to which an abridgment transmissor electromagnetic signal (112) may be created and perhaps even transmitted from a rotational motive apparatus to facilitate a machine integrity determination.

Abstract: A planetary gear carrier pack transmission error inspection device is provided. The device includes a planetary gear carrier pack that outputs a rotation speed input to an input side through a planetary gear, a sun gear and a ring gear at a predetermined gear ratio to an output side. An input unit is arranged on an upper side of the planetary gear carrier pack to input a predetermined input rotation speed to the input side of the planetary gear carrier pack. A load unit is arranged on a lower side of the planetary gear carrier pack connected to the output side of the planetary gear carrier pack to apply a predetermined output load to the output side. In addition, an adjusting block is arranged to adjust the planetary gear carrier pack to secure the planetary gear carrier pack.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic system for detecting a fault in an ignition system of an engine system having a cylinder is provided. The system includes an indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) monitoring module for monitoring IMEP indicating average pressure in the cylinder during an operation cycle of the cylinder for an engine runtime. A misfire detection module detects misfire cycles associated with the cylinder based on the monitored IMEP. An ignition system diagnostic module communicatively coupled to the misfire detection module includes a statistical module and a control module. The statistical module determines a percentage of the misfire cycles during the engine runtime. The control module changes an operational parameter of the engine system when the percentage of the misfire cycles is less than a pre-defined threshold value or provides a warning message for required maintenance when the percentage of the misfire cycles is greater than the pre-defined threshold value.

Abstract: An engine misfiring diagnosis device includes: a misfiring diagnosis value calculator that calculates a misfiring diagnosis value for determination of misfiring, based on an amount of rotational fluctuations among cylinders; a reference determination threshold calculator that calculates a reference determination threshold for determining occurrence of misfiring, based on an engine operating state; a first misfiring determiner that compares the misfiring diagnosis value with the reference determination threshold, and determines misfiring of a cylinder being diagnosed; and a second misfiring determiner that, if the first misfiring determiner has determined misfiring is occurring, performs re-determination regarding misfiring for the cylinder being diagnosed, based on a difference between a value obtained by correcting the misfiring diagnosis value of the cylinder being diagnosed with a rotational fluctuation correction value based on the engine operating state, and the misfiring diagnosis values of the cylinder

Abstract: A method for detecting degradation of a turbine engine by monitoring performance of the turbine engine, the turbine engine including plural functional modules, the method including: measuring plural physical parameters of the turbine engine to form a current performance index for the turbine engine; calculating plural degraded performance indices for the turbine engine, assuming that, for each degraded performance index, only one functional module of the turbine engine has degraded; calculating plural cost indices corresponding to the difference between the current performance index and a degraded performance index; determining an optimum cost index corresponding to the one with a lowest value for all the degraded performance indices; and detecting degradation of the module of the turbine engine, the degraded performance index of which is associated with optimum cost index.

Abstract: Methods and systems to achieve highly efficient rotational machine integrity determinations in which at least one sensor (106) senses indicia (105) such as time-varying rotational indicia from a rotational motive apparatus (103) and a processor (108) may provide many different functions including but not limited to operational function energy apportioning decisional processing, data compression, intelligent hierarchical data ranking, differential data processing, or the like perhaps to generate information (109) such as a rotational integrity abridgment transmissor to which an abridgment transmissor electromagnetic signal (112) may be created and perhaps even transmitted from a rotational motive apparatus to facilitate a machine integrity determination.

Abstract: A method for preparing a crude oil solution for analysis, including adding water to a porous adsorbent to obtain a supported water substrate, having a plurality of water monolayers disposed on the porous adsorbent. The method further includes exposing the crude oil solution to the supported water substrate for a period of time; adjusting the pH of the water on the porous adsorbent; separating the supported water substrate from the crude oil solution; washing the supported water substrate with a water immiscible solvent to remove at least one hydrocarbon; displacing water from the plurality of water monolayers and the at least one interfacially active compound from the porous adsorbent with an alcohol and a co-solvent to obtain a displaced phase. The displaced phase can include the water, the at least one interfacially active compound, the alcohol, and the co-solvent. Finally, the method can include drying the displaced phase to isolate the at least one interfacially active compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for stabilizing a biological sample for analysis. The invention more particularly provides methods combining heat treatment and chemical fixation of biological samples in order to maintain protein primary structure and post-translational modifications, such as protein phosphorylations.

Abstract: An isolator attached with gloves, includes: a main body case including a work space isolated from an exterior thereof; a work plate provided within the main body case, the work plate having formed therein an opening portion connecting a device provided below the main body case and the work space; a first cover member mounted to the work plate in a manner openable and closable with respect to the opening portion, the first cover member having formed therein a hole portion into which a worker's finger is to be inserted; and a second cover member mounted to the first cover member in a manner openable and closable with respect to the hole portion.

Abstract: A particle processing device includes a chamber including an input portion and an output portion and providing a space for flowing of a fluid having a particle, at least two deformable membrane structures sequentially arranged in the chamber and controlling a sectional area of a fluid path through which the fluid flows, and at least two membrane control lines respectively applying pressure to the deformable membrane structures.

Abstract: It has been difficult to conduct high-sensitivity, high-precision measurement due to externally generated contamination or cross-contamination. Thus, the invention includes (1) a filter unit having a filter at a bottom of a container for holding a liquid, the filter being adapted to filter a liquid, and (2) an attachment cover having a first opening and a second opening, the filter unit being attachable to and detachable from the attachment cover via the first opening, and the attachment cover being adapted to, when the filter unit is attached to the attachment cover, allow filtration by the filter in a state in which an inner face of the attachment cover is tightly in contact with an outer face of the filter unit, and discharge a resulting filtrate through the second opening.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a concave opening at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: injecting (100) a sample into a capillary; transporting (110) the sample along the capillary in experimental conditions suited to generate a Taylor dispersion phenomenon; generating (120) a signal characteristic of the Taylor dispersion; processing (130) the signal in order to obtain the experimental Taylor signal ?(t); and analysing (200) the experimental Taylor signal ?(t), The analysis step consists of seeking an amplitude distribution P(G(c)) that allows the experimental Taylor signal ?(t) to be broken down into a sum of Gaussian functions by implementing a constrained regularization algorithm consisting of minimising a cost function H? including at least one constraint term associated with a constraint that must observe the amplitude distribution P(G(c)) , whereby the minimization is carried out on an interval of interest of the values of the parameter G(c) that is characteristic of the Gaussian amplitude function P(G(c)).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for generating acknowledged flow (Q), comprising a first passage (2) with ends (3,4) for acknowledged flow (Q) inlet and outlet, a discharge electrode (5) for generating airborne unipolar ions (8) positioned inside the first passage (2), a counter electrode (6) adapted to attract said airborne ions (8), thereby being adapted to cause a net flow (7) of airborne ions (8) and thereby generating an airflow (Q) in the direction of the net flow of airborne ions (8), sensing element (12, 13) , the output of which is a function of the concentration of the airborne electric charge (8, 11), means (17) for switching or modulating a parameter which affects the output of the sensing element (12,13) and means for determining the volumetric flow (Q) on the basis of the time response which switching or modulation creates to the sensing element (12,13) output. 11. Use of apparatus (1) as described in the previous claims for determining ultrafine particle concentration. Process for generating acknowledged flow.

Abstract: Gas sensors are provided that are fashioned such that there is an increased flow over the sensor element. In this way, a good measurement dynamic is achieved even when these gas sensors are exposed to exhaust gases having a low flow speed.

Abstract: Imaging or measurement methods and systems including methods and systems for finding the three-dimensional orientation and position of multiple dipole-like particles and single molecules, methods and systems for generating helical beams and helical spread functions, and methods and systems for super-resolution and super-localization of dense arrays of emitters.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a cytometry system including a handling system that enables presentation of single cells to at least one laser source. The laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce bond vibrations in the cellular DNA. The system further includes a detection facility that detects the signature of the bond vibrations, wherein the bond vibration signature is used to determine the folding or packing of the DNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for blood haemoglobin measurement without carboxyhaemoglobin interference. In the present device and method, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin are converted into a methemoglobin derivative, i.e. Imidazole-methemoglobin. Imidazole-methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin in the matrix are collectively quantified by the reflectance spectroscopy of the matrix at 525 nm, the isobestic point between Imidazole-methemoglobin complex and carboxyhemoglobin molecule.

Abstract: A gas detector including a planar mirror; a concave spherical mirror facing the planar mirror, having an optical axis orthogonal to the planar mirror, the distance between the planar and spherical being equal to 0.75 times the radius of curvature of the spherical mirror, to within 10%; a radiation emitter/receiver arranged at the point of intersection of the spherical mirror and of the optical axis; and a radiation receiver/emitter arranged at the point of intersection of the planar mirror and of the optical axis.

Abstract: A scatterometry target formed relative to an elevationally outermost surface of a substrate includes features having an optical property that is different from that of spaces between the features. The substrate has spaced-apart parallel elongated blocking lines having an optical property different from that of spaces between the blocking lines. The blocking lines are elevationally inward of the target features. The target features and the blocking lines overlap within a same vertical region of the substrate. Polarized electromagnetic radiation having multiple wavelengths is impinged onto the scatterometry target. Pitch of the blocking lines is less than the smallest wavelength of the impinged radiation. The blocking lines reduce spectrum variation to below a detectable level for any polarized electromagnetic radiation passing to elevationally inward of the blocking lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a control unit configured to perform detection process, wherein the detection process includes first process in which a detection optical system is caused to detect a mold-side mark in a state in which a substrate state is positioned such that a reference mark is located outside the field of view of the detection optical system, and second process in which the detection optical system is caused to detect the reference mark in a state in which the mold stage is positioned such that the mold-side mark is out of focus with respect to the detection optical system, and the substrate stage is positioned such that the reference mark is located inside the field of view of the detection optical system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the automatic measuring of such qualities of a printed sheet as reflectance excluding specular reflectance, reflectance including specular reflectance, e.g. gloss, transmittance, half-tone coverage, and the like.

Abstract: A gas sensor (20) comprising a substrate (231); an objective (211) situated on the substrate (231), adapted to collect a light beam (212, 213) emitted by a light source (210); an eyepiece (250) situated on the substrate (231), adapted to collect an incident light beam to focus it on a detector (251); return reflective surfaces (281, 282), situated facing said substrate; and at least one field lens (221), arranged on an intermediate reflective surface (222) formed on the substrate (231), and adapted to deviate the rays (213) of the light beam emitted by the light source, to bring them closer to the optical axis of the eyepiece (250).

Abstract: Spectrally encoded microbeads and methods and devices for making and using spectrally encoded microbeads are provided. The disclosed methods and devices facilitate the preparation and use of microbeads containing multiple lanthanide nanoparticles, which microbeads have uniquely identifiable spectral codes. The disclosed microbeads, and the methods and devices for making and using same, find use in multiplexing and high-throughput biomarker analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensing unit (1) comprising a housing (2) that has a first housing opening which can be oriented towards a medium (M) to be analysed, and a second housing opening on which at least one means for detachably rigidly connecting to a sensor shaft or sensor housing are arranged, or may be arranged, on the inner and/or outer side; at least one sensor element (3) that is arranged in the housing (2) and comprises indicators and, optionally, indicator protectors, said sensor element (3) having a first side facing the first housing opening and a second side lying opposite the first housing opening; and at least one protector element (4) which is arranged in the region of the first housing opening between the at least one sensor element (3) and the medium (M) which surrounds the sensing unit (1), particularly in the region of said housing opening, such that the sensor element (3) does not come into direct contact with the medium (M).

Abstract: A method for quick and easy identification of layer thickness and uniformity of entire large-area graphene samples on arbitrary substrates utilizing fluorescence quenching microscopy in which a polymer mixed with fluorescent dye is applied onto the graphene, then viewing the sample under a fluorescence microscope. A large-scale, high-resolution montage image of the sample is obtained for histogram-based segmentation based on contrast relative to the substrates.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the detection of degradation products of biological molecules in layers of a layer system (1) in which the degradation products are acted upon by an excitation radiation (3) and a radiation (6) of the degradation products which is induced by the excitation radiation (3) is detected and a concentration of degradation products is determined based on a comparison of the measurement values of the radiation (6) with reference data, characterized in that there is provided a layer system (1) which includes a through layer (1.1) which is transparent to the excitation radiation (3) and radiation (6) and at least one further receiver layer containing degradation products, and in that the excitation radiation (3) is directed into the receiver layer through the through layer (1.1). The invention is further directed to an apparatus and a portable measuring device (11) for detecting the degradation products.

Abstract: Rare Earth downconverting compositions for optical encoding objects and related methods and apparatuses. The rare earth (RE) downconverting phosphor compositions are capable of generating a unique optical spectrum or unique optical signature from which an optical code or barcode can be derived. In one exemplary embodiment, the RE downconverting phosphor composition may contain two or more lanthanide materials each having a host and at least one downconverting emitter. Each lanthanide material emits a detectable electromagnetic radiation emission peak at an intensity, which is proportional to the amount of emitter present, upon excitation with an absorbable electromagnetic radiation, the emitted radiation comprising a lower energy, i.e., a longer wavelength than the absorbable radiation. One or more ratios of the intensities of the emitted detectable electromagnetic radiation may be used to uniquely identify the composition.

Abstract: A method of measuring the level of chlorine in a salt water solution and the pH of that solution comprises measuring the UV absorption of a first sample of the first solution to generate a first absorption value, subjecting the solution to electrolysis to generate a catholyte, measuring the UV absorption of the catholyte to generate a second absorption value, and then determining the level of chlorine in the solution and the pH of the solution using the first and second absorption values.